Speaker Pelosi Talks Venezuelan Democracy Efforts in Fla. with Vecchio, Reps. Sires, Local Congresswomen

Washington, October 1, 2019
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will travel to South Florida to discuss efforts to peacefully transition to democracy in Venezuela.

Sunrise, Florida – On Thursday, October 3, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi travels to South Florida to discuss efforts to peacefully transition to democracy in Venezuela with Ambassador Carlos Vecchio and local Venezuelan community leaders, along with Rep. Albio Sires, the House Foreign Affairs Western Hemisphere Subcommittee Chairman, and local Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23), Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (FL-26) and Donna Shalala (FL-27).

More than 200,000 Venezuelans live in the Sunshine State and most reside in South Florida.  Reps. Wasserman Schultz, Mucarsel-Powell, and Shalala are leading congressional efforts to extend life-saving protections to those who have fled or are now surviving now under the starvation, violence, and persecution of the Nicolás Maduro regime. Unlike the Senate Republicans, Speaker Pelosi has led House passage of legislation that would:

  • Extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to curb deportations, and open access to work permits to Venezuelans in the U.S.
  • Expand U.S. humanitarian assistance in Venezuela
  • Create a plan to address Russia’s growing military presence in the country
  • Ban exports of arms and crime control materials used against pro-democracy protesters

House Democrats will continue to press for TPS protections and targeted measures that can restore democratic governance and economic stability to Venezuela, and relieve the suffering of its people.

“We cannot champion Venezuelans in Venezuela, then ignore them here. America must work with international allies to restore free, fair, and transparent elections there, and not indulge nations that support this violent, repressive regime,” Wasserman Schultz said. “Speaker Pelosi led the House in passing tough measures to protect Venezuelans, here and at home. The Speaker and my House colleagues are eager to strategize with Venezuelans in Florida on how to continue these efforts.”

Who:Speaker Pelosi, Reps. Sires, Wasserman Schultz, Mucarsel-Powell and Shalala, along with Ambassador Carlos Vecchio and various area Venezuelan leaders

What: Community Dialogue on Venezuelan Democracy Efforts

Where: Bonaventure Town Center Club, 16690 Saddle Club Rd, Weston, FL 33326

When: Oct. 3, 2:15 to 4 p.m.

Note: Cameras must be preset by 1:30 p.m.

 

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