Humanitarian Assistance to the Venezuelan People Act of 2019

Bill: 116-hr-854
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Mucarsel-Powell, Debbie [D-FL-26]
Introduced: 2019-01-29
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Caribbean area

Congressional oversight

Food assistance and relief

Food supply, safety, and labeling

Foreign aid and international relief

Government ethics and transparency, public corruption

Human rights

International organizations and cooperation

Latin America

Multilateral development programs

Nutrition and diet

Refugees, asylum, displaced persons

Rule of law and government transparency

Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status

U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)

United Nations

Venezuela

World health
Latest action: action_date: 2019-03-26
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Summaries:
action_date: 2019-01-29
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Humanitarian Assistance to the Venezuelan People Act of 2019</b></p> <p>This bill directs the Department of State to report to Congress a long term strategy for providing humanitarian assistance to Venezuelans both in Venezuela and in other parts of the Western Hemisphere. The strategy shall cover topics including how to provide public health commodities, food, and technical assistance. It shall also describe how the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is blocking entry of humanitarian assistance, and how the United States is coordinating efforts with other countries. </p> <p>The Government Accountability Office shall report to Congress on the impact of U.S. assistance for Venezuelans throughout the Western Hemisphere.</p> <p>The President shall instruct the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations (U.N.) to convince the U.N. to place the Venezuelan humanitarian and political crisis on its agenda. The Permanent Representative shall also seek a U.N. Presidential Statement and Permanent Resolution urging the Venezuelan government to allow for the delivery of humanitarian aid. </p>

action_date: 2019-03-25
action_desc: Passed House
text: <p><b>Humanitarian Assistance to the Venezuelan People Act of 2019</b></p> <p>This bill directs the Department of State to report to Congress a long term strategy for coordinating the provision of humanitarian assistance to Venezuelans both in Venezuela and in other parts of the Western Hemisphere and authorizes the President to provide humanitarian aid to such individuals. The strategy shall cover topics including how to provide public health commodities, food, and technical assistance. It shall also describe (1) current and anticipated challenges to distributing humanitarian assistance in Venezuela and elsewhere, and (2) how the United States is coordinating efforts with other countries. </p> <p>The Government Accountability Office shall report to Congress on the impact of U.S. assistance for Venezuelans throughout the Western Hemisphere. </p>

