House Approves Ros-Lehtinen Resolution Condemning Iran's Persecution of Bahia's, Human Rights Violations

(Washington, DC) – Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa, made the following statement after H. Res. 274 passed the House of Representatives. Authored by Ros-Lehtinen and Rep. Ted Deutch (D-FL), the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee, H. Res. 274 condemns Iran’s persecution of its Baha’i minority and its ongoing human rights violations.

Statement by Ros-Lehtinen:

“Iran’s Baha’i community is a frequent target of the regime’s human rights abuses, subjecting adherents to arbitrary arrest and harassment, denying employment, refusing to recognize marriages, and destroying cemeteries and holy places. By passing Ted’s and my resolution, Congress is sending a strong message of support to those suffering in Iran and making it clear that those responsible for this persecution will be held accountable. I urge the administration to continue using all tools at its disposal, including sanction authorities with human rights provisions, to bring an end to these abuses.”

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ROS-LEHTINEN, ENGEL STATEMENT ON GUATEMALA

WASHINGTON—Representative Eliot L. Engel (D-NY), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, and Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), the Chair Emeritus of the Committee, today issued the following statement:

“As longtime advocates for democracy and the rule of law in Central America, we call on all Guatemalan political actors to preserve the independence of the judiciary and particularly that of the country’s Constitutional Court. We reject all efforts to intimidate judges and prosecutors, many of whom have dedicated their professional lives to tackling complex drug and human trafficking cases in a very difficult environment. Finally, we urge a transparent, merit-based selection process for Supreme Court and Appeal Court judges next year.”

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Bi-Partisan Group of Lawmakers Commend Final Passage of NICA Act, Sending to President’s Desk

Washington, DC – Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman Emeritus of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, was joined by Senators Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Patrick Leahy (D-VT) as well as Representatives Eliot Engel (D-NY), Albio Sires (D-NJ), and Ed Royce (R-CA) in welcoming the final passage of H.R. 1918, the Nicaraguan Investment and Conditionality Act (NICA), which now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law. The NICA Act seeks to condition U.S. approval for loans to the Ortega regime from international financial institutions. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) introduced similar legislation, S. 2265, in the Senate. After its approval in the House on October 3, 2017, H.R. 1918 was amended in the Senate to include Senator Bob Menendez’s (D-NJ) S. 3233, the Nicaragua Human Rights and Anticorruption Act of 2018, which seeks to impose additional sanctions on Nicaraguan regime officials, and which also included Senator Marco Rubio’s (R-FL) amendment targeting the regime’s enablers. The amended H.R. 1918 passed the House of Representatives on December 11, 2018 by unanimous consent.

Statement by Ros-Lehtinen: “I thank my colleagues in the House and Senate for passing the NICA Act that will help the Nicaraguan people break free of Ortega’s despotic rule. I am especially thankful to Bob, Ted, Marco, Patrick, Eliot, Albio and Ed who joined me in this effort from the very beginning, as we witnessed years of Ortega’s increased corruption and repression.  With the final passage of the amended NICA Act, Congress took a leap forward in creating further accountability against the heinous abuses committed by Ortega and his puppets. In a desperate effort to cling to power, Ortega and his thugs have continued to clamp down on free speech and peaceful demonstrations. The United States has answered the call of the Nicaraguan people and will continue to do so in support of much needed electoral and human rights reforms.”

Statement by Menendez: “Today’s final passage of the NICA Act shows that the United States Congress will not stand idly by as the Ortega regime continues its dictatorial campaign of extrajudicial killings and repression against the people of Nicaragua,” said Senator Menendez, Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “This bipartisan legislation will hold Ortega, Murillo, and their accomplices accountable for their widespread human rights abuses and for plundering state coffers for their own profit. This bill also ensures that U.S. sanctions will target the Ortega regime without affecting the Nicaraguan people, and offers much-needed support for a negotiated solution to this crisis.”

