Today, Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar's (R-FL) and Congressman Albio Sires' (D-NJ) bipartisan Reinforcing Nicaragua’s Adherence to Conditions for Electoral Reform Act of 2021, or the RENACER Act, passed the House Foreign Affairs Committee on a voice vote. Both Salazar and Sires have called for this bill to be brought to the House Floor as quickly as possible. This bill will hold the brutal Ortega regime accountable for their Human Rights abuses and promote democratic elections in November.
The Ortega regime has embarked on a brutal campaign of repression, jailing hundreds of dissidents and arresting their major political opponents including presidential candidates Cristiana Chamorro, Arturo Cruz, Felix Maradiaga, and Juan Sebastian Chamorro.
Reps. Mark E. Green, M.D. (R-TN), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee, along with 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) are original cosponsors. 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)
The RENACER Act builds on the text of H.R. 1918, the Nicaragua Human Rights and Anticorruption Act of 2018 by requiring targeted sanctions to advance elections scheduled for November 2021; coordinating sanctions with Canada and the European Union; reinforcing humanitarian and human rights exceptions in loans from international financial institutions; and expanding oversight mechanisms for lending from international financial institutions.
Prior to serving Congress, Salazar spent 35 years as a Spanish-language journalist, including, serving as the Central America Bureau Chief for Univision Network during the Central American civil wars.
Congresswoman Salazar currently represents Florida's beautiful 27th Congressional district which includes most of the City of Miami, its suburbs, and the beaches. She serves on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Original source can be found here.
