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H.Res. 259: Expressing concern and condemnation over the political, economic, social, and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela.

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H.Res. 259: Expressing concern and condemnation over the political, economic, social, and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela.

115th Congress · introduced 2017-04-06 · International Affairs · Latest: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2017-04-06 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. DeSantis, Ron [R-FL-6] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: 1 recorded vote in our records. Latest: House roll call 667 (2017): On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree, as Amended, HRES259 (2017-12-07), Passed. See all
  4. Where it stands now: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Expressing concern and condemnation over the political, economic, social, and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela.

Plain summary

Urges the government of Venezuela to heed the calls of the international community to: (1) hold free, fair, and open elections; (2) release all political prisoners, including U.S. citizens; (3) respect the constitutional rights of the National Assembly; and (4) open a channel for international humanitarian assistance and medicines. Calls for Organization of American States (OAS) member states to continue: (1) efforts to support the principles of the Inter-American Democratic Charter, regardless of Venezuela's intent to withdraw from the OAS; and (2) calls for the Venezuelan government to hold free and fair elections and release all political prisoners in a timely manner. Recognizes the leadership of OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro in building a coalition of OAS member states in support of democracy and human rights for the Venezuelan people. Encourages the President of the United States to prioritize: (1) a resolution of the political, economic, social, and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela; and (2) an effective response to the growing regional refugee crisis in Venezuela through multilateral cooperation with partners at the OAS and United Nations and through targeted sanctions against individuals responsible for the deterioration of democratic institutions and the rule of law.

Congressional Research Service summary (Passed House amended), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

A Yea supports adopting this resolution.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Expressing concern and condemnation over the political, economic, social, and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela.

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Passed House amended)

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The strongest published arguments

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Alternatives

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. DeSantis, Ron [R-FL-6] · 40 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Michael T. McCaul (R-TX), Randy K. Weber, Sr. (R-TX), Gus M. Bilirakis (R-FL), Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ), Norma J. Torres (D-CA), Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Robin L. Kelly (D-IL), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Austin Scott (R-GA), J. French Hill (R-AR), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), André Carson (D-IN), David G. Valadao (R-CA), William R. Keating (D-MA), Joe Wilson (R-SC)

Recorded votes

Words on this page, explained (3)
Resolution
A formal statement or decision by a legislative body. Simple resolutions often only express an opinion or set rules for one chamber; they do not become law.
Roll-call vote
A vote where each member's position is recorded by name, so the public can see how every member voted. "Yea" means yes, "Nay" means no, "Present" means the member was there but did not take a side.
Rulemaking
The process agencies use to write regulations that carry out laws passed by Congress or a legislature. Usually an agency publishes a proposed rule, takes public comments, then publishes a final rule.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong115-hres259 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong115 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong115