S.Amdt. 359

SA 359. Mr. MENENDEZ submitted an amendment intended to be proposed
by him to the bill S. 1790, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year
2020 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy,
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the appropriate place, insert the following:

[[Page S3425]]

TITLE __--EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE FOR VENEZUELA

SEC. __01. SHORT TITLES.

This title may be cited as the ``Venezuela Emergency
Relief, Democracy Assistance, and Development Act of 2019''
or the ``VERDAD Act of 2019''.

Subtitle A--Support for the Interim President of Venezuela and
Recognition of the Venezuelan National Assembly

SEC. __11. FINDINGS; SENSE OF CONGRESS IN SUPPORT OF THE
INTERIM PRESIDENT OF VENEZUELA.

(a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Venezuela's electoral event on May 20, 2018 was
characterized by widespread fraud and did not comply with
international standards for a free, fair, and transparent
electoral process.
(2) Given the fraudulent nature of Venezuela's May 20, 2018
electoral event, Nicolas Maduro's tenure as President of
Venezuela ended on January 10, 2019.
(3) The National Assembly of Venezuela approved a
resolution on January 15, 2019 that terminated Nicolas
Maduro's authority as the President of Venezuela.
(4) On January 23, 2019, the President of the National
Assembly of Venezuela was sworn in as the Interim President
of Venezuela.
(b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress--
(1) to support the decisions by the United States
Government, more than 50 governments around the world, the
Organization of American States, the Inter-American
Development Bank, and the European Parliament to recognize
National Assembly President Juan Guaido as the Interim
President of Venezuela;
(2) to encourage the Interim President of Venezuela to
advance efforts to hold democratic presidential elections in
the shortest possible period; and
(3) that the Organization of American States, with support
from the United States Government and partner governments,
should provide diplomatic, technical, and financial support
for a new presidential election in Venezuela that complies
with international standards for a free, fair, and
transparent electoral process.

SEC. __12. RECOGNITION OF VENEZUELA'S DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY.

(a) Findings.--Congress finds that Venezuela's unicameral
National Assembly convened on January 6, 2016, following
democratic elections that were held on December 6, 2015.
(b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that
Venezuela's democratically elected National Assembly is the
only national level democratic institution remaining in the
country.
(c) Policy.--It is the policy of the United States to
recognize the democratically elected National Assembly of
Venezuela as the only legitimate national legislative body in
Venezuela.
(d) Assistance to Venezuela's National Assembly.--The
Secretary of State, in coordination with the Administrator of
the United States Agency for International Development, shall
prioritize efforts to provide technical assistance to support
the democratically elected National Assembly of Venezuela in
accordance with section __44.

SEC. __13. ADVANCING A NEGOTIATED SOLUTION TO VENEZUELA'S
CRISIS.

(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) direct, credible negotiations led by the Interim
President of Venezuela and members of Venezuela's
democratically elected National Assembly--
(A) are supported by stakeholders in the international
community that have recognized the Interim President of
Venezuela;
(B) include the input and interests of Venezuelan civil
society; and
(C) represent the best opportunity to reach a solution to
the Venezuelan crisis that includes--
(i) holding a new presidential election that complies with
international standards for a free, fair, and transparent
electoral process;
(ii) ending Nicolas Maduro's usurpation of presidential
authorities;
(iii) restoring democracy and the rule of law;
(iv) freeing political prisoners; and
(v) facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid;
(2) dialogue between the Maduro regime and representatives
of the political opposition that commenced in October 2017,
and were supported by the Governments of Mexico, of Chile, of
Bolivia, and of Nicaragua, did not result in an agreement
because the Maduro regime failed to credibly participate in
the process; and
(3) negotiations between the Maduro regime and
representatives of the political opposition that commenced in
October 2016, and were supported by the Vatican, did not
result in an agreement because the Maduro regime failed to
credibly participate in the process.
(b) Policy.--It is the policy of the United States to
support diplomatic engagement in order to advance a
negotiated and peaceful solution to Venezuela's political,
economic, and humanitarian crisis that is described in
subsection (a)(1).

Subtitle B--Humanitarian Relief for Venezuela

SEC. __21. HUMANITARIAN RELIEF FOR THE VENEZUELAN PEOPLE.

(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the United States Government should expand efforts to
peacefully address Venezuela's humanitarian crisis; and
(2) humanitarian assistance--
(A) should be targeted toward those most in need and
delivered through partners that uphold internationally
recognized humanitarian principles; and
(B) should not be passed through the control or
distribution mechanisms of the Maduro regime.
(b) Humanitarian Relief.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of State, in coordination
with the Administrator of the United States Agency for
International Development, shall provide--
(A) humanitarian assistance to individuals and communities
in Venezuela, including--
(i) public health commodities and services, including
medicines and basic medical supplies and equipment;
(ii) basic food commodities and nutritional supplements
needed to address growing malnutrition and improve food
security for the people of Venezuela, with a specific
emphasis on the most vulnerable populations; and
(iii) technical assistance to ensure that health and food
commodities are appropriately selected, procured, targeted,
and distributed; and
(B) Venezuelans and hosting communities, as appropriate, in
neighboring countries with humanitarian aid, such as--
(i) urgently needed health and nutritional assistance,
including logistical and technical assistance to hospitals
and health centers in affected communities;
(ii) food assistance for vulnerable individuals, including
assistance to improve food security for affected communities;
and
(iii) hygiene supplies and sanitation services.
(2) Aid to venezuelans in neighboring countries.--The aid
described in paragraph (1)(B)--
(A) may be provided--
(i) directly to Venezuelans in neighboring countries,
including countries of the Caribbean; or
(ii) indirectly through the communities in which the
Venezuelans reside; and
(B) should focus on the most vulnerable Venezuelans in
neighboring countries.
(c) Humanitarian Assistance Strategy Update.--Not later
than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act,
the Secretary of State, in coordination with the
Administrator of the United States Agency for International
Development, shall submit, to the appropriate congressional
committees, an update to the Venezuela humanitarian
assistance strategy described in the conference report
accompanying the Consolidated Appropriations Act (Public Law
116-6), to cover a 2-year period and include--
(1) a description of the United States humanitarian
assistance provided under this section;
(2) a description of United States diplomatic efforts to
ensure support from international donors, including regional
partners in Latin America and the Caribbean, for the
provision of humanitarian assistance to the people of
Venezuela;
(3) the identification of governments that are willing to
provide financial and technical assistance for the provision
of such humanitarian assistance to the people of Venezuela
and a description of such assistance; and
(4) the identification of the financial and technical
assistance to be provided by multilateral institutions,
including the United Nations humanitarian agencies, the Pan
American Health Organization, the Inter-American Development
Bank, and the World Bank, and a description of such
assistance.
(d) Diplomatic Engagement.--The Secretary of State, in
consultation with the Administrator of the United States
Agency for International Development, shall work with
relevant foreign governments and multilateral organizations
to coordinate a donors summit and carry out diplomatic
engagement to advance the strategy required under subsection
(c).
(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated $400,000,000 for fiscal year 2020 to carry
out the activities set forth in subsection (b).
(f) Defined Term.--In this section, the term ``appropriate
congressional committees'' means--
(1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
(2) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
(3) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives; and
(4) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives.

