Rubio, Menendez, Colleagues Applaud Committee Passage of RENACER Act

Press Release

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), and colleagues issued the following statements after the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations approved their bipartisan legislation to strategically align the United States' diplomatic tools, including targeted sanctions, to advance democratic elections in Nicaragua in November 2021.

The Reinforcing Nicaragua's Adherence to Conditions for Electoral Reform (RENACER) Act proposes new initiatives to address corruption by Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega's government and family, as well as human rights abuses perpetrated by Nicaraguan security forces. The RENACER Act also requires the U.S. government to increase sanctions coordination with Canada and the European Union, as well as bolster intelligence reporting on Russian activities in Nicaragua. The bill calls for the Biden Administration to review Nicaragua's participation in the Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). After today's committee approval, the legislation now heads to the Senate Floor for consideration by the full Senate.

Joining Menendez and Rubio in introducing this bill were Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ben Cardin (D-MD), and Chris Murphy (D-CT).

Rubio is the Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women's Issues.

Menendez is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.

"Our bipartisan bill requires sanctions against officials in the Ortega regime and a full investigation into the money the Nicaraguan Armed Forces have invested in the United States," Rubio said. "Now that the Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved my bill, we will work to get it passed in the full Senate as soon as possible."

"As he continues to shamelessly go after opposition leaders, Nicaragua's business sector, and its civil society leaders, Daniel Ortega's desperation to stay in power has cost him whatever remnants of legitimacy he had in the eyes of the international community," Menendez said. "I am very grateful to have the Senate Foreign Relations Committee come together to send a loud and clear message today: There will be consequences for those trying to rob the Nicaraguan people of the opportunity to exercise their most fundamental democratic right to free and fair elections. The RENACER Act will provide the Biden administration the necessary diplomatic tools to help stabilize Nicaragua's out-of-control electoral crisis, hopefully allowing Nicaraguans to move their country back toward democracy and the rule of law."

"There must be accountability for Latin American autocrats, like President Ortega, who enrich themselves and their corrupt enablers at the expense of citizens and true democracy," Durbin said. "I'm glad to see the Foreign Relations Committee take this bipartisan step forward in condemning President Ortega's actions and the gross human rights abuses perpetrated by government officials. We must levy U.S. resources, including sanctions, to see the release of all political prisoners, including opposition candidates, and help resolve Nicaragua's political crisis with a credible, democratic election."

"We must continue to press for a return to democracy and support free, fair, and transparent elections in Nicaragua," Cardin said. "I am proud to support this bill that would take additional steps to hold the Ortega government accountable for its many acts of repression and corruption that continue to harm the Nicaragua people. The United States must always stand up for democracy and human rights throughout the Western Hemisphere."

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