[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 124 (Tuesday, July 23, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H7211-H7215]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       VENEZUELA TPS ACT OF 2019

  Ms. MUCARSEL-POWELL. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 549) to designate Venezuela under section 244 of 
the Immigration and Nationality Act to permit nationals of Venezuela to 
be eligible for temporary protected status under such section, and for 
other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                H.R. 549

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Venezuela TPS Act of 2019''.

     SEC. 2. DESIGNATION FOR PURPOSES OF GRANTING TEMPORARY 
                   PROTECTED STATUS.

       (a) Designation.--
       (1) In general.--For purposes of section 244 of the 
     Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1254a), Venezuela 
     shall be treated as if it had been designated under 
     subsection (b)(1)(C) of that section, subject to the 
     provisions of this section.
       (2) Period of designation.--The initial period of the 
     designation referred to in paragraph (1) shall be for the 18-
     month period beginning on the date of the enactment of this 
     Act.
       (b) Aliens Eligible.--As a result of the designation made 
     under subsection (a), an alien who is a national of Venezuela 
     is deemed to satisfy the requirements under paragraph (1) of 
     section 244(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 
     U.S.C. 1254a(c)), subject to paragraph (3) of such section, 
     if the alien--
       (1) has been continuously physically present in the United 
     States since the date of the enactment of this Act;
       (2) is admissible as an immigrant, except as otherwise 
     provided in paragraph (2)(A) of such section, and is not 
     ineligible for temporary protected status under paragraph 
     (2)(B) of such section; and
       (3) registers for temporary protected status in a manner 
     established by the Secretary of Homeland Security.
       (c) Consent to Travel Abroad.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary of Homeland Security shall 
     give prior consent to travel abroad, in accordance with 
     section 244(f)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 
     U.S.C. 1254a(f)(3)), to an alien who is granted temporary 
     protected status pursuant to the designation made under 
     subsection (a) if the alien establishes to the satisfaction 
     of the Secretary of Homeland Security that emergency and 
     extenuating circumstances beyond the control of the alien 
     require the alien to depart for a brief, temporary trip 
     abroad.
       (2) Treatment upon return.--An alien returning to the 
     United States in accordance with an authorization described 
     in paragraph (1) shall be treated as any other returning 
     alien provided temporary protected status under section 244 
     of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1254a).
       (d) Fee.--
       (1) In general.--In addition to any other fee authorized by 
     law, the Secretary of Homeland Security is authorized to 
     charge and collect a fee of $360 for each application for 
     temporary protected status under section 244 of the 
     Immigration and Nationality Act by a person who is only 
     eligible for such status by reason of subsection (a).
       (2) Waiver.--The Secretary of Homeland Security shall 
     permit aliens to apply for a waiver of any fees associated 
     with filing an application referred to in paragraph (1).

     SEC. 3. DETERMINATION OF BUDGETARY EFFECTS.

       The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of 
     complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall 
     be determined by reference to the latest statement titled 
     ``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation'' for this Act, 
     submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the 
     Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that such 
     statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Florida (Ms. Mucarsel-Powell) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. 
Cline) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Florida.


                             General Leave

  Ms. MUCARSEL-POWELL. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that

[[Page H7212]]