Statement by Cruz: “I have been proud to work alongside Rep. Ros-Lehtinen and our colleagues in the House and Senate to pursue meaningful democratic reform and combat human rights abuses in Nicaragua,” Senator Cruz said. “For years we fought hard for this meaningful legislation, and today’s vote in support sends a loud message to the Ortega regime that the United States will not allow regimes that commit such atrocities and undermine the rule of law to benefit from international financing.”

Statement by Rubio: “In an important day for the Nicaraguan Community, Congress today overwhelmingly passed the NICA Act after many months of hard work behind the scenes,” Senator Rubio said. “We are one step closer to expanding sanctions and other pressures against the oppressive Ortega regime and sending a clear message that the United States will not tolerate the ongoing human rights violations. I thank Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, who spearheaded these efforts, for her tireless work in support of democracy in the Western Hemisphere.”

Statement by Leahy: “The violence perpetrated by agents of the Ortega Government against Nicaraguan students and other protesters has shocked the hemisphere,” said Senator Patrick Leahy. “The purpose of this bill is to signal to the Nicaraguan people that we support their desire for a government that is not corrupt, does not act with impunity, and respects the civil and political rights of its citizens.  The best way forward is a free and fair election, as soon as possible.”

Statement by Engel: "It's long past time for Congress to hold Daniel Ortega and his cronies accountable for the egregious crimes that they continue to commit against the Nicaraguan people. Passage of the NICA Act sends a loud and clear message that the House of Representatives and Senate will continue our steadfast support for democracy and the rule of law in Nicaragua."

Statement by Sires: “I would like to thank my colleagues for passing this essential piece of legislation that holds the regime accountable for its misuse of international loans. This legislation directs the U.S. to curb Ortega’s access to international financing institutions until he undertakes serious efforts to combat corruption and hold free, fair and transparent elections. It has become clear that Ortega has no plans to work for the good of the Nicaraguan people, but only do what he can to fill his family’s coffers while he still can. The United States will not stand idly by as the regime continues to stifle democratic processes, consolidate power, and accumulate vast amounts of wealth while the Nicaraguans struggle daily to make ends meet. The Nicaraguan people have suffered at the hands of Ortega and his cronies for far too long, and I urge the President to promptly sign this bill into law. I would like to thank my good friend from Florida, Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, and Senator Menendez for their leadership on this issue.”

Statement by Royce: “The passage of the NICA Act sends an important message that this body stands with the people of Nicaragua against Daniel Ortega’s repressive, authoritarian and violent stranglehold. This legislation holds Ortega and his cronies accountable, and puts much needed focus on the worsening situation in our own hemisphere.”

NOTE: On November 27, 2018, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed Ros-Lehtinen’s H.R. 1918, NICA Act, with Senator Menendez’s S.3233 as an amendment.

On September 26, 2018, Senator Menendez’s S. 3233, the Nicaragua Human Rights and Anticorruption Act of 2018, was approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, along with the NICA Act. On August 28, 2018, Ros-Lehtinen introduced H.R. 6683, a similar measure to the Menendez bill.

On April 5, 2017, Ros-Lehtinen introduced the NICA Act alongside Rep. Albio Sires (D-NJ), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere. The bill passed unanimously the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee on May 24, 2017, passed the House Foreign Affairs Committee on July 27, 2017 and passed the House of Representatives on October 3, 2017. On December 22, 2017, Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Marco Rubio (R-FL), David Perdue (R-GA), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), and Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced a similar bill.

Last Congress, on September 21, 2016, the U.S. House of Representative approved a similar version of the legislation by unanimous consent. The NICA Act aims to put conditions on Nicaragua similar to what Congress has already enacted into law regarding Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador (P.L. 114-113).

