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 opposition¹.

 

"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.

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