A committee of the US House of Representatives has called on the Secretary of State to submit a report outlining efforts to support a democratic transition in Nicaragua within 90 days of the enactment of the relevant fiscal year 2027 appropriations legislation.
The request was contained in a new report by the House Appropriations Committee on fiscal year 2027 appropriations.
“Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations a report on efforts to support a democratic transition in Nicaragua,” the committee said.
The proposed report is expected to address several areas that the committee identified as central to a democratic transition in Nicaragua. These include the restoration of fundamental freedoms, independent institutions, human rights and religious liberty.
The committee also wants the US State Department to provide details of measures aimed at reducing Nicaragua's dependence on China, as well as identify the conditions it considers necessary for the holding of “credible, free, and fair elections.”
In its report, the committee said continued repression, authoritarian consolidation and what it described as “sham electoral processes” should not be accepted as alternatives to democratic governance.
The committee also expressed support for continued US funding for democracy programmes in Nicaragua, indicating that such programmes should remain part of Washington's broader engagement with the country.
The congressional action comes amid increased tensions between the United States and Nicaragua, particularly following constitutional reforms approved by Nicaragua's National Assembly in the first of two legislative votes required for the changes to take effect.
The proposed constitutional reforms include changes to the country's presidential term. Under the reforms, the presidential term would increase from five years to seven years, according to the information provided.
The reforms would also give authorities the ability to bar individuals considered to have acted against the country from participating in elections.
Another significant aspect of the proposed changes concerns the distribution of political power. The reforms would further strengthen the powers of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and his wife and co-president, Rosario Murillo.
The proposed constitutional changes have attracted international attention because of their potential implications for Nicaragua's political system and the balance of power within the government.
The latest move by the US House committee forms part of broader efforts by Washington to increase pressure on the Ortega-Murillo government.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has separately called on US partners to end what he described as “business as usual” with the Nicaraguan government.
Rubio has also said that Washington would work through the Organization of American States (OAS) to increase international pressure on Managua.
The United States has increasingly focused its diplomatic efforts on Nicaragua's political situation, with American officials calling for greater international engagement and measures aimed at supporting democratic institutions and political freedoms.
The House committee's proposed reporting requirement would give Congress information on the State Department's efforts, including its approach to human rights, political institutions, religious liberty and electoral conditions.
The report would also require the administration to outline measures concerning Nicaragua's relationship with China, reflecting a broader US interest in the country's external economic and political partnerships.
For the State Department, the requested report would provide Congress with an opportunity to assess the administration's diplomatic and development programmes relating to Nicaragua and its stated objective of supporting a democratic transition.
The congressional action comes as Nicaragua's government continues with the process of considering its proposed constitutional reforms. The reforms require another legislative vote before they can be fully adopted.
The developments have placed Nicaragua's political system and future electoral arrangements under renewed international scrutiny. Washington's position, as reflected in the committee report and statements from US officials, is that greater international pressure and support for democratic programmes should accompany efforts to address concerns about political freedoms and electoral processes.
The proposed 90-day reporting requirement will take effect only following enactment of the relevant appropriations legislation. If enacted, the Secretary of State would then be required to submit the requested assessment to the House Appropriations Committee and its Senate counterpart within the specified period.
