BRAVE Burma Act

Bill Number

H.R. 3190

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

International Affairs

Status

Passed House

Latest Action

2026-02-11: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Last Updated

2026-03-20T15:04:12Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The BRAVE Burma Act (H.R. 3190) aims to increase accountability for Burma's military regime, known as the State Administration Council (SAC), by amending existing U.S. sanctions laws. It extends reporting requirements on potential sanctions against key Burmese entities and restricts financial benefits to the SAC through international institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The goal is to pressure the regime over its actions, such as the 2021 coup, while supporting democratic forces in Burma (also known as Myanmar).

Key Provisions

• Sanctions Assessment and Reporting: The President must evaluate, within 180 days of enactment and annually for seven years, whether specific Burmese entities qualify for sanctions under existing laws (subsection (a) of the amended act or Executive Order 14014, which blocks property related to the situation in Burma). Targeted entities include:
• Burmese state-owned enterprises involved in military support.
• Myanma Economic Bank.
• Foreign persons operating in Burma's jet fuel sector (e.g., through financial services, import/export, sale, storage, or transport of jet fuel).
• Reporting Requirements: The President must submit an unclassified report to relevant congressional committees (e.g., Foreign Relations and Financial Services) detailing these assessments, with a possible classified annex for sensitive information.
• IMF Shareholding Limitation: The U.S. Secretary of the Treasury must direct the U.S. representative at the IMF to oppose or limit any increase in Burma's shareholding (a measure of voting power and financial stake in the IMF) during governance reviews if Burma remains under SAC control.
• Waiver Authority: The President can waive the IMF limitation if it serves the U.S. national interest, but must provide a detailed explanation to congressional committees.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Amends Section 5571(e) of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (part of the Burma Unified through Rigorous Military Accountability Act of 2022), which previously had a shorter or less detailed reporting timeline.
• Extends the sanctions assessment period from a one-time or shorter-term requirement to annual reviews over seven years, broadening the scope to explicitly include jet fuel sector actors and foreign persons.
• Introduces new restrictions on IMF shareholding adjustments, which were not previously addressed in U.S. law regarding Burma, tying U.S. international financial policy directly to the political situation in Burma.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: Increases workload for the President, State Department, and Treasury Department in conducting assessments, reporting to Congress, and coordinating with the IMF, potentially straining diplomatic resources.
• On Citizens and Entities: Burmese state-owned enterprises, Myanma Economic Bank, and foreign companies in the jet fuel sector may face U.S. sanctions, limiting their access to global finance, trade, and operations, which could disrupt Burma's economy and aviation industry.
• On International Relations: Strengthens U.S. pressure on Burma's junta, potentially isolating the SAC diplomatically and economically; it may influence IMF decisions, affecting global financial governance and U.S. relations with other member countries that support Burma.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• U.S. Government: Executive branch (President, Treasury, State Department) for implementation; Congress for oversight and waiver reviews.
• Burmese Entities: State Administration Council, state-owned enterprises, Myanma Economic Bank, and individuals or firms in the jet fuel sector.
• Foreign Actors: International companies and persons involved in Burma's jet fuel trade, who risk U.S. sanctions.
• International Organizations: IMF, where U.S. influence could alter shareholding formulas and governance.
• Burmese Citizens: Indirectly affected through economic pressures on the regime, potentially supporting pro-democracy movements but risking broader economic hardship.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Reinforces U.S. sanctions framework under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (via Executive Order 14014), ensuring ongoing congressional oversight without new emergency declarations; the waiver provision balances executive flexibility with legislative checks.
• Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's Article I powers over foreign commerce and appropriations, while respecting presidential authority in foreign affairs and national security.
• Political: Signals strong U.S. bipartisan opposition to the SAC, potentially encouraging allied nations to adopt similar measures; it could complicate U.S.-China relations if Chinese firms are implicated in the jet fuel sector, and highlights tensions between sanctions enforcement and multilateral institutions like the IMF.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Huizenga, Bill [R-MI-4]

Cosponsors (17)

Rep. McCollum, Betty [D-MN-4], Rep. Wagner, Ann [R-MO-2], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12], Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40], Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37], Rep. Shreve, Jefferson [R-IN-6], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12], Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26], Rep. Meeks, Gregory W. [D-NY-5], Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24], Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large], Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-32], Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]

Recent Actions

• 2026-02-11: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
• 2026-02-09: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
• 2026-02-09: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2080)
• 2026-02-09: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2080)
• 2026-02-09: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3190.
• 2026-02-09: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2080-2081)
• 2026-02-09: Mr. Hill (AR) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
• 2025-10-03: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Financial Services. H. Rept. 119-321, Part I.
• 2025-10-03: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Financial Services. H. Rept. 119-321, Part I.
• 2025-07-22: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 54 - 0.
• 2025-07-22: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
• 2025-05-05: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Financial Services, 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.
• 2025-05-05: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Financial Services, 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.
• 2025-05-05: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Financial Services, 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.
• 2025-05-05: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Bringing Real Accountability Via Enforcement in Burma Act — issued 2026-02-09 — PDF (6 pages)
• Bringing Real Accountability Via Enforcement in Burma Act — issued 2025-05-05 — PDF (8 pages)
• Bringing Real Accountability Via Enforcement in Burma Act — issued 2026-02-11 — PDF (4 pages)

Related Bills

• S. 3981 (119th Congress)