Senator @marcorubio's tweet merits a response threat 1/ https://twitter.com/marcorubio/status/1281593959630995456

First off, @SenatorMenendez authored the 2014 Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act of 2014 (S.2142), along w all other senate bills on Venezuela (it's a matter of public record). 2/

The bill was introduced in April 2014. In May, the VP invited Menendez, Rubio, and other members to the White House to discuss his upcoming trip to the region and S.2142. Rubio was a no-show. 3/

During that meeting, the VP told Menendez that if the bill passed, he would commit to strong enforcement by the Admin. 4/

In fact, after the bill passed in Dec. 2014, the VP intervened to ensure enforcement was stronger than the law required by making sure the President's Executive Order (EO 13692) provided Treasury with tools to target public corruption. Trump is using that tool today. 5/

Last point, yes, that pic captures a smile, but the exchange was of the VP confronting Maduro to release prisoners, engage in dialogue, and undertake economic reforms. Trump, by contrast, coddles dictators the world over, and his own NSC staff has told press he 'admires' Maduro.