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United States · Law · S

S. 2142 (113th)

Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act of 2014

enactedUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

13 March 2014

Last action

18 December 2014 · President

Status

Became Public Law No: 113-278.

Sponsors

Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ], Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL], Sen. Nelson, Bill [D-FL], Sen. Kirk, Mark Steven [R-IL], Sen. McCain, John [R-AZ]

Subjects

Defence, Rule of law

Source updated

7 April 2025

Defence · Rule of law

Summary

Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act of 2014 - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the United States aspires to a mutually beneficial relationship with Venezuela based on respect for human rights and the rule of law, and a productive relationship on issues of public security; (2) the United States supports the efforts of the people of Venezuela to realize their economic potential and advance representative democracy; (3) the government of Venezuela's mismanagement of its economy has produced conditions of economic hardship; (4) the government's failure to guarantee public security has led Venezuela to become one of the most violent countries in the world; (5) the government continues to remove checks and balances on the executive, politicize the judiciary, undermine the independence of the legislature, persecute its political opponents, curtail freedom of the press, and limit the free expression of its citizens; (6) the people of Venezuela have turned out in demonstrations throughout the country to protest the government's inability to ensure the political and economic well-being of its citizens; and (7) the use of violence by the National Guard and security personnel is intolerable and the use of unprovoked violence by protesters is also a matter of serious concern. States that it is U.S. policy to: (1) support the development of democratic political processes and independent civil society in Venezuela, (2) ensure the peaceful resolution of the current situation in Venezuela, and (3) hold accountable government and security officials in Venezuela responsible for the use of force in relation to the antigovernment protests that began on February 4, 2014. Directs the President to impose asset blocking and U.S. exclusion sanctions against any person, including a current or former government of Venezuela official or a person acting on behalf of such government, who has: (1) perpetrated or is responsible for otherwise directing significant acts of violence or serious human rights abuses against persons associated with the antigovernment protests in Venezuela that began on February 4, 2014; (2) directed or ordered the arrest or prosecution of a person primarily because of the person's legitimate exercise of freedom of expression or assembly; or (3) materially assisted or provided significant financial, material, or technological support for the commission of such acts. Sets forth related penalty requirements. States that U.S. exclusion sanctions shall not apply if necessary to permit the United States to comply with the Agreement regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations or other applicable international obligations. Authorizes the President to waive sanctions if in the U.S. national security interests, and with congressional notification. Directs: (1) the Secretary of State to take specified actions to support civil society in Venezuela, and (2) the President to submit a strategy to Congress to carry out such activities.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

  1. 13 March 2014

    Introduced

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 13 March 2014

    Introduced

    Introduced in Senate

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 20 May 2014

    Reported

    Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.

    Source: Committee

  4. 22 May 2014

    Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 401.

    Source: Calendars

  5. 22 May 2014

    Reported

    Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Menendez with amendments. With written report No. 113-175.

    Source: Committee

  6. 22 May 2014

    Reported

    Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Menendez with amendments. With written report No. 113-175.

    Source: Committee

  7. 8 December 2014

    Floor

    Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S6396-6398)

    Source: Floor

  8. 8 December 2014

    Passed

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.(text: CR S6396-6398)

    Source: Floor

  9. 9 December 2014

    Floor

    Held at the desk.

    Source: Floor

  10. 9 December 2014

    Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

    Source: Floor

  11. 9 December 2014

    Floor

    Received in the House.

    Source: Floor

  12. 10 December 2014

    Passed

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

    Source: Floor

  13. 10 December 2014

    Passed

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H9020-9021)

    Source: Floor

  14. 10 December 2014

    Passed

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H9020-9021)

    Source: Floor

  15. 10 December 2014

    Floor

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 2142.

    Source: Floor

  16. 10 December 2014

    Floor

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H9020-9023)

    Source: Floor

  17. 10 December 2014

    Floor

    Ms. Ros-Lehtinen moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

    Source: Floor

  18. 12 December 2014

    Floor

    Presented to President.

    Source: Floor

  19. 12 December 2014

    President

    Presented to President.

    Source: President

  20. 18 December 2014

    Became law

    Became Public Law No: 113-278.

    Source: President

  21. 18 December 2014

    Became law

    Signed by President.

    Source: BecameLaw

  22. 18 December 2014

    President

    Signed by President.

    Source: President

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

Documents

15 official files

Enrolled Bill (text)

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Leesvertaling

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  • Enrolled Bill (text)

    Enrolled Bill · EN

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  • Enrolled Bill (PDF)

    Enrolled Bill · EN

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  • Public Law (text)

    Public Law · EN · 19 December 2014

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  • Public Law (PDF)

    Public Law · EN · 19 December 2014

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  • Public Law

    summary · EN · 18 December 2014

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  • Passed House without amendment

    summary · EN · 10 December 2014

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  • Engrossed in Senate (text)

    Engrossed in Senate · EN · 8 December 2014

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  • Engrossed in Senate (PDF)

    Engrossed in Senate · EN · 8 December 2014

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  • Passed Senate amended

    summary · EN · 8 December 2014

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  • Reported to Senate (text)

    Reported to Senate · EN · 22 May 2014

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  • Reported to Senate (PDF)

    Reported to Senate · EN · 22 May 2014

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  • Reported to Senate with amendment(s)

    summary · EN · 22 May 2014

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  • Introduced in Senate (text)

    Introduced in Senate · EN · 13 March 2014

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  • Introduced in Senate (PDF)

    Introduced in Senate · EN · 13 March 2014

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  • Introduced in Senate

    summary · EN · 13 March 2014

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