This bill contains the same 6 main points as Sen. Menendez’s other measure on Syrian transition (S. 856 of 5/6/13). Collectively, as with S. 856, this bill was a bipartisan effort to provide a coherent U.S. response to the escalating crisis in Syria, specifically to facilitate a stable political transition.
Under 6 major headings, the bill would:
1. Authorize military training and the provision of arms and non-lethal supplies to thoroughly vetted groups among the opposition.
2. Create a Syria Transition Fund, which would disburse up to $250 m. annually to secure U.S. assets, promote non-proliferation activities, and provide other transition-related assistance in Syria in FY 2013–FY 2015.
3. Impose new sanctions and expand existing sanctions on arms and oil sales to the Syrian government and human rights abusers in Syria.
4. Authorize the administration to provide humanitarian assistance to the Syrian people without new funding appropriations.
5. Require the administration to work with Congress and keep it fully appraised of its strategy toward Syria, including developments within the international community.
6. Allow for the removal of sanctions once a transitional government is in place and WMD and terror destabilization criteria are met.
3 cosponsors (2D, 1R).
Last major action: 7/24/13 placed on Senate legislative calendar. (5/22/13 passed in Cmte. on Foreign Relations by yea-nay vote, 15–3.)