Casey, Rubio Announce Legislation to Aid the Syrian People

Press Release

U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), Chair of the Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South and Central Asian Affairs in the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) announced new legislation called the Syria Democratic Transition Act of 2013.

"The conflict in Syria has entered its third year. The United States Senate should stand with the people of Syria during this critical period-- the fall of Assad is not only good for Syria, but will deal a significant blow to Iran and Hezbollah," said Senator Casey. "This bill includes a combination of humanitarian assistance, non-lethal equipment and training for the armed opposition, and sanctions against elements of the regime. The killing and destruction has gone on too long and we need to renew our efforts to support the Syrian people and opposition."

"In Syria, we have a terrible humanitarian crisis that is strengthening Iran's influence and giving Islamist terrorists a chance to seize power after Assad is gone," said Senator Rubio. "This legislation is a way forward in Syria that is in line with our interests because it authorizes non-lethal direct assistance to democratically-oriented groups, encourages creative ways for U.S. aid to be more apparent to the Syrian people, and urges the president to pursue additional, crippling sanctions to isolate the Assad regime and those supporting him."

The legislation would authorize U.S. assistance for Syrian civilians and innocent victims of the conflict, many of whom are women and children. It would also expand sanctions against the government of Bashar al Assad, strengthen U.S. support for democratically-oriented political opposition groups and help ensure stability and security in Syria during and after a political transition. The Senators discussed their efforts today prior to a Senate Foreign Relations hearing on Syria's Humanitarian Crisis.

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