Bill Sponsor
Senate Simple Resolution 35
115th Congress(2017-2018)
A resolution expressing profound concern about the ongoing political, economic, social and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, urging the release of political prisoners, and calling for respect of constitutional and democratic processes, including free and fair elections.
Active
Active
Passed Senate on Feb 28, 2017
Overview
Text
Sponsor
Introduced
Feb 1, 2017
Latest Action
Feb 28, 2017
Origin Chamber
Senate
Type
Simple Resolution
Simple Resolution
A form of legislative measure introduced and potentially acted upon by only one congressional chamber and used for the regulation of business only within the chamber of origin. Depending on the chamber of origin, they begin with a designation of either H.Res. or S.Res. Joint resolutions and concurrent resolutions are other types of resolutions.
Bill Number
35
Congress
115
Policy Area
International Affairs
International Affairs
Primary focus of measure is matters affecting foreign aid, human rights, international law and organizations; national governance; arms control; diplomacy and foreign officials; alliances and collective security. Measures concerning trade agreements, tariffs, foreign investments, and foreign loans may fall under Foreign Trade and International Finance policy area.
Sponsorship by Party
Democrat
Maryland
Republican
Arkansas
Republican
Colorado
Democrat
Illinois
Republican
Missouri
Democrat
New Jersey
Democrat
Virginia
Senate Votes (1)
checkPassed on February 28, 2017
Status
Passed
Type
Unanimous Consent
Unanimous Consent
A senator may request unanimous consent on the floor to set aside a specified rule of procedure so as to expedite proceedings. If no Senator objects, the Senate permits the action, but if any one senator objects, the request is rejected. Unanimous consent requests with only immediate effects are routinely granted, but ones affecting the floor schedule, the conditions of considering a bill or other business, or the rights of other senators, are normally not offered, or a floor leader will object to it, until all senators concerned have had an opportunity to inform the leaders that they find it acceptable.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.
Summary

Expresses concern about widespread shortages of essential medicines and basic food products faced by the people of Venezuela. Urges President Maduro to permit the delivery of humanitarian assistance.

Calls on the government of Venezuela to:

  • release all political prisoners and to respect internationally recognized human rights;
  • ensure the neutrality and professionalism of all security forces and to respect the Venezuelan people's rights to freedom of expression and assembly; and
  • halt its efforts to undermine the principle of separation of powers, its circumvention of the democratically elected legislature, and its subjugation of judicial independence.

Expresses support for: (1) meaningful efforts toward a dialogue that leads to respect for Venezuela's constitutional mechanisms and resolves the country's political, economic, social, and humanitarian crisis; and (2) Organization of American States (OAS) Secretary General Almagro's invocation of Article 20 of the Inter-American Democratic Charter. Urges the OAS Permanent Council to undertake a collective assessment of the constitutional and democratic order in Venezuela.

Stresses the urgency of strengthening the rule of law and increasing efforts to combat impunity and public corruption in Venezuela.

Urges the President of the United States to provide full support for OAS efforts in favor of constitutional and democratic solutions to the political impasse and to instruct federal agencies to hold officials of the Venezuelan government accountable for violations of U.S. law and abuses of internationally recognized human rights.

Text (2)
February 28, 2017
February 1, 2017
Actions (6)
02/28/2017
Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.
02/28/2017
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.
02/28/2017
Senate Committee on Foreign Relations discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S1506)
02/28/2017
Senate Committee on Foreign Relations discharged by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S1506)
02/01/2017
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text of measure as introduced: CR S600-601)
02/01/2017
Introduced in Senate
Public Record
Record Updated
Jan 11, 2023 1:35:50 PM