HR 825 United States House · 118th Congress

BOLIVAR Act

HR 825, the BOLIVAR Act, prohibits U.S. federal agencies from entering into contracts for goods or services with entities knowingly conducting significant business dealings with Venezuela's government under Nicolás Maduro, which the U.S. does not recognize as legitimate. The law directly affects U.S. government contractors and businesses operating in Venezuela, banning contracts with those engaging in commerce with the Maduro regime. Key exceptions include contracts for humanitarian aid, disaster relief, national security needs, U.S. diplomatic operations in Venezuela, and contracts with international organizations. The prohibition applies to contracts entered into within three years of the bill's enactment, with the Secretary of State required to notify Congress about exceptions used.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2023

Committee Review

Sep 2024

House Passage

Nov 2024

Senate Passage

President

Introduced Feb 2, 2023 Last action Nov 19, 2024

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced in House → Engrossed in House · 6 edits · Nov 18, 2024

MODERATE

The Engrossed version of HR 825 (BOLIVAR Act) adds a new exception for intelligence activities, gives the Office of Management and Budget a consultative role in defining 'significant business operations' and in exception determinations, allows classified notifications to Congress, broadens one exception to cover agreements in addition to contracts, and delays the effective date by 180 days. These changes make the bill more workable for agencies while preserving its core prohibition on contracting with entities doing business with the Maduro regime.

SCOPE

A new subsection (e) exempts any activity subject to National Security Act reporting requirements, any authorized intelligence activity of the United States, and any procurement supporting an authorized intelligence activity from the contracting prohibition.

The exception for supporting U.S. Government activities in Venezuela was broadened from 'contracts that support' to 'contracts and agreements that support,' covering a wider range of arrangements.

REQUIREMENT

The determination that a person 'knowingly engages in significant business operations' now requires consultation with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and the term 'significant business operations' is to be defined by the Secretary of State in consultation with the OMB Director.

TIMELINE

The three-year applicability period now begins 180 days after enactment rather than on the date of enactment, giving agencies a six-month grace period before the prohibition takes effect.

ENFORCEMENT

Congressional notification of contracts entered under exceptions may now be submitted in classified form, as appropriate, rather than requiring unclassified disclosure.

DEFINITION

The humanitarian exception was expanded from 'other urgent life-saving measures' to 'other urgent humanitarian aid or life-saving measures,' explicitly adding humanitarian aid as a covered purpose.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the House by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Nov 18, 2024

Introduced

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H6034-6035)

lower

Nov 18, 2024

Lower · Passed

Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H6034-6035)

lower

Nov 18, 2024

Introduced

Mr. Fry moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

lower

Sep 18, 2024

Lower · Passed

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

lower

Feb 2, 2023

Committee

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability.

lower

Feb 2, 2023

Introduced

Introduced in House

lower

1 primary · 15 co-sponsors