Adriano Espaillat: “I am grateful for this opportunity to speak. I thank Representative Clyburn for allowing me a few minutes to address a…”

“I am grateful for this opportunity to speak. I thank Representative Clyburn for allowing me a few minutes to address a pressing issue before he assumes control of this Special Order hour. Last week, the President of the United States made politically motivated announcements that he will seek to cut U.S. aid to Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador, which together are commonly known and referred to as the Northern Triangle countries. In making his decision, the President cited asylum seekers--moms, children, seniors, and young men--who make up the migration patterns from these nations that reflect themselves at the southern border. As it turns out, Mr. Speaker, I was in the region with some of my colleagues from both sides of the aisle when the President articulated his plan to freeze foreign aid for this part of the world. This aid has effectively helped curb violence in El Salvador, forge economic hope, and furnish essential health and education programs there as well. While on this trip with key members of the Foreign Affairs and Judiciary Committees, we met with leaders from the region and El Salvador and discussed the relationship between the United States and their respective countries with great optimism. I will admit, Mr. Speaker, the manner in which our President views and discusses our regional partners stands in stark contrast to the security objectives and economic commonalities we discussed with his Central American counterparts.…”