all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their 
remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Florida?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. MUCARSEL-POWELL. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 549, the Venezuela 
TPS Act of 2019. This vitally important bill will provide help and 
support to those who cannot return to their home country of Venezuela.
  Years-long political and economic turmoil in Venezuela has resulted 
in the world's fastest growing migration, staggering poverty, and 
chronic shortages of medicine. Millions of Venezuelans are 
malnourished, and the United Nations estimates that 7 million people 
are in need of humanitarian assistance. Four million Venezuelans have 
been forced from their home. Most have remained in the region in 
neighboring countries, but tens of thousands are here in the United 
States seeking refuge. It is long past time to grant temporary 
protected status for Venezuelans currently living in the United States.
  My district has one of the largest Venezuelan populations in the 
Nation, and I understand very well the crisis in Venezuela.
  I came to this country from Ecuador when I was 14 years old, having 
seen firsthand the damage that authoritarian and corrupt leaders in 
South America have caused their countries. I have good friends and 
family who are still there suffering in Maracaibo and in Caracas. They 
are desperate. I can hear it in their voices every time they update me 
on the crisis.
  In Miami I have met with reporters who have had to flee their home 
because a free press does not exist in Venezuela. Just yesterday, more 
rolling blackouts hit the country jeopardizing the lives of hospital 
patients and sending the country into pure darkness.
  Even if Nicolas Maduro, the leader of this brutal narco-regime, were 
to leave today and the legitimate President, Juan Guaido, were to be 
sworn in, extraordinary and temporary conditions exist that would 
prevent Venezuelans from returning safely. Maduro's regime has plunged 
Venezuela into catastrophe.
  The poverty rate in Venezuela is soaring, and the nation's health 
system is near collapse. Just imagine, nearly one-third of Venezuelan 
physicians have fled the country, and an astounding 79 percent of 
hospitals are experiencing shortages in supplies to assist the 
country's mounting medical needs. This dire situation is only 
exacerbated by massive food and water shortages. Malnutrition is 
widespread, especially among children and pregnant women. Frequent 
nationwide blackouts contribute to the deterioration of already 
impoverished communities. This is one of the worst humanitarian crises 
that we have seen in the Western Hemisphere.
  One thing is clear: we have to help our Venezuelan brothers and 
sisters in the United States. These conditions in Venezuela warrant a 
designation of TPS, and through H.R. 549, Congress will take this 
necessary action.
  I commend my colleagues, Representatives Darren Soto and Mario Diaz-
Balart for introducing this bill. I thank Representatives Donna Shalala 
and Debbie Wasserman Schultz, and Chairwoman Lofgren of the 
Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship and Chairman Nadler of the 
Judiciary Committee for their support and hard work in helping move 
this bill forward.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the Venezuela TPS Act 
of 2019, and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CLINE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, we stand in solidarity with the people of Venezuela, 
and I share many of the comments of the gentlewoman from Florida, but I 
must rise in opposition to H.R. 549.
  H.R. 549 statutorily designates Venezuela for inclusion in the broken 
program known as Temporary Protective Status. Pursuant to the 
Immigration and Nationality Act, the Secretary of DHS can designate a 
country for TPS if there are circumstances that would prevent the safe 
return of aliens to that country or if a country is temporarily unable 
to adequately handle the return of its nationals.
  When DHS does so, nationals of the designated country who are inside 
the United States on the date of the designation, whether legally or 
illegally, may apply to stay here and receive employment authorization. 
DHS has estimated there are 270,000 such Venezuelan nationals currently 
in the United States, over 100,000 of whom are here illegally.
  TPS is usually initially designated for a period of 18 months and 
then redesignated in 18-month increments after the Secretary reviews 
the conditions in the country to determine whether the conditions for 
the initial TPS designation continue. If the Secretary determines the 
country no longer meets the conditions for the TPS designation, the 
Secretary is required by law to terminate the designation. There are 
currently over 415,000 TPS recipients from 10 different countries in 
the United States.
  Despite the fact Congress intended TPS to be a temporary protection, 
over time it has become a permanent, automatically renewed status with 
some countries being designated for TPS for decades.
  For instance, Honduras was initially designated for TPS back in 1999 
due to Hurricane Mitch which struck the country in October of 1998. 
Somalia was initially designated in September of 1991 based on armed 
conflict.
  The current administration applied the law under section 244 of the 
INA regarding mandatory termination of TPS designation if the 
conditions no longer exist, and terminated TPS for Sudan, Nicaragua, 
Haiti, and El Salvador. The DHS Secretary gave those populations at 
least 12 months to wind down and prepare for departure, but a lawsuit 
was filed, and activist Federal courts issued an injunction.
  I oppose H.R. 549, but do not do so lightly. There is no doubt that 
the people of Venezuela are suffering. They are in a dire situation as 
a result of the socialist policies of long-time President Hugo Chavez 
and his successor Nicolas Maduro.

