WASHINGTON—Representative Eliot L. Engel, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today made the following statement regarding President Trump’s decision to override his Administration’s plan to impose new sanctions on Russia for Moscow’s support of the Assad regime:

“I am outraged that President Trump pulled back sanctions on Russia for its support of the Assad regime. This sends a message to governments around the world that they can support brutal, criminal behavior without serious consequences. President Trump is out of step with the American people, American values—and as this situation has made clear, his own Administration. 

“I urge the Senate to advance my bill, the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act, which already passed unanimously in the House of Representatives. This legislation would punish Russia and Assad’s other enablers for their support of the regime’s heinous actions and would encourage an end to the violence. 

“The United States must be unequivocal in our opposition to the use of chemical weapons. We must do everything in our power to compel the Assad regime never to use chemical weapons again. And we must exact a cost if Assad’s allies continue their support.”

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