Venezuelan Human Rights and Democracy Protection Act

Bill: 113-hr-4587
Sponsor: Rep. Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana [R-FL-27]
Introduced: 2014-05-07 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Arms control and nonproliferation
Congressional oversight
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Firearms and explosives
Foreign aid and international relief
Foreign property
Human rights
International organizations and cooperation
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Latin America
News media and reporting
Organization of American States
Protest and dissent
Refugees, asylum, displaced persons
Sanctions
Technology transfer and commercialization
Trade restrictions
Venezuela
Violent crime
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2014-05-07
text: 
Venezuelan Human Rights and Democracy Protection Act - Directs the Secretary of State to require the U.S. Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States (OAS) to use U.S. influence at the OAS to protect the Inter-American Democratic Charter, and strengthen the independent Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to protect human rights throughout the Western Hemisphere, especially in Venezuela. 
 
Directs the President to impose asset blocking and U.S. exclusion sanctions against any person, including a current or former official of the government of Venezuela or a person acting on behalf of such government, who has: (1) perpetrated or is responsible for directing acts of violence or human rights abuses against individuals participating in protests in Venezuela that began on February 12, 2014; (2) directed or ordered the arrest or prosecution of a person primarily because of the person's exercise of freedom of expression or assembly in relation to such protests; (3) knowingly assisted, sponsored, or provided significant financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services in support of, the commission of such acts; or (4) engaged in censorship against individuals or media outlets disseminating information in relation to such protests. 
 
Sets forth related penalty requirements. 
 
States that U.S. exclusion sanctions shall not apply if necessary to permit the United States to comply with the Agreement regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations or other applicable international obligations. 
 
Authorizes the President to waive sanctions if: (1) in the U.S. national security interests, or (2) conditions in Venezuela have improved with regard to respect for peaceful protest and basic human rights.
 
Directs the President to transmit to Congress a list of persons who: (1) transfer or facilitate the transfer of goods or technologies that are likely to be used to commit serious rights abuses to Venezuela, to any entity organized under the laws of Venezuela, or to any national of Venezuela, for use in Venezuela; or (2) provide services with respect to such goods or technologies after their transfer to Venezuela. 
 
Directs the Secretary to submit comprehensive strategies to Congress: (1) promoting internet and information access freedom in Venezuela, and (2) outlining U.S. support for the citizens of Venezuela in seeking free elections and the development of an independent civil society. 
 
States that it shall be U.S. policy to: (1) support efforts to identify prisoners of conscience and cases of human rights abuses in Venezuela, and (2) offer refugee status or political asylum in the United States to political dissidents in Venezuela or assist in their relocation to other countries. 
 
 Authorizes appropriations for assistance to civil society in Venezuela.
 
Sunsets this Act two years after its enactment.

action_date: 2014-05-28
text: 
Venezuelan Human Rights and Democracy Protection Act - (Sec. 4) Directs the Secretary of State (Secretary) to require the U.S. Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States (OAS) to use U.S. influence at the OAS to protect the Inter-American Democratic Charter, and strengthen efforts by international and multilateral organizations to protect human rights throughout the Western Hemisphere, especially in Venezuela. 
 
(Sec. 5) Directs the President to impose asset blocking sanctions and the Secretary or the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to impose U.S. exclusion sanctions against any person, including a current or former official of the government of Venezuela or a person acting on behalf of such government, who has: (1) perpetrated or is responsible for directing acts of violence or human rights abuses against individuals participating in protests in Venezuela that began on February 12, 2014; (2) directed or ordered the arrest or prosecution of a person primarily because of the person's exercise of freedom of expression or assembly in relation to such protests; (3) knowingly assisted, sponsored, or provided significant financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services in support of, the commission of such acts; or (4) engaged in censorship against individuals or media outlets disseminating information in relation to such protests. 
 
Sets forth related penalty requirements. 
 
States that U.S. exclusion sanctions shall not apply if necessary to permit the United States to comply with the Agreement regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations or other applicable international obligations. 
 
Authorizes the President to waive sanctions if: (1) in the U.S. national security interests, or (2) conditions in Venezuela have improved with regard to respect for peaceful protest and basic human rights.
 
(Sec. 6) Directs the President to transmit to Congress a list of, and impose sanctions against, persons who: (1) transfer or facilitate the transfer of goods or technologies that are likely to be used to commit serious rights abuses to Venezuela, to any person organized under the laws of Venezuela, or to any national of Venezuela, for use in Venezuela; or (2) provide services with respect to such goods or technologies after their transfer to Venezuela.
 
States that the President shall not be required to include a person on this list if: (1) that person is no longer engaging in or has taken significant steps toward stopping sanctioned activities, and (2) the President has received reliable assurances that such person will not knowingly engage in any new sanctioned activity. 
 
Authorizes the President to waive sanctions if: (1) in the U.S. national security interests, or (2) conditions in Venezuela have improved with regard to respect for peaceful protest and basic human rights.
 
(Sec. 7) Directs the Secretary to submit a comprehensive strategy to Congress for promoting internet and information access freedom in Venezuela.
 
 (Sec. 8) Directs the Secretary to submit a comprehensive strategy to Congress outlining U.S. support for the citizens of Venezuela in seeking free elections, civil liberties and human rights, and the development of an independent civil society. 
 
(Sec. 9) States that it shall be U.S. policy to: (1) support efforts to identify prisoners of conscience and cases of human rights abuses in Venezuela, and (2) offer refugee status or political asylum in the United States to political dissidents in Venezuela or assist in their relocation to other countries. 
 
 (Sec. 10) Authorizes FY2015 appropriations to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) for assistance to civil society in Venezuela.
 
(Sec. 11) Amends the Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act of 2009 to reduce specified funding for Pakistan through FY2014. 
 
(Sec. 12) Sunsets this Act two years after its enactment.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2014-07-21
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.
action_date: 2014-06-05
text: Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 410.
action_date: 2014-06-02
text: Received in the Senate.
action_date: 2014-05-28
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4844-4846)
action_date: 2014-05-28
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H4844-4846)
action_date: 2014-05-28
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4587.
action_date: 2014-05-28
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4844-4850)
action_date: 2014-05-28
text: Ms. Ros-Lehtinen moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2014-05-09
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2014-05-09
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2014-05-09
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H4047)
action_date: 2014-05-07
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2014-05-07
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2014-05-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2014-05-07
text: Introduced in House