H.R. 1677 — what changed
Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2017
From Introduced in House to Reported in House. 15 sections amended and 1 removed between Introduced in House and Reported in House.
Sec. 2 Sense of Congress
It is the sense of Congress that—
Bashar al-Assad’s murderous actions against the people of Syria have directly contributed to the deaths of more than 480,000 civilians, led to the destruction of more than 50 percent of Syria’s critical infrastructure, and forced the displacement of more than 14,000,000 people, precipitating one of the worst humanitarian crises in more than 60 years;
international actions to protect vulnerable populations from attack by uniformed and irregular forces associated with the Assad regime, including Hezbollah, on land and by air, including through the use of barrel bombs, chemical weapons, mass starvation, industrial-scale torture and execution of political dissidents, sniper attacks against pregnant women, and the deliberate targeting of medical facilities, schools, residential areas, and community gathering places, including markets, have been insufficient to date;
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Assad’s use of chemical weapons, including chlorine, against the Syrian people violates the Chemical Weapons Convention;Convention, to which Syria is a party;
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Assad’s abhorrent use of chemical weapons, most recently on April 4, 2017, in an attack on the town of Khan Shakhyn in which more than 90 people died, including women and children, and more than 600 hundred people were injured, is condemned in the strongest terms;
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was (6)
violent attacks resulting in death, injury, imprisonment or threat of prosecution against humanitarian aid workers and diplomatic personnel, as well as attacks on humanitarian supplies, facilities, transports, and assets, and acts to impede the access and secure movement of all humanitarian personnel are in violation of international humanitarian law and impede the lifesaving work of humanitarian organizations and diplomatic institutions; and
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Assad’s continued claim of leadership and war crimes in Syria have served as a rallying point for the extremist ideology of the Islamic State, Jabhat al-Nusra, and other terrorist organizations.
Sec. 101 Sanctions with respect to Central Bank of Syria and foreign persons that engage in certain transactions
Application of certain measures to Central Bank of Syria— Except as provided in subsections (a) and (b) of section 402, the President shall apply the measures described in section 5318A(b)(5) of title 31, United States Code, to the Central Bank of Syria.
Blocking property of foreign persons that engage in certain transactions—
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In general— Beginning on and after the date that is 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall impose on a foreign person the sanctions described in subsection (c) if the President determines that such foreign person has, person, on or after such date of enactment, knowingly engaged engages in an activity described in paragraph (2).
Activities described— A foreign person engages in an activity described in this paragraph if the foreign person—
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knowingly provided provides significant financial, material or technological support to (including engaging in or facilitating a significant transaction or transactions with) or provided provides significant financial services for—
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the Government of Syria (including Syria’s intelligence and security services or its armed forces or government entities operating as a business enterprise) and the Central Bank of Syria, or any of its agents agencies or affiliates; instrumentalities; or
a foreign person subject to sanctions pursuant to—
the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) with respect to Syria or any other provision of law that imposes sanctions with respect to Syria; or
a resolution that is agreed to by the United Nations Security Council that imposes sanctions with respect to Syria;
knowingly—
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sold sells or provided provides significant goods, services, technology, information, or other support that could directly and significantly facilitate facilitates the maintenance or expansion of the Government of Syria’s domestic production of natural gas or petroleum or petroleum products of Syrian origin in areas controlled by the Government of Syria;Syria or associated forces;
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sold sells or provided provides to the Government of Syria crude oil or condensate, refined petroleum products, liquefied natural gas, or petrochemical products that have a fair market value of $500,000 or more or that during a 12-month period have an aggregate fair market value of $2,000,000 or more in areas controlled by the Government of Syria;Syria or associated forces;
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sold sells or provided civilian provides aircraft or spare parts, or provides significant goods, services, or technologies associated with the operation of such aircraft or airlines air carriers to any foreign person operating in areas controlled by the Government of Syria; Syria or associated forces that are used, in whole or in part, for military purposes; or
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sold sells or provided provides significant goods, services, or technology to a foreign person operating in the shipping (including ports and free trade zones), transportation, or telecommunications sectors in areas controlled by the Government of Syria;Syria or associated forces;
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knowingly facilitated facilitates efforts by a foreign person to carry out an activity described in subparagraph (A) or (B);(B); or
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knowingly provided provides significant loans, credits, including export credits, or financing to carry out an activity described in subparagraph (A) or (B); and(B).
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is owned or controlled by a foreign person that engaged in the activities described in subparagraphs (A) through (C).
Sanctions against a foreign person— The sanctions to be imposed on a foreign person described in subsection (b) are the following:
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In general— The President shall exercise all of the powers granted by to the President under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) (except that the requirements of section 202 of such Act (50 U.S.C. 1701) shall not apply) to the extent necessary to freeze block and prohibit all transactions in all property and interests in property of the foreign person if such property and interests in property are in the United States, come within the United States, or are or come within the possession or control of a United States person.
