H.R. 920 would prohibit U.S. arms exports to Venezuelan security forces that are outside the control of the legitimate government of that country (as recognized by the United States). Every year since 2006, the Department of State has determined that Venezuela has not cooperated with U.S. counterterrorism efforts. As a result, U.S. defense articles and services cannot be exported to that country. Thus, CBO estimates that enacting the prohibition on arms exports in the bill would not affect the federal budget.
The bill also would require the department to report to the Congress on whether U.S. defense articles and services may have been transferred to Venezuelan security forces without the requisite license or authorization. Using information about the costs of similar reports, CBO estimates that satisfying the reporting requirements in H.R. 920 would cost less than $500,000 over the 2019‑2024 period; such spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.