House Intelligence Chair Proposes Resolution Supporting Maduro’s Arrest

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rick Crawford (R-Ark.) is set to introduce a resolution on Monday that applauds the recent arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, drawing from earlier statements made by Democrats.

Crawford noted that there had once been a strong bipartisan consensus calling for an end to Maduro’s presidency in Venezuela, citing at least eight bills put forward by Democrats over the past several years. “This resolution simply reiterates the general agreement that has existed between House Republicans and Democrats,” he stated. “President Nicolás Maduro poses a threat to U.S. national security and to the Venezuelan populace, so President Trump’s decisive action should be commended,” he added.

The resolution emphasizes past remarks from Democrats to illustrate a shared understanding regarding Maduro’s leadership. For instance, Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida introduced a bill advocating for an end to Maduro’s “usurpation of presidential power,” arguing he has undermined the electoral process in Venezuela. Similarly, Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Mich., condemned the Maduro government’s practices of kidnapping, referring to the regime as a “state sponsor of illegal detention.”

Crawford’s initiative emerges amid condemnations from Congressional Democrats regarding the Trump administration’s actions in Venezuela, with some calling Maduro’s recent capture an act of war requiring Congressional approval. Meanwhile, Republicans assert that Trump’s approach involved careful use of force to obtain justice for known criminals.

Democratic senators have previously labeled Maduro a threat to American interests. For example, Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) depicted him as a danger in her bill introduced during the 118th Congress. The legislation described Maduro as having engaged in a long-term pattern of behaviors undermining U.S. national security.

Additionally, Representative Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut has used similar language in her own proposals, emphasizing the need to redefine the Maduro regime as one that fundamentally endangers U.S. safety.

However, Crawford expressed that current Democratic rhetoric contradicts their past stances. He cited a post from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who claimed the actions taken against Maduro misrepresented the nature of law enforcement.

Crawford believes that under Trump, the U.S. responded appropriately to earlier Democratic calls for action against Maduro. “Democrats have introduced numerous bills condemning the Maduro regime, labeling him an illegitimate president, and urging for decisive action,” he reflected. “Under President Trump’s leadership, the U.S. took control of the situation to ensure safety in our hemisphere and send strong messages to adversaries.”