Aliens ineligible for visas, admission, or parole—
Visas, admission, or parole— An alien who the Secretary of State or the Secretary of Homeland Security (or a designee of one of such Secretaries) knows, or has reason to believe, meets any of the criteria described in subsection (a) is—
inadmissible to the United States;
ineligible to receive a visa or other documentation to enter the United States; and
otherwise ineligible to be admitted or paroled into the United States or to receive any other benefit under the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.).
Current visas revoked—
In general— The issuing consular officer, the Secretary of State, or the Secretary of Homeland Security (or a designee of one of such Secretaries) shall revoke any visa or other entry documentation issued to an alien who meets any of the criteria described in subsection (a) regardless of when issued.
Effect of revocation— A revocation under clause (i)—
shall take effect immediately; and
shall automatically cancel any other valid visa or entry documentation that is in the alien’s possession.
Exception to comply with United Nations Headquarters Agreement— Sanctions under paragraph (2) shall not apply to an alien if admitting the alien into the United States is necessary to permit the United States to comply with the Agreement regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations, signed at Lake Success June 26, 1947, and entered into force November 21, 1947, between the United Nations and the United States, or other applicable international obligations.
Penalties— The penalties provided for in subsections (b) and (c) of section 206 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1705) shall apply to a person that knowingly violates, attempts to violate, conspires to violate, or causes a violation of regulations promulgated under section 501(a) to carry out paragraph (1) of this subsection to the same extent that such penalties apply to a person that knowingly commits an unlawful act described in section 206(a) of that Act.
Sec. 102 Prohibitions with respect to the transfer of arms and related materials to Syria
Sanctions—
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In general— Beginning on and after the date that is 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall impose on a foreign person the sanctions described in subsection (b) if the President determines that such foreign person has, person, on or after such date of enactment, knowingly exported, transferred, exports, transfers, or provided provides significant financial, material, or technological support to the Government of Syria to—
acquire or develop chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons or related technologies;
acquire or develop ballistic or cruise missile capabilities;
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acquire or develop destabilizing numbers and types of advanced conventional weapons;weapons; or
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acquire defense articles, defense services, or defense information (as such terms are defined under the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2751 et seq.)); orseq.)), if the President determines that a significant type or amount of such articles, services, or information has been so acquired.
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acquire items designated by the President for purposes of the United States Munitions List under section 38(a)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2778(a)(1)).
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Applicability to other foreign persons— The sanctions described in subsection (b) shall also be imposed on any foreign person that—that is a successor entity to a foreign person described in paragraph (1).
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is a successor entity to a foreign person described in paragraph (1); or
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is owned or controlled by a foreign person described in paragraph (1).
Sanctions against a foreign person— The sanctions to be imposed on a foreign person described in subsection (a) are the following:
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In general— The President shall exercise all powers granted by the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) (except that the requirements of section 202 of such Act (50 U.S.C. 1701) shall not apply) to the extent necessary to freeze and prohibit all transactions in all property and interests in property of the foreign person if such property and interests in property are in the United States, come within the United States, or are or come within the possession or control of a United States person.
Aliens ineligible for visas, admission, or parole—
Visas, admission, or parole— An alien who the Secretary of State or the Secretary of Homeland Security (or a designee of one of such Secretaries) knows, or has reason to believe, meets any of the criteria described in subsection (a) is—
inadmissible to the United States;
ineligible to receive a visa or other documentation to enter the United States; and
otherwise ineligible to be admitted or paroled into the United States or to receive any other benefit under the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.).
Current visas revoked—
In general— The issuing consular officer, the Secretary of State, or the Secretary of Homeland Security (or a designee of one of such Secretaries) shall revoke any visa or other entry documentation issued to an alien who meets any of the criteria described in subsection (a) regardless of when issued.
Effect of revocation— A revocation under clause (i)—
shall take effect immediately; and
shall automatically cancel any other valid visa or entry documentation that is in the alien’s possession.
Exception to comply with United Nations Headquarters Agreement— Sanctions under paragraph (2) shall not apply to an alien if admitting the alien into the United States is necessary to permit the United States to comply with the Agreement regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations, signed at Lake Success June 26, 1947, and entered into force November 21, 1947, between the United Nations and the United States, or other applicable international obligations.
Penalties— A person that violates, attempts to violate, conspires to violate, or causes a violation of any regulation, license, or order issued to carry out this section shall be subject to the penalties set forth in subsections (b) and (c) of section 206 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1705) to the same extent as a person that commits an unlawful act described in subsection (a) of that section.
Sec. 103 Rule of construction
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The sanctions that are required to be imposed under Nothing in this title are in addition to other similar or related sanctions that are required to shall be imposed under any other provision construed to limit the authority of law.the President pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.).
