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S.Res.87 / 115th Congress

A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate concerning the ongoing conflict in Syria as it reaches its six-year mark in March, the ensuing humanitarian crisis in Syria and neighboring countries, the resulting humanitarian and national security challenges, and the urgent need for a political solution to the crisis.

Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1847; text of measure as introduced: CR S1846-1847)

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Mar 15, 2017

Condemns: (1) the regime of Bashar al-Assad for committing war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Syrian conflict, and (2) the Assad regime and the government of the Russian Federation for using indiscriminate cluster munitions on civilian areas and infrastructure and for the deliberate targeting of U.N. humanitarian aid convoys.

Urges:

all parties to the conflict to immediately halt indiscriminate attacks, the imposition of starvation sieges, and other forms of warfare directed against civilians and civilian infrastructure and to facilitate unfettered access to humanitarian assistance throughout Syria;

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all parties in Syria to support full implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 2268, which calls for a cessation of hostilities in the conflict, except with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and al Qaeda, to facilitate the provision of humanitarian assistance and reconstruction of war-affected communities; and

the international community to continue to support neighboring countries and host communities who are supporting refugees and internally displaced persons fleeing the conflict.

Affirms: (1) the neutrality of medical professionals providing humanitarian assistance and health care on a non-political basis, (2) that the elimination of al Qaeda and ISIS safe havens in Syria is a vital U.S. national security interest, and (3) that the stability of key European and Middle Eastern partners is vital to U.S. national security and preventing the conflict from undermining that stability is a top U.S. priority.

Commends the Syrian Democratic Forces, the Syrian Arab Coalition, and other local, Syrian partner forces for their support of Operation Inherent Resolve and the efforts of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL.

Calls upon the President to: (1) make it U.S. policy to continue to coordinate a comprehensive and generous response to the Syrian humanitarian crisis, (2) continue active U.S. participation in a diplomatic process to achieve a political agreement, and (3) submit a strategy for providing long-term stability and security in areas seized from ISIL.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
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Who introduced it

Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA] · D–VA

Committees

  • Foreign Relations Committee
8 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1847; text of measure as introduced: CR S1846-1847)

  2. Introduced in Senate

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze S.Res.87 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine S.Res.87 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

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