H.R. 2946 117th Congress House

RENACER Act

Official title: To advance the strategic alignment of United States diplomatic tools toward the realization of free, fair, and transparent elections in Nicaragua and to reaffirm the commitment of the United States to protect the fundamental freedoms and human rights of the people of Nicaragua, and for other purposes.

Introduced: September 29, 2021 See on congress.gov

International Affairs CanadaCaribbean areaCongressional oversightDigital media

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Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroadElections, voting, political campaign regulationEuropeEuropean UnionForeign aid and international reliefForeign loans and debtGovernment ethics and transparency, public corruptionHuman rightsInternational exchange and broadcastingInternational monetary system and foreign exchangeInternational organizations and cooperationLatin AmericaMultilateral development programsNews media and reportingNicaraguaPolitical parties and affiliationProtest and dissentRacial and ethnic relationsRussiaSanctionsSovereignty, recognition, national governance and statusTelevision and filmU.S. and foreign investments

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Everywhere this bill has been 5 steps

Introduced

In committee

Reported out

Passed House

Passed Senate

To President

Became law

Nov 9, 2021

Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.

Jul 29, 2021

Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.

Jul 29, 2021

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

Apr 30, 2021

Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Apr 30, 2021

Introduced in House

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Latest action November 9, 2021

Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.

Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Reinforcing Nicaragua's Adherence to Conditions for Electoral Reform Act of 2021 or the RENACER Act

This bill establishes measures to monitor, report on, and address corruption and human rights abuses in Nicaragua.

Specifically, the bill directs U.S. leadership at international financial institutions to advocate for oversight with respect to any loan or financial or technical assistance for projects in Nicaragua.

The Department of State and the Department of the Treasury must establish a strategy to align diplomatic engagement with implementing sanctions to facilitate free, fair, and transparent elections in Nicaragua. Pursuant to this strategy, the President must prioritize implementing targeted sanctions on persons obstructing such elections. The State Department must also engage in diplomatic efforts with partner countries to impose targeted sanctions on such individuals.

The bill adds Nicaragua to a list of countries whose citizens are subject to visa-blocking sanctions for knowingly engaging in (1) actions undermining democratic processes or institutions, or (2) significant corruption or obstruction of investigations into such corruption.

Further, the bill requires the State Department to report on

the involvement of President Daniel Ortega, members of his family, and senior government officials in significant acts of public corruption;
Russian activities in Nicaragua; and
gross human rights violations by the Ortega government against campesinos (i.e., natives of Latin American rural areas, especially Latin American Indian farmers or farm laborers) and indigenous communities.

In addition, the State Department must report on obstacles to news and information about domestic and international affairs and submit a strategy for strengthening independent broadcasting, information distribution, and media platforms in Nicaragua.

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