Sec. 201 Imposition of sanctions with respect to certain persons who are responsible for or complicit in human rights abuses committed against citizens of Syria or their family members
In general— Section 702(c) of the Syria Human Rights Accountability Act of 2012 (22 U.S.C. 8791(c)) is amended to read as follows:
“(c) Sanctions described
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“(1) In general—The President shall exercise all powers granted by the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) (except that the requirements of section 202 of such Act (50 U.S.C. 1701) shall not apply) to the extent necessary to freeze and prohibit all transactions in all property and interests in property of a person on the list required by subsection (b) if such property and interests in property are in the United States, come within the United States, or are or come within the possession or control of a United States person.
“(2) Aliens ineligible for visas, admission, or parole
“(A) Visas, admission, or parole—An alien who the Secretary of State or the Secretary of Homeland Security (or a designee of one of such Secretaries) knows, or has reason to believe, meets any of the criteria described in subsection (b) is—
“(i) inadmissible to the United States;
“(ii) ineligible to receive a visa or other documentation to enter the United States; and
“(iii) otherwise ineligible to be admitted or paroled into the United States or to receive any other benefit under the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.).
“(B) Current visas revoked
“(i) In general—The issuing consular officer, the Secretary of State, or the Secretary of Homeland Security (or a designee of one of such Secretaries) shall revoke any visa or other entry documentation issued to an alien who meets any of the criteria described in subsection (b) regardless of when issued.
“(ii) Effect of revocation—A revocation under clause (i)—
“(I) shall take effect immediately; and
“(II) shall automatically cancel any other valid visa or entry documentation that is in the alien’s possession.
“(3) Penalties—A person that violates, attempts to violate, conspires to violate, or causes a violation of this section or any regulation, license, or order issued to carry out this section shall be subject to the penalties set forth in subsections (b) and (c) of section 206 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1705) to the same extent as a person that commits an unlawful act described in subsection (a) of that section.
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“(4) Regulatory authority—The President shall, not later than 90 180 days after the date of the enactment of this section, promulgate regulations as necessary for the implementation of this section.
“(5) Exception to comply with United Nations Headquarters Agreement—Sanctions under paragraph (2) shall not apply to an alien if admitting the alien into the United States is necessary to permit the United States to comply with the Agreement regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations, signed at Lake Success June 26, 1947, and entered into force November 21, 1947, between the United Nations and the United States, or other applicable international obligations.
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“(6) Rule of construction—Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the authority of the President to impose additional sanctions pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), relevant Executive orders, regulations, or other provisions of law.”
Serious human rights abuses described— Section 702 of the Syria Human Rights Accountability Act of 2012 (22 U.S.C. 8791) is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(d) Serious human rights abuses described—In subsection (b), the term serious human rights abuses includes—
“(1) the deliberate targeting of civilian infrastructure to include schools, hospitals, markets, and other infrastructure that is essential to human life, such as power and water systems; and
“(2) the deliberate diversion, hindering, or blocking of access for humanitarian purposes, including access across conflict lines and borders.”
Effective date— The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and shall apply with respect to the imposition of sanctions under section 702(a) of the Syria Human Rights Accountability Act of 2012 on after such date of enactment.
Sec. 202 Imposition of sanctions with respect to the transfer of goods or technologies to Syria that are likely to be used to commit human rights abuses
Section 703(b)(2)(C) of the Syria Human Rights Accountability Act of 2012 (22 U.S.C. 8792(b)(2)(C)) is amended—
in clause (i), by striking “or” at the end;
in clause (ii), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and
by adding at the end the following:
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“(iii) any article designated by the President for purposes of the United States Munitions List under section 38(a)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2778(a)(1)); orarticle—
added “(I) designated by the President for purposes of the United States Munitions List under section 38(a)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2778(a)(1)); and
added “(II) with respect to which the President determines is significant for purposes of the imposition of sanctions under subsection (a); or
“(iv) other goods or technologies that the President determines may be used by the Government of Syria to commit human rights abuses against the people of Syria.”
Sec. 203 Imposition of sanctions with respect to persons who hinder humanitarian access
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In general— The Syria Human Rights Accountability Act of 2012 (22 U.S.C. 8791 et seq.) is amended—
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The Syria Human Rights Accountability Act of 2012 (22 U.S.C. 8791 et seq.) is amended—
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was (3)
by redesignating sections 705 and 706 as sections 706 and 707, respectively;
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by inserting after section 704 the following:
“705. Imposition of sanctions with respect to persons who hinder humanitarian access
“(a) In general—The President shall impose sanctions described in section 702(c) with respect to each person on the list required by subsection (b).
