A resolution 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.

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 Senate's support 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. 14 July 2016

   Introduced

   Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S5172-5173)

   Source: IntroReferral

2. 14 July 2016

   Introduced

   Introduced in Senate

   Source: IntroReferral

3. 6 December 2016

   Reported

   Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

   Source: Committee

4. 7 December 2016

   Calendars

   Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 708.

   Source: Calendars

5. 7 December 2016

   Reported

   Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Corker with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title and with an amended preamble. Without written report.

   Source: Committee

6. 7 December 2016

   Reported

   Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Corker with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title and with an amended preamble. Without written report.

   Source: Committee

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

• Reported to Senate · 7 December 2016 · Official file
• Introduced in Senate · 14 July 2016 · Official file

Documents

6 official files

• Reported to Senate (text)

  Reported to Senate · EN · 7 December 2016

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Reported to Senate (PDF)

  Reported to Senate · EN · 7 December 2016

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Reported to Senate with amendment(s)

  summary · EN · 7 December 2016

  Open at official source

• Introduced in Senate (text)

  Introduced in Senate · EN · 14 July 2016

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in Senate (PDF)

  Introduced in Senate · EN · 14 July 2016

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 14 July 2016

  Open at official source

Sponsors

• Rep. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD-3] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL] · R · Sponsor
• Richard Durbin · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ] · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Nelson, Bill [D-FL-11] · D · Sponsor
• Timothy Kaine · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Kirk, Mark Steven [R-IL] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Gardner, Cory [R-CO] · R · Sponsor
• Rep. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA-6] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Blunt, Roy [R-MO] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Perdue, David [R-GA] · R · Cosponsor
• · ssfr00 · Standing

Related records

• related to → 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.