SEC. __22. SUPPORT FOR EFFORTS AT THE UNITED NATIONS ON THE
HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN VENEZUELA.

(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that
the United Nations humanitarian agencies should conduct and
publish independent assessments of the humanitarian situation
in Venezuela, including--
(1) the extent and impact of the shortages of food,
medicine, and medical supplies in Venezuela;
(2) basic health indicators in Venezuela, such as maternal
and child mortality rates and the prevalence and treatment of
communicable diseases; and
(3) the efforts needed to resolve the shortages identified
in paragraph (1) and to improve the health indicators
referred to in paragraph (2).
(b) United Nations Resident Coordinator.--The President
should instruct the

[[Page S3426]]

Permanent Representative to the United Nations to use the
voice, vote, and influence of the United States at the United
Nations to support the efforts of the Resident Coordinator
for Venezuela in a manner that--
(1) contributes to Venezuela's long-term recovery; and
(2) advances humanitarian efforts in Venezuela and for
Venezuelans residing in neighboring countries.

SEC. __23. SANCTIONS EXCEPTIONS FOR HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE.

(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Agricultural commodity.--The term ``agricultural
commodity'' has the meaning given that term in section 102 of
the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C. 5602).
(2) Medical device.--The term ``medical device'' has the
meaning given the term ``device'' in section 201 of the
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 321).
(3) Medicine.--The term ``medicine'' has the meaning given
the term ``drug'' in section 201 of the Federal Food, Drug,
and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 321).
(b) In General.--Any transaction, not otherwise prohibited
by under part V of title 31, Code of Federal Regulations, or
any Executive order relating to the national emergency
declared in Executive Order 13692 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note), for
the sale of agricultural commodities, food, medicine, or
medical devices to Venezuela, or for the provision of
humanitarian assistance to the people of Venezuela, and any
transaction that is ordinarily incidental or necessary to any
such transaction, regardless of whether the transaction or
provision of humanitarian assistance originate in, or have a
connection to, the United States, shall be exempt from United
States sanctions, including sanctions described in--
(1) sections __63, __65, __66, __68, and __71;
(2) the Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society
Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-278); or
(3) Executive Orders 13808 and 13850.

SEC. __24. COORDINATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF HUMANITARIAN
ASSISTANCE TO THE PEOPLE OF VENEZUELA.

(a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the
``Humanitarian Assistance to the Venezuelan People Act of
2019''.
(b) Defined Term.--In this section, the term ``appropriate
congressional committees'' means--
(1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
(2) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
(3) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives; and
(4) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives.
(c) Report on the Coordination and Distribution of
Humanitarian Assistance to the People of Venezuela Including
Strategy on Future Efforts.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in
coordination with the Administrator of the United States
Agency for International Development, shall submit a report
to the appropriate congressional committees that evaluates
the delivery and coordination of humanitarian assistance to
the people of Venezuela, whether residing in Venezuela or
elsewhere in the Western Hemisphere.
(2) Matters to be included.--The report required under
paragraph (1) shall--
(A) identify how United States Agency for International
Development and Department of State best practices are being
utilized in providing humanitarian assistance to Venezuela
and countries in the region;
(B) describe the current and anticipated challenges to
distributing humanitarian assistance in Venezuela and
countries hosting Venezuelan migrants; and
(C) describe how the distribution of humanitarian
assistance is being monitored and evaluated, including--
(i) the number of beneficiaries receiving such assistance;
(ii) an assessment of how humanitarian and development
assistance is benefitting Venezuelan migrants inside and
outside of the country; and
(iii) what additional staff may be necessary to manage such
assistance.

Subtitle C--Addressing Regime Cohesion

SEC. __31. CLASSIFIED REPORT ON DECLINING COHESION INSIDE THE
VENEZUELAN MILITARY AND THE MADURO REGIME.

(a) Reporting Requirement.--Not later than 90 days after
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
State, acting through the Bureau of Intelligence and
Research, and in coordination with the Director of National
Intelligence, shall submit a classified report to the
appropriate congressional committees that assesses the
declining cohesion inside the Venezuelan military and
security forces and the Maduro regime.
(b) Additional Elements.--The report submitted under
subsection (a) shall--
(1) identify senior members of the Venezuelan military and
the Maduro regime, including generals, admirals, cabinet
ministers, deputy cabinet ministers, and the heads of
intelligence agencies, whose loyalty to Nicolas Maduro is
declining;
(2) describe the factors that would accelerate the decision
making of individuals identified in paragraph (1)--
(A) to break with the Maduro regime; and
(B) to recognize the Interim President of Venezuela and his
government; and
(3) assess and detail the massive number of desertions and
defections that have occurred at the officer and enlisted
levels inside the Venezuelan military and security forces.
(c) Briefing Requirement.--Not later than 30 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State,
acting through the Bureau of Intelligence and Research, and
in coordination with the Director of National Intelligence,
shall provide a classified briefing to appropriate
congressional committees on the subject matter described in
subsections (a) and (b).
(d) Appropriate Congressional Committees.--In this section,
the term ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
(1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
(2) the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate;
(3) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives; and
(4) the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the
House of Representatives.

SEC. __32. ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON VISAS.

