September 21, 2016 - 6:30pm
Facing a difficult rematch against former U.S. Rep. Joe Garcia, D-Fla., in November, this week, U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo, R-Fla., showcased his “Cuban Immigrant Work Opportunity Act” in the U.S. House as members from both parties rallied behind it.
Curbelo’s bill ensues only refugees and asylees from Cuba can enter the Refugee Resettlement Program instead of residents of that island. The bill also directs the federal government to ensure that only residents of the United States are eligible for the program. Curbelo brought out the bill back in December after reports emerged that Cubans residing in that nation are abusing the federal Refugee Resettlement Program.
On Wednesday, Curbelo announced that his proposal had the support of 125 other members of the House including key leaders from both parties.
“Since its introduction, the Cuban Immigrant Work Opportunity Act has received an abundance of support from ,embers of Congress and South Florida families,” Curbelo said on Wednesday. “I am pleased to have reached this milestone on such an important piece of bipartisan legislation which works to ensure that Cubans leaving the island to escape Castro’s repressive dictatorship are protected, while also ensuring that America’s generosity is not abused. It is important to note this legislation has the support of members of Congress from all across the country, representing vastly diverse Congressional districts that span the full political spectrum.
“As a representative of our South Florida community in Congress, I strive to bring to the national discussion issues that are important to my constituents,” Curbelo added. “It’s wrong that some Cubans continue to receive U.S. welfare benefits intended to help refugees even after having returned to live in Cuba permanently or temporarily. The integrity of this program must be restored. I am thankful for my colleagues who have joined me in recognizing these abuses in the system and have supported my efforts to ensure that American taxpayers are protected. I will continue to build support behind this important bill and impress on congressional leaders from both parties the need to advance it through the legislative process.”
Curbelo has reeled in the support of the some of the leading Republicans on the Hill including Chief Deputy Whip Patrick McHenry, of North Carolina, Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers of Kentucky, Budget Committee Chairman Tom Price of Georgia and three Texans who chair committees: Jeb Hensalring of the Financial Services Committee, Michael McCaul of the Homeland Security Committee Chairman Michael McCaul and Rules Committee Chairman Pete Sessions. Some key Democrats including, Frank Pallone of New Jersey who leads his party on the Energy & Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone and Peter DeFazio of Oregon who leads Democrats on the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, are also behind the bill.
Most of the Florida delegation is also behind the bill with Republicans Gus Bilirakis, Vern Buchanan, Curt Clawson, Ander Crenshaw, Ron DeSantis, Mario Diaz-Balart, John Mica, Jeff Miller, Rich Nugent, Tom Rooney, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Dennis Ross and Ted Yoho and Democrats Corrine Brown, Ted Deutch, Lois Frankel, Gwen Graham, Alcee Hastings, Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Frederica Wilson on board.
In the House, the bill is before the House Education and the Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training and the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security. U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., introduced the companion bill in the Senate.
