115 HR 7245 IH: Venezuela Humanitarian Relief, Reconstruction, and Rule of Law Act of 2018
U.S. House of Representatives
2018-12-10
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.
1.Short title; table of contents
(a)This Act may be cited as the Venezuela Humanitarian Relief, Reconstruction, and Rule of Law Act of 2018
. (b)The table of contents for this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Sense of Congress.
Title I—Humanitarian relief for Venezuela
Sec. 101. Humanitarian assistance to Venezuelans in neighboring countries.
Sec. 102. Support for efforts at the United Nations on the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela.
Title II—Restoring democracy and addressing the political crisis in Venezuela
Sec. 201. Recognition of Venezuela’s democratically elected National Assembly.
Sec. 202. Advancing a negotiated solution to Venezuela’s crisis.
Sec. 203. Support for the Lima Group.
Sec. 204. Accountability for crimes against humanity.
Title III—Supporting the reconstruction of Venezuela
Sec. 301. Engaging international financial institutions to advance the reconstruction of
Venezuela’s economy and energy infrastructure.
Sec. 302. Recovering assets stolen from the Venezuelan people.
Title IV—Restoring the rule of law in Venezuela
Sec. 401. Public information about sanctioned officials.
Sec. 402. Coordinating targeted sanctions with partners in the Western Hemisphere and the European
Union.
Sec. 403. Financial sanctions on Venezuelan government debt.
Sec. 404. Exceptions for humanitarian assistance.
Title V—Cryptocurrency sanctions and ensuring the effectiveness of United States sanctions
Sec. 501. Sanctions on Venezuela’s cryptocurrency and the provision of related technologies.
Sec. 502. Report on the impact of cryptocurrencies on United States sanctions.
Title VI—Termination
Sec. 601. Extension and termination of sanctions against Venezuela.
2.It is the sense of Congress that— (1)Venezuela’s electoral event on May 20, 2018—
(A)was not legitimate; and (B)did not comply with international standards for a free, fair, and transparent democratic process; and
(2)senior officials in the de facto government of Nicolás Maduro— (A)have taken continuous steps—
(i)to consolidate an authoritarian government; and (ii)to direct political control over Venezuela’s Supreme Tribunal of Justice, National Electoral Council, and armed forces;
(B)have implemented policies that are directly responsible for— (i)Venezuela’s economic and humanitarian crises; and
(ii)the massive outflow of Venezuelan migrants leaving the country; (C)have used access to food as a tool of political coercion and a source of corruption and have directly profited from corruption in food procurement contracts;
(D)have utilized repressive tactics to violate and curtail human rights, political rights, freedom of expression, and freedom of the press, including the arbitrary detention of political prisoners; and
(E)have engaged in acts of gross corruption and criminality that have contributed to the absence of the rule of law in Venezuela.
<enum>I</enum><header>Humanitarian relief for Venezuela</header>
<section id="H94E33913C31146C5A37B05BB846DC20A"><enum>101.</enum><header>Humanitarian assistance to Venezuelans in neighboring countries</header>
<subsection id="HED196812ADA6472182525FF6CC8B0E99"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary of State, in coordination with the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, shall work through international and nongovernmental organizations to provide Venezuelans in neighboring countries with humanitarian aid, such as—</text>
<paragraph id="HA62879A74D2B4D93A4098510B0E4B8D9"><enum>(1)</enum><text>urgently needed health and nutritional assistance, including logistical and technical assistance to hospitals and health centers in affected communities;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HDE98EB1E8FF14A9F9DC654019D089F4A"><enum>(2)</enum><text>food assistance for vulnerable individuals, including assistance to improve food security for affected communities; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HC165206CD6A0404FBB79D3A45116E333"><enum>(3)</enum><text>hygiene supplies and sanitation services.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H4D997405527541FABE00FCD12C2988C8"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Additional elements</header><text>The assistance described in subsection (a)—</text>
<paragraph id="H7795FC2DC1064A5195D8714E6F87D120"><enum>(1)</enum><text>may be provided—</text> <subparagraph id="H754155E9159D48AF8DD7BE06A77D0153"><enum>(A)</enum><text>directly to Venezuelans in neighboring countries; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HE08057A101454E8CBA65447AEED01C07"><enum>(B)</enum><text>indirectly through the communities in which the Venezuelans reside; and</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H61D88C1520A64966A286C5C33691D18C"><enum>(2)</enum><text>should focus on the most vulnerable Venezuelans in neighboring countries.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H43CD10A5B0A64C9ABB656A64DCAEFC84"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header>
<paragraph id="H70E0C2E1F3B14D8FBE12578B8C020721"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of State $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2019 to carry out the activities set forth in subsection (a) in accordance with this section.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H17B29BB934C64DA3A830EDA2D6BCD258"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Notification requirement</header>
<subparagraph id="H4F21DDB951F2473FBB8C5BBD1B7418FD"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Except as provided under subparagraph (B), amounts appropriated or otherwise made available pursuant to paragraph (1) may not be obligated until 15 days after the date on which the President provides notice to the appropriate congressional committees of the intent to obligate such funds.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H1B0E2248CDEC438DBA55DE1F731F8C63"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Waiver</header>
<clause id="H810B6853CA534788B5A06DA198483506"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary of State may waive the requirement under subparagraph (A) if the Secretary determines that such requirement would pose a substantial risk to human health or welfare.</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HECC456567FB54958AED8B6048738AA69"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Notification requirement</header><text>If a waiver is invoked under clause (i), the President shall notify the appropriate congressional committees of the intention to obligate funds under this section as early as practicable, but not later than 3 days after taking the action to which such notification requirement was applicable in the context of the circumstances necessitating such waiver.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="H698AA7335E1A408BA3C2C27075041B54"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Defined term</header><text>In this subparagraph, the term <term>appropriate congressional committees</term> means—</text> <clause commented="no" id="HF8946940394545A385830BA95E977144"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the <committee-name committee-id="SSFR00">Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate</committee-name>;</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" id="HE466ABEE87F4427AA082F109B8271052"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the <committee-name committee-id="SSAP00">Committee on Appropriations of the Senate</committee-name>;</text> </clause><clause commented="no" id="HCEB8099B8A564731B3802D081E4A4533"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>the <committee-name committee-id="">Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives</committee-name>; and</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" id="HD4C5B860468047FC979C529E44D4D451"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>the <committee-name committee-id="">Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives</committee-name>.</text> </clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="H61C44D00541348449D914C9E4B446122"><enum>102.</enum><header>Support for efforts at the United Nations on the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela</header> <subsection id="H091A8A8CA64847289BCD8ABA755CC18F"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Sense of Congress</header><text>It is the sense of Congress that the United Nations humanitarian agencies, including the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the World Health Organization, the Pan American Health Organization, the Food and Agriculture Organization, UNICEF, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, should conduct and publish independent assessments regarding—</text>
