U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE

35–603 PDF WASHINGTON : 2019

Markup: H.R. 920, Venezuela Arms 

Restriction Act; H.R. 854, 

Humanitarian Assistance to the 

Venezuelan People Act of 2019; H.R. 

1477, Russian-Venezuelan Threat 

Mitigation Act, H.R. 1616, European 

Energy Security and Diversification 

Act of 2019 

HEARING 

BEFORE THE

COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

ONE HUNDRED SIXTEENTH CONGRESS 

FIRST SESSION 

March 14, 2019 

Serial No. 116–15 

Printed for the use of the Committee on Foreign Affairs 

( 

Available: http://www.foreignaffairs.house.gov/, http://docs.house.gov, 

or http://www.govinfo.gov 
(II) 

COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS 

ELIOT L. ENGEL, New York, Chairman 

BRAD SHERMAN, California 

GREGORY W. MEEKS, New York 

ALBIO SIRES, New Jersey 

GERALD E. CONNOLLY, Virginia 

THEODORE E. DEUTCH, Florida 

KAREN BASS, California 

WILLIAM KEATING, Massachusetts 

DAVID CICILLINE, Rhode Island 

AMI BERA, California 

JOAQUIN CASTRO, Texas 

DINA TITUS, Nevada 

ADRIANO ESPAILLAT, New York 

TED LIEU, California 

SUSAN WILD, Pennsylvania 

DEAN PHILLPS, Minnesota 

ILHAN OMAR, Minnesota 

COLIN ALLRED, Texas 

ANDY LEVIN, Michigan 

ABIGAIL SPANBERGER, Virginia 

CHRISSY HOULAHAN, Pennsylvania 

TOM MALINOWSKI, New Jersey 

DAVID TRONE, Maryland 

JIM COSTA, California 

JUAN VARGAS, California 

VICENTE GONZALEZ, Texas 

MICHAEL T. MCCAUL, Texas, Ranking 

Member 

CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH, New Jersey 

STEVE CHABOT, Ohio 

JOE WILSON, South Carolina 

SCOTT PERRY, Pennsylvania 

TED S. YOHO, Florida 

ADAM KINZINGER, Illinois 

LEE ZELDIN, New York 

JIM SENSENBRENNER, Wisconsin 

ANN WAGNER, Missouri 

BRIAN MAST, Florida 

FRANCIS ROONEY, Florida 

BRIAN FITZPATRICK, Pennsylvania 

JOHN CURTIS, Utah 

KEN BUCK, Colorado 

RON WRIGHT, Texas 

GUY RESCHENTHALER, Pennsylvania 

TIM BURCHETT, Tennessee 

GREG PENCE, Indiana 

STEVE WATKINS, Kansas 

MIKE GUEST, Mississippi 

JASON STEINBAUM, Staff Director 

BRENDAN SHIELDS, Republican Staff Director 
(III) 

C O N T E N T S 

Page 

BILLS AND AMENDMENTS OFFERED EN BLOC 

H.R. 920, the Venezuela Arms Restriction Act, with the Engel Amendment 

in the Nature of a Substitute .................................................................................. 2, 8 

H.R. 854, the Humanitarian Assistance to the Venezuelan People Act of 

2019 with the Engel Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute and with 

the Levin Amendment ................................................................................... 14, 22, 28 

H.R. 1477, the Russian-Venezuelan Threat Mitigation Act with the Engel 

Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute......................................................... 29, 36 

H.R. 1616, the European Energy Security and Diversification Act of 2019 

with the Keating Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute........................... 43, 54 

APPENDIX 

Hearing Notice ......................................................................................................... 69 

Hearing Minutes ...................................................................................................... 70 

Hearing Attendance ................................................................................................. 71 

STATEMENTS FOR THE RECORD 

Markup Summary .................................................................................................... 72 

Statement for the record from Representative Sires ............................................ 73 

Statement for the record from Representative McCaul ........................................ 74 

Statement for the record from Representative Castro ......................................... 76 

Statement for the record from Representative Wilson ......................................... 78 

(1) 

MARKUP OF: H.R. 920, VENEZUELA ARMS RESTRICTION ACT; H.R. 854, HUMANITARIAN 

ASSISTANCE TO THE VENEZUELAN PEOPLE 

ACT OF 2019; H.R. 1477, RUSSIAN-VENEZUELAN THREAT MITIGATION ACT; AND 

H.R. 1616, EUROPEAN ENERGY SECURITY 

AND DIVERSIFICATION ACT OF 2019 

THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 2019 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 

COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS, 

Washington, DC 

The committee met, pursuant to notice, at 9:45 a.m., in Room 

2172 Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. Eliot Engel (chairman 

of the committee) presiding. 

Chairman ENGEL. So if we could get started. I do not think this 

will last very long. I know that we are going to have a vote on the 

House floor sometime this morning. 

So I would ask if we could keep our statements brief and we can 

finish and then go to the floor for a vote, and I understand that 

there will be no votes in the afternoon. So I think that is a good 

thing for the schedule. 

So let me call the committee to order and pursuant to notice, we 

meet today to markup four bipartisan measures. Without objection, 

all members may have 5 days to submit statements or extraneous 

materials on today’s business. 

As members were notified yesterday, we intend to consider today’s measures en bloc. The measures are H.R. 920, the Venezuela 

Arms Restriction Act, with the Engel Amendment in the nature of 

a substitute; H.R. 854, the Humanitarian Assistance to the Venezuelan People Act of 2019 with the Engel Amendment in the nature of a substitute and with the Levin Amendment; H.R. 1477, the 

Russian-Venezuelan Threat Mitigation Act with the Engel Amendment in the nature of a substitute; and H.R. 1616, the European 

Energy Security and Diversification Act of 2019 with the Keating 

Amendment in the nature of a substitute. 

[The Bills and Amendments offered en bloc follows:] 
2 

116TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H.R.920 

To restrict the transfer of defense articles, defenst> St'IYices, and crime control 

articles to an~' element of the security forces of Venezuela that is undt'r 

the authority of a gowrnment of Venezuela that is not recognized as 

the legitimate gowrmnent of YenezuPia by the Gow~rmnent of the United 

States, and for other puqJOses. 

IN THBJ HOUSE OP REPRESEXTATIVES 

JA."lTARY 30, 2019 

A'ls. SJIAI.u<\LA (for herself, i\ir. DL<\Z-BALART, 1\Is. WASSERMAX SCHULTZ, 

Miss GoxzALEZ-COLOX of Puerto Rico, 1\lr. SOTO, 1\'lrs. l\IURPHY, Ms. 

i\:IrCARSEIA'oWELL, and 1\'lr. SIRES) introduced the following bill; which 

was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs 

A BILL 

To restrict the transfer of defense articles, defense services, 

and m·ime control articles to any clement of the security 

forces of Venezuela that is under the authority of a 

government of Venezuela that is not recognized as the 

legitimate government of Venezuela by the Government 

of the United States, and for other purposes, 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 lives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

4 This Act may be cited as the "Venezuela Arms Re5 stricti on Act". 
3 

2 

SEC. 2. RESTRICTION ON EXPORT OF COVERED ARTICLES 

2 

3 

AND SERVICES TO CERTAIN SECURITY 

FORCES OF VENEZUELA. 

4 Notwithstanding any other provision of law, covered 

5 articles or services may not be e}q)orted from the United 

6 States to any element of the security forces of Venezuela 

7 that is under the authority of a government of Venezuela 

8 that is not recognized as the legitimate government of 

9 Venezuela by the Government of the United States. 

10 SEC. 3. REPORT. 

11 (a) IK GEKERAh-Not later than 180 days after the 

12 date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, 

13 in consultation with the Secretary of Cmmnerce as appro14 priate, shall submit to the appropriate congressional com15 mittees a report on the transfer by foreign persons of cov16 creel articles or services to clements of the security forces 

17 of Venezuela that are under the authority of a government 

18 of V enczuela that is not recognized as the legitimate gov19 ernment of Venezuela by the Government of the United 

20 States. 

21 (b) lVlATTERS To BE lNCI;UDED.-Thc report re22 quired by subsection (a) shall include the following: 

23 (1) A list of all significant transfers by foreign 

24 persons of covered articles or services to such ele25 ments of the security forces of Venezuela since July 

26 2017. 

•HR 920 m 
4 

3 

1 (2) A list of all foreign persons vvho maintain 

2 an existing defense relationship with such elements 

3 of the security forces of Venezuela. 

4 (3) Any known use of covered articles or serv5 ices by such elements of the security forces of Ven6 ezuela or associated forces, ineluding paramilitary 

7 groups, that have coordinated with such security 

8 forces to assault, intimidate, or murder political ac9 tivists, protesters, dissidents, and other civil society 

10 leaders. 

11 SEC. 4. TERMINATION. 

12 This Act shall expire on the earlier of13 (1) the date that is 3 years after the date of the 

14 enactment of this Act; or 

15 (2) the date on which the President certifies to 

16 the appropriate congTessioual committees that the 

17 Government of Venezuela has returned to a demo18 cratic form of government w1th respect for the es19 sential elements of representative democracy as set 

20 forth in Article 3 of the Inter-American Democratic 

21 Charter. 

22 SEC. 5. DEFINITIONS. 

23 In this Act: 

•HR 920 m 
5 

4 

(1) APPIWPRL\TE CONGHESSIONAL Co:\fl\fiT2 TEJ<}S.-'l'he term "appropriate congressional com3 mittees" means4 (A) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and 

5 the Committee on Financial Services of the 

6 House of Representatives; and 

7 (B) the Committee on Foreign Relations 

8 and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and 

9 Urban Mfairs of the Senate. 

10 (2) COVERED AHTICLE OH SEHVICE.-Thc term 

11 "covered article or servicc"-

12 (A) for purposes of section 2, mcans13 (i) a defense article or defense service, 

14 as such terms are defined in section 4 7 of 

15 the Arms E:J..l)Ort Control Act (22 U.S.C. 

16 2794); and 

17 (ii) any article included on the Com18 mcrce Control List set forth in Supplement 

19 No. 1 to part 774 of the E:J..1)0rt Adminis20 tration Regulations under subchapter C of 

21 chapter VII of title 15, Code of Federal 

22 Regulations, and controlled for crime con23 trol purposes, if it is determined that the 

24 end-user is likely to usc the article to vio-

•HR 920 m 
6 

5 

late the human rights of the citizens of 

2 Venezuela; and 

3 (B) for purposes of section 3, mcans4 (i) any defense article or defense serv5 ice of the t:n)e described in section 4 7 of 

6 the Arms Export Control Act; and 

7 (ii) an~' article of the type included on 

8 the Commerce Control !Jist set forth in 

9 Supplement No. 1 to part 77 4 of the Ex10 port Administration Reg11lations and con11 trolled for crime control purposes. 

12 (3) FOREIG!\' PERSO~.-Thc term "foreign pcr13 son" means a person that is not a United States 

14 person. 

15 (4) PEnsox.-The term "person" means an in16 dividual or entity. 

17 (5) SECt;RITY FORCES OF VE!\'EZUELA.-The 

18 term "security forces of Venezuela" includes19 (A) the Bolivarian National Armed Forces, 

20 including the Bolivarian National Guard; 

21 

22 

23 

(B) the Bolivarian National Intelligence 

Service; 

(C) the Bolivarian National Police; and 

•HR 920 m 
7 

1 

2 

3 

4 

6 

(D) the Bureau for Scientific, Criminal 

and Forensic Investigations of the Ministry of 

Interior, ,Justice, and Peace. 

(6) UNITED STATES PlmSOK-The term 

5 "United States person" means6 (A) a United States citizen or an alien law7 fully admitted for permanent residence to the 

8 United States; or 

9 (B) an entity organized under the laws of 

10 the United States or of any jurisdiction 'vithin 

11 the United States, including a forei6l11 branch of 

12 such an entity. 

0 

•HR o2o m 
8 

G:\M\16\ENGEL\ENGEL_03l.XML 

AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE 

TOH.R.920 

OFFERED BY MR. ENGEL OF NEW YORK 

Strike all after the enacting elause and insert the 

following: 

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

2 This Act may be cited as the "Venezuela Arms Re3 stricti on Act". 

4 SEC. 2. RESTRICTION ON EXPORT OF COVERED ARTICLES 

5 AND SERVICES TO CERTAIN SECURITY 

6 FORCESOFVENEZUE~ 

7 (a) IN GEXEHAL.-Notwithstanding any other provi8 sion of law, covered articles or services may not be ex9 ported from the United States to any element of the secu10 rity forces of Venezuela that is under the authority of a 

11 government of Venezuela that is not reCObl'Jlized as the le12 gitimate government of Venezuela by the Government of 

13 the United States. 

14 (b) REPORT.-Not later than 180 days after the date 

15 of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, iu con16 sultation with the Secretary of Commerce and the heads 

17 of other departments and agencies as appropr·iate, shallg:IVHLC\030819\030819.060.xml 

March 8, 2019 (10:51 a.m.) 

(72060011) 
9 

G:\M\ 16\ENGEL\ENGEL_031.XML 

2 

(1) determine, using such information that is 

2 available to the Secretary of State, whether any cov3 ered article or service has been transferred since 

4 July 2017 to the security forces of Venezuela with5 out a license or other authorization as required by 

6 law; and 

7 (2) submit such determination in \\Titing to the 

8 appropriate congressional committees. 

9 SEC. 3. REPORT. 

10 (a) IN GE:\'ERAI,.-N"ot later than 180 days after the 

11 date of the enactment of this Aet, the Secretary of State, 

12 in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce as appro13 priatc, shall submit to the appropriate congTessional com14 mittees a report on the transfer by foreign persons of cov15 ered articles or services to clements of the security forces 

16 of Venezuela that arc under the authority of a government 

17 of Venezuela that is not recognized as the legitimate goYIS ermnent of Venezuela by the Government of the United 

19 States. 

20 (b) 1\lATTERS To BE ll'\CLUDED.-The report re21 quired by subsection (a) shall include the following: 

22 (1) A list of all significant transfet·s by foreign 

23 persons of covered articles or services to such ele24 ments of the security forces of Venezuela since July 

25 2017. 

g:\VHLC\030819\030819.060.xml 

March 8, 2019 (10:51 a.m.) 

(72060011) 
10 

G:\M\16\ENGEL\ENGEL_031.XML 

3 

(2) A list of all forei!-,'11 persons who maintain 

2 an existing defense relationship with such elements 

3 of the security forces of Venezuela. 

4 (3) Any lmmm use of coYered articles or serv5 ices by such clements of the security forces of Ven6 ezucla or associated forces, including paramilitary 

7 groups, that have coordinated \\ith such security 

8 forces to assault, intimidate, or murder political ac9 ti>ists, protesters, dissidents, and other civil society 

10 leaders, including Juan Guaido. 

11 SEC. 4. TERMINATION. 

12 This Act shall expire on the earlier of13 (1) the date that is 3 years after the date of the 

14 enactment of this Aet; or 

15 (2) the date on which the President certifies to 

16 the appropriate congressional eommittees that the 

1 7 Government of V cneznela has returned to a demo18 cratic form of goYernmcnt with respect for the es19 sential elements of representative democracy as set 

20 forth in Article 3 of the Inter-American Democratic 

21 Charter. 

22 SEC. 5. DEFINITIONS. 

23 In this Act: 

g:IVHLC\030819\030819.060.xml 

March 8, 2019 (10:51 a.m.) 

(72060011) 
11 

G:\M\16\ENGELIENGEL_031.XML 

4 

(1) APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL COl\Il\IIT2 TEES.-'fhe term "appropriate congressional com3 mittees" means4 (A) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and 

5 the Committee on Financial Services of the. 

6 House of Representatives; and 

7 (B) the Committee on Foreign Relations 

8 and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and 

9 Urban Mfairs of the Senate. 

10 (2) C0\1~IUm AHTICLE OH SEH\'ICE.-The term 

11 "covered article or service"-

12 (A) for purposes of section 2, means13 (i) a defense article or defense service, 

14 as such terms are defined in section 4 7 of 

15 the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 

16 2794); and 

17 (ii) any article included on the Com18 merce Control List set forth in Supplement 

19 No. 1 to part 774 of the E},.l)Ort Adminis20 tration Regulations under subchapter C of 

21 chapter V1I of title 15, Code of Federal 

22 Regulations, and controlled for crime con23 trol purposes, if it is determined that the 

24 end-user is likely to use the article to viog:\VHLC\030819\030819.060.xml 

March 8, 2019 (10:51 a.m.) 

(72060011) 
12 

G:\M\16\ENGEL\ENGEL_03!.XML 

5 

late the human rights of the citizens of 

2 Venezuela; and 

3 (B) for purposes of section 3, means4 (i) any defense article or defense serv5 ice of the t~ve described in section 4 7 of 

6 the Arms Export Control Act; aml 

7 (ii) any article of the t31)e included on 

8 the Commerce Control I~ist set forth in 

9 Supplement No. 1 to part 774 of the Ex-

] 0 port Administration Regulations and con11 trolled for crime control purposes. 

12 (3) FOREIGX PERSOK-'l'he term "foreign per13 son" means a person that is not a United States 

14 person. 

15 (4) PERSO:\'.-'l'he term "person" means an in16 dividual or entity. 

17 (5) SECURITY PORCES OP VENEZUELA.-'l'he 

18 term "security forces of Venezuela" includes19 (A) the Bolivarian National Armed Forces, 

20 including the Bolivarian National Guard; 

21 

22 

23 

g:\VHLC\030819\030819.060.xml 

March 8, 2019 (10:51 a.m.) 

(B) the Bolivarian National Intelligence 

Service; 

(C) the Bolivarian National Police; and 

(72060011) 
13 

G:\M\ 16\ENGEL\ENGEL_03l.XML 

2 

3 

4 

6 

(D) the Bureau for Scientific, Criminal 

and Forensic Investigations of the Ministry of 

Interior, Justice, and Peace. 

(6) Ui\'ITED STATES PERSON.-'rhe term 

5 "TTnited States person" means6 (A) a United States citizen or an alien law7 fully admitted for permanent residence to the 

8 United States; or 

9 (B) an entity organized under the laws of 

10 the United States or of any jurisdiction within 

11 the U nitcd States, including a foreign branch of 

12 such an entity. 

g:\VHLC\030819\030819.060.xml 

March 8, 2019 (10:51 a.m.) 

(72060011) 
14 

116Tn CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H.R.854 

To lll'OYide humanitarian nssistance to the Venezuelan people, iucluding 

Venezuelan mignmts and refugees in the Americas and for other pnq>oses. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTA'l'IVES 

Jlu'\TARY 2H, 2019 

1\ls. l\!UCARSEI.-PO\\'EJ,J, (for herself, 1\ls. SHALALA, Ms. GARCIA of Texas, 

1\'Is. WASSERMA,"i SCHFLTZ, l\lr. SOTO, l\lr. HASKIN, l\Ir. ESPA!I,LAT, and 

1\Is. FRANKEL) introduced the following hill; which was refened to the 

Committee on Poreigu Affairs 

A BILL 

To provide humanitarian assistance to the Venezuelan people, 

including Venezuelan migrants and refug·ees in the Americas and for other purposes. 

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 fives of the United States ofArnerica in Congress assembled, 

3 SECTION I. SHORT TITLE. 

4 This Act may be cited as the "Humanitarian AssistS ance to the Venezuelan People Act of 2019". 

6 SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 

7 Congress makes the following findings: 

8 ( 1) Venezuela is in the grips of unprecedented 

9 political and economic turmoil marked by hyper-
15 

2 

inflation, soaring crime rates, and an authoritarian 

2 President. 

3 (2) President Nicolas 1\iaduro and his prede4 cessor have, through authoritarianism, graft, and in5 competence, precipitated a massive humanitarian 

6 crisis both inside V enezucla and throughout the 

7 "'Western Hemisphere. 

8 (3) 'fhe Venezuelan gross domestic product is 

9 expected to contract for the sixth year in a row in 

10 2019, with the Government defaulting on its exter- · 

11 nal debt and inflation projected to exceed 1 million 

12 percent this year. 

13 ( 4) Health outcomes in Venezuela have ap14 proached critical levels as food, medicine, and serv15 ices become increasingly inaccessible, with 11.4 per16 cent of children in Venezuela nuder 5 years old suf17 fering from moderate or acute malnutrition. 

18 (5) Kearly 10 percent of Venezuela's population 

19 of 31 million have fled overseas, \vith nearly 90 per20 cent of those remaining living in poverty. 

21 (6) Venezuelans have lost an average of 19 

22 pounds of weight due to natiomvide food shortages 

23 since the beginning of the country's economic crisis. 

•HR 854 IH 
16 

3 

1 (7) Venezuela is suffering from an 88 percent 

2 medicine shortage, with more than 22,000 doctors 

3 leaving Venezuela in the past 4 years. 

4 (8) The 1VIadnro Govermnent has repeatedly re5 jeeted offers of humanitarian assistance, despite the 

6 return of OilCe-vanquished diseases like diphtheria 

7 and measles, rampant eases of malaria, and the 

8 sharp rise in infant and maternal mortality. 

9 (9) Venezuela's rates of homicide and other 

10 crimes haye risen dramatically over the course of the 

11 crisis, ·with chronic underreporting contributing to 

12 an insufficient understanding of the scope of the cri13 sis. 

14 SEC. 3. REQUIREMENT FOR STRATEGY TO PROVIDE HU15 MANITARIAN ASSISTANCE TO THE PEOPLE 

16 OF VENEZUELA. 

17 (a) II'\ GEI'\ERAL.-Not later than 90 days after the 

18 date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, 

19 in coordination with the Administrator of the United 

20 States Agency for International Development, shall submit 

21 to the Committee on Foreign Mfairs and the Committee 

22 on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the 

23 Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on 

24 Appropriations of the Senate a long-term strategy to pro25 vide humanitarian assistance to the people of V enezncla 

•HR sM m 
17 

4 

both in Venezuela and throughout the Western Hemi2 sphere through credible and independent nongovernmental 

3 organizations operating in V encznela or in neighboring 

4 countries to alleviate the suffering of the Venezuelan peo5 ple. 

6 (b) lVIATTERS To BE INCLUDED.-The strategy re7 quired under subsection (a) shall include the following: 

8 ( 1) A description of how and to what md;ent the 

9 following assistance will be proYided: 

10 (A) Public health commodities for Ven11 ezuelan health facilities and services, including 

12 medicines on the World Health Organization's 

13 I~ist of Essential .Medicines and basic medical 

14 supplies and equipment. 

15 (B) Basic food commodities and nutritional 

16 supplements needed to address gTowing mal17 nutrition and improye food security for the peo18 ple of Venezuela, with a specific emphasis on 

19 the most vulnerable populations. 

20 (C) Technical assistance to ensure health 

21 and food commodities are appropriately se22 lected, procured, and distributed, predominantly 

23 through local nongovernmental organizations. 

24 (2) An identification of United States Agency 

25 for International Development best practices in de-

•HR s54 m 
18 

5 

1 livering humanitarian assistance, particularly with 

2 regard to food assistance and how such best prac3 tices are being utilized in providing humanitarian as4 sistance to Venezuela. 

5 (3) A description of obstacles put in place by 

6 the Maduro Government to prohibit the entry of lm7 manitarian assistance into jhe country. 

8 ( 4) A description of efforts to enhance support 

9 for countries in the \Vestern Hemisphere in snp10 porting the humanitarian needs of Venezuelan mill grants. 

12 ( 5) A description of efforts to ensure that lm13 manitarian assistance for Venezuelans is coordinated 

14 with other United States bilateral assistance in the 

15 Western Hemisphere and docs not result in elimi16 nating other bilateral assistance. 

17 ( 6) A description of how humanitarian assistIS ancc is being monitored and evaluated and ·what ad19 ditional staff arc managing the assistance. 

20 SEC. 4. COMPTROLLER GENERAL REPORT ON UNITED 

21 STATES EFFORTS TO PROVIDE IIDMANI22 TARIAN ASSISTANCE TO THE PEOPLE OF 

23 VENEZUELA. 

24 Not later than 180 days after the date of the enact25 ment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United 

•HR s54 m 
19 

6 

States shall submit to the Committee on Foreign Affairs 

2 and the Committee on Appropriations . of the House of 

3 Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations 

4 and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate a re5 port assessing the impact of United States humanitarian 

6 assistance to the people of Venezuela both in Venezuela 

7 and throughout the ·western Hemisphere. 

8 SEC. 5. SUPPORT FOR EFFORTS AT THE UNITED NATIONS 

9 ON THE HUMANITARIAN AND POLITICAL CRI1 0 SIS IN VENEZUELA. 

11 (a) INITIAL EFFORTS.-Thc President shall instruct 

12 the Permanent Representative of the United States to the 

13 United Xations to usc the voice, vote, and influence of the 

14 United States to secure the necessary votes to15 (1) place the humanitarian and political crisis 

16 in Venezuela on the agenda at the U nitecl Nations; 

17 and 

18 (2) secure a Presidential Statement from the 

19 United Nations urbring the Government of Venezuela 

20 to allow the delivery of humanitarian relief. 

21 (b) ADDITIOKAL EFFORTS.-

22 (1) IN GEKERAL.-Begi.nning not later than 30 

23 days after the conclusion of efforts by the United 

24 States Permanent Representative to the United Na25 tions under subsection (a), the President shall in-

•HR 854 lll 
20 

7 

struct the Permanent Iteprcscntativc to usc the 

2 voice, vote, and influence of the United States to sc3 cure the adoption of a United Nations resolution dc4 scribed in paragraph (2). 

