Congressman Alan Grayson Takes Action on Situation in Venezuela
Representative Supports Democracy in Venezuela, Holding Maduro Regime Officials Accountable
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Congressman Alan Grayson (FL-09) has signed on to the ‘Venezuelan Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act’ (H.R.4229). The legislation supports democracy in Venezuela and seeks to hold the Maduro Regime accountable for its human rights violations.
H.R.4229 would punish members of the Venezuelan regime who are cracking down on peaceful protests through a variety of methods: denying regime members visas to enter the United States, blocking their property, freezing their assets, and prohibiting financial transactions to members of the Venezuelan regime who are responsible for human rights violations.
Grayson recently wrote a letter to President Obama, urging him to quell the violence in Venezuela by employing similar measures. The letter reads, in part, “Using the authority that Congress has granted to the Executive Branch, you are able to deny visas to Members of the Government of Venezuela; freeze assets; and prohibit the financial transactions of those who consistently violate human rights. As a Member of Congress who represents a large number of constituents born in Venezuela, I support each of these actions.”
Grayson has also co-sponsored and voted for another Venezuela resolution, which passed out of the full House of Representatives earlier this month. H.Res. 488 condemns the violence and intimidation tactics directed at the people of Venezuela, expresses support for the peaceful protests, and urges the Organization of American States to end the violence in Venezuela, in accordance with the Inter-American Democratic Charter. Grayson worked with Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27) to improve the resolution before it was introduced.
Grayson said he hopes both pieces of legislation send a clear message of support to Venezuelan protestors, and a warning to the Maduro Regime that the violence must cease. “It’s unacceptable for peaceful protests to be met with brute force, but that is the tragic reality facing the people of Venezuela,” Grayson noted.“Venezuelans who are fighting for rights that Americans consider fundamental face brutal beatings, or even death at the hand of an oppressive military regime. The violence and intimidation enacted by Venezuela government regime must end, immediately. Until it does, the United States will ensure that is held accountable for these human rights violations.”
Congressman Alan Grayson represents Florida’s 9th Congressional District, which includes Osceola County, as well as parts of Orange and Polk counties. He previously served as the U.S. Representative for Florida's 8th Congressional District in the 111th Congress.
