The House has passed a bipartisan measure that would impose new sanctions on the Venezuelan government. The resolution follows weeks of protests that have left dozens of people dead from both sides of Venezuela’s political divide. Democratic Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York spoke out against the measure, calling it counterproductive.

Rep. Gregory Meeks: “I know that there are high emotions on all sides of this issue, and I understand why. But the House should not act emotionally. It should act judiciously. This bill does not advance U.S. interests. It will not help the people of Venezuela. And it sends the message to our regional allies that we don’t care much about what they think.”