U.S. Senate Passes $900B Defense Budget, Repeal Syria Sanctions

134 House Republicans demand 'assurances' as US eases Syria sanctions

Rep. Josh Brecheen leads 134 House Republicans demanding increased oversight of Syria as the U.S. prepares to repeal longstanding sanctions against the country.

U.S. Senate passes $900B defense budget, repeal Syria sanctions

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Wednesday, the U.S. Senate approved the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), authorizing a record defense budget exceeding $900 billion, including $400 million to fund weapons for Ukraine and a conditional decision to repeal the stringent Caesar Act sanctions on Syria. The legislation passed the Senate by a vote of 77–20, after the House of Representatives approved the same bill on December 11 by a margin of 312–…

Trump signs repeal of “Caesar” sanctions law - Enab Baladi

US President Donald Trump signed the US defense budget on Friday, 19 December, which includes the repeal of the “Caesar” sanctions law on Syria, after both the House of Representatives and the Senate voted to approve the budget. According to Reuters, Trump signed the bill away from media attention and without a ceremony in the Oval Office or the presence of journalists, unlike the usual practice for legislation of this magnitude. Marah Bukai, ed…

Trump Repeals Caesar Act Marking Turning Point for Syria

President Donald Trump signs an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, December 11, 2025. President Donald Trump signed into law the final repeal of the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act, ending the most sweeping US sanctions imposed on Syria since 2019. The repeal was included in the 2026 Department of Defense budget, approved this month by both chambers of Congress, and took effect immediately upon the pres…