(a) In General.--The Secretary of State shall impose the
visa restrictions described in subsection (c) on any foreign
person who the Secretary determines--
(1) is a current or former senior official of the Maduro
regime, or any foreign person acting on behalf of such
regime, who is knowingly responsible for, complicit in,
responsible for ordering, controlling, or otherwise
directing, or participating in (directly or indirectly) any
activity in or in relation to Venezuela, on or after January
23, 2019, that significantly undermines or threatens the
integrity of--
(A) the democratically-elected National Assembly of
Venezuela; or
(B) the President of such National Assembly, while serving
as Interim President of Venezuela, or the senior government
officials under the supervision of such President;
(2) is the spouse or child of a foreign person described in
paragraph (1); or
(3) is the spouse or child of Venezuelan person sanctioned
under--
(A) section 5(a) of the Venezuela Defense of Human Rights
and Civil Society Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-278), as
amended by section __63 of this Act;
(B) section 804(b) of the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin
Designation Act (21 U.S.C. 1903(b)); or
(C) Executive Orders 13692 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note) and 13850.
(b) Removal From Visa Revocation List.--Pursuant to such
procedures as the Secretary of State may establish to
implement this section--
(1) if any person described in subsection (a)(1) recognizes
and pledges support for the Interim President of Venezuela or
a subsequent democratically elected government of Venezuela,
that person and any family members of that person who were
subject to visa restrictions pursuant to subsection (a)(2)
shall no longer be subject to such visa restrictions; and
(2) if any person described in subparagraphs (A) through
(C) of subsection (a)(3) recognizes and pledges support for
the Interim President of Venezuela or a subsequent
democratically elected government of Venezuela, any family
members of that person who were subject to visa restrictions
pursuant to subsection (a)(3) shall no longer be subject to
such visa restrictions.
(c) Visa Restrictions Described.--
(1) Exclusion from the united states and revocation of visa
or other documentation.--Subject to paragraph (2) and
subsection (b), an alien described in subsection (a)--
(A) is inadmissible to the United States;
(B) is ineligible to receive a visa or other documentation
authorizing entry into the United States;
(C) is otherwise ineligible to be admitted into the United
States or to receive any benefit under the Immigration and
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.); and
(D) shall, in accordance with section 221(i) of the
Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1201(i), have his
or her visa or other documentation revoked, regardless of
when the visa or other documentation was issued.
(2) Exception to comply with united nations headquarters
agreement.--Sanctions under paragraph (1) shall not apply to
an alien if admitting the alien into the United States is
necessary to permit the United States to comply with the
Agreement regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations,
signed at Lake Success June 26, 1947, and entered into force
November 21, 1947, between the United Nations and the United
States, or other applicable international obligations.
(d) Rulemaking.--The President shall issue such
regulations, licenses, and orders as may be necessary to
carry out this section.

SEC. __33. WAIVER FOR SANCTIONED OFFICIALS THAT RECOGNIZE THE
INTERIM PRESIDENT OF VENEZUELA.

(a) Removal of Sanctions.--If a person sanctioned under any
of the provisions of law described in subsection (b)
recognizes and pledges supports for the Interim President of
Venezuela or a subsequent democratically elected government,
the person shall no longer be subject to such sanctions,
pursuant to such procedures as the Secretary of State and the
Secretary of the Treasury may establish to implement this
section.
(b) Sanctions Described.--The sanctions described in this
subsection are set forth in the following provisions of law:
(1)(A) Paragraphs (3) and (4) of section 5(a) of the
Venezuela Defense of Human Rights

[[Page S3427]]

and Civil Society Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-278), as
amended by section __63 of this Act.
(B) Paragraph (5) of section 5(a) of such Act, to the
extent such paragraph relates to the sanctions described in
paragraph (3) or (4) of such subsection.
(2)(A) Clauses (1) and (4) of section 1(a)(ii)(A) of
Executive Order 13692 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note).
(B) Subparagraph (D)(2) of section 1(a)(ii) of such
Executive Order, to the extent such subparagraph relates to
the provisions of law cited in subparagraph (A).
(3)(A) Section 1(a)(ii) of Executive Order 13850.
(B) Paragraph (iii) of section 1(a) of such Executive
Order, to the extent such paragraph relates to the provision
of law cited in subparagraph (A).
(c) Rulemaking.--The President shall issue such
regulations, licenses, and orders as may be necessary to
carry out this section.

Subtitle D--Restoring Democracy and Addressing the Political Crisis in
Venezuela

SEC. __41. SUPPORT FOR THE ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES
AND THE LIMA GROUP.

(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that
the Secretary of State should--
(1) take additional steps to support ongoing efforts by the
Secretary General of the Organization of American States to
promote diplomatic initiatives to foster the restoration of
democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela;
(2) conduct diplomatic engagement in support of efforts by
the Lima Group to restore democracy and the rule of law in
Venezuela and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian
assistance for the Venezuelan people; and
(3) engage with the International Contact Group on
Venezuela to advance a peaceful and democratic solution to
the current crisis.
(b) Defined Terms.--In this section:
(1) International contact group on venezuela.--The
``International Contact Group on Venezuela'' refers to a
diplomatic bloc--
(A) whose members include the European Union, France,
Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, the Netherlands, the
United Kingdom, Ecuador, Costa Rica, and Uruguay; and
(B) which was established to advance a peaceful and
democratic solution to the current crisis in Venezuela.
(2) Lima group.--The ``Lima Group'' refers to a diplomatic
bloc--
(A) whose members include Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile,
Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Panama,
Paraguay, Peru, and Saint Lucia; and
(B) which was established to address the political,
economic, and humanitarian crises in Venezuela.

SEC. __42. ACCOUNTABILITY FOR CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY.

(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that
the Secretary of State should conduct robust diplomatic
engagement in support of efforts in Venezuela, and on the
part of the international community, to ensure accountability
for possible crimes against humanity and serious violations
of human rights.
(b) Report.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit a
report to Congress that--
(1) evaluates the degree to which the Maduro regime and its
officials, including members of the Venezuelan security
forces, have engaged in actions that constitute possible
crimes against humanity and serious violations of human
rights; and
(2) provides options for holding accountable the
perpetrators identified under paragraph (1).

SEC. __43. SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL ELECTION OBSERVATION AND
DEMOCRATIC CIVIL SOCIETY.

(a) In General.--The Secretary of State, in coordination
with the Administrator of the United States Agency for
International Development--
(1) shall work with the Organization of American States to
ensure credible international observation of future elections
in Venezuela that contributes to free, fair, and transparent
democratic electoral processes; and
(2) shall work with nongovernmental organizations--
(A) to strengthen democratic governance and institutions,
including the democratically elected National Assembly of
Venezuela;
(B) to defend internationally recognized human rights for
the people of Venezuela, including support for efforts to
document crimes against humanity and violations of human
rights;
(C) to support the efforts of independent media outlets to
broadcast, distribute, and share information beyond the
limited channels made available by the Maduro regime; and
(D) to combat corruption and improve the transparency and
accountability of institutions that are part of the Maduro
regime.
(b) Engagement at the Organization of American States.--The
Secretary of State, acting through the United States
Permanent Representative to the Organization of American
States, should advocate and build diplomatic support for
sending an election observation mission to Venezuela to
ensure that democratic electoral processes are organized and
carried out in a free, fair, and transparent manner.
(c) Briefing Requirement.--Not later than 180 days after
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
State, in coordination with the Administrator of the United
States Agency for International Development, shall provide a
briefing on the strategy to carry out the activities
described in subsection (a) to--
(1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
(2) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
(3) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives; and
(4) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--
(1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated to
the Secretary of State for fiscal year 2020, $17,500,000 to
carry out the activities set forth in subsection (a).
(2) Notification requirements.--Amounts appropriated
pursuant to paragraph (1) are subject to the notification
requirements applicable to expenditures from the Economic
Support Fund under section 531(c) of the Foreign Assistance
Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2346(c)) and from the Development
Assistance Fund under section 653(a) of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2413(a)), to the extent
that such funds are expended.

