Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Thursday, U.S. Representatives Michael Waltz (FL-6) and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) re-introduced bipartisan legislation to prohibit U.S. government contracting with persons that have business operations with the Maduro regime. U.S. Senators Rick Scott (FL) and Jacky Rosen (NV) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. Senate. 

The Banning Operations and Leases with Illegitimate Venezuelan Authoritarian Regime (BOLIVAR) Act, compliments existing sanctions by prohibiting the U.S. government from contracting with any person that has business operations with the illegitimate government of the Nicolas Maduro, as well as any successor government of Venezuela not recognized as legitimate by the United States.

“Aside from his dictatorial suppression of democratic principles and human rights in Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro is a wanted narco-terrorist by the U.S. State Department.  It is critical we terminate any funding mechanisms that prop-up his illegitimate and brutal regime,” said Rep. Waltz. “I want to thank Rep. Wasserman Schultz and Senator Scott for co-leading this important legislation with me, as well as their steadfast efforts to free Venezuela from the clutches of tyranny.”   

"To achieve our goal of restoring democracy and human rights in Venezuela, we must identify and cut off all potential sources of funding to the brutal Maduro regime," said Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Co-Chair of the Congressional Venezuela Democracy Caucus. "I'm proud to lead this effort to preserve independent humanitarian assistance to the Venezuelan people while blocking any future U.S. transactions with entities who prop up this oppressive government and undermine the impact of our sanctions."

“Nicolas Maduro is committing a genocide against the people of Venezuela,” said Senator Scott. “Not one cent of U.S. taxpayer money can be used to prop up this murderous regime. We can never stop fighting for freedom and democracy, especially in our own hemisphere. Today, I’m proud to lead my colleagues and continue this important work to prohibit all federal agencies from doing business with anyone that supports Maduro. We can’t stand by and let this crisis continue, and that starts with restricting the money Maduro uses to hold onto power. I call on all of my colleagues to once again pass this legislation in this new Congress to support those fighting for freedom and an end to Maduro’s ruthless regime.”

In the 116th Congress, the Waltz Amendment to the FY20 Defense Authorization (section 890) placed these restrictions on defense contractors and in the 117th Congress, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed the BOLIVAR Act.