                              {time}  1745

  But I hold out hope for a regime change in Venezuela, and I know the 
administration is watching this situation closely.
  If Congress is, nevertheless, inclined to statutorily designate 
Venezuela for TPS, we should not do so without reforming the process to 
ensure renewal is not a rubber stamp; otherwise, we risk being in the 
same position we are currently in regarding other TPS designations. No 
other administration will terminate it, and 25 years from now, Members 
of Congress will call for green cards for Venezuelans here on TPS.
  Another concern is two Federal circuits, the sixth and the ninth, 
have held the mere grant of TPS is an admission for purposes of the 
Immigration and Nationality Act. The effect of those rulings is that 
TPS holders who were meant to be here temporarily can now get a green 
card pursuant to family or employment-based petition even if they 
entered the country illegally. Also problematic is the fact that the 
fee for a TPS application is statutorily capped at $50.
  Last week, the Immigration and Citizenship Subcommittee held a 
hearing regarding the long wait times for processing immigration 
benefits applications. Large volume is the biggest driver of longer 
processing times, but there is also not enough money to hire additional 
staff. Since it is a fee-funded agency, U.S. Citizenship and 
Immigration Services should be allowed to set the fee commensurate with 
the cost of application adjudication, which is obviously more than the 
mere $50.
  Lastly, I must point out the glaring hypocrisy of designating a 
country for temporary protective status after the majority recently 
passed H.R. 6, which created a green card path for 417,000 aliens in 
the country on temporary protected status. If the majority had its way, 
Congress would amend the INA to remove the word ``temporary'' from the 
TPS statute and just start handing over green cards immediately.
  Madam Speaker, I oppose H.R. 549. I urge my colleagues to do the 
same, and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. MUCARSEL-POWELL. Madam Speaker, I appreciate the concerns Mr.

[[Page H7213]]

Cline has brought up, but I would like to remind him that the 
Immigration and Nationality Act and this bill provide the authority to 
terminate TPS for Venezuelans, and Venezuelans, right now, are clearly 
eligible.
  TPS was created specifically for the situations that we are seeing. 
TPS was created to address situations where extraordinary and temporary 
conditions in a country prevent its nationals from returning safely.
  Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. 
Soto), my colleague.
  Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Florida.
  In 2016, Olyn Itriago escaped the evil Maduro tyranny in Venezuela. 
She received death threats, including a failed attempt on her life. Her 
brother, however, was captured and tortured by the Venezuelan National 
Guard. The crime? Supporting the opposition party.
  Olyn is now one of my constituents in Orlando, with her daughters and 
her husband. She is active with our local groups, advocating for 
freedom in Venezuela. She holds on to hope of returning home one day 
soon.
  Another one of my newest constituents, Selene Vargas, was diagnosed 
with cancer in 2017. Due to the shortages of medicine, food, and lack 
of functioning quality hospitals in Venezuela, all caused by Nicolas 
Maduro's destruction of the economy, she moved to Orlando to continue 
her cancer treatment. Selene hopes to beat cancer, return to Venezuela, 
and see her family again.
  Like Olyn and Selene, hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans in the 
United States fear for their lives. They ask for our compassion until 
the horror ends. Our bipartisan Venezuela TPS Act would protect all 
eligible Venezuelan nationals from deportation. It allows them to 
contribute to our American economy, all while they continue to work to 
fix Venezuela.
  The world is now witness to the ruthless oppression, starvation, and 
human rights abuses of Maduro's rule. The administration has been a 
loud voice condemning Maduro.
  Vice President Mike Pence said, during a visit to Florida recently, 
that the White House is discussing TPS. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo 
also mentioned TPS protections could be decided ``in the near future.''
  Today, the House has a chance to fulfill those promises. Senators 
Marco Rubio and Bob Menendez are leading this bipartisan effort in the 
Senate as well.
  Granting Venezuelans TPS is one of the most bipartisan immigration 
acts each of us as a Member of Congress can take right now. I plead 
with Members on both sides of the aisle to take this opportunity to 
come together to do the right thing.
  It is our moral responsibility to support these brave Venezuelans and 
their families who are already citizens here in the United States. This 
is the next step to helping the people and to restoring freedom and the 
rule of law in Venezuela.
  Madam Speaker, I urge all my colleagues in the House to vote for the 
bill.
  ``For a free Venezuela,'' ``Por una Venezuela libre.''
  Mr. CLINE. Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Diaz-Balart).
  Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Madam Speaker, I first commend my colleague from 
central Florida (Mr. Soto), for his leadership and his perseverance.
  I want to also thank my colleagues from south Florida, many of whom 
are here today in support of this important piece of legislation.
  Look, I know that there are concerns about an immigration system that 
is absolutely broken in this country, and it is. I know that there are 
concerns about even the TPS system. I get that. But we have to take a 
step back.
  What we are dealing with here is a very specific, unique situation, 
which is why Congress today will have this opportunity to vote on it.
  You know the situation. You have heard the situation about the 
humanitarian crisis in Venezuela. Over 3 million people have fled 
Venezuela because what was the wealthiest country in South America, 
because of the radical socialist policies of the two last 
dictatorships, now has become among the poorest, where people don't 
have access to any basic issues of--whether it is healthcare or even 
food, medicine.

