[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 115 (Thursday, July 11, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4979-S4983]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

  SA 2668. Mr. RISCH (for himself and Mr. Bennet) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 4638, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2025 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of division A, add the following:

                  TITLE XVII--VENEZUELAN DEMOCRACY ACT

     SECTION 1701. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``Venezuelan Democracy 
     Act''.

     SEC. 1702. STATEMENT OF POLICY.

       It is the policy of the United States--
       (1) to seek a peaceful transition to democracy in Venezuela 
     through support for the people of Venezuela and the careful 
     application of sanctions directed at the regime of Nicolas 
     Maduro and any nondemocratic successor;
       (2) to seek the cooperation of other democratic countries 
     in supporting a transition described in paragraph (1);
       (3) to stop the evasion of United States sanctions on the 
     Maduro regime and to seek the speedy termination of any 
     remaining military, security, or technical assistance, 
     subsidies, or other forms of assistance to the Maduro regime 
     and any nondemocratic successor from the government of any 
     other country, including the governments of the Republic of 
     Cuba, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Russian Federation, 
     and the People's Republic of China;
       (4) to maintain sanctions on the Maduro regime so long as 
     it continues to refuse to move toward democratization and 
     greater respect for internationally recognized human rights; 
     and
       (5) to be prepared to reduce the sanctions imposed with 
     respect to Venezuela in carefully calibrated ways in response 
     to demonstrable progress toward democratization in Venezuela 
     as described in paragraph (1).

     SEC. 1703. APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES DEFINED.

       In this title, the term ``appropriate congressional 
     committees'' means the Committee on Foreign Relations of the 
     Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives.

Subtitle A--Determinations of a Transition Government or Democratically 
                    Elected Government in Venezuela

     SEC. 1711. DETERMINATIONS OF A TRANSITION GOVERNMENT OR 
                   DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED GOVERNMENT IN VENEZUELA.

       (a) In General.--Upon making a determination that a 
     transition government or a democratically elected government 
     is in power in Venezuela, the President shall submit that 
     determination to the appropriate congressional committees.
       (b) Requirements for Determining a Transition Government Is 
     in Power in Venezuela.--
       (1) In general.--For the purposes of making a determination 
     under subsection (a), a transition government in Venezuela is 
     a government that--
       (A) shows respect for the basic civil liberties and 
     internationally recognized human rights of the citizens of 
     Venezuela;
       (B) has fully reinstated all members of the National 
     Assembly convened on January 6, 2016, following democratic 
     elections that were held on December 6, 2015;
       (C) has lifted the order of contempt issued by the 
     Venezuelan Supreme Tribunal of Justice (TSJ) on January 11, 
     2016, against the National Assembly convened on January 6, 
     2016, including by restoring all powers of said National 
     Assembly and the immunities for deputies;
       (D) has ceased to interfere with the functioning of all 
     political parties and candidates, including by lifting all 
     judicial interventions of political parties and restrictions 
     on all presidential candidates;
       (E) has released all political prisoners and allowed for 
     investigations of Venezuelan prisons by appropriate 
     international human rights organizations;
       (F) has dissolved the Colectivos and any state security and 
     intelligence service credibly accused of committing gross 
     violations of human rights;
       (G) has made public commitments to organizing free and fair 
     elections for a new government--
       (i) to be held in a timely manner within a period not to 
     exceed 24 months after the transition government assumes 
     power;
       (ii) with the participation of all candidates and political 
     parties with full access to the media on an equal basis, 
     including in the case of radio, television, or other 
     telecommunications media, in terms of allotments of time for 
     such access and the times of day such allotments are given; 
     and
       (iii) to be conducted under the supervision of observers 
     from the Organization of American States, the United Nations, 
     and other internationally recognized election observers;
       (H) makes public commitments to and is making demonstrable 
     progress in--
       (i) establishing an independent judiciary;
       (ii) respecting internationally recognized human rights and 
     fundamental freedoms as set forth in the Universal 
     Declaration of Human Rights, to which Venezuela is a 
     signatory; and
       (iii) allowing the establishment of independent social, 
     economic, and political associations; and
       (I) does not include Nicolas Maduro or any persons--
       (i) with respect to which sanctions have been imposed by 
     the Office of Foreign Assets Control; or
       (ii) sought by the United States Department of Justice.
       (2) Additional factors.--In addition to the requirements 
     set forth in paragraph (1), in determining under subsection 
     (a) whether