tv_txt: I 116th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 854 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 29, 2019 Ms. Mucarsel-Powell (for herself, Ms. Shalala , Ms. Garcia of Texas , Ms. Wasserman Schultz , Mr. Soto , Mr. Raskin , Mr. Espaillat , and Ms. Frankel ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs A BILL To provide humanitarian assistance to the Venezuelan people, including Venezuelan migrants and refugees in the Americas and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Humanitarian Assistance to the Venezuelan People Act of 2019 . 2. Findings Congress makes the following findings: (1) Venezuela is in the grips of unprecedented political and economic turmoil marked by hyperinflation, soaring crime rates, and an authoritarian President. (2) President Nicolás Maduro and his predecessor have, through authoritarianism, graft, and incompetence, precipitated a massive humanitarian crisis both inside Venezuela and throughout the Western Hemisphere. (3) The Venezuelan gross domestic product is expected to contract for the sixth year in a row in 2019, with the Government defaulting on its external debt and inflation projected to exceed 1 million percent this year. (4) Health outcomes in Venezuela have approached critical levels as food, medicine, and services become increasingly inaccessible, with 11.4 percent of children in Venezuela under 5 years old suffering from moderate or acute malnutrition. (5) Nearly 10 percent of Venezuela’s population of 31 million have fled overseas, with nearly 90 percent of those remaining living in poverty. (6) Venezuelans have lost an average of 19 pounds of weight due to nationwide food shortages since the beginning of the country’s economic crisis. (7) Venezuela is suffering from an 88 percent medicine shortage, with more than 22,000 doctors leaving Venezuela in the past 4 years. (8) The Maduro Government has repeatedly rejected offers of humanitarian assistance, despite the return of once-vanquished diseases like diphtheria and measles, rampant cases of malaria, and the sharp rise in infant and maternal mortality. (9) Venezuela’s rates of homicide and other crimes have risen dramatically over the course of the crisis, with chronic underreporting contributing to an insufficient understanding of the scope of the crisis. 3. Requirement for strategy to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Venezuela (a) In general Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, shall submit to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate a long-term strategy to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Venezuela both in Venezuela and throughout the Western Hemisphere through credible and independent nongovernmental organizations operating in Venezuela or in neighboring countries to alleviate the suffering of the Venezuelan people. (b) Matters To be included The strategy required under subsection (a) shall include the following: (1) A description of how and to what extent the following assistance will be provided: (A) Public health commodities for Venezuelan health facilities and services, including medicines on the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines and basic medical supplies and equipment. (B) Basic food commodities and nutritional supplements needed to address growing malnutrition and improve food security for the people of Venezuela, with a specific emphasis on the most vulnerable populations. (C) Technical assistance to ensure health and food commodities are appropriately selected, procured, and distributed, predominantly through local nongovernmental organizations. (2) An identification of United States Agency for International Development best practices in delivering humanitarian assistance, particularly with regard to food assistance and how such best practices are being utilized in providing humanitarian assistance to Venezuela. (3) A description of obstacles put in place by the Maduro Government to prohibit the entry of humanitarian assistance into the country. (4) A description of efforts to enhance support for countries in the Western Hemisphere in supporting the humanitarian needs of Venezuelan migrants. (5) A description of efforts to ensure that humanitarian assistance for Venezuelans is coordinated with other United States bilateral assistance in the Western Hemisphere and does not result in eliminating other bilateral assistance. (6) A description of how humanitarian assistance is being monitored and evaluated and what additional staff are managing the assistance. 4. Comptroller general report on United States efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Venezuela Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate a report assessing the impact of United States humanitarian assistance to the people of Venezuela both in Venezuela and throughout the Western Hemisphere. 5. Support for efforts at the United Nations on the humanitarian and political crisis in Venezuela (a) Initial efforts The President shall instruct the Permanent Representative of the United States to the United Nations to use the voice, vote, and influence of the United States to secure the necessary votes to— (1) place the humanitarian and political crisis in Venezuela on the agenda at the United Nations; and (2) secure a Presidential Statement from the United Nations urging the Government of Venezuela to allow the delivery of humanitarian relief. (b) Additional efforts (1) In general Beginning not later than 30 days after the conclusion of efforts by the United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations under subsection (a), the President shall instruct the Permanent Representative to use the voice, vote, and influence of the United States to secure the adoption of a United Nations resolution described in paragraph (2). (2) Resolution described The United Nations resolution referred to in paragraph (1) is a resolution encouraging— (A) the Government of Venezuela to promptly allow safe and unhindered access for humanitarian agencies and their implementing partners, including possible support from neighboring countries; and (B) the Government of Venezuela to allow the delivery of food and medicine. 6. Authorization of appropriations for humanitarian assistance to the people of Venezuela (a) In general The President is authorized to provide humanitarian assistance to support the people of Venezuela both in Venezuela and throughout the Western Hemisphere. (b) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to the President $150,000,000 each year for fiscal years 2020 and 2021 to carry out this section.

tv_txt: I 116th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 854 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To provide humanitarian assistance to the Venezuelan people, including Venezuelan migrants and refugees in the Americas and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Humanitarian Assistance to the Venezuelan People Act of 2019 . 2. Report on the coordination and distribution of humanitarian assistance to the people of Venezuela including strategy on future efforts (a) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report outlining the coordination of humanitarian assistance to the people of Venezuela, both in Venezuela and throughout the Western Hemisphere, with nongovernmental organizations and international organizations operating in Venezuela or countries in the region to alleviate the suffering of the Venezuelan people. (b) Matters to be included The report required under subsection (a) shall include the following: (1) A description of how and under what circumstances the following humanitarian assistance has been provided: (A) Public health commodities for Venezuelan health facilities and services, including medicines on the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines, and basic medical supplies and equipment. (B) Basic food commodities and nutritional supplements needed to address growing malnutrition and improve food security for the people of Venezuela, with a specific emphasis on the most vulnerable populations. (C) Technical assistance to ensure health and food commodities are appropriately selected, procured, and distributed, predominantly through local nongovernmental organizations. (2) An identification of United States Agency for International Development and Department of State best practices in delivering humanitarian assistance, particularly with regard to food assistance, and how such best practices are being utilized in providing humanitarian assistance to Venezuela and countries in the region. (3) A description of current and anticipated challenges to distributing humanitarian assistance in Venezuela and countries hosting Venezuelan migrants. (4) A description of efforts to ensure that humanitarian and development assistance for Venezuelans is coordinated with other United States bilateral assistance in the Western Hemisphere and does not result in duplication or omission of such other bilateral assistance. (5) A description of how the pre-positioning and distribution of humanitarian assistance is being monitored and evaluated, the number of beneficiaries reached, an assessment of how humanitarian and development assistance is benefitting Venezuelan migrants inside and outside of the country, and what additional staff may be necessary to manage such assistance. (6) A strategy for future efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Venezuela that includes a description of future efforts regarding the matters described in paragraphs (1) through (5). 3. Statement of Congress Congress strongly condemns all violent actions by the Maduro regime and Venezuela’s security forces to block and divert humanitarian assistance from entering Venezuela. 4. Comptroller General report on United States efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Venezuela Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to appropriate congressional committees a report assessing the impact of United States humanitarian assistance on the people of Venezuela, both in Venezuela and throughout the Western Hemisphere, including the total number of beneficiaries reached. 5. Authorization of appropriations for humanitarian assistance to the people of Venezuela (a) In general The President is authorized to provide humanitarian assistance to support the people of Venezuela, both in Venezuela and throughout the Western Hemisphere, in accordance with established international humanitarian principles. (b) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that not less than $150,000,000 is necessary for each of fiscal years 2020 and 2021 to carry out this section. (c) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to the President such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2020 and 2021 to carry out this section. 6. Definition In this Act: (1) Appropriate congressional committees The term appropriate congressional committees means the following: (A) The Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives. (B) The Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives. (C) The Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate. (D) The Committee on Appropriations of the Senate. (2) Venezuelan security forces The term Venezuelan security forces includes the following: (A) The Bolivarian National Armed Forces, including the Bolivarian National Guard. (B) The Bolivarian National Intelligence Service. (C) The Bolivarian National Police. (D) The Bureau for Scientific, Criminal and Forensic Investigations of the Ministry of Interior, Justice, and Peace.

