S.J.Res. 57Senate116th Congress (2019-2021)In Committee

A joint resolution opposing the decision to end certain United States efforts to prevent Turkish military operations against Syrian Kurdish forces in Northeast Syria.

Introduced October 15, 2019

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 14, 2026 at 8:38 AM UTC

This joint resolution expresses Congress’s opposition to the Trump administration’s decision to pull U.S. forces out of areas of northeast Syria that were helping deter Turkish military actions against Syrian Kurdish groups. It urges Turkey to stop its unilateral offensive, calls for continued U.S. humanitarian assistance to Kurdish communities, and asks the White House to lay out a clear plan for permanently defeating ISIS.

Key Provisions

  • Congress formally opposes ending U.S. efforts that were preventing Turkish attacks on Syrian Kurdish forces in northeast Syria.
  • It urges Turkish President Erdogan to immediately halt unilateral military actions in the region and to honor existing agreements related to Syria.
  • It calls for the United States to keep providing humanitarian aid to Kurdish communities, especially those displaced by the fighting.
  • It asks the United States to work to ensure the Turkish military acts with restraint and respects Syrian agreements.
  • It requests that the White House present a specific, long‑term plan to achieve the enduring defeat of ISIS.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action
SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

October 15, 2019

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

October 15, 2019

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

October 15, 2019

Floor Debate

1 member

What members said about S.J.Res. 57 on the floor

1 Republican
Michael B. Enzi
Sen. Michael B. EnziR-WY · Jun 26, 2019

Mr. President, I wish submit to the Senate the budget scorekeeping report for June 2019. The report compares current-law levels of spending and revenues with the amounts the Senate agreed to in the…

Michael B. Enzi
Sen. Michael B. EnziR-WY · Feb 27, 2019

Mr. President, I wish to submit to the Senate the budget scorekeeping report for February 2019. The report compares current-law levels of spending and revenues with the amounts the Senate agreed to…

Michael B. Enzi
Sen. Michael B. EnziR-WY · Apr 10, 2019

Mr. President, I rise to submit to the Senate the budget scorekeeping report for April 2019. The report compares current-law levels of spending and revenues with the amounts the Senate agreed to in…

Michael B. Enzi
Sen. Michael B. EnziR-WY · Jan 10, 2019

Mr. President, I wish to submit to the Senate the budget scorekeeping report for January 2019. The report compares current-law levels of spending and revenues with the amounts the Senate agreed to in…

Michael B. Enzi
Sen. Michael B. EnziR-WY · May 22, 2019

Mr. President, I wish to submit to the Senate the budget scorekeeping report for May 2019. The report compares current-law levels of spending and revenues with the amounts the Senate agreed to in the…

Bill Text

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Introduced in SenateIssued October 15, 2019

IIA

116th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. J. RES. 57

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

October 15, 2019

Mr. Menendez (for himself and Mr. Young) introduced the following joint resolution; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

JOINT RESOLUTION

Opposing the decision to end certain United States efforts to prevent Turkish military operations against Syrian Kurdish forces in Northeast Syria.

Whereas thousands of Syrian fighters, including Syrian Kurds, fought courageously with the United States against the brutality of ISIS throughout Syria, liberating nearly one-third of Syrian territory from ISIS’ so-called caliphate.;

Whereas, on October 6, 2019, the White House announced Turkey will soon be moving forward with its long-planned operation into Northern Syria while the United States Armed Forces will not support or be involved in the operation, and United States forces … will no longer be in the immediate area.;

Whereas, on October 6, 2019, the White House announced Turkey will now be responsible for all ISIS fighters in the area captured over the past two years … .;

Whereas, an October 10, 2019, White House statement said, This morning, Turkey, a NATO member, invaded Syria. The United States does not endorse this attack and has made it clear to Turkey that this operation is a bad idea.;

Whereas Turkey has historically threatened, forcibly displaced, and killed Syrian Kurds, including during military operations in the Afrin District;

Whereas, on August 1, 2019, Special Envoy James Jeffrey stated in reference to the Syrian Kurds and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), We are committed to defeating ISIS in northeast Syria. The SDF … is our partner there. We are committed to those who have fought with us not being attacked and not being harmed by anyone. The President made that clear publicly. That includes our concerns about the Turks.;

Whereas in January 2019, Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats stated in Congressional testimony that The conflicts in Iraq and Syria have generated a large pool of skilled and battle-hardened fighters who remain dispersed throughout the region … and the group has returned to its guerilla-warfare roots while continuing to plot attacks and direct its supporters worldwide. ISIS is intent on resurging.;

Whereas, during the counter-ISIS campaign in Syria, the SDF captured thousands of ISIS fighters, including foreign terrorist fighters from around the world who pose threats to our allies in the region;

Whereas in addition to ISIS fighters in detention approximately 70,000 women and children are currently held at the Al-Hol internally displaced persons camp and at other camps in northeast Syria;

Whereas the Lead Inspector General for Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve stated in August 2019, ISIS is already seeking to establish safe haven in al-Hol aiming to recruit individuals who are susceptible to ISIS messaging, coercion, and enticement.;

Whereas the SDF has warned the United States and international community that a Turkish incursion into Northeast Syria would significantly decrease the SDF’s ability to combat ISIS and to continue providing security and management for ISIS detainees and their family members;

Whereas, on October 6, 2019, President Trump conducted a call with President Erdogan in which, according to the official White House press release, they discussed the upcoming Turkish incursion, and soon after this call, a White House press release announced the withdrawal of the United States military from the immediate area, which was completed within hours; and

Whereas an abrupt withdrawal of United States military personnel from certain parts of Northeast Syria is beneficial to adversaries of the United States government, including Syria, Iran, and Russia: Now, therefore, be it

That Congress—

(1)

opposes the decision to end certain United States efforts to prevent Turkish military operations against Syrian Kurdish forces in Northeast Syria;

(2)

calls on Turkish President Erdogan to immediately cease unilateral military action in Northeast Syria and to respect existing agreements relating to Syria;

(3)

calls on the United States to continue supporting Syrian Kurdish communities through humanitarian support, including to those displaced or otherwise affected by ongoing violence in Syria;

(4)

calls on the United States to work to ensure that the Turkish military acts with restraint and respects existing agreements relating to Syria; and

(5)

calls on the White House to present a clear and specific plan for the enduring defeat of ISIS.