[[Page S4980]]

     a transition government is in power in Venezuela, the 
     President shall take into account the extent to which that 
     government--
       (A) has made public commitments to, and is making 
     demonstrable progress in--
       (i) effectively guaranteeing the rights of free speech and 
     freedom of the press, including granting permits to privately 
     owned media and telecommunications companies to operate in 
     Venezuela;
       (ii) implementing the recommendations included in the Final 
     Report of the European Union Election Observation Mission to 
     observe the regional and municipal elections on November 21, 
     2021, in Venezuela; and
       (iii) assuring the right to private property;
       (B) is taking genuine efforts to extradite or otherwise 
     render to the United States all persons sought by the United 
     States Department of Justice for crimes committed in the 
     United States;
       (C) is not providing any support to any group, in any other 
     country, that seeks the violent overthrow of the government 
     of that country; and
       (D) has permitted the deployment throughout Venezuela of 
     independent and unfettered international human rights 
     monitors.
       (c) Requirements for Determining a Democratically Elected 
     Government Is in Power in Venezuela.--For the purposes of 
     making a determination under subsection (a), a democratically 
     elected government in Venezuela is a government that, in 
     addition to meeting the requirements of subsection (b)--
       (1) results from free and fair elections--
       (A) conducted under the supervision of internationally 
     recognized election observers; and
       (B) in which--
       (i) all candidates were allowed to participate;
       (ii) opposition parties were permitted ample time to 
     organize and campaign for such elections; and
       (iii) all candidates were permitted full access to the 
     media;
       (2) is showing respect for the basic civil liberties and 
     internationally recognized human rights of the citizens of 
     Venezuela;
       (3) is committed to making constitutional changes that 
     would ensure regular free and fair elections and the full 
     enjoyment of basic civil liberties and internationally 
     recognized human rights by the citizens of Venezuela;
       (4) has made demonstrable progress in establishing an 
     independent judiciary; and
       (5) has freed all wrongfully detained United States 
     nationals.

          Subtitle B--Promoting Democratic Change in Venezuela

     SEC. 1721. UNITED STATES POLICY REGARDING MEMBERSHIP OF 
                   VENEZUELA IN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL 
                   INSTITUTIONS.

       (a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b)(1), 
     the Secretary of the Treasury shall instruct the United 
     States executive director of each covered international 
     financial institution to use the voice and vote of the United 
     States to oppose the admission of Venezuela as a member of 
     that institution until the President submits to the 
     appropriate congressional committees a determination under 
     section 1711(a) that a democratically elected government is 
     in power in Venezuela.
       (b) Steps After Transition Government in Power.--On and 
     after the date on which the President submits to the 
     appropriate congressional committees a determination under 
     section 1711(a) that a transition government is in power in 
     Venezuela--
       (1) the President is encouraged to take steps to support 
     the processing of the application of Venezuela for membership 
     in any covered international financial institution, subject 
     to the membership taking effect after a democratically 
     elected government is in power in Venezuela; and
       (2) the Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to instruct 
     the United States executive director of each covered 
     international financial institution to support loans or other 
     assistance to Venezuela only to the extent that such loans or 
     assistance contribute to a stable foundation for a 
     democratically elected government in Venezuela.
       (c) Reduction in United States Payments to International 
     Financial Institutions.--
       (1) In general.--If a covered international financial 
     institution approves a loan or other assistance to the regime 
     of Nicolas Maduro or any nondemocratic successor government 
     over the opposition of the United States, the Secretary of 
     the Treasury shall withhold from payment to that institution 
     an amount equal to the amount of the loan or other 
     assistance, from either of the following types of payment:
       (A) The paid-in portion of the increase in capital stock of 
     the institution.
       (B) The callable portion of the increase in capital stock 
     of the institution.
       (2) Waiver.--The President may waive the requirement under 
     paragraph (1) if the President, not later than 10 days before 
     the waiver is to take effect, determines and certifies to the 
     appropriate congressional committees that such a waiver is in 
     the national interest of the United States. The President 
     shall submit with the certification a detailed justification 
     explaining the reasons for the waiver.
       (d) Covered International Financial Institution Defined.--
     In this section, the term ``covered international financial 
     institution'' means each of the following:
       (1) The International Monetary Fund.
       (2) The International Bank for Reconstruction and 
     Development.
       (3) The International Development Association.
       (4) The International Finance Corporation.
       (5) The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency.
       (6) The Inter-American Development Bank.

     SEC. 1722. UNITED STATES POLICY REGARDING MEMBERSHIP OF 
                   VENEZUELA IN THE ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN 
                   STATES.

       The President shall instruct the United States Permanent 
     Representative to the Organization of American States to use 
     the voice and vote of the United States to oppose any measure 
     that would allow a nondemocratic Government of Venezuela to 
     participate in the Organization of American States until the 
     President submits to the appropriate congressional committees 
     a determination under section 1711(a) that a democratically 
     elected government is in power in Venezuela.

     SEC. 1723. AUTHORIZATION OF SUPPORT FOR DEMOCRATIC AND HUMAN 
                   RIGHTS GROUPS AND INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS.

