George Santos: “Today, I rise to address a grave concern about our relationship with Brazil. This nation, which holds non-NATO ally…”

“Today, I rise to address a grave concern about our relationship with Brazil. This nation, which holds non-NATO ally status with the United States, has constantly undermined us in recent years in ways that warrant our undivided attention. Just recently, the former convicted criminal and now reinstated President of Brazil, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, known as Lula, hosted and praised the infamous dictator Nicolas Maduro from Venezuela. Lula's actions have legitimized a man who is currently sought by the U.S. Department of Justice for narcoterrorism, a man who, because of his alleged humanitarian crimes, cannot even set foot on U.S. soil without fear of arrest. In addition, Lula has publicly criticized the United States for support to Ukraine and has even suggested that our Nation is purposely prolonging the war for commercial interests. This is the same leader who has actively sought to undermine U.S. currency through their BRICS agreements with Russia and China and who maintains strong ties with the Chinese Communist Party. Madam Speaker, Brazil is not a minority player on the world stage. It is the largest economy in South America and the 10th largest globally, the 4th largest food producer in the world, the 2nd largest producer of iron ore, and a significant player in the energy sector. It holds strategic importance in the Southern Hemisphere, a fact that the CCP seems to understand better than us.…”