U.S. officials would report alleged abuses and weigh sanctions

The bill says the President should use existing powers to impose targeted sanctions on certain people. The policy covers specific Syrian officials, security personnel, militia leaders, and other foreign people connected to the interim President or cabinet. The policy covers people determined to be responsible for, involved in, or to have materially helped the described abuses. The bill does not require sanctions, create new sanctions powers, or authorize restrictions on imports into the United States.

The Secretary of State and the Director of National Intelligence must report to congressional committees and assess whether existing sanctions measures should be used. The report must identify senior Syrian officials and affiliated people credibly alleged to have taken part in, directed, enabled, or concealed serious abuses or persecution targeting religious or ethnic minorities. The report concerns credible allegations, not proof that the people named committed abuses. The assessment must consider measures available under existing federal law; no measure is required, and the bill creates no new sanctions powers. The report and assessment are due within 90 days after enactment.