A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Save the Kurds Act" seeks to impose strict sanctions and measures against the Government of Syria and its affiliates. It requires the redesignation of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham as a foreign terrorist organization. The bill establishes a process for congressional review if the President attempts to terminate Syria's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism. Additionally, it implements broad sanctions on Syrian officials, financial institutions, and entities controlled by the government. These measures include blocking property, restricting financial transactions, and prohibiting investments by United States persons.
Yes
- Scored +2
Does this strengthen ties with allied countries?
The bill supports the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, which the sense of Congress identifies as a critical partner to the United States.
- Scored +1
Does this reduce how much oil, gas and coal is produced?
The bill imposes sanctions on foreign persons who facilitate the production of energy products for sanctioned Syrian entities.
- Scored +1
Does this make health care easier to get in general?
The bill explicitly exempts the provision of medicine and medical devices from its sanctions to protect humanitarian access.
The opposite· 3 of 5
- Scored -2
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
Economic sanctions can lead to broader economic instability that disproportionately affects low-income populations.
- Scored -2
Is this likely to lift people out of poverty?
The broad sanctions on the Syrian economy and financial institutions could negatively affect the economic well-being of the general population.
- Scored -1
Would people in cities be better off under this?
Sanctions on central financial institutions and industry can impact urban economic centers and stability.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection of Humanitarian Interests: Sanctions and other measures do not apply to transactions involving the provision of agricultural commodities, food, medicine, medical devices, or humanitarian assistance (Section 401).
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Support for Kurdish-led Forces: The bill recognizes the significant contributions of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in eliminating the ISIS "caliphate" and detaining fighters (Section 3).
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Flexibility for Security and Law Enforcement: Sanctions do not apply to admissions or parole necessary for complying with international obligations or to assist in law enforcement activity in the United States (Section 401).
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Option to Suspend Sanctions: The President has the authority to suspend provisions if the Government of Syria ceases all attacks on the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces and their partners (Section 404).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Sanctions on Government Officials: The bill mandates sanctions against a wide range of Syrian officials, including the President and various Ministers (Section 301).
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Restrictions on Financial Institutions: The Central Bank of Syria and other financial institutions are subject to property blocking and restrictions on correspondent accounts (Section 302).
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Prohibitions on U.S. Persons: United States persons are prohibited from making new investments in Syria, purchasing Syrian sovereign debt, or processing certain fund transfers involving the Syrian government (Sections 305, 307, and 309).
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Impact on Energy and Industry: The bill imposes sanctions on foreign persons who facilitate the production of energy products like oil and natural gas for sanctioned entities (Section 308).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Economic sanctions can lead to broader economic instability that disproportionately affects low-income populations. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Sanctions on central financial institutions and industry can impact urban economic centers and stability.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The broad sanctions on the Syrian economy and financial institutions could negatively affect the economic well-being of the general population.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill imposes complex financial restrictions that could impact transaction transparency and consumer access to certain financial services.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this reduce how much oil, gas and coal is produced? — The bill imposes sanctions on foreign persons who facilitate the production of energy products for sanctioned Syrian entities.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill explicitly exempts the provision of medicine and medical devices from its sanctions to protect humanitarian access.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this strengthen ties with allied countries? — The bill supports the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, which the sense of Congress identifies as a critical partner to the United States. Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The bill's focus on security and counter-terrorism may indirectly influence long-term national security stability.
- 1/29/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Richard BlumenthalDemocrat · Connecticut