Eliot Engel: “I thank my friend, Mr. Wilson, for his leadership on this and so many other issues.”

I particularly want to thank Chairman Engel for his leadership, as well as the whole committee, for making the Caesar Act a reality.

This legislation, passed into law last December, mandates the most sweeping sanctions on Assad's enablers.

I introduced the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act several years ago as a response to what we saw in this room.

The citizens of the Western Balkans want a better future for their children, stronger and transparent democracy, accountable governments, and greater economic prosperity and security.