WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC), Rick Scott (R-FL), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), and Marco Rubio (R-FL) introduced the Banning Operations and Leases with the Illegitimate Venezuelan Authoritarian Regime (BOLIVAR) Act. This legislation prohibits federal agencies from doing business with anyone that supports the oppressive Venezuelan Dictator Nicolas Maduro in order to hold the regime accountable.

“No federal agency should ever conduct business with anyone that supports Venezuelan Dictator Nicolas Maduro or his vile and oppressive regime,” said Senator Tillis. “This commonsense legislation is necessary to preserve future negations should further restrictions or sanctions be needed. The United States must continue to advocate against brutality and injustice, and this begins with preventing American dollars from aiding Maduro’s regime.”

The BOLIVAR Act:

·       Prohibits federal agencies from awarding U.S. government contracts with companies that are engaged in business with the Maduro regime.

·       The prohibition would only apply to contracts entered into on or after the bill’s enactment and would not affect any business with the legitimate elected government of the National Assembly and its elected successors.

·       Provides for necessary exceptions, including for rendering humanitarian aid, disaster relief, and when the Office of Foreign Assets Control issues a valid license to do business in Venezuela.

·       Allows the Secretary of State to waive the restriction when in the national interest of the U.S.

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