S. 1428 — Introduced in Senate

II 118th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1428 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 3, 2023Mr. Cruz introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations A BILL To require a report on efforts by Venezuelan state actors and transnational criminal organizations to capture and detain United States citizens as hostages. 1. Report on efforts to capture and detain United States citizens as hostages (a) In general Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on efforts by the Government of Venezuela to detain United States citizens and permanent residents. (b) Elements The report required under subsection (a) shall include, regarding the seizure and detainment of United States citizens or permanent resident aliens— (1) the names and positions of Venezuelan persons or those acting on their behalf who have engaged in those activities; (2) a description of any roles played by transnational criminal organizations, and an identification of those organizations; and (3) where relevant, an assessment of whether and how United States citizens and permanent resident aliens have been lured to Venezuela. (c) Form The report required under subsection (a) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but shall include a classified annex listing the total number of United States citizens and permanent resident aliens presently in custody of Venezuelan state actors operating in the hemisphere. (d) Appropriate committees of Congress defined In this Act, the term appropriate committees of Congress means— (1) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate; and (2) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives.