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United States · Resolution · HRES

H.Res. 851 (114th)

Expressing profound concern about the ongoing political, economic, social and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, urging the release of political prisoners, and calling for respect of constitutional and democratic processes.

passedUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

8 September 2016

Last action

27 September 2016 · Floor

Status

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

Sponsors

Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25], Rep. Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana [R-FL-27], Rep. Duncan, Jeff [R-SC-3], Rep. Sires, Albio [D-NJ-13], Rep. Royce, Edward R. [R-CA-39], Rep. Deutch, Theodore E. [D-FL-22], Rep. Hastings, Alcee L. [D-FL-20], Carlos Curbelo, Rep. McCaul, Michael T. [R-TX-10], Rep. DeSantis, Ron [R-FL-6], Rep. Engel, Eliot L. [D-NY-16], Rep. Frankel, Lois [D-FL-22], Rep. Cicilline, David N. [D-RI-1], Rep. Buchanan, Vern [R-FL-16], Rep. Lowenthal, Alan S. [D-CA-47], Rep. Grayson, Alan [D-FL-9], Rep. Murphy, Patrick [D-FL-18], Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12], Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24], Rep. Yoho, Ted S. [R-FL-3], Rep. Castro, Joaquin [D-TX-20], Rep. Diaz-Balart, Mario [R-FL-26], Rep. Poe, Ted [R-TX-2], Rep. Salmon, Matt [R-AZ-5], Rep. Donovan, Daniel M., Jr. [R-NY-11], Rep. Love, Mia B. [R-UT-4], Rep. Rooney, Thomas J. [R-FL-17]

Subjects

Rule of law

Source updated

5 December 2025

Rule of law

Official sourceDownload fileView documentsShare

Summary

Expresses concern about: (1) widespread shortages of essential medicines and basic food products faced by the people of Venezuela and urges President Maduro to permit the delivery of humanitarian assistance; and (2) the Venezuelan executive's lack of respect for the principle of separation of powers, its overreliance on emergency decree powers, and its subjugation of judicial independence. Expresses support for meaningful efforts towards a dialogue that leads to respect for Venezuela's constitutional mechanisms and resolves the country's political, economic, social, and humanitarian crisis. Calls on: (1) the government of Venezuela to immediately release all political prisoners, to provide protections for freedom of expression and assembly, and to respect internationally recognized human rights; and (2) such government and security forces to respect the Constitution of Venezuela, including constitutional provisions that provide Venezuelan citizens with the right to peacefully pursue a fair and timely recall referendum for their president this year if they so choose. Stresses the urgency of strengthening the rule of law and increasing efforts to combat impunity and public corruption in Venezuela. Affirms the support of the House of Representatives for OAS Secretary General Almagro's invocation of Article 20 of the Inter-American Democratic Charter and urges the OAS Permanent Council, which represents all of the organization's member states, to undertake a collective assessment of the constitutional and democratic order in Venezuela. Urges the President of the United States to provide full support for OAS efforts in favor of constitutional and democratic solutions to the political impasse, and to instruct appropriate federal agencies to hold officials of the Venezuelan government accountable for violations of U.S. law and abuses of internationally recognized human rights.

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

Timeline

  1. 8 September 2016

    Introduced

    Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 8 September 2016

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 8 September 2016

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 27 September 2016

    Passed

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

    Source: Floor

  5. 27 September 2016

    Passed

    On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection. (text: CR H5947-5948)

    Source: Floor

  6. 27 September 2016

    Passed

    Passed/agreed to in House: On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.(text: CR H5947-5948)

    Source: Floor

  7. 27 September 2016

    Discharge

    Committee on Foreign Affairs discharged. (consideration: CR H5947-5949)

    Source: Discharge

  8. 27 September 2016

    Committee

    Committee on Foreign Affairs discharged.(consideration: CR H5947-5949)

    Source: Committee

  9. 27 September 2016

    Floor

    Ms. Ros-Lehtinen asked unanimous consent to discharge from committee and consider.

    Source: Floor

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

Documents

6 official files

Engrossed in House (text)

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Leesvertaling

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  • Engrossed in House (text)

    Engrossed in House · EN · 27 September 2016

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  • Engrossed in House (PDF)

    Engrossed in House · EN · 27 September 2016

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  • Passed House amended

    summary · EN · 27 September 2016

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  • Introduced in House (text)

    Introduced in House · EN · 8 September 2016

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  • Introduced in House (PDF)

    Introduced in House · EN · 8 September 2016

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  • Introduced in House

    summary · EN · 8 September 2016

    Open at official source

    Leesvertaling

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Sponsors

Related records

Sources

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