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[Pages S2740-S2741]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGE
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REPORT ON THE CONTINUATION OF THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY THAT WAS
ORIGINALLY DECLARED IN EXECUTIVE ORDER 13338 OF MAY 11, 2004, WITH
RESPECT TO THE BLOCKING OF PROPERTY OF CERTAIN PERSONS AND PROHIBITION
OF EXPORTATION AND RE-EXPORTATION OF CERTAIN GOODS TO SYRIA--PM 12
The PRESIDING OFFICER laid before the Senate the following message
from the President of the United States, together with an accompanying
report; which was referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and
Urban Affairs:
To the Congress of the United States:
Section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act, 50 U.S.C. 1622(d),
provides for the automatic termination of a national emergency unless,
within 90 days before the anniversary date of its declaration, the
President publishes in the Federal Register and transmits to the
Congress a notice stating that the emergency is to continue in effect
beyond the anniversary date. In accordance with this provision, I have
sent to the Federal Register for publication the enclosed notice
stating that the national emergency with respect to the actions of the
Government of Syria declared in Executive Order 13338 of May 11, 2004--
as modified in scope and relied upon for additional steps taken in
Executive Order 13399 of April 25, 2006, Executive Order 13460 of
February 13, 2008, Executive Order 13572 of April 29, 2011, Executive
Order 13573 of May 18, 2011, Executive Order 13582 of August 17, 2011,
Executive Order 13606 of April 22, 2012, and Executive Order 13608 of
May 1, 2012--is to continue in effect beyond May 11, 2019.
The regime's brutal war on the Syrian people, who have been calling
for freedom and a representative government, not only endangers the
Syrian people themselves, but also generates instability throughout the
region. The Syrian regime's actions and policies, including pursuing
and using chemical weapons, supporting terrorist organizations, and
obstructing the Lebanese government's ability to function effectively
continue to foster the rise of extremism and sectarianism and pose an
unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign
policy, and economy of the United States. For these reasons, I have
determined that it is necessary to continue in effect the national
emergency declared with respect to this threat and to maintain in force
the sanctions to address this national emergency.
In addition, the United States condemns the Assad regime's use of
brutal violence and human rights abuses and calls on the Assad regime
to stop its violent war, uphold existing ceasefires, enable the
delivery of humanitarian assistance, and negotiate a political
transition in Syria that will forge a credible path to a future of
greater freedom, democracy, opportunity, and justice. The United States
will consider changes in the composition, policies, and actions of the
Government of Syria in determining whether to continue or terminate
this national emergency in the future.
Donald J. Trump.
The White House, May 8, 2019.
[[Page S2741]]
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