Dear Friends, 

The Maduro regime is illegitimate, and as their elections are coming up it is vital that the international community continues to recognize that fact. Further, the international community must recognize that the loss of Venezuelan State-Owned oil company Citgo is not the fault of Juan Guido, but rather at the hands and feet of Maduro and Chavez's failed economic plan.

With elections on the horizon, I have joined my colleagues Senator’s Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Representatives Salazar (R-FL) and Moskowitz (D-FL) in introducing a bipartisan, bicameral resolution condemning the illegitimate Nicolas Maduro regime in Venezuela. This resolution rejects the Maduro regime's attempt to hold sham elections in his continued attempt to consolidate power through the takeover of government institutions such as the elections and judiciary. Calls for opposition leaders, like Edmundo Gonzalez and Maria Corina Machado, to maintain ballot access and so they can live and campaign freely without fear of political persecution. Further, it calls on the Biden Administration to condemn the results of the upcoming election if voter fraud by the Maduro regime takes place and pushes the administration to further place sanctions on the regime and any of their co-conspirators.

To read the resolution, click HERE.

The fight for freedom goes well beyond just our borders. The world must stand with the people of Venezuela as they fight against tyranny and the illegitimate Maduro regime.

Sincerely,

Your Congressman, 
Carlos A. Gimenez 

House passes the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Securing Victories for our State and Community 

Last week the House of Representatives passed the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act by a vote of 217 to 199. I was proud to support this NDAA to guarantee that our military remains the strongest in the world. FY25 National Defense Authorization Act includes key improvements to our military, ranging from bolstering our military projects to supporting our brave servicemembers and their families.

For Military Projects:

The NDAA authorized $729.6 million in new military construction projects in Florida. The NDAA also recommends that $488.1 million gets appropriated for projects including $90 million for the Joint Interagency Task Force-South and Control Facility at Key West Naval Air Station. 

Expands the prohibition of civil aviation use at the Homestead Air Reserve Base until 2036.

To combat the growing threat of Communist China, the NDAA will remove China from the defense supply chain and will protect our laboratories from Chinese spies by also increasing the Army’s ability to identify and arrest Chinese spies.

Authorizes grants for state and local governments to build defense industrial base residency and workforce developments .

For Servicemembers and Families:

The NDAA gives a 19.5% pay raise to junior enlisted servicemembers and a pay raise of 4.5% to all others. This pay increase will help more than 99,000 servicemembers in Florida.

Expands access to specialty medical providers for over 62,000 Florida Active-Duty TRICARE beneficiaries. Further, the NDAA authorizes the Military Spouse Career Accelerator. This program provides paid fellowships and can assist an estimated 6,000 unemployed military spouses in Florida. Alongside new spouse support, the NDAA will fully fund child care fee assistance programs for military families. 

To ensure accountability in the Department of Defense (DoD) Schools, a Parents Bill of Rights for parents of children at DoD schools has been created. This Bill of Rights will give parents the right to review curriculum, meet with teachers, and give the parents the right to consent before any medical exams or screening of students. Further, the bill bans Critical Race Theory from being taught at service academies and DoD Schools while also gutting DEI from the military and restoring meritocracy at the Department of Defense.

The Committee on Homeland Security Unanimously Approves Two Bills By Congressman Carlos Gimenez

Last week The Committee on Homeland Security held a mark up on a package of X bills that included two pieces of legislation introduced by Rep. Gimenez. Both bills passed unanimously. 

H.R. 8655, The Federal Air Marshal Enhancing Airport Security Act – would require the Federal Air Marshal Service to enhance Federal law enforcement presence at airports and other purposes
H.R. 8631, the Decoupling from Foreign Adversarial Battery Dependence Act –  would  prohibit the Secretary of Homeland Security from purchasing certain batteries from Chinese - state owned  manufacturers for the Department. 

The other measures that passed the committee included: 

H.R. 8645, The Improved Screening for Veterans and Passengers with Disabilities Act – Introduced by Rep. Thanedar (D-MI) and cosponsored by Rep. Gimenez. This bill would improve access and of security at our nation's airports for veterans and passengers with disabilities.