       (a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law 
     (other than section 634A of the Foreign Assistance Act of 
     1961 (22 U.S.C. 2394-1) or any comparable notification 
     requirement contained in any Act making appropriations for 
     the Department of State, foreign operations, and related 
     programs), the President may provide assistance and other 
     support for individuals and independent nongovernmental 
     organizations to support democracy-building efforts in 
     Venezuela, including as described in subsections (b) and (c).
       (b) Organization of American States Emergency Fund.--
       (1) For support of internationally recognized human rights 
     and free and fair elections.--The President shall take the 
     necessary steps to encourage the Organization of American 
     States to create a special emergency fund for the explicit 
     purpose of deploying human rights observers and individuals 
     and organizations engaged in election support and election 
     observation in Venezuela.
       (2) Voluntary contributions for fund.--The President should 
     provide not less than $5,000,000 of the voluntary 
     contributions of the United States to the Organization of 
     American States solely for the purposes of the special fund 
     referred to in paragraph (1).
       (c) Action of Other Member States.--The President should 
     instruct the United States Permanent Representative to the 
     Organization of American States to encourage other member 
     states of the Organization to join in calling for the 
     Government of Venezuela to allow the immediate deployment of 
     independent human rights monitors of the Organization of 
     American States throughout Venezuela and on-site visits to 
     Venezuela by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.
       (d) Denial of Funds to Government of Venezuela.--In 
     implementing this section, the President shall take all 
     necessary steps to ensure that no funds or other assistance 
     is provided to a nondemocratic Government of Venezuela.

     SEC. 1724. SUPPORT FOR THE PEOPLE OF VENEZUELA.

       The President--
       (1) may, pursuant to General License 29 of the Office of 
     Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury, 
     provide assistance through independent nongovernmental 
     organizations to support humanitarian projects in Venezuela--
       (A) to meet basic human needs;
       (B) to build democracy;
       (C) to provide education;
       (D) for non-commercial development projects; and
       (E) for environmental protection; and
       (2) shall establish safeguards to ensure that any 
     assistance provided pursuant to paragraph (1) is--
       (A) not providing material benefit to the Maduro regime; 
     and
       (B) used for the purposes for which it was intended and 
     only for the use and benefit of the people of Venezuela

                         Subtitle C--Sanctions

     SEC. 1731. DEFINITIONS.

       In this subtitle:
       (1) Entity.--The term ``entity'' means a partnership, 
     association, trust, joint venture, corporation, group, 
     subgroup, or organization.
       (2) Government of venezuela.--The term ``Government of 
     Venezuela'' includes--
       (A) the state and Government of Venezuela;
       (B) any political subdivision, agency, or instrumentality 
     thereof, including the Central Bank of Venezuela and 
     Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A.;
       (C) any person owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, 
     by an entity described in subparagraph (A) or (B); and
       (D) any person that has acted or purported to act directly 
     or indirectly for or on behalf of, an entity described in 
     subparagraph (A), (B), or (C), including as a member of the 
     regime of Nicolas Maduro or any nondemocratic successor 
     government in Venezuela.
       (3) Person.--The term ``person'' means an individual or 
     entity.
       (4) United states person.--The term ``United States 
     person'' means--
       (A) a United States citizen or alien lawfully admitted for 
     permanent residence to the United States;
       (B) any entity organized under the laws of the United 
     States or any jurisdiction within

[[Page S4981]]

     the United States (including a foreign branch of any such 
     entity); and
       (C) any person physically located in the United States.

     SEC. 1732. BLOCKING INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT FOR A NONDEMOCRATIC 
                   GOVERNMENT IN VENEZUELA.

