Congress·In Committee·S. 3981

Sen. Van Hollen and McConnell Introduce Bill to Sanction Burma’s Military and Jet Fuel Industry

BRAVE Burma Act

15 days ago·View on Congress.gov

Legislative Progress

Senate

House

President

Law

Key Points

The bill extends the sunset date of the existing Burma sanctions law from 8 years to 10 years, ensuring the U.S. can continue pressuring Burma's military government for an additional two years beyond the original timeline.
Within 180 days of enactment and annually for 7 years, the President must determine whether Burma's state-owned enterprises, the Myanma Economic Bank, and anyone operating in Burma's jet fuel sector should face sanctions. Targeting jet fuel aims to cut off the military's ability to conduct airstrikes on civilians.
From policy text
“Any foreign person that the President determines operates in the jet fuel sector of the Burmese economy, including through activities such as the provision of financial services or the importation, exportation, reexportation, sale, supply, trade, storage, or transport, directly or indirectly, of jet fuel in Burma.”
View in full text
The bill creates a Special Envoy for Burma at the rank of ambassador, responsible for coordinating all U.S. policy on Burma including sanctions, humanitarian aid, and diplomacy with allies and neighboring countries to restore civilian democratic government.
From policy text
“The Special Envoy should develop a comprehensive strategy for the implementation of the full range of United States diplomatic capabilities to promote the restoration of peace and a civilian-led democratic government in Burma.”
View in full text
U.S. officials at the International Monetary Fund would be directed to vote against increasing Burma's shareholding as long as the military junta remains in power, though the President can waive this if it's in the national interest.
From policy text
“The Secretary of the Treasury shall instruct the United States Executive Director at the International Monetary Fund to use the voice and vote of the United States, when assessing potential changes to any shareholding formula in connection with a governance review of the Fund, to limit, as appropriate, an increase to the shareholding of Burma”
View in full text

National Security Foreign Policy

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions

Mar 4, 2026Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Mar 4, 2026

Introduced in Senate

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

180 days after enactment

President must make first determination on whether Burma's state enterprises and jet fuel sector players should face sanctions

This is the first concrete deadline where new sanctions could be imposed on entities funding Burma's military, potentially disrupting jet fuel supply used in airstrikes on civilians

Within months of enactment

Special Envoy for Burma is appointed

An ambassador-level diplomat would begin coordinating all U.S. Burma policy, including sanctions enforcement, humanitarian assistance, and multilateral pressure campaigns against the military junta

Related News

6 articles

Mizzima·about 1 month ago

BRI applauds the US House's passage of BRAVE Burma Act

On February 9, 2026, the US House unanimously passed the BRAVE Burma Act (H.R. 3190). Key provisions include extending sanctions through 2032, requiring annual determinations on sanctions for the Myanma Economic Bank and jet fuel sector, and mandating a Special Envoy for Burma with ambassador rank.

C+

Daily Sun·about 1 month ago

US House passes BRAVE Burma Act tightening sanctions on junta

The US House of Representatives passed the bipartisan BRAVE Burma Act to tighten pressure on Myanmar's military junta. The bill requires annual presidential reviews of sanctions on state-owned enterprises and the jet-fuel sector while establishing a high-level Special Envoy for Myanmar.

Modern Diplomacy·8 days ago

Beyond the BRAVE Burma Act: US Myanmar Policy at a Crossroads

The BRAVE Burma Act, recently introduced in the Senate after passing the House, proposes significantly tightening sanctions against the junta. It targets the Myanmar Oil & Gas Enterprise and the Myanma Economic Bank, aiming to restrict the military's financial system and access to aviation fuel.

CR~