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Syria

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5/16/14: President Obama met with Syrian opposition leader Ahmad al-Jarba, who leads the moderate Syrian Opposition Coalition, for the first time on Tuesday in a display of U.S. support to the moderate opposition and the Syrian civilians in their efforts to end the conflict and facilitate a political transition in the war-torn country.

Jarba, who has been in Washington for about a week pursuing broader assistance from the American government is seeking to overcome Obama’s reluctance to send arms, particularly shoulder-fired anti-aircraft weapons needed to thwart the deadly barrel-bomb attacks by Syrian aircraft.

The White House said Obama and US National Security Adviser Susan Rice condemned "the Assad regime's deliberate targeting of Syrian civilians through aerial bombardments — including the use of barrel bombs — and the denial of food and humanitarian assistance to civilians located in areas under siege by the regime."

Jarba thanked Mr. Obama for the $287 million worth of aid the U.S has given to opposition elements. He also noted that the United States is the largest donor of humanitarian aid to Syrian refugees having given them a grant valued $1.7 billion.

Bills related to Providing Humanitarian Assistance & Supporting Syrian Civilians

Bills related to Use of Military Power to End War

  • H Res 520

    End Attacks on Syrian Civilians

    Calling for an end to attacks on Syrian civilians and expanded humanitarian access.

  • HR 2501

    Congressional Accountability and Oversight in Syria Act

    To authorize assistance to conduct military or paramilitary operations in Syria.

  • H J Res 61

    Prevent Chemical Weapons

    To prevent further use of chemical weapons in Syria.

  • S J Res 21

    Authorization for the Use of Military Force Against the Government of Syria to Respond to Use of Chemical Weapons

    Authorization for the Use of Military Force Against the Government of Syria to Respond to Use of Chemical Weapons; Authorizes the President, subject to a determination that force is necessary, to use the U.S. Armed Forces in a limited manner against military targets in Syria only to: (1) respond to the government of Syria's use of weapons of mass destruction in the conflict in Syria, (2) deter Syria's use of such weapons in order to protect U.S. national security interests and U.S. allies and partners, (3) degrade Syria's capacity to use such weapons in the future, and (4) prevent the transfer to terrorist groups or other state or non-state actors within Syria of weapons of mass destruction.

  • S Res 384

    Political Solution

    A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate concerning the humanitarian crisis in Syria and neighboring countries, resulting humanitarian and development challenges, and the urgent need for a political solution to the crisis. –passed on April 3, 2014.

  • President’s Draft

    President’s Draft Legislation Authorizing Military Action in Syria

    "The President is authorized to use the Armed Forces of the United States as he determines to be necessary and appropriate in connection with the use of chemical weapons or other weapons of mass destruction in the conflict in Syria in order to — (1) prevent or deter the use or proliferation (including the transfer to terrorist groups or other state or non-state actors) within, to or from Syria, of any weapons of mass destruction, including chemical or biological weapons or components of or materials used in such weapons; or (2) protect the United States and its allies and partners against the threat posed by such weapons." (Read the entire draft.)

Bills related to Prohibiting Funds to Syria

Bills related to Resolving Conflicts in Syria

  • H Res 223

    Syrian Opposition Coalition

    Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives concerning the ongoing conflict in Syria and the urgent need for the Syrian Opposition Coalition and local coordinating committees in Syria to assume the responsibilities of governance including the establishment of institutions of transitional justice, and to guarantee the rights of all Syria’s people, regardless of ethnic or religious affiliation.

  • H Con Res 53

    Resolve Crisis in Syria

    Urging all parties to the conflict in Syria to work through the United Nations and with the international community to hold the Assad regime accountable and resolve the crisis in Syria through a negotiated political settlement.

  • S J Res 22

    Chemical Weapons Control and Accountability Resolution

    A joint resolution to promote a diplomatic solution in Syria.

Bills related to War Crimes

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