A bipartisan congressional delegation met Tuesday with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus, reflecting growing U.S. engagement with Syria’s new government as President Trump moves to ease sanctions.
The group included Sens. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), along with Reps. Jason Smith (R-Mo.) and Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), according to photos released by Syria’s Foreign Ministry. They also held talks with Foreign Minister Assad Hassan Al-Shaibani and Interior Minister Anas Khattab.
Trump suspended the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act after Bashar al-Assad’s ouster in December, granting a six-month waiver, though Congress remains divided over whether to repeal the sanctions permanently. Some lawmakers want to maintain leverage until al-Sharaa delivers on commitments related to counterterrorism, justice for Assad’s victims, and protections for minorities. Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) has backed a proposal from Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) to give the president more flexibility while keeping sanctions in reserve.
The latest visit follows earlier trips by U.S. lawmakers since al-Sharaa seized power from Assad. Rep. Abraham Hamadeh (R-Ariz.), of Syrian-Druze heritage, traveled to Damascus this month after meetings in Israel, pressing for the return of Americans killed in Syria and urging Syria’s inclusion in the Abraham Accords.
In April, Reps. Cory Mills (R-Fla.) and Marlin Stutzman (R-Ind.) also visited Damascus, underscoring a bipartisan willingness to engage al-Sharaa’s government.
