Top lawmakers in Congress push tough new measures against Venezuela

Lawmakers will unveil a $58 million plan Monday that would force the Trump administration to push harder to isolate the Venezuelan government and restore democracy. The plan would be the most comprehensive proposal on Venezuela taken up by Congress. It is already drawing comparisons to the controversial Helms-Burton Act signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1996 shortly after Cuba shot down two civilian American planes that directed tens of millions of dollars toward democratic reforms. The overarching Venezuela plan includes financial penalties against the government of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, increases diplomatic pressure on regional allies to also take action and offers tens of millions in humanitarian aid to Venezuelans inside and outside the country. More…