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Grupo bipartidista de legisladores celebra la aprobación final de la ley NICA, enviándola al escritorio del Presidente

Washington, DC –La Representante Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Presidenta emérita del Comité de Asuntos Exteriores de la Cámara de Representantes, junto a los senadores  Bob Menéndez (D-NJ), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Marco Rubio (R-TX), y Patrick Leahy (D-VT) y los Representantes Eliot Engel (D-NY), Albio Sires (D-NJ), y Ed Royce (R-CA) dieron la bienvenida al proyecto de ley H.R. 1918, Nicaraguan Investment and Conditionality Act (NICA), que ahora se dirige al escritorio del Presidente para convertirse en ley. El proyecto NICA busca condicionar la aprobación de los Estados Unidos para préstamos al régimen de Ortega por parte de instituciones financieras internacionales. El Senador Ted Cruz (R-TX) presento una legislación similar, S. 2265, en el Senado. Después de su aprobación en la Cámara el 3 de octubre de 2017, H.R. 1918 se modificó en el Senado para incluir el proyecto de ley del Senador Bob Menendez (D-NJ) S. 3233, la Ley de Anticorrupción y Derechos Humanos de Nicaragua de 2018, que busca imponer sanciones adicionales a funcionarios del régimen nicaragüense, y la cual también incluye la enmienda del Senador Marco Rubio (R-FL) dirigida a los facilitadores del régimen. El H.R. 1918 enmendado fue aprobado por unanimidad en la Cámara de Representantes el 11 de diciembre de 2018.

Declaración de Ros-Lehtinen: “Agradezco a mis colegas de la Cámara de Representantes y el Senado por aprobar la Ley NICA que ayudará a los nicaragüenses a liberarse del control despótico de Ortega. Estoy especialmente agradecida a Bob, Ted, Marco, Patrick, Eliot, Albio y Ed que se unieron conmigo en este esfuerzo desde el principio, ya que fuimos testigos del aumento de la corrupción y la represión en Ortega durante muchos años. Con la aprobación final de la Ley NICA enmendada, el Congreso dio un salto adelante para responsabilizar a Ortega y sus títeres por los abusos cometidos. En un esfuerzo desesperado por aferrarse al poder, Ortega y sus matones han seguido reprimiendo la libertad de expresión y las manifestaciones pacíficas. Estados Unidos ha respondido al llamado del pueblo nicaragüense y continuará haciéndolo en apoyo de las necesarias reformas electorales y de derechos humanos”.

NOTA: el 27 de noviembre de 2018, el Senado de los EE. UU. aprobó por unanimidad el H.R. 1918 de Ros-Lehtinen junto a la S.3233 del Senador Menéndez como enmienda.

El 26 de septiembre de 2018, el Comité de Relaciones Exteriores del Senado aprobó S. 3233, la Ley de Derechos Humanos y Anticorrupción de Nicaragua presentada por el Senador Menendez, junto con la Ley NICA. El 28 de agosto de 2018, Ros-Lehtinen presentó H.R. 6683, una medida similar al proyecto de ley del Senador Menéndez.

El 5 de abril de 2017, Ros-Lehtinen presentó la Ley NICA junto con el Representante Albio Sires (D-NJ), Vicepresidente del Subcomité del Hemisferio Occidental. El proyecto de ley fue aprobado por unanimidad por el Subcomité del Hemisferio Occidental el 24 de mayo de 2017, aprobado por el Comité de Asuntos Exteriores de la Cámara el 27 de julio de 2017 y aprobado por la Cámara de Representantes el 3 de octubre de 2017. El 22 de diciembre de 2017, los Senadores Ted Cruz (R-TX) ), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Marco Rubio (R-FL), David Perdue (R-GA), Bob Menéndez (D-NJ), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) y Dick Durbin (D-IL) ) presentaron un proyecto de ley similar.

En el Congreso anterior, el 21 de septiembre de 2016 la Cámara de Representantes de los Estados Unidos aprobó una versión similar de la Ley NICA por consentimiento unánime. Esta legislación tiene como uno de sus objetivos poner condiciones a Nicaragua de manera similar a lo que el Congreso ya ha promulgado como ley con respecto a Honduras, Guatemala y El Salvador (P.L. 114-113).

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Ros-Lehtinen Presses Administration on Syria Strategy

“With at least a half million killed, millions more displaced, and the security of the United States and our allies on the line, the administration owes it to the American people to put forth a comprehensive, effective, and most importantly, achievable, strategy for Syria.”

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa, made the following statement today at a subcommittee hearing entitled “U.S. Policy Toward Syria (Part II).” Statement by Ros-Lehtinen (as prepared for delivery):

“This hearing is part two of a Syria hearing we began in September, and while it took a bit longer than we had hoped, we are very pleased to have two of the administration officials most intimately involved with U.S.-Syria policy here today. Two weeks ago, Ambassador Jeffrey laid out the administration’s latest plan and objectives for Syria: first, the enduring defeat of ISIS; second, de-escalation of the conflict and the removal of Iranian forces; and third, a political process under UN Security Council Resolution 2254. I am glad to have Ambassador Jeffrey in his new position as Special Representative for Syria Engagement, and for his more active approach. This hearing is an opportunity for the administration to explain exactly how it plans to achieve those goals.

With at least a half million killed, millions more displaced, and the security of the United States and our allies on the line, the administration owes it to the American people to put forth a comprehensive, effective, and most importantly, achievable, strategy for Syria. After more than seven years of conflict, I am deeply appreciative of our men and women, both in and out of uniform, who have contributed so much of their time, energy, and in too many cases, their lives, in the effort against ISIS and for Syria. Likewise, too many good Syrians have been taken from us, many of whom who were simply families trying to escape the brutality of both ISIS and the Assad regime. And many of whom, like the pro-democracy leader Raed Fares who refused, despite threat after threat, to give in to the murderers and terrorists who took over his country. With assassinations like Raed’s, regime forces continuing to prepare for an offensive in Idlib, the demilitarized zone hanging on by a thread, and chemical weapons used once again this past weekend, it is important that we take a more active approach like Ambassador Jeffrey advocates, to not only prevent another humanitarian disaster and more loss of life, but finally address the root cause of this conflict: Assad and his regime.

I am concerned that we aren’t prioritizing stabilization assistance – in areas liberated from ISIS as well as those targeted by Assad. This does not mean reconstruction assistance, but it does mean the kind of basic services and stabilization needs that would allow local communities to be more independent and resilient, and less susceptible to pro-Assad forces. As Hanin Ghaddar testified at part one of this hearing, Iran and Assad are ethnically and religiously cleansing Sunni communities to create demographic facts on the ground. And if we don’t start to help Syrian communities resist those forces, we are leaving more areas of Syria ripe for Iran and Assad’s influence on one side of the spectrum and a resurgent ISIS on the other. As we’ve learned the hard way in Iraq and Afghanistan over the past 17 years, it is not enough to take out the bad guys and hope for the best. We must, with our partners, create the conditions to ensure they don’t come back.

I am sympathetic to the challenges of delivering aid in Syria, especially when it gets diverted to the very people we’re trying to defeat. In 2016, Ted and I held a hearing with the Government Accountability Office, or GAO, and USAID’s Office of Inspector General, or OIG, on a GAO report that Ted, Gerry, and I had commissioned, which found weaknesses in our humanitarian aid programs in Syria. GAO had found that most of our implementing partners were not assessing the risk of fraud and recommended that USAID and State strengthen their own fraud oversight programs, as well as those of our partners. At the same time, OIG announced that it had opened 25 investigations of fraud allegations.

USAID and State have made some improvements in the years since, but we continue to hear about diversions of U.S. assistance in Syria, most notably a recent incident in which, according to OIG, one NGO’s employees “knowingly diverted USAID-funded food kits” to Syria’s al-Qaeda affiliate. While USAID correctly suspended this program and others, and I am, as I said, very sympathetic to the difficulty of the mission, we cannot allow ourselves to be deterred. It is incumbent upon our administration to put the most rigorous and effective monitoring and evaluation systems in place and then ensure these programs continue.

We can’t afford to be cutting stabilization assistance – never mind humanitarian aid – when every other player, from Assad to Russia to Iran to Turkey to China, is deeply involved and working to shape a new Syria that will undermine U.S. security interests. I look forward to hearing from both our witnesses how the administration plans to protect U.S. interests in Syria and exactly how each of its programs, goals, and objectives fit into, what I hope, is a strategy for the long-term.”

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Ros-Lehtinen, Diaz-Balart, Curbelo Condemn Human Trafficking of Cuban Medical Professionals

WASHINGTON ­­– Representatives Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27), and Carlos Curbelo (FL-26) issued the following statement after Cuban health care workers who were part of the “Mais Medicos” program in Brazil filed a lawsuit alleging that the Pan American Health Organization facilitated the human trafficking of thousands of Cuban medical professionals. 

“For far too long, the brutal regime in Cuba has profited from the human trafficking of medical professionals. Shamefully, reports indicate that rather than protecting the rights of these health workers to humane working conditions, fair wages, and freedom of movement, the Pan American Health Organization instead facilitated the sale of Cuban medical labor to foreign countries such as Brazil. While Cuban health care workers toiled in difficult conditions for paltry salaries, the regime in Cuba profited handsomely.  Even worse, the regime sometimes was lauded on the world stage for its trafficking in medical professionals as though it was behaving charitably, rather than perpetrating a lucrative scheme of exploiting its medical professionals, said Diaz-Balart.

Diaz-Balart continued: “It takes tremendous courage for those trapped in Cuba’s medical professional exploitation scheme to describe the abuses that they have suffered.  I applaud their bravery in bringing these stories to light. Those countries and international organizations that have benefited from, or have facilitated, abusive labor practices must cease doing so until basic labor standards regarding safe working conditions, the prohibition of forced or compulsory labor, and fair remuneration are followed. The abuse and exploitation of Cuba’s medical professionals must end.”

“It is important that we pursue justice using all available means for the Cuban doctors to not be exploited. That is why I led and filed along with Mario and my Congressional colleagues, a friend of the court brief that would allow lawsuits against U.S.-based international organizations like PAHO. Cuban doctors and anyone who has been a victim of human trafficking should be able to recover damages from any entity that sponsors or profits from such a terrible practice. As Americans it is our duty to support people’s freedom from this economic slavery and we, in Congress and beyond, will do all that we can to ensure that these medical professionals are treated in a humane and fair manner. Our U.S. laws are clear when it comes to human trafficking and no person or organization is above that law,” said Ros-Lehtinen.

“For too long, the Cuban regime has abused and exploited the forced labor of their medical professionals to line their own coffers.  I am proud to support these victims of the regime in their quest for justice and fair compensation for their service,” said Curbelo.

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Washington, DC - La Congresista Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Presidente Emérito del Comité de Asuntos Exteriores de la Cámara de Representantes, hizo la siguiente declaración después de que el Senado de los Estados Unidos aprobara por unanimidad H.R. 1918, el Nicaraguan Investment and Conditionality Act (NICA), que busca condicionar el voto de los Estados Unidos y prohibir préstamos al régimen de Ortega en las instituciones financieras internacionales. El Senador Ted Cruz (R-TX) presentó una legislación similar en el Senado, S. 2265. El proyecto H.R. 1918 fue modificado en el Senado para incluir S. 3233, la Ley de Derechos Humanos y Anticorrupción de Nicaragua del Senador Bob Menendez (D-NJ) la cual busca imponer sanciones adicionales a funcionarios del régimen en Nicaragua. H.R. 1918 también incluye una enmienda del Senador Marco Rubio (R-FL) dirigida a habilitadores del régimen. Ahora la enmendada H.R. 1918 se dirige al pleno de la Cámara de Representantes de los Estados Unidos para consideración final.

Declaración de Ros-Lehtinen:

“Le doy las gracias a Ted y al resto de mis colegas en el Senado por su continuo apoyo al pueblo de Nicaragua. Este esfuerzo bipartidista y bicameral demuestra el compromiso inquebrantable que tiene los Estados Unidos de tomar medidas en contra del aumento de represión y los abismales abusos de derechos humanos por parte del régimen. Ortega y sus secuaces han intensificado su campaña de opresión en contra del pueblo nicaragüense, implementando políticas para intimidar y silenciar a los disidentes. Además, la policía del régimen ha detenido y encarcelado arbitrariamente a sus críticos, mientras que las turbas del régimen han matado a cientos de personas inocentes. Estas son las acciones de alguien que quiere mantenerse en el poder sin importar el costo.

La Ley NICA garantiza que los E.E.U.U. continúe respondiendo en consecuencia a estas acciones, cortando acceso de fondos a Ortega hasta que implemente las reformas electorales y de derechos humanos que tanto se necesitan. Este proyecto de ley también incluye la legislación de Bob que otorga a la Administración autoridades adicionales para sancionar a más títeres del régimen, así como la enmienda de Marco que busca responsabilizar a cualquier régimen en el mundo que brinde asistencia para ayudar a Ortega a mantenerse en el poder. A medida que Ortega expande su cooperación con Venezuela, Cuba, Rusia y otros regímenes, Nicaragua es una amenaza para la seguridad de los Estados Unidos y un enemigo para la estabilidad regional.

La Cámara de Representantes ya ha actuado en mi legislación dos veces y espero trabajar con nuestro liderazgo para asegurar una rápida aprobación de esta legislación una vez más. Debemos enviar este proyecto de ley al escritorio del Presidente y así continuar construyendo nuestra estrategia de múltiples niveles para ayudar al pueblo nicaragüense a liberarse del control despótico de Ortega.”

NOTA: El 26 de septiembre de 2018, el Comité de Relaciones Exteriores del Senado aprobó S. 3233, la Ley de Derechos Humanos y Anticorrupción de Nicaragua presentada por el Senador Menendez, junto con la Ley NICA. El 28 de agosto de 2018, Ros-Lehtinen presentó H.R. 6683, una medida similar al proyecto de ley del Senador Menéndez.

El 5 de abril de 2017, Ros-Lehtinen presentó la Ley NICA junto con el Representante Albio Sires (D-NJ), Vicepresidente del Subcomité del Hemisferio Occidental. El proyecto de ley fue aprobado por unanimidad por el Subcomité del Hemisferio Occidental el 24 de mayo de 2017, aprobado por el Comité de Asuntos Exteriores de la Cámara el 27 de julio de 2017 y aprobado por la Cámara de Representantes el 3 de octubre de 2017. El 22 de diciembre de 2017, los Senadores Ted Cruz (R-TX) ), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Marco Rubio (R-FL), David Perdue (R-GA), Bob Menéndez (D-NJ), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) y Dick Durbin (D-IL) ) presentaron un proyecto de ley similar.

En el Congreso anterior, el 21 de septiembre de 2016 la Cámara de Representantes de los Estados Unidos aprobó una versión similar de la Ley NICA por consentimiento unánime. Esta legislación tiene como uno de sus objetivos poner condiciones a Nicaragua de manera similar a lo que el Congreso ya ha promulgado como ley con respecto a Honduras, Guatemala y El Salvador (P.L. 114-113).

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Washington, DC – U.S. Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman Emeritus of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, made the following statement after the U.S. Senate unanimously approved her H.R. 1918, the Nicaraguan Investment Conditionality (NICA) Act, which seeks to condition U.S. approval for loans to the Ortega regime from international financial institutions. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) introduced similar legislation, S. 2265, in the Senate. H.R. 1918 was amended in the Senate to include Senator Bob Menendez’s (D-NJ) S. 3233, the Nicaragua Human Rights and Anticorruption Act of 2018, which seeks to impose additional sanctions on Nicaraguan regime officials, and which also included Senator Marco Rubio’s (R-FL) amendment targeting the regime’s enablers. The amended H.R. 1918 now heads to the Floor of the U.S. House of Representatives for final consideration.

Statement by Ros-Lehtinen:

“I’m thankful to Ted and the rest of my colleagues in the Senate for their continued commitment to the people of Nicaragua. This bipartisan and bicameral effort demonstrates the United States’ unwavering commitment to take action against the Ortega regime’s increased repression and abysmal human rights abuses. Ortega and his henchmen have escalated their crackdown against the Nicaraguan people, implementing policies to intimidate and silence dissent. In addition, regime police have arbitrarily detained and imprisoned critics while regime mobs have killed hundreds of innocent people. These are the actions of someone who wants to stay in power no matter the cost.

