NOVA Act of 2026

Bill Number

H.R. 6980

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

International Affairs

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-01-08: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed 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.

Last Updated

2026-01-23T14:38:40Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The "No Occupation of Venezuela Act of 2026" (NOVA Act) aims to prevent the United States from using federal funds to claim or exercise control over Venezuela's territory or resources, effectively barring any form of U.S. occupation or internal administration of the country. This includes prohibiting military deployments, while allowing limited exceptions for diplomatic needs and humanitarian aid.

Key Provisions

• General Prohibition: No federal funds can be used, directly or indirectly, to support U.S. claims of possession, supervision, jurisdiction, control, or sovereignty over Venezuela's land or resources. This explicitly bans funding for deploying U.S. Armed Forces in Venezuela.
• Exception for Diplomatic Property Acquisition: The President can acquire properties in Venezuela (from the Venezuelan government or private owners) for U.S. diplomatic or consular use, even after the Act's enactment. This requires approval from the property owner and may involve exchanging U.S.-owned properties in Venezuela.
• Exception for Existing U.S. Properties: The President can designate pre-existing U.S.-owned properties in Venezuela for diplomatic or consular purposes via a proclamation, maintaining U.S. ownership without violating the prohibition.
• Grandfather Clause for Prior Acquisitions: The ban does not apply to U.S. properties in Venezuela acquired before January 1, 2026.
• Rule of Construction: The Act does not limit funding for emergency humanitarian aid (e.g., food, medical supplies in crises).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• This legislation introduces a new, explicit statutory prohibition on funding U.S. occupation or control of Venezuela, which was not previously codified in this manner. It builds on broader U.S. laws against unauthorized military actions (e.g., War Powers Resolution) but targets Venezuela specifically through funding restrictions.
• It does not amend existing foreign policy laws but adds a fiscal barrier, leveraging Congress's constitutional power over appropriations to enforce non-intervention.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The U.S. Department of State and Department of Defense would face strict limits on budgeting for any activities resembling occupation, potentially requiring reprogramming of funds or seeking waivers (none provided in the Act). This could streamline diplomatic operations by protecting embassy-related assets but complicate broader foreign policy responses to Venezuelan instability.
• On Citizens: U.S. citizens, including diplomats and aid workers, benefit from safeguarded access to properties for non-military purposes. Venezuelan-American communities or U.S. travelers to Venezuela might see reduced risk of escalation into conflict, though humanitarian aid flows remain unaffected.
• On International Relations: Strengthens U.S. commitments to Venezuelan sovereignty, potentially improving ties with Latin American nations critical of past U.S. interventions. It could strain relations with Venezuelan opposition groups if perceived as limiting U.S. support against the Maduro regime, while signaling to adversaries (e.g., Russia, China) that military options are off the table.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• U.S. Government: Executive branch (President, State Department, Defense Department) for operational constraints; Congress for oversight of foreign aid and military funding.
• Venezuelan Government and Citizens: Protected from potential U.S. interference, preserving national sovereignty but possibly limiting external pressure for democratic reforms.
• U.S. Diplomatic and Aid Community: Gains clarity on property use for embassies and consulates, ensuring continuity of operations.
• International Actors: Allies like Canada or the EU (involved in Venezuela sanctions) and regional bodies like the Organization of American States, which may align or conflict with this non-intervention stance.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Reinforces the principle of non-intervention under international law (e.g., UN Charter prohibitions on territorial aggression) by tying it to U.S. domestic funding rules. The exceptions for diplomacy avoid conflicts with treaties like the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which protects consular properties.
• Constitutional: Exercises Congress's "power of the purse" (Article I, Section 9) to check executive foreign policy, potentially setting a precedent for funding-based limits on military actions without declaring war.
• Political: Represents a bipartisan effort (introduced by Reps. Krishnamoorthi and Castro) to de-escalate U.S.-Venezuela tensions amid ongoing sanctions and migration crises. It could influence 2026 election debates on foreign interventionism, emphasizing restraint over regime change, though critics might argue it weakens U.S. leverage against authoritarianism.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8]

Cosponsors (9)

Rep. Castro, Joaquin [D-TX-20], Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4], Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7]

Recent Actions

• 2026-01-08: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed 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.
• 2026-01-08: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed 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.
• 2026-01-08: Introduced in House
• 2026-01-08: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• No Occupation of Venezuela Act of 2026 — issued 2026-01-08 — PDF (3 pages)