DAVID RIVERA

But let me be clear, Mr. Chairman, in the final analysis my legislation is about protecting the rule of law here in the United States.

This abuse, fraud and manipulation of our immigration laws must end.

In 1966, the United States of America granted Cuban nationals one of the most benevolent immigration provisions ever granted to nationals of any country on the planet, what became known as the Cuban Adjustment Act.

That is their modus operandi is to provide propaganda, false information, false documentation.

My legislation simply says that any Cuban national who receives political asylum and residency under the Cuban Adjustment Act and travels to Cuba while still a resident will have their residency status revoked.

I would strongly urge the Committee to maintain the focus on the purpose of my legislation to ensure that the spirit and letter of U.S. immigration law is enforced.

In sum, Mr. Chairman, it is imperative that Congress do everything in its power to enforce U.S. immigration law.

I believe President Obama's colloquy with Medvedev gives me grave concerns on a host of foreign policy and national security issues.

Can you cite any progress in democratic reforms on the island that have resulted from that policy?

Well, of course that contact did not begin with this administration. We have always had travel, family unification and other types of licensed travel to Cuba, and it hasn't resulted in any democratic reforms.

I think the President was signaling to our allies like Poland, a great ally, that we are willing to throw them under a bus.

I hope this administration will summarily reject the notion that democracy needs to be redefined somehow in order so that we can accommodate tyrants.

I think there is a very dangerous slippery slope that we get into if Presidents start talking about redefining democracy.

Well, I hope a very clear signal will be sent by whatever administration is in power in the White House after these elections. That under no circumstances will the United States provide credibility, legitimacy, credence, to a supposedly…

the result of that policy, which I often refer to as unilateral concessions to the dictatorship, have been well documented.

And my goal is to keep introducing the strongest possible sanctions bills against Iran until that government changes its policies.

I believe the strongest possible sanctions and the maximum possible diplomatic isolation of Iran...

Somehow over the years there has been this romanticism with this revolution. You know, this revolution brought dictators--dictators for over 50 years.

I am just telling Dr. Biscet how honored it is for me to speak with him today, and express mine and the appreciation of all freedom-loving people for the great sacrifices that he has suffered in Cuba on behalf of the cause of a free and…

It is wholly justified, and hopefully more people throughout the United States and throughout the world will be listening.

These men died fighting for basic human rights, the kind of rights that so many of us take for granted in this country.

This reality of a lack of human rights and civil liberties inside Cuba started in 1959 where Cuba's record of throwing people into prison, just because they are prisoners of conscience, began when thousands and thousands of political…

I am deeply concerned that the recent violence against the Egyptian Christian community... may be indicative of the direction Egypt is heading in.

I cannot overstate the gravity of this situation, which seriously calls into question the Government of Egypt's commitment to the principles of democratic governance.