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Venezuela Humanitarian Assistance and Defense of Democratic Governance Act of 2017

USA115th CongressHR-2658| House 
| Updated: 12/11/2017
Eliot L. Engel

Eliot L. Engel

Democratic Representative

New York

Cosponsors (23)
Daniel M. Donovan (Republican)Val Butler Demings (Democratic)Darren Soto (Democratic)Paul Cook (Republican)Jeff Duncan (Republican)Carlos Curbelo (Republican)Adriano Espaillat (Democratic)Ron DeSantis (Republican)Brendan F. Boyle (Democratic)Mario Diaz-Balart (Republican)Joaquin Castro (Democratic)Theodore E. Deutch (Democratic)Norma J. Torres (Democratic)Michael T. McCaul (Republican)Jamie Raskin (Democratic)Lois Frankel (Democratic)Albio Sires (Democratic)Charlie Crist (Democratic)Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (Republican)Zoe Lofgren (Democratic)Mike Coffman (Republican)Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Democratic)Gerald E. Connolly (Democratic)

Foreign Affairs Committee, Foreign Relations Committee, Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Venezuela Humanitarian Assistance and Defense of Democratic Governance Act of 2017 This bill directs the Department of State to work through nongovernmental organizations to provide public health commodities, basic food commodities, and related technical assistance to Venezuela. The State Department shall submit a multi-year strategy to Congress that: (1) describes how the United States will secure international support for the provision of humanitarian assistance to Venezuela, and (2) identifies governments that will provide financial and technical assistance. The President shall use U.S. influence to place the humanitarian and political crisis in Venezuela on the United Nations Security Council agenda and to secure a statement urging the Venezuelan government to allow the delivery of humanitarian relief. If the government of Venezuela refuses to allow such delivery, the President shall use U.S. influence to secure a U.N. Security Council resolution: (1) directing the government of Venezuela to allow access for humanitarian agencies; and (2) calling on such government to allow the delivery of food and medicine, end human rights violations, agree to free elections, cease violence, and release all political prisoners. The State Department shall work: (1) with the Organization of American States to ensure international observation that contributes to free and transparent electoral processes in Venezuela, and (2) to defend internationally recognized human rights for the people of Venezuela, support the efforts of independent media outlets to share information beyond the limited channels made available by the Venezuelan government, facilitate open access to the Internet, and combat government corruption. The State Department shall report to Congress regarding: (1) the involvement in corruption of senior Venezuelan officials, including members of the National Electoral Council, the judicial system, and government security forces; and (2) Russian cooperation with the government and armed forces of Venezuela. The bill amends the Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act of 2014 to: (1) direct the President to impose sanctions on any current or former official of the Venezuela government who is determined to have perpetrated significant acts of public corruption or actions or policies that undermine democratic processes or institutions, and (2) extend the requirement to impose sanctions under such Act until December 31, 2022.

Bill Text Versions

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3 versions available

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Timeline
May 25, 2017
Introduced in House
May 25, 2017
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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.
Sep 28, 2017
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Sep 28, 2017
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Dec 5, 2017
Mr. Royce (CA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Dec 5, 2017
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H9653-9659)
Dec 5, 2017
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2658.
Dec 5, 2017
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
Dec 7, 2017
Considered as unfinished business. (CR H9745-9746)
Dec 7, 2017
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 388 - 29 (Roll no. 671). (text: CR 12/5/2017 H9653-9656)
View Vote
Dec 7, 2017
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Dec 11, 2017
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
  • May 25, 2017
    Introduced in House


  • May 25, 2017
    Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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.


  • September 28, 2017
    Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Voice Vote.


  • September 28, 2017
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.


  • December 5, 2017
    Mr. Royce (CA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.


  • December 5, 2017
    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H9653-9659)


  • December 5, 2017
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2658.


  • December 5, 2017
    At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.


  • December 7, 2017
    Considered as unfinished business. (CR H9745-9746)


  • December 7, 2017
    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 388 - 29 (Roll no. 671). (text: CR 12/5/2017 H9653-9656)
    View Vote


  • December 7, 2017
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.


  • December 11, 2017
    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

International Affairs

Related Bills

  • S 115-1018: A bill to provide humanitarian assistance for the Venezuelan people, to defend democratic governance and combat widespread public corruption in Venezuela, and for other purposes.
Caribbean areaCongressional oversightDetention of personsDiplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroadDrug trafficking and controlled substancesElections, voting, political campaign regulationEnergy storage, supplies, demandFood assistance and reliefFood supply, safety, and labelingForeign aid and international reliefForeign and international corporationsForeign loans and debtGovernment ethics and transparency, public corruptionHuman rightsInternational organizations and cooperationInternet and video servicesInternet, web applications, social mediaJudicial procedure and administrationLatin AmericaMultilateral development programsNews media and reportingNutrition and dietOil and gasProtest and dissentRule of law and government transparencyRussiaSanctionsSovereignty, recognition, national governance and statusUnited NationsVenezuela

