FL-27 Newsletter Vol. 118, Issue #67 Dear Friends/Amigos, Last week in Washington, I joined my colleagues Congressmen Carlos Giménez and Mario Díaz-Balart to demand the Biden Administration refuse entry to the United States for Rosabel Roca Sampedro, a Cuban regime official that put innocent people in jail for protesting during the July 11th protests in 2021. There is a worrying trend of officials from the Cuban regime leaving the island and trying to begin a life here in the United States. Our message to those people: You cannot terrorize your compatriots at home and expect to be rewarded with American liberty in return. Read the letter we sent here! It is an honor to be able to serve you in Congress. As always, if you would like to leave me and my office a comment, call (202) 225-3931. Sincerely/Atentamente, María E. Salazar U.S. Representative (FL-27) HONORING THOSE WHO RISKED IT ALL TO SAVE JEWISH LIVES DURING THE HOLOCAUST! Last week, I had the enormous honor to go before my colleagues on the floor of the House of Representatives to speak in support of my legislation, the Forgotten Heroes of the Holocaust Congressional Gold Medal Act. The bill will give the Congressional Gold Medal, the oldest and highest civilian award in the United States, to 60 diplomats around the world who used their positions of influence to save Jewish lives from the brutality of the Holocaust. In a time when the Jewish community in America and abroad face rising antisemitism, legislation like mine reaffirms the principle of "Never Again." Not long after I gave my speech, the House of Representatives passed my bill. Read more about the bill here. Hear my remarks in support of the bill here. QUESTIONING THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S CONFUSING LATIN AMERICA POLICY! Senior State Department officials came up to Capitol Hill to answer for the Biden Administration's Latin America policy given the rise of Chinese, Russian, and Iranian influence in the region. I began my line of questioning by asking about El Salvador, and more specifically about the wild success President Nayib Bukele has had in crushing the gang threat in his country. They conceded that his model for law and order was a success. I then moved on to Cuba, where the Biden Administration has announced a new regulatory change that would allow for the possibility of regime-propped “independent small businesses” to launder money through U.S. banks to our enemies abroad. Administration officials insisted that the changes are compliant with existing law and that anti-money laundering and "Know Your Customer" measures American banks already take are enough. The reality is these measures aren't enough: Banks in the U.S. are not going to keep files on two parties trading outside the U.S. in the kinds of transactions this change allows, and therefore will not keep files on the money coming from Cuba. I then questioned the officials on Guatemala, where the State Department has arbitrarily sanctioned the Attorney General Consuelo Porras on vague charges of "undermining democracy." I reminded him that leaders in other countries have done the same thing without consequence. Read more about the hearing 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: “Congresswoman Maria Salazar has the most organized and helpful office I have ever dealt with. If I could give them 10 stars I would. Wonderful experience and very helpful! This is what we the people appreciate about our representatives. Thank you to this amazing office of caring, helpful and wonderful” people!" – L.E. "Was greeted by very courteous and professional staff who handled my case expeditiously." – M.P. "Thank you so much for your help with our case. To say our lives were saved is an understatement." – M.B. 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 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice