Carlos Gimenez: “I stand before my colleagues and the Nation as a proud Representative of the great State of Florida. I truly am beyond…”

“I stand before my colleagues and the Nation as a proud Representative of the great State of Florida. I truly am beyond blessed to represent the paradise that is Miami-Dade County and the Florida Keys. I am beyond proud to represent my community before this Congress, to stand with a leader who has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to our country and to the principles that define us as Americans, Kevin McCarthy. Today is historic for a lot of reasons. For one thing, this is the first time in over 100 years that this has been attempted, but it is also because we are part of a Congress with historically tight majorities for the Republicans in the House and the Democrats in the Senate, and we have a Democratic White House. Divided government is what we have. The need to negotiate to find solutions to the issues facing this country, that is a reflection of the principles that are uniquely American, principles that make this country exceptional. They are principles that allowed me, an exile who came here from Cuba, fleeing Communist Cuba, to serve in this very institution. I wasn't born here, but everything that I am, everything that I ever will be, is thanks to America. The best part about it is that my story, the story of the community I am so proud to represent, and the story of many in this body is that we are not the exception in America. We are the rule. That is the America that Kevin McCarthy has fought for his entire career.…”