  You know all that, but, you see, there is something else: The extreme 
repression that is taking place in Venezuela, that is the real reason 
people are fleeing. That is the reason that Venezuelans are dying. That 
is the reason that the heroes in Venezuela have hit the streets. That 
is the reason why this young leader, President Guaido, has come to the 
forefront leading these heroic people.
  And this administration has recognized that fact. This 
administration--and I am so grateful--has applied tough sanctions 
against the dictatorship, has shown great solidarity with the people of 
Venezuela.
  So I ask you, let's not confuse this with all of the issues of 
immigration and the broken immigration system. Really, with what is 
going on in Venezuela, should we be sending Venezuelans back to that 
dictatorship, or could Congress act in a very specific circumstance to 
give them the ability to stay here, at least while this dictatorship, 
this horrific situation is taking place in Venezuela?
  That is what we are dealing with. Not the horrors of complications or 
the messed up parts of the immigration system which has got issues, 
obviously. It is this very specific issue.
  Again, thanking, particularly, my colleague, Mr. Soto, I would just 
urge my colleagues in the House to take a step back. These are specific 
circumstances dealing with this dictatorship in Venezuela. The 
administration has shown solidarity, Congress now has the opportunity 
to do the same.
  Madam Speaker, I ask for a ``yes'' vote.
  Ms. MUCARSEL-POWELL. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the 
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz), my colleague.
  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for 
yielding.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today to urge the House to pass the Venezuela 
TPS Act of 2019, which would grant Venezuelan nationals urgently needed 
temporary protective status in the United States of America.
  The Maduro regime has perpetrated egregious human rights abuses, 
inflicting an economic and humanitarian crisis on the people of 
Venezuela. Venezuelans fleeing starvation, violence, and political 
persecution have sought refuge in the United States.
  My district has the largest Venezuelan population in the U.S. So many 
of my south Florida neighbors know the brutality of the Maduro regime 
firsthand and fled here seeking safety.
  The stories are heartbreaking: children kidnapped from playgrounds; 
family members dying of hunger, violence, and lack of medicine; 
individuals who were jailed for speaking out against the government; 
businesses confiscated.
  Extending TPS will ensure Venezuelans are shielded from the imminent 
danger of deportation and can obtain work permits.
  President Trump has called the Maduro regime a ``nightmare of 
poverty, hunger, and death.'' He said in June that he was looking 
``very seriously at extending TPS to Venezuela.''
  But a recent letter from the USCIS stated the administration is 
simply ``monitoring'' the situation in Venezuela, something it has done 
for months.
  There was no commitment to extend TPS to Venezuela, and in the 
meantime, this administration continues to deport Venezuelan nationals, 
sending them back to the nightmare of the Maduro regime.
  This cannot wait any longer. It is past time we support the 
Venezuelan community and recognize the urgency of extending them TPS.
  President Trump could grant TPS to Venezuelans today. He doesn't need 
congressional action. So amidst his inaction, the House of 
Representatives will take action today to protect our neighbors and 
friends, because their lives are on the line.
  I urge my colleagues to vote for this legislation to ensure that 
Venezuelans are granted this essential protection, and I say ``Vive 
Venezuela.''
  Mr. CLINE. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Florida for 
her remarks and for her sharing the concerns of the president for the 
socialist regime of Maduro.

