Mast Backs Repeal of Syria's Caesar Sanctions — Insists on Legal Triggers to Reimpose Penalties

Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.), chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said he will support repealing the broad Caesar Syria civilian protection sanctions as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) — but only if the bill includes statutory triggers that would allow penalties to be reinstated if an interim government in Damascus fails to meet specified conditions.

Mast told reporters he is aligning with the Trump administration’s goal of removing the sanctions while pushing for language that creates a clear pathway to reimpose them if necessary. He noted the administration currently can only waive the sanctions for six months at a time.

“Fully repealed, to have mechanisms, or rather a sentiment that sanctions should be reinstituted if a number of conditions are not met. Still fully repealed,” Mast said, describing his position.

Negotiations and timeline

House and Senate negotiators are racing to finalize the NDAA draft, with an aim to complete work by the end of the week and hold a vote on the sanctions language in early December. Supporters of repeal say a full statutory lift would reassure investors and international partners that economic engagement in Syria would not be cut short by sudden sanctions renewals.

Supporters’ and critics’ perspectives

Proponents argue that removing the sanctions would unlock private-sector investment and humanitarian reconstruction, and could improve the prospects for finding Americans who disappeared in Syria. They say lingering or indefinite restrictions deter businesses and foreign governments from committing funds.

Opponents — including some members of Congress and civil society groups — warn that any broad repeal without robust, enforceable conditions could undermine human-rights and counterterrorism commitments. Critics have also expressed concern about the transitional Syrian leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, and question whether he can be relied on to implement durable protections for minorities, make progress on counterterrorism, or pursue peace initiatives.

International pressure and recent meetings

President Trump has publicly supported repeal and has met with Syrian transitional leader Ahmed al-Sharaa. Trump said he had lifted sanctions in response to appeals from regional leaders, including Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who argued that lifting restrictions would improve Syria’s prospects.

Lawmakers remain divided over whether conditional language will be sufficient to protect U.S. interests and human-rights priorities while also encouraging reconstruction and regional stability. Mast says he is in daily discussions with the White House to craft language that balances those aims.