On the recordJuly 25, 2019
I want to thank the ranking member for allowing me this time. I want to start by commending--and I have done this before--by commending the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Soto), for his relentless leadership on this issue. He has a tradition of working in a bipartisan way. He has a tradition of working on things that are important to the people of Florida. This is not only important to the people of Florida, but when you talk about Venezuela, as the gentleman knows, this is important for the national security interests of the United States. Now, the gentleman mentioned about the reality in Venezuela today. The reality of what we have seen because of this Socialist regime in Venezuela is what used to be one of the wealthiest countries in Latin America has now become a place where Venezuelans don't have access to, frankly, food and medicine. Mr. Speaker, the most important thing is the repression that they are suffering under day in and day out. The heroic Venezuelan people are doing everything they can to recover their freedom. I am proud of what this administration, the Trump administration, has done in support, in solidarity with the Venezuelan people, in support of the cause of freedom. But while that is going on, a lot of us believe that it would be unacceptable to return Venezuelans to the situation that the gentleman, my colleague from Florida (Mr. Soto), just mentioned, and what I just mentioned as well. And that is what this legislation is all about.…
