Kathy Manning: “And I rise in support of H.R. 3202, the Assad Regime Anti- Normalization Act of 2023. Madam Speaker, I am proud to…”

“And I rise in support of H.R. 3202, the Assad Regime Anti- Normalization Act of 2023. Madam Speaker, I am proud to support this bipartisan legislation introduced by my dear friend, the chairman of the Subcommittee on the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia, Representative Joe Wilson of South Carolina. First, it is with deep sadness that I note that it has been over 13 years since the Syrian people first rose up for their basic rights and have subsequently endured brutal assaults by Assad's Russian- and Iranian-backed military year after year. The Assad regime has unceasingly engaged in a campaign of violence against the Syrian people, committing what has amounted to countless war crimes and the most egregious violations of international humanitarian law. As we consider this bill today, it is critical we acknowledge that the war has resulted in the deaths of over 600,000 Syrians and more than 8 million displaced. The regime continues to regularly target hospitals, schools, and neighborhoods. Hundreds of thousands of Syrians face bleak prospects for the future. It is in this context we consider this bill, which responds to moves by some governments to look past these atrocities and re-admit the Assad regime into international institutions. The Biden administration has opposed efforts to reengage with the Assad regime and continues to highlight ongoing crimes against the Syrian people.…”