Venezuela Humanitarian Assistance and Defense of Democratic Governance Act of 2017

USA115th CongressHR-2658| House 
| Updated: 12/11/2017
Venezuela Humanitarian Assistance and Defense of Democratic Governance Act of 2017 This bill directs the Department of State to work through nongovernmental organizations to provide public health commodities, basic food commodities, and related technical assistance to Venezuela. The State Department shall submit a multi-year strategy to Congress that: (1) describes how the United States will secure international support for the provision of humanitarian assistance to Venezuela, and (2) identifies governments that will provide financial and technical assistance. The President shall use U.S. influence to place the humanitarian and political crisis in Venezuela on the United Nations Security Council agenda and to secure a statement urging the Venezuelan government to allow the delivery of humanitarian relief. If the government of Venezuela refuses to allow such delivery, the President shall use U.S. influence to secure a U.N. Security Council resolution: (1) directing the government of Venezuela to allow access for humanitarian agencies; and (2) calling on such government to allow the delivery of food and medicine, end human rights violations, agree to free elections, cease violence, and release all political prisoners. The State Department shall work: (1) with the Organization of American States to ensure international observation that contributes to free and transparent electoral processes in Venezuela, and (2) to defend internationally recognized human rights for the people of Venezuela, support the efforts of independent media outlets to share information beyond the limited channels made available by the Venezuelan government, facilitate open access to the Internet, and combat government corruption. The State Department shall report to Congress regarding: (1) the involvement in corruption of senior Venezuelan officials, including members of the National Electoral Council, the judicial system, and government security forces; and (2) Russian cooperation with the government and armed forces of Venezuela. The bill amends the Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act of 2014 to: (1) direct the President to impose sanctions on any current or former official of the Venezuela government who is determined to have perpetrated significant acts of public corruption or actions or policies that undermine democratic processes or institutions, and (2) extend the requirement to impose sanctions under such Act until December 31, 2022.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
3 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
May 25, 2017
Introduced in House
May 25, 2017
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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.
Sep 28, 2017
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Sep 28, 2017
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Dec 5, 2017
Mr. Royce (CA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Dec 5, 2017
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H9653-9659)
Dec 5, 2017
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2658.
Dec 5, 2017
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
Dec 7, 2017
Considered as unfinished business. (CR H9745-9746)
Dec 7, 2017
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 388 - 29 (Roll no. 671). (text: CR 12/5/2017 H9653-9656)
View Vote
Dec 7, 2017
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Dec 11, 2017
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
  • May 25, 2017
    Introduced in House


  • May 25, 2017
    Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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.


  • September 28, 2017
    Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Voice Vote.


  • September 28, 2017
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.


  • December 5, 2017
    Mr. Royce (CA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.


  • December 5, 2017
    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H9653-9659)


  • December 5, 2017
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2658.


  • December 5, 2017
    At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.


  • December 7, 2017
    Considered as unfinished business. (CR H9745-9746)


  • December 7, 2017
    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 388 - 29 (Roll no. 671). (text: CR 12/5/2017 H9653-9656)
    View Vote


  • December 7, 2017
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.


  • December 11, 2017
    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Eliot L. Engel

Eliot L. Engel

Democratic Representative

New York

Cosponsors (23)
Daniel M. Donovan (Republican)Val Butler Demings (Democratic)Darren Soto (Democratic)Paul Cook (Republican)Jeff Duncan (Republican)Carlos Curbelo (Republican)Adriano Espaillat (Democratic)Ron DeSantis (Republican)Brendan F. Boyle (Democratic)Mario Diaz-Balart (Republican)Joaquin Castro (Democratic)Theodore E. Deutch (Democratic)Norma J. Torres (Democratic)Michael T. McCaul (Republican)Jamie Raskin (Democratic)Lois Frankel (Democratic)Albio Sires (Democratic)Charlie Crist (Democratic)Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (Republican)Zoe Lofgren (Democratic)Mike Coffman (Republican)Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Democratic)Gerald E. Connolly (Democratic)

Foreign Affairs Committee, Foreign Relations Committee, Judiciary Committee

International Affairs

Related Bills

  • S 115-1018: A bill to provide humanitarian assistance for the Venezuelan people, to defend democratic governance and combat widespread public corruption in Venezuela, and for other purposes.
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Caribbean areaCongressional oversightDetention of personsDiplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroadDrug trafficking and controlled substancesElections, voting, political campaign regulationEnergy storage, supplies, demandFood assistance and reliefFood supply, safety, and labelingForeign aid and international reliefForeign and international corporationsForeign loans and debtGovernment ethics and transparency, public corruptionHuman rightsInternational organizations and cooperationInternet and video servicesInternet, web applications, social mediaJudicial procedure and administrationLatin AmericaMultilateral development programsNews media and reportingNutrition and dietOil and gasProtest and dissentRule of law and government transparencyRussiaSanctionsSovereignty, recognition, national governance and statusUnited NationsVenezuela