On the recordDecember 4, 2014
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of Maria Corina Machado who is being unjustly accused, intimidated, and dragged into court under bogus charges by the regime of Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela. She has been stripped of her seat in Congress, been barred from leaving her country, and is being denied due process. In May, the House passed my legislation aimed at denying visas, blocking property, freezing assets, and prohibiting any financial transactions to members of the Venezuelan regime who are responsible for human rights abuses against the peaceful citizens of Venezuela. The U.S. must no longer stand still as these abuses are repeated in our own hemisphere. There are 72 students, 2 elected officials, 12 military officers, and democracy activist Leopoldo Lopez still in prison under politically motivated charges. Maria Corina must not join them, and all political prisoners in Venezuela must be freed immediately. ____________________
