[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 126 (Thursday, July 25, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H7444]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  IN SUPPORT OF THE VENEZUELA TPS ACT

  (Ms. JACKSON LEE asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I rise to support H.R. 549, the 
Venezuela TPS Act of 2019.
  This particular bill designates Venezuela for temporary protected 
status for an initial 18-month period beginning on the date of 
enactment, and such designation would allow eligible nationals of 
Venezuela who are in the United States on the date of enactment to 
register for TPS benefits, including temporary immigration status and 
employment authorization.
  Let me indicate that, in my community in Houston, there are a number 
of Venezuelans who have told their story of fleeing and leaving behind 
family members. Many of them, however, have had the opportunity to be 
in this country to be safe but still to be concerned about family 
members.
  We know that there are difficult times in Venezuela. It is important 
for the United States to engage diplomatically to try and resolve this.
  We know there are medical crises, health crises, crises of family 
separation, and violence.
  So, I would make the point that this is an important initiative, and 
I would also say that I would like to thank one of the constituents in 
my community, CITGO, a company that has many Venezuelans working there 
but has been a generous supporter of Houston.
  I believe that it is important to try and resolve these issues to 
bring peace to Venezuela. TPS is appropriate, and we should do it now.

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