Bill · S. 261· Senate(119-S-261)
Halt All United States Investments in Venezuela’s Energy Sector Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 1/27/2025
- Last activity
- 1/27/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S396; text: CR S396-397)
- Sponsored by
- Richard Durbin
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Halt All United States Investments in Venezuela's Energy Sector Act of 2025," aims to stop U.S. investment in Venezuela's energy sector. It targets petroleum-related transactions allowed under the "Barbados Agreement" and specific Treasury Department licenses. The prohibition remains in place until the Maduro regime recognizes the July 28, 2024, election results and transfers power. The President has the authority to waive these prohibitions for national security reasons. The Secretary of the Treasury is tasked with implementing these rules.
Yes· 3 of 4
Does this give the federal government more power?+5
The bill grants the President and Secretary of the Treasury significant authority to regulate and penalize transactions.
Would immigrants be better off under this?+1
The bill seeks to support democratic transitions which can influence migration drivers, though indirectly.
Does this strengthen ties with allied countries?+1
The bill aligns U.S. economic pressure with democratic interests abroad.
The opposite
Does this make it easier to run a small business?-5
The bill restricts the ability of U.S. entities to engage in petroleum-related transactions in Venezuela.
Would business owners be better off under this?-4
U.S. entities and business owners are prohibited from participating in previously allowed petroleum transactions.
Does this reduce how much oil, gas and coal is produced?-3
The bill curtails U.S. investment in Venezuela's petroleum sector.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Political Representation: The bill seeks to pressure the Maduro regime to respect the election results where Edmundo Gonzalez reportedly received more than two-thirds of the votes (Section 2).
-
Human Rights Protections: By targeting the regime that has arrested and abused citizens, including children, for peaceful political participation, the bill aims to address these human rights concerns (Section 2).
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Democratic Transition: The bill provides a path for the prohibition to end once the Maduro regime recognizes the electoral victory of Edmundo Gonzalez and relinquishes power to a legitimate government or transitional government (Section 3(e)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Economic Restrictions on U.S. Persons: U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and entities organized under U.S. laws will be prohibited from engaging in certain petroleum-related transactions and transactions previously allowed under specific Treasury licenses (Section 3(a)).
-
Legal Penalties: Individuals or entities that violate or attempt to violate the prohibitions or regulations established by this act will be subject to penalties under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (Section 3(c)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support-5
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+5
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Immigrants+1Good For Business Owners-4
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Reduces Fossil Fuel Production-3
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves International Alliances+1
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Racial Equity+1
- 1/27/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S396; text: CR S396-397)
- Introduced in Senate