Passed the House of Representatives March 25, 2019. Cheryl L. Johnson, Clerk.

tv_txt: IIB 116th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 854 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 26, 2019 Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations AN ACT To provide humanitarian assistance to the Venezuelan people, including Venezuelan migrants and refugees in the Americas and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Humanitarian Assistance to the Venezuelan People Act of 2019 . 2. Report on the coordination and distribution of humanitarian assistance to the people of Venezuela including strategy on future efforts (a) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report outlining the coordination of humanitarian assistance to the people of Venezuela, both in Venezuela and throughout the Western Hemisphere, with nongovernmental organizations and international organizations operating in Venezuela or countries in the region to alleviate the suffering of the Venezuelan people. (b) Matters to be included The report required under subsection (a) shall include the following: (1) A description of how and under what circumstances the following humanitarian assistance has been provided: (A) Public health commodities for Venezuelan health facilities and services, including medicines on the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines, and basic medical supplies and equipment. (B) Basic food commodities and nutritional supplements needed to address growing malnutrition and improve food security for the people of Venezuela, with a specific emphasis on the most vulnerable populations. (C) Technical assistance to ensure health and food commodities are appropriately selected, procured, and distributed, predominantly through local nongovernmental organizations. (2) An identification of United States Agency for International Development and Department of State best practices in delivering humanitarian assistance, particularly with regard to food assistance, and how such best practices are being utilized in providing humanitarian assistance to Venezuela and countries in the region. (3) A description of current and anticipated challenges to distributing humanitarian assistance in Venezuela and countries hosting Venezuelan migrants. (4) A description of efforts to ensure that humanitarian and development assistance for Venezuelans is coordinated with other United States bilateral assistance in the Western Hemisphere and does not result in duplication or omission of such other bilateral assistance. (5) A description of how the pre-positioning and distribution of humanitarian assistance is being monitored and evaluated, the number of beneficiaries reached, an assessment of how humanitarian and development assistance is benefitting Venezuelan migrants inside and outside of the country, and what additional staff may be necessary to manage such assistance. (6) A strategy for future efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Venezuela that includes a description of future efforts regarding the matters described in paragraphs (1) through (5). 3. Statement of Congress Congress strongly condemns all violent actions by the Maduro regime and Venezuela’s security forces to block and divert humanitarian assistance from entering Venezuela. 4. Comptroller General report on United States efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Venezuela Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to appropriate congressional committees a report assessing the impact of United States humanitarian assistance on the people of Venezuela, both in Venezuela and throughout the Western Hemisphere, including the total number of beneficiaries reached. 5. Authorization of appropriations for humanitarian assistance to the people of Venezuela (a) In general The President is authorized to provide humanitarian assistance to support the people of Venezuela, both in Venezuela and throughout the Western Hemisphere, in accordance with established international humanitarian principles. (b) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that not less than $150,000,000 is necessary for each of fiscal years 2020 and 2021 to carry out this section. (c) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to the President such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2020 and 2021 to carry out this section. 6. Definition In this Act: (1) Appropriate congressional committees The term appropriate congressional committees means the following: (A) The Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives. (B) The Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives. (C) The Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate. (D) The Committee on Appropriations of the Senate. (2) Venezuelan security forces The term Venezuelan security forces includes the following: (A) The Bolivarian National Armed Forces, including the Bolivarian National Guard. (B) The Bolivarian National Intelligence Service. (C) The Bolivarian National Police. (D) The Bureau for Scientific, Criminal and Forensic Investigations of the Ministry of Interior, Justice, and Peace.

Passed the House of Representatives March 25, 2019. Cheryl L. Johnson, Clerk.