[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 40 Introduced in House (IH)]






108th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 40

  Condemning the current political unrest and political leadership in 
      Venezuela, calling for new elections in accordance with the 
         constitution of that country, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            January 28, 2003

 Mr. Hastings of Florida submitted the following resolution; which was 
          referred to the Committee on International Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Condemning the current political unrest and political leadership in 
      Venezuela, calling for new elections in accordance with the 
         constitution of that country, and for other purposes.

Whereas the frustration of a poor Venezuelan majority swept President Hugo 
        Chavez and his ``revolution for the poor'' to a landslide victory in 
        1998;
Whereas many Venezuelans have since been disheartened by the lack of progress of 
        the Chavez government in improving economic conditions in Venezuela;
Whereas Chavez's alliance with President Fidel Castro and the anti-American 
        views expressed by Chavez have caused many Venezuelans to lose 
        confidence in his leadership;
Whereas under President Chavez Venezuela has undergone enormous political 
        changes through the establishment of a new constitution, a new 6-year 
        term for the president, a unicameral national assembly by eliminating 
        the Senate, and even a new name for the country, the Bolivarian Republic 
        of Venezuela;
Whereas such changes allow President Chavez to dominate most political 
        institutions, and this has caused some in Venezuela to fear that 
        President Chavez is moving toward authoritarian rule;
Whereas the increased role of the military in the government--through the 
        appointment of dozens of retired and active duty officers to key 
        positions, and the mobilization of thousands of army reservists for 
        social projects--has increased the level of concern of many;
Whereas President Chavez has called for the establishment of political cells in 
        schools, hospitals, and businesses to support his revolution;
Whereas such groups known as ``Bolivarian cirles'' could mirror Cuba's 
        ``neighborhood committees'';
Whereas political unrest in Venezuela has increased;
Whereas President Chavez could take actions that would further destabilize the 
        entire region, including war-torn Colombia, Bolivia, and Peru;
Whereas this is a critical time in Venezuela's history with much at stake: the 
        integrity and credibility of its political institutions; the stability 
        of its economy as affected by the petroleum industry; and economic 
        development to expand its middle class;
Whereas the Venezuelan political parties are apparently weak and some are 
        accused of corruption; and
Whereas the Department of State has withdrawn staff from the United States 
        embassy in Venezuela because of security concerns: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) condemns the current political unrest in Venezuela and 
        urges Venezuela to hold new elections, under international 
        observers, in accordance with the provisions of the 
        constitution of that country;
            (2) recognizes the need for measures to strengthen the 
        political institutions in that country; and
            (3) urges the executive branch to follow through on the 
        agenda and agreements of the Summit of the Americas to 
        strengthen the political institutions in Venezuela and other 
        countries of Latin America and the Caribbean.
                                 <all>