[[Page H7214]]

  I would note that there are very few detained noncriminal Venezuelans 
with removal orders, and there is no mechanism currently in place for 
directly removing aliens to Venezuela.
  Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from Puerto Rico 
(Miss Gonzalez-Colon).
  Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Madam Speaker, I rise in support 
of H.R. 549, the Venezuela TPS Act, introduced by the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Soto), my friend.
  Madam Speaker, I am a proud cosponsor of this bill, essentially 
allowing Venezuelan nationals living in the United States to be 
eligible for temporary protected status. This status will extend travel 
authorization, allow lawful employment, and, ultimately, prevent their 
removal from the United States.
  The crisis in Venezuela is dire.
  In April, I had the opportunity to travel to Colombia with other 
Members of Congress to visit a humanitarian aid center on the border 
with Venezuela. I saw firsthand the appalling conditions that our Latin 
American brothers and sisters are enduring, and believe me, it is worse 
than anyone can imagine.
  The hunger and the need experienced in the country are unprecedented 
and heartbreaking. Over 90 percent of the population is living in 
poverty; 7 million people need humanitarian assistance; and diseases 
that have been previously eradicated have, unfortunately, returned.
  To make matters worse, there is a shortage of 85 percent of necessary 
medicines to treat those diseases on the ground, while infant mortality 
rates have increased by 30 percent and maternal mortality rates have 
increased by an alarming 60 percent.

  This is unacceptable, Madam Speaker.
  The main obstacle at hand lies in the hands of Nicolas Maduro and his 
ruthless dictatorship. He is holding the people of Venezuela hostage, 
depriving them of basic human rights.
  Additionally, the number of Venezuelans migrating to Puerto Rico has 
doubled since the crisis began and can be expected to continue 
increasing as long as Maduro remains in power.
  I will continue working to move this bill so that Venezuelans can 
have a temporary safe haven in our country, where they can live freely.
  Madam Speaker, I do understand that the House needs to do something 
about this, and I urge my colleagues to do the same and support this 
bill.
  Ms. MUCARSEL-POWELL. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the 
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Shalala), my colleague.
  Ms. SHALALA. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of this 
lifesaving bipartisan legislation to designate temporary protective 
status for Venezuelans.
  Maduro's evil regime has plunged Venezuela into catastrophe. The 
once-thriving country is in free fall, with Venezuelans now suffering 
from the largest economic, political, and humanitarian crisis in the 
entire hemisphere.
  Just in 2018, nearly 30,000 Venezuelans applied for asylum in the 
United States, becoming the number one country of origin for asylum 
claimants.