Congressman Carlos Gimenez Introduces Bipartisan, Bicameral Resolution Condemning the Illegitimate Maduro Regime in Venezuela

Rep. Carlos Gimenez with U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Marco Rubio (R-FL), along with U.S. Representatives, Maria Salazar (R-FL), and Jared Moskowitz (D-FL). This resolution is in light of the upcoming Venezuelan presidential elections and condemns Nicolas Maduro’s illegitimate regime and countless violations of human rights. Further, the resolution calls for the international community and the Biden Administration to keep an eye on the election process and outcomes.

“I’m proud to join my colleagues Senators Graham (R-SC) and Rubio (R-FL) and Representatives Salazar (R-FL) and Moskowitz (D-FL) in introducing this resolution to support the democratic opposition in Venezuela and their fight for freedom,” said Rep. Gimenez. “The illegitimate Maduro regime has threatened, intimidated, and silenced its people. With their national elections just a month away, we must condemn their blatant attack on democracy. The Venezuelan people are determined to live in a free Venezuela and the U.S. must help them in their fight for freedom.”

To read the full resolution text, click HERE.

Congressman Carlos Gimenez Attends the Groundbreaking of the New Bay of Pigs Museum 

Congressman Giemenez attended the historic groundbreaking for the new innovative museum at The Bay of Pigs Museum and Library. The new museum will include interactive and immersive storytelling while also continuing to be a home for their Veterans Association. This new center will continue the legacy of telling the story of Brigade 2506 and the Bay of Pigs Invasion. 

“Honored to break ground at the new Bay of Pigs Museum & Library in Little Havana. My cousins were Brigade 2506 Veterans and we must fight to preserve their legacy,” Rep. Gimenez tweeted.

Congressman Carlos Gimenez Selected for Bipartisan Critical Minerals Policy Working Group

As a member of the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, I am honored to have been selected to be a part of the Critical Minerals Policy Working Group led by Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA) and Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL). This working group will focus on countering Communist China’s control of the supply chain on critical minerals.

Team Gimenez Visits the Port of Miami

“Whether as Mayor of Miami-Dade County, or now as a Member of Congress, I’ve worked to ensure our Port makes us proud as the Cruise Capital of the World!” Rep. Gimenez Tweeted.

Team Gimenez Attended the Lady of Legacy Leadership Luncheon

Hosted by the South Dade Chamber of Commerce, our district team attended the Lady of Legacy Leadership Luncheon 2024. We had a wonderful time celebrating and honoring women in leadership roles. My team had a great time meeting with leaders and members of the district and community and were inspired by all the successful stories they heard.

Need help with a passport, visa, veterans benefits, IRS, immigration or any other issue with a federal agency? Join my team,Thursday, June 27, 2023, for mobile office hours in Sweetwater - Jorge Mas Canosa Youth Center – 250 SW 114th Ave. Sweetwater, FL, 33174 

WHAT: Mobile Office Hours

WHEN: Thursday. June 27, 2024

WHERE: Jorge Mas Canosa Youth Center – 250 SW 114th Ave. Sweetwater, FL, 33174.

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

                                                                ###

¿Necesita ayuda con un pasaporte, visa, beneficios para veteranos, IRS, inmigración o cualquier otro problema con una agencia federal? Únase a mi equipo, el Jueves, 27 de Junio, 2024, para el horario de oficina móvil en Sweetwater - Jorge Mas Canosa Youth Center – 250 SW 114th Ave. Sweetwater, FL, 33174.

QUÉ: Horario de Oficina Móvil

CUÁNDO: Jueves, 27 de Junio de 2024

DÓNDE:  Jorge Mas Canosa Youth Center – 250 SW 114th Ave. Sweetwater, FL, 33174 

Si tiene alguna pregunta o inquietud, comuníquese con mi oficina al 305-222-0160 o haga clic aquí.

H. Res. 1313 – Condemning the Illegitimate Regime of Nicolas Maduro in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela - Introduced by Representative’s Gimenez, Salazar (R-FL), and Moskawitz (D-FL) on Friday, June 21, 2024. This bipartisan resolution calls for free and fair elections for the July 28, 2024, national election in Venezuela and condemns Nicolas Maduro’s murderous dictatorship.