Washington, DC – U.S. Representative Charlie Crist (D-St. Petersburg) released the following statement on H.R. 549, the Venezuela TPS Act of 2019. The legislation, which was voted down tonight by House Republicans, would have extended Temporary Protected Status to Venezuelan nationals living in America, allowing them to work and travel. In recent years, 4 million Venezuelans have fled the country to escape political violence and a burgeoning humanitarian crisis.

“The Venezuelan people are suffering from food shortages, severely limited access to medical treatments, and a ruined economy, all under the rule of the violent Maduro dictatorship,” said Crist. “Under no circumstances should Venezuelans living in the United States be deported back to that. I am deeply disappointed that Republicans blocked legislation that should have been an easy vote. If you support Venezuelans with your words, you should support Venezuelans with your actions.”