Sponsors (3)
The bill increases U.S. leverage to pressure Maduro, support Venezuelan refugees, and advance human-rights goals by restricting U.S. economic engagement with Venezuela and centralizing enforcement, but it also risks higher energy costs, lost business opportunities, compliance burdens, and potential constraints on humanitarian operations for Americans and organizations.
Venezuelan immigrants and asylum-seekers: the bill creates a clearer U.S. policy basis to support democratic refugees and asylum claims from those facing persecution.
U.S. policymakers and diplomats: the legislation provides stronger factual and legal grounds to apply diplomatic pressure and targeted measures against Maduro’s leadership, which can advance regional stability.
Venezuelan civil society and political prisoners: the bill supports U.S. human rights advocacy and could improve protections if the U.S. follows through on pressure and assistance.
U.S. consumers and taxpayers: blocking energy investment and imposing sanctions could raise global energy prices and increase household and business energy costs, and heighten risk of retaliatory trade or energy measures.
U.S. companies and investors (especially in energy): the bill removes the ability to pursue energy business in Venezuela, risking lost revenue, cancelled contracts, and reduced market opportunities.
Banks and other financial institutions: broad anti-evasion rules and potential secondary liability increase compliance costs, legal risk, and operational burdens.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Prohibits U.S. persons and U.S.-controlled entities from investing in, trading with, or providing goods/services/finance to Venezuela's energy sector when dealing with PDVSA, Maduro, or nondemocratic successors, with limited waivers.
Introduced January 9, 2025 by Debbie Wasserman Schultz · Last progress January 9, 2025
Prohibits U.S. persons and entities they own or control from investing in, trading with, or providing goods, services, or financing to Venezuela’s energy sector when dealing with Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PDVSA), the Maduro regime, or any nondemocratic successor. The Treasury Secretary, with State Department consultation, may implement and enforce the ban using emergency economic authorities; penalties apply for violations. The ban ends if the Maduro leadership recognizes the July 28, 2024 election result and relinquishes power or automatically on December 31, 2027, and the President may grant limited short waivers after notifying Congress.