FL-27 Newsletter Vol. 118, Issue #55 Dear Friends/Amigos, Last week, I had a busy week in Washington, D.C. conducting important legislative business for Miami's residents. I started the week strong by unveiling my Americas Act. The legislation will safeguard our hemisphere from the influence of the Chinese government by expanding our trading relationships with our Latin American allies. Learn more about how Miami will be the FIRST to benefit from my bill below. Later, I held a hearing exposing the rampant antisemitism some Latin American leaders have been spewing on the world stage since October 7th with the State Department's top antisemitism expert, Ambassador Lipstadt. I ended the week with a press conference with several of my colleagues urging the Biden Administration not to remove Cuba from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list. It was a MAJOR teaching opportunity for defenders of the Cuban regime who decided to protest our press conference. It is an honor to serve you in Congress. Let me know how I can better serve you by calling my office at (202) 225-3931 with your opinion. Sincerely/Atentamente, María Elvira Salazar U.S. Representative (FL-27) THE AMERICAS ACT IS HERE! After months of hard work with my colleagues Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-NY) and Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Michael Bennet (D-CO), I am excited to announce we've officially introduced the Americas Act in the House of Representatives and the Senate! Over the last several decades, the Chinese government has slowly penetrated Latin America at our expense. The Americas Act is the first major bill that will reverse this trend by expanding our trade partnerships with our allies in Latin America. That way, democracies in the region can enjoy the benefits of free market capitalism while our hemisphere shakes off its reliance on the Chinese. Even better, Miami will be one of the main beneficiaries of this legislation. More than 70% of Florida’s exports go to Latin America alone. This bill will greatly expand economic opportunity for Miami by forging strong trading relationships with countries who respect democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. To read more about my Americas Act, click here. EXPOSING THE RAMPANT ANTISEMITISM OF THE LATIN AMERICAN LEFT! Last week, I convened a hearing exposing the rampant antisemitism among leftist Latin American heads of state in the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee. After the barbaric attack Hamas launched against Israeli civilians on October 7, 2023, many of our Latin American allies like Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, and Paraguay immediately condemned it and offered their support for Israel. On the other hand, some leaders like Colombian President Gustavo Petro, Brazilian President Lula da Silva, and Honduran President Xiomara Castro have doubled down on antisemitic tropes and claims of genocide. I brought this up to the Biden Administration's top official on antisemitism, Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt, and she agreed: These comments are irresponsible and "crossed the line." The fact is, standing with Israel internationally requires condemning antisemitism abroad, no matter who it comes from. Read more about my line of questioning with Ambassador Lipstadt here. CUBAN AMERICAN REPS: WE MUST KEEP CUBA ON THE STATE SPONSORS OF TERROR LIST! On Friday, my good friend Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY) convened a press conference with myself and other Cuban American Members of Congress to address a visit by some of our colleagues to Cuba last month. As I began my remarks, Cuban regime defenders tried to derail the press conference with tired Castroist talking points. I reminded them that the Cuban people on the Island do not share the same rights they do, especially the right to protest. I continued making the case that Cuba absolutely belongs on the State Sponsors of Terrorism List. The Cuban regime supports authoritarian regimes abroad like Russia and China, while cozying up to terrorist organizations like Hamas and Hezbollah. Any attempt to remove Cuba from the list would be an offense to the Cuban exile community in Miami and a big national security mistake. Read more about the press conference here. CASEWORK TESTIMONIALS! My office is one of the best in Congress and is always happy to help our constituents with federal casework. Whether it’s navigating the difficult immigration bureaucracy, securing Social Security benefits, or getting your passports renewed on time before a family vacation, my staff is always willing to help my constituents solve their toughest challenges! Read some testimonials below: “My experience with Congresswoman Maria Salazar's office and staff has been THE BEST experience I have ever had with a government agency. From the moment I came to the office until resolution of the case, it has been excellent. I was greeted courteously when I arrived at the office and was able to see the staff very quickly. The staff was extremely helpful, attentive, caring and focused on resolving our problem, which in my case was putting our family back together. I wish others have the same experience with our govt agencies so our Citizens can really see what the govt. can do for them.” – RL “Great service, great team. Thanks!” – IH “Mi eterno agradecimiento por todo el apoyo y la ayuda que recibí! Muchísimas gracias!!!!!!!!” – C If you need help with federal casework AND reside in Florida’s 27th congressional district, call my office at (305) 668-2285! CONNECT WITH ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA! ‌ ‌ ‌ Have questions? Reach me at: [link removed] Washington, D.C. 2162 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-3931 Miami, FL 5725 SW 8th St Suite 200, Miami, FL 33144 Phone: (305) 668-2285 Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar | 2162 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected]