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FDP, Cuban Leaders Call Out Senators Rubio and Scott as Republicans Delay Confirming Cuban-American Alejandro Mayorkas as DHS Secretary
In response to news that Senate Republicans are blocking a swift confirmation vote on DHS Secretary-designate Alejandro Mayorkas, Florida Democratic Party Chair Manny Diaz and Juan-Carlos Planas, a Cuban-American lawyer and former Republican Florida legislator released the following statement pushing Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott to quickly confirm Mayorkas. If confirmed, Mayorkas would be the first Latino, first Cuban-American, and the first immigrant to lead the Department of Homeland Security.”
Florida Democratic Party Chair Manny Diaz:
“In the wake of the deadly insurrectionist attack on our Capitol, it is imperative to have trusted, experienced leaders working seamlessly with President Biden in our most important national security roles. With the historic nomination of Alejandro Mayorkas, President Biden has chosen an impeccably credentialed fellow Cuban-American who is ready to take the reins of DHS on day one.
“It is imperative that Senators Rubio and Scott forego the politics of partisan obstructionism and instead put our national security interests first by swiftly confirming Alejandro Mayorkas, allowing him to work immediately to keep our homeland and fellow citizens safe and secure. I am hopeful that our Senators share our enormous pride and will support President Biden’s selection of Alejandro Mayorkas.
“If they do not, it will be a historic affront to Florida’s Cuban-Americans as well as our greater immigrant community, and it will jeopardize our nation’s safety for the sake of their own self-serving politics.”
Juan-Carlos Planas, a Cuban-American and former Republican Florida Legislator:
“Senate Republicans’ latest stunt of delaying Alejandro Mayorkas’ confirmation is not only ridiculous, but it puts the safety of the American people at great risk. If Senators Rubio and Scott want to offer more than empty words to Cubans in our state and the greater immigrant community in Florida, then they should follow precedent and move quickly to support the confirmation of Alejandro Mayorkas — a proven leader and one of the most knowledgeable homeland security experts in the country.”