HR 4587 113th Congress House International Affairs 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

Venezuelan Human Rights and Democracy Protection Act

Introduced: May 7, 2014 See on congress.gov

Everywhere this bill has been 13 steps

Introduced

In committee

Reported out

Passed House

Passed Senate

To President

Became law

Jul 21, 2014

Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.

Jun 5, 2014

Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 410.

Jun 2, 2014

Received in the Senate.

May 28, 2014

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4844-4846)

May 28, 2014

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)

May 28, 2014

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4587.

May 28, 2014

Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4844-4850)

May 28, 2014

Ms. Ros-Lehtinen moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

May 9, 2014

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.

May 9, 2014

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

May 9, 2014

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H4047)

May 7, 2014

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.

May 7, 2014

Introduced in House

Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

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.

(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.

What's happening now July 21, 2014

Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.

Committees of jurisdiction 3