Subtitle E--Supporting the Reconstruction of Venezuela

SEC. __51. ENGAGING INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS TO
ADVANCE THE RECONSTRUCTION OF VENEZUELA'S
ECONOMY AND ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE.

(a) In General.--The President shall engage the
International Monetary Fund and the Multilateral Development
Banks to support a framework for the economic reconstruction
of Venezuela, contingent upon the restoration of democracy
and the rule of law in the country.
(b) Additional Elements.--The framework created under
subsection (a) should include policy proposals--
(1) to provide Venezuelans with humanitarian assistance,
poverty alleviation, and a social safety net;
(2) to advance debt restructuring and debt sustainability
measures;
(3) to restore the production and efficient management of
Venezuela's oil industry, including rebuilding energy
infrastructure;
(4) to eliminate price controls and market distorting
subsidies in the Venezuelan economy; and
(5) to address hyperinflation in Venezuela.
(c) Consultation.--In supporting the framework under
subsection (a), the President shall consult with relevant
stakeholders in the humanitarian (including international and
nongovernmental organizations), financial, and energy
sectors.
(d) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that
any effort to conduct debt restructuring should--
(1) include discussions with China, which is Venezuela's
biggest creditor; and
(2) appropriately account for China's and Russia's high-
risk lending to Venezuela.
(e) Certification.--The President may not support lending
or financing for Venezuela from the International Monetary
Fund and the Multilateral Development Banks until the
Secretary of State submits a report to the Committee on
Foreign Relations of the Senate and Committee on Foreign
Affairs of the House of Representatives certifying that any
such lending or financing--
(1) would be managed by the Interim President of Venezuela
or a new, democratically-elected President;
(2) would not be used to repay external creditors who are
not members of the Group of Seven unless such payments are
essential to the restoration of economic stability and
democracy in Venezuela; and
(3) would not benefit the Maduro regime.
(f) Waiver.--The President may waive the certification
requirement under subsection (e) if the President--
(1) determines that such waiver is in the national interest
of the United States; and
(2) not later than 30 days after making a determination
under paragraph (1), submits to the congressional committees
referred to in subsection (e)--
(A) an explanation for why such a waiver is in the United
States national interest; and
(B) why the Secretary of State is unable to submit the
certification described in subsection (e).

SEC. __52. RECOVERING ASSETS STOLEN FROM THE VENEZUELAN
PEOPLE.

(a) Recovering Assets.--The Secretary of State, the
Secretary of the Treasury, and the Attorney General shall
advance a coordinated international effort--
(1) to carry out special financial investigations to
identify and track assets taken from the people and
institutions of Venezuela through theft, corruption, money
laundering, or other illicit means; and
(2) to work with foreign governments--
(A) to share financial investigations intelligence, as
appropriate;
(B) to block the assets identified pursuant to paragraph
(1); and
(C) to provide technical assistance to help governments
establish the necessary legal framework to carry out asset
forfeitures.
(b) Additional Elements.--The coordinated international
effort described in subsection (a) should include input
from--
(1) the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department
of the Treasury;
(2) the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network of the
Department of the Treasury; and

[[Page S3428]]

(3) the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section of the
Department of Justice.
(c) Strategy Requirement.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, the
Secretary of the Treasury, and the Attorney General shall
submit a strategy for carrying out the activities described
in subsection (a) to--
(A) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
(B) the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of
the Senate;
(C) the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate;
(D) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives;
(E) the Committee on Financial Services of the House of
Representatives; and
(F) the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of
Representatives.
(2) Additional elements.--The strategy required by
paragraph (1) shall include the following:
(A) An assessment whether the United States or another
member of the international community should establish a
managed fund to hold the assets identified pursuant to
subsection (a)(1) that could be returned to a future
democratic government in Venezuela.
(B) Such recommendations as the Secretaries and the
Attorney General consider appropriate for legislative or
administrative action in the United States that would be
needed to establish and manage the fund described in
subparagraph (A).

Subtitle F--Restoring the Rule of Law in Venezuela

SEC. __61. DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING A COORDINATED
SANCTIONS STRATEGY WITH PARTNERS IN THE WESTERN
HEMISPHERE AND THE EUROPEAN UNION.

(a) Strengthening Sanctions Capacity in Latin America and
the Caribbean.--The Secretary of State, in consultation with
the Secretary of the Treasury, shall offer to provide
technical assistance to partner governments in Latin America
and the Caribbean to assist such governments in establishing
the legislative and regulatory frameworks needed to impose
targeted sanctions on officials of the Maduro regime who--
(1) are responsible for human rights abuses;
(2) have engaged in public corruption; or
(3) are undermining democratic institutions and processes
in Venezuela.
(b) Coordinating International Sanctions.--The Secretary of
State, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury,
shall engage in diplomatic efforts with partner governments,
including the Government of Canada, governments in the
European Union, and governments in Latin America and the
Caribbean, to impose targeted sanctions on the Maduro regime
officials described in subsection (a).
(c) Strategy Requirement.--Not later than 90 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in
consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, shall submit
a strategy for carrying out the activities described in
subsection (a) to--
(1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
(2) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
(3) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives; and
(4) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--
(1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated to
the Secretary of State for fiscal year 2020, $3,000,000 to
carry out the activities set forth in subsection (a).
(2) Notification requirements.--Amounts appropriated
pursuant to paragraph (1) are subject to the notification
requirements applicable to expenditures from the Economic
Support Fund under section 531(c) of the Foreign Assistance
Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2346(c)) and the International
Narcotics and Law Enforcement Fund under section 489 of the
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2291h) to the
extent that such funds are expended.

SEC. __62. CLASSIFIED BRIEFING ON THE INVOLVEMENT OF
VENEZUELAN OFFICIALS IN CORRUPTION AND ILLICIT
NARCOTICS TRAFFICKING.

(a) Briefing Requirement.--Not later than 90 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State,
acting through the Bureau of Intelligence and Research, and
in coordination with the Director of National Intelligence,
shall provide a classified briefing to the appropriate
congressional committees on the involvement of senior
officials of the Maduro regime, including members of the
National Electoral Council, the judicial system, and the
Venezuelan security forces, in illicit narcotics trafficking
and significant acts of public corruption in Venezuela.
(b) Additional Elements.--The briefing provided under
subsection (a) shall--
(1) describe how the significant acts of public corruption
pose challenges for United States national security and
impact the rule of law and democratic governance in countries
of the Western Hemisphere;
(2) identify individuals for whom there is credible
information that they frustrated the ability of the United
States to combat illicit narcotics trafficking;
(3) include an assessment of the relationship between
individuals identified under subsection (a) and Nicolas
Maduro or members of his cabinet; and
(4) include input from the Drug Enforcement Administration,
the Office of Foreign Assets Control, and the Financial
Crimes Enforcement Network.
(c) Appropriate Congressional Committees.--In this section,
the term ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
(1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
(2) the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate;
(3) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives; and
(4) the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the
House of Representatives.

