Latest news with #MariaElviraSalazar
Bloomberg
7 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Florida Congresswoman Asks Rubio to Stop Auction of Citgo Assets
By Bloomberg News Save US Representative Maria Elvira Salazar is pressing the Trump administration to block the forced sale of Venezuela's largest foreign asset, warning the move could undercut efforts to rebuild the nation when President Nicolas Maduro's regime eventually ends. At the center of the dispute is Citgo Petroleum Corp., a network of US-based refineries, lubricant plants and pipelines managed by Venezuela's opposition. Its parent company, PDV Holding — a subsidiary of Venezuela's state-owned oil firm — is being auctioned off in a federal court in Delaware to satisfy more than $20 billion in claims by creditors including Crystallex and ConocoPhillips.
Miami Herald
28-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Florida seniors on food stamps are ‘counting pennies.' Now, Congress is, too
Easing herself into the sofa in her Cutler Bay studio apartment, Alida Gonzalez said she's been trying to relax recently. But, she continued, living in a daily state of 'counting pennies,' particularly at the grocery store, takes its toll. And that's even with the help of the roughly $100 she receives each month from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), better known as food stamps. The 79-year-old is one of nearly 3 million Floridians who receive benefits from SNAP, a government program launched in 1939 that has since become the principal source of food assistance for lower-income Americans. That may soon change. As part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, House Republicans voted last week to slash nearly $300 billion in federal SNAP funds over the next 10 years by having states pay some of the program's costs and by expanding work requirements to older recipients, as well as some parents. Proponents — including Republicans like South Florida Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar, in whose District 27 an estimated 17% of households receive SNAP money — have celebrated the raft of tax cuts, as well as an end to the 'abuse of federal programs.' Salazar did not respond to a request for comment. Should the Senate approve those changes and President Donald Trump sign them into law, which supporters hope could happen as early as July 4, Florida would be on the hook for $1.6 billion in costs if state lawmakers choose to maintain benefits for current SNAP users, roughly 13% of the state's population. Otherwise, scores of Floridians could lose food assistance money at a time when high costs already have already stretched many families, pushing thousands toward hunger, harming local economies and making communities less safe, critics say. Who uses SNAP? Florida's 2.9 million SNAP recipients drew $6.4 billion from the federally funded program in 2023, the most recent fully reported year. That's an average of $184 per SNAP user per month. Children and seniors account for 38% and 24% of Florida SNAP recipients, respectively. More than half of all Florida households receiving SNAP benefits include someone with a disability. In Miami-Dade, almost a quarter of all households rely on SNAP to pay their grocery bills, the fifth-highest rate of any county in Florida, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Within the county, four in 10 households that receive food stamps have a child, while six in 10 have someone older than 60. Gonzalez is in the latter category. A single retiree, she lives with her dog in subsidized senior housing and gets by on a monthly $940 Social Security check. 'I couldn't live' without food assistance, she said. Her neighbor, Rigoberto Zarza, agrees. He stopped buying meat years ago because it was 'too expensive.' The $100 he gets each month in food stamps keeps food on his table. A staunch Republican and unregretful three-time Trump voter, Zarza, 86, opposes cuts to SNAP. He thinks 'they could be bad' for him and his community of retirees, many of whom live on fixed incomes and razor-thin financial margins. The two Cutler Bay residents are far from alone in their financial precariousness. Feeding South Florida, the region's largest food bank, estimates that 400,000 people in Miami-Dade — nearly 15% of the population — are food insecure, meaning they don't have enough to eat or don't know where their next meal will come from. According to the organization, Miami-Dade's rate of food insecurity is up 50% from 2019 levels. Cutting food stamp benefits could push those people over the brink, and the ripple effects could harm local economies, said Jared Nordlund, political director of UnidosUS, a Latino advocacy organization. If people are struggling to afford food, they'll spend less. That could affect farmers, who may see less demand for their crops, he added. And communities could feel more vulnerable or unsafe if many residents suddenly struggle to meet their basic needs. 