Duval Times

Senator Rick Scott joined Senators Jim Risch, Michael Bennet, Bill Cassidy, and Bill Hagerty in announcing the Venezuela Advancing Liberty, Opportunity, and Rights Act (VALOR Act). This legislation aims to establish U.S. policy in support of a transition to democratic order in Venezuela. The bill will be led in the House by Representatives Maria Salazar and Debbie Wasserman Schultz.

Senator Rick Scott stated, “For years, I have urged President Biden and Vice President Harris to put the full weight of the federal government behind the Venezuelan people’s fight for democracy through free and fair elections, and at every turn the Biden-Harris administration has chosen to stand with Maduro by easing sanctions and failing to recognize Edmundo González Urrutia as the president-elect. The time is now for Maduro to leave office and allow the Venezuelan people to be free from his dictatorship. The United States must be a leader in bringing freedom and democracy to Venezuela and the VALOR Act is a step in the right direction.”

Senator Jim Risch added, “The Maduro regime continues to violate internationally recognized human rights and threaten regional and international peace with impunity. It is past time the United States take the lead in establishing clear and resolute policies to support a credible transition to democratic order in Venezuela. The VALOR Act will do just that by seeking international cooperation for a peaceful transition to democracy in Venezuela and maintaining sanctions until there has been substantive and measurable progress. I’m grateful to Senator Bennet for working with me on this effort.”

Senator Michael Bennet remarked, “Maduro and his corrupt, illegitimate regime have wreaked havoc on Venezuela and its people. This bipartisan legislation affirms the United States’ support for the Venezuelan people’s fight to restore the rule of law and democracy in their country when they elected President-elect Edmundo González on July 28. I’ll keep working with Senator Risch and my colleagues to demonstrate that the United States of America stands with them.”

Representative Maria Elvira Salazar commented, “America cannot wait any longer as Maduro finalizes his theft of Venezuela’s election. The United States must send the message that Maduro’s time in Miraflores is up, and that Edmundo González will take his rightful office in January. No more money for the Chavistas and their repressive apparatus.”

Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz said, “Venezuelans courageously took to the ballot box to seek true, legitimate representation after a lost decade under Maduro.Despite violent repression, overwhelming majorities repudiated Maduro and chose President-elect Edmundo González. But this brutal regime refuses to face reality despite clear evidence proving Maduro’s loss. The Biden-Harris Administration successfully forced Maduro to hold this election. Now, the United States must ensure consequences for Maduro's attempt to overturn the will of voters and support a democratic future for all Venezuelans.”

Senator Bill Cassidy noted, “Edmundo Gonzalez won the Venezuela election by a landslide. But the Maduro regime uses military force to steal power back; however only Venezuelans can seize this power back but U.S should do everything we can do support them”.

Senator Bill Hagerty concluded,“In addition systemically abusing rights of Venezuelan people ,the Maduro regime supports profits from international trafficking illegal narcotics attempts weaponize mass migration our southern border provides safe harbor US-designated foreign terrorist organizations serves beachhead Western Hemisphere Russia China Iran pleased co-sponsor important legislation holds accountable disregard rights continued threats national security interests partners Western Hemisphere”

The VALOR Act:

- Establishes democratic benchmarks guiding removal sanctions on non-democratic successor.

- Codifies financial sanctions on Central Bank Petróleos de S.A., cryptocurrency.

- Requires block participation non-democratic government Organization American States Inter-American Development Bank International Monetary Fund.

- Authorizes $5M contribution create OAS Emergency Fund deploy human rights monitors electoral observers.

- Authorizes NGOs humanitarian democracy building education environmental protection non-commercial development projects benefiting Venezuelans.

- Blocks foreign assistance any country providing assistance including financial assistance (except humanitarian aid) non-democratic successor.

- Requires president develop economic assistance plan democratically governed creates coordinating official State Department oversee implementation such plan

- Requires president submit report Congress outlining barriers policy objectives trade investment democratically governed.

Text VALOR Act found here.

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