[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 169 (Thursday, October 24, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S6145]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               VENEZUELA

  Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Mr. President, I rise today to speak about the 
crisis in Venezuela, a defining human rights issue of our time. Nicolas 
Maduro is starving his own people, and innocent children are dying. 
What is happening in Venezuela is pure genocide. With every day that 
passes, the situation in Venezuela grows more dire.
  I will not stand by and let Maduro continue terrorizing his people. I 
will not let Democrats in Congress use the Venezuelan people as a 
political prop. I will not allow the inaction to continue.
  Americans have always stood up for freedom, and today is no 
exception. That is why I am here again to ask unanimous consent to pass 
my amendment to H.R. 549, granting temporary protective status for 
Venezuelans fleeing Nicolas Maduro's oppressive regime. Even though 
Senate Democrats blocked the same proposal last month, I refuse to give 
up. I stand with the proud Venezuelans.
  My proposal has the support of all Senate Republicans. I believe that 
the President will sign this into law. It is the only solution that 
stands a chance of becoming law. We have to act.
  We also need to be responsible. The courts have, basically, made a 
temporary program permanent, which is not sustainable. Despite what 
some confused Democrats, including Speaker Pelosi may say, the ``T'' in 
TPS actually does mean ``temporary.''
  In addition to protecting Venezuelan people right now, my amendment 
makes much needed reforms to our TPS program and returns the program to 
its intended purpose. We want those seeking refuge from war and 
oppressive regimes to have a safe haven in our country, but we need a 
system that works and is truly temporary. We need to act now to save 
the Venezuelan people.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to address the Senate in 
Spanish.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. SCOTT of Florida. (English translation of the statement made in 
Spanish is as follows:)
  We need TPS now.
  I stand with the people of Venezuela, and I will continue to fight 
for freedom and democracy in Latin America.
  It is time for Maduro and his thugs to leave power.

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