'Individuals do what they need to do in order to feed their families,' reflected state Sen. Shevrin Jones. 'It turns into a criminal justice issue.' Jones, a Miami Gardens Democrat, is pessimistic about the Florida Legislature's willingness to fill any SNAP funding holes left by the federal government. 'I have no faith in Florida to be genuine in how it takes care of people,' he said. States to pay, older people to work The federal government has historically funded the Depression-era food stamps program in its entirety. No longer. Come 2028, states will have to fund at least 5% of their SNAP budgets, if the House bill becomes law. But states like Florida that have a history of miscalculating their participants' monthly benefits could have to finance up to a quarter of their SNAP allotments. Under the current system, states determine who is eligible for food stamps and how much each participant receives. The federal government then provides that money in full. Pointing to Florida's recent unwillingness to expand federal food assistance programs, U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson, a Democrat who represents parts of Miami-Dade, emphasized that the state government cannot be counted on to pick up SNAP costs. And with Florida already projected to run a $10 billion deficit over the next three years, while at the same time exploring ways to further cut taxes, the state is unlikely to radically increase food assistance spending, she said. To cut costs, it might change certain qualifications that currently make SNAP more accessible to more Floridians, says Salaam Bhatti, SNAP director at the Food Research and Action Center, a D.C.-based nonprofit that supports anti-hunger policies. Because both costs and wages are higher in Florida than in much of the U.S., Floridians can earn more than the federal income threshold and still qualify for food stamps. The federal government's earnings limit is $41,795 for a four-person household; in Florida, a family of four can earn up to $64,300 and still qualify. Tallahassee could adopt the federal government's lower cutoff to reduce costs, Bhatti said. Or, states that are unwilling to pay into SNAP might leave the program altogether, the Congressional Budget Office wrote. The House bill also increases work requirements for SNAP recipients. Previously, those 54 and older didn't have to work to qualify for SNAP. Neither did recipients with children under the age of 18. Now, all able-bodied people between the ages of 18 and 64 will need to work 80 hours a month to receive benefits, except for parents with children younger than 7. That could be a problem for recipients in their 50s and 60s, for whom 'it's a lot harder to find a job within three months,' noted Bhatti, referencing the window SNAP recipients would have to secure employment before losing benefits. And the reporting demands that come with work requirements are often laden with enough red tape to potentially cause recipients to lose their benefits, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a left-leaning think tank. While the originally proposed cuts to SNAP sought to exclude anyone who isn't a U.S. citizen or green-card holder, South Florida representatives pushed for a carveout for the many Cuban immigrants who lack permanent legal status. Under the bill passed last week, Cuban nationals in the U.S. who lack permanent residency but came either through family sponsorship or on a parole status will still be eligible for food stamps. Such an exception 'reflects political expediency,' rather than equitable policymaking, said Nordlund. 'If SNAP is a critical resource for Cuban families in Miami-Dade, why isn't it a critical resource for every other hardworking family in Florida?' he wondered. This story was produced with financial support from supporters including The Green Family Foundation Trust and Ken O'Keefe, in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners. The Miami Herald maintains full editorial control of this work.