       (a) Venezuelan Trading Partners.--The President should 
     encourage the governments of countries that conduct trade 
     with Venezuela to restrict their trade and credit relations 
     with Venezuela in a manner consistent with the purposes of 
     this title.
       (b) Sanctions Against Countries Assisting a Nondemocratic 
     Government in Venezuela.--
       (1) In general.--The President may impose the following 
     sanctions with respect to any country that provides 
     assistance to the regime of Nicolas Maduro or any 
     nondemocratic successor government in Venezuela:
       (A) The President may determine that the government of such 
     country is not eligible for nonhumanitarian assistance under 
     the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151 et seq.) 
     or assistance or sales under the Arms Export Control Act (22 
     U.S.C. 2751 et seq.).
       (B) The President may determine that the country is not 
     eligible, under any program, for forgiveness or reduction of 
     debt owed to the United States Government.
       (2) Termination.--This section, and any sanctions imposed 
     pursuant to this section, shall cease to apply at such time 
     as the President submits to the appropriate congressional 
     committees a determination under section 1711(a) that a 
     democratically elected government is in power in Venezuela.
       (c) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Assistance to venezuela.--The term ``assistance to 
     Venezuela''--
       (A) means assistance to or for the benefit of the 
     Government of Venezuela that is provided by grant, 
     concessional sale, guaranty, or insurance, or by any other 
     means on terms more favorable than that generally available 
     in the applicable market, whether in the form of a loan, 
     lease, credit, or otherwise;
       (B) includes--
       (i) subsidies for exports to Venezuela;
       (ii) favorable tariff treatment of articles that are the 
     growth, product, or manufacture of Venezuela; and
       (iii) an exchange, reduction, or forgiveness of debt owed 
     by the Government of Venezuela to a foreign country in return 
     for a grant of an equity interest in a property, investment, 
     or operation of the Government of Venezuela (including any 
     agency or instrumentality of the Government of Venezuela) or 
     a national of Venezuela; and
       (C) does not include--
       (i) humanitarian assistance, including donations of food, 
     made available to nongovernmental organizations or 
     individuals in Venezuela; or
       (ii) exports of medicines or medical supplies, instruments, 
     or equipment permitted under section 1724(c).
       (2) Agency or instrumentality of the government of 
     venezuela.--The term ``agency or instrumentality of the 
     Government of Venezuela'' has the meaning given the term 
     ``agency or instrumentality of a foreign state'' in section 
     1603(b) of title 28, United States Code, except that each 
     reference in such section to ``a foreign state'' shall be 
     deemed to be a reference to ``the Government of Venezuela''.

     SEC. 1733. FINANCIAL SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO DEBT 
                   INSTRUMENTS OF MADURO REGIME.

       (a) Prohibition of Certain Transactions.--
       (1) In general.--Beginning on the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, all transactions by a United States person or 
     within the United States that relate to, provide financing 
     for, or otherwise deal in debt instruments issued by, for, or 
     on behalf of Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A., or the regime of 
     Nicolas Maduro or any nondemocratic successor government in 
     Venezuela, are prohibited.
       (2) Inclusions.--The prohibition under paragraph (1) 
     includes a prohibition on--
       (A) entering into any transaction in--
       (i) debt instruments with a maturity of more than 90 days 
     issued by Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A., on or after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act;
       (ii) debt instruments with a maturity of more than 30 days 
     or equity issued by the Maduro regime on or after such date 
     of enactment, other than debt instruments issued by Petroleos 
     de Venezuela, S.A., covered by subparagraph (A);
       (iii) bonds issued by the Maduro regime before such date of 
     enactment; or
       (iv) dividend payments or other distributions of profits to 
     the Maduro regime from any entity owned or controlled, 
     directly or indirectly, by the Maduro regime;
       (B) the direct or indirect purchase of securities from the 
     Maduro regime, other than--
       (i) securities qualifying as debt instruments issued by 
     Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A., covered by paragraph (1)(A); 
     and
       (ii) securities qualifying as debt instruments issued by 
     the Maduro regime covered by paragraph (1)(B);
       (C) purchasing any debt owed to the Maduro regime, 
     including accounts receivable;
       (D) entering into any transaction related to any debt owed 
     to the Maduro regime that is pledged as collateral after May 
     21, 2018, including accounts receivable;
       (E) entering into any transaction involving the selling, 
     transferring, assigning, or pledging as collateral by the 
     Maduro regime of any equity interest in any entity in which 
     the Maduro regime has a 50 percent or greater ownership 
     interest; and
       (F) entering into 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.
       (b) Rulemaking.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary of the Treasury, in 
     consultation with the Secretary of State, may take such 
     actions, including prescribing rules and regulations, as are 
     necessary to implement this section.
       (2) Delegation.--The Secretary of the Treasury may 
     redelegate the authority described in paragraph (1) to other 
     officers and agencies of the United States Government.
       (c) Responsibility of Other Agencies.--All agencies of the 
     United States Government shall take all appropriate measures 
     within their authority to carry out the provisions of this 
     section.

     SEC. 1734. SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO CRYPTOCURRENCY AND 
                   RELATED TECHNOLOGIES IN VENEZUELA.

