II 118th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2342 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 18, 2023 Mr. Durbin (for himself and Mr. Rubio ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations A BILL To prohibit any official action to recognize or normalize relations with any Government of Syria that is led by Bashar al-Assad.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Assad Regime Anti-Normalization Act of 2023 . 2. Prohibition of recognition of Assad regime (a) Statement of policy It is the policy of the United States— (1) not to recognize or normalize relations with any Government of Syria that is led by Bashar al-Assad due to the Assad regime’s prior and ongoing crimes against the Syrian people, including failure to meet the criteria outlined in section 7431(a) of the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019 (title LXXIV of Public Law 116–92 ; 22 U.S.C. 8791 note); (2) to actively oppose recognition or normalization of relations by other governments with any Government of Syria that is led by Bashar Al-Assad, including by fully implementing the mandatory primary and secondary sanctions in the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019 and Executive Order 13894 (84 Fed. Reg. 55851; relating to blocking property and suspending entry of certain persons contributing to the situation in Syria); and (3) to use the full range of authorities, including those provided under the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019 and Executive Order 13894, to deter reconstruction activities in areas under the control of Bashar al-Assad. (b) Prohibition In accordance with subsection (a), no Federal official or employee may take any action, and no Federal funds may be made available, to recognize or otherwise imply, in any manner, United States recognition of Bashar al-Assad or any Government in Syria that is led by Bashar al-Assad.