28 May 2014
Last updated at 19:46 ET
The legislation calls for a travel ban on some members of the
Venezuelan government and for their assets in US banks to be frozen.
The US Foreign Relations Committee advanced a similar bill last week.
At least 42 people have been killed since protests against President Nicolas Maduro began in February.
The victims are from both sides of the political divide in the South American nation.
"The United States Congress must stand ready to act on the cause of freedom and democracy around the globe," Republican Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen said during the debate in the House.
The White House opposes sanctions against Mr Maduro's government.
It says such measures could undermine efforts to find a political solution to the crisis.
Democratic Representative Gregory Meeks says the bill will
undermine efforts by regional leaders to encourage dialogue between the
government and the opposition.
"This bill does not advance US interests. It sends a message to our regional allies that we do not care about what they think," Mr Meeks told Reuters.
Foreign ministers from the Unasur regional group left Caracas last week after the opposition pulled out of talks.
"Infamy"
US House of Representatives approves Venezuela sanctions
Protests carry on in the city of San Cristobal, where the anti-government demonstrations began in early February
The
US House of Representatives has approved a bill to introduce sanctions
against Venezuelan officials involved in human rights abuses.
The US Foreign Relations Committee advanced a similar bill last week.
At least 42 people have been killed since protests against President Nicolas Maduro began in February.
The victims are from both sides of the political divide in the South American nation.
"The United States Congress must stand ready to act on the cause of freedom and democracy around the globe," Republican Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen said during the debate in the House.
The White House opposes sanctions against Mr Maduro's government.
It says such measures could undermine efforts to find a political solution to the crisis.
Government supporters say they will defend the programme of social reforms introduced by Hugo Chavez
Mr Maduro's term in office ends in January 2019
The government has accused Maria Machado of plotting a coup against Nicolas Maduro
"This bill does not advance US interests. It sends a message to our regional allies that we do not care about what they think," Mr Meeks told Reuters.
Foreign ministers from the Unasur regional group left Caracas last week after the opposition pulled out of talks.
"Infamy"
The main opposition group, the Democratic Unity Alliance
(Mud), was angry at the government's refusal to release more than 200
people detained recently by police.
US Secretary of State John Kerry accused the government of failing to show good faith in the talks and said the US was "losing patience" with Venezuela.
Protests began in western Venezuela in the beginning of February and spread to the rest of the country.
The opposition blames failed left-wing policies for high inflation, crime and the shortage of many staples.
Mr Maduro says right-wing sectors inside and outside Venezuela had come together to create dissent and destabilise his government.
Earlier on Wednesday, Venezuelan officials accused opposition politician Maria Corina Machado of plotting with US officials to assassinate Mr Maduro.
She denied the claims, describing them in her Twitter account as "infamy".
Mr Maduro was elected last year to replace the late President, Hugo Chavez, who died of cancer after more than 14 years in office.
US Secretary of State John Kerry accused the government of failing to show good faith in the talks and said the US was "losing patience" with Venezuela.
Protests began in western Venezuela in the beginning of February and spread to the rest of the country.
The opposition blames failed left-wing policies for high inflation, crime and the shortage of many staples.
Mr Maduro says right-wing sectors inside and outside Venezuela had come together to create dissent and destabilise his government.
Earlier on Wednesday, Venezuelan officials accused opposition politician Maria Corina Machado of plotting with US officials to assassinate Mr Maduro.
She denied the claims, describing them in her Twitter account as "infamy".
Mr Maduro was elected last year to replace the late President, Hugo Chavez, who died of cancer after more than 14 years in office.
Related Stories
From other news sites
-
Miami Herald House passes bill pushing sanctions against Venezuelan regime 28 mins ago
-
Reuters India U.S. House passes bill seeking Venezuela sanctions 1 hr ago
-
NBCNews.com House Responds to Venezuela Crackdown 1 hr ago
-
Washington Post House adopts new sanctions against Venezuela 2 hrs ago
-
The Hill House passes Venezuela sanctions bill 2 hrs ago
- About these results
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please leave a comment-- or suggestions, particularly of topics and places you'd like to see covered