Rep. María Elvira Salazar's RENACER Act Passes the U.S. Congress

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Representative María Elvira Salazar's (R-FL) and Representative Albio Sires' (D-NJ) RENACER (Reinforcing Nicaragua’s Adherence to Conditions for Electoral Reform) Act passed the U.S. House of Representatives. The piece of legislation increases the United States' response to the murderous Ortega regime ahead of the sham November 7th presidential elections. The final version of the bill also included essential policies proposed in Rep. Salazar's Nicaragua Free Trade Review Act.

“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. “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.”

The provisions from Rep. Salazar's Nicaragua Free Trade Review Act trigger a review of Nicaragua's participation in the Dominican Republican-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), which currently gives Nicaragua open access to U.S. markets.

The RENACER Act also specifically increases sanctions directly on the Ortega regime, his henchmen, and his security forces responsible for killing and kidnapping dissidents. Additionally, it exposes Russian meddling in Nicaragua, requiring reports on Russian government activities and military sales to the regime, and adds Nicaragua to the list of Central American countries subject to corruption-related visa restrictions.

The legislation was originally introduced in the Senate by Senators Menendez (D-NJ), Rubio (R-FL), Kaine (D-VA), Durbin (D-IL), Cardin (D-MD), and Murphy (D-CT). On the House side, original cosponsors of the bill include Representatives Mark E. Green, M.D. (R-TN), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Stephanie Murphy (D-FL), Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Darren Soto (D-FL), Juan Vargas (D-CA), and Ted Deutch (D-FL).

Prior to the final passage of the bill, Congresswoman Salazar delivered remarks on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives urging her colleagues to support this critical legislation. You can watch video of her full remarks here and find a transcript of her remarks as delivered below.

###

REP. MARIA SALAZAR DELIVERS REMARKS ON THE RENACER ACT:

"I rise in support of S. 1064, the RENACER Act.

I am proud to have introduced this bill with Congressman Albio Sires, Senator Bob Menenedez, and Senator Marco Rubio.

For years, dictator Daniel Ortega has been quietly dismantling democracy in Nicaragua.

First, he ripped the constitution apart to get reelected.

Then he seized control of every branch of government, of the military, of the police.

Ortega wants to rule the country from an iron throne, and the Nicaraguan people are suffering as a result.

Ortega has banned political parties.

He has killed hundreds of Nicaraguans and jailed hundreds more.

Now we are on the eve of one of his most brazen moves in nearly 35 years of terrorizing this country – a sham election where all seven presidential candidates were arrested in broad daylight.

One of them being my ex-husband, Arturo Cruz.

This is the most flagrant example of a stolen election we have ever seen – and the world to needs know that.

His brutal regime must be held accountable for its crimes against humanity.

For its systemic attack on democracy.

That is why congress must pass the RENACER Act.

RENACER increases sanctions on Ortega and on Ortega’s chief co-conspirator and vice president, his wife Rosarillo Murillo, and on the Nicaraguan security forces that brutalized their people.

It brings the international community together to take down Ortega’s safe havens around the world, and it exposes Russian meddling in that country.

The RENACER Act sends a clear message to Ortega and Murillo:

Your time is up.

I am also pleased that provisions from my Nicaragua Free Trade Review Act were included in this critical legislation.

This will trigger a review of Nicaragua’s participation in the Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA).

The CAFTA-DR trade agreement gives Nicaragua open access to U.S. markets...

But trade with the United States is a privilege.

It is not a right.

I’m here to tell Ortega and Murillo:

You murderous dictators, you treacherous thugs, you will no longer have a free pass to enrich yourself.

Now, tyrants around the world are watching.

Passing the RENACER shows the consequences of jailing your political opponents, of oppressing your people, and of stealing elections.

I urge my colleagues to stand with those who have been beaten and detained.

I urge my colleagues to stand with the Nicaraguan people.

And I urge my colleagues to take a stand against tyranny.

The United States has long been the torch bearer for democracy around the world

We must continue to carry that torch.

So, I urge my colleagues to support the RENACER Act.

And I yield back."