Bipartisan lawmakers in the US House of Representatives introduced a new bill on March 25 to evaluate potential terrorism threats originating from Syria, as reported by Enabbaldi.

The proposed legislation mandates the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to conduct a comprehensive assessment of emerging threats from Syria, particularly given the country’s ongoing political shifts and its status as a hub for various terrorist groups, according to Fox News.

The bill seeks to enhance US national security by preventing individuals linked to terrorist organisations in Syria from infiltrating American borders. It is set for a vote in the House Homeland Security Committee on April 1.

Democratic Representative Lou Correa of California and Republican Representative Morgan Luttrell of Texas co-sponsored the bill.

"Border security doesn’t begin or end at the border," Correa said, explaining that "individuals linked to terrorist organisations pose a significant threat to our homeland that cannot be underestimated." He added, "American citizens rely on the Department of Homeland Security and its partners to identify and address these threats before they escalate into real threats that could impact our communities."

Luttrell explained that "the legislation requires DHS to assess the security risks posed by individuals in Syria linked to foreign or global terrorist organisations." He added: "The US cannot turn a blind eye to the escalating terrorist threats in Syria," stressing the bill’s role in proactively addressing potential risks before they endanger American security.

Lawmakers believe the proposed legislation will establish stricter oversight mechanisms to prevent terrorist threats from entering the US. If passed, the bill would expand DHS’s authority to monitor and evaluate threats while strengthening international cooperation to ensure effective countermeasures.

During a private meeting at the Syria Donors Conference in Brussels on March 18, US Assistant Secretary of State Natasha Franceschi presented Syria with conditions for partial sanctions relief.

According to US and Syrian sources, Washington's demands include the destruction of any remaining chemical weapons stockpiles, cooperation in counterterrorism efforts and preventing foreign fighters from holding leadership positions within Syria’s governing structures.

The US has also requested that Syria appoint a liaison officer to assist in locating missing American journalist Austin Tice, who disappeared over a decade ago.

While Washington has offered limited sanctions relief in exchange, no timeline or specific details have been disclosed.

Recently, Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned Islamist extremists for attacks in Syria’s coastal region, sparking disagreements between the White House and the State Department over the response.

Meanwhile, Reuters reported that Israel is exerting pressure on Washington to keep Syria weak and fragmented, though the US administration has not fully endorsed this stance.