       (a) Prohibition of Certain Transactions.--
       (1) In general.--Beginning on the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, the following transactions are prohibited:
       (A) Any transaction by a United States person or within the 
     United States that relates to, provides financing for, or 
     otherwise deals in any digital currency, digital coin, or 
     digital token, that was issued by, for, or on behalf of the 
     regime of Nicolas Maduro or any nondemocratic successor 
     government.
       (B) Any transaction that evades or avoids, has the purpose 
     of evading or avoiding, causes a violation of, or attempts to 
     violate the prohibition under subparagraph (A).
       (2) Applicability.--The prohibitions under paragraph (1) 
     shall apply--
       (A) to the extent provided by statutes, or in regulations, 
     orders, directives, or licenses that may be issued pursuant 
     to this section; and
       (B) notwithstanding any contract entered into or any 
     license or permit granted before the date of the enactment of 
     this Act.
       (b) Rulemaking.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary of the Treasury, in 
     consultation with the Secretary of State, may take such 
     actions, including prescribing rules and regulations, as are 
     necessary to implement this section.
       (2) Delegation.--The Secretary of the Treasury may 
     redelegate the authority described in paragraph (1) to other 
     officers and agencies of the United States Government.
       (c) Responsibility of Other Agencies.--All agencies of the 
     United States Government shall take all appropriate measures 
     within their authority to carry out the provisions of this 
     section.

     SEC. 1735. BLOCKING PROPERTY OF THE GOVERNMENT OF VENEZUELA.

       (a) Blocking of Property.--The President shall exercise all 
     powers granted to the President by the International 
     Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) to the 
     extent necessary to block and prohibit all transactions in 
     all property and interests in property of the Government of 
     Venezuela and any person described in subsection (b) if such 
     property and interests in property are in the United States, 
     come within the United States, or are or come within the 
     possession or control of a United States person.
       (b) Persons Described.--A person described in this 
     subsection is any person determined by the Secretary of the 
     Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State--
       (1) to have materially assisted, sponsored, or provided 
     financial, material, or technological support for, or goods 
     or services to or in support of, any person--
       (A) included on the list of specially designated nationals 
     and blocked persons maintained by the Office of Foreign 
     Assets Control; and
       (B) the property and interests in property of which are 
     blocked pursuant to subsection (a); or
       (2) to be owned or controlled by, or to have acted or 
     purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, 
     any person the property and interests in property of which 
     are blocked pursuant to subsection (a).
       (c) Prohibitions on Evasion.--Any transaction that evades 
     or avoids, has the purpose of evading or avoiding, causes a 
     violation of, or attempts to violate, the prohibition under 
     subsection (a) is prohibited.
       (d) Applicability.--Subsection (a) and the prohibition 
     under subsection (c) shall apply--
       (1) to the extent provided by statutes, or in regulations, 
     orders, directives, or licenses that may be issued pursuant 
     to this section; and
       (2) notwithstanding any contract entered into or any 
     license or permit granted before the date of the enactment of 
     this Act.
       (e) Rulemaking.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary of the Treasury, in 
     consultation with the Secretary of State, may take such 
     actions, including prescribing rules and regulations, as are 
     necessary to implement this section.
       (2) Delegation.--The Secretary of the Treasury may 
     redelegate the authority described in paragraph (1) to other 
     officers and agencies of the United States Government.
       (f) Responsibility of Other Agencies.--All agencies of the 
     United States Government shall take all appropriate measures 
     within their authority to carry out the provisions of this 
     section.

[[Page S4982]]

  


     SEC. 1736. SUSPENSION AND TERMINATION OF SANCTIONS.

       (a) Authority to Suspend Sanctions if Transition Government 
     in Power.--Upon submitting to the appropriate congressional 
     committees a determination under section 1711(a) that a 
     transition government is in power in Venezuela, the 
     President, after consultation with Congress, may take steps 
     to suspend the sanctions imposed under this subtitle, to the 
     extent that such steps contribute to a stable foundation for 
     a democratically elected government in Venezuela.
       (b) Termination of Sanctions if Democratically Elected 
     Government in Power.--Upon submitting to the appropriate 
     congressional committees a determination under section 
     1711(a) that a democratically elected government is in power 
     in Venezuela, the President shall take steps to terminate the 
     sanctions imposed under this subtitle.
       (c) Review of Suspension of Sanctions.--
       (1) Reporting requirements.--If the President takes action 
     under subsection (a) to suspend the sanctions imposed under 
     this subtitle, the President shall--
       (A) immediately notify Congress of that action; and
       (B) submit to Congress, not less frequently than every 180 
     days thereafter until the President submits to the 
     appropriate congressional committees a determination under 
     section 1711(a) that a democratically elected government is 
     in power in Venezuela, a report on the progress being made by 
     Venezuela toward the establishment of a democratically 
     elected government.
       (2) Congressional review.--
       (A) Joint resolution of disapproval defined.--In this 
     paragraph, the term ``joint resolution of disapproval'' means 
     a joint resolution, the sole matter after the resolving 
     clause of which is as follows: ``That Congress disapproves 
     the action of the President under section 1736(a) of the 
     Venezuelan Democracy Act to suspend the sanctions imposed 
     under subtitle B of that Act, notice of which was submitted 
     to the Congress on ____.'', with the blank space being filled 
     with the date on which the President notified Congress with 
     respect to the action under paragraph (1)(A).
       (B) Effect of enactment.--An action taken by the President 
     under subsection (a) shall cease to be effective upon the 
     enactment of a joint resolution of disapproval with respect 
     to that action.
       (C) Referral to committees.--
       (i) Senate.--A joint resolution of disapproval introduced 
     in the Senate shall be referred to the Committee on Foreign 
     Relations.
       (ii) House of representatives.--A joint resolution of 
     disapproval introduced in the House of Representatives shall 
     be referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
       (D) Procedures.--
       (i) Senate.--A joint resolution of disapproval shall be 
     considered in the Senate in accordance with the provisions of 
     section 601(b) of the International Security Assistance and 
     Arms Export Control Act of 1976 (Public Law 94-329; 90 Stat. 
     765).
       (ii) House of representatives.--For the purpose of 
     expediting the consideration and enactment of a joint 
     resolution of disapproval, a motion to proceed to the 
     consideration of such a resolution after it has been reported 
     by the appropriate committee under subparagraph (C) shall be 
     treated as highly privileged in the House of Representatives.
       (iii) Limitation.--Not more than one joint resolution of 
     disapproval may be considered in the Senate and the House of 
     Representatives in--

