Securing our Airports

June 12, 2024

Dear Friends,

What happened at Miami International Airport (MIA) was a travesty not just for South Florida and the Cuban Community, but for all Americans. The decision to grant access to sensitive Transportation Security Agency (TSA) security facilities at MIA to Castro regime operatives was an absolute national security failure by the Biden Administration. The Castro regime is a State Sponsor of Terrorism that shares intel to our adversaries. By allowing them access to sensitive TSA areas, the Biden Administration put the safety of all Americans at risk. 

That is why I introduced the bipartisan Secure Airports From Enemies (SAFE) Act. This legislation would prevent the Castro regime and other countries designated as State Sponsors of Terrorism from viewing or visiting sensitive areas at U.S. airports. This is a straightforward approach that would ban our adversaries from viewing security protocols intended to safeguard travelers throughout the United States.

As Chairman of the Transportation and Maritime Security Subcommittee, safeguarding the national security of South Floridians and all Americans is my utmost priority. This legislation will ensure that our adversaries are never again granted access to the areas designed to protect you. As your Congressman I will continue to fight for your security. 

Sincerely,

Your Congressman,
Carlos A. Gimenez

Congressman Carlos Gimenez Introduces Bipartisan SAFE Act

Rep. Carlos Gimenez (FL-28) introduced the bipartisan Secure Airports From Enemies (SAFE) Act. Congressman Gimenez is joined by Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-26), Maria Elvira Salazar (FL-27), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), and Jared Moskowitz (FL-23). Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) is introducing companion legislation in the U.S. Senate. 


This comes on the heels of the recent security breach at Miami International Airport (MIA) where Castro regime agents were granted access to secure TSA facilities. Congressman Gimenez, Chairman of the Transportation and Maritime Security Subcommittee is on the forefront of ensuring the Castro regime, or any other State Sponsor of Terrorism, are never again allowed access to secure TSA facilities at our nation's airports. Congressman Gimenez and the Cuban-American community are adamantly opposed to normalized relations with the military dictatorship in Havana

“President Biden & Secretary Mayorkas granted agents of the Castro regime access to our sensitive TSA facilities at Miami International Airport. This dangerous decision undermines our national security and puts passengers in serious risk,” said Congressman Carlos Giménez. “I’m proud to introduce the bipartisan SAFE Act in the House of Representatives and work alongside my dear friend, Senator Marco Rubio, championing this effort in the Upper Chamber, to make sure this never happens again.”

CLICK HERE for the SAFE Act Bill Text. 

CLICK HERE for the Fox News Exclusive. 

U.S. House of Representatives Passes MilCon/VA ppropriations Including $70 Million for Key West

The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 8580 the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act which fully funds veterans programs, improves the quality of life for our troops, and enhances deterrence measures in the Indo-Pacific.

The bill includes $70 million, requested by Congressman Carlos Gimenez, for a new Joint Interagency Task Force (JIATF) South Headquarters in Key West. 

“We just PASSED $70 million dollars for Joint Interagency Task Force (JIATF) South in the FY25 MilConVa Bill! We are one step closer to delivering a brand new Headquarters in Key West to protect our nation & the FL Keys!” Rep. Gimenez tweeted.

Congressman Carlos Gimenez Introduces Legislation Decoupling from Communist Chinese Supply Chains

Congressman Carlos Gimenez introduced the Decoupling from Foreign Adversarial Battery Dependence Act of 2024. The bill would prevent the Department of Homeland Security from procuring batteries produced by six Communist Chinese manufacturers. 


Additionally, Congressman Carlos Gimenez joined other members of the Select Committee on Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party on two letters to Department of Homeland Security Under Secretary for Policy, Robert Silvers requesting that Communist Chinese Companies, Gotion High Tech, and Contemporary Amperex Technology be placed on the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act Entity List. 