SEC. __63. SANCTIONS ON PERSONS RESPONSIBLE FOR PUBLIC
CORRUPTION AND UNDERMINING DEMOCRATIC
GOVERNANCE.

(a) Finding.--Executive Order 13692 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note),
which was signed on March 8, 2015, provided for sanctions
against any person determined to be responsible for actions
that undermine democratic processes and institutions or
responsible for acts of public corruption by senior officials
within the Government of Venezuela that were not included in
the Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act
of 2014 (Public Law 113-278).
(b) Sanctions.--Section 5(a) of the Venezuela Defense of
Human Rights and Civil Society Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-
278) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``or'' at the end;
(2) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (5);
(3) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
``(3) is responsible for, or complicit in, ordering,
controlling, or otherwise directing, significant actions or
policies that undermine democratic processes or institutions;
``(4) is responsible for, complicit in, ordering,
controlling, or otherwise directing, or to have participated
in, directly or indirectly, public corruption by senior
officials within the Government of Venezuela; or''; and
(4) in paragraph (5), as redesignated, by striking
``paragraph (1) or (2)'' and inserting ``paragraph (1), (2),
(3), or (4)''.

SEC. __64. PUBLIC INFORMATION ABOUT SANCTIONED OFFICIALS.

(a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Treasury, in
consultation with the Secretary of State, shall provide a
classified briefing to the appropriate congressional
committees on the total assessed value of blocked assets of
Venezuelans designated under sanctions authorized under--
(1) the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act (title
VIII of Public Law 106-120; 21 U.S.C. 1901 et seq.);
(2) the Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society
Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-278), as amended by section __63
of this Act; or
(3) Executive Orders 13692 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note) and 13850.
(b) Additional Elements.--The briefing provided under
subsection (a) should provide descriptions of specific cases
that are most representative of the endemic corruption and
illicit financial activities occurring in Venezuela.
(c) Appropriate Congressional Committees.--In this section,
the term ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
(1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
(2) the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of
the Senate;
(3) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives; and
(4) the Committee on Financial Services of the House of
Representatives.

SEC. __65. FINANCIAL SANCTIONS ON MADURO REGIME DEBT.

(a) Finding.--Executive Order 13808 (82 Fed. Reg. 41155),
which was signed on August 24, 2017, provided for sanctions
intended to limit the ability of the Maduro regime to issue
public debt.
(b) Definitions.--In this section and in sections __66 and
__68:
(1) Entity.--The term ``entity'' means a partnership,
association, trust, joint venture, corporation, group,
subgroup, or organization.
(2) Person.--The term ``person'' means an individual or
entity.
(3) United states person.--The term ``United States
person'' means any--
(A) United States citizen;
(B) alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence to the
United States;
(C) entity organized under the laws of the United States or
any jurisdiction within the United States (including a
foreign branch of any such entity); and
(D) any person physically located in the United States.
(c) In General.--The President may prohibit, in the United
States or by a United States person--
(1) any transaction related to, provision of financing for,
or other dealing in--
(A) debt instruments with a maturity of greater than 90
days issued by Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A., on or after the
date of the enactment of this Act;
(B) debt instruments with a maturity of greater than 30
days or equity issued by the Maduro regime on or after the
date of the enactment of this Act, excluding debt instruments
issued by Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A., that are not covered
under subparagraph (A);
(C) bonds issued by the Maduro regime before the date of
the enactment of this Act; or
(D) dividend payments or other distributions of profits to
the Maduro regime from

[[Page S3429]]

any entity owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by
the Maduro regime;
(2) the direct or indirect purchase of securities from the
Maduro regime, except for--
(A) securities qualifying as debt instruments issued by
Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A., on or after the date of the
enactment of this Act that are not described in paragraph
(1)(A); and
(B) securities qualifying as debt instruments issued by the
Maduro regime on or after the date of the enactment of this
Act that are not described in paragraph (1)(B);
(3) any transaction that evades or avoids, has the purpose
of evading or avoiding, causes a violation of, or attempts to
violate a prohibition under paragraph (1) or (2); and
(4) any conspiracy to violate a prohibition under paragraph
(1), (2), or (3).
(d) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that
the President should waive the prohibitions described in
subsection (c) and in Executive Order 13808 if the related
debt instruments, bonds, or securities have been approved or
ratified by the democratically elected National Assembly of
the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

SEC. __66. ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL SANCTIONS ON MADURO REGIME
DEBT.

(a) Finding.--Executive Order 13835 (83 Fed. Reg. 24001),
which was signed on May 21, 2018, provided for additional
sanctions against transactions involving the existing public
debt of the Maduro regime.
(b) Prohibition.--The President may prohibit a United
States person or any person within the United States from--
(1) purchasing any debt owed to the Maduro regime,
including accounts receivable;
(2) entering into any transaction related to any debt owed
to the Maduro regime that is pledged as collateral after May
21, 2018, including accounts receivable; or
(3) entering into any transaction involving the selling,
transferring, assigning, or pledging as collateral by the
Maduro regime of any equity interest in any entity in which
the Maduro regime has a 50 percent or greater ownership
interest.
(c) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that
the President should waive the prohibitions described in
subsection (a) and in Executive Order 13835 if transactions
involving related debt instruments, bonds, or securities have
been approved or ratified by the democratically elected
National Assembly of Venezuela.

SEC. __67. EXPANDING KINGPIN SANCTIONS ON NARCOTICS
TRAFFICKING AND MONEY LAUNDERING.

(a) Financial Sanctions Expansion.--The Secretary of the
Treasury, the Attorney General, the Secretary of State, the
Secretary of Defense, and the Director of the Central
Intelligence Agency should expand investigations,
intelligence collection, and analysis pursuant to the Foreign
Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act (21 U.S.C. 1901 et seq.) to
facilitate the identification and support the application of
sanctions against--
(1) significant foreign narcotics traffickers, their
organizations and networks; and
(2) the foreign persons who provide material, financial, or
technological support to such traffickers, organizations, and
networks.
(b) Targets.--The efforts described in subsection (a)
should specifically target--
(1) senior members of the Maduro regime, including military
officers, involved in narcotics trafficking and money
laundering;
(2) foreign narcotics traffickers and their organizations
and networks that are operating in Venezuela; and
(3) the foreign persons who provide material, financial, or
technological support to such traffickers, organizations, and
networks that are operating in Venezuela.