       (I) the 180-day period beginning on the date on which the 
     President notifies Congress under paragraph (1)(A) with 
     respect to action taken under subsection (a); and
       (II) each 180-day period thereafter.

       (E) Rules of house of representatives and senate.--This 
     paragraph is enacted by Congress--
       (i) as an exercise of the rulemaking power of the Senate 
     and the House of Representatives, respectively, and as such 
     is deemed a part of the rules of each House, respectively, 
     and supersedes other rules only to the extent that it is 
     inconsistent with such rules; and
       (ii) with full recognition of the constitutional right of 
     either House to change the rules (so far as relating to the 
     procedure of that House) at any time, in the same manner, and 
     to the same extent as in the case of any other rule of that 
     House.

     SEC. 1737. IMPLEMENTATION; PENALTIES.

       (a) Implementation; Penalties.--
       (1) Implementation.--The President may exercise all 
     authorities provided to the President under sections 203 and 
     205 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 
     U.S.C. 1702 and 1704) to carry out this subtitle.
       (2) Penalties.--A person that violates, attempts to 
     violate, conspires to violate, or causes a violation of this 
     subtitle or any regulation, license, or order issued to carry 
     out this subtitle shall be subject to the penalties set forth 
     in subsections (b) and (c) of section 206 of the 
     International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1705) 
     to the same extent as a person that commits an unlawful act 
     described in subsection (a) of that section.
       (3) Waiver.--The President may waive the application of 
     sanctions under this subtitle with respect to a foreign 
     person if the President, not later than 10 days before the 
     waiver is to take effect, determines and certifies to the 
     appropriate congressional committees that such a waiver is in 
     the vital national security interest of the United States. 
     The President shall submit with the certification a detailed 
     justification explaining the reasons for the waiver.

     SEC. 1738. REPORT ON SPECIFIC LICENSES THAT AUTHORIZE 
                   TRANSACTIONS WITH SANCTIONED PERSONS.

       (a) Report Required.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, and every 90 days thereafter, the 
     Secretary of the Treasury, in coordination with the Secretary 
     of State, shall submit to the committees specified in 
     subsection (c) a report that includes a list of specific 
     licenses issued by the Secretary of the Treasury during the 
     period specified in paragraph (2) that authorize any 
     transaction with a person with respect to which sanctions 
     have been imposed under section 1733, 1734, or 1735.
       (2) Period specified.--The period specified in this 
     paragraph is--
       (A) in the case of the first report required by paragraph 
     (1), the 180-day period preceding submission of the report; 
     and
       (B) in the case of any subsequent report required by that 
     paragraph, the 90-day period preceding submission of the 
     report.
       (b) Submission of Copies of Licenses on Request.--The 
     Secretary of the Treasury shall expeditiously provide to the 
     committees specified in subsection (c) a copy of any license 
     identified in a report submitted under subsection (a) if an 
     appropriate Member of Congress requests a copy of that 
     license not later than 60 days after the report is submitted.
       (c) Committees Specified.--The committees specified in this 
     subsection are--
       (1) the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs 
     and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate; and
       (2) the Committee on Financial Services and the Committee 
     on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives.

     SEC. 1739. REPORT ON FOREIGN PERSONS DOING BUSINESS WITH THE 
                   MADURO REGIME.

       Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, the Secretary of State, in consultation with the 
     heads of other relevant Federal agencies, shall submit to the 
     appropriate congressional committees a report that identifies 
     any foreign person that--
       (1) engages in or has engaged in a significant transaction 
     or transactions, or any other dealings with, or has provided 
     material support to or for--
       (A) the Government of Venezuela;
       (B) any person the President determines to be knowingly 
     responsible for or complicit in, or responsible for ordering, 
     controlling, or otherwise directing, or to have participated 
     in, directly or indirectly--
       (i) actions or policies that significantly undermine 
     democratic processes or institutions;
       (ii) significant acts of violence or conduct that 
     constitute serious human rights abuse, including against 
     persons involved in antigovernment protests in Venezuela on 
     or after February 1, 2014;
       (iii) actions that prohibit, limit, or penalize the 
     exercise of freedom of expression or peaceful assembly; or
       (iv) significant public corruption by senior officials 
     within the Government of Venezuela; or
       (C) any entity that has, or whose members have, engaged in 
     any activity described in subparagraph (B);
       (2) operates in the mining, financial, energy, shipping, or 
     shipbuilding sector of the economy of Venezuela;
       (3) operates in the ports, free trade zones, or special 
     economic zones of Venezuela;
       (4) is owned or controlled by a foreign person described in 
     paragraph (1), (2), or (3); or
       (5) has knowingly materially assisted, sponsored, or 
     provided significant financial, material, or technological 
     support for, or goods or services in support of, a foreign 
     person described in paragraph (1), (2), or (3).

       Subtitle D--Assistance to a Free and Independent Venezuela

     SEC. 1751. ASSISTANCE FOR THE PEOPLE OF VENEZUELA.

       (a) Plans for Providing Assistance.--
       (1) Development of plans.--
       (A) In general.--The President shall develop--
       (i) a plan for providing assistance to Venezuela under a 
     transition government; and
       (ii) a plan for providing assistance to Venezuela under a 
     democratically elected government.
       (B) Strategy for distribution.--Each plan developed under 
     subparagraph (A) shall include a strategy for distributing 
     assistance under the plan.
       (2) Types of assistance.--
       (A) Transition government.--
       (i) In general.--Except as provided in clause (ii), 
     assistance to Venezuela under a transition government under 
     the plan developed under paragraph (1)(A)(i) shall be limited 
     to--

       (I) such food, medicine, medical supplies and equipment, 
     and assistance to meet emergency energy needs, as is 
     necessary to meet the basic human needs of the people of 
     Venezuela; and
       (II) assistance described in subparagraph (C).

       (ii) Additional assistance.--Assistance in addition to 
     assistance under clause (i) may be provided to Venezuela 
     under a transition government if the President certifies to 
     the

[[Page S4983]]

     appropriate congressional committees, in accordance with 
     procedures applicable to reprogramming notifications under 
     section 634A of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 
     2394-1), that such assistance is essential to the successful 
     and timely completion of the transition to democracy.
       (B) Democratically elected government.--Assistance to 
     Venezuela under a democratically elected government provided 
     pursuant to the plan developed under paragraph (1)(A)(ii) may 
     include, in addition to assistance available under 
     subparagraphs (A) and (C)--
       (i) assistance under--

       (I) chapter 1 of part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 
     1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151 et seq.) (relating to development 
     assistance); and
       (II) chapter 4 of part II of that Act (22 U.S.C. 2346 et 
     seq.) (relating to the economic support fund);

