{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Legislation","name":"VERDAD Act of 2019","description":"

Venezuela Emergency Relief, Democracy Assistance, and Development Act of 2019 or the VERDAD Act of 2019

This bill directs the President to take various actions to address the political situation in Venezuela. (The United States does not recognize Nicolas Maduro as Venezuela's President due to reports of widespread fraud during his election, recognizing instead National Assembly President Juan Guaido.)

The Department of State shall provide humanitarian aid to Venezuela and to Venezuelans in neighboring countries.

The bill imposes sanctions on foreign persons responsible for or complicit in corruption or activity undermining Venezuela's democratic institutions. Sanctions include barring entry into the United States and various financial restrictions.

The bill also (1) authorizes or imposes various sanctions targeting the Maduro regime's ability to finance debt, trade gold, and use cryptocurrencies; and (2) imposes visa-blocking sanctions on aliens acting on behalf of Russia to support Maduro regime security forces.

The bill directs the State Department to

work with nongovernmental organizations to strengthen democratic governance and defend human rights in Venezuela,
work with foreign governments to investigate corruption and recover assets stolen from Venezuela, and
offer to help other countries establish legislative frameworks to impose sanctions on Maduro regime officials.

The President shall engage with multilateral development banks to assist in rebuilding Venezuela's economy and energy infrastructure.

The bill directs the President to prevent Russia's government-controlled oil company Rosneft from acquiring control of critical U.S. energy infrastructure, including assets belonging to Venezuela's state-owned oil company, Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A.

","legislationIdentifier":"S 1025","legislationType":"Bill","legislationLegalForce":"NotInForce","legislationJurisdiction":"USA","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Robert Menendez","url":"https://legisdaily.com/mp/robert-menendez-us"}],"about":{"@type":"Thing","name":"International Affairs"},"keywords":"Asia, Budget deficits and national debt, Canada, Caribbean area, Child health, China, Congressional oversight, Corporate finance and management, Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation, Cuba, Currency, Detention of persons, Digital media, Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad, Drug trafficking and controlled substances, Elections, voting, political campaign regulation, Energy storage, supplies, demand, Europe, European Union, Food assistance and relief, Foreign aid and international relief, Foreign and international corporations, Foreign loans and debt, Foreign property, Fraud offenses and financial crimes, Government ethics and transparency, public corruption, Health technology, devices, supplies, Human rights, Infectious and parasitic diseases, Inflation and prices, Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information, International organizations and cooperation, Internet and video services, Internet, web applications, social media, Iran, Judicial procedure and administration, Latin America, Metals, Middle East, Military assistance, sales, and agreements, Multilateral development programs, News media and reporting, Oil and gas, Poverty and welfare assistance, Protest and dissent, Rule of law and government transparency, Russia, Sanctions, Securities, Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status, Trade restrictions, United Nations, U.S. and foreign investments, Venezuela, Visas and passports, War crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity, Women's health","dateModified":"2025-01-14T00:00:00.000Z","url":"https://legisdaily.com/bill/USA-116-S-1025"}

Robert Menendez

Robert Menendez

Foreign Relations Committee