SEC. __68. SANCTIONS ON THE MADURO REGIME'S TRADE IN GOLD.

(a) Finding.--Executive Order 13850, which was signed on
November 1, 2018, ordered sanctions against the gold sector
of the Venezuelan economy.
(b) Sanctions Authorized.--The President, in consultation
with the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of
State, may block and prohibit the transfer, payment,
exportation, withdrawal, or other disposition of all property
and interests in property of any person that operates in the
gold sector of the Venezuelan economy if such property is in
the United States, comes into the United States, or is or
comes within the possession or control of any United States
person.
(c) Report.--Not later than 30 days after date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Treasury shall
submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees
(as defined in section 612(b)) that--
(1) details whether section 5318A of title 31, United
States Code, provides the Secretary of the Treasury with
sufficient authority to fully address the extent to which
transactions related to finished and unfinished precious
metals are used to assist in money-laundering transactions,
particularly with respect to high-risk jurisdictions,
including Venezuela;
(2) includes recommendations the Secretary of the Treasury
considers necessary and appropriate for United States
legislative or administrative action that would be needed to
address any findings referred to in paragraph (1); and
(3) includes, in a classified annex, an explanation for how
the Department of the Treasury is currently using its
authorities under section 5318A of title 31, United States
Code, to address transactions related to precious metals that
are used to assist in money-laundering transactions.

SEC. __69. CONCERNS OVER PDVSA TRANSACTIONS WITH ROSNEFT.

(a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
(1) In late 2016, Venezuelan state-owned oil company
Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A. (referred to in this section as
``PDVSA''), through a no compete transaction, secured a loan
from Russian government-controlled oil company Rosneft, using
49.9 percent of PDVSA's American subsidiary, CITGO Petroleum
Corporation, including its assets in the United States, as
collateral. As a result of this transaction, 100 percent of
CITGO is held as collateral by PDVSA's creditors.
(2) CITGO, a wholly owned subsidiary of PDVSA, is engaged
in interstate commerce and owns and controls critical energy
infrastructure in 19 States of the United States, including
an extensive network of pipelines, 48 terminals, and 3
refineries, with a combined oil refining capacity of 749,000
barrels per day. CITGO's refinery in Lake Charles, Louisiana,
is the sixth largest refinery in the United States.
(3) The Department of the Treasury imposed sanctions on
Rosneft, which is controlled by the Government of the Russian
Federation, and its Executive Chairman, Igor Sechin,
following Russia's military invasion of Ukraine and its
illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014.
(4) The Department of Homeland Security has designated the
energy sector as critical to United States infrastructure.
(5) The growing economic crisis in Venezuela raises the
probability that the Maduro regime and PDVSA will default on
their international debt obligations, resulting in a scenario
in which Rosneft could come into control of CITGO's United
States energy infrastructure holdings.
(b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) control of critical United States energy infrastructure
by Rosneft, a Russian government-controlled entity currently
under United States sanctions that is led by Igor Sechin, who
is also under United States sanctions and is a close
associate of Vladimir Putin, would pose a significant risk to
United States national security and energy security; and
(2) a default by PDVSA on its loan from Rosneft, resulting
in Rosneft coming into possession of PDVSA's United States
CITGO assets, would warrant careful consideration by the
Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States.
(c) Preventing Rosneft From Controlling United States
Energy Infrastructure.--The President shall take all
necessary steps to prevent Rosneft from gaining control of
critical United States energy infrastructure.
(d) Security Risk Briefing.--Not later than 90 days after
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
Homeland Security and the Secretary of the Treasury, in
consultation with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of
Energy, shall provide a briefing on the security risks posed
by Russian control of CITGO's United States energy
infrastructure holdings to--
(1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
(2) the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs of the Senate;
(3) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives; and
(4) the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of
Representatives.

SEC. __69A. CLASSIFIED BRIEFING ON ACTIVITIES OF CERTAIN
FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS AND ACTORS IN VENEZUELA.

(a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, acting
through the Bureau of Intelligence and Research of the
Department of State, and in coordination with the Director of
National Intelligence, shall provide a classified briefing to
the appropriate congressional committees on--
(1) the full extent of cooperation by the Government of the
Russian Federation, the Government of the People's Republic
of China, the Government of Cuba, and the Government of Iran
with the Maduro regime; and
(2) the activities inside Venezuelan territory of foreign
armed groups, including Colombian criminal organizations and
defectors from the Colombian guerilla group known as the
Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, and foreign terrorist
organizations, including the Colombian guerilla group known
as the National Liberation Army (ELN).
(b) Appropriate Congressional Committees.--In this section,
the term ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
(1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
(2) the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate;
(3) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives; and
(4) the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the
House of Representatives.

SEC. __69B. COUNTERING RUSSIAN INFLUENCE IN VENEZUELA.

(a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the
``Russian-Venezuelan Threat Mitigation Act''.
(b) Threat Assessment and Strategy to Counter Russian
Influence in Venezuela.--
(1) Defined term.--In this subsection, the term
``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
(A) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate; and

[[Page S3430]]

(B) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives.
(2) Threat assessment.--Not later than 90 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State
shall brief the appropriate congressional committees
regarding--
(A) an assessment of Russian-Venezuelan security
cooperation; and
(B) the potential threat such cooperation poses to the
United States and countries in the Western Hemisphere.
(3) Strategy.--Not later than 30 days after the briefing
required under paragraph (2), the Secretary of State shall
brief the appropriate congressional committees regarding a
strategy to counter threats identified in such assessment
from Russian-Venezuelan cooperation.
(c) Aliens Ineligible for Visas, Admission, or Parole.--
(1) In general.--An alien who the Secretary of State or the
Secretary of Homeland Security (or a designee of either
Secretary) knows, or has reason to believe, is an alien who
is acting or has acted on behalf of the Russian Government in
direct support of the security forces of the Maduro regime
is--
(A) inadmissible to the United States;
(B) ineligible to receive a visa or other documentation to
enter the United States; and
(C) otherwise ineligible to be admitted into the United
States or to receive any other benefit under the Immigration
and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.).
(2) Current visas revoked.--
(A) In general.--The issuing consular officer, the
Secretary of State, or the Secretary of Homeland Security (or
a designee of one of such Secretaries) shall, in accordance
with section 221(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8
U.S.C. 1201(i)), revoke any visa or other entry documentation
issued to an alien described in paragraph (1) regardless of
when the visa or other entry documentation is issued.
(B) Effect of revocation.--A revocation under subparagraph
(A) shall--
(i) take effect immediately; and
(ii) automatically cancel any other valid visa or entry
documentation that is in the alien's possession.
(3) Exception to comply with united nations headquarters
agreement or for national security reasons.--
(A) International obligations.--This section shall not
apply to an alien if admitting or paroling the alien into the
United States is necessary to permit the United States to
comply with--
(i) the Agreement regarding the Headquarters of the United
Nations, signed at Lake Success June 26, 1947, and entered
into force November 21, 1947, between the United Nations and
the United States; or
(ii) other applicable international obligations of the
United States.
(B) National security.--The President may waive the
application of this section to an alien if the President--
(i) determines that such a waiver is in the national
interest of the United States; and
(ii) submits a notice of, and justification for, such
waiver to the appropriate congressional committees.
(4) Sunset.--This subsection shall terminate on the date
that is 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. __69C. RESTRICTION ON EXPORT OF COVERED ARTICLES AND
SERVICES TO CERTAIN SECURITY FORCES OF
VENEZUELA.