                              {time}  1800

  Many Venezuelans have come to south Florida, where they have 
contributed so much to our diverse community. In my district, there are 
approximately 17,000 Venezuelan-born residents.
  My constituents cannot safely return. A recent U.N. report detailed 
the shocking government abuses, including extrajudicial killings at the 
hands of Maduro's death squads.
  Simply stated, granting TPS for Venezuelans is the right thing to do.
  TPS has bipartisan support in the House and in the Senate. We now 
have an opportunity to take real action to support those who have fled 
the crisis caused by the illegitimate, inhumane Maduro regime.
  Madam Speaker, I thank my Florida colleagues on both sides of the 
aisle, as well as our colleague from Puerto Rico (Miss Gonzalez-Colon), 
for their work on this important legislation. I strongly urge a ``yes'' 
vote.
  Vive Venezuela.
  Mr. CLINE. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for her remarks 
against the socialist regime of Maduro as well.
  Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. 
Brooks).
  Mr. BROOKS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, let's be clear: Venezuela is 
one of the most natural-resources-rich nations on the planet, and for 
oil, in the top five in reserves in the world.
  The problem with Venezuela is not its people, other than that they 
made mistakes in whom they elected. The problem is not the lack of 
resources, which should empower those people to be wealthy. Rather, the 
problem in Venezuela is the self-inflicted adoption of socialism.
  Let's be clear about the economic havoc that is now occurring in 
Venezuela. We have starvation. In one recent study, the average adult 
over a year's period of time had a weight loss in excess of 20 pounds 
because they could not get the calories needed to sustain their body 
weight. Riots have resulted.
  Inflation a few years ago was over 1,000 percent. Today, we have 
estimates that inflation in Venezuela is as high as 10 million percent. 
Of course, the currency is worthless and becoming more so.
  Venezuela, as a country, has been brought to its knees by the 
adoption of socialism. I find it ironic that so many in America now 
advocate the suppression of free enterprise and the liberty on which it 
is based, and the replacement of free enterprise and liberty with 
socialism and the dictatorial nature that is inherent in the adoption 
of socialist practices. Venezuela is an excellent example of why 
America must never go socialist.
  I want to emphasize one thing: While Maduro has been in charge of 
Venezuela, Maduro is not the cause of the economic hardship that is now 
being faced in Venezuela. Rather, it is the people's adoption of 
socialism.
  Let's go to H.R. 549 and how it relates to what I have just said.
  This bill proposes a tsunami of people coming to our country who are 
ill-equipped to support themselves.
  Let's put that into the perspective of where we are as a nation. We 
just blew through the $22 trillion debt mark earlier this year. This 
year, we are looking at a roughly $900 billion deficit.
  A deal has been reached that will only increase our deficit by $2 
trillion over the next 2 years, pushing our debt up to $22 trillion. 
This is money we do not have, have to borrow to get, and can't afford 
to pay back.
  How does that relate to H.R. 549? Well, let me share some numbers 
with you: Sixty percent of households with a lawful immigrant in them 
are on welfare, living off the hard work of others. Seventy percent of 
illegal alien households are on welfare, living off the hard work of 
others here in the United States of America.
  Quite frankly, Madam Speaker, the United States of America can no 
longer afford to be the world's orphanage for children and adults 
alike. We have to get our own house in order, and this legislation 
helps to increase that disorder by increasing our deficit and debt, 
making it less manageable and further risking debilitating insolvency 
and the bankruptcy of a great Nation.
  Madam Speaker, I ask for opposing H.R. 549, and that is how I will 
vote.
  Ms. MUCARSEL-POWELL. Madam Speaker, just a couple of quick responses 
to my colleague, Mr. Brooks.
  The only thing that I do agree with is, yes, we do have to put our 
own house in order. We have an executive in disarray at this moment.
  I think that maybe the gentleman is ill-informed. The people of 
Venezuela did not elect the narco-regime, the authoritarian, 
dictatorial leader who is Nicolas Maduro. They had fraudulent elections 
in May 2018.
  Please do not insult the people in Venezuela, who are suffering, who 
have no food, who have no access to medicine. We have seen the worst 
humanitarian crisis in this hemisphere, and it was not because 
Venezuelans elected him. Actually, he held fraudulent elections. The 
interim, legitimate President is Juan Guaido.
  But we are not going to see a tsunami of Venezuelans coming to this 
country. This bill applies only and specifically to the Venezuelans who 
are already residing in the United States.
  Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. 
Deutch), my colleague.

[[Page H7215]]

  

  Mr. DEUTCH. Madam Speaker, I strongly support H.R. 549, the Venezuela 
TPS Act.
  The situation in Venezuela is dire. It is outrageous, Madam Speaker, 
that some in this Chamber would blame the horrific situation in 
Venezuela on the people of Venezuela. It is the Maduro regime that is 
committing horrific human rights abuses.
  People are being killed and tortured. The media has been censored. 
Opponents of the regime have been imprisoned. The economy is failing. 
Food is scarce. Essential medicines cannot be found.
  The mass corruption and poverty have forced more than 4 million 
people to flee the country for their lives.
  I have witnessed desperate Venezuelans crossing the border into 
Colombia in need of food. I spoke with families who traveled hours and 
hours to Cucuta for one meal for their children. I saw warehouses 
filled with food and humanitarian assistance that Maduro refuses to 
allow in to help his people.

  The dreadful living conditions, extreme violence, and persecution 
warrant extending TPS to Venezuelans living in the United States.
  We must stand with the Venezuelan people, the legitimate government 
of President Juan Guaido, and the return of freedom and democracy. For 
right now, passing this bill will ensure Venezuelans in the U.S. are 
protected from being deported to life-threatening conditions.
  Madam Speaker, this bill will save lives. I urge my colleagues to 
support it.
  Ms. MUCARSEL-POWELL. Madam Speaker, may I inquire how much time is 
remaining.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentlewoman from Florida has 6 minutes 
remaining. The gentleman from Virginia has 5 minutes remaining.
  Mr. CLINE. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. MUCARSEL-POWELL. Madam Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the 
gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Murphy), my colleague.
  Mrs. MURPHY. Madam Speaker, I support this bipartisan bill to extend 
temporary protected status to Venezuela.
  There are over 400,000 Venezuelans living in the United States, and 
more than half live in Florida. About 200,000 of these men and women 
would receive TPS if this bill becomes law. They could work legally, 
pay taxes, and contribute to our economy for a period of time, without 
living in fear of deportation.
  Venezuela is in absolute crisis, and making Venezuelans in the U.S. 
go home right now is immoral. In many cases, it could be a death 
sentence.
  Requiring people who have sought refuge in America to return to a 
failed state violates our core values as a nation.
  Let me be clear: Passing TPS is a critical step, but it seeks to 
treat the symptom of a disease rather than trying to cure the disease 
itself. The disease is the cruel, undemocratic, and incompetent regime 
of Nicolas Maduro.
  For Venezuela to prosper and for the U.S. to protect its national 
security, the Maduro regime must go. America should work with its 
allies in the region and use all elements of our national power to 
support the Venezuelan patriots who are fighting to reclaim their 
country from the regime that has destroyed it.
  Then, and only then, will Venezuela be sufficiently stable and safe 
so these proud Venezuelans can return to the country they love.
  Mr. CLINE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  As was said earlier, there are very few detained noncriminal 
Venezuelans with removal orders, and there is no mechanism currently in 
place for directly removing aliens to Venezuela.
  Madam Speaker, we stand with the people of Venezuela in their fight 
against the socialist regime of Nicolas Maduro.
  We recognize that only through change in leadership and a change in 
direction will Venezuela change course and begin to rebound, in terms 
of adopting economic reforms and abandoning the socialist policies of 
the Maduro regime.
  We stand with the people, and we stand ready to embrace the newly 
elected President, should he take control of the country.
  But this bill, H.R. 549, is a bill that is simply not appropriate for 
the circumstances right now. This broken TPS system that we have would 
not be sufficient to accommodate the hundreds of thousands of 
Venezuelans who would seek to use it.
  Suffice it to say, it is similar to helping people by throwing them a 
raft full of holes.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote against H.R. 549, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. MUCARSEL-POWELL. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  In response to Mr. Cline's concern, once again, TPS is the law of the 
land. It is under section 244 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. 
All we are asking is to place Venezuela as a country that is designated 
under TPS in this bill.
  We are talking about people who are suffering. We cannot send them 
back to a humanitarian emergency.
  We wrote a letter to the Trump administration, asking them to grant 
TPS for Venezuelans. They have the ability to do so at the 
administrative level right now, but they have refused. They say they 
are supportive of Venezuelans, but I seriously question that when they 
disagree with the importance of granting TPS for the thousands of 
Venezuelans living in this country today. We cannot send them back to a 
brutal regime, to a regime that is actually killing its own citizens.
  I would like to express my support for H.R. 549. There is, as I 
mentioned, widespread poverty and shortages of food and water. The 
government is in disarray, and we can't wait any longer. We have to 
help our Venezuelan brothers and sisters in the United States, and this 
bill accomplishes just that.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to 
support H.R. 549. We must do it, ``lo tenemos que hacer.'' This is the 
moment.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Mucarsel-Powell) that the House suspend 
the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 549, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. BROOKS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and 
nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further 
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.

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