Caracas CODEL: Senators are eager to visit Venezuela

The big picture: More than a dozen senators packed into the meeting and praised Machado's courage. But they disagreed over how Venezuela should transition to democracy — and when it would be safe for her to go home.

What they're saying: "That lady's got guts, right?" Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) told Axios. "I think she needs to be in the country. I think she needs to rally the Venezuelans."

• "She did indicate that she wants to go back as soon as possible — which I advised, in Spanish, is not a good idea," said Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.)."I just think it's dangerous," Gallego added.
• "We would rather have respected leaders of the opposition take their time to go back and be safe."

Driving the news: Machado met earlier in the day with Trump and said afterward on Fox News that she gifted him her non-transferable Nobel Peace Prize.

• "She didn't mention that, and neither did anybody else," Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) said.

What we're watching: Senators are already discussing a potential CODEL to Caracas.

• "I discussed maybe senators going down to visit to show support for the opposition," Gallego said. "I'll do the interpretation."
• Scott is also on board. "I think it's important to go, but we've got to make sure it's safe.

"The bottom line: Democrats and Republicans are united in celebrating Machado — but not in embracing the Trump administration's approach.

• "A large group of Democrats were fawning on Machado," Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) said. "Yesterday, they were trying to say that what President Trump did was wrong."