Eliot Engel: “I wish that had been infinite and I still hold out hope that that could be achieved if we took a different path.”

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

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

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

We will continue to call out and hold accountable those who undermine the Dayton Peace Agreement or threaten the country's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and multi-ethnic character.