Daily Mail
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Cruel irony for pro-Trump Cuban rapper... as he faces deportation
A pro-Trump Cuban rapper faces being deported for being an illegal migrant - despite his support for President Donald Trump. Eliexer Marquez Duany, who raps under the name El Funky, made the 2021 hip-hop song Patria Y Vida, which led Marco Rubio to introduce a law in the Senate named after it. But his application for residency under the 1966 Cuban Adjustment Act was denied and he posted to Facebook that he will be deported in 30 days. The rapper wrote: 'I have 30 days to leave the country or I will be deported. I ask all my Cuban brothers and sisters who know of my anti-communist history and the members of Congress of this country, who need your support more than ever today.' He captioned a photo of himself holding a cardboard sign reading: 'SOS Cuba.' His anti-communist views will likely make returning to his homeland dangerous and could potentially land him in prison. When he fled Cuba in 2021 he was told: 'What we want is for you to leave. Go, but don't come back because you're not welcome here.' His song is not only banned on the island but two of his collaborators have been imprisoned for it. Rubio and other Cuban-American members of Congress who have celebrated El Funky's music in the past have not commented on his case. Republican Maria Elvira Salazar of Florida is the only notable public figure to take up his case. 'El Funky is a political refugee who deserves the full protection of U.S. immigration law,' she told Politico. 'We are working with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to ensure they understand the serious risk of torture and political persecution he faces if returned to Cuba.' Salazar has said they have been making progress on El Funky's case. Statement: 'I have 30 days to leave the country or I will be deported,' he told his followers The silence from the Trump administration hasn't changed the rapper's support for the president. 'If I could vote, I would have voted for Trump. He's the strongest president when it comes to Cuba,' he said. El Funky has since married a Cuban-American woman and gotten a steady job while continuing his recording career. But his application for residency came at a time when the law was in limbo, as Trump had limited it under his first term. Joe Biden attempted to come up with a workaround program but it was also limited. El Funky is now hastily attempting to file for asylum after his CAA application was denied without any reason. However, he still sees Trump's point, while wishing he could receive sympathy from the administration. 'There are probably too many people here. I understand trying to get rid of those who shouldn't be here. But Trump should look at each individual case. Like mine.' Making El Funky's case even more difficult is Trump's request to the Supreme Court to revoke the temporary legal status of 530,000 Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans in the United States. The announcement was made by Department of Homeland Security chief Kristi Noem on a notice to a Federal Register in March, the latest expansion of his crackdown on immigration. The order applies to about 532,000 people from the four countries who came to the United States since October 2022 under a program called CHNV that the Biden administration was heavily criticized for. Uncertainty still remains for some 240,000 Ukrainians who sought refuge in the US following the Russian invasion in 2021. Trump was said to be considering ending their legal status even before recent tensions between Washington and Kyiv. The migrants losing legal status arrived with financial sponsors and were given two-year permits to live and work in the U.S. Noem said they will lose their legal status in 30 days after the publication of the notice in the Federal Register. The new policy impacts people who are already in the U.S. and who came under the humanitarian parole program.
Miami Herald
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Miami congresswoman is trying to bring, common-sense real immigration reform to Congress
Spot on solution Re: Maria Elvira Salazar's April 27 op-ed, 'I'm offering a solution to our immigration problem.' Thank you, Congresswoman Salazar, for shedding factual light on yours and other congressional leaders' efforts to bring real immigration reform to the U.S. House floor in the form of proposed legislation. As such, we appreciate you informing us of your proposed Dignity Act. People need to know that facts and data matter. We should not allow politics to interfere with common sense legislation. We need common sense immigration reform, from leaders with common sense. Keep doing what you are doing and do not fall victim to the white noise. Jimmy Tate, North Miami Far from home A family friend who had recently fixed our house floors told me he's moving to Lehigh Acres, a town next to Fort Myers. After moving from Peru and working for 30 years, he realized his dream of buying a home was impossible — if he stayed in Miami. The Miami Herald has been covering stories like his in 'The Shrinking Middle' series, showcasing how extreme housing prices have pushed people out of Miami. We must advocate for zoning reform; more multi-house units, fewer single-family homes. Reform, however, isn't about changing our way of life, it's about keeping our culture alive. Affordable, multi-unit housing is about protecting people like my friend — and abuelo and abuela — from being priced out of the city. Today, more of our families are being fractured by Miami's outrageous housing costs, like the aunt who moved to Orlando, the cousin who found work in Tampa, or the brother with the view in Austin. Miami is nothing without those who built it. If we want to defend our city's culture and keep those who make our city special, we must demand zoning reform. Angel Aguilar, Homestead Pope's message Pope Francis emphasized that global leaders must not turn their backs on the suffering