5 (2) ltESOLUTION DESCHIBED.-Thc United Na6 tions resolution referred to in paragraph (1) is a rcs7 olution cncouraging8 (A) the Government of Venezuela to 

9 promptly allow safe and unhindered access for 

10 humanitarian agencies and their implementing 

11 partners, including possible support from neigh12 boring countries; and 

13 (B) the Government of Venezuela to allow 

14 the delivery of food and medicine. 

15 SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR HUMAN16 ITARIAN ASSISTANCE TO THE PEOPLE OF 

17 VENEZUELA. 

18 (a) IN GENEHAh-'fhe President is authorized to 

19 provide humanitarian assistance to supp01t the people of 

20 Venezuela both in Venezuela and throughout the ·western 

21 Hemisphere. 

22 (b) AUTHOHIZATION OF APPHOPRIATIOJ\'S.-There is 

23 authorized to be appropriated to the President 

•HR 854 m 
21 

8 

$150,000,000 each year for fiscal years 2020 and 2021 

2 to carry out this section. 

0 

•HR 854 IH 
22 

G:\M\16\ENGEL\ENGEL_029.XML 

AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE 

TOH.R. 854 

OFFERED BY MR. ENGEL OF NEW YoRK 

Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the 

following: 

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

2 This Act ma~' be cited as the "Humanitarian Assist3 ance to the Venezuelan People Act of 2019". 

4 SEC. 2. REPORT ON THE COORDINATION AND DISTRIBU5 TION OF HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE TO 

6 THE PEOPLE OF VENEZUELA INCLUDING 

7 STRATEGY ON FUTURE EFFORTS. 

8 (a) IN GEKERAL.-Not later than 180 day·s after the 

9 date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, 

10 in coordination with the Administrator of the United 

11 States Agency for International Development, shall submit 

12 to the appropriate COlli-,'1'Cssional eonunittces a report out13 lining the coordination of humanitarian assistance to the 

14 people of Venezuela, both in Venezuela and throughout the 

15 ·western Hemisphere, with 11ongovernmeutal organizations 

16 and international organizations operating in Venezuela or 

17 countries in the region to alleviate the suffering of the 

18 Venezuelan people. 

G:IVHLC\031019\031019.003.xml 

March 10, 2019 (5:37p.m.) 

(71995413) 
23 

G:\M\16\ENGEL\ENGEL_029.XML 

2 

(b) 1\lATTERS TO BE lKCMJDED.-'fhe report re2 qnired under subsection (a) shall include the following: 

3 (1) A description of how and under what cir4 cumstances the following humanitarian assistance 

5 has been provided: 

6 . (A) Public health commodities for V en7 ezuelan health facilities and services, including 

8 medicines on the World Health Organization's 

9 I~ist of Essential Medicines, and basic medical 

10 supplies and equipment. 

11 (B) Basic food commodities and nutritional 

12 supplements needed to address growing mal13 nutrition and improve food security for the peo14 pie of V eneznela, with a specific emphasis on 

15 the most vulnerable populations. 

16 (C) Tcclmical assistance to ensure health 

17 and food commodities arc appropriately sc18 lectcd, procured, and distributed, predominantly 

19 through local nongovernmental organizations. 

20 (2) An identification of United States Agency 

21 for International Development and Department of 

22 State best practices in delivering humanitarian as23 sistance, particularly with regard to food assistance, 

24 and how such best practices are being utilized in 

G:\VHLC\031019\031019.003.xml 

March 10, 2019 (5:37p.m.) 

(71995413) 
24 

G:\M\16\ENGEL\ENGEL_029.XML 

3 

1 providing humanitarian assistance to Venezuela and 

2 countries in the region. 

3 (3) A description of current and anticipated 

4 challenges to distributing humanitariau assistance in 

5 Venezuela and countries hosting Venezuelan mi6 grants. 

7 ( 4) A description of efforts to ensure that lm8 manitarian and development assistance for Ven9 ezuelans is coordinated with other lTnited States bi10 lateral assistance in the Western Hemisphere and 

11 does not result in duplication or omission of such 

12 other bilateral assistance. 

13 ( 5) A description of how the pre-positioning and 

14 distribution of humanitarian assistance is being 

15 monitored and eYaluated, the number of beneficiaries 

16 reached, an assessment of how humanitarian and de17 Yelopment assistance is benefitting Venezuelan mi18 grants inside and outside of the country, and what 

19 additional staff may be necessary to manage such 

20 assistance. 

21 (6) A strateg:v for future efforts to provide lm22 manitarian assistance to the people of Venezuela 

23 that includes a description of future efforts regard24 ing the matters described in paragraphs (1) through 

25 (5). 

G:IVHLC\031019\031019.003.xml 

March 10, 2019 (5:37p.m.) 

(71995413) 
25 

G:\M\16\ENGEL\ENGEL_029XML 

4 

SEC. 3. STATEMENT OF CONGRESS. 

2 Congress strongly condemns all violent actions by the 

3 Maduro regime and Venezuela's security forces to block 

4 and divert humanitarian assistanee from entering V en5 ezuela. 

6 SEC. 4. COMPTROLLER GENERAL REPORT ON ~TED 

7 STATES EFFORTS TO PROVIDE HUMAN!· 

8 TARIAN ASSISTANCE TO THE PEOPLE OF 

9 VENEZUELA. 

10 Not later than one year after the date of the enaet11 ment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United 

12 States shall submit to appropriate congressional eommit13 tees a report assessing the impact of United States hu14 manitariau assistauee on the people of Venezuela, both in 

15 Venezuela and throughout the Western Hemisphere, m16 eluding the total number of beneficiaries reached. 

17 SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR HUMAN· 

18 ITARIAN ASSISTANCE TO THE PEOPLE OF 

19 VENEZUELA. 

20 (a) IK GEKERAI,.-The President is authorized to 

21 provide humanitarian assistance to support the people of 

22 V euezucla, both in Venezuela and throughout the Western 

23 Hemisphere. 

24 (b) SENSE OF COKGRESS.-It is the sense of Con25 gress that not less than $150,000,000 is necessary for 

G:\VHLC\031019\031019.003.xml 

March 10, 2019 (5:37p.m.) 

(71995413) 
26 

G:\M\16\ENGEL\ENGEL_029.XML 

5 

each of fiscal years 2020 and 2021 to carry out this sec2 tion. 

3 (c) AU'l'HORIZA'l'IOX Of' APPROPRIA'l'lONS.-There is 

4 authorized to be appropriated to the President such sums 

5 as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2020 and 

6 2021 to carr.v out this section. 

7 SEC. 6. DEFINITION. 

8 In this Act: 

9 (1) APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL COJ\Ii\IIT10 'l'EES.-'l'he term "appropriate congressional eom11 mittees" means the following: 

12 (A} The Committee on :F'oreign Affairs of 

13 the House of Representatives. 

14 (B) The Committee on Appropriations of 

15 the Honse of Representatives. 

16 (C) The Committee on Foreign Relations 

17 of the Senate. 

18 (D) The Committee on Appropriations of 

19 the Senate. 

20 (2) VENEZUEI,AN SECURITY PORCES.-The 

21 term "Venezuelan security forces" includes the fol22 lowing: 

23 

24 

25 

G:\VHLC\031019\031019.003.xml 

March 10,2019 (5:37p.m.) 

(A) 'l'he Bolivarian National Armed 

Forces, ineluding the Bolivarian National 

Guard. 

(71995413) 
27 

G:\M\16\ENGEL\ENGEL_029.XML 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

G:IVHLC\0310191031019.003.xml 

March 10,2019 (5:37p.m.) 

6 

(B) The Bolivarian National Intelligence 

Service. 

(C) The Bolivarian National Police. 

(D) The Bureau for Scientific, Criminal 

and Porensic Investigations of the Ministry of 

Interior, Justice, and Peace. 

(71995413) 
28 

G:\M\16\LEVIMN.EVIMI_020.XML 

AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT IN NATURE OF 

A SUBSTITUTE TO H.R. 854 

OFFERED BY MR. LEVIN OF MICIDGAN 

In section 5(a), insert before the period at the end 

the following: ", in accordance with established international humanitarian principles". 

G:\VHLC\031219\031219.267.xml 

March 12, 2019 (9:24p.m.) 

(72103011) 
29 

116THCONGRESS H R 1477 1ST SESSIO~ 

• • 

To require a threat assessment mKI strategy to counter Hnssiau influence 

in Venezuela, au 11ssessmeut of foreig11 acquisitiou of CITGO assets 

in the United States, and for other puqJOses. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPHESENTATIVES 

}<'EBln'ARY 28, 2019 

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (for herself, i\lr. DIAZ-BAT,AHT, l\ir. SOTO, i\ls. 

MUCAHSEL-Pmn::r.,L, and l\ls. SHAJ,ALA) introduced the following bill; 

which was referred to the Committee ou Foreign Affairs, and in additiou 

to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to I)(' subsequent!~· determiued b~· the SpE'aker, iu E'ach case for consideration of such prmisions 

as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concemed 

A BILL 

To require a threat assessment and strategy to counter Russian influence in V euezuela, an assessment of foreign 

acquisition of CITGO assets in the United States, and 

for other purposes. 

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the Un·ited States ofAme-rica in Congr-ess assembled, 

3 SECTION I. SHORT TITLE. 

4 'l'his Act. may be cited as the "Russian-Venezuelan 

5 Threat. Mitigation Act.". 
30 

2 

SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 

2 Congress finds the following: 

3 (1) 'l'he Russian Federation's increased pres4 once in the western hemisphere is of concern to the 

5 United States and our allies in the region. 

6 (2) In December 2018, the Russian ]'ederation 

7 sent two 'l'u-160 nuclear-capable bombers to Ven8 ezuela for joint exercises with the Venezuelan mili9 tary. The 'l'u-160 can carry conventional or nuelear1 0 tipped cruise missiles vv:ith an estimated maximum 

11 range of around :3,000 miles. 

12 (:3) Russian and Venezuelan forces took part in 

13 a joint 1 0-hour exercise across the Caribbean in De14 cembcr 2018 with the Tu-160 nuclear-capable 

15 bombers. 

16 ( 4) The Maduro regime has turned to the Rus17 sian Federation, one of its strongest political allies, 

18 for financial support during its current economic cri19 sis. 

20 (5) Nicolas Maduro secured loans from the 

21 Russian Ji'ederatiou to be repaid through future oil 

22 exports, but fell behind on those payments in 2017. 

23 News reports in December 2018 suggest that Rus24 sian State oil company Rosneft has lent Venezuelan 

25 state oil company Petroleos de Venezuela (PdVSA) 

26 $6.5 billion partly as prepayment for crude oil, $3.1 

•HR 1477 IH 
31 

3 

billion of which remained outstanding as of the end 

2 of September 2018. 

3 (6) In 2016, PdVSA secured a $1.5 billion loan 

4 from Rosncft, and PdVSA used 49.9 percent of its 

5 shares in U nitcd States-based and Y cneznelau6 owned company CITGO as collateral. A Venezuelan 

7 default could lead to potential Russian ownership of 

8 United States encrg:\' infrastructure. 

9 (7) At the conclusion of a 3-day visit to Moscow 

10 in December 2018, Maduro mmounced $6 billion 

11 worth of Russian investment pledges focused on the 

12 oil and mining sectors as well as the export of 

13 600,000 tons of Russian wheat to Venezuela to 

14 cover its 2019 needs. 

15 SEC. 3. THREAT ASSESSMENT AND STRATEGY TO COUNTER 

16 RUSSIAN INFLUENCE IN VENEZUELA. 

17 (a) THRBAT ASSESSl\IEXT.-Not later than 120 days 

18 after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 

19 of State shall submit to the appropriate congressional 

20 committees au assessment on Russian-Venezuelan security 

21 cooperation and the potential threat such cooperation 

22 poses to the United States and countries in the Western 

23 Hemisphere. 

24 (b) STHATEGY.-Not later than 30 days after the 

25 submission of the threat assessment required under sub-

•HR 1477 IH 
32 

4 

section (a), the Secretary of State shall submit to the ap2 propriate congressional committees a strategy to address 

3 Russian-Venezuelan cooperation. 

4 (c) DEFINITIO::-J.-In this section, the term "appro5 priate congressional committees" means the Committee on 

6 Foreign Mfairs of the House of Representatives and the 

7 Committee on Foreign Helations of the Senate. 

8 SEC. 4. ASSESSMENT OF FOREIGN ACQUISITION OF CITGO 

9 ASSETS IN THE UNITED STATES. 

10 (a) IN GEl'\EHAI,.-:t\ot later than 90 days after the 

11 date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall 

12 transmit to the appropriate congressional committees an 

13 assessment of the security risks posed by potential Hus14 sian acquisition of CITGO's United States energy infra15 structure holdings. 

16 (b) DEI•'INITIO.N.-In this section, the term "appro17 priate congressional committees" means the Committee on 

18 Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of 

19 the House of Representatives and the Committee on For20 eign Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of 

21 the Senate. 

22 SEC. 5. ALIENS INELIGIBLE FOR VISAS, ADMISSION, OR PA23 ROLE. 

24 (a) It\ GENEHAL.-An alien who the Secretary of 

25 State or the Secretary of Homeland Security (or a des-

•HR 1477 IH 
33 

5 

ignee of one of such Secretaries) knows, or has reason to 

2 believe, is au alien who is acting or has acted on behalf 

3 of the Russian Government in direct support of the Ven4 ezuelan security forces isS (1) inadmissible to the United States; 

6 (2) ineligible to receive a visa or other docn7 mentation to enter the United States; and 

8 (3) otherwise inelif.,rihle to be admitted or pa9 roled into the United States or to receive any other 

10 benefit nuder the Immigration and Kationality Act 

11 (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.). 

12 (h) GURRJ<JXT VISAS REYOKED.-

13 (1) IN GEXERAL.-The issuing consular officer, 

14 the Secretary of State, or the Secretary of HomeIS land Secmity (or a designee of one of such Secrc16 taries) shall, in accordance with section 221(i) of the 

17 Immigration and Kationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1201(i)), 

18 revoke an.v \risa or other entry documentation issued 

19 to an alien described in subsection (a) regardless of 

20 when the \risa or other entry documentation is 

21 issued. 

22 (2) EFFECT OF HEYOCATIOJ'\.-A revocation 

23 under paragraph (I) shall24 (A) take effect immediately; and 

•HR 1477 m 
34 

6 

(B) automatically cancel any other valid 

2 visa or entry documentation that is in the 

3 alien's possession. 

4 (c) EXCEPTIOK '1'0 COl\IPLY \VITII UNITED NATIOXS 

5 HEADQUARTEHS AGHEEl\IEKT OH FOH NATIONAl, SECU6 IUTY REASOKS.-

7 (1) lNTERNATIOKAI, OBLIGATIONS.-This sec8 tion shall not apply to an alien if admitting the alien 

9 into the United States is necessary to permit the 

10 United States to comply withIt (A) the Agreement regarding the Head12 quarters of the United Nations, signed at I~ake 

13 Success June 26, 1947, and entered into force 

14 November 21, 1947, hetwee11 the United Na15 tions and the United States; or 

16 (B) other applicable international obliga17 tions of the United States. 

18 (2) NATIOXAJ, SECUHITY.-'l'he President may 

19 waive the application of this section to an alien if 

20 the President21 (A) determines that such a waiver is in the 

22 national interest of the United States; and 

23 (B) transmits to the Committee on For24 eign .Affairs of the House of Representatives 

•HR t477 m 
35 

7 

1 and the Committee on Foreign Relations a uo2 tiee of and justification for such waiver. 

3 (d) TERl\IIKATION.-'l'his section shall terminate on 

4 the earlier of--

5 (1) the elate that is three ~'ears after the date 

6 of the enactment of this Aet; or 

7 (2) the date on which the President certifies to 

8 the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Honse of 

9 Representatives and the Committee on Foreign He10 lations of the Senate that the Government of Ven11 ezuela has returned to a democratic form of govern12 ment with respect for the essential elements of rep13 resentative democracy as set forth in Article 3 of the 

14 Inter-American Democratic Charter. 

15 (e) DEFIKITIOK-In this subsection, the term "Ven16 ezuelan security forces" includes the following: 

17 (1) 'l'he Bolivarian National Armed Forces, in18 eluding the Bolivarian National Guard. 

19 (2) 'l'he Bolivarian National Intelligence Serv20 ice. 

21 (3) The Bolivarian National Police. 

22 ( 4) rrhc Bureau for Scientific, Criminal and Fo23 rensic Investigations of the Ministry of Interior, Jus24 tice, and Peace. 

0 

•HR 1477 IH 
36 

G:\M\l6\ENGEL\ENGEL_028.XML 

AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE 

TOH.R.1477 

OFFERED BY MR. ENGEL OF NEW YORK 

Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the 

following: 

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

2 This Act may be cited as the "Russian-Venezuelan 

3 Threat Mitigation Act". 

4 SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 

5 Congress finds the following: 

6 (1) 'rhe Russian Federation's increased pres7 once in the ·western Hemisphere is of concern to the 

8 United States and our allies in the region. 

9 (2) In December 201R, the Russian Federation 

10 sent two 'l'u-160 nuclear-capable bombers to V cn11 eznela for joint exercises with the Venezuelan mili12 tary. The Tu-160 can carry conventional or nuclear13 tipped cruise missiles with an estimated nut."Ximum 

14 range of around 3,000 miles. 

15 (3) Russian and Venezuelan forces took part in 

16 a joint 10-hour exercise across the Caribbean in De17 cember 201R with the Tn-160 nuclear-capable 

18 bombers. 

G:IVHLC\030819\030819.154.xml 

March 8, 2019 (1 :59 p.m.) 

(71994514) 
37 

G:\M\16\ENGEL\ENGEL_028.XML 

2 

1 ( 4) :K'icolas l\1adnro and his regime have turned 

2 to the Russian l~'ederation, one of its strongest polit3 ical allies, for financial support during its current 

4 economic crisis and to counter international support 

5 for Juan Guaido. 

6 (5) In ,January 2018, Russia sent contractors 

7 linked to the Wagner Group to provide security for 

8 Nicolas l\Iaduro. 

9 ( 6) Nicolas Maduro secured loans from the 

10 Russian Federation to be repaid through future oil 

11 exports, bnt fell behind on those payments in 2017. 

12 News reports in December 2018 suggest that Rus1 3 sian State oil company Rosncft has lent Venezuelan 

14 state oil company Petroleos de Venezuela (PdVSA) 

15 $6.5 billion partly as prepayment for crude oil, $3.1 

16 billion of which remained outstanding as of the end 

17 of September 2018. 

18 (6) In 2016, PdVSA secured a $1.5 billion loan 

19 from Hosncft, and PdYSA used 4H.9 percent of its 

20 shares in United States-based and Venezuelan21 owned company CITGO as collateraL A Venezuelan 

22 default could lead to potential Russian ownership of 

23 United States energy infrastructure. 

24 (7) At the conelusion of a 3-day visit to Moscow 

25 in December 2018, l\laduro announced $6 billion 

G:\VHLC\030819\030819.154.xml 

March 8, 2019 (1:59 p.m.) 

(71994514) 
38 

G:\M\16\ENGEL\ENGEL_028.XML 

3 

worth of Russian investment pledges focused on the 

2 oil and mining sectors as well as the export of 

3 ()00,000 tons of Hussian wheat to Venezuela to 

4 cover its 2019 needs. 

5 SEC. 3. THREAT ASSESSMENT AND STRATEGY TO COUNTER 

6 RUSSIAN INFLUENCE IN VENEZUELA. 

7 (a) THREAT Al3SESS:.\IE:\'T.-Not later than 120 days 

8 after the date of the enaetment of this Act, the Secretary 

9 of State shall submit to the appropriate congressional 

10 committees an assessment ou Hussian-Veneznelan security 

11 cooperation and the potential threat such cooperation 

12 poses to the United States and countries in the Western 

13 Hemisphere. 

14 (b) STRATEGY.-Not latm· than 30 days after the 

15 submission of the threat assessment required under sub16 section (a), the Secretmy of State shall submit to the ap17 propriate congressional committees a strategy to counter 

18 threats identified in such assessment from Hussian-Ven19 ezuelan cooperation. 

20 (c) Fmnr.-The threat assessment required under 

21 subsection (a) shall be submitted in unclassified form but 

22 may include a classified annex. 

23 (d) DEFINITIOK.-In this section, the term "appro~ 

24 priate congressional committees" means the Committee on 

G:\VHLC\030819\030819.154.xml 

March 8, 2019 (1:59 p.m.) 

(71994514) 
39 

G:\M\16\ENGEL\ENGEL_028.XML 

4 

Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the 

2 Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate. 

3 SEC. 4. ASSESSMENT OF FOREIGN ACQUISITION OF CITGO 

4 ASSETS IN THE UNITED STATES. 

5 (a) IN GBNEHAL.-:1'\ot later than 90 da~·s after the 

6 date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall 

7 transmit to the approprir1tc congressional committees au 

8 assessment of the national security risks posed b~· poten9 tial Hussian acquisition of CITGO's United States energy 

10 infrastructure holdings. 

11 (b) DEFIKITION.-In this section, the term "appro12 priate congressional committees" means the Committee on 

13 Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Appropriations, and 

14 the Committee on Financial Sen-ices of the House of Rep15 rescntativcs and the Committee on I<'oreign Relations, the 

16 Committee on Appropriations, and the Committee on 

17 Banking· of the Senate and the Committee on Financial 

18 Sen-ices of the House of Representatives and the Com19 mittec ou Bankiug of the Senate. 

20 SEC. 5. ALIENS INELIGIBLE FOR VISAS, ADMISSION, OR PA· 

21 ROLE. 

22 (a) IK GEKEHAI~.-An alien who the Secretary of 

23 State or the Secretary of Homeland Sccurit~· (or a des24 ignee of one of such Secretaries) knows, or has reason to 

25 believe, is an alien who is acting or has acted on behalf 

G:\VHLC\0308191030819. 154.xml 

March 8, 2019 (1 :59 p.m.) 

(71994514) 
40 

G:\M\16\ENGEL\ENGEL_028.XML 

5 

of the Russian Government in direct support of the Ven2 ezuelan security forces is3 (1) inadmissible to the United States; 

4 (2) ineligible to receive a visa or other docu5 mentation to enter the United States; and 

6 (3) otherwise ineligible to be admitted or pa7 roled into the United States or to receive an~r other 

8 benefit under the Immigration and Nationality Act 

9 (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.). 

10 (b) CURRENT VISAS REYOKED.-

11 (1) IN GENEHAL-The issuing consular officer, 

12 the Secretary of State, or the Secretary of Home13 land Security (or a designee of one of such Secrc14 taries) shall, in accordance with section 221(i) of the 

15 Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 120l(i)), 

16 revoke any 'risa or other entry documentation issued 

17 to an alien described in subsection (a) regardless of 

18 1vhen the visa or other entry documentation is 

19 issued. 

20 (2) EF'I<'ECT OP RE\rOCATION.-A revocation 

21 under paragraph (1) shall22 (A) take effect immediately; and 

23 (B) automatically cancel any other valid 

24 visa or entry documentation that is in the 

25 alien's possession. 

G:\VHLC\030819\03081 9.154.xml 

March 8, 2019 (1:59 p.m.) 

(71994514) 
41 

G:\M\16\ENGEL\ENGEL_028.XML 

6 

(c) EXCEPTIO:-< TO Col'IIPIN WITH UKITED NATIOKS 

2 HEADQUARTIWS AGREEJ\TEl'\T OH F'OH NATIOl'\AJ, SECU3 IUTY REASO:t\S.-

4 (1) lK'l'EHl'\ATIOl'\AL OBLIGATIOl'\S.-This sec5 tion shall not apply to an alien if admitting the alien 

6 into the United States is necessary to permit the 

7 United States to comply with8 (A) the AgTccment regarding the Head9 quarters of the United Nations, signed at Lake 

10 Success June 26, 1947, and entered into force 

11 Xovember 21, 194 7, between the United l\a12 tions and the United States; or 

13 (B) other applicable international obliga14 tions of the United States. 

15 (2) K~TIO:t\AI, SECCIU'l'Y.-The President may 

16 waive the application of this section to au alien if 

17 the President18 (A) determines that such a waiver is in the 

19 national interest of the United States; and 

20 (B) transmits to the Committee on For21 eign Affairs of the House of Representatives 

22 and the Committee on Foreign Helations a no23 tice of and justification for such waiver. 

24 (d) 'l'ERl\IIl'\ATIOK.-'l'his section shall terminate on 

25 the earlier ofG:\VHLC\0308191030819.154.xml 

March 8, 2019 (1:59 p.m.) 

(71994514) 
42 

G:\M\16\ENGEL\ENGEL_028.XML 

7 

(1) the date that is one year after the date of 

2 the enactment of this Act; or 

3 (2) the date on which the President certifies to 

4 the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 

5 RepresentatiYes and the Committee on Foreign Re6 lations of the Senate that the Government of V en7 ezuela has retumed to a democratic form of goyern8 ment with respect for the essential elements of rep9 rcsentative democracy as set forth in Article 3 of the 

10 Inter-American Democratic Charter. 

11 (c) DEFI::\'ITIOK.-In this subsection, the term "Ven12 ezuclan security forces" includes the following: 

13 (1) 'rhe Bolivariau National Armed Forces, in14 eluding the Bolivarian National Guard. 

15 (2) The Bolivarian National Intelligence Serv16 ice. 

