BRAVE Burma Act

This bill updates and strengthens U.S. policy toward Burma. It keeps the existing Burma law in place longer by extending its end date from 8 years to 10 years. It also requires the President to check and report, within 180 days and then every year for 7 years, whether certain people and groups should face U.S. sanctions—such as Burmese state-owned companies, Myanma Economic Bank, and anyone involved in Burma’s jet fuel business (including financing, selling, moving, or storing jet fuel).

The bill tells the United States to use its vote at the International Monetary Fund to prevent increases in Burma’s share there while the State Administration Council is in charge, unless the President waives this for national interest and explains why to Congress. It also creates a U.S. Special Envoy for Burma, with the rank of ambassador, to coordinate all U.S. actions on Burma. The envoy’s job includes pushing for coordinated international sanctions and an arms embargo, working with Congress, supporting civil society and nongovernmental groups, seeking the release of political prisoners, and working with nearby countries and the United Nations on humanitarian and security issues. The envoy also coordinates all U.S. assistance to the people of Burma .

• Who is affected: Burmese state-owned enterprises; Myanma Economic Bank; people and companies tied to Burma’s jet fuel sector; U.S. officials at the IMF; U.S. agencies and a new Special Envoy; civil society and NGOs working on Burma-related issues .
• What changes: Extends the Burma law to 10 years; requires sanction reviews and reports; directs the U.S. to try to limit Burma’s IMF share increases under current rulers; establishes a Special Envoy with broad duties to coordinate policy, sanctions, and aid .
• When: First sanctions review due within 180 days of enactment, then annually for 7 years; the extension to 10 years takes effect upon enactment.