Congress·In Committee·H.R. 6980

NOVA Act of 2026

Congress proposes ban on federal funds for any U.S. occupation or control of Venezuela

Jan 8·View on Congress.gov·Read full text

Next up: A house committeeNo action in 6 months

The NOVA Act of 2026 is currently in the House Foreign Affairs and Armed Services committees. Nothing has happened with this bill since it was introduced in January 2026, meaning it has been stalled for five months. Most bills like this do not receive a committee vote and do not move forward.

Legislative Progress

House

Senate

President

Law

Key Points

Would block federal money from being used to support any claim that the U.S. controls Venezuela or its resources, including using U.S. troops there for that purpose.
Still allows the President to buy or trade for property in Venezuela if Venezuela agrees, when it would be used for a U.S. embassy or consulate.
Lets the U.S. keep using and holding title to U.S.-owned property in Venezuela for embassy or consulate use, if the President officially designates it.
Says the ban does not apply to U.S. property in Venezuela that the U.S. already owned before January 1, 2026.
Clarifies that the funding ban should not be read as limiting emergency humanitarian aid.

Foreign PolicyNational Security

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

How this policy affects specific groups of people

Mixed Impacts(2)

Immigrant

Neutral

Federal Employee

Neutral

Positive Impacts(1)

Military Active

Helps

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions

Jan 8, 2026House

Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.

Jan 8, 2026

Introduced in House

The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

NOVA Act of 2026

Bill NumberHR 6980

Congress119th Congress

ChamberHouse of Representatives

Latest ActionReferred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.