Wasserman Schultz Leads Bipartisan, Bicameral Comprehensive Legislation to Restore Democracy and Accountability in Venezuela

Washington, June 13, 2023

“Venezuelans have endured a decade of suffering under Nicolás Maduro, whose assault on democracy and human rights have precipitated a refugee crisis second only to Ukraine in the 21st century,” said Rep. Wasserman Schultz. “The U.S. can’t solve this problem alone. But it’s imperative that we coordinate with international partners to improve conditions on the ground and advocate for the release of political prisoners while ensuring accountability to lay the groundwork for a future democratic transition.”

Washington, D.C. –Today, U.S. Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), co-chair of the Congressional Venezuela Democracy Caucus, was joined by co-leads Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL) and Joaquin Castro (D-TX), Chair and Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, as well as Michael Waltz (R-FL) in reintroducing the bipartisan, bicameral AFFECT Human Rights in Venezuela Act. The bill directs U.S. support for multilateral efforts to hold the Maduro regime accountable for its crimes against humanity and resolve Venezuela’s decade-long political and economic crisis, while providing immediate support to mitigate the suffering of Venezuelans.

Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) is leading companion legislation alongside Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL), Ben Cardin (D-MD), and Bill Hagerty (R-TN) in introducing companion legislation in the Senate. This legislation was marked up and approved unanimously in the 118^th Congress by the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

“Venezuelans have endured a decade of suffering under Nicolás Maduro, whose assault on democracy and human rights have precipitated a refugee crisis second only to Ukraine in the 21^st century,” said Rep. Wasserman Schultz. “The U.S. can’t solve this problem alone. But it’s imperative that we coordinate with international partners to improve conditions on the ground and advocate for the release of political prisoners while ensuring accountability to lay the groundwork for a future democratic transition.”

“My Venezuelan constituents in Miami know the abuses the Maduro regime carries out against the people it claims to represent,” said Rep. Salazar. “We must ensure the international community knows the truth about the failure of socialism of the 21st century, to help the Venezuelan people restore freedom and democracy in their home country and to prevent it from ever happening again.”

“For a decade, Nicolas Maduro has used his corrupt regime to carry out human rights abuses against the Venezuelan people and destabilize the region.” said Rep. Waltz. “We must continue to urge the international community to condemn Maduro’s actions and support freedom in Venezuela.”

More than seven million Venezuelans have been forced to flee poverty and persecution amid the political, economic, and humanitarian crisis that continues to plague the country. The Biden Administration has maintained sanctions on the Maduro regime and its enablers, while simultaneously advocating for continued talks with the opposition National Assembly. The Administration recently approved the creation of a new United Nations humanitarian fund that will redirect sanctioned regime assets to the victims of Maduro’s destruction. 

In a recent letter to the editorial board of the Washington Post, Rep. Wasserman Schultz argued for a multifaceted approach to the crisis in Venezuela that combines pressure on the regime with concrete actions to push forward negotiations and reduce the suffering of Venezuelans and stem the flow of migration.

The AFFECT Human Rights in Venezuela Act would direct the President, Secretary of State, and UN Ambassador to:

• Support extending the UN Fact-Finding Mission’s (FFM) investigation until democracy and the rule of law are restored, free elections are held, and humanitarian assistance can be freely delivered.
• Offer technical and investigatory assistance to the FFM while requesting early warnings of future threats to human rights and democratic institutions in Venezuela.
• Work alongside UN Special Envoys and Rapporteurs in negotiating the release of political prisoners and wrongfully detained Americans.
• Urge other nations to contribute to existing UN appeals that aim to support access to food, medicine, and electricity but face a persistent resource gap.
• Enhance the scope of UN programs that fund NGOs in Venezuela and provide critical services to those who reside in the country, while independent humanitarian entities from present or future restrictions imposed by the Maduro regime.
• Ensure that multilateral humanitarian assistance is delivered directly to Venezuelans, including refugees and migrants in third countries, without being channeled through the regime.
• Preserve access for free press, humanitarian actors, and credible international legal entities, such as future fact-finding missions and criminal proceedings.