HB 28-03 Aid to Venezuela Act (Passed)

[SevenEleven]

A BILL
To secure the stability of a Latin American ally
Be it enacted in both Houses of Congress assembled

1. $5 billion in aid shall be appropriated to the government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
a) Nothing in this legislation may be interpreted to appropriate repeat payments to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
2. Congress encourages the President to impose any and all necessary sanctions on the government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, should it be clearly proven that the aid is used for improper purposes.
3. This legislation shall take effect immediately upon passage into law.

Sponsor: Oregon Blue Dog
Status: Final vote

[OBD]

The purpose of this act is pretty simple. We need to ensure that democratic governance in Venezuela can be maintained (in Atlasia-universe Maduro was toppled), and that the people of Venezuela can begin to recover from the tyrannies of the Maduro regime. Giving the new government aid will both help them stay afloat and assist them in humanitarian efforts to aid their people.

[Joseph Cao]

Looks fairly clear. I appreciate that the bill encourages sanctions in the event that our funds are being misused.

[Lumine]

For narrative context:

Under the tenure of Truman

• Controversy over the May 2018 Venezuelan Presidential Election - and Nicolas Maduro's attempts to bar the opposition from standing - results in mass protests and riots across the nation. The Venezuelan army revolts against Maduro and deposes him on June 2nd, elevating General Vladimir Padrino to the presidency in a military coup. Padrino leads a violent crackdown of his own, killing hundreds of citizens from June to August and being subsequently deposed in a counter-coup in August 29th. A transitional government is formed with Chavista and Opposition members.

Under the tenure of Ninja

• Venezuelan government plans to hold new elections on April, deciding to adopt an Atlasian-like system with a weakened President.

Under the tenure of Lumine

May 2020: In other Latin-American related news, both interim governments in Venezuela and Bolivia - the first installed after the deposition of General Padrino, the second after Evo Morales fled the country - have started talks over the recently suspended presidential elections, which were felt to be too risky to hold. As of May 5th, no formal date for the new elections have been set.

July 2020:The other Latin American nation to have suspended its elections, Venezuela, has finally scheduled theirs for October 15th, creating the potential for the first "free and fair" election in several years. Despite the development of a consensus within the Transitional Government to finally schedule a date, the situation in Venezuela is rapidly evolving for the worse despite initial hopes prompted by the collapse of the Padrino regime and the apparent end of Chavismo as the dominant government force. Not only are opposition and Chavista government officials undergoing a constant struggle that has almost paralyzed their government, but the surge in political violence at the hands of paramilitary forces and criminal gangs has combined with the scourge of the pandemic to expand the already serious humanitarian crisis. Indeed, the Transitional Government is already requesting urgent financial and humanitarian aid from different international organizations.

October-December 2020:Elections are finally held to elect the new Venezuelan government, a contest described by international observers as "free and fair". Congress elects a center-left plurality, center-right nominee Leopoldo López (VP) defeats Héctor Rodríguez (PSUV) for President. Transitional government holds difficult but relatively peaceful transfer of power.

[SevenEleven]

Anyone have a problem with this? Seems fine to me.

[OBD]

I motion for final vote.

[Mike Thick]

Just for what it's worth: this is straight from Sec. of State Bruhgmger. I think Venezuela has done what they should be doing, and I support the bill.

[SevenEleven]

I motion for final vote.

24 hours to object.

[SevenEleven]

A final vote is now open!

[Left Wing]

Aye

[SevenEleven]

Aye.

[OBD]

Aye!

[Rep Jessica]

aye

[P. Clodius Pulcher did nothing wrong]

Aye

[Poirot]

aye

[SevenEleven]

This bill has enough votes to pass. 24 hours to change your vote.

[Poirot]

I change my vote to abstain.
The vote was not even open for 24 hours so I want to give more time for people to vote and not give at least 48 hours of vote.

[SevenEleven]

I change my vote to abstain.
The vote was not even open for 24 hours so I want to give more time for people to vote and not give at least 48 hours of vote.

It still has enough votes to pass, but your vote, your call.

[Poirot]

I don't want to trigger a 24 hour period. the vote began this morning.

[SevenEleven]

I don't want to trigger a 24 hour period. the vote began this morning.

Even after changing your vote there are still five Ayes.

[Joseph Cao]

Aye.

[Poirot]

I don't want to trigger a 24 hour period. the vote began this morning.

Even after changing your vote there are still five Ayes.

Ha, I get it now. Since the post about 24 hour notice was right after my vote I thought I stepped on a landmine, the trigger was pulled. Less than 48 hours for a final vote is short. I hope everyone who wants to vote will have time.

I switch back to aye.

[SevenEleven]

I don't want to trigger a 24 hour period. the vote began this morning.

Even after changing your vote there are still five Ayes.

Ha, I get it now. Since the post about 24 hour notice was right after my vote I thought I stepped on a landmine, the trigger was pulled. Less than 48 hours for a final vote is short. I hope everyone who wants to vote will have time.

I switch back to aye.

No worries. I can keep the vote open until the morning, but I intend to declare this passed at that point.

[SevenEleven]

By a vote of 7-0-0-2, this passes the House.

[Mike Thick]

A BILL
To secure the stability of a Latin American ally
Be it enacted in both Houses of Congress assembled

1. $5 billion in aid shall be appropriated to the government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
a) Nothing in this legislation may be interpreted to appropriate repeat payments to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
2. Congress encourages the President to impose any and all necessary sanctions on the government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, should it be clearly proven that the aid is used for improper purposes.
3. This legislation shall take effect immediately upon passage into law.

People's House of Representatives
Passed 7-0-0-2 in the People's House of Representatives Assembled
x SevenEleven