(a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the
``Venezuela Arms Restriction Act''.
(b) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term
``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
(A) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
(B) the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of
the Senate;
(C) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives; and
(D) the Committee on Financial Services of the House of
Representatives.
(2) Covered article or service.--The term ``covered article
or service''--
(A) for purposes of subsection (c), means--
(i) a defense article or defense service (as such terms are
defined in section 47 of the Arms Export Control Act (22
U.S.C. 2794)); and
(ii) any article included on the Commerce Control List set
forth in Supplement No. 1 to part 774 of the Export
Administration Regulations under subchapter C of chapter VII
of title 15, Code of Federal Regulations, and controlled for
crime control purposes, if the end user is likely to use the
article to violate the human rights of the citizens of
Venezuela; and
(B) for purposes of subsection (d), means--
(i) any defense article or defense service of the type
described in section 47 of the Arms Export Control Act (22
U.S.C. 2794); and
(ii) any article of the type included on the Commerce
Control List set forth in Supplement No. 1 to part 774 of the
Export Administration Regulations and controlled for crime
control purposes.
(3) Foreign person.--The term ``foreign person'' means a
person that is not a United States person.
(4) Person.--The term ``person'' means an individual or
entity.
(5) Security forces of venezuela.--The term ``security
forces of Venezuela'' includes--
(A) the Bolivarian National Armed Forces, including the
Bolivarian National Guard;
(B) the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service;
(C) the Bolivarian National Police; and
(D) the Bureau for Scientific, Criminal and Forensic
Investigations of the Ministry of Interior, Justice, and
Peace.
(6) United states person.--The term ``United States
person'' means--
(A) a United States citizen or an alien lawfully admitted
for permanent residence to the United States; or
(B) an entity organized under the laws of the United States
or of any jurisdiction within the United States, including a
foreign branch of such an entity.
(c) Restriction on Export of Covered Articles and Services
to Certain Security Forces of Venezuela.--
(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
law, covered articles or services may not be exported from
the United States to any element of the security forces of
the Maduro regime.
(2) Determination.--Not later than 180 days after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in
consultation with the Secretary of Commerce and the heads of
other departments and agencies, as appropriate, shall--
(A) determine, using such information that is available to
the Secretary of State, whether any covered article or
service has been transferred since July 2017 to the security
forces of Venezuela without a license or other authorization
as required by law; and
(B) submit such determination in writing to the appropriate
congressional committees.
(d) Briefing.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in
consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, as appropriate,
shall brief the appropriate congressional committees
regarding the transfer by foreign persons of covered articles
or services to elements of the security forces of Venezuela
that are under the authority of the Maduro regime.
(2) Matters to be included.--The briefing required under
paragraph (1) shall include--
(A) a list of all significant transfers by foreign persons
of covered articles or services to such elements of the
security forces of Venezuela since July 2017;
(B) a list of all foreign persons who maintain an existing
defense relationship with such elements of the security
forces of Venezuela; and
(C) any known use of covered articles or services by such
elements of the security forces of Venezuela or associated
forces, including paramilitary groups, that have coordinated
with such security forces to assault, intimidate, or murder
political activists, protesters, dissidents, and other civil
society leaders, including Juan Guaido.
(e) Sunset.--This section shall terminate on the earlier
of--
(1) the date that is 3 years after the date of the
enactment of this Act; or
(2) the date on which the President certifies to the
appropriate congressional committees that the Government of
Venezuela has returned to a democratic form of government
with respect for the essential elements of representative
democracy as set forth in Article 3 of the Inter-American
Democratic Charter, adopted by the Organization of American
States in Lima on September 11, 2001.

Subtitle G--Cryptocurrency Sanctions and Ensuring the Effectiveness of
United States Sanctions

SEC. __71. SANCTIONS ON VENEZUELA'S CRYPTOCURRENCY AND THE
PROVISION OF RELATED TECHNOLOGIES.

(a) Finding.--Executive Order 13827 (83 Fed. Reg. 12469),
which was signed on March 19, 2018, provided for sanctions
intended to limit the effectiveness of the issuance by the
Maduro regime of a digital currency in an effort to
circumvent United States sanctions.
(b) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Entity.--The term ``entity'' means a partnership,
association, trust, joint venture, corporation, group,
subgroup, or organization.
(2) Person.--The term ``person'' means an individual or
entity.
(3) United states person.--The term ``United States
person'' means any--
(A) United States citizen;
(B) alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence to the
United States;
(C) entity organized under the laws of the United States or
any jurisdiction within the United States (including a
foreign branch of any such entity); and
(D) any person physically located in the United States.
(c) Prohibition of Certain Transactions.--
(1) In general.--All transactions by a United States person
or within the United States that relate to, provide financing
for, or otherwise deal in any digital currency, digital coin,
or digital token, that was issued by, for, or on behalf of
the Maduro regime are prohibited beginning on the date of the
enactment of this Act.
(2) Applicability.--The prohibitions under paragraph (1)
shall apply to the extent provided by statutes, or in
regulations, orders, directives, or licenses that may be
issued pursuant to thistitle, and notwithstanding any
contract entered into or any license or permit granted before
the date of the enactment of this Act.

[[Page S3431]]

(3) Prohibitions.--Any transaction that evades or avoids,
has the purpose of evading or avoiding, causes a violation
of, or attempts to violate any of the prohibitions set forth
in this subsection is prohibited. Any conspiracy formed to
violate any of the prohibitions set forth in this subsection
is prohibited.
(d) Rulemaking.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of the Treasury, in
consultation with the Secretary of State, is authorized to
take such actions, including promulgating rules and
regulations, to implement this section.
(2) Delegation.--The Secretary of the Treasury may
redelegate any of the functions described in paragraph (1) to
other officers and executive departments and agencies of the
United States Government. All agencies of the United States
Government shall take all appropriate measures within their
authority to carry out the provisions of this section.
(e) Waiver.--The President may waive the prohibition under
subsection (c)(1) if the President--
(1) determines that such waiver is in the national interest
of the United States; and
(2) not later than 30 days after making a determination
under paragraph (1), submits a written explanation for why
such a waiver is in the United States national interest to--
(A) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
(B) the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of
the Senate;
(C) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives; and
(D) the Committee on Financial Services of the House of
Representatives.

