Washington, DC – Representative Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY-05), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, led the introduction of a resolution affirming the need for a stable and secure Syria to ensure peace in the Middle East and strengthen global security following the end of the Assad regime. The resolution underscores the importance of protecting religious and ethnic minorities, including Syrian Kurds, Yezidis, and Chaldeans, while calling for a peaceful and inclusive political transition. It also emphasizes efforts to rebuild Syrian civil society and lay the foundation for long-term stability.  

Representatives Frank Pallone (D-NJ-06), Dina Titus (D-NV-01), Sara Jacobs (D-CA-51) and Jason Crow (D-CO-06), as well as Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined as original co-sponsors. 

Full text of the Resolution can be found here. 

“In introducing this joint resolution with Chairman Cardin and my colleagues, I stand in solidarity with the Syrian people who, for decades, suffered under Assad's brutal repression and countless war crimes,” said Ranking Member Gregory W. Meeks. “As we look to a new day for millions of Syrians, it is critical any transitional government is inclusive and represents and respects the rights of Syria’s many ethnic and religious minority communities—including Syrian Kurds, Yezidis, Christians, and others. I am also particularly concerned about the recent increase in violence against Syrian Kurdish communities. Finally, I call on the Biden Administration to engage with and support the Syrian people, in light of the significant humanitarian needs at hand, and continue to work to secure the release of Austin Tice.”  

"A stable and secure Syria is essential for peace in the Middle East and global security at a critical moment,” said Chair Ben Cardin. “This resolution sends a clear message: the Syrian people—Kurds, Yezidis, Christians, Alawites, and all communities—deserve an inclusive future, free from the al-Assad regime’s half-century of cruelty and the devastation enabled by the dictators in Russia and Iran that sustained him for so many years. The United States and the global community must focus on protecting vulnerable populations, supporting an inclusive political transition, and rebuilding Syrian civil society. By holding perpetrators of atrocities accountable and working together, we can help empower Syrians to reclaim their country and build the future they deserve and have long fought to achieve." 

“After a half-century of the Assad family regime’s brutal repression, the Syrian people finally have an opportunity to build a country that reflects the will of their people. The steps they take to establish an inclusive and peaceful political transition will be crucial to creating a freer, more open, stable, and prosperous Syria,” said Rep. Sara Jacobs, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Africa. “I’m proud to co-lead this resolution which stands as a testament to the United States’ solidarity with the Syrian people as they begin this new chapter toward a brighter future.”  

“After decades of authoritarian rule, the end of the Assad regime presents an opportunity for the Syrian people to build a better future. The road ahead won’t be easy, but the Syrian people deserve peace, stability and freedom,” said Rep. Jason Crow, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Accountability. “I am pleased to work with my colleagues to introduce a congressional resolution calling for an inclusive and peaceful transition that protects the rights of all Syrians.”  

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