Boise City Wire

U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), alongside U.S. Representatives Maria Salazar (R-Fla.) and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), have announced their intent to introduce the Venezuela Advancing Liberty, Opportunity, and Rights Act (VALOR Act) when Congress reconvenes in September. This legislation aims to establish U.S. policy supporting a transition to democratic order in Venezuela. The Senate bill will also be cosponsored by Senators Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), and Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.).

“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,” said Senator Risch. “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.”

“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,” said Senator Bennet.

“America cannot wait any longer as Maduro finalizes his theft of Venezuela’s election,” said Representative Salazar. “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.”

“Venezuelans courageously took to the ballot box to seek true, legitimate representation after a lost decade under Maduro,” said Representative Wasserman Schultz, who co-chairs the Congressional Venezuela Democracy Caucus. “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 the voters and support a democratic future for all Venezuelans.”

“Edmundo Gonzalez won the Venezuela election by a landslide. But the Maduro regime uses the military and police to steal power,” said Dr. Cassidy. “Only the Venezuelan people can seize this power back, but the U.S should do everything we can to support this effort.”

“For years, I have urged President Biden and Vice President Harris to put full weight of federal government behind Venezuelan people’s fight for democracy through free elections; at every turn Biden-Harris administration has chosen stand with easing sanctions failing recognize Edmundo González Urrutia president-elect time now leave allow free dictatorship leader bringing freedom direction,” said Senator Scott.

“In addition systemically abusing rights supports profits trafficking illegal narcotics attempts weaponize mass migration southern border provides safe harbor foreign terrorist organizations serves beachhead Western Hemisphere Russia China Iran pleased co-sponsor important holds accountable disregard national security interests partners Hemisphere.” added Hagerty.

The VALOR Act:

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

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

- Requires block participation Organization American Development International Momentary Fund.

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

- Authorizes nongovernmental organizations humanitarian building education environmental protection non-commercial projects directly benefiting people.

- Blocks foreign assistance providing assistance financial except humanitarian aid successor.

- Requires develop economic assistance plan democratically governed creates coordinating official oversee implementation plan.

- Requires submit report outlining barriers objectives trade investment between democratically governed.

Text VALOR Act found here.