"I am proud to introduce this legislation to ensure the Chinese Communist Party can’t exploit economic or security vulnerabilities that could be created through DHS’s reliance on lithium-ion batteries, especially amid this administration’s ill-conceived push for electric vehicles," Rep. Gimenez said. 

CLICK HERE for the Bill Text.

CLICK HERE for the Fox News Exclusive. 

CLICK HERE to read the letter to Under Secretary Silvers on Gotion High Tech.

CLICK HERE to read the letter to Under Secretary Silvers on Contemporary Amperex Technology.

Chairman Carlos Gimenez Holds Transportation and Maritime Security Subcommittee Hearing on Communist China's Growing Maritime Threat

Transportation and Maritime Security Subcommittee Chairman Carlos Gimenez delivered the following opening statement in a hearing to examine how the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Coast Guard can combat Communist China’s growing maritime threats. 


As prepared for delivery: 

“Today our Subcommittee will examine the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) use of 'grey zone' tactics in the maritime domain and ways in which the U.S. Government, and particularly the Department of Homeland Security, must adapt to counter this threat. 

The Department of Homeland Security was stood up in the aftermath of 9-11 to be a cross-cutting, information sharing agency to safeguard the Homeland from terrorism. Now more than 20 years later, the threat landscape has significantly evolved, and so too must the Department."

CLICK HERE for the transcript of Chairman Gimenez’s Opening Statement. 

CLICK HERE to watch Chairman Gimenez’s Opening Statement. 

Congressman Carlos Gimenez Joins Delegation to Normandy for 80th D-Day Anniversary

Congressman Carlos Gimenez (FL-28) joined Speaker Mike Johnson (LA-4) on a bipartisan Congressional Delegation to Normandy, France to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion. On Thursday, June 6, the delegation participated in observances of the anniversary along with veterans and their families, active duty servicemembers, government and military officials, and foreign dignitaries.


“I am beyond honored to join Speaker Mike Johnson and my Congressional colleagues at this historic 80th Anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, France & pay tribute to our greatest generation,” said Congressman Gimenez“The U.S.-France alliance is rock solid and we must continue working together to preserve freedom for all of mankind — it’s what our heroes fought for."

Congressman Carlos Gimenez Hosts the 15th Year Celebration of the USA-Peru Free Trade Agreement

Congressman Carlos Gimenez, Co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Peru, hosted the 15th Year Celebration of the USA-Peru Free Trade Agreement. 

“Honored to host the 15th Year Celebration of the USA-Perú Free Trade Agreement! Looking forward to continuing working to strengthen our ties with our amazing Peruvian partners and allies.” Rep. Gimenez tweeted

Congressman Carlos Gimenez Meets with the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition

Congressman Carlos Gimenez met with the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition to discuss strengthening U.S. diplomacy.

“Great meeting with my friend of many years, Pinecrest Councilman Jim McDonald, and the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition on strengthening our national security & leading on the international stage.” Rep. Gimenez tweeted.

Congressman Carlos Gimenez Joins Press Conference Commemorating the 35th Anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre

Congressman Carlos Gimenez joined members of the Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the U.S. and Chinese Communist Party at a press conference commemorating the 35th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre. 


“We must never forget the horrors of the massacre at Tiananmen Square.The Communist Party of #China is murderous and evil — never doubt it one bit.” Rep. Gimenez tweeted

Congressman Carlos Gimenez Seeks Green & Gold Congressional Aide for Miami Office

Congressman Carlos Giménez announced that he is seeking a Veteran, Gold Star Family Member, or Active-Duty Spouse for a paid position handling casework related to veterans in his Miami district office.

“For their courage, sacrifice, and dedication to service, we owe our veterans and their families a tremendous debt of gratitude,” said Rep. Gimenez“Having an experienced member of this community act as a liaison between Miami’s veterans and the federal government will enhance our ability to deliver the results our veterans deserve. Proud to partner with the Green & Gold Congressional Aide program to hire a veteran, Gold Star Family Member, or active-duty spouse to my Miami district office, and I urge all eligible members to apply!”

The Green & Gold Congressional Aide Program was established to create employment opportunities for veterans, Gold Star Family Members, and Active-Duty spouses within the House of Representatives.

Duties will include, but are not limited to:

  • Helping constituents with any veterans-related casework and other issues with federal agencies.
  • Serving as a liaison to local Veterans Services Organizations (VSOs).
  • Attending local events and meeting with or on behalf of the Congressman.

To qualify, see requirements below: 

Veterans

  1. Honorably discharged.
  2. Released from active duty within the last six years, pay grades at or below E-5, O-3, or W-2.
  3. Veterans who received a 20-year or Temporary Early Retirement Authorization (TERA) retirement are not eligible for the program. 

Gold Star Families

  1. A child (including a stepchild), spouse, parent, or sibling of a servicemember who (1) died while on the line of duty or (2)of a service-related disability or condition.

Active Duty Spouse

  1. The spouse of an active-duty member of the Armed Forces.

To learn more about the job posting, CLICK HERE.

For a list of Veteran services in Miami, CLICK HERE.

Office Hours

Need help with a passport, visa, veterans benefits, IRS, immigration or any other issue with a federal agency? Join my team Thursday, June 13, 2024 for mobile office hours at the Florida City - City Hall, 404 W Palm Drive, Florida City, FL 33034.

WHERE: Florida City - City Hall, 404 W Palm Drive, Florida City, FL 33034

WHEN: Thursday, June 13, 2024

TIME: From 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact my office at 305-222-0160 or CLICK HERE.  

                                                                ### 

¿Necesita ayuda con pasaporte, visa, beneficios para veteranos, IRS, inmigración o cualquier otro asunto con una agencia federal? Únase a mi equipo el jueves 13 de Junio de 2024 en horario de oficina móvil en el Florida City - City Hall, 404 W Palm Drive, Florida City, FL 33034

DÓNDE: Florida City - City Hall, 404 W Palm Drive, Florida City, FL 33034

CUÁNDO: Jueves, 13 de junio de 2024

HORARIO: De 10:00 a.m. a 2:00 p.m. 

Si tiene alguna pregunta o inquietud, comuníquese con mi oficina al 305-222-0160 o HAGA CLIC AQUÍ.

Committee Round Up

Homeland Security Committee - Chairman Carlos Gimenez held a Transportation and Maritime Security Subcommittee hearing on the maritime threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party.

Recent Votes

H.R. 8580 – Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025 – introduced by Rep. John Carter (R-TX), this bill improves the quality of life for service members, enhances deterrence measures in the Indo-Pacific, and fully funds veterans healthcare, benefits, and VA programs. (YEA)

H.R. 8282 – Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act – introduced by Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX), this bill requires the President to sanction any person associated with the International Criminal Court who attempts to investigate, arrest, or detain any U.S. citizen or ally. (YEA)

H.Res. 1215 – Calling on elected officials and civil society leaders to join in efforts to educate the public on contributions of the Jewish American Community – introduced by Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), this resolution increases public awareness of the contributions the Jewish American Community has made to society and calls on public servants to condemn all acts of antisemitism. (YEA)

Legislative Update

Congressman Carlos Gimenez introduced the following legislation: 

H.R. 8608 – Secure Airports From Enemies (SAFE) Act – this bill would prohibit any individual from a country listed as a State Sponsor of Terrorism from visiting secure TSA facilities at U.S. airports. 

H.R. 8631 – Decoupling from Foreign Adversarial Battery Dependence Act of 2024 – this bill would prevent the Department of Homeland Security from procuring batteries produced by six Communist Chinese manufacturers.

H.R. 8655 – Federal Air Marshal Enhancing Airport Security Act of 2024 – this bill requires the Director of the Federal Air Marshal Service to develop a plan to enhance the role of Federal Air Marshals at U.S. airports then brief Congress on their plan.