FL-27 Newsletter Vol. 118, Issue #56 Dear Friends/Amigos, Since I first took office, I made it a personal priority to ensure that my constituents can see the tangible results of my work for them in Washington. After Congress signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024 into law (also known by some as the 2024 minibus bill), my office secured over $23 million in funding for critical projects across Miami. Wins on issues like affordable housing, climate resilience, and the cost-of-living crisis will make the lives of my constituents better, and I am proud of this work. Read more about some of those wins below. Not only has progress been made on the homefront, but my work as Chair of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee is also progressing well. My good friend Senator Marco Rubio and I led a group of our colleagues demanding President Biden designate the vicious Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua as a 'Transnational Criminal Organization (TCO)'. This move will directly impact us in the United States, as many of these criminals have entered through our porous southern border. By designating the gang a TCO, the U.S. government will have better tools to fight them and cut off their finances. Read more about the letter below. 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) $23 MILLION IN WINS FOR MIAMI After a long-fought appropriations process here in Congress, I am pleased to announce that I secured more than $23 million in critical funding for projects in voting for the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024! Every year, we as lawmakers are presented with the opportunity to request federal funds for important projects to address the problems facing our community. After meeting with local elected officials over the last year, my office secured funding for 14 different projects to mitigate the top issues facing Florida's 27th Congressional District: housing affordability, rising cost-of-living, and climate resilience, among others. Some of our wins include a grant to construct an affordable senior housing project for the elderly in the City of Miami, funds to help South Miami homes convert from septic systems to sewer service, and a new veterans park in Palmetto Bay to honor our local heroes. Read more about my wins here. WE MUST ADDRESS GANG VIOLENCE IN SOUTH FLORIDA COMMUNITIES As the political situation in Venezuela continues to deteriorate, gangs are seizing the opportunity to profit from chaos and spread violence to other countries in the Western Hemisphere. Here in the United States, we are learning that the violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua has brought their criminal antics to our shores. A group of 21 lawmakers in the House of Representatives and Senate joined my friend Senator Marco Rubio and I to send a very clear message. We sent a letter to President Biden demanding he designate the Tren de Aragua gang as a Transnational Criminal Organization. By making this change, the United States will have more tools at its disposal to cut off the financial lines supplying money to their operations. Read more about the letter we sent to President Biden here. PROTECTING OUR BEAUTIFUL SOUTH FLORIDA BIRDS AND ENVIRONMENT On a happier note, my bill to provide grants to organizations dedicated to conservation and protecting migratory birds has passed a markup hearing in the House Committee on Natural Resources with unanimous support. An issue close to my heart is protecting the beautiful landscape and wildlife that make Miami so special. This bill is now one step closer to becoming law, and millions of South Florida birds are grateful! Read more about the Migratory Birds of the Americas Conservation Enhancement Act passing the House Natural Resources Committee 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]