After new laws made it possible for big investments in Syria, the issue of Syria reconstruction deals has become a big topic in both politics and business. The argument over deals to rebuild Syria got stronger after reports said that Syrian-born investors Moutaz, Ramez, and Mohamad al-Khayyat helped get the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019 repealed. The talks about rebuilding Syria are now closely tied to international investment, sanctions, and political lobbying.
Reports say that the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, which was passed in December 2025, had language that supported the repeal. This change is directly related to the growth of reconstruction deals in Syria, which investors have been looking for in the country’s rebuilding sector.
Syria reconstruction deals and lobbying work
People have linked the repeal of the Caesar Act to efforts to get big deals for rebuilding Syria and to get into international banking systems. According to The New York Times, the al-Khayyat brothers and their partners are connected to Syria reconstruction deals worth more than $12 billion that are backed by the Syrian government.
Mohamad al-Khayyat also talked to members of Congress about the idea of building a Trump-branded golf course. At the same time, he pushed for the permanent lifting of restrictions that had previously made it hard to make big deals to rebuild Syria.
The Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019 was first meant to limit funding to the Syrian government and make it less likely that foreign companies would work on projects related to rebuilding Syria in areas controlled by the regime. The law made it hard for companies to do business in Syria and made investments risky for banks and global companies.
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Congress.gov has records that show that the law made it hard to get money for or approve many Syria reconstruction deals because of sanctions and legal issues.
Official responses and Syria reconstruction deals
David Warrington, a spokesman for the former president, spoke out about reports of lobbying and proposed development projects related to deals to rebuild Syria. He told The New York Times:
David Warrington, a spokesman, said, “President Trump does his constitutional duties in an ethical way, and to say otherwise is either wrong or mean.”
The Trump Organization also made it clear that there are no current talks or agreements about any project related to rebuilding Syria.
Even though these statements were made, reports say that investors who are working on rebuilding Syria have already met with at least 12 members of Congress. They also went to high-level political events to push for changes in policy that would help future deals to rebuild Syria.
Changes to the law and Syria reconstruction deals
In June 2025, a bipartisan effort led by Rep. Pramila Jayapal and Rep. Joe Wilson helped push for changes to Syria reconstruction deals. A press release from Rep. Jayapal’s office says that the goal of the initiative was to give investors more confidence in financing deals to rebuild Syria’s infrastructure and energy systems.
Those who wanted the repeal said that clearer rules would make more countries want to take part in rebuilding Syria, especially its infrastructure and economy.
Public Law No. 119-60, which repealed the Caesar Act, was finally passed. But it is still under the control of the executive branch. The Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act says that the President must send a report within 90 days and then send certifications every 180 days for four years about Syria’s cooperation and actions against terrorism.
These requirements make sure that the new legal framework keeps an eye on how Syria reconstruction deals are carried out.