“(b) List of persons who hinder humanitarian access
“(1) In general—Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2017, the President shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a list of persons that the President determines have engaged in deliberate diversion, hindering, or blocking of access for humanitarian purposes for the United Nations, its specialized agencies and implementing partners, national and international nongovernmental organizations, and all other actors engaged in humanitarian relief activities in Syria, including through the deliberate targeting of such humanitarian actors and activities in Syria and across conflict lines and borders.
“(2) Updates of list—The President shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees an updated list under paragraph (1)—
“(A) not later than 300 days after the date of the enactment of the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2017 and every 180 days thereafter; and
“(B) as new information becomes available.
added “(3) Form—The list required by paragraph (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form but may contain a classified annex.”
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“(3) Form of report; public availability
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“(A) Form—The list required by paragraph (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form but may contain a classified annex.
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“(B) Public availability—The unclassified portion of the list required by paragraph (1) shall be made available to the public and posted on the Web sites of the Department of the Treasury and the Department of State.”
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in section 706 (as so redesignated), by striking “or 704” and inserting “704, or 705”.
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Clerical amendment— The table of contents for the Syria Human Rights Accountability Act of 2012 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 704 the following new item:
Sec. 204 Report on certain persons who are responsible for or complicit in certain human rights abuses in Syria
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In general— Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a detailed report with respect to whether each person described in subsection (c) is a person that meets the requirements described in section 702(b) of the Syria Human Rights Accountability Act of 2012 (22 U.S.C. 8791(b)) for purposes of inclusion on the list of persons who are responsible for or complicit in certain human rights abuses under such section.
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Justification— The President shall include in the report required by subsection (a) a description of the reasons why any of the individuals persons described in subsection (c) do not meet the requirements described in section 702(b) of the Syria Human Rights Accountability Act of 2012 (22 U.S.C. 8791(b)), including information on whether sufficient credible evidence of responsibility for such abuses was found.found or whether any of the persons described in subsection (c) have been designated pursuant to—
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Executive Order 13572 of April 29, 2011 (76 Fed. Reg. 24787; relating to blocking property of certain persons with respect to human rights abuses in Syria);
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Executive Order 13573 of May 18, 2011 (76 Fed. Reg. 29143; relating to blocking property of senior officials of the Government of Syria);
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Executive Order 13582 of August 17, 2011 (76 Fed. Reg. 52209; relating to blocking property of the Government of Syria and prohibiting certain transactions with respect to Syria); or
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Executive Order 13606 of April 22, 2012 (77 Fed. Reg. 24571; relating to blocking the property and suspending entry into the United States of certain persons with respect to grave human rights abuses by the Governments of Iran and Syria via information technology).
Persons described— The persons described in this subsection are the following:
Bashar Al-Assad.
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Asthma Asma Al-Assad.
Rami Makhlouf.
Bouthayna Shaaban.
Walid Moallem.
Ali Al-Salim.
Wael Nader Al-Halqi.
Jamil Hassan.
Suhail Hassan.
Ali Mamluk.
Muhammed Khadour, Deir Ez Zor Military and Security.
Jamal Razzouq, Security Branch 243.
Munzer Ghanam, Air Force Intelligence.
Daas Hasan Ali, Branch 327.
Jassem Ali Jassem Hamad, Political Security.
Samir Muhammad Youssef, Military Intelligence.
Ali Ahmad Dayoub, Air Force Intelligence.
Khaled Muhsen Al-Halabi, Security Branch 335.
Mahmoud Kahila, Political Security.
Zuhair Ahmad Hamad, Provincial Security.
Wafiq Nasser, Security Branch 245.
Qussay Mayoub, Air Force Intelligence.
Muhammad Ammar Sardini, Political Security.
Fouad Hammouda, Military Security.
Hasan Daaboul, Branch 261.
Yahia Wahbi, Air Force Intelligence.
Okab Saqer, Security Branch 318.
Husam Luqa, Political Security.
Sami Al-Hasan, Security Branch 219.
Yassir Deeb, Political Security.
Ibrahim Darwish, Security Branch 220.
Nasser Deeb, Political Security.
Abdullatif Al-Fahed, Security Branch 290.
Adeeb Namer Salamah, Air Force Intelligence.
Akram Muhammed, State Security.
Reyad Abbas, Political Security.
Ali Abdullah Ayoub, Syrian Armed Forces.
Fahd Jassem Al-Freij, Defense Ministry.
Issam Halaq, Air Force.
Ghassan Al-Abdullah, General Intelligence Directorate.
Maher Al-Assad, Republican Guard.
Fahad Al-Farouch.
Rafiq Shahada, Military Intelligence.
Loay Al-Ali, Military Intelligence.
Nawfal Al-Husayn, Military Intelligence.
Muhammad Zamrini, Military Intelligence.
Muhammad Mahallah, Military Intelligence.