The NICA Act ensures that the U.S. continues to respond accordingly by cutting off Ortega’s access to money until much needed electoral and human rights reforms are implemented. This bill also includes Bob’s legislation giving the Administration additional authorities to sanction more regime operatives, as well as Marco’s amendment that seeks to hold accountable any regime that provides assistance to help Ortega stay in power. As Ortega expands his cooperation with Venezuela, Cuba, Russia and other regimes, Nicaragua is both a security threat to the U.S. and an enemy to regional stability.

The House has acted on my legislation twice and I look forward to working with our leadership to ensure swift passage of this legislation once again. We must send this bill to the President’s desk and continue building a multi-layered U.S. approach that helps the Nicaraguan people break free of Ortega’s despotic rule.”

NOTE: On September 26, 2018, Senator Menendez’s S. 3233, the Nicaragua Human Rights and Anticorruption Act of 2018, was approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, along with the NICA Act. On August 28, 2018, Ros-Lehtinen introduced H.R. 6683, a similar measure to the Menendez bill.

On April 5, 2017, Ros-Lehtinen introduced the NICA Act alongside Rep. Albio Sires (D-NJ), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere. The bill passed unanimously the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee on May 24, 2017, passed the House Foreign Affairs Committee on July 27, 2017 and passed the House of Representatives on October 3, 2017. On December 22, 2017, Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Marco Rubio (R-FL), David Perdue (R-GA), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), and Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced a similar bill.

Last Congress, on September 21, 2016, the U.S. House of Representative approved a similar version of the legislation by unanimous consent. The NICA Act aims to put conditions on Nicaragua similar to what Congress has already enacted into law regarding Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador (P.L. 114-113).

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Ros-Lehtinen, Bipartisan Task Force Applaud Passage of Resolution Condemning Tree of Life Attack

Washington, DC – Members of the House Bipartisan Task Force for Combatting Anti-Semitism applauded the passage of H.Res.1138, a House resolution introduced by the Task Force Co-Chairs and Rep. Mike Doyle (D-PA), to condemn the anti-Semitic attack on the Tree of Life synagogue building on October 27, 2018.

Rep. Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) is a founding Member of the Task Force. Other Members include: Nita Lowey (D-NY), Chris Smith (R-NJ), Eliot Engel (D-NY), Ted Deutch (D-FL), Kay Granger (R-TX), Marc Veasey (D-TX), and Peter Roskam (R-IL).

The Task Force issued the following statement upon passage of the resolution:

“We are glad to see this resolution pass the House unanimously, which reaffirms the House’s commitment to fighting anti-Semitism in all its forms here at home and around the world. Just yesterday, the FBI released its 2017 hate crime statistics, showing a 37 percent increase in anti-Semitic incidents in the U.S. from 2016. We will carry the memory of those lost in the Tree of Life synagogue building attack, the deadliest anti-Semitic incident in U.S. history, and work to ensure that all Americans are free to worship in peace and security.”

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Washington, DC – Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Nita Lowey (D-NY), Chris Smith (R-NJ), Eliot Engel (D-NY), Ted Deutch (D-FL), Kay Granger (R-TX), Marc Veasey (D-TX), and Peter Roskam (R-IL), the Co-Chairs of the House of Representatives Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Anti-Semitism, joined Representative Mike Doyle (D-PA) in introducing a resolution Tuesday to condemn the anti-Semitic attack on the Tree of Life synagogue building on October 27, 2018. The Task Force issued the following statement upon introducing the resolution:

“We are proud to join Representative Doyle in introducing this resolution, which condemns the anti-Semitic attack on the Tree of Life synagogue building; honors the victims, the injured, and their families; applauds law enforcement and first responders; and reaffirms US commitment to defeating anti-Semitism in all its forms. This heinous attack, which took the lives of 11 innocent people, simply because they were Jewish, was a horrible reminder that this age-old bigotry is alive in the 21st century. We hope our colleagues will join us in swiftly passing this resolution and standing in solidarity with Jewish communities around the world.”

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