SEC. __72. BRIEFING ON THE IMPACT OF CRYPTOCURRENCIES ON
UNITED STATES SANCTIONS.

(a) Definition.--In this section, the term ``appropriate
congressional committees'' means--
(1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
(2) the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of
the Senate;
(3) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives; and
(4) the Committee on Financial Services of the House of
Representatives.
(b) Methodology.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State and the
Secretary of the Treasury, after consultation with the
Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the
Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, shall
develop a methodology to assess how any digital currency,
digital coin, or digital token, that was issued by, for, or
on behalf of the Maduro regime is being utilized to
circumvent or undermine United States sanctions.
(c) Briefing.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State and the
Secretary of the Treasury shall brief the appropriate
congressional committees on the methodology developed under
subsection (b).

Subtitle H--Miscellaneous Provisions

SEC. __81. CONGRESSIONAL BRIEFINGS.

(a) Humanitarian Assistance; Sanctions Coordination.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 15 days after any of the
congressional committees listed in paragraph (2) requests a
briefing regarding the implementation--
(A) of section 201, the Secretary of State and the
Administrator of the United States Agency for International
Development shall provide such briefing to such committee;
and
(B) of section 601, the Secretary of State shall provide
such briefing to such committee.
(2) Congressional committees.--The committees listed in
this paragraph are--
(A) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
(B) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
(C) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives; and
(D) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives.
(b) United Nations; Negotiated Solution; Crimes Against
Humanity.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 15 days after any
congressional committee listed in paragraph (2) requests a
briefing regarding the implementation of section 103, 202, or
403, the Secretary of State shall provide such briefing to
such committee.
(2) Congressional committees.--The congressional committees
listed in this paragraph are--
(A) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate; and
(B) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives.
(c) Regime Cohesion.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 15 days after a
congressional committee listed in paragraph (2) requests a
briefing regarding the implementation of section 301, the
Secretary of State and the Director of National Intelligence
shall provide such briefing to such committee.
(2) Congressional committees.--The congressional committees
listed in this paragraph are--
(A) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
(B) the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate;
(C) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives; and
(D) the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the
House of Representatives.
(d) International Election Observation; Democratic Civil
Society.--Not later than 15 days after a congressional
committee listed in subsection (a)(2) requests a briefing
regarding the implementation of section 405, the Secretary of
State and the Administrator of the United States Agency for
International Development shall provide such briefing to such
committee.
(e) Visa Restrictions; Sanctions Waiver.--Not later than 15
days after a congressional committee listed in subsection
(b)(2) requests a briefing regarding the implementation of
section 302 or 303, the Secretary of State shall provide such
briefing to such committee.
(f) Reconstruction of Venezuela's Energy Infrastructure.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 15 days after a
congressional committee listed in paragraph (2) requests a
briefing regarding the implementation of section 501, the
Secretary of State, the Secretary of Energy, and the
Secretary of the Treasury shall provide such briefing to such
committee.
(2) Congressional committees.--The congressional committees
listed in this paragraph are--
(A) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
(B) the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the
Senate;
(C) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives; and
(D) the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of
Representatives.
(g) Recovery of Stolen Assets.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 15 days after a
congressional committee listed in paragraph (2) requests a
briefing regarding the implementation of section 502, the
Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, and the
Attorney General shall provide such briefing to such
committee.
(2) Congressional committees.--The congressional committees
listed in this paragraph are--
(A) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
(B) the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of
the Senate;
(C) the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate;
(D) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives;
(E) the Committee on Financial Services of the House of
Representatives; and
(F) the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of
Representatives.
(h) Financial Sanctions.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 15 days after a
congressional committee listed in paragraph (2) requests a
briefing regarding the implementation of section 605, 606, or
608, the Secretary of the Treasury shall provide such
briefing to such committee.
(2) Congressional committees.--The congressional committees
listed in this paragraph are--
(A) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
(B) the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of
the Senate;
(C) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives; and
(D) the Committee on Financial Services of the House of
Representatives.
(i) Kingpin Sanctions.--Not later than 15 days after a
congressional committee listed in subsection (h)(2) requests
a briefing regarding the implementation of section 607, the
Secretary of the Treasury, the Attorney General, the
Secretary of State, and the Director of the Central
Intelligence Agency shall provide such briefing to such
committee.
(j) PDVSA Transactions With Rosneft.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 15 days after a
congressional committee listed in paragraph (2) requests a
briefing regarding the implementation of section 609, the
Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, and the
Secretary of Homeland Security shall provide such briefing to
such committee.
(2) Congressional committees.--The congressional committees
listed in this paragraph are--
(A) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
(B) the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs of the Senate;
(C) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives; and
(D) the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of
Representatives.
(k) Cryptocurrency Sanctions.--Not later than 15 days after
a congressional committee listed in subsection (h)(2)
requests a briefing regarding the implementation of section
701 or 702, the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the
Treasury shall provide such briefing to such committee.

SEC. __82. SANCTIONS IMPLEMENTATION AND PENALTIES.

(a) Implementation.--
(1) President.--The President may exercise all of the
authorities described in sections 203 and 205 of the
International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1702
and 1704) to carry out sections __63, __65, __66, __67, __68,
and __71 of this Act.
(2) Secretary of the treasury.--The Secretary of the
Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State, may
promulgate such regulations as may be necessary to implement
the provisions set forth in sections __63, __65, __66, __67,
__68, and __71 of this Act.
(b) Penalties.--Any person that violates, attempts to
violate, conspires to violate, or causes a violation of any
of the sanctions described in sections __63, __65, __66,

[[Page S3432]]

__67, __68 and __71, or of any regulation, license, or order
issued to carry out those sections, shall be subject to the
penalties set forth in subsections (b) and (c) of section 206
of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C.
1705) to the same extent as a person that commits an unlawful
act described in subsection (a) of that section.

SEC. __83. PROHIBITION ON CONSTRUCTION OF PROVISIONS OF THIS
ACT AS AN AUTHORIZATION FOR THE USE OF MILITARY
FORCE.

Nothing in this title may be construed as an authorization
for the use of military force.

SEC. __84. EXTENSION AND TERMINATION OF SANCTIONS AGAINST
VENEZUELA.

(a) Amendment.--Section 5(e) of the Venezuela Defense of
Human Rights and Civil Society Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-
278; 50 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended by striking ``December
31, 2019'' and inserting ``December 31, 2025''.
(b) Termination.--The requirement to impose sanctions under
this title shall terminate on December 31, 2025.
______