Bill > S1221

This bill introduces the BOLIVAR Act, which prohibits U.S. executive agencies from entering into contracts with persons or entities that conduct significant business operations with the Maduro regime in Venezuela, which the U.S. does not recognize as the legitimate government. The bill provides several important exceptions to this prohibition, including contracts for humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, noncombatant evacuations, or contracts deemed in the national security interest of the United States. Contracts supporting U.S. government activities in Venezuela, those with valid Office of Foreign Assets Control licenses, and contracts related to U.S. diplomatic missions are also exempt. The Secretary of State can notify congressional committees about exceptions and can waive the requirements if deemed in the national interest. The bill broadly defines "business operations" to include any form of commerce, and "person" to encompass individuals, corporations, governmental entities, and their subsidiaries. The prohibition will apply to contracts entered into during a three-year period following the Act's enactment, effectively creating a mechanism to economically pressure the Maduro regime by limiting its potential business interactions with U.S. government entities.

Military Affairs and Security

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1221/all-info