119th (2025–2027)
S. 4809
This bill directs the State Department to develop a comprehensive strategy for supporting democratic elections in Venezuela and imposes sanctions on individuals involved in human rights abuses. The legislation recognizes disputed Venezuelan elections in 2024 and 2025, rejects Nicolas Maduro's legitimacy, and supports opposition leader Edmundo González Urrutia as the rightful president-elect. The State Department must create and update a democratic transition framework with specific benchmarks, provide monthly reports to Congress on progress toward democracy, and coordinate international sanctions efforts while facilitating humanitarian aid and the safe return of opposition leaders. The bill also authorizes the President to impose financial sanctions and visa restrictions on Venezuelan officials complicit in human rights violations, though exceptions are included for humanitarian aid, food, medicine, and authorized law enforcement or intelligence activities. These measures aim to pressure the Venezuelan government toward holding free and fair elections in 2026.