North Miami-Dade News

Rep. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) will introduce the Venezuela Advancing Liberty, Opportunity, and Rights (VALOR) Act in September. She will be joined by Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) and Senators Jim Risch (R-ID), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Rick Scott (R-FL), and Bill Hagerty (R-TN).

The VALOR Act aims to address the political situation in Venezuela, where Nicolás Maduro is accused of illegitimately securing his presidential victory. The legislation seeks to facilitate a peaceful transition to democracy under President-elect Edmundo González.

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

Rep. Wasserman Schultz highlighted the significance of Venezuelans seeking legitimate representation after years under Maduro's rule. “Despite violent repression, overwhelming majorities repudiated Maduro and chose President-elect Edmundo González,” she stated.

Senator Risch emphasized the need for U.S. leadership in supporting a democratic transition 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.”

Senator Bennet reaffirmed bipartisan support for Venezuelan democracy: “This bipartisan legislation affirms the United States’ support for the Venezuelan people’s fight to restore the rule of law and democracy.”

Dr. Cassidy pointed out the military's role in Maduro's regime: “Edmundo González won the Venezuela election by a landslide. But the Maduro regime uses the military and police to steal power.”

Senator Scott criticized past actions of the Biden-Harris administration regarding sanctions on Venezuela: “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."

Senator Hagerty outlined additional concerns related to Maduro's regime: "In addition to systemically abusing rights, it supports illegal narcotics trafficking, attempts weaponizing mass migration, provides safe harbor to terrorist organizations, and serves as a beachhead for Russia, China, and Iran."

Key provisions of the VALOR Act include establishing democratic benchmarks for removing sanctions on non-democratic successors; reaffirming financial sanctions on key Venezuelan institutions; blocking participation of non-democratic governments at international organizations; authorizing U.S. contributions for human rights monitoring; supporting NGOs working directly with Venezuelans; blocking U.S. assistance to countries aiding Maduro’s regime; developing an economic assistance plan for a democratically governed Venezuela; and submitting reports on trade barriers between the U.S. and Venezuela.

Chairwoman Salazar has been vocal about her concerns regarding free elections in Venezuela over the past year, urging decisive action from the Biden Administration.

For more details on VALOR Act provisions or summaries of this legislation visit [links provided].