17 (3) The BoliYarian Kational Police. 

18 ( 4) The Bnrean for Scientific, Criminal and Po19 rcnsie Investig·ations of the Ministry of Interior, ,Jns20 ticc, and Peace. 

G:\VHLC\030819\030819.154.xml 

March s. 2019 (1:59 p.m.) 

(71994514) 
43 

116m CONGRESS H R 1616 lS'r SESSION 

• • 

To prio1~tize the eff(nts of aud euhmwe coordination among United States 

agmwi(•s to encourage countries in Central and gastern Europe to diwrsii)' their energy sources and supply routes, inerease l~urope's energ_y 

security, and help the United States rmwh its global m1erg_Y securit~­

goals, and for other purposes. 

IN THE HOUSE OF' REPRESENTNI'IVES 

l\L\RCII 7, 20] 9 

l\fr. KTNZI:'\G!CR (for himself, l\lr. KEATING, l\Ir. :F'JTZPATRICK, and l\1r. GoxZALEZ of Texas) introduced the following bill; which m1s referred to tlw 

Committee ou Poreign Affairs 

A BILL 

rro prioritize the efforts of and enhance coordination among 

United States agencies to encourage countries in Central 

and Eastern Europe to diversify their energy sources 

and supply routes, increase Europe's energy security, 

and help the United States reach its global energy security goals, and for other purposes. 

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States (if America in Congress assembled, 

3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

4 'l'his Act may be cited as the "European Energy Se5 curity and Diversification Act of 2019". 
44 

2 

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 

2 Iu this Act: 

3 (1) CE!\'THAl, OH EASTERN EUROPEA.!'\ COUN4 THY.-The term "Central or Eastern European 

5 country" inclucles6 (A) Albania; 

7 (B) Bosnia and Herzegovina; 

8 (C) Bulgaria; 

9 (D) Croatia; 

10 (E) C;qmls; 

11 (F) the Czech Republic; 

12 (G) Estonia; 

13 (H) Greece; 

14 (I) llungar~'; 

15 (J) Kosovo; 

16 (K) l.Jatvia; 

17 (L) l.Jitlmania; 

18 (M) Macedonia; 

19 (X) Moldom; 

20 (0) Montenegro; 

21 (P) Poland; 

22 ( Q) Romania; 

23 (R) Serbia; 

24 (S) Slovakia; 

25 (T) Slovenia; and 

26 (U) Ukraine. 

•HR 1616 m 
45 

3 

(2) EAIUJY-STAGE PROJECT SUPPORT.-The 

2 term "early-stage project support" includes3 (A) feasibility studies; 

4 (B) resource eya]uations; 

5 (C) project appraisal and costing; 

6 (D) pilot projects; 

7 (E) commercial support, such as trade 

8 missions, reverse trade missions, technical 

9 workshops, international buyer programs, and 

10 international partner searchers to link suppliers 

11 to projects; 

12 (!;') technical assistance and other guid13 ance to improve the local regulatory environ14 ment and market frameworks to encourage 

15 transparent competition and enhance energy se16 curity; and 

17 (G) long-term energy sector planning. 

18 (3) l.1ATE-8TAGE PROJECT SUPPORT.-'l'he term 

19 "late-stage project support" includes debt financing, 

20 insurance, and transaction advisory services. 

21 SEC. 3. STATEMENT OF POLICY. 

22 (a) SENSE OF CONGHESS.-It is the sense of Con23 gress that the United States has economic and national 

24 security interests in assisting Central and Eastern Euro-

•HR 1616 IH 
46 

4 

pean countries achieve energy security through diversifica2 tion of their energy sources and supply routes. 

3 (b) STATEl\IEl\'1' OP POI;TCY.-lt is the policy of the 

4 United States5 (1) to advance United States foreign policy and 

6 development goals by assisting Central and Eastern 

7 European countries to reduce their dependence on 

8 energy resources from countries that use energy de9 pendence for undue political influence, such as the 

10 Russian Federation, ·which has used natural gas to 

11 coerce, intimidate, and influence other countries; 

12 (2) to promote the energy security of allies and 

13 partners of the United States by encourae,ring the de14 vclopment of accessible, transparent, and competitive 

15 energy markets that provide diversified sources, 

16 types, and routes of energy; 

17 (3) to encourage U nitecl States public and pri18 vate sector investment in European energy infra19 structure projects to bridge the gap between energy 

20 seem-it;\' requirements and commercial demand in a 

21 way that is consistent with the region's absorptive 

22 capacity; and 

23 (4) to help facilitate the export of United States 

24 energy resources, technology, and expertise to global 

25 markets in a way that benefits the energy security 

•HR 1616 IH 
47 

5 

of allies and partners of the United States, in eluding 

2 in Central and Eastern Europe. 

3 SEC. 4. PRIORITIZATION OF EFFORTS AND ASSISTANCE 

4 FOR ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS 

5 IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE. 

6 (a) I;.;r GEKEHAL.-ln pursuing the policy described 

7 in section 3, the Secretary of State, in coordination 'With 

8 the heads of United States agencies that operate under 

9 the policy guidance of the Secretary, shall, as appropriate, 

10 prioritize and expedite the efforts of the Department of 

11 State and those agencies in supporting the efforts of the 

12 European Commission and the governments of Central 

13 and Eastern European countries to increase their energy 

14 security, including throughIS (1) JH'oviding diplomatic and political support to 

16 the European Commission and those governments, 

17 as neccssary18 (A) to facilitate international negotiations 

19 concerning cross-border infrastructure; 

20 (B) to enhance Europe's reg·ulatory cnvi21 romnent with respect to enet·gy; and 

22 (C) to develop accessible, transparent, and 

23 competitive energ,v markets supplied by diverse 

24 sources, t)1)es, and routes of energy; and 

•HR 1616 IH 
48 

6 

(2) providing support to improve European en2 ergy markets, including early-stage project support 

3 and late-stage project support for the construction 

4 or improvement of eneq,'y infrastructure, as nec5 essary6 (A) to diversify the energy sources and 

7 supply routes of Central and Eastern European 

8 countries; 

9 (B) to enhance energy market integration 

10 across the region; and 

11 (C~) to increase competition within energy 

12 markets. 

13 (b) PIWJECT ST~I,J<JCTIOX.-

14 (1) IK GENERAL.-'fhe agencies described in 

15 subsection (a) shall identify enm·gy infrastructure 

16 projects that would be appropriate for United States 

17 assistance under this section. 

18 (2) PROJECT EI,IGJDILITY.-A pr~ject is eligible 

19 for United States assistance under this section if the 

20 project is21 (A) related to22 (i) natural gas infrastructure, such as 

23 interconnectors, storage facilities, liquefied 

24 natural gas import facilities, or reverse 

25 flow capacity; 

•HR 1616 lli 
49 

7 

(ii) electricity transmission iufrastruc2 ture, electricity storage projects, or smart 

3 grid projects; 

4 (iii) renewable energy projects in 

5 wind, solar, tidal, or other forms; or 

6 (iv) the improvement, rehabilitation, 

7 or construction of natural gas, coal, or 

8 other electricity generation facilities to in9 crease the efficiency and ·reliability of elec1 0 tricity production; and 

11 (B) located in a Central or Eastern Enro12 pean country. 

13 (3) PHEFEREJ\'CE.-In selecting among· projects 

14 that arc eligible under paragraph (2), the agencies 

15 described in subsection (a) shall give preference to 

16 projects that17 (A) link the energy systems of two or more 

18 Central and Eastern European countries; 

19 (B) have already been identified by the 

20 European Commission as being integral for the 

21 energy securit~r of Central and Eastern Euro22 pcan countries; 

23 (C) arc expected to enhance energy market 

24 integration; 

•HR 1616 IH 
50 

8 

1 (D) can attract funding from the private 

2 sector, an international financial institution, the 

3 government of the country in which the project 

4 will be carried out, or the European Commis5 sion; or 

6 (ID) have the potential to use United States 

7 goods and services during projeet implcmenta8 tion. 

9 (c) TYPES OF ASSISTANCE.-

10 (1) DIPLOJ\IATIC AND POI;ITICAL SUPPOR'r.-

11 The Secretary of State shall provide diplomatie and 

12 political support to the European Commission and 

13 the governments of Central and Eastern J<Jnropean 

14 countries, as necessary, including· by using the diplo15 matic and political influence and expertise of the Dc16 partmcnt of State to build the capacit? of those 

17 countries to resolve any impediments to the developIS ment of projects selected under subsection (b). 

19 (2) lDARLY-STA<lE PHOJEC1' SUPPOHT.-'l'he Di20 rector of the Trade and Development Agency shall 

21 provide early-stage project support with respect to 

22 projects selected under subsection (b), as necessary. 

23 (3) I.~ATE-STAGE PROJECT SUPPORT.-Agencies 

24 described in subsection (a) that provide late-stage 

•HR 1616 IH 
51 

9 

1 project suppmt shall do so with respect to projects 

2 selected under subsection (b), as necessary. 

3 (d) FurmiNG.-

4 (1) PHIYATE SECTOH I:\\'"ESTl\fENT.-'fhe agen5 cies described in subsection (a)-

6 (A) are authorized to provide financing of 

7 not more than $1,000,000,000 to support pri8 vate sector investment in projects that diversi(y 

9 the energy sources and energy transport capa10 bilities of Central and Eastern European eoun11 tries and to improve energy market integration 

12 in those countries; and 

13 (B) shall ensure that amounts from such 

14 investments are available for fiscal years 2020 

15 through 2024 fm· debt financing and insurance 

16 for projects under this section. 

17 (2) AUTIIOHIZATION OI~ APPHOPHIATIONS FOH 

18 TRADE AND DK\'ELOPlVIENT AGENCY.-There arc au19 thorized to be appropriated to the Director of the 

20 Trade and Development Agency for each of fiseal 

21 years 2020 through 2024--

22 (A) $5,000,000 to provide assistance under 

23 this section; and 

•HR 1616 m 
52 

10 

(B) such sums as may be necessary for the 

2 Agency to employ additional personnel to pro3 vide such assistance. 

4 (3) COU:t\TEHIKG IWSSIAK I:t\FiiUE:t\CE FU:t\D.-

5 Section 254(b) of the Countering Russian Influence 

6 in Europe and Eurasia Act of 2017 (22 U.S.C. 

7 9543(b)) is amended h~' adding at the end the fol8 lowing: 

9 "(7) rro assist United States agencies m pro1 0 \riding assistance under section 4 of the European 

11 Energy Security and DiYersification Act of 2019.". 

12 SEC. 5. PROGRESS REPORTS. 

13 Not later than one year after the date of the enact14 ment of this Act, and ammally thereafter, the President 

15 shall submit to the Committee on F'oreign Relations of the 

16 Senate and the Committee on Foreign Mfairs of the 

17 House of Representative::; a report on progTess made in 

18 prmriding assistance for projects under section 4 that in19 cludes20 (1) a description of the energy infrastrncture 

21 projects the United States has identified for such as22 sistance; and 

23 (2) for each such project-

•HR 1616 m 
53 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

(A) a description of the role of the United 

States in the project, including in early-stage 

project support and late-stage project support; 

(B) the amount and form of any debt financing and insurance provided b)' the United 

States Government for the project; 

(C) the amount and form of any earlystage project support; and 

(D) an update on the progress made on 

the project as of the date of the report. 

0 

•HR 1616 ill 
54 

G:\CMTE\FA\16\MISC\EESD_ANS.XML 

AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE 

TO H.R. 1616 

OFFERED BY MR. KEATING OF MAsSACHUSETTS 

Strike all after the enacting dause and insert the 

follmving: 

1 SEC. 1. SHORT TITLE. 

2 This Act may be cited as the "European Energy Se3 curity and Diversification Act of 2019". 

4 SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 

5 In this Act: 

6 (1) EARLY-STAGE PROJECT SUPPORT.-'l'he 

7 term "early-stage project support" includes the fol8 lowing: 

9 (A) Feasibility studies. 

10 (B) Resource evaluations. 

11 (C) Project appraisal and costing. 

12 (D) Pilot projects. 

13 (E) Commercial support, such as trade 

14 

15 

16 

17 

g:IVHLC\031319\031319.17B.xml 

March 13, 2019 (3:00p.m.) 

missions, reverse trade missions, technical 

workshops, international buyer programs, and 

international partner searchers to link suppliers 

to projects. 

(72087515) 
55 

G:\CMTE\FA\16\MISC\EESD_ANS.XML 

2 

(F) Technical assistance and other guid2 ance to improve the local rcg<llatory environ3 ment and market frameworks to encourage 

4 transparent competition and enhance energy se5 eurity. 

6 (G) I~ong-tcrm energy sector planning. 

