Additional Information on the Federal Legislative Agenda, 116th Congress (2019-2020)
House Legislative Scorecard 2019-2020
Senate Legislative Scorecard 2019-2020
Prevent US military intervention in Venezuela – YES
H.R.1004 was introduced to the House by Representative Cicilline [D-RI-1] and has been co-sponsored by several Massachusetts Representatives. The Senate equivalent of this bill is S.J.Res.11 which was introduced by Senator Merkley of Oregon and is cosponsored by both Massachusetts Senators. These bills block funds for an intervention and prohibit the administration from taking military action in Venezuela without Congressional approval. Here is Rep. Cicilline's press release on the bill.
Venezuela Temporary Protected Status – YES
H.R.549 was introduced to the House by Representative. Soto [D-FL-9] and cosponsored by MA Rep. Moulton. This legislation later passed the House on a vote of 272-158, with all MA reps voting for the legislation. The bill addresses the migration of Venezuelan nationals by permitting them to qualify for temporary protected status, which prevents their removal from the United States and allows them to obtain employment and travel authorization. Similar legislation S.636 was introduced by Sen. Menendez [D-NJ] and has been cosponsored by 19 members including Sens. Warren and Markey. Here is a press release from Rep. Soto following the House vote.
For more information on the ongoing crisis in Venezuela, refer to the links below:
Oppose Intervention in Venezuela, Support Diplomacy and Aid
"Venezuela's Teachers and Students Skip School for Survival" by John Otis
"A Staggering Exodus: Millions of Venezuelans Are Leaving the Country, on Foot" by Nicholas Casey and Jenny Carolina Gonzalez
"Who Is Venezuela's Legitimate President? A Messy Dispute, Explained" by Max Fisher
"Any US military intervention in Venezuela will be counterproductive" by Douglas A. Johnson and Kathryn Sikkink
"What a Military Intervention in Venezuela Would Look Like" by Frank O. Mora
"Venezuela's Collapse is the Worst Outside of War in Decades, Economists Say" by Anatoly Kurmanaev
"Five Things You Need to Know to Understand Venezuela's Crisis" by Meghan Specia
Here is a link to a page with more background information on Venezuela.
Updated August 6th, 2020