Chairman risch Senate Foreign Relations Committee will come to order, please. I want to thank special representative abrams and Senior Deputy assistant administrator hodges for their service and for appearing here today to discuss the worsening crisis in venezuela. Its hard to imagine a more pressing National Security concern in the western hemisphere than the political, humanitarian, and economic crisis provoked by maduro and his cronies in venezuela. In the last several years maduro has dramatically deepened relation was the most dangerous forces in the world which were first established by his predecessor, hugo chavez. On his watch, cuba, russia, china, iran transnational criminal organizations, and u. S. Designated foreign terrorist organizations, have turned venezuela into their playground. Their activities are intolerable. Security threats to the United States and the hemisphere at large. And prolong the humanitarian crisis provoked by the socialist policies of the regime. Nearly
Testify in humanitarian assistance, upcoming election and influence from other countries. This is an hour and a half. Show of concern in the western hemisphere banned the political and humanitarian and economic crisis provoked by th moduro wih the most dangerous forces in the world over first established by his predecessor chavez. Cuba, russia, china, iran Transnational Criminal Organizations and four in designated organization to turn venezuela into their playground. Their activities are intolerable security threats to the United States and hemisphere at large and prolonged the humanitarian crisis provoked by the socialist policies of the regime. Nearly 5. 2 million have fled their homeland, placing a huge burden on the neighboring countries that generously accept that the refugees from maduros regime. 96 of those that stayed behind live in poverty with 80 facing extreme poverty. Prompting Food Shortages and dysfunctional Public Health system have condemned an entire generation to hun
Show of concern in the western hemisphere banned the political and humanitarian and economic crisis provoked by th moduro wih the most dangerous forces in the world over first established by his predecessor chavez. Cuba, russia, china, iran Transnational Criminal Organizations and four in designated organization to turn venezuela into their playground. Their activities are intolerable security threats to the United States and hemisphere at large and prolonged the humanitarian crisis provoked by the socialist policies of the regime. Nearly 5. 2 million have fled their homeland, placing a huge burden on the neighboring countries that generously accept that the refugees from maduros regime. 96 of those that stayed behind live in poverty with 80 facing extreme poverty. Prompting Food Shortages and dysfunctional Public Health system have condemned an entire generation to hunger and started growth. A series of unsuccessful attempts to restore freedom in thfreedom andunless they are coy madur
The president pro tempore the senate will come to order. The chaplain, dr. Barry black, will open the senate with prayer. The chaplain let us pray. Eternal god, give our lawmakers the wisdom to remember and be grateful for all the things you have already done. Lord, you have sustained our nation during seasons of war and peace. You have helped us to find creative ways to strive for a more perfect union. You have provided us with solutions to difficult problems, just when we needed you most. Let this day be a time when senators find time to thank you for your bountiful blessings and faithfulness. As our lawmakers strive to live one day at a time, may they keep their focus on your power and love. We pray in your merciful name. Amen. The president pro tempore please join me in the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of america, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. The presiding
But as you make your way out the door if San Francisco, temperatures in the 40s. A jacket needed for the start of the day, but not so much this afternoon. And making it into the upper 60s in the 70. More on this in a few minutes, and mike, how is the commute looking . Light, as it has all week. Its 5 01, and no backup, not even in the cash lanes. One crash near spencer, and we will get chp over there and let you know how much traffic flow is there. And a smooth drive coming down through san jose. First today in the bay we explain the governors new plans to ban events with more than 250 people. Reporter yeah, making the recommendation for folks to cancel any large events at least through the month of march, and this is after San Francisco makes that decision, and that affects events at the chase center and that will trickle down to warriors game. We will get to that in a moment. Governor newsom is joining the officials from the department of Public Health calling to cancel large gatheri