Bill > S261

This bill, called the "Halt All United States Investments in Venezuela's Energy Sector Act of 2025", aims to immediately stop all U.S. investments in Venezuela's energy sector in response to the disputed 2024 presidential election. The bill cites findings that on July 28, 2024, over 10 million Venezuelans voted in an election where opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez clearly won more than two-thirds of the votes, but the current regime of Nicolas Maduro refused to recognize the results, arrested peaceful protesters, and prevented Gonzalez from being inaugurated. Specifically, the bill prohibits all petroleum-related transactions previously allowed under prior agreements or licenses, including those from the 2023 Barbados Agreement. The Secretary of the Treasury can implement these prohibitions and impose penalties on individuals or entities that violate the restrictions. The President retains the ability to waive the prohibitions if they determine it is in the national security interests of the United States, but must provide a written report to congressional committees explaining the rationale. The investment ban will remain in effect until the Maduro regime recognizes Gonzalez's electoral victory and either relinquishes power or agrees to a transitional government that includes the elected opposition. The bill defines "United States person" broadly to include U.S. citizens, permanent residents, U.S.-organized entities, and persons physically located in the United States.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/261/all-info