[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 193 (Wednesday, November 3, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H6147-H6151]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 REINFORCING NICARAGUA'S ADHERENCE TO CONDITIONS FOR ELECTORAL REFORM 
                              ACT OF 2021

  Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (S. 1064) to advance the strategic alignment of United States 
diplomatic tools toward the realization of free, fair, and transparent 
elections in Nicaragua and to reaffirm the commitment of the United 
States to protect the fundamental freedoms and human rights of the 
people of Nicaragua, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                S. 1064

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the 
     ``Reinforcing Nicaragua's Adherence to Conditions for 
     Electoral Reform Act of 2021'' or the ``RENACER Act''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act 
     is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Sense of Congress.
Sec. 3. Review of participation of Nicaragua in Dominican Republic-
              Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement.
Sec. 4. Restrictions on international financial institutions relating 
              to Nicaragua.
Sec. 5. Targeted sanctions to advance democratic elections.
Sec. 6. Developing and implementing a coordinated sanctions strategy 
              with diplomatic partners.
Sec. 7. Inclusion of Nicaragua in list of countries subject to certain 
              sanctions relating to corruption.
Sec. 8. Classified report on the involvement of Ortega family members 
              and Nicaraguan government officials in corruption.
Sec. 9. Classified report on the activities of the Russian Federation 
              in Nicaragua.
Sec. 10. Report on certain purchases by and agreements entered into by 
              Government of Nicaragua relating to military or 
              intelligence sector of Nicaragua.
Sec. 11. Report on human rights abuses in Nicaragua.
Sec. 12. Supporting independent news media and freedom of information 
              in Nicaragua.
Sec. 13. Amendment to short title of Public Law 115-335.
Sec. 14. Definition.

     SEC. 2. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

       It is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) ongoing efforts by the government of President Daniel 
     Ortega in Nicaragua to suppress the voice and actions of 
     political opponents through intimidation and unlawful 
     detainment, civil society, and independent news media violate 
     the fundamental freedoms and basic human rights of the people 
     of Nicaragua;
       (2) Congress unequivocally condemns the politically 
     motivated and unlawful detention of presidential candidates 
     Cristiana Chamorro, Arturo Cruz, Felix Maradiaga, and Juan 
     Sebastian Chamorro;
       (3) Congress unequivocally condemns the passage of the 
     Foreign Agents Regulation Law, the Special Cybercrimes Law, 
     the Self-Determination Law, and the Consumer Protection Law 
     by the National Assembly of Nicaragua, which represent clear 
     attempts by the Ortega government to curtail the fundamental 
     freedoms and basic human rights of the people of Nicaragua;
       (4) Congress recognizes that free, fair, and transparent 
     elections predicated on robust reform measures and the 
     presence of domestic and international observers represent 
     the best opportunity for the people of Nicaragua to restore 
     democracy and reach a peaceful solution to the political and 
     social crisis in Nicaragua;
       (5) the United States recognizes the right of the people of 
     Nicaragua to freely determine their own political future as 
     vital to ensuring the sustainable restoration of democracy in 
     their country;
       (6) the United States should align the use of diplomatic 
     engagement and all other foreign policy tools, including the 
     use of targeted sanctions, in support of efforts by 
     democratic political actors and civil society in Nicaragua to 
     advance the necessary conditions for free, fair, and 
     transparent elections in Nicaragua;
       (7) the United States, in order to maximize the 
     effectiveness of efforts described in paragraph (6), should--
       (A) coordinate with diplomatic partners, including the 
     Government of Canada, the European Union, and partners in 
     Latin America and the Caribbean;
       (B) advance diplomatic initiatives in consultation with the 
     Organization of American States and the United Nations; and
       (C) thoroughly investigate the assets and holdings of the 
     Nicaraguan Armed Forces in the United States and consider 
     appropriate actions to hold such forces accountable for gross 
     violations of human rights; and
       (8) pursuant to section 6(b) of the Nicaragua Investment 
     Conditionality Act of 2018, the President should waive the 
     application of restrictions under section 4 of that Act and 
     the sanctions under section 5 of that Act if the Secretary of 
     State certifies that the Government of Nicaragua is taking 
     the steps

[[Page H6148]]

     identified in section 6(a) of that Act, including taking 
     steps to ``to hold free and fair elections overseen by 
     credible domestic and international observers''.

     SEC. 3. REVIEW OF PARTICIPATION OF NICARAGUA IN DOMINICAN 
                   REPUBLIC-CENTRAL AMERICA-UNITED STATES FREE 
                   TRADE AGREEMENT.

