Bills · S 261
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
Senate BillS 261International Affairs
Halt All United States Investments in Venezuela’s Energy Sector Act of 2025
INTRO JAN 27· LAST ACTION JAN 27
READING
4MIN
COSPONSORS
0
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it represents a significant hardening of U.S. foreign policy toward Venezuela, directly linking U.S. economic engagement to specific democratic outcomes. If passed, it would remove existing allowances for U.S. investment in Venezuela's oil sector, which could further isolate the Maduro government and potentially worsen Venezuela's already struggling economy. Voters should care because it reflects how the U.S. uses economic tools to promote human rights and democratic principles abroad.
If this bill becomes law, it could intensify pressure for political change in Venezuela, but also potentially exacerbate humanitarian conditions for ordinary citizens. If it does not become law, the current U.S. policies regarding Venezuela's energy sector, which include some limited allowances for investment, would remain in place, maintaining a different approach to influencing the country's political situation.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Prohibits U.S. individuals and entities from engaging in new investments or certain existing transactions within Venezuela's energy sector.
This immediately cuts off a potential source of funding and economic support for Venezuela's crucial oil and gas industry from the U.S.
PROVISION 02
Specifically cancels existing permissions, such as those related to the Barbados Agreement and certain U.S. Treasury Department licenses (General License No. 41 and 8M), that previously allowed some petroleum-related transactions.
It reverses specific U.S. policies that had eased some sanctions, reinstating stricter limitations on economic engagement.
PROVISION 03
Allows the U.S. President to temporarily waive these prohibitions if it is determined to be in the national security interest of the United States, provided Congress is notified.
This provides a flexibility mechanism for the U.S. to adjust its policy if the ban creates unforeseen negative impacts on U.S. interests or if circumstances change.
PROVISION 04
Stipulates that the investment ban will only end when the Venezuelan government recognizes the legitimate results of the July 28, 2024, election and transfers power to the legitimately elected government or a transitional government agreed upon by the opposition.
This sets a clear, politically driven condition for the lifting of the sanctions, directly tying them to a specific outcome in Venezuela's internal politics.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 0
D· Illinois
YRS IN OFFICE
43
BILLS LED
138
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSJAN 27
Introduced in Senate
JAN 27
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S396; text: CR S396-397)
BILL INFO
TypeSenate Bill
NumberS 261
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedJan 27, 2025
Last actionJan 27, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · BANKING, HOUSING, AND URBAN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JAN 27, 2025
Senate BillS 261International Affairs
Halt All United States Investments in Venezuela’s Energy Sector Act of 2025
INTRODUCED JAN 27, 2025· LAST ACTION JAN 27, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
4 min
COSPONSORS
0
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
