Political Quotes

“Today, I am proud to renew our fight to designate Lebanon for Temporary Protected Status to prevent Lebanese nationals in the United States from being forced back to the dangerous crisis facing their home country. Between the pandemic, the aftermath of the Beirut Port explosion, economic devastation, and the ongoing political crisis, Lebanon is experiencing one of the worst humanitarian crises globally, resulting in widespread lack of access to medical care, clean water, food, and electricity. According to the United Nations, Mr. Speaker, over 3.5 million Lebanese people are estimated to live in poverty and 1.38 million people are experiencing extreme poverty. The Presidency has been vacant since last October and the parliament just extended the terms of local officials without elections to avoid a complete collapse at the local level. Mr. Speaker, 40 percent of the doctors there in Lebanon have left the country and we continue to see huge amounts of illnesses spreading throughout on top of the pandemic. Our country must not retreat from its long tradition of providing a safe haven for those that need it the most. Temporary Protected Status for our Lebanese neighbors is critical to prevent more hardship. I call on my colleagues to support this legislation. Celebrating Lee Vernon Newby, Jr.'s 100th Birthday”