Political Quotes

“I thank the gentleman from Virginia for this opportunity to speak about H.R. 4133, the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative. For more than 10 years, Mr. Speaker, Congress has supported funding CBSI, appropriating during that time $831 million, and supporting 13 Caribbean nations. H.R. 4133, the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative Authorization Act will authorize appropriations of $75 million each year from 2022 to 2026. It also requires the Department of State to develop a strategy to improve disaster resilience in the Caribbean--and to report progress made under the initiative. We all know how the Caribbean stands in the pathway of hurricanes and other natural disasters. As such, they must really improve disaster resiliency in those island nations. CBSI supports our allies in the Caribbean by promoting citizen safety, citizen security, and adhering to the rule of law. It also reduces trafficking in narcotics. It will help us interdict narcotics in the Caribbean region, which is the third border of our country. It also reduces corruption and the malign influence of foreign adversaries in the region. We all know how foreign adversaries are looking to ill-invest in that region and circumvent, in many cases, transparency measures. It strengthens the ability to respond, as I said earlier, Mr. Speaker, to natural disasters. It is so important. These island nations are in jeopardy.…”