Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, applauded House passage of the H.R. 4587, introduced by Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), which imposes targeted sanctions on individuals responsible for carrying out or ordering human rights abuses against Venezuela.  The Committee unanimously passed the legislation earlier this month. 

Chairman Royce said:  “President Maduro — Hugo Chavez’ hand-picked successor – has unleashed a heavy-handed and violent response to the student led, peaceful protests that have been ongoing since February.  While the Obama Administration has been supporting political talks in Caracas, there has been little progress.  If the Maduro government is to agree to true reforms to reverse the descent, its leaders must feel the pressure. Targeting those officials who have directed this repression is a good place to start.”

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