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Form— The report required by subsection (a) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may contain a classified annex if necessary.
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Form of report; public availability—
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Form— The list required by subsection (a) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may contain a classified annex if necessary.
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Public availability— The unclassified portion of the list required by paragraph (1) shall be made available to the public and posted on the Web sites of the Department of the Treasury and the Department of State.
Definition— In this section, the term appropriate congressional committees means—
the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Financial Services, the Committee on Ways and Means, and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives; and
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the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, the Committee on Finance, and the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate.
Sec. 301 Briefing on monitoring and evaluating of ongoing assistance programs in Syria and to the Syrian people
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In general— Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State and the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development shall submit to brief the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate a report on the monitoring and evaluation of ongoing assistance programs in Syria and for the Syrian people, including assistance provided through multilateral organizations.
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Matters To be included— The report briefing required by subsection (a) shall include—
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the specific project monitoring and evaluation plans, efforts, including measurable goals and performance metrics for assistance in Syria;
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a description of the memorandums memoranda of understanding entered into by the Department of State, the United States Agency for International Development, and their respective Inspectors General and the multilateral organizations through which United States assistance will be delivered that formalize requirements for the sharing of information between such entities for the conduct of audits, investigations, and evaluations; and
the major challenges to monitoring and evaluating such programs.
Sec. 302 Assessment of potential methods to enhance the protection of civilians
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In general— Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall submit to the appropriate congressional committee committees a report that—
assesses the potential effectiveness, risks, and operational requirements of the establishment and maintenance of a no-fly zone over part or all of Syria, including—
the operational and legal requirements for United States and coalition air power to establish a no-fly zone in Syria;
the impact a no-fly zone in Syria would have on humanitarian and counterterrorism efforts in Syria and the surrounding region; and
the potential for force contributions from other countries to establish a no-fly zone in Syria;
assesses the potential effectiveness, risks, and operational requirements for the establishment of one or more safe zones in Syria for internally displaced persons or for the facilitation of humanitarian assistance, including—
the operational and legal requirements for United States and coalition forces to establish one or more safe zones in Syria;
the impact one or more safe zones in Syria would have on humanitarian and counterterrorism efforts in Syria and the surrounding region; and
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the potential for contributions from other countries and vetted non-state actor partners to establish and maintain one or more safe zones in Syria; andSyria;
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assesses the potential effectiveness, risks, and operational requirements of other non-military means to enhance the protection of civilians, especially civilians who are in besieged areas, trapped at borders, or internally displaced.displaced; and
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describes the Administration’s plan for recruitment, training, and retention of partner forces, including—
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identification of the United States partner forces operating on the ground;
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the primary source of strength for each armed actor engaged in hostilities;
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the capabilities, requirements, and vulnerabilities of each armed actor;
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the United States role in mitigating vulnerabilities of partner forces; and
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the Administration’s measures of success for partner forces, including—
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increasing Syrian civilian security; and
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working toward an end to the conflict in Syria.
Form— The report required by subsection (a) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may contain a classified annex if necessary.
Consultation— The report required by subsection (a) shall be informed by consultations with the Department of State, the United States Agency for International Development, the Department of Defense, and international and local organizations operating in Syria or in neighboring countries to alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people.
Definition— In this section, the term appropriate congressional committees means—
the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives; and
the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate.
Sec. 303 Assistance to support entities taking actions relating to gathering evidence for investigations into war crimes or crimes against humanity in Syria since March 2011
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Sense of Congress—In general— It Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of State, acting through the Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor and the Assistant Secretary for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, is authorized to provide assistance to support entities that are conducting criminal investigations, building Syrian investigative capacity, supporting prosecutions in national courts, collecting evidence and preserving the sense chain of Congress that—evidence for eventual prosecution against those who have committed war crimes or crimes against humanity in Syria, including the aiding and abetting of such crimes by foreign governments and organizations supporting the Government of Syria, since March 2011.
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the Government of Syria is in violation of numerous United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding the provision of humanitarian assistance to the people of Syria; and
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the Government of the Russian Federation, as a guarantor of prospective cessations of hostilities in Syria, is complicit in the humanitarian crisis in Syria due to its failure to enforce such United Nations Security Council resolutions.
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Authorization for assistance—Briefing— The President is authorized to provide assistance to advance a comprehensive relief and recovery strategy in Syria that includes Not later than one year after the policy objectives described in subsection (c). The President date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall coordinate brief the provision Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate on assistance provided under this subsection with other donors, international organizations, international financial institutions, and international and local nongovernmental organizations.(a).
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Policy objectives described— The policy objectives described in this subsection are the following:
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To meet immediate humanitarian needs in Syria and in neighboring countries hosting significant numbers of Syria refugees.
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To support the peaceful resolution of the conflict and the establishment of an inclusive, democratic government in Syria that demonstrates respect for the rule of law, human rights, religious freedom, and peaceful co-existence with its neighbors.
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To build the capacity of legitimate local councils and leaders inside Syria such that they may provide basic services in areas liberated from the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
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To support the inclusion and participation of women, minorities, business leaders, civil society organizations, and traditional and religious leaders, including from religious minority groups, in peace processes and transitional governance arrangements in Syria.
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To work to ensure that any transitional arrangements or future governments in Syria reflect commitments to—
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inclusive and representative democracy;
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open and transparent governance;
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respect for the rule of law, human rights, and religious freedom;
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accountability and reconciliation;
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ending the violence and supporting peace and security throughout the country;
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stability and peaceful co-existence throughout the region; and
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relief, recovery, and reconstruction throughout the country, including the rehabilitation and reintegration of former combatants.
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To build the capacity of legitimate governing institutions following a democratic transition in Syria.
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To ensure that the Syria Reconstruction Trust Fund, a multi-donor trust fund established in 2013 to which the United States is a contributing member, continues to function as a suitable mechanism through which United States contributions can leverage the support of other donors for the delivery of essential services in Syria, particularly in areas liberated from the Assad regime or ISIS control, until such mechanism is no longer necessary or appropriate.
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Coordination with other donor nations— The United States should work with other donor countries, on a bilateral and multilateral basis, to increase donor contributions to multilateral mechanisms that meet immediate humanitarian needs in Syria and accomplish the policy objectives described in subsection (c).
Sec. 304 Assistance to support entities taking actions relating to gathering evidence for investigations into war crimes or crimes against humanity in Syria since March 2011
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In general— The Secretary of State, acting through the Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor and the Assistant Secretary for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, is authorized to provide assistance to support entities that are conducting criminal investigations, building Syrian investigative capacity, supporting prosecutions in national courts, collecting evidence and preserving the chain of evidence for eventual prosecution against those who have committed war crimes or crimes against humanity in Syria, including the aiding and abetting of such crimes by foreign governments and organizations supporting the Government of Syria, since March 2011.
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Report— Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate a detailed report on assistance provided under subsection (a).
Sec. 401 Suspension of sanctions with respect to Syria
Suspension of sanctions—
Negotiations not concluding in agreement— If the President determines that internationally recognized negotiations to resolve the violence in Syria have not concluded in an agreement or are likely not to conclude in an agreement, the President may suspend, as appropriate, in whole or in part, the imposition of sanctions otherwise required under this Act or any amendment made by this Act for a period not to exceed 120 days, and renewable for additional periods not to exceed 120 days, if the President submits to the appropriate congressional committees in writing a determination and certification that the Government of Syria has ended military attacks against and gross violations of the human rights of the Syrian people, specifically—
the air space over Syria is no longer being utilized by the Government of Syria and associated forces to target civilian populations through the use of incendiary devices, including barrel bombs, chemical weapons, and conventional arms, including air-delivered missiles and explosives;
areas besieged by the Assad regime and associated forces, including Hezbollah and irregular Iranian forces, are no longer cut off from international aid and have regular access to humanitarian assistance, freedom of travel, and medical care;
the Government of Syria is releasing all political prisoners forcibly held within the Assad regime prison system, including the facilities maintained by various security, intelligence, and military elements associated with the Government of Syria and allowed full access to the same facilities for investigations by appropriate international human rights organizations; and
the forces of the Government of Syria and associated forces, including Hezbollah, irregular Iranian forces, and Russian government air assets, are no longer engaged in deliberate targeting of medical facilities, schools, residential areas, and community gathering places, including markets, in flagrant violation of international norms.
Negotiations concluding in agreement—
Initial suspension of sanctions— If the President determines that internationally recognized negotiations to resolve the violence in Syria have concluded in an agreement or are likely to conclude in an agreement, the President may suspend, as appropriate, in whole or in part, the imposition of sanctions otherwise required under this Act or any amendment made by this Act for a period not to exceed 120 days if the President submits to the appropriate congressional committees in writing a determination and certification that—
in the case in which the negotiations are likely to conclude in an agreement—
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the Government of Syria, the Syrian High Negotiations Committee or its internationally-recognized successor, and appropriate international parties are participating in direct, face-to-face negotiations; and
the suspension of sanctions under this Act or any amendment made by this Act is essential to the advancement of such negotiations; and
the Government of Syria has demonstrated a commitment to a significant and substantial reduction in attacks on and violence against the Syrian people by the Government of Syria and associated forces.