       (ii) assistance under the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1691 
     et seq.);
       (iii) financing, guarantees, and other forms of assistance 
     provided by the Export-Import Bank of the United States;
       (iv) assistance provided by the Trade and Development 
     Agency; and
       (v) Peace Corps programs.
       (C) Military adjustment assistance.--Assistance to a 
     transition government in Venezuela and to a democratically 
     elected government in Venezuela may also include assistance 
     in preparing the Venezuelan military forces to adjust to an 
     appropriate role in a democracy.
       (3) Distribution.--Assistance under a plan developed under 
     paragraph (1) shall be provided through relevant United 
     States Federal departments and agencies and nongovernmental 
     organizations and private and voluntary organizations, 
     whether within or outside the United States, including 
     humanitarian, educational, labor, and private sector 
     organizations.
       (4) Communication with people of venezuela.--The President 
     shall take the necessary steps to communicate to the people 
     of Venezuela the plans for assistance developed under 
     paragraph (1).
       (5) Report to congress.--Not later than 90 days after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall submit 
     to the appropriate congressional committees a report 
     describing in detail the plans developed under paragraph (1).
       (b) Implementation of Plans; Reports to Congress.--
       (1) Implementation with respect to transition government.--
     Upon submitting to the appropriate congressional committees a 
     determination under section 1711(a) that a transition 
     government is in power in Venezuela, the President shall 
     commence the delivery and distribution of assistance to the 
     transition government under the plan developed under 
     subsection (a)(1)(A)(i).
       (2) Reports to congress.--
       (A) Plan for assistance under transition government.--The 
     President shall submit to the appropriate congressional 
     committees a report--
       (i) setting forth the plan developed under subsection 
     (a)(1)(A)(i) for providing assistance to Venezuela under a 
     transition government; and
       (ii) describing the types of assistance, and the extent to 
     which such assistance has been distributed, in accordance 
     with the plan.
       (B) Deadlines for submission.--The President shall submit 
     to the appropriate congressional committees--
       (i) a preliminary report described in subparagraph (A) not 
     later than 15 days after making the determination described 
     in paragraph (1); and
       (ii) the final report described in subparagraph (A) not 
     later than 90 days after making that determination.
       (3) Implementation with respect to democratically elected 
     government.--Upon submitting to the appropriate congressional 
     committees a determination under section 1711(a) that a 
     democratically elected government is in power in Venezuela, 
     the President shall commence the delivery and distribution of 
     assistance to the democratically elected government under the 
     plan developed under subsection (a)(1)(A)(ii).
       (4) Annual reports to congress.--Not later than 60 days 
     after the end of each fiscal year, the President shall submit 
     to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the 
     assistance provided under the plans developed under 
     subsection (a), including--
       (A) a description of each type of assistance and the 
     amounts expended for such assistance during the preceding 
     fiscal year; and
       (B) a description of the assistance to be provided under 
     the plans in the fiscal year in which the report is 
     submitted.
       (c) Coordinating Official.--The Secretary of State shall 
     designate a coordinating official of the Department of State 
     who shall be responsible for--
       (1) implementing the strategies for distributing assistance 
     described in subsection (a)(1)(B);
       (2) ensuring the speedy and efficient distribution of such 
     assistance; and
       (3) ensuring coordination among, and appropriate oversight 
     by, the agencies of the United States that provide assistance 
     described in section 1751(a), including resolving any 
     disputes among such agencies.
       (d) Reprogramming.--Any changes in the assistance to be 
     provided under a plan developed under subsection (a) may not 
     be made unless the Secretary of State notifies the 
     appropriate congressional committees at least 15 days in 
     advance in accordance with the procedures applicable to 
     reprogramming notifications under section 634A of the Foreign 
     Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2394-1).
       (e) Funding Limitation.--Assistance may be provided under 
     this section only if amounts are authorized to be 
     appropriated, and are appropriated, to provide such 
     assistance.
       (f) International Efforts.--The President shall take the 
     necessary steps--
       (1) to seek to obtain the agreement of other countries and 
     of international financial institutions and multilateral 
     organizations to provide to a transition government in 
     Venezuela, and to a democratically elected government in 
     Venezuela, assistance comparable to that provided by the 
     United States under this section; and
       (2) to work with such countries, institutions, and 
     organizations to coordinate all such assistance programs.

     SEC. 1752. REPORT ON TRADE AND INVESTMENT RELATIONS BETWEEN 
                   THE UNITED STATES AND VENEZUELA.

       (a) Report to Congress.--Upon submitting to the appropriate 
     congressional committees a determination under section 
     1711(a) that a democratically elected government is in power 
     in Venezuela, the President shall submit to the Committee on 
     Ways and Means of the House of Representatives, the Committee 
     on Finance of the Senate, and the appropriate congressional 
     committees a report that describes--
       (1) acts, policies, and practices that constitute 
     significant barriers to, or distortions of, United States 
     trade in goods or services or foreign direct investment with 
     respect to Venezuela; and
       (2) policy objectives of the United States regarding trade 
     relations with a democratically elected government in 
     Venezuela, and the reasons for such objectives, including 
     possible reciprocal extension of nondiscriminatory trade 
     treatment (most-favored-nation treatment).
       (b) Consultation.--With respect to the policy objectives 
     described in subsection (a), the President shall--
       (1) consult with the Committee on Ways and Means of the 
     House of Representatives, the Committee on Finance of the 
     Senate, and the appropriate congressional committees; and
       (2) seek advice from the appropriate advisory committees 
     established under section 135 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 
     U.S.C. 2155).

                     Subtitle E--General Provisions

     SEC. 1761. EFFECT ON LAWFUL UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT 
                   ACTIVITIES.

       Nothing in this title prohibits any lawfully authorized 
     investigative, protective, or intelligence activity of a law 
     enforcement agency, or of an intelligence agency, of the 
     United States.

     SEC. 1762. EXCEPTION RELATING TO IMPORTATION OF GOODS.

       (a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     this title, the authorities and requirements to impose 
     sanctions under this title shall not include the authority or 
     a requirement to impose sanctions on the importation of 
     goods.
       (b) Good Defined.--In this section, the term ``good'' means 
     any article, natural or manmade substance, material, supply 
     or manufactured product, including inspection and test 
     equipment, and excluding technical data.
                                 ______