U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., took to the national stage on Tuesday night as he offered the Spanish language Republican response to President Barack Obama’s final State of the Union.
The Latin Post reported that Diaz-Balart’s response mirrored much of Gov. Nikki Haley’s, R-SC, rebuttal to Obama.
“Barack Obama's election as president seven years ago broke historic barriers and inspired millions of Americans,” Haley said. “As he did when he first ran for office, tonight President Obama spoke eloquently about grand things. He is at his best when he does that.
"Unfortunately, the president's record has often fallen far short of his soaring words,” Haley added. "As he enters his final year in office, many Americans are still feeling the squeeze of an economy too weak to raise income levels. We're feeling a crushing national debt, a health-care plan that has made insurance less affordable and doctors less available, and chaotic unrest in many of our cities. Even worse, we are facing the most dangerous terrorist threat our nation has seen since September 11th, and this president appears either unwilling or unable to deal with it.”
Haley also took a shot at businessman Donald Trump who is leading the national polls in the race for the Republican presidential nomination.
“Today, we live in a time of threats like few others in recent memory,” Haley said. “During anxious times, it can be tempting to follow the siren call of the angriest voices. We must resist that temptation.”
Making the national media rounds on Wednesday morning, including on NBC’s Today show, Haley said she was talking about Trump.
The Latin Post reported that Diaz-Balart focused more on Latin American than Haley did in her response, including pointing out that Cuba remains under a tyrannical regime, but agreed with her on Obama and on immigration.
“After stating that Americans ought to resist temptation from hearing divisive voices, Diaz-Balart's speech went on to focus more on immigration reform than Haley's response,” the Latin Post reported. “The congressman said it's essential to find a legislative solution to protect the country, defend its borders, reform the visa system and offer a permanent humane solution for people who live in the shadows, while respecting the law.
NBC News also reported on Diaz-Balart’s response to Obama.
“The Florida congressman opened his speech by saying that though Obama was eloquent in his address, his record as president has not been at the level of his eloquence,” NBC News reported. “Diaz-Balart said the economy was stagnant, the country still had significant national debt and that the health-care law had increased the cost of insurance and made doctors less accessible.”
The Miami Herald did note some differences between the two Republicans on immigration.
“No one who is willing to work hard, abide by our laws, and love our traditions should ever feel unwelcome in this country,” Haley said. “At the same time, that does not mean we just flat out open our borders. We can’t do that. We cannot continue to allow immigrants to come here illegally. And in this age of terrorism, we must not let in refugees whose intentions cannot be determined. We must fix our broken immigration system. That means stopping illegal immigration. And it means welcoming properly vetted legal immigrants, regardless of their race or religion. Just like we have for centuries. I have no doubt that if we act with proper focus, we can protect our borders, our sovereignty and our citizens, all while remaining true to America’s noblest legacies.”
“No one who is willing to work hard, abide by our laws, and love the United States should ever feel unwelcome in this country. It's not who we are,” Diaz-Balart said, per the Miami Herald’s translation. “At the same time, it's obvious that our immigration system needs to be reformed. The current system puts our national security at risk and is an obstacle for our economy. It's essential that we find a legislative solution to protect our nation, defend our borders, offer a permanent and human solution to those who live in the shadows, respect the rule of law, modernize the visa system and push the economy forward. I have no doubt that if we work together, we can achieve this and continue to be faithful to the noblest legacies of the United States.”
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) quickly fired back at the Florida congressman.
“Under President Obama, the economy has experienced a record 70 straight months of private-sector job growth,” the DNC insisted. “Over fourteen million jobs have been created and we’ve added more net private sector jobs in the last 12 weeks – than were added in the last 12 years of Republican administrations. Manufacturing has created nearly 900,000 new jobs in the past six years. And thanks to the Affordable Care Act, more than 17 million Americans have health-care coverage they didn’t have, no one can be turned away for preexisting conditions, and our uninsured rate is the lowest ever recorded.”
“It’s bad enough Republican politicians are promising to drag our country back to the reckless policies in place under George W. Bush that preceded the great recession, cost our economy 8 million jobs, and left countless Americans losing their homes and savings,” Luis Miranda, a spokesman for the DNC, replied to Diaz-Balart’s response. “Being dishonest about the economy’s improvement after seven years of Democratic leadership is insulting to voters.”
U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wisc., tapped Diaz-Balart to offer the Spanish response to Obama at the end of last week.
“Mario Diaz-Balart has long been a tremendous ambassador for communicating conservative principles and bold, pro-growth solutions,” Ryan said on Friday. “In a year when the country is crying out for an alternative to the status quo, we will offer a vision for a more confident America at home and abroad.”
This marks the second year in a row the GOP’s Spanish response to the State of the Union has come from a South Florida Republican. Last year, U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo, R-Fla., offered it for the Republicans.
After holding seats in both chambers of the Florida Legislature, Diaz-Balart was first elected to Congress in 2002. He currently chairs the U.S. House Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee and co-chairs the Congressional Hispanic Conference and the Congressional Everglades Caucus.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
