WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Chairman Carlos Gimenez (R-FL) of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security, and Chairman Michael Guest (R-MS) of the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement, held a joint hearing to examine federal efforts to combat illicit maritime activities in U.S. waters.

The hearing focused on the growing threats to U.S. national security and public safety posed by cartel operations, human trafficking, and maritime drug smuggling.

Watch Rep. Gimenez's opening statement HERE.

Read Rep. Gimenez's opening statement as prepared for delivery HERE.

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Congressman Carlos Giménez represents Miami-Dade County and the beautiful Florida Keys. He is the only Cuban-born Member of the 119th Congress, having fled his homeland shortly after the Communist takeover of the island. He is the first career firefighter-paramedic elected to the House of Representatives and served as the former Fire Chief of the City of Miami and Mayor of Miami-Dade County. Rep. Gimenez serves as the Chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security, the Armed Services Committee, and the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party. He was appointed by Speaker Mike Johnson to the Smithsonian Institution’s Board of Regents and the Mexico–United States Interparliamentary Group. Further, he serves as Vice-Chairman of the Republican Governance Group (RG2) and Vice Chair of Community Outreach for the Congressional Hispanic Conference.