Representatives Sires, Salazar, and Senate Colleagues Celebrate Final Passage of RENACER ACT

Statement

Rep. Albio Sires (D-NJ), along with Rep. Mark Green (R-TN), Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL), Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D-FL), Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), and colleagues applauded the House of Representatives' final passage of their Reinforcing Nicaragua's Adherence to Conditions for Electoral Reform (RENACER) Act, legislation to respond to Daniel Ortega's consolidation of a one-party dictatorship in Nicaragua.

The bipartisan legislation was first adopted by the full Senate in August of this year and was reapproved earlier this week to make necessary technical changes ahead of today's final passage by the House of Representatives. The legislation now goes to President Biden for his signature and enactment.

"Having locked up every potential opponent, Nicaragua's Daniel Ortega will soon hold a coronation ceremony in place of an election," said Rep. Sires, Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Civilian Security, Migration, and International Economic Policy. "I thank my colleagues in the House and Senate who worked hard to pass this bipartisan legislation, which will improve our sanctions coordination with allies, expand oversight of international financial institutions' lending to Nicaragua, and hold Ortega accountable for his regime's crimes against humanity. Today's passage of the RENACER Act shows that the United States Congress will not stand by as Ortega consolidates a one-party dictatorship and it reflects our firm support for the democratic aspirations of the Nicaraguan people."

"For months, the Nicaraguan people have pleaded for us to help stop Daniel Ortega's reign of terror. The passage of the RENACER Act will hit Ortega where it hurts just days before he solidifies his dictatorship through his sham presidential elections," said Rep. Salazar (R-FL). "It's past time we review Ortega's ability to profit from free trade with the United States. Thank you to my colleagues for taking bold action against this evil regime and for standing with the Nicaraguan people during their fight for democracy. The United States is making its message clear -- access to American markets is a privilege, and we should not do business with dictators."

"Ortega's Nicaragua is now Latin America's third socialist regime," said Rep. Green (R-TN). "I am grateful for the leadership of Congresswoman Maria Salazar, and to Chairman of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee, Albio Sires, for his advocacy on behalf of Nicaragua's political prisoners and for their leadership on this bipartisan legislation that will require targeted sanctions against corrupt regime officials who have dismantled Nicaragua's democracy. The U.S. must condemn the electoral charade taking place on Sunday and urge our international partners to join us.

"Florida is home to 160,000 people who were born in Nicaragua or are of Nicaraguan heritage, and they--like I--care deeply about Nicaragua's future," said Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D-FL). "I'm so proud our bipartisan bill to promote free and fair elections in Nicaragua and to hold accountable Nicaraguan officials who try to frustrate the democratic aspirations of the Nicaraguan people passed the House today and will soon become law."

"Today, as the RENACER Act heads to President Biden's desk for his signature, I am proud to see Congress come together -- in a bicameral, common-sense way -- to let the people of Nicaragua know we are not turning a blind eye to their cries of desperation," said Senator Menendez (D-NJ). "It's not very often that Republicans and Democrats are able to come together these days to find common ground and address a serious challenge -- this bill is a rare exception. We are witnessing the worst authoritarian assault on democracy in Latin America in decades, and I am proud to lead this effort for Congress to act decisively so the Ortega-Murillo regime knows there will be major consequences for the pseudo coronation of their dynastic dictatorship. I look forward to working with President Biden to ensure the swift implementation of the RENACER Act."

"Ahead of Sunday's sham presidential election in Nicaragua, the Congress of the United States is sending a strong message against the corrupt and authoritarian Ortega-Murillo regime and its attempt to subvert the will of the Nicaraguan people," said Senator Rubio (R-FL). "The Biden Administration should swiftly sign this bill into law and work with international allies to coordinate sanctions against this regime."