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119-s-3740119th CongressWALLET

Save the Kurds Act

Sponsored By: Senator Graham, Lindsey [R-SC]

Introduced

Summary

This bill creates a broad sanctions package to isolate the Government of Syria and punish officials, institutions, and foreign enablers who support it. It bundles asset blocks, visa bans, trade limits, and financial restrictions with rules for congressional review of Syria's state‑sponsor status.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 2 mixed.

New sanctions on Syrian officials

If enacted, the President would have to impose sanctions on a long list of Syrian officials and on foreign people who enable crime, corruption, or military support for Syria. The bill would reinstate certain prior Syria Executive Order sanctions as they existed on June 30, 2025. The Secretary of State would be required to designate Hay'at Tahrir al‑Sham (al‑Nusrah Front) as a foreign terrorist organization upon enactment.

Limits on Syrian banks and markets

If enacted, the President would block property and restrict U.S. correspondent and payable‑through accounts for the Central Bank of Syria and covered Syrian banks. U.S. persons would be banned from transacting with those banks 30 days after enactment. The SEC would have to ban trading on U.S. exchanges of securities issued by Syrian officials or entities within 30 days. Treasury would review Syrian‑owned entities, covered financial institutions, and global payment messaging providers on set schedules and could sanction those used to evade sanctions.

Ban on U.S. investment in Syria

If enacted, U.S. persons would be barred from making new investments in Syria. The bill would also ban exports or reexports of Treasury‑identified services to people located in Syria and bar U.S. persons from approving or guaranteeing foreign transactions that would be illegal for U.S. persons. Humanitarian transactions for food, medicine, and medical devices would be exempt, and Treasury general licenses in effect before enactment would remain valid.

How the law would be enforced

If enacted, the President could use IEEPA authority to implement the Act and IEEPA civil and criminal penalties would apply to violators. The President must issue implementing regulations within 180 days. The bill would automatically end five years after enactment but allows the President to suspend parts if Syria stops attacking Kurdish‑led forces, and to immediately reinstate suspended parts if attacks resume. The President could not remove Syria from the state sponsor list until after sending a report and allowing Congress a 90‑day review (120 days during July 10–Sept 7). The bill would not authorize use of military force.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Graham, Lindsey [R-SC]

SC • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]

    CT • D

    Sponsored 1/29/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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