H.R. 6980: No Occupation of Venezuela Act of 2026

This bill, known as the No Occupation of Venezuela Act of 2026, aims to restrict the use of Federal funds related to any U.S. claims of control or administration over Venezuela. Below are the key points of the bill:

Prohibition on Federal Funds

The bill states that no Federal funds can be spent or obligated to support any assertion of U.S. control, possession, or jurisdiction over Venezuela. This includes:

• Military deployments in Venezuela.
• Any form of governmental or administrative assertion over Venezuelan territory or resources.

Exceptions to the Prohibition

There are certain exceptions where Federal funds can be used despite the overarching prohibition:

• Property for Diplomatic Purposes: The President may acquire property in Venezuela that is suitable for diplomatic or consular purposes, provided this is done with the approval of the Venezuelan government or private owners.
  • The U.S. can purchase or acquire property, and in exchange can convey title to U.S. property in Venezuela.
  • If the President identifies any U.S. property in Venezuela as suitable for diplomatic use, it remains under U.S. ownership without violating the funding prohibition.
• Previously Acquired Properties: Properties acquired by the U.S. government in Venezuela before January 1, 2026, are exempt from this prohibition.

Emergency Humanitarian Aid

The bill specifies that the restriction on Federal funds does not affect any existing authorizations or provisions concerning emergency humanitarian aid to Venezuela. Thus, funds can still be allocated for humanitarian efforts without being impacted by this legislation.

Legislative Context

This legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on January 8, 2026, by Representative Krishnamoorthi, with support from Representative Castro of Texas. It has been forwarded to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Armed Services for further consideration.

Relevant Companies

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