of migrants and vulnerable populations, calling for greater international solidarity and action. His remarks are a moral reminder that addressing crises at their source, through efforts like global health initiatives, is a shared responsibility. As Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart plays a critical role in ensuring continued U.S. investment in global health. Ongoing support will uphold America's leadership in promoting humanitarian values and help create healthier, more stable communities abroad. This addresses the interconnected challenges of public health, poverty and migration. Díaz-Balart's commitment to global health aligns with humanitarian principles and strategic interests. Continuing to champion these programs is not only the right thing to do — it is also smart policy for a more secure and compassionate world. Ellen Haghighi, South Miami Changed stripes? Reading about Casey DeSantis's Hope Foundation made me laugh out loud. First, the resignations of the Foundation's top two administrators, at a time when they are needed most to help explain what happened. However, U.S. Sen. Rick Scott's statement was most humorous. In the April 22 Herald online article, 'DeSantis officials with Hope Florida oversight won't get Senate confirmation hearings,' Scott said he wanted to know more about how the state spent money. Scott was CEO of Columbia/HCA, a healthcare company. He oversaw the largest Medicare fraud in the nation's history. Though he was never charged with a crime, before being forced to resign, he took a $10 million severance pay, a five-year consulting contract and $300 million in stock and options. The company eventually went bankrupt. Is this really the same man who wants to know more about the spiraling Medicare fraud possibly committed by Florida's governor and possibly his wife? Is this really the same Scott or a new and improved Scott? Perhaps we will never know. Janet Weller, Coral Springs Divert-a-bear Florida's black bears don't need more bullets — they need better trash management. More than a dozen scientific studies have shown that hunting is not an effective way to reduce human-to-bear conflicts. The real solution is common sense: secure garbage containers, remove food attractants and protect agricultural operations with electric fencing. Most bear conflicts happen when people leave food and trash unsecured. Bears are smart and opportunistic. If they find an easy meal in an overflowing garbage can, a backyard bird feeder, or an unprotected chicken coop, they'll keep coming back. If there's no reward, they move on. Communities that invest in bear-resistant trash cans and dumpsters see real results — without killing bears. Killing bears doesn't stop conflicts because hunting doesn't target the specific problem. Instead, it removes random bears from the population, leaving the attractants in place for the next bear to find. That's not management. Instead of pushing for a hunt, Florida should invest in stronger garbage laws and proper enforcement and support for electric fencing around beehives and chicken coops. These are proven ways to reduce conflicts. Let's stop pretending that hunting is a solution when science says otherwise. Leslie Sardinia, North Miami Beach Tougher teeth Like chlorine, fluoride is a chemical, not medicine. Baby teeth routinely begin erupting at 6-7 months. Permanent tooth buds are developing underneath and begin erupting between ages 6-13. If traces of fluoride can be incorporated during dental development by drinking fluoridated water, the outer shell, or enamel becomes a denser, harder substance and more resistance to decay. Fluoridated toothpastes and topical fluoride treatments are encouraged, but cannot replace incorporating fluoride during tooth development. Steven P. Willis, Coral Springs Fallen prestige Harvard University, America`s oldest and richest University, has a storied history with countless alumni, including American presidents, Supreme Court justices and many accomplished graduates in business, science and the media. The respect and prestige Harvard received has diminished over the years as the university embraced discriminatory policies which adversely impacted Asian applicants, as evidenced in the Supreme Court case Fair Admission v. Harvard. The Court ultimately struck down Harvard's admission policies, calling them discriminatory. In recent decades, Harvard tilted further to the left with more left-leaning faculty members. More recently, were the allegations that the school's administration tolerated anti-Jewish hate and that some students were threatened with violence and intimidation. Congressional hearings highlighted Harvard's tolerance and indifference of antisemitism on campus. In response to its record on these issues, the Trump administration cut taxpayer funding. Efforts are also underway to further tax the university. Harvard's taxpayer funding could be used for public colleges and vocational schools. Harvard can financially stand on its own. Perhaps these actions will lead to much needed internal reforms. Tim Seale, Miami Time to pivot With all due respect to Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, now is not the time to cower in a corner and tell us that she is anxious and afraid of retaliation. Nor is it the time to use her 'charm' to get a few scraps of concessions. This is the time to put on her 'big girl panties' and fight — fight for her home state; fight for her constituents; fight for the United States; fight for democracy! If she cannot fight, we understand. She should just step aside and let those who are willing and able do the fighting. Jeannette Garcia, Miami Senior discount Recent news reports state that President Trump's aides are considering $5,000 bonuses to families to reverse declining birth rates and push conservative values. While on its face this appears discriminatory on account of age, maybe to avoid that claim a discount could be given to senior citizens for just going through the motions? Harry N. Turk, Miami
