Email from Rep. Salazar Reporting from Washington, D.C. FL-27 Newsletter Vol. 119, Issue #30 Dear Friends / Estimados Amigos, This week in Congress, we continued advancing a clear priority: defending freedom at home and abroad while delivering results for South Florida families.  From leading a House hearing exposing the Ortega-Murillo regime’s persecution of religious communities in Nicaragua, to introducing the bipartisan IRAN Act to expand internet access for people living under censorship, our work focused on standing up for fundamental rights and projecting American leadership across the hemisphere and beyond.  We also continued pushing for practical immigration solutions that protect American families and restore order to a broken system. As Washington once again turns its attention to immigration, the DIGNITY Act is gaining momentum as a viable bipartisan path forward. With new cosponsors joining and a growing national coalition behind it, there is increasing recognition that our country needs reform that restores order, supports American workers, and keeps families together.  From defending religious liberty, to standing with those seeking freedom abroad, to fighting for dignity and stability at home, this week’s work reflects our shared commitment to faith, freedom, and opportunity.  Sincerely / Atentamente,  María E. Salazar U.S. Representative (FL-27) How am I doing as your congresswoman? Building a Powerful Coalition Behind the DIGNITY Act With immigration once again at the center of the national conversation, the DIGNITY Act continues to build strong, bipartisan momentum in Congress. The bill recently added four new cosponsors , Representatives Nick LaLota, Henry Cuellar, Neal Dunn, and Chrissy Houlahan, further reinforcing it as the only serious, viable immigration reform proposal currently moving forward.  Their support strengthens an already broad coalition of lawmakers, employers, faith leaders, and community organizations from across the country. Today, more than 60 national organizations back the legislation, making it the most widely supported immigration reform effort in decades.  The DIGNITY Act offers a balanced, practical path forward. It modernizes the immigration system to make enforcement more effective, targeted, and consistent with American values. It refocuses ICE on real threats and establishes a tough, earned process for hard-working individuals who contribute to this country.  To learn more about the growing support for the Dignity Act, click here. Keeping American Families Together This week, I joined American Families United, ABIC Action, impacted American citizens, the National Roofing Contractors Association, and the National Association of Evangelicals to highlight new findings on mixed-status families and the urgent need for reform through the DIGNITY Act.  Behind every statistic are real stories. U.S. citizens are living with the fear of being separated from a spouse, and children face the possibility of losing a parent because of a broken immigration system.  I introduced the DIGNITY Act to put American families first and give DHS a clear legal way to keep them together while restoring order and accountability to our immigration process.  At the event, we discussed new research detailing the emotional, financial, and medical hardships these families face, with many already experiencing separation. Standing alongside advocates, faith leaders, industry representatives, and impacted Americans reinforced the urgency of this moment and the need to deliver a real, lasting solution grounded in dignity. Read more about the event- here Watch the full event- here Confronting Religious Persecution in Nicaragua At the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, I led a hearing titled “Defending Religious Freedom Around the World,” with a focus on the growing persecution of faith communities in our region. I highlighted Nicaragua as one of the most urgent and disturbing cases and directly confronted the Ortega-Murillo regime’s systematic repression.  In Nicaragua, pastors are being jailed, churches are under attack, property is being seized, and people of faith are being punished simply for practicing their beliefs. This is a deliberate assault on religious liberty and on the democratic values that define our hemisphere.  Drawing on testimony and documented abuses, the hearing made one thing clear: the world is watching, and the game is over for regimes that believe they can persecute people of faith without consequences. The United States is sending a firm message that this repression will be exposed and challenged.  Religious freedom is a core human right, and America must continue to lead in defending it and holding the Ortega-Murillo regime accountable. You can read more-here. Expanding Internet Freedom for the Iranian People Access to information is essential in the fight for freedom. That is why I helped introduce the bipartisan Internet Reach and Access Now (IRAN) Act to expand internet access for the Iranian people. Iran remains one of the world’s worst censors, using shutdowns, surveillance, and digital repression to silence dissent and crush democratic movements.  An open internet allows Iranians to organize, communicate, and stay connected to the free world, something the regime deeply fears. When people can share information, expose abuses, and access the truth, authoritarian control begins to weaken.  The IRAN Act would help keep Iranians online by expanding access to VPNs, satellite internet, and other tools that bypass censorship. It also strengthens U.S. efforts to counter digital repression, because access to information is often the first step in challenging tyranny and advancing freedom. You can read more about the Iran act- here. In The Media This week, I joined international, national, and local outlets to discuss immigration reform, the democratic future of Cuba and Venezuela, and key developments across our hemisphere.  I spoke with NTN24 and Colombia’s Revista Semana about President Petro’s visit to the White House and what it means for U.S.–Colombia relations and regional stability.  Closer to home, I joined Univision’s Al Punto Florida and spoke with radio host Agustín Acosta on Actualidad Radio to discuss the federal budget, immigration, and the situation in Cuba and Venezuela.  The national conversation on immigration continues to intensify, and I also spoke with Politico about the urgency of reform and the ongoing debate in Washington.  I will continue using every platform available, local, national, and international, to stand up for South Florida families and defend our shared values of faith, freedom, and opportunity. YOUR CASEWORK RESOURCES IN FL-27 My office is proud to be one of the most responsive in Congress, always ready to help with immigration, Social Security, VA benefits, passports, and more. Our team works tirelessly to cut through red tape and deliver real results for our community. It is the honor of a lifetime to be your voice in Congress. If you live in Florida’s 27th Congressional District and need help with any federal casework, please call my district office at (305) 668-2285. My team is here to serve you. Stay connected on Facebook, Instagram, and X for updates from Capitol Hill and our district. 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