       (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
       (1) On November 27, 2018, the President signed Executive 
     Order 13851 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note; relating to blocking 
     property of certain persons contributing to the situation in 
     Nicaragua), which stated that ``the situation in Nicaragua, 
     including the violent response by the Government of Nicaragua 
     to the protests that began on April 18, 2018, and the Ortega 
     regime's systematic dismantling and undermining of democratic 
     institutions and the rule of law, its use of indiscriminate 
     violence and repressive tactics against civilians, as well as 
     its corruption leading to the destabilization of Nicaragua's 
     economy, constitutes an unusual and extraordinary threat to 
     the national security and foreign policy of the United 
     States''.
       (2) Article 21.2 of the Dominican Republic-Central America-
     United States Free Trade Agreement approved by Congress under 
     section 101(a)(1) of the Dominican Republic-Central America-
     United States Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act (19 
     U.S.C. 4011(a)(1)) states, ``Nothing in this Agreement shall 
     be construed . . . to preclude a Party from applying measures 
     that it considers necessary for the fulfillment of its 
     obligations with respect to the maintenance or restoration of 
     international peace or security, or the protection of its own 
     essential security interests.''.
       (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that 
     the President should review the continued participation of 
     Nicaragua in the Dominican Republic-Central America-United 
     States Free Trade Agreement if the Government of Nicaragua 
     continues to tighten its authoritarian rule in an attempt to 
     subvert democratic elections in November 2021 and undermine 
     democracy and human rights in Nicaragua.

     SEC. 4. RESTRICTIONS ON INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS 
                   RELATING TO NICARAGUA.

       Section 4 of the Nicaragua Investment Conditionality Act of 
     2018 is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsections (a), (b), and (c) as 
     subsections (b), (c), and (d), respectively;
       (2) by inserting before subsection (b), as redesignated by 
     paragraph (1), the following:
       ``(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that 
     the Secretary of the Treasury should take all possible steps, 
     including through the full implementation of the exceptions 
     set forth in subsection (c), to ensure that the restrictions 
     required under subsection (b) do not negatively impact the 
     basic human needs of the people of Nicaragua.'';
       (3) in subsection (c), as so redesignated, by striking 
     ``subsection (a)'' and inserting ``subsection (b)''; and
       (4) by striking subsection (d), as so redesignated, and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(d) Increased Oversight.--
       ``(1) In general.--The United States Executive Director at 
     each international financial institution of the World Bank 
     Group, the United States Executive Director at the Inter-
     American Development Bank, and the United States Executive 
     Director at each other international financial institution, 
     including the International Monetary Fund, shall take all 
     practicable steps--
       ``(A) to increase scrutiny of any loan or financial or 
     technical assistance provided for a project in Nicaragua; and
       ``(B) to ensure that the loan or assistance is administered 
     through an entity with full technical, administrative, and 
     financial independence from the Government of Nicaragua.
       ``(2) Mechanisms for increased scrutiny.--The United States 
     Executive Director at each international financial 
     institution described in paragraph (1) shall use the voice, 
     vote, and influence of the United States to encourage that 
     institution to increase oversight mechanisms for new and 
     existing loans or financial or technical assistance provided 
     for a project in Nicaragua.
       ``(e) Interagency Consultation.--Before implementing the 
     restrictions described in subsection (b), or before 
     exercising an exception under subsection (c), the Secretary 
     of the Treasury shall consult with the Secretary of State and 
     with the Administrator of the United States Agency for 
     International Development to ensure that all loans and 
     financial or technical assistance to Nicaragua are consistent 
     with United States foreign policy objectives as defined in 
     section 3.
       ``(f) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of the RENACER Act, and annually thereafter 
     until the termination date specified in section 10, the 
     Secretary of the Treasury, in coordination with the Secretary 
     of State and the Administrator of the United States Agency 
     for International Development, shall submit to the 
     appropriate congressional committees a report on the 
     implementation of this section, which shall include--
       ``(1) summary of any loans and financial and technical 
     assistance provided by international financial institutions 
     for projects in Nicaragua;
       ``(2) a description of the implementation of the 
     restrictions described in subsection (b);
       ``(3) an identification of the occasions in which the 
     exceptions under subsection (c) are exercised and an 
     assessment of how the loan or assistance provided with each 
     such exception may address basic human needs or promote 
     democracy in Nicaragua;
       ``(4) a description of the results of the increased 
     oversight conducted under subsection (d); and
       ``(5) a description of international efforts to address the 
     humanitarian needs of the people of Nicaragua.''.

