Intel: Final defense bill gives Congress more oversight of US Syria policy
Lawmakers are grabbing the reins on the Biden administration’s dormant approach to Syria’s conflict.
The US Senate voted 88-11 on Wednesday to pass next year’s annual defense spending bill, rushing through a compromise version that now heads to President Biden’s desk.
A number of amendments were stripped from the $778 billion bill after already having passed the House, including measures regarding US policy in the Middle East.
Among those that didn’t make it were restrictions on US cooperation with Saudi Arabia over the murder of Jamal Khashoggi and the Saudi-led coalition's conduct in Yemen’s war, and more congressional oversight of the Egyptian government’s harassment of American citizens.
But a handful of provisions on regional policy survived the backroom deals, including one demanding stricter oversight of Washington’s policies towards the conflict in Syria.
