Congress Must Support President Trump and Repeal the Caesar Act

President Trump took advantage of this opportunity thanks to a strategic stroke by unconditionally raising sanctions and export controls; He transformed a 50-year-old enemy from the United States into a partner without shooting a shot or deploying additional troops. This decision not only gives Syria a chance of recovery, but also helps to facilitate the voluntary return of millions of Syrian refugees. Already, a million Syrians have returned, a development with deep consequences for Europe and the United States. Lifting sanctions and export controls help our economy guaranteeing that American companies, not Russia or China, direct the reconstruction effort.

I am grateful to support this effort by directing bipartite bipartite legislation supported by the Trump administration with the representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Senator Shaheen and Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) to completely raise the César law, a law that has targeted the Old Regime Assad, but now the hands of President Trumps. It is difficult to find a business that will invest in the country in the country with the continuous risk that the sanctions are restored.

Representative Joe Wilson (left), accompanied by Senators Lindsey Graham and Jeanne Shaheen, delivers a declaration after a meeting with the president of Lebanon at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon, August 26, 2025. (Anwar Amro / AFP via Getty Images)

Rather than the missed ideas of the past whose ideological regimes of national construction enliven the Americans in the Middle East without plans, President Trump faces the Middle East in a realist and pragmatically. The efforts of President Trump and the Ambassador Barrack to keep the United Syria are an integral part of US national security. The division of Syria would only mean renewed wars, the return of the Islamic State and an opening for the resurgence of Iran. A stable and united Syria in which all communities are represented is the only viable option for peace and regional stability. As the ambassador rightly said, this is the only realistic option. There is no plan B.

With Ambassador Barrack and Senator Shaheen, I heard Syrian religious leaders directly from each tradition of faith and denomination in a monastery outside Damascus, including the patriarch of the Syriac Orthodox Church. Their message was clear and unified: they do not want a divided or federalized Syria, they do not want sanctions, and they want a state that consecrates religious freedoms and represents all its citizens. Rather than imposing a system of government through a barrel of a firearm, President Trump works to promote peace by encouraging dialogue and economic development among Syrians who can themselves move in the construction of a state to represent all Syrians.

During the meetings with Syrian President Ahmad Al-Shaaa, I was grateful to support the efforts of Ambassador Barrack stressing the importance of supporting a United Syrian State which represents all Syrians. I am grateful to have also joined Senator Shaheen to meet the commander of the Syrian democratic forces Mazloum Abdi to encourage his efforts to negotiate and integrate under a unified Syrian government in Damascus. The path to follow will not be easy or perfect, but the peace efforts of Ambassador Barrack to promote united Syria can possibly lead to a situation in which American troops in Syria can finally return home.

The acting president of Syria, Ahmad al-Sharaa, center, meets the American senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), on the left, the representative Joe Wilson (R-SC), second on the left, and American ambassador to Turkey and special envoy of Syria Tom Barrack, on the right, in Damascus, Syria, August 25, 2025.

Unified and stable Syria also advances the security of our Israel ally. Unfortunately, recent Israeli military operations in Syria are likely to undermine the fragile stability of Syria, opening the door to the Islamic State and Iran to return. Worse, Russia already exploits these tensions, offering “medier” and even deploying border guards. It is a vital opportunity to push Russia outside Syria, not to let it go.

Thanks to the work of the president’s special envoy for Syria, Ambassador Barrack, a formerly judicious and historic meeting occurred directly between the Syrian and Israeli governments this month. Syrians are ready to move forward with Israel to advance peace. It is not known how long the door of this opportunity will remain open. Israel should seize the moment and immediately stop hostilities and withdraw from its buffer zone in Syria so that the progress made by the Syrians and the ambassador can continue.

Lebanese president Joseph Aoun, on the right, meets the American ambassador to Turkey and special envoy to Syria Tom Barrack, third on the left, ambassador of the Special American presidential election to the Middle East Morgan Ortagus, on the left, to the presidential paline in Baabda, east of Beirut, in Lebanon, on August 18,. Press office via AP)

Events in Syria directly affect the situation in Lebanon next to it. President Trump and Ambassador Barrack advance a bold vision of Lebanon. They leave the beaten track where previous efforts have failed by offering incentives and a way to follow for the disarmament of Hezbollah. I was grateful to join Senator Shaheen and Ambassador Barrack in Lebanon to support the efforts of the administration to offer enormous economic prosperity in Lebanon in exchange for the realization of its commitment to disarm Hezbollah by the end of the year. During the meetings with the president of Lebanon, the Prime Minister, the President of the Parliament, and the military leaders, we made this plan advance. In case of success, this will eliminate Hezbollah’s workforce on the future of Lebanon and will open the door to long-term peace and prosperity.

The efforts of President Trump and the Ambassador Barrack in Syria and Lebanon have the potential to turn the trend, using a new approach to Smart Out of the Box of Economic Development, Diplomacy and Peace Creation rather than endless wars. It’s not just good for the region; It’s good for America, Israel and the world.

Joe Wilson is a member of the American House of Representatives serving the 2nd district of South Carolina.