Should Congress Monitor Russian Support of Venezuela’s Maduro Regime? (H.R. 1102)

What is H.R. 1102?

(Updated April 4, 2020)

This bill — the Russian-Venezuelan Threat Mitigation Act — would direct the State Dept. to step up monitoring of the military relationship between Russia and Venezuela and provide Congress with threat assessments and strategies to curb Russian military influence in Venezuela.

Argument in favor

Russian military influence in Venezuela has been growing in recent years, and the Maduro regime is leaning heavily on Russian support. It’s important for Congress to remain apprised of the situation to ensure that Russia doesn’t threaten U.S. allies in Latin America.

Argument opposed

The State Dept. is already required to conduct threat assessments around the world as part of its mission — there’s no need for this bill.

Impact

State Dept; Congress; Venezuela; and Russia.

Cost of H.R. 1102

A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.

Additional Info

In-Depth: Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) introduced this bill to require the State Dept. to step up monitoring and provide Congress with threat assessments and strategies to curb Russian military influence in Venezuela:

“The growing military relationship between Nicolas Maduro and Vladimir Putin will severely obstruct any effort to restore real democracy in Venezuela. This kind of military alliance poses an imminent threat to our allies in the region, namely Colombia, and will only strengthen the foothold of Maduro’s brutal regime.”

Original cosponsor Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL) adds:

“We must not allow Russia to provide Maduro with the defense and military resources that he will use to further repress and brutalize the Venezuelan people, or engage in anti-American activities at our doorstep. Russia’s actions in Venezuela threaten our national security and bolster the Venezuelan people’s oppressors.”

This bill has three bipartisan cosponsors, including two Democrat and one Republican, all of whom are from Florida.

Of Note: Russian-Venezuelan military interactions have increased in recent years, with joint forces participating in a 10-hour exercise across the Caribbean in December. Kremlin-linked military contractors have reportedly also been deployed to Venezuela. The Maduro regime has also turned to Russia for financial support during its current economic crisis.

South Florida Democrats — specifically the Miami congressional delegation — have introduced multiple bills in response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Venezuela. In addition to this bill, Rep. Donna Shalala's (D-FL) Venezuela Arms Restriction Act would ban the U.S. government from selling military equipment and riot-control gear to the Maduro regime and Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell’s (D-FL) Humanitarian Assistance to the Venezuelan People Act of 2019 — would provide an additional $150 million in humanitarian assistance to the Venezuelan people.

Media:

• Sponsoring Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) Press Release