（每日一读）2014年5月高考英语考前突破 阅读理解能力 国际时事要闻 美国众议院通过决议对委内瑞拉进行制裁VIP专享

美国众议院通过决议对委内瑞拉进行制裁The US House of Representatives has approved a bill to introduce sanctions against Venezuelan officials involved in human rights abuses.美国众议院通过一项法案，决定对委内瑞拉涉及践踏人权的官员进行制裁。 The legislation calls for a travel ban on some members of the Venezuelan government and for their assets in US banks to be frozen. The US Foreign Relations Committee advanced a similar bill last week. At least 42 people have been killed since protests against President Nicolas Maduro began in February. The victims are from both sides of the political divide in the South American nation. "The United States Congress must stand ready to act on the cause of freedom and democracy around the globe," Republican Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen said during the debate in the House. The White House opposes sanctions against Mr Maduro's government. It says such measures could undermine（破坏） efforts to find a political solution to the crisis. Democratic Representative Gregory Meeks says the bill will undermine efforts by regional leaders to encourage dialogue between the government and the opposition. "This bill does not advance US interests. It sends a message to our regional allies that we do not care about what they think," Mr Meeks told Reuters. Foreign ministers from the Unasur regional group left Caracas last week after the opposition pulled out of talks.