[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 14]
[House]
[Page 19604]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          VENEZUELA ELECTIONS

  (Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the 
people of Venezuela on their democratic victory this weekend.
  Voters at the polls sent a clear message to the corrupt Maduro 
regime: We reject your policies and support a return to true democracy, 
as well as an end to an economic system that has bankrupted an 
otherwise wealthy nation.
  Despite lopsided electoral conditions, state-imposed censorship, and 
intimidation tactics, the democratic opposition overcame many obstacles 
to gain control of the National Assembly. But there is still much work 
that remains to be done. All political prisoners must be freed, 
including pro-democracy leader Leopoldo Lopez.
  There are still a few contestant seats without a winner announced 
that are very important to the final outcome of the election.
  I urge a speedy and transparent declaration of the winners and a full 
adjudication process for any disputed contests that can occur in 
certain races.
  Congratulations to the people of Venezuela for a great victory.

                          ____________________