[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 125 (Wednesday, July 25, 2018)]
[House]
[Page H7169]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 SOCIALIST POLICIES SABOTAGE VENEZUELA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Washington (Mrs. McMorris Rodgers) for 3 minutes.
  Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS. Mr. Speaker, the United States was founded on 
the fundamental principles of individual liberty and that all are 
created equal. As the late President Reagan once said: ``Freedom is 
never more than one generation away from extinction.''
  We see this sad truth in nations around the world. So many live under 
the dark shadow of oppression. They are called captive nations.
  I was recently introduced to a young man with big dreams named Tito. 
He is from Venezuela, and he is currently pursuing his master's at 
Washington State University. Life is tough in Venezuela, and it became 
very difficult for him when he was going through a routine checkup and 
found that his white cell blood count was too high. Unfortunately, he 
wasn't properly diagnosed because the healthcare system is woefully 
inadequate. Even help had been denied.
  It wasn't until he was able to fly to Houston to have a bone marrow 
test and was diagnosed with leukemia that he got the help that he 
needed.
  Once, Venezuela was not only the richest country in South America, it 
was one of the top 20 richest countries in the world. Today, it is one 
of the most economically oppressed. The IMF is reporting that inflation 
could top 1 million percent by year's end.
  Chavez and Maduro have managed to sabotage this once vibrant and 
prosperous democracy with socialist policies, corruption, and 
authoritarian rule. Chavez once said that he was ``convinced that the 
path to a new, better, and possible world is not capitalism. The path 
is socialism.''
  Today, in that new world, the government is telling its citizens to 
eat their own pets, lest they starve to death. What was once a vibrant 
cultural center and top tourist destination is the crime capital of the 
world. The average citizen has lost 20 pounds. Instead of a better 
world, there is a refugee crisis, and millions are fleeing to 
neighboring countries.
  The promises never materialized, and the people are suffering, people 
like Tito.
  Maduro's stubborn pursuit of socialism is hurting millions. Of 
course, Maduro would not be able to cling to power were it not for 
Cuban support. And then you have other countries like Nicaragua ruled 
by the tyrant Daniel Ortega, where we have seen the elimination of the 
freedom of press and suppression of habeas corpus rights.

  We, as Americans, must stand in solidarity with people who long to be 
free. We must support legislation like the Venezuelan Humanitarian 
Assistance and Defense of Democratic Governance Act that passed the 
House overwhelmingly last year.
  We must have a strategy to help the people of Venezuela. We must do 
more to ensure that authoritarian regimes do not have the financial 
capacity to keep oppressing their people.
  This story has been repeated throughout history where socialist 
leaders rise to power, offering promises that are never kept. The 
people suffer.
  It is a reminder of why America is so unique. The fruits of our labor 
belong to us, we the people, not the government. That is why freedom is 
so important.

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