Two new Republican congressmen from Florida -- Carlos Curbelo and Curt Clawson -- will be in the national spotlight next week as President Barack Obama offers the State of the Union address on Tuesday night.
While U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, will be giving the official Republican response to Obamas address on Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo, R-Fla., will offer the Spanish translation. Curbelo defeated U.S. Rep. Joe Garcia, D-Fla., in November in one of the most closely watched congressional races in the nation.
House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, announced on Thursday that Curbelo was selected for the Spanish translation.
Carlos Curbelo is a fresh voice with a positive vision for a future of opportunity and prosperity, Boehner said. He is exactly what Washington needs, and the person Americans should hear from in this time of challenge and opportunity for our country.
It is a true privilege to deliver the Spanish-language Republican address, Curbelo said. As part of Americas New Congress, I am excited to work with my colleagues to advance good solutions that will empower American families to achieve a better quality of life. We must work together toward policies that will lead to a healthy economy that offers greater opportunity for all Americans especially those who feel left behind. And we should insist on a strong foreign policy that recognizes the need for American leadership in an increasingly dangerous world.
Thursday also saw the announcement that U.S. Rep. Curt Clawson, R-Fla., will offer the Tea Party Expresss response to Obama. Clawson, a businessman, won a special election back in April to fill a vacant Southwest Florida congressional seat and easily won a full term in November.
Tea Party Express Executive Director Taylor Budowich made the announcement on Thursday that Clawson would offer his groups response. Clawson was in the news earlier in the month for voting for U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., instead of Boehner to lead the chamber.
2015 marks a year of new beginnings for the tea party movement, Budowich said on Thursday. "With historic victories in both the House and Senate, conservatives are poised to push a bold, reform-minded agenda through Congress. These new tea party members of Congress are brimming with ideas to make America economically stronger with opportunity for all to realize the American dream. We are honored to present Florida Congressman Curt Clawson, the first Tea Party Express victory for the 2014 cycle, as someone committed to making Congress deliver for the American people.
Budowich explained why his group chose Clawson to offer the response to Obama.
Congressman Curt Clawson represents the face of this new, conservative vision for Americas economic renewal, Budowich said. Clawson never envisioned serving his country in Congress earlier in his life, but after he retired Clawson decided to take his private-sector, solutions-based ideas to change the debate on Capitol Hill. Prior to joining Congress in 2014, Congressman Clawson was a successful business leader that took over a multinational company that was $2 billion in debt. Through his vision and leadership, he turned the company around and saved close to 600 American jobs.
Clawson, a former Purdue University basketball co-captain, understands the importance of teamwork and bringing people together to win, Budowich added. His response will highlight the importance of the Republican Party's efforts to branch out from the narrow walls of yesterdays GOP. He will articulate an inclusive message that focuses on providing economic liberty and individual opportunity for every American. We are proud to be partnering with Congressman Clawson, and we are excited to hear his response to President Obama on Tuesday night.
Budowich noted that his group also backed Ernst and he was pleased to see her offering the Republican response to Obama.
"Our response will immediately follow the Republican response being delivered by Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa, Budowich said. As a candidate that earned Tea Party Express's endorsement during her primary, we applaud the GOP's choice of profiling another fresh conservative leader that is committed to America's restoration.
Clawson becomes the fifth Republican to offer the tea party response to Obamas State of the Union. Then-U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., offered the first in 2011 followed in 2012 by businessman and former presidential candidate Herman Cain. Paul had his turn in 2013 followed by U.S. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, last year.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