     SEC. 5. TARGETED SANCTIONS TO ADVANCE DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS.

       (a) Coordinated Strategy.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary of State and the Secretary 
     of the Treasury, in consultation with the intelligence 
     community (as defined in section 3 of the National Security 
     Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003)), shall develop and implement a 
     coordinated strategy to align diplomatic engagement efforts 
     with the implementation of targeted sanctions in order to 
     support efforts to facilitate the necessary conditions for 
     free, fair, and transparent elections in Nicaragua.
       (2) Briefing required.--Not later than 90 days after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act, and every 90 days 
     thereafter until December 31, 2022, the Secretary of State 
     and the Secretary of the Treasury shall brief the Committee 
     on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on 
     Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives on steps to 
     be taken by the United States Government to develop and 
     implement the coordinated strategy required by paragraph (1).
       (b) Targeted Sanctions Prioritization.--
       (1) In general.--Pursuant to the coordinated strategy 
     required by subsection (a), the President shall prioritize 
     the implementation of the targeted sanctions required under 
     section 5 of the Nicaragua Investment Conditionality Act of 
     2018.
       (2) Targets.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the 
     President--
       (A) shall examine whether foreign persons involved in 
     directly or indirectly obstructing the establishment of 
     conditions necessary for the realization of free, fair, and 
     transparent elections in Nicaragua are subject to sanctions 
     under section 5 of the Nicaragua Investment Conditionality 
     Act of 2018; and
       (B) should, in particular, examine whether the following 
     persons have engaged in conduct subject to such sanctions:
       (i) Officials in the government of President Daniel Ortega.
       (ii) Family members of President Daniel Ortega.
       (iii) High-ranking members of the National Nicaraguan 
     Police.
       (iv) High-ranking members of the Nicaraguan Armed Forces.
       (v) Members of the Supreme Electoral Council of Nicaragua.
       (vi) Officials of the Central Bank of Nicaragua.
       (vii) Party members and elected officials from the 
     Sandinista National Liberation Front and their family 
     members.
       (viii) Individuals or entities affiliated with businesses 
     engaged in corrupt financial transactions with officials in 
     the government of President Daniel Ortega, his party, or his 
     family.
       (ix) Individuals identified in the report required by 
     section 8 as involved in significant acts of public 
     corruption in Nicaragua.

     SEC. 6. DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING A COORDINATED SANCTIONS 
                   STRATEGY WITH DIPLOMATIC PARTNERS.

       (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
       (1) On June 21, 2019, the Government of Canada, pursuant to 
     its Special Economic Measures Act, designated 9 officials of 
     the Government of Nicaragua for the imposition of sanctions 
     in response to gross and systematic human rights violations 
     in Nicaragua.
       (2) On May 4, 2020, the European Union imposed sanctions 
     with respect to 6 officials of the Government of Nicaragua 
     identified as responsible for serious human rights violations 
     and for the repression of civil society and democratic 
     opposition in Nicaragua.
       (3) On October 12, 2020, the European Union extended its 
     authority to impose restrictive measures on ``persons and 
     entities responsible for serious human rights violations or 
     abuses or for the repression of civil society and democratic 
     opposition in Nicaragua, as well as persons and entities 
     whose actions, policies or activities otherwise undermine 
     democracy and the rule of law in Nicaragua, and persons 
     associated with them''.
       (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that 
     the United States should encourage the Government of Canada, 
     the European Union and governments of members countries of 
     the European Union, and governments of countries in Latin 
     America and the Caribbean to use targeted sanctions with 
     respect to persons involved in human rights violations and 
     the obstruction of free, fair, and transparent elections in 
     Nicaragua.
       (c) Coordinating International Sanctions.--The Secretary of 
     State, working through the head of the Office of Sanctions 
     Coordination established by section 1(h) of the State 
     Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 
     2651a(h)), and in consultation with the Secretary of the 
     Treasury, shall engage in diplomatic efforts with governments 
     of countries that are partners of the United States, 
     including the Government of Canada, governments of countries 
     in the European Union, and governments of countries in Latin 
     America and the Caribbean, to impose targeted sanctions with 
     respect to the persons described in section 5(b) in order to 
     advance democratic elections in Nicaragua.

[[Page H6149]]

       (d) Briefing Requirement.--Not later than 90 days after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act, and every 90 days 
     thereafter until December 31, 2022, the Secretary of State, 
     in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, shall 
     brief the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and 
     the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives on the implementation of this section.

     SEC. 7. INCLUSION OF NICARAGUA IN LIST OF COUNTRIES SUBJECT 
                   TO CERTAIN SANCTIONS RELATING TO CORRUPTION.

       Section 353 of title III of division FF of the Consolidated 
     Appropriations Act, 2021 (Public Law 116-260) is amended--
       (1) in the section heading, by striking ``and honduras'' 
     and inserting ``, honduras, and nicaragua''; and
       (2) by striking ``and Honduras'' each place it appears and 
     inserting ``, Honduras, and Nicaragua''.

     SEC. 8. CLASSIFIED REPORT ON THE INVOLVEMENT OF ORTEGA FAMILY 
                   MEMBERS AND NICARAGUAN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS IN 
                   CORRUPTION.

       (a) Report Required.--Not later than 90 days after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, acting 
     through the Bureau of Intelligence and Research of the 
     Department of State, and in coordination with the Director of 
     National Intelligence, shall submit a classified report to 
     the appropriate congressional committees on significant acts 
     of public corruption in Nicaragua that--
       (1) involve--
       (A) the President of Nicaragua, Daniel Ortega;
       (B) members of the family of Daniel Ortega; and
       (C) senior officials of the Ortega government, including--
       (i) members of the Supreme Electoral Council, the 
     Nicaraguan Armed Forces, and the National Nicaraguan Police; 
     and
       (ii) elected officials from the Sandinista National 
     Liberation Front party;
       (2) pose challenges for United States national security and 
     regional stability;
       (3) impede the realization of free, fair, and transparent 
     elections in Nicaragua; and
       (4) violate the fundamental freedoms of civil society and 
     political opponents in Nicaragua.
       (b) Appropriate Congressional Committees.--In this section, 
     the term ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
       (1) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Select 
     Committee on Intelligence of the Senate; and
       (2) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Permanent 
     Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of 
     Representatives.

     SEC. 9. CLASSIFIED REPORT ON THE ACTIVITIES OF THE RUSSIAN 
                   FEDERATION IN NICARAGUA.

       (a) Report Required.--Not later than 90 days after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, acting 
     through the Bureau of Intelligence and Research of the 
     Department of State, and in coordination with the Director of 
     National Intelligence, shall submit a classified report to 
     the appropriate congressional committees on activities of the 
     Government of the Russian Federation in Nicaragua, 
     including--
       (1) cooperation between Russian and Nicaraguan military 
     personnel, intelligence services, security forces, and law 
     enforcement, and private Russian security contractors;
       (2) cooperation related to telecommunications and satellite 
     navigation;
       (3) other political and economic cooperation, including 
     with respect to banking, disinformation, and election 
     interference; and
       (4) the threats and risks that such activities pose to 
     United States national interests and national security.
       (b) Appropriate Congressional Committees.--In this section, 
     the term ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
       (1) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Select 
     Committee on Intelligence of the Senate; and
       (2) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Permanent 
     Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of 
     Representatives.

     SEC. 10. REPORT ON CERTAIN PURCHASES BY AND AGREEMENTS 
                   ENTERED INTO BY GOVERNMENT OF NICARAGUA 
                   RELATING TO MILITARY OR INTELLIGENCE SECTOR OF 
                   NICARAGUA.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, acting 
     through the Bureau of Intelligence and Research of the 
     Department of State, and in coordination with the Director of 
     National Intelligence and the Director of the Defense 
     Intelligence Agency, shall submit to the Committee on Foreign 
     Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs 
     of the House of Representatives a report that includes--
       (1) a list of--
       (A) all equipment, technology, or infrastructure with 
     respect to the military or intelligence sector of Nicaragua 
     purchased, on or after January 1, 2011, by the Government of 
     Nicaragua from an entity identified by the Department of 
     State under section 231(e) of the Countering America's 
     Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (22 U.S.C. 9525(e)); and
       (B) all agreements with respect to the military or 
     intelligence sector of Nicaragua entered into, on or after 
     January 1, 2011, by the Government of Nicaragua with an 
     entity described in subparagraph (A); and
       (2) a description of and date for each purchase and 
     agreement described in paragraph (1).
       (b) Consideration.--The report required by subsection (a) 
     shall be prepared after consideration of the content of the 
     report of the Defense Intelligence Agency entitled, ``Russia: 
     Defense Cooperation with Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela'' and 
     dated February 4, 2019.
       (c) Form of Report.--The report required by subsection (a) 
     shall be submitted in unclassified form but may include a 
     classified annex.

     SEC. 11. REPORT ON HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN NICARAGUA.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds that, since the June 2018 
     initiation of ``Operation Clean-up'', an effort of the 
     government of Daniel Ortega to dismantle barricades 
     constructed throughout Nicaragua during social demonstrations 
     in April 2018, the Ortega government has increased its abuse 
     of campesinos and members of indigenous communities, 
     including arbitrary detentions, torture, and sexual violence 
     as a form of intimidation.
       (b) Report Required.--Not later than 90 days after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall 
     submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report 
     that documents the perpetration of gross human rights 
     violations by the Ortega government against the citizens of 
     Nicaragua, including campesinos and indigenous communities in 
     the interior of Nicaragua.
       (c) Elements.--The report required by subsection (b) 
     shall--
       (1) include a compilation of human rights violations 
     committed by the Ortega government against the citizens of 
     Nicaragua, with a focus on such violations committed since 
     April 2018, including human rights abuses and extrajudicial 
     killings in--
       (A) the cities of Managua, Carazo, and Masaya between April 
     and June of 2018; and
       (B) the municipalities of Wiwili, El Cua, San Jose de 
     Bocay, and Santa Maria de Pantasma in the Department of 
     Jinotega, Esquipulas in the Department of Rivas, and Bilwi in 
     the North Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region between 2018 and 
     2021;
       (2) outline efforts by the Ortega government to intimidate 
     and disrupt the activities of civil society organizations 
     attempting to hold the government accountable for infringing 
     on the fundamental rights and freedoms of the people of 
     Nicaragua; and
       (3) provide recommendations on how the United States, in 
     collaboration with international partners and Nicaraguan 
     civil society, should leverage bilateral and regional 
     relationships to curtail the gross human rights violations 
     perpetrated by the Ortega government and better support the 
     victims of human rights violations in Nicaragua.
       (d) Appropriate Congressional Committees Defined.--In this 
     section, the term ``appropriate congressional committees'' 
     means--
       (1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate; and
       (2) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives.

     SEC. 12. SUPPORTING INDEPENDENT NEWS MEDIA AND FREEDOM OF 
                   INFORMATION IN NICARAGUA.

       (a) Report Required.--Not later than 90 days after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, the 
     Administrator for the United States Agency for International 
     Development, and the Chief Executive Officer of the United 
     States Agency for Global Media, shall submit to Congress a 
     report that includes--
       (1) an evaluation of the governmental, political, and 
     technological obstacles faced by the people of Nicaragua in 
     their efforts to obtain accurate, objective, and 
     comprehensive news and information about domestic and 
     international affairs; and
       (2) a list of all TV channels, radio stations, online news 
     sites, and other media platforms operating in Nicaragua that 
     are directly or indirectly owned or controlled by President 
     Daniel Ortega, members of the Ortega family, or known allies 
     of the Ortega government.
       (b) Elements.--The report required by subsection (a) shall 
     include--
       (1) an assessment of the extent to which the current level 
     and type of news and related programming and content provided 
     by the Voice of America and other sources is addressing the 
     informational needs of the people of Nicaragua;
       (2) a description of existing United States efforts to 
     strengthen freedom of the press and freedom of expression in 
     Nicaragua, including recommendations to expand upon those 
     efforts; and
       (3) a strategy for strengthening independent broadcasting, 
     information distribution, and media platforms in Nicaragua.

     SEC. 13. AMENDMENT TO SHORT TITLE OF PUBLIC LAW 115-335.

       Section 1(a) of the Nicaragua Human Rights and 
     Anticorruption Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-335; 50 U.S.C. 
     1701 note) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the `Nicaragua 
     Investment Conditionality Act of 2018' or the `NICA Act'.''.

     SEC. 14. DEFINITION.

       In this Act, the term ``Nicaragua Investment Conditionality 
     Act of 2018'' means the Public Law 115-335 (50 U.S.C. 1701 
     note), as amended by section 13.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Deutch) and the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Green) each 
will control 20 minutes.

[[Page H6150]]

  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida.


                             General Leave

  Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous material on S. 1064.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Florida?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 1064, the RENACER Act.
  I thank my good friend, Albio Sires from New Jersey, for his tireless 
work in championing this bill and continuously drawing attention to the 
antidemocratic actions taken by the Ortega regime.
  This legislation makes clear that the United States will not sit by 
quietly as another country in our hemisphere slides further away from 
our democratic values. Working with our friends and partners in the 
international community, this bill will allow us to continue applying 
pressure on the Ortega regime ahead of the elections later this month. 
Sadly, all signs indicate that these elections will be far from free 
and fair.
  Passing this bill will demonstrate the United States Government's 
strong belief that a commitment to upholding human rights and free 
expression are key pillars of promoting and preserving democracy.
  The legislation takes a number of important steps. It restricts the 
Ortega regime's ability to access capital for corrupt purposes via 
international financial institutions and will bolster transparency 
mechanisms to ensure any that funds Nicaragua receives are not siphoned 
off for illicit or illegal purposes.
  The RENACER Act will also ensure our sanctions policy is thoughtful 
and effective by focusing targeted sanctions on bad actors undermining 
the rule of law and democracy and not on the Nicaraguan people.
  Crucially, the legislation requires the Secretary of State to work 
with partners to make our sanctions multilateral and even more 
effective.
  The RENACER Act also serves a crucial factfinding purpose by 
including important reports on regime corruption, human rights abuses, 
arms sales, and Russia's role in the country. Just as this bill builds 
on the Nicaragua Human Rights and Anticorruption Act of 2018, these 
report provisions will help Congress develop and mold additional 
responses should the Ortega regime continue down an illiberal and 
undemocratic path.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

                                         House of Representatives,


                              Committee on Financial Services,

                                 Washington, DC, November 2, 2021.
     Hon. Gregory Meeks,
     Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs,
     House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing concerning S. 1064, 
     Reinforcing Nicaragua's Adherence to Conditions for Electoral 
     Reform (RENACER) Act of 2021. In order to permit S. 1064 to 
     proceed expeditiously to the House Floor, I agree to forgo 
     formal consideration of the bill.
       The Committee on Financial Services takes this action to 
     forego formal consideration of S. 1064 in light of our mutual 
     understanding that, by foregoing formal consideration of S. 
     1064 at this time, we do not waive any jurisdiction over the 
     subject matter contained in this or similar legislation, and 
     that our Committee will be appropriately consulted and 
     involved as this or similar legislation moves forward with 
     regard to any matters in the Committee's jurisdiction. The 
     Committee also reserves the right to seek appointment of an 
     appropriate number of conferees to any House-Senate 
     conference involving this or similar legislation that 
     involves the Committee's jurisdiction and request your 
     support for any such request.
       Finally, I would appreciate your response to this letter 
     confirming this understanding, and I would ask that a copy of 
     our exchange of letters on this matter be included in the 
     Congressional Record during Floor consideration of S. 1064.
           Sincerely,
                                                    Maxine Waters,
     Chairwoman.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                                 Committee on Foreign Affairs,

                                 Washington, DC, November 2, 2021.
     Hon. Maxine Waters,
     Committee on Financial Services,
     House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairwoman Waters: I am writing to you concerning S. 
     1064, Reinforcing Nicaragua's Adherence to Conditions for 
     Electoral Reform (RENACER) Act of 2021. I appreciate your 
     willingness to work cooperatively on this legislation.
       I acknowledge that provisions of the bill fall within the 
     jurisdiction of the Committee on Financial Services under 
     House Rule X, and that your Committee will forgo action on S. 
     1064 to expedite floor consideration. I further acknowledge 
     that the inaction of your Committee with respect to the bill 
     does not waive any future jurisdictional claim over the 
     matters contained in the bill that fall within your 
     jurisdiction. I also acknowledge that your Committee will be 
     appropriately consulted and involved as this or similar 
     legislation moves forward, and will support the appointment 
     of Committee on Financial Services conferees during any 
     House-Senate conference convened on this legislation.
       Lastly, I will ensure that our exchange of letters is 
     included in the Congressional Record during floor 
     consideration of the bill. Thank you again for your 
     cooperation regarding the legislation. I look forward to 
     continuing to work with you as the measure moves through the 
     legislative process.
           Sincerely,
                                                 Gregory W. Meeks,
                                                         Chairman.

                              {time}  1415

  Mr. GREEN of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation, the RENACER Act, 
that seeks to address the Ortega regime's dismantling of Nicaragua's 
democracy, and seeks to support freedom-loving Nicaraguan's democratic 
aspirations.
  Frankly, Mr. Speaker, this legislation should have been passed months 
ago when Congress had an opportunity to stop Ortega's campaign of 
terror.
  The world has watched in horror as Nicaragua, under Daniel Ortega's 
authoritarian rule, has brutally consolidated into one-party 
dictatorship. Joining the governments in Cuba and Venezuela, Ortega's 
Nicaragua is now Latin America's third socialist regime.
  On November 7, this coming Sunday, Nicaragua will hold a political 
farce claiming to resemble elections. Meanwhile, Daniel Ortega holds 
opposition candidates and over 140 political prisoners unlawfully 
incarcerated. This includes people like opposition student leader 
Lesther Aleman, a 23-year-old who cannot even walk due to the brutality 
he has endured while illegally detained; or the husbands of Victoria 
Cardenas and Berta Valle. They were leading presidential candidates who 
planned to oppose Ortega in the next election, but found themselves 
imprisoned in inhumane conditions and deprived of due process.
  I have met with these brave women and I admire their courage and 
advocacy for all of Nicaragua's unjustly detained.
  I am a lead cosponsor of this bill, and I am grateful for the 
leadership of Congresswoman Maria Salazar, and to the chairman of the 
Western Hemisphere Subcommittee, Albio Sires, for his advocacy of the 
plight of Nicaragua's political prisoners. I greatly appreciate his 
friendship and his leadership.
  This bipartisan bill will require targeted sanctions against corrupt 
regime officials who have dismantled Nicaragua's democracy and 
undermined these elections. It will also ensure the United States is 
coordinating targeted sanctions with our Canadian and European Union 
allies.
  This legislation also expands oversight to ensure international 
financing institutions are not enriching the corrupt regime while 
making sure there are humanitarian exceptions. It requires a classified 
report on Russia's nefarious activities in Nicaragua, whose 
intelligence and security cooperation has dramatically expanded.
  The United States must condemn the electoral charade taking place on 
Sunday and urge our international partners to join us. America must 
continue to be the beacon of freedom and stand against authoritarian 
socialist leaders. We must hold the Ortega regime accountable for its 
atrocious and destabilizing behavior.
  We only need to look at Venezuela to see the consequences of ignoring 
rising socialist authoritarianism. More can and should be done, and a 
positive first step is passing this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to join my colleagues in this effort. Mr. 
Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

[[Page H6151]]

  

  Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GREEN of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the 
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Salazar).
  Ms. SALAZAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 1064, the RENACER 
Act. I am proud to have introduced this bill with Congressman Albio 
Sires, Senator Bob Menendez, and Senator Marco Rubio.
  For years, dictator Daniel Ortega has been quietly dismantling 
democracy in Nicaragua. First, he ripped the constitution apart to get 
reelected, then he seized control of every branch of government, of the 
military, and of the police.
  Ortega wants to rule the country from an iron throne, and the 
Nicaraguan people are suffering as a result. Ortega has banned 
political parties, and he has killed hundreds of Nicaraguans and jailed 
hundreds more.
  Now we are on the eve of one of his most brazen moves in nearly 35 
years of terrorizing this country, a sham election where all seven 
presidential candidates were arrested in broad daylight; one of them 
being my ex-husband, Arturo Cruz. This is his most flagrant example of 
a stolen election as we have ever seen, and the world needs to know 
that.
  His brutal regime must be held accountable for its crimes against 
humanity and for its systematic attack on democracy. That is why 
Congress must pass the RENACER Act now. RENACER increases sanctions on 
Ortega and on Ortega's chief co-conspirator and vice-president, his 
wife, Rosario Murillo; and on the Nicaraguan security forces that 
brutalized their people.
  It brings the international communities together to take down 
Ortega's safe havens around the world, and it exposes the Russian 
meddling in that country. The RENACER Act sends a clear message to 
Ortega and Murillo that your time is up.
  I am also pleased that the provisions from my Nicaragua Free Trade 
Review Act were included in this critical legislation. This will 
trigger a review of Nicaragua's participation in the Central American 
Free Trade Agreement, CAFTA. The CAFTA-DR trade agreement gives 
Nicaragua open access to United States markets. To trade with the 
United States is a privilege, it is not a right.
  I am here to tell Ortega and Murillo, you murderous dictators, you 
treacherous thugs, you will no longer have a free pass to enrich 
yourselves. Tyrants around the world are watching. Passing the RENACER 
Act shows the consequences of jailing your political opponents, of 
oppressing your people, and of stealing elections.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to stand with those who have been 
beaten and detained. I urge my colleagues to stand with the Nicaraguan 
people. I urge my colleagues to take a stand against tyranny.
  The United States has long been the torch-bearer for democracy around 
the world. We must continue to carry that torch.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the RENACER Act.
  Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GREEN of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would once again 
like to thank my good friends, Mr. Deutch, Mr. Sires, and Ms. Salazar 
for leading this measure. I am proud to join my colleagues in this 
effort, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, RENACER is an excellent piece of legislation. I thank my 
colleagues who, in a bipartisan way, worked together under 
Representative Sires' tireless leadership, and for his work with 
Senator Menendez in getting this bill across the finish line.
  The United States must stand for democracy. We must stand for 
democracy in Nicaragua. This legislation shows that we will not 
abdicate our responsibility to do so.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support for 
the RENACER Act, S. 1064, which seeks to hold the regime of Daniel 
Ortega in Nicaragua accountable for its ongoing violations of human 
rights and subversion of the rule of law and democracy in that country.
  I am a proud cosponsor of the companion bill in the House, introduced 
by my good friend and colleague from New Jersey, Albio Sires, and I 
must say that today's vote could not be more timely.
  For this Sunday, November 7, the Ortega regime will hold sham 
elections where those who would have legitimately challenged strongman 
Daniel Ortega are either in exile or in prison.
  Among those who have been arrested are Cristina Chamorro Barrios, 
Juan Sebastian Chamorro, Arturo Cruz Jr., Medardo Mairena, Felix 
Maradiaga, Miguel Mora and Noel Vidaurre.
  This past July I convened a hearing as co-chair of the Tom Lantos 
Human Rights Commission entitled ``The Ortega Government and the Human 
Cost of Repression in Nicaragua.''
  Among those who testified at the hearing were the wives of two of the 
arrested would-be candidates: Felix Maradiaga's wife Berta Valles, and 
Juan Sebastian Chamorro's wife Victoria Cardenas.
  These brave women gave voice to their husbands' courage, and spoke on 
their behalf because they could not.
  They recounted to us the repression unleashed by Daniel Ortega and 
his wife Rosario Murillo, who is running for Vice President.
  Berta Valles recounted to us that ``For years, Felix has been a 
target of attacks by the Ortega regime because he speaks truth to 
power. He has been beaten, confined to house arrest, and threatened. 
For months, he endured 24/7 surveillance by the police. They have tried 
again and again to silence him, but he never stands down.''
  Likewise, Victoria Cardenas also told us that because her husband, 
Juan Sebastian Chamorro, dared to speak out against Ortega's 
oppression, ``the regime has also persecuted and harassed me and my 
family. They have brought a civil case against me, my sister, and my 
mother, which would take away all my mother's assets. They have brought 
a criminal case against me, and there is an open warrant for my arrest. 
It is clear that Ortega is using every part of Nicaragua's 
institutions, including its judicial system, to not only persecute 
those who challenge the government, but also their family members.''
  Ladies and Gentlemen, we must counter this regime of repression.
  It should be clear to all that this Sunday's election, with 
opposition leaders in prison or in exile, is a sham.
  I urge all of you to support the RENACER Act, which among other 
things would apply targeted sanctions to advance democracy, coordinate 
with our diplomatic partners to implement a sanctions strategy and 
commit the United States further in support of an independent news 
media in Nicaragua.
  All who oppose the Ortega regime in Nicaragua--be they from the 
Democratic Left or the Political Right--stand united against tyranny.
  Likewise, we too are unified, Republicans and Democrats, in opposing 
Ortega's tyranny. I urge my colleagues to support the bipartisan 
RENACER Act, and stand with the people of Nicaragua.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Deutch) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, S. 1064.


 =========================== NOTE =========================== 

  
  November 3, 2021, on page H6151, the following appeared: Mr. 
Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I 
yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The 
question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Florida 
(Mr. DEUTCH) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, 
S. 1064.
  
  The online version has been corrected to read: Mr. Speaker, I 
urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back 
the balance of my time. Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I 
rise in strong support for the RENACER Act, S. 1064, which seeks 
to hold the regime of Daniel Ortega in Nicaragua accountable for 
its ongoing violations of human rights and subversion of the rule 
of law and democracy in that country. . . . Likewise, we too are 
unified, Republicans And Democrats, in opposing Ortega's tyranny. 
I urge my colleagues to support the bipartisan RENACER Act, and 
stand with the people of Nicaragua. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The 
question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Florida 
(Mr. DEUTCH) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, 
S. 1064.


 ========================= END NOTE ========================= 


  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. DAVIDSON. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution 
8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
  Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this motion 
are postponed.

                          ____________________