Bills of Congress by U.S. Congress

H.R.3190 - Bringing Real Accountability Via Enforcement in Burma Act; BRAVE Burma Act (119th Congress)

Summary

H.R.3190, the BRAVE Burma Act, seeks to amend the Burma Unified through Rigorous Military Accountability Act of 2022. The bill extends the sunset clause of the original act from 8 to 10 years. It also mandates a determination regarding sanctions on specific Burmese individuals and entities, including state-owned enterprises and those involved in the jet fuel sector.

Expected Effects

The bill aims to strengthen U.S. policy towards Burma by extending sanctions and increasing scrutiny of entities supporting the Burmese military regime. It also seeks to appoint a Special Envoy for Burma to coordinate U.S. policy and promote a return to civilian democratic government. This could lead to increased pressure on the Burmese military and greater support for pro-democracy movements.

Potential Benefits

  • Increased pressure on the Burmese military regime through extended sanctions.
  • Enhanced coordination of U.S. policy towards Burma with the appointment of a Special Envoy.
  • Greater support for Burmese civil society, democracy advocates, and ethnic groups.
  • Potential for a more unified international effort to impose sanctions on Burma.
  • Promotion of accountability for atrocities committed against the Rohingya and other ethnic groups.

Potential Disadvantages

  • Potential for unintended economic consequences for the Burmese people.
  • Risk of escalating tensions with countries that support the Burmese military, such as China and Russia.
  • Possible delays in the appointment and confirmation of the Special Envoy.
  • The effectiveness of sanctions may be limited if not implemented multilaterally.
  • Waiver provisions could weaken the impact of the sanctions if used too broadly.

Constitutional Alignment

The bill aligns with the U.S. Constitution's emphasis on promoting human rights and international cooperation. Congress has the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations (Article I, Section 8) and to enact laws necessary and proper for carrying out its powers. The appointment of a Special Envoy falls under the President's power to conduct foreign affairs, with the advice and consent of the Senate (Article II, Section 2).

Impact Assessment: Things You Care About

This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).