[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 194 (Thursday, November 4, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1197]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          RENACER ACT, S. 1064

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. PETER A. DeFAZIO

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 4, 2021

  Mr. DeFAZIO. Madam Speaker, on November 3, 2021, I voted Present on 
S. 1064, the Reinforcing Nicaragua's Adherence to Conditions for 
Electoral Reform (RENACER) Act of 2021.
  Let me be clear: I strongly oppose Nicaraguan dictator Daniel Ortega 
and his repressive and antidemocratic regime. The ills of Ortega's 
authoritarian regime are manifold. Ortega and his cronies have 
intimidated or arrested virtually all potential political opposition in 
the country. Ortega has engaged in numerous human rights abuses, and he 
has enriched himself and his allies while decimating the Nicaraguan 
economy and its people.
  While I sympathize with this legislation's intent to crack down on 
Ortega and his cronies, it's not clear that the legislation as written 
would effectively achieve these aims. Instead, the legislation's text 
appears to require broad-based sanctions that could contribute to 
further economic collapse in the country, negatively impact the 
Nicaraguan people, exacerbate a migration crisis, and further 
consolidate Ortega's grip on power.
  This legislation also did not go through the normal legislative 
process in the House. Instead of receiving scrutiny through the 
traditional committee and amendment process, this legislation was put 
on the floor last-minute as a suspension without adequate input from 
Members or the House Financial Services Committee--which I understand 
had significant reservations with the legislation's text.
  As we've seen in other countries where the U.S. has engaged in broad-
based sanctions, these types of sanctions do not always achieve their 
intended result. When appropriate, I support smart, targeted sanctions 
that limit adverse effects on civilian populations. Unfortunately, this 
legislation--and the lack of adequate legislative scrutiny--does not 
meet that standard.

                          ____________________