US House passes BRAVE Burma Act tightening sanctions on junta
The US House of Representatives on Monday passed the BRAVE Burma Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at tightening pressure on Myanmar’s military junta and reinforcing Washington’s support for the country’s pro democracy movement.
The bill was submitted by Republican Congressman Bill Huizenga of Michigan.
It requires the US president to decide each year whether to impose stronger blocking sanctions on Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise, the Myanma Economic Bank, and the country’s jet-fuel sector, according to Huizenga’s office.
Congressman Tim Kennedy, Democrat of New York, a co sponsor of the legislation, said the bill is designed to choke off the regime’s access to resources and reaffirm US backing for human rights and democratic aspirations.
The BRAVE Burma Act would extend and expand existing US sanctions on Myanmar through 2032, targeting the junta and the financial networks that have enabled its violent campaign since the 2021 coup. It also mandates the appointment of a US Special Envoy for Myanmar, with ambassadorial rank, to coordinate sanctions policy, arms embargo efforts, humanitarian assistance and diplomatic engagement.