Renewal of suspension of sanctions— The President may renew a suspension of sanctions under subparagraph (A) for additional periods not to exceed 120 days if, for each such additional period, the President submits to the appropriate congressional committees in writing a determination and certification that—
the conditions described in clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (A) are continuing to be met;
the renewal of the suspension of sanctions is essential to implementing an agreement described in subparagraph (A) or making progress toward concluding an agreement described in subparagraph (A);
the Government of Syria and associated forces have ceased attacks against Syrian civilians; and
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the Government of Syria has publically publicly committed to negotiations for a transitional government in Syria and continues to demonstrate that commitment through sustained engagement in talks and substantive and verifiable progress towards the implementation of such an agreement.
Briefing and reimposition of sanctions—
Briefing— Not later than 30 days after the President submits to the appropriate congressional committees a determination and certification in the case of a renewal of suspension of sanctions under paragraph (2)(B), and every 30 days thereafter, the President shall provide a briefing to the appropriate congressional committees on the status and frequency of negotiations described in paragraph (2).
Re-imposition of sanctions— If the President provides a briefing to the appropriate congressional committees under subparagraph (A) with respect to which the President indicates a lapse in negotiations described in paragraph (2) for a period that equals or exceeds 90 days, the sanctions that were suspended under paragraph (2)(B) shall be re-imposed and any further suspension of such sanctions is prohibited.
Definition— In this subsection, the term appropriate congressional committees means—
the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Financial Services, the Committee on Ways and Means, and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives; and
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the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, the Committee on Finance, and the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate.
Sense of Congress To be considered for determining a transitional government in Syria— It is the sense of Congress that a transitional government in Syria is a government that—
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is taking verifiable steps to release all political prisoners and provided is providing full access to Syrian prisons for investigations by appropriate international human rights organizations;
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is taking verifiable steps to remove former senior Syrian Government officials who are complicit in the conception, implementation, or cover up of war crimes, crimes against humanity, or human rights abuses from government positions and any person subject to sanctions under any provision of law;law from government positions;
is in the process of organizing free and fair elections for a new government—
to be held in a timely manner and scheduled while the suspension of sanctions or the renewal of the suspension of sanctions under this section is in effect; and
to be conducted under the supervision of internationally recognized observers;
is making tangible progress toward establishing an independent judiciary;
is demonstrating respect for and compliance with internationally recognized human rights and basic freedoms as specified in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;
is taking steps to verifiably fulfill its commitments under the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and is making tangible progress toward becoming a signatory to Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction, entered into force March 26, 1975, and adhering to the Missile Technology Control Regime and other control lists, as necessary;
has halted the development and deployment of ballistic and cruise missiles; and
is taking verifiable steps to remove from positions of authority within the intelligence and security services as well as the military those who were in a position of authority or responsibility during the conflict and who under the authority of their position were implicated in or implicit in the torture, extrajudicial killing, or execution of civilians, to include those who were involved in decisionmaking or execution of plans to use chemical weapons.
Sec. 402 Waivers and exemptions
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Exemptions— The following activities and transactions shall be exempt from sanctions authorized under this Act or any amendment made by this Act:
Any activity subject to the reporting requirements under title V of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3091 et seq.), or to any authorized intelligence activities of the United States.
Any transaction necessary to comply with United States obligations under—
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the Agreement between the United Nations and the United States of America regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations, signed at Lake Success June 26, 1947, and entered into force November 21, 1947; or1947;
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the Convention on Consular Relations, done at Vienna April 24, 1963, and entered into force March 19, 1967.1967; or
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any other international agreement to which the United States is a party.
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Humanitarian Humanitarian, stabilization, and democracy assistance waiver—
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Statement of policy— It shall be the policy of the United States to fully utilize the waiver authority under this subsection to ensure that adequate humanitarian relief or support for stabilization and democracy promotion is provided to the Syrian people.
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Waiver— Except as provided in paragraph (5), (5) and subsection (d), the President may waive, on a case-by-case basis, for a period not to exceed one year, and renewable for additional periods not to exceed one year, the application of sanctions authorized under this Act with respect to a person if the President submits to the appropriate congressional committees a written determination that the waiver is necessary for purposes of providing humanitarian or stabilization assistance or support for democracy promotion to the people of Syria.
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Content of written determination— A written determination submitted under paragraph (1) (2) with respect to a waiver shall include a description of all notification and accountability controls that have been employed in order to ensure that the activities covered by the waiver are humanitarian or stabilization assistance or support for democracy promotion and do not entail any activities in Syria or dealings with the Government of Syria not reasonably related to humanitarian or stabilization assistance or support for democracy promotion.
Clarification of permitted activities under waiver— The President may not impose sanctions authorized under this Act against a humanitarian organization for—
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engaging in a financial transaction relating to humanitarian assistance or for humanitarian purposes pursuant to a waiver issued under paragraph (1);(2);
transporting goods or services that are necessary to carry out operations relating to humanitarian assistance or humanitarian purposes pursuant to such a waiver; or
having incidental contact, in the course of providing humanitarian assistance or aid for humanitarian purposes pursuant to such a waiver, with individuals who are under the control of a foreign person subject to sanctions under this Act or any amendment made by this Act unless the organization or its officers, members, representatives or employees have engaged in (or the President knows or has reasonable ground to believe is engaged in or is likely to engage in) conduct described in section 212(a)(3)(B)(iv)(VI) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(3)(B)(iv)(VI)).
