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RESOLUTION URGING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO ENACT H.R. 920, THE VENEZUELA ARMS RESTRICTION ACT, H.R. 1102, THE RUSSIAN-VENEZUELAN THREAT MITIGATION ACT, H.R. 854, THE HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE TO THE VENEZUELAN PEOPLE ACT OF 2019, OR SIMILAR LEGISLATION DESIGNED TO DESTABILIZE THE MADURO REGIME AND PROVIDE HUMANITARIAN RELIEF TO THE VENEZUELAN PEOPLE; FURTHER SUPPORTING LOCAL COMMUNITY EFFORTS AND FUNDRAISING EVENTS DESIGNED TO RAISE AWARENESS REGARDING THE CURRENT PLIGHT OF THE VENEZUELAN PEOPLE

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WHEREAS, over the last two months, multiple United States Representatives have introduced bills for consideration during the 116th United States Congress seeking to destabilize the Maduro regime and provide humanitarian relief to the Venezuelan people; and
WHEREAS, such bills include:
* H.R. 920, the Venezuela Arms Restriction Act, filed by United States Representative Donna E. Shalala (D � Florida), which would restrict the transfer of defense articles or services from the United States to any element of Venezuelan security forces under the authority of a government of Venezuela not recognized as the legitimate government of Venezuela by the United States;
* H.R. 1102, the Russian-Venezuelan Threat Mitigation Act, filed by United States Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D � Florida), which would require the United States Secretary of State to submit an assessment on the threat posed to the United States by Russian-Venezuelan cooperation to the appropriate Congressional committees; and
* H.R. 854, the Humanitarian Assistance to the Venezuelan People Act of 2019, filed by United States Representative Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (D � Florida), which would authorize the President to provide financial and humanitarian assistance to support the people of Venezuela both in Venezuela and throughout the Western hemisphere; and
WHEREAS, these bills have bipartisan support in the House, including from United States
Representative Mario Diaz-Balart (R � Florida); and
WHEREAS, this Board believes that these bills will assist in protecting and carrying out the democratic vision shared by many of those living in Venezuela during these difficult times; and
WHEREAS, this Board has repeatedly taken steps to condemn the actions of the Maduro regime while supporting diplomatic efforts to promote democracy in Venezuela, including:�
* Resolution No. R-253-14, which condemned the Venezuelan government for using violence and intimidation against political opposition and urged the federal government to take immediate diplomatic action;
* Resolution No. R-455-14, which urged the previous administration and the Secretary of Homeland Security to grant temporary protected status to Venezuelan nationals in the United States;
* �Resolution No. R-526-17, which urged the federal government to impose sanctions on officials or persons acting on behalf of the Venezuelan government whom the President determined are responsible for, or complicit in, the commission of serious human rights abuses;
* �Resolution No. R-527-17, which supported House Resolution 259, a federal resolution expressing concern over and condemnation of the political, economic, social, and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela;
* Resolution No. R-528-17, which supported H.R. 2161, a bill entitled the Venezuelan Refugee Assistance Act, which would allow Venezuelans in the United States to apply for legal permanent resident status;
* �Resolution No. R-530-17, which further condemned the Venezuelan government for using violence and intimidation against political opposition and continued to urge the federal government to take immediate diplomatic action;
* �Resolution No. R-777-17, which urged the federal government and the State of Florida to support economic sanctions against the Venezuelan government;
* Resolution No. R-788-17, which commended the U.S. Department of the Treasury�s sanctioning of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and transmitted further correspondence to President Donald J. Trump;
* Resolution No. R-556-18, which supported a Presidential Executive Order prohibiting certain financial transactions with the Venezuelan government and condemned the May 20, 2018 sham presidential election in Venezuela;
* Resolution No. R-88-19, which urged the United States Congress to enact legislation to provide humanitarian relief to the Venezuelan people and advance a constitutional and democratic solution to Venezuela�s political crisis;
* Resolution No. R-90-19, which joined the United States in condemning the inauguration of Nicolas Maduro as President of Venezuela;
* Resolution No. R-176-19, which joined the United States in recognizing Juan Guaid� as interim president of Venezuela; and
* Resolution No. R-228-19, which supported interim president Juan Guaid�s efforts to bring humanitarian aid to the people of Venezuela; and
WHEREAS, this Board is also supportive of those in our community who, through their tireless efforts, endeavor to raise awareness of the current plight of the Venezuelan people,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board:
Section 1. Urges the United States Congress to enact H.R. 920, the Venezuelan Arms Restriction Act, H.R. 1102, the Russian-Venezuelan Threat Mitigation Act, H.R. 854, the Humanitarian Assistance to the Venezuelan People Act of 2019, or similar legislation designed to destabilize the Maduro regime and provide humanitarian relief to the Venezuelan people.
Section 2. Supports local community efforts and fundraising events designed to raise awareness regarding the current plight of the Venezuelan people.
Section 3. Directs the Clerk of the Board to transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the President of the United States, United States Representatives Mario Diaz-Balart, Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Donna E. Shalala, and the remaining members of the Florida Congressional Delegation.
Section 4. Directs the County�s federal lobbyists to advocate for the legislative action set forth in section 1 above, and authorizes and directs the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs to amend the 2019 Federal Legislative Package to include this item.