Extension and modification of authority to provide assistance to vetted Syrian groups and individuals

Section 1209 of the Carl Levin and Howard P. Buck McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (Public Law 113–291; 128 Stat. 3541) is amended— (1) in subsection (a)— (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking December 31, 2026 and inserting December 31, 2027; and (B) in paragraph (4), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking Islamic State of Iraq and Syria; (2) by redesignating subsections (b) through (n) as subsections (c) through (o), respectively; (3) by inserting after subsection (a) the following new subsection (b): (b) Limitation on use of funds None of the funds authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section may be expended for cooperation with the Government of Syria until the date on which the Secretary of Defense certifies to the congressional defense committees that the Government of Syria has taken credible steps— (1) to remove all foreign fighters and jihadists from the military forces of Syria and from other services of the Government of Syria; (2) to disarm all foreign fighters and jihadists who remain in Syria; (3) to implement a system to monitor foreign fighters and jihadists so as to prevent attacks on the United States and allies and partners of the United States, including the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces; (4) with respect to individuals who pose a threat to the security of the United States or the security of allies and partners of the United States, to prohibit the issuance of visas, passports, travel permits, or other legal documents for purposes of entry into Syria; (5) to counter al-Qaeda and associated and successor groups; (6) to prevent members and leaders of al-Qaeda and associated and successor groups from entering or remaining in Syria, with the aim of preventing such individuals and organizations from launching external attacks on the United States and allies and partners of the United States; (7) to implement a system to fairly integrate into the military forces of Syria the Syrian Defense Forces, which have been long-time partners of the United States in countering the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria; and (8) to prevent attacks and violence against the Kurds and Druze of Syria.; (4) in subsection (d), as redesignated, by striking subsection (b) and inserting subsection (c); and (5) in subsection (e)(2)(J), as redesignated, in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.