House fails to pass Soto's Venezuela TPS bill

By a vote of 268-154, the U.S. House of Representatives has failed to pass Rep. Darren Soto’s Venezuela TPS Act (H.R. 459), a bill that would have given Venezuelan nationals Temporary Protected Status (TPS).

House Democrats have taken issue with President Trump for not signing an executive order granting TPS for Venezuelans, but who is to blame for not passing this bill?

Mostly Republicans, who all voted against the measure, with a few dozen exception.

Soto contends that if Venezuela TPS is not granted,  “millions of Venezuelans” will be sent back to face “imminent death and danger.”

 “We are deeply disappointed over the apathy shown towards struggling Venezuelans, but we stand firm that our fight is far from over, stated Rep. Soto “Despite the House’s inability to garner a super majority today, we urge House Leadership to bring this bill to a full Vote under a structure rule this week. With the tyrannical Maduro regime murdering its citizens and destroying Venezuela, it is our moral responsibility to help these brave Venezuelans seeking a safe haven in the United States. We cannot stand idly by, or worse, send millions of Venezuelans back to imminent death and danger.”

Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R), the sole Republican member to cosponsor Soto’s bill, was also deeply “disappointed” that his colleagues failed to pass the bill.

 “I am disappointed that the House failed to muster the supermajority needed to pass the Venezuela TPS Act under suspension of the rules. Temporary Protected Status is crucial to the thousands of Venezuelan nationals that have sought safety in the United States in the years that the Chavez-Maduro regimes have ravished the once prosperous and democratic Venezuela.

I will continue working with my dear friend Congressman Darren Soto and my other colleagues to pass this important legislation under regular order. I have strongly supported the Trump administration’s imposition of tough sanctions on the Maduro regime, and it is that same rationale that warrants protecting Venezuelans who have fled the repressive Maduro regime.

Our ultimate goal must be freedom for the Venezuelan people. Until then, it is crucial that we allow Venezuelan nationals to remain safely in the United States. It would be unconscionable to force them to return to the perilous oppression, crime, and destitution of Venezuela today.”-Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R)

Florida Senator Marco Rubio (R) has already filed pro-Venezuela TPS legislation in the U.S. Senate.