7 (2) hA.TE-STAGE PROJECT SUPPORT.-The term 

8 "late-stage JWQject support" includes support de9 scribed in section 1421 of the Better Utilization of 

10 Investments h~ading to Development Act of 2018 

11 (also referred to as the "BUILD Act of 2018"; en12 acted as division F of the FAA Reauthorization Act 

13 of 2018 (Public I~aw 115-254)). 

14 (3) ll'\TEIU\ATIO:N"AL FINANCIAl, INSTITU15 TION.-'l'he term "international financial iustitu16 tion" has the meaning given such term in section 

17 170l(e) of the International Financial Institutions 

18 Act (22 U.S.C. 262r(e)). 

19 SEC. 3. SENSE OF CONGRESS; STATEMENT OF POLICY. 

20 (a) SENSI~ OF CONGHESS.-It is the sense of Con21 grcss that the United States has economic and national 

22 security interests in assisting European and Eurasian 

23 countries achieve energy security through diversification 

24 of their energy sources and supply routes. 

g:\VHLC\031319\031319.178.xml 

March 13. 2019 (3:00p.m.) 

(72087515) 
56 

G:\CMTE\F A \16\MISC\EESD _ANS.XML 

3 

(b) STATEl\IEl\T OF POI,ICY.-It is the policy of the 

2 United States to3 (1) advance United States foreign policy and 

4 development goals by assisting European and BurS asian countries to reduce their dependence on energy 

6 resources from countries that use eneq,•y dependence 

7 for undue political influence, such as the Rnssian 

8 F'ederation, which has used natural gas to coerce, in9 timidate, and influence other countries; 

10 (2) promote the energy security of European 

11 and Eurasian allies and partners of the United 

12 States h,v eneonmging the development of accessible, 

13 transparent, and competitive energy markets that 

14 provide diversified sources, types, and routes of en15 ergy; 

16 (3) encourage United States public and private 

17 sector investment in l~nropean and Eurasian enerf,'Y 

18 infrastructure projects to bridge the gap between en19 ergy security requirements and commercial demand 

20 in a way that is consistent with the region's absorp21 tivc capacity; 

22 ( 4) help facilitate a well-functioning market for 

23 energy resources in a way that benefits the energy 

24 secnrity of the United States and European and 

g:\VHLC\031319\031319.178.xml 

March 13, 2019 (3:00p.m.) 

(72087515) 
57 

G:\CMTE\FA\16\MISC\EESD_ANS.XML 

4 

Eurasian allies and partners of the United States; 

2 and 

3 (5) help facilitate the export of United States 

4 energy technology and expertise to global markets. 

5 SEC. 4. PRIORITIZATION OF EFFORTS AND ASSISTANCE 

6 FOR ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS 

7 IN EUROPE AND EURASIA. 

8 (a) ll'\ GEXERAh-In pursuing the policy deseribed 

9 in section :i(b), the Seeretary of State, in coordination 

10 with the heads of United States agencies that operate 

11 under the foreig11 policy gnidanee of the Secretary, shall, 

12 as appropriate, prioritize and C:\.l)edite the effortf; of the 

13 Department of State and snell agencies in supporting the 

14 efforts of the European Commission and European and 

15 Eurasian countries to increase the energy security of sueh 

16 countries, including through17 (I) providing diploma tie and political support to 

18 the European Commission aud sueh countries, as 

19 necessary to20 

21 

22 

23 

g:IVHLC\0313191031319.178.xml 

March 13, 2019 (3:00 p.m.) 

(A) facilitate international negotiations 

coneerning cross-border infrastructure; 

(B) enhance Europe's and Eurasia's regulatory emiromnent with respect to energy; and 

(72087515) 
58 

G:\CMTE\F A\ 16\MISC\EESD _ANS.XML 

2 

3 

4 

5 

(C) develop accessible, transparent, and 

competitive energy markets supplied by diverse 

sources, t;\1les, and routes of energy; and 

(2) providing support to imp1·ovc European and 

5 Burasian energy markets, including early-stage 

6 project support and late-stage project support for 

7 the construction m· improvement of energy infra8 structure, as necessary, to9 (A) diversity the energy sources aud suppl~' 

10 routes of such eountries; 

1 1 (B) enhance energy market intef:,rration 

12 across the region; and 

13 (C) inerease competition within energy 

14 markets. 

15 (b) PROJECT SELECTIOX.-

16 (1) Ix GENEHAL.-The Secretary of State, in 

17 consultation with the heads of ageneies dcserihed in 

18 subsection (a), shall identify and, in aeeordanee "·ith 

19 paragTaph (3), select energy iufrastrueture projeets 

20 that would be appropriate for United States assist21 ance under this section. 

22 (2) PROJECT ELIGIBILITY.-A project is eligible 

23 for United States assistanee under this section if 

24 sueh projeet is25 (A) related tog:\VHLC\031319\031319.178.xml 

March 13, 2019 (3:00p.m.) 

(72087515) 
59 

G:\CMTE\F A\ 16\MISC\EESD _ANS.XML 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

(i) natural gas infrastmcture, such as 

interconnectors, storage facilities, liquefied 

natural gas import facilities, or reverse 

flow capacity; 

(ii) electricit? transmission infrastructure, eleetricity storage projects, or smart 

6'1-id projeets; 

(iii) renewable energy projeets in 

9 wind, solar, tidal, or other forms; or 

10 (iv) the improvement, rehabilitation, 

11 or constrnetion of electricity generation fa12 cilities to increase the efficiency and reli13 ability of electricity production; and 

14 (B) located in a European or Eurasian 

15 country. 

16 (3) PnEFERENCK-In selecting among projects 

17 that are eligible under paragraph (2), the Secretary 

18 of State and the heads of agencies described in suh19 section (a) shall give preference to projects that20 (A) improve the capacity of energ,v systems 

21 to efficiently transfer gas and electricity within 

22 and between J;Juropean or Eurasian countries; 

23 (B) have already been identified by the 

24 European Commission as being integral for the 

g:\VHLC\031319\031319.178.xml 

March 13, 2019 (3:00p.m.) 

(72087515) 
60 

G:\CMTE\FA\16\MISC\EESD_ANS.XML 

7 

energy security of European or Eurasian couu2 tries; 

3 (C) are expected to enhance energy mar·ket 

4 integratiou and transparency; 

5 (D) can attract funding from the private 

6 sector, an internatioual financial iustitution, the 

7 government of the country in which the project 

8 will be carried out, or the European Commis9 sion; or 

10 (E) have the potential to usc United States 

I 1 goods and services. 

12 (c) TYPES OF ASSISTAl\'CE.-

13 (1) DIPJ,O:\IATIC Al\'D POLITICAl, SUPPOR'l'.-

14 The Secretary of State, in coordination ·with the 

15 heads of agencies described in subsection (a), as ap16 propriate, shall provide diplomatic and political sup17 port to the European Commission and European or 

18 Eurasian couutries, as necessary, including by using 

19 the diplomatic and political influence and expertise 

20 of the Department of State to build the capacity of 

21 such countries to resolve any impediments to the de22 velopment of projects selected under subsection (b). 

23 (2) JijAHJ,Y-STAGE PHOJgCT SUPPOHT.-The 

24 Secretary of State, in coordination, as appropriate, 

25 >vith the heads of agencies described in subsection 

g:\VHLC\031319\031319.178.xml 

March 13, 2019 (3:00p.m.) 

(72087515) 
61 

G:\CMTE\F A \16\MISC\EESD _ANS.XML 

8 

(a), including the Director of the Trade and Devel2 opment Agency, shall provide early-stage project 

3 support to projects selected under subseetion (b), as 

4 necessary and in accordance with section 661 of the 

5 l<"'oreign Assistance Aet of 1%1 (22 U.S.C. 2421). 

6 (3) I~ATE-S'l'AGE PHOJECT SUPPOHT.-'I'he Sec7 retary of State, in coordination, as appropriate, with 

8 the heads of ageucies described in subsection (a), 

9 shall provide late-stage project support shall do so 

I 0 with respect to projects selected under subsection 

II (b), as necessary and in accordance with section 

12 1412 of the Better Utilization of Investments I.Jead13 ing to Development Act (relating to the establish14 ment of the United States International Develop15 ment Finance Corporation). 

16 (d) FuNJmm.-

17 (1) THADE A:t\D DEYEI,OPl\IE:t\T AGE:t\CY.-Sub18 paragTaph (A) of section 661(f)(1) of the Foreign 

19 Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2421(f)(1)) is 

20 amended by striking "$48,000,000 for fiscal year 

21 2000" and inserting "$79,500,000 for fiscal year 

22 2020". 

23 (2) COU:t\TEIU:t\G IWSSIAN I:t\I<'LUE::\'CE FU:t\D.-

24 Section 254 of the Countering Russian Influence in 

25 Europe and Eurasia Act of 2017 (enacted. as title II 

g:\VHLC\031319\031319.178.xml 

March 13, 2019 (3:00p.m.) 

(72087515) 
62 

G:\CMTE\F A \16\MISC\EESD _ANS.XML 

9 

of the Countering America's Adversaries Through 

2 Sanctions Act; Public Ijaw 115-44; 22 U.S.C. 9543) 

3 is amended4 (A) in subsection (a), by striking "fiscal 

5 ~'ears 2018 and 201 9" and adding "fiscal years 

6 2020 and 2021"; and 

7 (B) in subsection (b), by adding at the end 

8 the following new paragraph: 

9 "(7) To assist United States agencies that op1 0 crate under the foreign policy 1o,111idance of the See11 rotary of State in providing assistance under section 

12 4 of the Enropcau Ener~r Security and Divcrsifica13 tion Act of 2019.". 

14 (c) EXCEPTION.-No United States assistance under 

15 this section may be provided to a European or Eurasian 

16 country that engages in a significant transaction described 

17 in subsection (a) of section 231 of the Countering Amer18 ica's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (22 U.S.C. 

19 9525). 

20 SEC. 5. PROGRESS REPORTS. 

21 Not later than one year after the date of the enact22 ment of this Act and annually thereafter for seven years, 

23 the President shall transmit to the Committee on Foreign 

24 Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign 

25 Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on 

g:IVHLC\031319\031319.178.xml 

March 13, 2019 (3:00p.m.) 

(72087515) 
63 

G:\CMTE\FA\16\MISC\EESD_ANS.XML 

10 

progress made in providing assistance for projects under 

2 section 4 that includes the following: 

3 (1) A description of the energy infrastructure 

4 projects the United States has identified for such as5 sistance. 

6 (2) For each such pr~ject, the following: 

7 (A) A description of the role of the United 

8 States in the projee.t, including in early-stage 

9 pr~ject support and late-stage pr~jeet support. 

10 (B) The amount and form of an~' debt fi11 naneing and insurance provided by the United 

12 States Government for the project. 

1 3 (C) The amount and form of any early14 stage project support. 

· 15 (D) An update on the progTess made on 

1 6 the project as of the date of the report. 

Amend the title so as to read: "A bill to prioritize 

the efforts of and enhance coordination among United 

States agencies to encourage countries iu Europe and 

Eurasia to diversi(v their energy sources and supply 

routes, increase energy secm·it~' in the region, and help 

the United States reach its global energy secnrity goals, 

and for other purposes.". 

g:IVHLC\031319\031319.178.xml 

March 13,2019 (3:00p.m.) 

(72087515) 
64 

Chairman ENGEL. At this time, I recognize myself to speak on today’s business and I will be brief. 

Today, our committee has an important opportunity to support 

the Venezuelan people by advancing three bills at holding Nicolas 

Maduro accountable while responding to Venezuela’s humanitarian 

needs. 

First, Congresswoman Shalala’s Venezuela Arms Restriction Act, 

makes it crystal clear that no U.S. citizen or business will be able 

to profit from the repression of the Venezuelan people. 

This legislation codifies existing restrictions on arms exports to 

Venezuela and adds new restrictions on articles that are used for 

crime control, like tear gas and riot gear. 

Congress must do everything in its power to keep these dangerous items out of the hands of Nicolas Maduro and his cronies. 

We are also considering the Humanitarian Assistance to the Venezuelan People Act, which is authored by Congresswoman 

Mucarsel-Powell. Venezuela was once the crown jewel of South 

America, the wealthiest country on the continent with vast natural 

resources and, sadly, that is no longer the case. 

Ninety percent of Venezuelans now live in poverty and the country’s citizens are leaving the country at an alarming rate. 

The U.N. High Commissioner on Refugees estimates that by the 

end of this year, there will be more than 5 million Venezuelans living outside of the country. 

This mass exodus has had a major impact not only on Venezuelans themselves but also on the generous host countries including Colombia, Peru, Brazil, and Ecuador, which have opened their 

hearts and homes to refugees and migrants. 

Ms. Mucarsel-Powell’s legislation would address the humanitarian crisis head on by authorizing new funding and mandating 

a strategy from USAID and the State Department. 

And Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz’s Russian-Venezuelan 

Threat Mitigation Act would respond to the increasing security relationship between Venezuela and the Kremlin. 

This is another place where Vladimir Putin is trying to advance 

his aggressive agenda, and this bill would require an assessment 

from the Administration of what Russia is up to and what danger 

it poses. 

The other measure we are considering today is the European Energy Security and Diversification Act of 2019. In addition to its 

military aggression, Russia has repeatedly used energy as a weapon to blackmail countries dependent on Russian energy sources. 

The European Union and many of our allies and partners in Europe recognize this threat and have begun to take steps to reduce 

their vulnerability to Russian pressure. 

This bill would ramp up American support for efforts to increase 

Europe’s energy security and reduce dependence on Russia, including financial support for projects that better connect European energy networks and improve energy efficiency. 

These are all good measures that I am pleased to support. I 

thank our members for their hard work and I will now recognize 

our ranking member, Mr. McCaul of Texas, for any remarks he 

might have. 

Mr. MCCAUL. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 
65 

I know everyone in this committee is deeply disturbed by the deteriorating situation in Venezuela and the continued threats by 

Maduro and his regime against interim President Guaido. 

I am proud to stand with him in his struggle for a peaceful transition to democracy. That is why I strongly support the three Venezuela bills we are marking up today. 

I think in the interest of time, with votes imminent, I will place 

my full remarks on these three bills that I support into the record, 

without objection. 

And we will also markup the European Energy Security and Diversification Act sponsored by Mr. Kinzinger and Mr. Keating. This 

bill will provide political, diplomatic, technical, financial support to 

energy projects in European and Eurasian countries to reduce their 

reliance on Russia. 

It will also reauthorize the Countering Russian Influence Fund 

to protect critical infrastructure and electoral mechanisms from 

Russian cyber attacks, combat corruption, and support countries 

under direct assault by Russia like Georgia and Ukraine. 

It is a strong statment of our willingness to do more to help Europe achieve its energy diversification and security goals, and I am 

fully supportive. 

I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides to 

pass these bills through the House and to the president’s desk. 

And with that, I yield back. 

Chairman ENGEL. Mr. McCaul yields back. Thank you, Mr. 

McCaul. 

Does anyone else seek recognition? 

Mr. Sires. 

Mr. SIRES. Yes. I just want to thank Congresswoman Wasserman 

Schultz, Congresswoman Shalala, and Congresswoman Mucarsel— 

Powell for introducing three important bills in support of the Venezuelan people and I would like to put the rest of my comments 

in for the record, if you do not have any objection. 

Chairman ENGEL. Thank you, Mr. Sires. 

Anyone else seeking recognition? 

Mr. Kinzinger. 

Mr. KINZINGER. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 

Just quickly, I want to just talk about the bill that Mr. Keating 

and I introduced, the European Energy Security and Diversity Act. 

It is important for both our European and Eurasian partners and 

our industry. 

We know that Russia has long used energy as a weapon to coerce, manipulate, and create conflict in Europe and Eurasia and I 

do not believe any member in this room would deny the fact that 

the Russian Federation, led by Vladimir Putin, is a destabilizing 

factor in the world. 

This would help our partners defend themselves from the malign 

activities of Russia by developing and diversifying their own energy 

sources. Europe and Eurasia, for far too long, have relied on Russian gas and oil without looking at options to produce their own. 

By providing diplomatic and political support, American energy 

innovators could help diversify energy sources, enhance market integration across the region, and increase competition within the 

European energy market. 
66 

Our partners have a long history of working with our defense industrial base, but this legislation now offers them an avenue to 

work with our great energy sector. 

Through this bill, we have an opportunity to support our allies, 

support our energy industry, and end Russia’s use of energy as a 

weapon. 

I urge my colleagues to join me in support, and I yield back. 

Chairman ENGEL. Thank you. 

Mr. Keating. 

Mr. KEATING. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, I thank the ranking 

member, and I thank the ranking member of our subcommittee. 

This is truly a bicameral and bipartisan effort that began in the 

last Congress and I want to thank the chairman and the ranking 

member and, hopefully, ask the committee members to move this 

forward now at such an early stage. 

I want to thank Senator Murphy for his leadership on the Senate 

side. I want to thank Congressman Kinzinger for working with us 

here so early in the session on a very important effort. 

It is a great example in our subcommittee of an issue and a piece 

of legislation that hits, really, on all aspects of what our committee 

is trying to do this Congress. 

At a time when Putin is aggressively asserting Russian influence 

around the world, this bill is an important way to push back from 

a position of strength. The U.S. is now an exporter of energy. 

Through election interference, disinformation, or the issue at 

hand—energy—Russia consistently tries to undermine the sovereignty of our friends and allies, particularly those on the other 

side of the Atlantic. 

Ukraine is a good example of all these issues. Russia has repeatedly used its natural gas pipelines that transit Ukraine and Europe 

to exert pressure on Ukraine, even, at times, during the cold winter 

months. 

Nord Stream 2 has gained a lot of attention recently because of 

increased natural gas flows from Russia into Europe and how that 

could potentially leave Europe more isolated and, specifically, countries like Ukraine affected by this, making them even more vulnerable to Russian manipulation. 

We need to push back on these Russian efforts to undermine, to 

exert leverage, and, I would even agree, weaponize energy in their 

efforts. 

This is a proactive way to do this together with our European allies from a position of strength. This bill authorizes financing for 

private sector investments in energy security projects so that the 

U.S. can support the development of alternative sources of energy 

in Europe, including renewable energy. 

This bill promotes energy diversification and security in Europe 

by increasing their energy independence from Russian sources but 

also it strengthens U.S.-European cooperation and economic ties. 

This is one effort of what I hope will be more efforts to do this. 

We need to be working more closely with our European friends 

and allies if we are going to be successful in minimizing Putin’s destabilizing efforts here in the U.S. and throughout the world. 

Russia and China are both making investments in Europe, 

whether it is in energy or port infrastructure or technology compa-
67 

nies, and it is time that the U.S. steps up and makes these strategic investments not only with our European partners who share 

our values and close business ties with American companies but 

also with other countries around the world. 

This is not only good for our economy but it is good for our security. It is also good for our allies and global security as well. 

So I would like to thank the chairman for holding this hearing 

and this markup, and advancing this piece of legislation along with 

those very other important pieces of legislation dealing with the 

horrific humanitarian crisis unfolding in Venezuela. 

I urge my colleagues to support these measures and I yield back. 

Chairman ENGEL. The gentleman yields back. 

Any other members seeking recognition? 

Mr. Chabot. 

Mr. CHABOT. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 

I will be very brief. I just want to thank my colleagues and voice 

my support for the three Venezuela measures here which, in essence, increases humanitarian assistance, the arms restrictions, as 

well as discouraging Russian influence in the area. 

Venezuela continues to be an absolute total and utter mess— 

phony elections, a president who is not legitimate, 3 million or so 

Venezuelans who have already fled the country with a couple of 

million probably ready to do the same thing; manmade extreme 

food and medical shortages, once-eradicated diseases reemerging 

from malaria to measles to diphtheria. 

It is absolutely a disgrace, and I applaud this committee and I 

applaud the Trump Administration in their strong stance in recognizing Guaido rather than Maduro, who is a complete fraud and 

ought to be removed from office as quickly as possible. 

So I want to thank the committee for working in a bipartisan 

manner, and yield back. 

Chairman ENGEL. The gentleman yields back. Thank you, Mr. 

Chabot. 

Mr. Levin. 

Mr. LEVIN. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I want to express my 

appreciation for our bipartisan work on this incredibly important 

set of issues. 

And I want to thank you, Mr. Chairman, for accepting my 

amendment to H.R. 854 to ensure that humanitarian aid for the 

people of Venezuela is delivered in accordance with established 

international humanitarian principles. 

Everyone in this room understands the magnitude of the humanitarian crisis the Venezuela people are grappling with under 

Maduro. Venezuelans cannot afford food. 

Hospitals do not have basic drugs or supplies. Rates of maternal 

and child deaths and diseases that had been under control like malaria are spiking. 

And today marks a week since much of Venezuela, including Caracas, was plunged into a blackout. Without power, it has only gotten harder for the country’s decimated health system to care for 

those in need. 

It is clear that we need to do all we can to address this crisis. 

But we have to do it right. This is a simple amendment to make 
68 

sure that humanitarian assistance that is so needed in Venezuela 

is delivered in accordance with widely accepted principles. 

We need to be absolutely clear that any aid is there to ease the 

Venezuelan people’s suffering, not to make them pawns in political 

ploys. 

Again, Mr. Chairman, I am grateful to you and your staff for 

working with me on this. 

Finally, H.R. 1477 would assess and mitigate threats posed by 

Russian-Venezuelan security cooperation. My reading of this bill is 

that it is not in any way an expression of congressional support for 

the use of military force and it would not provide any statutory authorization for an introduction of U.S. forces into hostilities. 

I would like to yield to the chairman to ask whether this is his 

understanding as well. 

Chairman ENGEL. Yes, it is my understanding. The gentleman is 

correct. H.R. 1477 is not an expression of support for the use of 

force as it in no way provides statutory authorization under the 

War Powers Resolution or any other provision of law. 

As Section 8(a) of the War Powers Resolution specifies, and I 

quote, ‘‘Authority to introduce United States armed forces into hostilities or into situations where an involvement in hostilities is 

clearly indicated by the circumstances shall not be inferred from 

any provision of law unless such provisions specifically authorizes 

the introduction of United States armed forces.’’ 

This legislation cannot properly be construed as providing any 

such authorization and I am not aware of any claims to the contrary. 

Mr. LEVIN. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate your support 

and your understanding of this bill, and with that clarification, I 

support the bill, and I yield back. 

Chairman ENGEL. The gentleman yields back. 

Are there any other requests for recognition? 

Then without objection, the committee will proceed to consider 

the noticed items en bloc. A reporting quorum is present. 

Without objection, the question occurs on the measures en bloc 

as amended. 

All those in favor, say aye. 

[Chorus of ayes.] 

Chairman ENGEL. All those opposed, no. 

In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it. 

The measures considered en bloc are agreed to and without objection each measure in the en bloc is ordered favorably reported 

as amended and each amendment to each bill shall be reported as 

a single amendment in the nature of a substitute. 

Without objection, staff is authorized to make any technical and 

conforming changes and the chair is authorized to seek House consideration under suspension of the rules. 

This concludes our business today. I want to thank Ranking 

Member McCaul and all of the committee members for their contributions and assistance with today’s markup. 

There is a bill now on the House floor being voted on. I think 

that is the only bill. 

The committee stands adjourned. 

[Whereupon, at 10:05 a.m., the committee was adjourned.] 
69 

APPENDIX 

FULL COMMITTEE MARKUP NOTICE 

COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS 

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

WASHINGTON, DC 20515-6128 

Eliot L. Engel (D-NY), Chairman 

March 14,2019 

TO: MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS 

You are respectfully requested to attend an OPEN markup of the Committee on Foreign 

Affairs to be held in Room 2172 of the Rayburn House Office Building (and available live on the 

Committee website at https://foreignaffairs.house.govQ: 

DATE: Thursday, March 14,2019 

TIME: 9:45a.m. 

MARKUP OF: H.R. 920, Venezuela Arms Restriction Act 

H.R. 854, Humanitarian Assistance to the Venezuelan People Act of 2019 

H.R. 1477, Russian-Venezuelan Threat Mitigation Act 

H.R. 1616, European Energy Security and Diversification Act of2019 

By Direction of the Chairman 

The Committee on Foreign Affairs seeks to make its facilities accessible to persons with disabilities. !fyou are in need of special accommodations, 

please call 2021225~5021 at least Jour business days in adrance of the erent, whenerer practicable. Questions with regard to special 

accommodations in general (including availabzltty of Committee materials in alternatire formats and assistive listening devices) may be dtrected 

to the Committee. 
70 

COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS 

MINUTES OF FULL COMMITTEE MARKUP 

Day· __ T."-''h"rus!!.!!!ldav...._ _ _..Datec__ _ _.0.,'3/l"""'#I~9 __ ~Room, _ ___:21""7.""'2:..:RB=O:::c'B:___ 

Starting Time 9:45a.m. Endlng Time 10:05 a.m. 

Recesses _j}_ L__to __) L__to __) L__to __) L__to __) L_to __) L_to __) 

Presiding Member(s) 

Clulim11m Eliot L. Engel 

Check aU of the following thtd apply: 

Open Session 0 Executive (closed) Session 0 Televised 0 ElectronieaUy Record~taped) 0 

Stenographic Record 0 

BILLS FOR MARKUP: (Include bill number(s) and tit/e(s) of legislation.) 

H.R. 920, Venezuei4Ariii$RestrlctiDnAct 

H.R. 854, Humanillrrllln Assisttmce to the Venezuelan People Act of2019 

H.R. 1477, Russhrn-Venezuehrn Threol Mitigation Act 

H.R. 1616, EuropeiUI Energy Security IUid Dh>enijicotion Act of2019 

COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: See attached. 

