To withhold twenty percent of United States assessed and voluntary contributions to the Organization of American States (OAS) for every permanent council meeting that takes place where Article 20 of the Inter-American Charter is not invoked with regard to Venezuela's recent constitutional reforms, and for other purposes.

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 6 - 1.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jul 14, 2011

Directs the Secretary of State to: (1) withhold 20% of U.S. assessed and voluntary contributions to the Organization of American States (OAS) for every permanent council meeting at which Article 20 of the Inter-American Charter is not invoked with regard to Venezuela's recent constitutional reforms, and (2) resume making such contributions upon the invocation of Article 20 and the discussion of Venezuela's violation of the Inter-American Democratic Charter at a meeting of the Permanent Council of the OAS.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Mack, Connie [R-FL-14] · R–FL

Committees

Foreign Affairs Committee

16 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Dec 15, 2011
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 6 - 1.
Dec 15, 2011
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Oct 25, 2011
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere.
Jul 14, 2011
Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Jul 14, 2011
Introduced in House
Jul 14, 2011
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Jul 14, 2011 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Explore the bill from different angles

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.2542 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.2542, 112th Congress: To withhold twenty percent of United States assessed and voluntary contributions to the Organization of American States (OAS) for every permanent council meeting that takes place where Article 20 of the Inter-American Charter is not invoked with regard to Venezuela's recent constitutional reforms, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-bill/2542

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2011-07-14.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/hr2542/BILLS-112hr2542ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T15:19:27Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.2542 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.2542 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.2542, 112th Congress: To withhold twenty percent of United States assessed and voluntary contributions to the Organization of American States (OAS) for every permanent council meeting that takes place where Article 20 of the Inter-American Charter is not invoked with regard to Venezuela's recent constitutional reforms, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-bill/2542

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2011-07-14.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/hr2542/BILLS-112hr2542ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T15:19:27Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.2542 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.2542 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.2542, 112th Congress: To withhold twenty percent of United States assessed and voluntary contributions to the Organization of American States (OAS) for every permanent council meeting that takes place where Article 20 of the Inter-American Charter is not invoked with regard to Venezuela's recent constitutional reforms, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-bill/2542

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2011-07-14.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/hr2542/BILLS-112hr2542ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T15:19:27Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.2542 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.2542 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.2542, 112th Congress: To withhold twenty percent of United States assessed and voluntary contributions to the Organization of American States (OAS) for every permanent council meeting that takes place where Article 20 of the Inter-American Charter is not invoked with regard to Venezuela's recent constitutional reforms, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-bill/2542

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2011-07-14.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/hr2542/BILLS-112hr2542ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T15:19:27Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.2542 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.