<paragraph id="H61BDEF647C1644F4BF0EB68C870071D7"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the extent and impact of the shortages of food and medicine in Venezuela; and</text> </paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H36804C31B56D4E9687A7E7CBCBB7F02F"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the efforts needed to resolve such shortages.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H6BCEE30F14CE4DF88CB228C07D08F98D"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Initial efforts</header><text>The President shall instruct the Permanent Representative of the United States to the United Nations to use the voice and vote of the United States in the United Nations Security Council to secure the necessary votes—</text>
<paragraph id="HBA6738ED2590415DB7D6F3C2082F2961"><enum>(1)</enum><text>to place the humanitarian and political crisis in Venezuela on the United Nations Security Council’s Programme of Work; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HF7DC19CE6C2A4782BFBE3AAA52B8F033"><enum>(2)</enum><text>to secure a Presidential Statement from the President of the United Nations Security Council urging the Government of Venezuela—</text>
<subparagraph id="HB61064E479C14BED9398BADD73B016D4"><enum>(A)</enum><text>to allow the delivery of humanitarian relief; and</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="HD2968250BA0D4F889A5C57F442517445"><enum>(B)</enum><text>to lift bureaucratic impediments or any other obstacles preventing independent nongovernmental organizations from providing the proper assistance to the people of Venezuela without any interference by the Government of Venezuela.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H8033E707124E45F6B777C1968D886992"><enum>(c)</enum><header>United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator</header><text>The President shall instruct the Permanent Representative to the United Nations to use the voice and influence of the United States to advance the appointment of a United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for Venezuela to lead and coordinate the efforts of humanitarian organizations in a manner that contributes to Venezuela’s long-term recovery.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H74EE24981A8D478A8A718980974D8CCF"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Additional efforts</header>
<paragraph id="H52D206364DD04D5388C108E5C00B9FF3"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>If the Government of Venezuela refuses to allow the delivery of humanitarian relief and to lift bureaucratic impediments and any other obstacles described in subsection (b)(2)(B), the President, beginning not later than 30 days after the conclusion of the efforts of the United Nations described in such subsection, shall instruct the Permanent Representative of the United States to the United Nations to use the voice and vote of the United States to secure the adoption of a resolution described in paragraph (2).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HA252D059726347A69C9EE94577127206"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Resolution described</header><text>The resolution described in this paragraph is a Resolution of the United Nations Security Council that—</text>
<subparagraph id="H94BD104C55AD479A823AA5B95B5F2848"><enum>(A)</enum><text>requires the Government of Venezuela to promptly allow safe and unhindered access for humanitarian agencies and their implementing partners, including possible support from neighboring countries; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HB3A3CF100C41476289E2E931AF95AAD4"><enum>(B)</enum><text>calls on the Government of Venezuela—</text> <clause id="H4D2113AB6FC2412CBDA0C1CE6FD0B69F"><enum>(i)</enum><text>to allow the delivery of food and medicine to the people of Venezuela;</text>
</clause><clause id="H2C84D03F56EB4850A0862595D75BAD2C"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>to end human rights violations against the people of Venezuela;</text> </clause><clause id="H63DE876C373C43078AA33B635C8CCA74"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>to agree to free, fair, and transparent elections with credible international observers;</text>
</clause><clause id="HBCF0FEE753F14F0F8E87ED67F79E6C45"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>to cease violence against the people of Venezuela; and</text> </clause><clause id="H69AF18414D78474ABFBAFF759188CAD2"><enum>(v)</enum><text>to release all political prisoners held by the Government of Venezuela.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><enum>II</enum><header>Restoring democracy and addressing the political crisis in Venezuela</header>
<section id="H9FF24F34C13E4CD5890CF50158B876CA"><enum>201.</enum><header>Recognition of Venezuela’s democratically elected National Assembly</header>
<subsection id="HB7CDDDB6F4EB457AB4D7C2B878780D25"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Findings</header><text>Congress makes the following findings:</text> <paragraph id="HACACC97349EA4E8DBB170371E55C2482"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Venezuela’s unicameral National Assembly convened on January 6, 2016, following democratic elections that were held on December 6, 2015.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HC0C6DDFAC41F4293840B0372B9CE5F21"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Venezuela’s National Constituent Assembly convened on August 4, 2017, in the aftermath of an election on July 30, 2017, which was characterized by widespread fraud and, as a result of administrative processes, failed to comply with the Constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H5D59650858154A2F88A03AA384FC6652"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Sense of Congress</header><text>It is the sense of Congress that actions taken by the Government of Venezuela that require legislative approval, ratification, or concurrence, including the provision or refinancing of debts, should only be recognized as legitimate by the United States and the international community if such legislative actions are performed by the democratically elected National Assembly of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HB212DFC6A89647F289747BBD27EBD184"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Policy</header><text>It is the policy of the United States—</text> <paragraph id="H447626BDFD17417B9FBC0B2A65A16D2A"><enum>(1)</enum><text>to recognize the democratically elected National Assembly of Venezuela as the only legitimate national legislative body in Venezuela; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H7F4701AF901D4AB1A535C3BE067D8BD7"><enum>(2)</enum><text>not to recognize Venezuela’s National Constituent Assembly as a legitimate legislative body.</text> </paragraph></subsection></section><section id="HDF043D4BCA144D569A792A9A53CF5B0C"><enum>202.</enum><header>Advancing a negotiated solution to Venezuela’s crisis</header> <subsection id="H53AE70E284E24FABAB6ECD2D29ABD470"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Sense of Congress</header><text>It is the sense of Congress that—</text>
<paragraph id="H37708262125E46C794210720241DBC09"><enum>(1)</enum><text>direct, credible negotiations between the Government of Venezuela and political opposition, which include democratically elected deputies of the National Assembly of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, are supported by stakeholders in the international diplomatic community, and include the input and interests of Venezuelan civil society, represent the best opportunity to reach a solution to the Venezuelan crisis that includes—</text>
<subparagraph id="H701093AD0CEE459BAEB7FBBF64AFE44A"><enum>(A)</enum><text>restoring democracy and the rule of law;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="HFD13CF8E0DB84DBAAF91B3999F613426"><enum>(B)</enum><text>freeing political prisoners;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HE52B65075EE245409E2C7C9A83E6596E"><enum>(C)</enum><text>facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid; and</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="H549DD2337ED0437FADCB4600BE0D1AC8"><enum>(D)</enum><text>establishing conditions for free and fair democratic elections;</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H088930097E11481483CB457132461462"><enum>(2)</enum><text>negotiations between the Government of Venezuela and political opposition that commenced in October 2017, and were supported by the Governments of Mexico, Chile, Bolivia, and Nicaragua, did not result in an agreement because the Government of Venezuela failed to credibly participate in the process; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H2BD84317D21A4A1D9AC42D4784AEA0B8"><enum>(3)</enum><text>negotiations between the Government of Venezuela and political opposition that commenced in October 2016, and were supported by the Vatican, did not result in an agreement because the Government of Venezuela failed to credibly participate in the process.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H527630E494F14746A5826F7E51B2AF9B"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Policy</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">It is the policy of the United States to support diplomatic engagement in order to advance a negotiated solution to Venezuela’s political, economic, and humanitarian crisis that is described in subsection (a)(1).</text>
</subsection></section><section id="HAA14119E95F04403A05D17BE38125170"><enum>203.</enum><header>Support for the Lima Group</header>
<subsection id="H61CA2E59032B47BB9165447D01B3D528"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Findings</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Congress makes the following findings:</text> <paragraph id="HB51CDC7C53DE4EB582605394C01C8BE1"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The Lima Group is a diplomatic bloc whose members include Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and Saint Lucia.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H80B94D330D214A239114930890083B47"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The Lima Group—</text> <subparagraph id="H63CE6162A6D5480BA1F9442562BF56D3"><enum>(A)</enum><text>has condemned the rupture of the democratic order in Venezuela;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H97F43266569B4837B69756FD3E100F94"><enum>(B)</enum><text>has reaffirmed the authority of the democratically elected National Assembly of Venezuela;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="H7A1AB9FB617241419B3E718C59A5FCA0"><enum>(C)</enum><text>has rejected Venezuela’s National Constituent Assembly;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H48BFF640A67B46A299D13ADB3600B74D"><enum>(D)</enum><text>has called on the Government of Venezuela to accept humanitarian assistance in order to address the country’s growing economic crisis; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HED03774B26384626AA5AC763B004D0A0"><enum>(E)</enum><text>has stated that it does not recognize the legitimacy of Venezuela’s May 20, 2018, presidential election as it did not comply with international standards for a democratic, free, fair, and transparent process.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H605068761C644818B47A51BCD8E2969A"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Sense of Congress</header><text>It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary of State should conduct diplomatic engagement in support of efforts by the Lima Group to restore democracy and the rule of law Venezuela and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance for the Venezuelan people.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="H3D128706F5664A8CA9541653C31EF650"><enum>204.</enum><header>Accountability for crimes against humanity</header>
<subsection id="H3B5330ABE6604849AF51BD9A17906781"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Findings</header><text>Congress makes the following findings:</text> <paragraph id="H144001844964433F93AF3D0777E070DB"><enum>(1)</enum><text>On July 25, 2017, the Secretary General of the Organization of American States stated <quote>the systematic attack against the civilian population [of Venezuela] includes murders, imprisonment and torture, and it is evident in the eyes of the international community that we are in the presence of crimes against humanity.</quote>.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HAF208783E37A46B3B79281D61ABCCF4A"><enum>(2)</enum><text>On September 11, 2017, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights stated that Venezuelan security forces may have committed crimes against humanity against protesters and called for a credible international investigation.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HAFF48352DD0A43679DEC44F3EDDD0701"><enum>(3)</enum><text>A November 29, 2017, report by Human Rights Watch documented that Venezuelan security forces had used extreme and, at times, lethal forces against protesters and, once detained, subjected them to abuses ranging from severe beatings to torture involving electric shocks, asphyxiation, and other techniques.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H7EF51FDF056E40469E121BF9F7E39359"><enum>(4)</enum><text>On February 8, 2018, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court opened a preliminary examination of the situation in Venezuela as it relates to Venezuelan security forces using excessive force against civilians and the political opposition.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HC01005B06BB54A2A8A6FD5D4AFF66250"><enum>(5)</enum><text>On May 29, 2018, a panel of independent international experts convened by the Secretary General of the Organization of American States found that <quote>there are reasonable grounds that satisfy the standard of proof required by Article 53 of the Rome Statute for considering that acts to which the civilian population of Venezuela was subjected […] constitute crimes against humanity</quote>.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HB001CD9750544534B30CF485A8195617"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Sense of Congress</header><text>It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary of State should conduct robust diplomatic engagement in support of efforts in Venezuela, and on the part of the international community, to ensure accountability for possible crimes against humanity and other violations of international humanitarian law and violations and abuses of human rights.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H3332BD3608444131932A4CAC8FBE6E0B"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Report</header><text>Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit a report to Congress that—</text>
<paragraph id="HDA1BDAE3408946098B1EB9D212808708"><enum>(1)</enum><text>evaluates the degree to which the Government of Venezuela and its officials, including members of the Venezuelan security force, have engaged in actions that constitute crimes against humanity and violations of international humanitarian law; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HC723B0873705498BA0120DAA6D0CD164"><enum>(2)</enum><text>provides options for holding accountable the perpetrators identified under paragraph (1).</text> </paragraph></subsection></section><enum>III</enum><header>Supporting the reconstruction of Venezuela</header> <section id="HB6B0B5308B764D76A817D01B5FD1250B"><enum>301.</enum><header>Engaging international financial institutions to advance the reconstruction of Venezuela’s economy and energy infrastructure</header> <subsection id="H5DD1964122984A778C6C3CD6F9126D82"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary of Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Energy, should work through the United States Executive Directors to the International Monetary Fund and the Multilateral Development Banks to create a framework for the economic reconstruction of Venezuela, contingent upon the restoration of democracy and the rule of law in the country.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H638B177CA525436A998297ABBF88186D"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Additional elements</header><text>The framework created under subsection (a) should include policy proposals—</text> <paragraph id="H875A539CB4534EA4B360790A3C1D9FE1"><enum>(1)</enum><text>to provide Venezuelans with humanitarian assistance, poverty alleviation, and a social safety net;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HA4C0ED2E801A4571A56EFBE88C56F50C"><enum>(2)</enum><text>to advance debt restructuring and debt sustainability measures;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="H9CD51B4333424E45B56DE42C9765D1E3"><enum>(3)</enum><text>to restore the production and efficient management of Venezuela’s oil industry, including rebuilding energy infrastructure;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HADA1E308CCBE41FD83A78677804449FB"><enum>(4)</enum><text>to eliminate price controls and market distorting subsidies in the Venezuelan economy; and</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="HFBD98D4029CB460D92C73BA8F7F87B69"><enum>(5)</enum><text>to address hyperinflation in Venezuela.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HCDBA2B88470C4B89887CC1AEFCBA6BFE"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Consultation</header><text>In creating the framework under subsection (a), the Secretary of Treasury, the Secretary of State, and the Secretary of Energy shall consult with relevant stakeholders in the humanitarian, financial and energy sectors.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H50061ECDE1864903A7178805AC361B06"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Sense of Congress</header><text>It is the sense of Congress that any effort to conduct debt restructuring should—</text> <paragraph id="H9E216C7634834728B2CEF68F59F5CD26"><enum>(1)</enum><text>include discussions with China, which is Venezuela’s biggest creditor; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HB5F2AA2426E1443AAA000DD2E585914D"><enum>(2)</enum><text>appropriately account for China’s and Russia’s high-risk lending to Venezuela.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H04F3A1FA89534EBA941BAD3F9C7C4E8D"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Certification</header><text>The Secretary of Treasury may not support lending or financing from the International Monetary Fund and the Multilateral Development Banks until the Secretary of State submits a report to the <committee-name committee-id="SSFR00">Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate</committee-name> and <committee-name committee-id="">Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives</committee-name> certifying that the Government of Venezuela is committed to—</text>
<paragraph id="H05FF4B1D68B34CBA947FCC75A8C63A5A"><enum>(1)</enum><text>restoring democracy and the rule of law;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="HEB67A5723A304CD6982FFADB72DAB0E6"><enum>(2)</enum><text>freeing political prisoners;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HB43EE78AAF7E45B389C820C71224248C"><enum>(3)</enum><text>facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid; and</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="H92B421825DE74D579E8E71009E8EDEBE"><enum>(4)</enum><text>establishing conditions for free and fair democratic elections.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H5D844DC0B49A4AB589B4F0BF49CC5405"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Briefings</header><text>Upon a request from the <committee-name committee-id="SSFR00">Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate</committee-name>, the <committee-name committee-id="">Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives</committee-name>, the <committee-name committee-id="SSFI00">Committee on Finance of the Senate</committee-name>, or the <committee-name committee-id="">Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives</committee-name>, the Secretary of Treasury shall brief the requesting committee on the progress made in implementing the framework created under subsection (a).</text>
</subsection></section><section id="H9A1151FFDA7F4C1BB600100EBCCF34BA"><enum>302.</enum><header>Recovering assets stolen from the Venezuelan people</header>
<subsection id="H0A2E7D50ACF042ABA2D0E3C28133F794"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Findings</header><text>Congress makes the following findings:</text> <paragraph id="H16DD3C3FAF854EF2BD73E4DF60D35BE7"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Venezuela ranked 169th out of 180 countries in Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index 2017.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H381472B37EE545CEB96F4B46EBD181F0"><enum>(2)</enum><text>In March 2016, the International Center for Asset Recovery at the Basel Institute on Governance in Switzerland estimated that approximately $350,000,000,000 in public funding had been lost in Venezuela as the result of corruption, fraud, and graft.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HDF0BAEE98E674C009641709F29DE7DE4"><enum>(3)</enum><text>In March 2015, the Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network determined that approximately $2,000,000,000 had been siphoned from Venezuela’s public oil company, Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A., in conjunction with its designation of the Banca Privada d’Andorra as a Foreign Financial Institution of Primary Money Laundering Concern.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H7FB158F745D04B05BD21457E0B2644C6"><enum>(b)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of the Treasury and the Attorney General, shall advance a coordinated international effort—</text>
<paragraph id="HDA926433A54C45A7A0591AD87D5F4C47"><enum>(1)</enum><text>to carry out special financial investigations to identify and track assets taken from the people and institutions of Venezuela through theft, corruption, money laundering, or other illicit means; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H7EE89AD3E1DA40BABDA97AC7390A812C"><enum>(2)</enum><text>work with foreign governments—</text> <subparagraph id="H739C2653A16F4FDCA1A41FD035593143"><enum>(A)</enum><text>to share financial investigations intelligence, as appropriate;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H931844DEF6A948DA943BB23EA500AEA6"><enum>(B)</enum><text>to block the assets identified pursuant to paragraph (1); and</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="H6A5F33C0EB7145348A5231658DDF1F65"><enum>(C)</enum><text>to advance necessary civil forfeiture litigation, including providing technical assistance to help governments establish the necessary legal framework to carry out asset forfeitures.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HCB438A08C6F6432BACF3AB9364A3F1F5"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Additional elements</header><text>The coordinated international effort described in subsection (b) shall—</text> <paragraph id="H37B65193DB19489EA9E6FCABCB7549D4"><enum>(1)</enum><text>include input from—</text>
<subparagraph id="H77050B113CAE4F3A9CB6FA5094284F89"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="HF41C9076C1DE4E969A9B2679653DC108"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network of the Department of the Treasury; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HB666735057F84DC39457847CFA6C1B08"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section of the Department of Justice;</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H5290128BA72B418290942DE8DA48DDC4"><enum>(2)</enum><text>identify appropriate steps to advance necessary civil forfeiture litigation in the United States;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H3F3452FD365142258C136F46578D39CE"><enum>(3)</enum><text>include an assessment of whether the United States or another member of the international community should establish a managed fund to hold the assets identified pursuant to subsection (b)(1) that could be returned to a future democratic government in Venezuela; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H8704DC6A0CA94EA0A41D258B6843C720"><enum>(4)</enum><text>include recommendations for new legislative and regulatory measures in the United States that would be needed to establish and manage the fund described in paragraph (3).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H62D5AEE999374473BF1D6D5914CB48C8"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Strategy requirement</header><text>Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit a strategy for carrying out the activities described in subsection (b) to—</text>
<paragraph id="H914C2397C5124EA586D465835ABDC55D"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the <committee-name committee-id="SSFR00">Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate</committee-name>;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="H027A5B0B675A41588019957D717FCFE3"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the <committee-name committee-id="SSFI00">Committee on Finance of the Senate</committee-name>;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H38B15541745F4402BC38E19C6A1E25D6"><enum>(3)</enum><text>the <committee-name committee-id="SSJU00">Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate</committee-name>;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="H5FA5382854F04AEBB3F1E814A90964A7"><enum>(4)</enum><text>the <committee-name committee-id="">Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives</committee-name>;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H9ACD469B6B3A4F9CB718B3239F75E9F5"><enum>(5)</enum><text>the <committee-name committee-id="">Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives</committee-name>; and</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="H32AF72942A0E4D089BB70A8BFF91022B"><enum>(6)</enum><text>the <committee-name committee-id="">Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives</committee-name>.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H63A08FC004874F5AA5F4E8562E75229D"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Briefings</header><text>Upon a request from 1 of the congressional committees listed in subsection (d), the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, or the Attorney General shall brief the requesting committee on the progress made in implementing the effort described in subsection (b).</text>
</subsection></section><enum>IV</enum><header>Restoring the rule of law in Venezuela</header>
<section id="H67C7A18E87624E28B2B2F24855BD8C8A"><enum>401.</enum><header>Public information about sanctioned officials</header>
<subsection id="H35B4D5547A894EA0B82C9EAA00BC8927"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 180 days thereafter, except as provided in subsection (c), the Secretary of Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State, shall submit a report to Congress that describes the total assessed value of blocked assets of Venezuelans designated under sanctions authorized under—</text>
<paragraph id="HAA7F57EB9C7845D0A1DCFB657AE3EEA0"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act (title VIII of <external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/106/120">Public Law 106–120</external-xref>; <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/21/1901">21 U.S.C. 1901</external-xref> et seq.);</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="H58A861FDEFCA4D418EFBBD3473B29C18"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act of 2014 (<external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/113/278">Public Law 113–278</external-xref>); or</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="HDC8FA4CE220B42F289A23A59A0EC1FFE"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Executive Order 13692 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/50/1701">50 U.S.C. 1701</external-xref> note).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HD0C5603077EF4073A94B14D11E1FBFBE"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Additional elements</header><text>Reports submitted under subsection (a) should provide descriptions of specific cases that are most representative of the endemic corruption and illicit financial activities occurring in Venezuela.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HA5303AA9EA084AE9910B02886EB2F618"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Subsequent reports</header><text>The Secretary of Treasury is not required to submit an updated report to Congress under subsection (a) unless, since the submission of the preceding report—</text>
<paragraph id="H431B12A1C6D244E9875DC64D0DD4D557"><enum>(1)</enum><text>there has been meaningful change in the value of blocked assets; or</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="HE15387D16CBC4E0C872397195DE53A26"><enum>(2)</enum><text>additional individuals have been targeted for sanctions under the authorities listed in subsection (a).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H997D1D33D2334D9EA100C0072B067B11"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Briefings</header><text>If the Secretary of Treasury exercises the exception described in subsection (c), the Secretary of the Treasury, or designee, shall brief Congress on—</text>
<paragraph id="HC157E1C25DEF45CDB6FCAEDFFEFCEA03"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the decision to exercise the exception; and</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="HD6085CFC12534CE99112E9490541090D"><enum>(2)</enum><text>information related to the value of blocked assets described in subsection (a).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H9AD17A42EEF34DF4BEE016862FBFFD48"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Form</header><text>Reports required under this section shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="H090136FFFDA24867959330A11029C76E"><enum>402.</enum><header>Coordinating targeted sanctions with partners in the Western Hemisphere and the European Union</header>
<subsection id="HBC28A72B3DFE44C9A7BD4EEB14E812CD"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Strengthening sanctions capacity in Latin America and the Caribbean</header><text>The Secretary of State, working through the Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs and the Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, and in coordination with the Secretary of the Treasury, shall provide technical assistance to partner governments in Latin America and the Caribbean to assist such governments in establishing the legislative and regulatory frameworks needed to impose targeted sanctions on Venezuelan officials who—</text>
<paragraph id="HFADB1EE1F1E94F07A96425DBAAD05166"><enum>(1)</enum><text>are responsible for human rights abuses;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="H82ED504D901D4F46AC0BD88760C66922"><enum>(2)</enum><text>have engaged in public corruption; or</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HC3BA08B2ED454F8F8BC51600AFACB6E5"><enum>(3)</enum><text>are undermining democratic institutions and processes in Venezuela.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H81AE2DD43878430DA1AA0672F63EE6D0"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Coordinating international sanctions</header><text>The Secretary of State shall engage in diplomatic efforts with partner governments, including the Government of Canada, governments in the European Union, and governments in Latin America and the Caribbean, to impose targeted sanctions on Venezuelan officials described in subsection (a).</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H86B7BF1E5DBD47319AAE5CE746C353BD"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Strategy requirement</header><text>Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit a strategy for carrying out the activities described in subsection (a) to—</text>
<paragraph id="H58D6396FA45445D2A8107D2B26B3E284"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the <committee-name committee-id="SSFR00">Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate</committee-name>;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="H80494EA170F84CE089F8DD6F9B83D2B6"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the <committee-name committee-id="SSAP00">Committee on Appropriations of the Senate</committee-name>;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H69662CA4777E41F3B6229257D16E8E66"><enum>(3)</enum><text>the <committee-name committee-id="">Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives</committee-name>; and</text> </paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HAC946E60C5A94EC3B977F9F4C662D53E"><enum>(4)</enum><text>the <committee-name committee-id="">Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives</committee-name>.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H45159538A3794C0BA944B53400C04F52"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header>
<paragraph id="HD78C7DA4B0104E53A604E07ABDAC8198"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>There is authorized to be appropriated, to the International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement account, $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2019 to carry out the activities set forth in subsection (a) in accordance with this section.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H4811B2BD125C478FBEBC2A321F006481"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Notification requirement</header>
<subparagraph id="HE1B322C8D46B4CF692AA5F07DD3E4448"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Except as provided under subparagraph (B), amounts appropriated or otherwise made available pursuant to paragraph (1) may not be obligated until 15 days after the date on which the President provides notice to the committees listed in subsection (c) of intent to obligate such funds.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H587B8CAFD02846CC97AAA5DB89D1EB65"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Waiver</header>
<clause id="HC83B25334CE846C6836991811BB34BCD"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary of State may waive the requirement under subparagraph (A) if the Secretary of State determines that such waiver is in the national interest of the United States.</text>
</clause><clause id="HFA26C91E2BA04520B179EEB66C4F23DD"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Notification requirement</header><text>If a waiver is invoked under clause (i), the President shall notify the committees listed in subsection (c) of the intention to obligate funds under this section as early as practicable, but not later than 3 days after taking the action to which such notification requirement was applicable in the context of the circumstances necessitating such waiver.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H8A520A792C4B42D19F958F502898840C"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Transfer authority</header><text>The Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs may transfer funding to the Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs, as necessary, to implement the strategy described in subsection (c).</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H23D3B3FB81B147F0BA63A3BFC7311343"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Reporting requirement</header><text>Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Treasury, shall brief the <committee-name committee-id="SSFR00">Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate</committee-name>, the <committee-name committee-id="SSBK00">Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate</committee-name>, the <committee-name committee-id="">Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives</committee-name>, and the <committee-name committee-id="">Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives</committee-name> that provides an assessment of the efforts to strengthen sanctions capabilities and coordinate international sanctions in accordance with this section.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="HDE55E86211FA43568B4B7B4D35986CEC"><enum>403.</enum><header>Financial sanctions on Venezuelan government debt</header>
<subsection id="HE882E50A9A3643FD8FC997947ECD0926"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Finding</header><text>Executive Order 13808 (82 Fed. Reg. 41155), which was signed on August 24, 2017, established sanctions against the Government of Venezuela’s ability to issue public debt.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HC27C03793E944D8A9F966F28DB603EFD"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Definitions</header><text>In this section:</text> <paragraph id="H845A6EDA29BC4C898D5D252A7CD2E464"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Entity</header><text>The term <term>entity</term> means a partnership, association, trust, joint venture, corporation, group, subgroup, or other organization.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H1624426B24BE493C827F0EA86C97B37E"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Government of venezuela</header><text>The term <term>Government of Venezuela</term> means the Government of Venezuela, any political subdivision, agency, or instrumentality of such government, including the Central Bank of Venezuela and Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A., and any person owned or controlled by, or acting for or on behalf of, such government.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HB0F8CDCC13A541BDBAAFFF06EF85D1E7"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Person</header><text>The term <term>person</term> means an individual or entity.</text> </paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H24755D72937344648418063F4A51D8EC"><enum>(4)</enum><header>United states person</header><text>The term <term>United States person</term> means any—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H73722C7A1B6742EA8C0D770C8337D972"><enum>(A)</enum><text>United States citizen;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HF9906C6FD0BA42219804A6B7459CABCB"><enum>(B)</enum><text>alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence to the United States;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HDF3AB38A96B04B18B92D951F24EF5F3E"><enum>(C)</enum><text>entity organized under the laws of the United States or any jurisdiction within the United States (including a foreign branch of any such entity); and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H9FCA57A9B22549D68F78C831EDF7B60A"><enum>(D)</enum><text>any person physically located in the United States.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H5877CF78E68F46A5B3415A401CEBB938"><enum>(c)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The President may prohibit, in the United States or by a United States person—</text>
<paragraph id="H50876C403DD8457791B0E2A48B1BFB42"><enum>(1)</enum><text>any transaction related to, provision of financing for, or other dealing in—</text> <subparagraph id="H150E9B477DA045518830A6DC1666FE4C"><enum>(A)</enum><text>debt instruments with a maturity of greater than 90 days issued by Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A., on or after the date of the enactment of this Act;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H257A6254406A469F8531A6D18A1E57A2"><enum>(B)</enum><text>debt instruments with a maturity of greater than 30 days or equity issued by the Government of Venezuela on or after the date of the enactment of this Act, excluding debt instruments issued by Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A., that are not covered under subparagraph (A);</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H20EDC4AF586A4D5486ED816A26FC5B6B"><enum>(C)</enum><text>bonds issued by the Government of Venezuela before the date of the enactment of this Act; or</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="HF7E746958C8141E2BF8275F9CFBE696E"><enum>(D)</enum><text>dividend payments or other distributions of profits to the Government of Venezuela from any entity owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Government of Venezuela;</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HA3E2F279787B4079A287EBBE688D40CE"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the direct or indirect purchase of securities from the Government of Venezuela, except for—</text> <subparagraph id="H6702FDB7CB104540AE40F5B7B1780AD9"><enum>(A)</enum><text>securities qualifying as debt instruments issued by Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A., on or after the date of the enactment of this Act that are not described in paragraph (1)(A); and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H87735801ED8645B0B240DEC81DC102CC"><enum>(B)</enum><text>securities qualifying as debt instruments issued by the Government of Venezuela on or after the date of the enactment of this Act that are not described in paragraph (1)(B);</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HD9D90BB75A124D33982585204D845F6D"><enum>(3)</enum><text>any transaction that evades or avoids, has the purpose of evading or avoiding, causes a violation of, or attempts to violate a prohibition under paragraph (1) or (2); and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H1509590038A44C5296F066AB7A5A7926"><enum>(4)</enum><text>any conspiracy to violate a prohibition under paragraph (1), (2), or (3).</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HE32C1731FCFF4378801A5E1F87CAB1BD"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Sense of Congress</header><text>It is the sense of Congress that the President should waive the prohibitions described in subsection (c) if the related debt instruments, bonds, or securities have been approved or ratified by the democratically elected National Assembly of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HD4E0A146D6C54D96B470C7697190A071"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Implementation; penalties</header>
<paragraph id="HA297607B7FB74858B075634CDE50E44E"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Implementation</header><text>The President may exercise all authorities described in sections 203 and 205 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/50/1702">50 U.S.C. 1702</external-xref> and 1704) to carry out this section.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H4ED13BA4021A4944AC1858E826FCCB4F"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Penalties</header><text>A person that violates, attempts to violate, conspires to violate, or causes a violation of this section or any regulation, license, or order issued to carry out this section shall be subject to the penalties set forth in subsections (b) and (c) of section 206 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/50/1705">50 U.S.C. 1705</external-xref>) to the same extent as a person that commits an unlawful act described in subsection (a) of that section.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="HC902DEBE10524DB19A4B3D16418A19F1"><enum>404.</enum><header>Exceptions for humanitarian assistance</header>
<subsection id="H925DBA3320BB41AC99B0CB1F20B05B0A"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Definitions</header><text>In this section:</text> <paragraph id="H36FF01C31B3D4D82907AE8142C07EAFF"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Agricultural commodity</header><text>The term <term>agricultural commodity</term> has the meaning given that term in section 102 of the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/5602">7 U.S.C. 5602</external-xref>).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H22C3D89E73E64815A0C8AF5F09F08692"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Good</header><text>The term <term>good</term> has the meaning given that term in section 16 of the Export Administration Act of 1979 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/50/4618">50 U.S.C. 4618</external-xref>) (as continued in effect pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/50/1701">50 U.S.C. 1701</external-xref> et seq.)).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H8131BC98FB664E69AE9C2964C97ACDA5"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Medical device</header><text>The term <term>medical device</term> has the meaning given the term <term>device</term> in section 201 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/21/321">21 U.S.C. 321</external-xref>).</text> </paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H376B5ACE7C37445695B8CB9E1C79725E"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Medicine</header><text>The term <term>medicine</term> has the meaning given the term <term>drug</term> in section 201 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/21/321">21 U.S.C. 321</external-xref>).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H097BA2C9286D43C2A6137F3BE095C53D"><enum>(b)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The conduct or facilitation of a transaction for the sale of agricultural commodities, food, medicine, or medical devices to Venezuela or for the provision of humanitarian assistance to the people of Venezuela, including engaging in a financial transaction relating to humanitarian assistance or for humanitarian purposes or transporting goods or services that are necessary to carry out operations relating to humanitarian assistance or humanitarian purposes, regardless of whether the transactions or provision of humanitarian assistance originate in, or have a connection to, the United States, shall be exempt from sanctions described in sections 402, 405, 406, and 501 of this Act, the Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act of 2014 (<external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/113/278">Public Law 113–278</external-xref>); and Executive Orders 13692 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/50/1701">50 U.S.C. 1701</external-xref> note), 13808, 13827, and 13835.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H693ABE985B7543BABB4DF5C8FD6DE240"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Implementation</header><text>In carrying out this Act, the President may exercise all authorities provided under sections 203 and 205 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/50/1702">50 U.S.C. 1702</external-xref> and 1704).</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H690723C4BB044225A91EAFE90F2904E7"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Rule of construction</header><text>Nothing in this Act may be construed to limit the authority of the President under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/50/1701">50 U.S.C. 1701</external-xref> et seq.).</text>
</subsection></section><enum>V</enum><header>Cryptocurrency sanctions and ensuring the effectiveness of United States sanctions</header>
<section id="H71115CC8531840B5AE6FB227F4DF82AA"><enum>501.</enum><header>Sanctions on Venezuela’s cryptocurrency and the provision of related technologies</header>