NON-COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: 

NIA 

STATEMENTS FOR THE RECORD: (List any statements submitted for the record.) 

SFR_Sires, SFR_McCaul, SFR_ Castro, SFR_ Wilson 

ACTIONS TAKEN DURING THE MARKUP: (Attach copies of legislation and amendments.) 

The measures considered en bloc wne agreed to by voice vote. 

RECORDED VOTES TAKEN (FOR MARKUP): (Attach final vote tally sheet listing each member.) 

Sub!eet 

NIA Ym.. 

NIA 

!'!:m. 

NIA 
71 

PRESENT 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS 

FULL COMMITTEE MARKUP 

MEMBER PRESENT MEMBER 

Eliot L. Engel, NY X Michael T. McCaul, TX 

Brad Sherman, CA X Christopher H. Smith, NJ 

Gregory W. Meeks, NY X Steve Chabot, OH 

Albio Sires, NJ X Joe Wilson, S(; 

Gerald E. Connolly, Y A X Scott Perry, PA 

Theodore E. Deutch, FL X Ted Yoho, FL 

Karen Bass, CA X Adam Kinzinger, IL 

William Keating, MA X Lee Zeldin, NY 

David Cicilline, Rl James Sensenbrenner, Jr., WI 

Ami Bera,CA Ann Wagner, MO 

Joaquin Castro, TX Brian J. Mast, FL 

Dina Titus, NV X Francis Rooney, FL 

Adriano Espaillat, NY Brian K. Fitzpatrick, PA 

Ted Lieu, CA X John Curtis, UT 

Susan Wild, PA X Ken Buck, CO 

Dean Phillips, MN X Ron Wright, TX 

Jlhan Omar, MN X Guy Reschenthaler, PA 

Colin Allred, TX X Tim Burchett, TN 

Andy Levin, Ml X Greg Pence, IN 

Abigail Spanberger, VA X Steve Watkins, KS 

Chrissy Houlahan, PA Michael Guest, MS 

Tom Malinowski, NJ 

David Trone, MD 

Jim Costa, CA 

Juan Vargas, CA 

Vicente Gon?..alez, TX 
72 

STATEMENTS FOR THE RECORD 

03/14/2019 House Foreign Affairs Committee Markuo Summary 

By unanimous consent, the Chair called up the following measures and amendments, previously provided 

to Members, to be considered en bloc: 

(1) H.R. 920, Venezuela Arms Restriction Act (Shalala) 

Engel, an amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 920 

(2) H.R. 854, Humanitarian Assistance to the Venezuelan People Act of2019 (Mucarsel-Powell) 

Engel, an amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 854 

Levin amendment #20 

(3) H.R. 1477, Russian-Venezuelan Threat Mitigation Act (Wasserman Schultz) 

Engel, an amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 1477 

(4) H.R. 1616, European Energy Security and Diversification Act of2019 (Kinzinger) 

Keating, an amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 1616 

The measures considered en bloc were agreed to by voice vote. 

By unanimous consent, the measures were ordered favorably reported, as amended, to the House, and the 

Chairman was authorized to seek House consideration under suspension of the rules. 

The Committee adjourned. 
73 

Statement for the Record from Representative Albio Sires 

Markup ofH.R. 920, H.R. 854, H.R. 1477, H.R. 1616 

March 14,2019 

Thank you very much Mr. Chairman. I'm grateful you have called this markup and we are able 

to advance these bipartisan measures today. 

I want to thank Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz, Congresswoman Shalala, and 

Congresswoman Mucarsel-Powell for introducing three important bills in support of the 

Venezuelan people. 

We have seen that Nicolas Madura is an authoritarian whose leadership has plunged the country 

into one of the worst humanitarian crises in our hemisphere's history. Yet he is clearly 

determined to hold onto power at any cost. 

These three bills show that we must continue to apply maximum diplomatic and economic 

pressure on M.aduro. We need to restrict his access to financial, political, and military support 

from rogue regimes like Russia. At the same time, we must do all we can to support civilian-led 

efforts by the Venezuelan people to restore their democracy and reclaim their fundamental rights. 

I believe the U.S. should work closely with allies in Latin America and Europe to provide muchneeded humanitarian assistance. And we should be consistent in calling for an immediate, 

peaceful transition that swiftly leads to free and fair elections, in which every political party is 

allowed to participate, and fully competitive conditions are guaranteed by international 

observers. 

Again, I thank Chairman Engel for his efforts to have this mark up and I thank all our members 

and their staff for their hard work. I urge my colleagues to support these bills and yield back the 

balance of my time. 
74 

Statement for the Record from Representative Mike McCaul 

Markup ofH.R. 920, H.R. 854, H.R. 1477, H.R. 1616 

March 14,2019 

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 

I am deeply disturbed by the deteriorating situation in Venezuela and the continued threats by the 

criminal Maduro regime against Interim President Juan Guaido. I am proud to stand with him 

and his struggle for a peaceful transition to democracy. 

That is why I strongly support the three Venezuela bills we are marking up today. 

The Humanitarian Assistance to the Venezuelan People Act, sponsored by Ms. Mucarsel-Powell, 

ensures that U.S.-led humanitarian assistance to address the Venezuela crisis meets the needs of 

its beneficiaries. This bill strongly condemns all violent actions by the Maduro regime to block 

humanitarian aid and authorizes funding for future humanitarian assistance. 

The Venezuela Arms Restriction Act, sponsored by Ms. Shalala, will identify any U.S. entities 

providing defense articles and restrict all U.S. sales of defense articles to the illegitimate 

government of Nicolas Maduro and his security forces. Defending the safety and rights of the 

Venezuelan people is a top priority and this bill provides accountability for individuals or entities 

supporting the Maduro regime. 

The Russian-Venezuelan Threat Mitigation Act, sponsored by Ms. Wasserman Schultz, reflects 

my deep concern about Venezuela's relationship with Russia as a risk to U.S. national security. 

This bill requests strategy to counter the threat posed by the relationship, with a specific review 

of Russia's potential acquisition of US-based oil infrastructure. 

This legislation also authorizes visa restrictions and revocations against individuals acting on 

behalf of the Russian government to support Venezuelan security forces. 

I thank my colleagues for introducing these important bills that represent this Congress' 

commitment to supporting the Venezuelan people. I hope this bipartisan approach on Venezuela 

can be maintained. 

We will also markup the European Energy Security and Diversification Act, sponsored by Mr. 

Kinzinger and Mr. Keating. This bill will provide political, diplomatic, technical, and financial 

support to energy projects in European and Eurasian countries to reduce their reliance on Russia. 

This bill will also reauthorize the Countering Russian Influence Fund to protect critical 

infrastructure and electoral mechanisms from Russian cyberattacks, combat corruption, and 

support countries under direct assault by Russia -like Georgia and Ukraine. 

This legislation is a strong statement of America's willingness to do more to help Europe achieve 

its energy diversification and security goals, but countries on the continent must also be willing 

to do their part. 
75 

I look forward to working with my colleagues in both parties to pass these bills through the 

House and eventually over to the President's desk. 

I yield back the balance of my time. 

2 
76 

Statement for the Record from Representative Joaquin Castro 

Markup ofH.R. 920, H.R. 854, H.R. 1477, H.R. 1616 

March 14,2019 

Thank you, Chairman Engel and Ranking Member McCaul, for your leadership on this 

Committee, and for bringing under consideration today four substantive bills. 

These measures address pressing issues our country faces around the world today. Each will 

enhance our national security and ensure the United States upholds our foreign policy 

principles. I am proud to support all of them, and will give some context on just a few. 

We've seen the Venezuelan people suffer immensely under Nicolas Maduro's regime. 

Experiencing political repression and economic stagnation, many citizens are unable to satisfy 

their basic needs. In the past week, massive blackouts have made a dire situation even worse. Yet 

when humanitarian aid arrived at the Colombia-Venezuela border, Maduro and his henchmen 

blocked its entry, exacerbating the plight of his people. The legislation introduced by Rep. 

Debbie Mucarsei-Powell would help alleviate this urgent crisis by directing the State Department 

to develop a strategy for assistance and empowering USAID to meet shortages. As we continue 

to apply pressure on Maduro for free and fair elections, multilateral diplomatic and humanitarian 

efforts are critical. I support this legislation and the opportunity it provides to improve conditions 

in Venezuela. 

Since Maduro illegitimately assumed another term in office, numerous countries have recognized 

Interim President Guaido, but Russia remains behind Maduro and on the opposite side of 

democracy. Through various activities--disinformation campaigns, poison attacks, supporting 

far-right leaders-Russia is undermining democratic values worldwide and presenting a threat to 

the United States and our interests. Cut from the same cloth, Maduro and Putin have formed an 

unholy relationship. Responding to concerning trends, this legislation will help us better 

understand Russia-Venezuela security cooperation and prevent some of those perpetrating abuses 

from acquiring visas. This bill will contribute to our safety, and I am proud to support it. 

As we know, Putin' s aggression is not confined to just one area of the world. In Europe, he 

continues to interfere in elections and attempts to drive wedges in continental unity. To that end, 

the Kremlin has used European countries' reliance on Russian energy to exert unwelcome and 

harmful influence. Still, some nations remain vulnerable to coercion and dependence. We must 

be clear-eyed about Russia's transgressions and uphold transatlantic security. I welcome and 

support this bill from my colleagues on the Committee, which will instruct the State Department 

to promote European energy diversification. Cooperation with our partners in Europe is 

indispensable as we seek to reverse Russia's advance. 

As has been well-documented, Maduro is a serial human rights abuser with no respect for the 

rule of law. To execute his crackdown, Maduro relies on cronies in the security forces. Under his 

iron fist, civil liberties have been violated. With Maduro doubling down on his reign of 

oppression, U.S. citizens and businesses should not reap rewards as a result. This bill, which 

restricts the sale of defense articles to Maduro's forces, reaffirms that U.S. leadership is based 
77 

upon values. We should not be party to extrajudicial mistreatment, and I'm proud to support a 

measure that makes this clear. 

These pieces of legislation do valuable work and I'm glad to support all of these bills. Again, 

thank you, Mr. Chairman and to my colleagues, for your part in these important measures. 
78 

Æ 

Statement for the Record from Representative Joe Wilson 

Markup ofH.R. 920, H.R. 854, H.R. 1477, H.R. 1616 

March 14,2019 

I appreciate Chairman Eliot Engel and Ranking Member Michael McCaul for bringing 

these important measures to markup. It is critical that Congress do everything in its power to 

support the democratic aspirations of the people of Venezuela. This means not just sending 

important messages of political support, but also moving actionable bills like these to the floor. I 

commend the committee for taking action today, as well as the sponsors of these crucial 

measures. 

A major obstacle that stands between the people of Venezuela and the realization of their 

goal of ousting Nicolas Maduro has been the country's military. Maduro has ensured officers' 

loyalty by offering promotions and allowing them to enrich themselves through state businesses 

and criminal activities. Meanwhile, nearly 90 percent of Venezuelans currently live in poverty. 

The Trump Administration- and indeed the rest of the international community- faces a real 

challenge of persuading the military to cease supporting Maduro so that Venezuela's democratic 

process can succeed. 

I am grateful for Representative Donna Shalala's introduction of the H.R. 920, the 

Venezuela Arms Restriction Act. This important bill will send a strong targeted message to 

Maduro and his supporters in the military that the U.S. stands with the people of Venezuela. It 

will codify and add new restrictions on exporting U.S. defense articles to Venezuela, helping to 

ensure that American businesses do not profit from selling these items to Maduro's regime. 

But the Maduro regime is not only supported by the military. Venezuela's dictator has 

garnered the support of some of the worst human rights violators on earth. While 54 countries 

including the U.S. currently support interim president Juan Guaido, countries like Iran, Syria, 

Russia, Cuba and China have come out on Maduro's side. 

Russia has spent years nurturing the Maduro regime, with financial, military, and 

political support. When the crisis in Venezuela began, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov 

pledged that his country will do "everything" to support the Maduro regime. I am grateful for 

Representative Wasserman Schultz for introducing H .R. 1466 the Russian-Venezuelan Threat 

Mitigation Act. This legislation will require a threat assessment of exactly what Russia is up to in 

Venezuela and it places sanctions of those working for Russia to support this repressive regime. 

Lastly, I'm grateful to cosponsor Congressman Kinzinger's H.R. 1616, the European 

Energy Security and Diversification Act of 2019. For too long, Russia has been in the business of 

energy blackmail. It has used its role as a major energy supplier to manipulate and bully our 

European allies. This bill will provide comprehensive support for energy projects in Europe and 

Eurasia with the potential to reduce reliance on Russia. The need for Europe to diversify its 

energy sources is critical and has real life geopolitical consequences. I thank Congressman 

Kinzinger for his leadership on this issue and urge all my colleagues to support this important 

measure. With that, Mr. Chairman, I yield back.