Exception to waiver authority— The President may not exercise the waiver authority under paragraph (2) with respect to a foreign person who has (or whose officers, members, representatives or employees have) engaged in (or the President knows or has reasonable ground to believe is engaged in or is likely to engage in) conduct described in section 212(a)(3)(B)(iv)(VI) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(3)(B)(iv)(VI)).
Waiver—
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In general— The President may, on a case-by-case basis and for periods not to exceed 120 days, waive the application of sanctions under this Act with respect to a foreign person if the President certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that such waiver is vital to the national security interests of the United States.
Consultation—
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Before waiver issued— Not later than 5 days before the issuance of a waiver under paragraph (1) is to take effect, the President shall notify and brief the appropriate congressional committees on the status of the foreign person person’s involvement in activities described in this Act.
After waiver issued— Not later than 90 days after the issuance of a waiver under paragraph (1), and every 120 days thereafter if the waiver remains in effect, the President shall brief the appropriate congressional committees on the status of the foreign person’s involvement in activities described in this Act.
Definition— In this subsection, the term appropriate congressional committees means—
the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Financial Services, the Committee on Ways and Means, and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives; and
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the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, the Committee on Finance, and the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate.
Codification of certain services in support of nongovernmental organizations’ activities authorized—
In general— Except as provided in paragraph (2), section 542.516 of title 31, Code of Federal Regulations (relating to certain services in support of nongovernmental organizations’ activities authorized), as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act, shall—
remain in effect on and after such date of enactment; and
in the case of a nongovernmental organization that is authorized to export or reexport services to Syria under such section on the day before such date of enactment, shall apply to such organization on and after such date of enactment to the same extent and in the same manner as such section applied to such organization on the day before such date of enactment.
Exception— Section 542.516 of title 31, Code of Federal Regulations, as codified under paragraph (1), shall not apply with respect to a foreign person who has (or whose officers, members, representatives or employees have) engaged in (or the President knows or has reasonable ground to believe is engaged in or is likely to engage in) conduct described in section 212(a)(3)(B)(iv)(VI) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(3)(B)(iv)(VI)).
Strategy required—
In general— Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report containing a strategy to ensure that humanitarian organizations can access financial services to ensure the safe and timely delivery of assistance to communities in need in Syria.
Consideration of data from other countries and nongovernmental organizations— In preparing the strategy required by paragraph (1), the President shall consider credible data already obtained by other countries and nongovernmental organizations, including organizations operating in Syria.
Form— The strategy required by paragraph (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form but may contain a classified annex.
Sec. 501 Implementation and regulatory authorities
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In general—Implementation authority— The President shall, not later than 90 days after may exercise all authorities provided to the date President under sections 203 and 205 of the enactment of this Act, promulgate regulations as necessary International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1702 and 1704) for the implementation purposes of carrying out this Act and the amendments made by this Act.
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Notification to Congress—Regulatory authority— Not less The President shall, not later than 10 90 days before after the promulgation date of regulations under subsection (a), the President shall notify and provide to the appropriate congressional committees the proposed enactment of this Act, promulgate regulations and as necessary for the provisions implementation of this Act and the amendments made by this Act that the regulations are implementing.Act.
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Briefing to Congress— Not less than 10 days before the promulgation of regulations under subsection (a), the President shall brief the appropriate congressional committees on the proposed regulations and the provisions of this Act and the amendments made by this Act that the regulations are implementing.
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was (4)
Definition— In this section, the term appropriate congressional committees means—
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was (4)(3)
the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives; and
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was (4)(4)
the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate.
Sec. 503 Authority to consolidate reports
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In general— Any reports required to be submitted to the appropriate congressional committees under this Act or any amendment made by this Act that are subject to a deadline for submission consisting of the same unit of time may be consolidated into a single report that is submitted to appropriate congressional committees pursuant to such deadline. The consolidated reports shall contain all information required under this Act or any amendment made by this Act, in addition to all other elements mandated by previous law.
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Definition— In this section, the term appropriate congressional committees means—
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the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives; and
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the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate.
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Any reports required to be submitted to the appropriate congressional committees under this Act or any amendment made by this Act that are subject to a deadline for submission consisting of the same unit of time may be consolidated into a single report that is submitted to appropriate congressional committees pursuant to such deadline. The consolidated reports must contain all information required under this Act or any amendment made by this Act, in addition to all other elements mandated by previous law.