<subsection id="H85D7F1ED2024447EBA41987F15E0FCAE"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Finding</header><text>Executive Order 13827 (83 Fed. Reg. 12469), which was signed on March 19, 2018, established sanctions against the Government of Venezuela’s ability to issue a digital currency in an effort to circumvent United States sanctions.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H9AC41A24230341F08A9FEC1772FDF464"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Definitions</header><text>In this section:</text> <paragraph id="H9C5FD57970734363B2AAB601B851C351"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Entity</header><text>The term <term>entity</term> means a partnership, association, trust, joint venture, corporation, group, subgroup, or other organization.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H84E0AC984DA6488C87FDB2B51D778E03"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Government of venezuela</header><text>The term <term>Government of Venezuela</term> means the Government of Venezuela, any political subdivision, agency, or instrumentality of such government, including the Central Bank of Venezuela and Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A., and any person owned or controlled by, or acting for or on behalf of, such government.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HED99830B9BFA4431860E274DC8B79E94"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Person</header><text>The term <term>person</term> means an individual or entity.</text> </paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H78D7BC314FBE4CDF97C0E47F15B06F11"><enum>(4)</enum><header>United states person</header><text>The term <term>United States person</term> means any—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H677A3B5382074D299F6BC920131F3394"><enum>(A)</enum><text>United States citizen;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HFC747F5B2AC64C45BCFAD928D5FA1ACD"><enum>(B)</enum><text>alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence to the United States;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H4D22928B3AE44291AA1377F3FC700DF4"><enum>(C)</enum><text>entity organized under the laws of the United States or any jurisdiction within the United States (including a foreign branch of any such entity); and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H13582521CD0649488876E4A624EB8678"><enum>(D)</enum><text>any person physically located in the United States.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H708DD8D0EBA140DEB8F1D882DF69566D"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Prohibition of certain transactions</header> <paragraph id="H8C8AB03A94A34EF8887D2CB4BC684AC7"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>All transactions by a United States person or within the United States that relate to, provide financing for, provide software for, or otherwise deal in any digital currency, digital coin, or digital token, that was issued by, for, or on behalf of the Government of Venezuela are prohibited beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HD40B89050FE94861B3DAF5F4FB6A93A4"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Applicability</header><text>The prohibitions under paragraph (1) shall apply to the extent provided by statutes, or in regulations, orders, directives, or licenses that may be issued pursuant to this Act, and notwithstanding any contract entered into or any license or permit granted before the date of the enactment of this Act.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HFD5D27BDE98947ED84220177E637D4AE"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Prohibitions</header><text>Any transaction that evades or avoids, has the purpose of evading or avoiding, causes a violation of, or attempts to violate any of the prohibitions set forth in this subsection is prohibited. Any conspiracy formed to violate any of the prohibitions set forth in this subsection is prohibited.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H74EA27A899314CE38C8997BA1AB93CB7"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Rulemaking</header>
<paragraph id="HB3EB19E038114431A68A3F0AEFFD2B09"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State, is authorized to take such actions, including promulgating rules and regulations, to implement this section.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H05FC9DC3331548A598B8B6AAC842B456"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Delegation</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary of the Treasury may redelegate any of the functions described in paragraph (1) to other officers and executive departments and agencies of the United States Government. All agencies of the United States Government shall take all appropriate measures within their authority to carry out the provisions of this section.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="H6C1A8788FEC74C13A1CE63058610B46D"><enum>502.</enum><header>Report on the impact of cryptocurrencies on United States sanctions</header>
<subsection id="H0769DC86497B45A4BD7BA674BA43BB4E"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Defined term</header><text>In this section, the term <term>appropriate congressional committees</term> means—</text> <paragraph id="HE55A683372D842F7B07B92BE76FBFF0D"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the <committee-name committee-id="SSFR00">Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate</committee-name>;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H7D0A18B81D064C6ABD010CB58DB7735B"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the <committee-name committee-id="SSBK00">Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate</committee-name>;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="H4CE76CE5D5ED4FBB8F3765A0A8B04230"><enum>(3)</enum><text>the <committee-name committee-id="">Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives</committee-name>; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HC5A3E71490CA43AC90D1CFA48B416C64"><enum>(4)</enum><text>the <committee-name committee-id="">Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives</committee-name>.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H415E70757E5041D6BC97A95321ACE5C0"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Reporting requirement</header><text>Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, after consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, the Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees that provides an assessment on how digital currencies affect the effectiveness of United States sanctions around the world.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HB04C34B9F7C84CFE94FBDA9990EBE0E1"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Additional elements</header><text>The report submitted under subsection (b) shall—</text> <paragraph id="HCA3EB1E4B4AA4B57A3628E756A4193B8"><enum>(1)</enum><text>describe any global efforts, including efforts by states, state-sponsored actors, and non-state-sponsored actors, to utilize digital currencies to evade or circumvent United States sanctions, including through the direct or indirect use of products or services of United States based technology, software, or financial services firms; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H27F13BE6786F4DC2A96795510B165F86"><enum>(2)</enum><text>include recommendations for new legislative and regulatory measures needed to strengthen the United States Government’s ability to prevent states, state-sponsored actors, and non-state-sponsored actors from using digital currencies to evade or circumvent United States sanctions, including through the direct or indirect use of products or services of United States based technology, software, or financial services firms.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H690F2E0B5C7743A0AD7F8AAF59BD5A4B"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Form</header><text>The report submitted under subsection (b) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex.</text>
</subsection></section><enum>VI</enum><header>Termination</header>
<section id="H73A08CADE347413D943FB4532F881E31"><enum>601.</enum><header>Extension and termination of sanctions against Venezuela</header>
<subsection id="HD83CCF90F7144E75A749A929AE7CB440"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Amendment</header><text>Section 5(e) of the Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act of 2014 (<external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/113/278">Public Law 113–278</external-xref>; <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/50/1701">50 U.S.C. 1701</external-xref> note) is amended by striking <quote>December 31, 2019</quote> and inserting <quote>December 31, 2025</quote>.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HABB227C587D04ACE91D754B2E1425132"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Termination</header><text>The requirement to impose sanctions under this Act shall terminate on December 31, 2025.</text> </subsection></section>