SYRIA SANCTIONS ACT OF 2011; Congressional Record Vol. 157, No. 136

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SYRIA SANCTIONS ACT OF 2011

Mrs. GILLIBRAND. Mr. President, I would now like to address a second

issue that is causing me very grave concern. I would like to talk for a

moment about a piece of legislation I have introduced with Senators

Kirk and Lieberman to toughen the sanctions on Syria.

Syrian President Assad has killed over 2,000 of his own people in an

alarming torrent of violence from one of the world's most repressive

regimes--2,200 people are estimated to have died so far.

Assad's aggression against the Syrian people is matched by his

subversive aggression abroad. His regime is a state sponsor of

terrorism, one of Iran's closest allies, and a key backer of Hamas and

Hezbollah. Assad's regime has for years helped foreign fighters enter

Iraq and kill our U.S. soldiers.

In response to this violent crackdown, I introduced the bipartisan

Syria Sanctions Act of 2011 to hold Assad's regime accountable. This

legislation would block access to the U.S. market for companies that

invest in Syria's energy sector, purchase the county's oil, and sell

gasoline to Syria. This sanction is critical, since Syria's energy

sector accounts for one-third of that state's revenue.

I ask my colleagues to sponsor \[S. 1472\](https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/senate-bill/1472) and send a clear message to

Syria that until the Assad regime responds to the democratic urging of

its people, halts its nuclear development, and ends support for

terrorism, Syria will not and should not have access to the global

economy, and any company that does business with Syria will no longer

have access to the global economy.

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This legislation is very clear and simple: that no company should be

allowed to put their profits before our national security.

Mr. President, I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.

The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.

The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.

Ms. STABENOW. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order

for the quorum call be rescinded.

The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so

ordered.

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