[Pages H1270-H1271]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IMPOSING TARIFFS ON COUNTRIES IMPORTING VENEZUELAN OIL--MESSAGE FROM 
        THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES (H. DOC. NO. 119-32)

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Wied) laid before the House the 
following message from the President of the United States; which was 
read and, together with the accompanying papers, referred to the 
Committees on Foreign Affairs and Ways and Means and ordered to be 
printed:

To the Congress of the United States:
  Pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 
U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), I hereby report that I have issued an Executive 
Order that takes additional steps with respect to the national 
emergency declared in Executive Order 13692 of March 8, 2015 (Blocking 
Property and Suspending Entry of Certain Persons Contributing to the 
Situation in Venezuela).
  The Maduro regime's refusal to cooperate with the United States on 
matters of illegal immigration exacerbates threats to public safety and 
border security. The activities of the Tren de Aragua gang, a 
transnational criminal organization originating in Venezuela and 
designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and a Specially 
Designated Global Terrorist organization, have intensified these 
threats. Further, the Maduro regime's ongoing destabilizing actions, 
including its support for illicit activities such as narcotics 
trafficking, kidnapping, and human trafficking necessitate further 
measures to protect United States interests. All of these actions are 
due in part to the oil revenues that the Maduro regime and its network 
of criminals and cronies are able to earn.
  Effective on April 2, 2025, the Secretary of State, in consultation 
with the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Commerce, the 
Secretary of Homeland Security, and the United States Trade 
Representative, is authorized to determine whether a tariff of 25 
percent will be imposed on goods from any country that imports 
Venezuelan oil. Once imposed at the Secretary of State's discretion, 
the tariff shall remain in effect for a period of 1 year after the last 
day a country imports Venezuelan oil, or at an earlier date if the 
Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with other relevant heads of 
executive departments and agencies, determines it appropriate. To 
encourage full accountability for these actions, I have directed the 
Secretary of State and the Secretary of Commerce to submit periodic 
reports to me within 180 days of the date of this order and no less 
than every 180 days thereafter assessing the effectiveness of the 
tariffs described in this order and the ongoing conduct of the Maduro 
regime.
  My Administration will continue to consult with the Congress on our 
efforts to address the ongoing problems in Venezuela that undermine 
United States interests and look forward to working on these issues 
together.

[[Page H1271]]

  I am enclosing a copy of the Executive Order I have issued.
                                                     Donald J. Trump.  
The White House, March 25, 2025.

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