A Venezuela Restoration Fund would be established under a bipartisan bill introduced on May 26 by U.S. Reps. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) and Bill Huizenga (R-MI) that aims to support the country’s recovery from the Maduro regime, the authoritarian government that ruled Venezuela under Nicolás Maduro from 2013 until early 2026.
The legislation, the Preserving Accountability for National Assets (PANA) Act of 2026, H.R. 9039, is proposed just as billions of dollars linked to corruption, money laundering, narcotrafficking, and sanctions violations by regime operatives remain frozen, seized, or forfeited through U.S. enforcement actions.
“These assets should help rebuild the institutions the regime destroyed, strengthen the rule of law, and support the brave men and women working every day to restore freedom and democracy,” said Rep. Salazar, who sponsored H.R. 9039 alongside four original cosponsors, including Rep. Huizenga and U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL).
“For too long, Maduro and his cronies treated Venezuela like their personal bank account while dismantling the institutions that sustain a free society,” Rep. Salazar said. “The PANA Act sends a clear message: what was stolen from the Venezuelan people belongs to the Venezuelan people.”
If enacted, H.R. 9039 would establish the Venezuela Restoration Fund to receive assets seized and forfeited from individuals and entities tied to the Maduro regime and corruption-related offenses, and support democratic governance, election integrity, civil society organizations, and rule of law initiatives.
Additionally, the bill would assist organizations documenting crimes against humanity and human rights abuses committed by the Maduro regime, and utilize nearly $4 billion in existing frozen and forfeited assets without the use of U.S. taxpayer funds, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.
“Venezuela is at a crossroads and the Venezuelan people now more than ever need the support to rebuild after years of hardship and corruption,” said Rep. Huizenga. “I’m proud to support this common-sense measure to release $4 billion in frozen funds from the Maduro and Chavez regimes to restore freedom, rebuild democratic institutions, and promote human rights in Venezuela.”
A democratic and economically stable Venezuela would not only benefit the Venezuelan people, but also create new opportunities for American businesses, strengthen trade and investment across the hemisphere, and support economic growth on both sides of the Caribbean, the lawmakers said.
The legislation has been referred for action to the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee.