Title 22, Foreign Relations and IntercourseRelease 119-110
§9702 Recognition of Venezuela’s Democratically Elected National Assembly
Title 22 › CHAPTER 104 — VENEZUELA ASSISTANCE › SUBCHAPTER I — SUPPORT FOR THE INTERIM PRESIDENT OF VENEZUELA AND RECOGNITION OF THE VENEZUELAN NATIONAL ASSEMBLY › § 9702
Summary
The United States recognizes Venezuela’s National Assembly—elected on December 6, 2015 and convened on January 6, 2016—as the only national-level democratic institution and the only legitimate national legislature. The Secretary of State, with the USAID Administrator, must prioritize technical assistance for that Assembly under section 9731.
Full Legal Text
Title 22, §9702
Foreign Relations and Intercourse, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)Findings
Congress finds that Venezuela’s unicameral National Assembly convened on January 6, 2016, following democratic elections that were held on December 6, 2015.
(b)Sense of Congress
It is the sense of Congress that Venezuela’s democratically elected National Assembly is the only national level democratic institution remaining in the country.
(c)Policy
It is the policy of the United States to recognize the democratically elected National Assembly of Venezuela as the only legitimate national legislative body in Venezuela.
(d)Assistance to Venezuela’s National Assembly
The Secretary of State, in coordination with the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, shall prioritize efforts to provide technical assistance to support the democratically elected National Assembly of Venezuela in accordance with section 9731 of this title.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
22 U.S.C. § 9702
Title 22, Foreign Relations and Intercourse
Last Updated
Sep 22, 2026
Release point: 119-110