Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart | Official U.S. House headshot
Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart | Official U.S. House headshot
WASHINGTON, D.C.– Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26) has joined Reps. Carlos A. Giménez (FL-28), María Elvira Salazar (FL-27), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), and Jared Moskowitz (FL-23) in introducing the bipartisan Secure Airports From Enemies (SAFE) Act. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) is presenting companion legislation in the U.S. Senate.
The initiative follows reports that operatives from the Cuban regime were given a tour of TSA facilities at Miami International Airport. Díaz-Balart stated, "Following recent reports that regime operatives of the anti-American Cuban regime were given a tour of TSA facilities at Miami International Airport, I immediately joined my colleagues in working to prevent this from ever happening again. No State Sponsor of Terrorism should receive special treatment at any U.S. airport or any sensitive U.S. government facility."
Rep. Díaz-Balart emphasized the importance of national security: “Protecting U.S. airports and sensitive government facilities is crucial to our national security. American taxpayer money should not be used to allow individuals associated with a country designated as a State Sponsor of Terrorism to access any U.S. airport or sensitive government facility."
Congressman Carlos Giménez criticized the Biden administration's decision: “President Biden & Secretary Mayorkas granted agents of the Castro regime access to our sensitive TSA facilities at Miami International Airport. This dangerous decision undermines our national security and puts passengers in serious risk.”
Senator Marco Rubio echoed these concerns: "It’s absurd America has hosted officials from nations currently designated as State Sponsors of Terrorism. We must ensure this administration is not enabling foreign operatives to learn of our aviation security measures aimed at keeping Americans safe.”
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, co-chair of the Cuba Democracy Caucus, also voiced her apprehensions: "As co-chair of the Cuba Democracy Caucus, I'm deeply concerned by the threat posed to Floridians and U.S. national security by Cuban officials touring secure areas at Miami International Airport."
Rep. María Elvira Salazar highlighted the need for legislative intervention: “The Biden Administration allowing the Cuban Regime to tour sensitive areas of Miami International Airport is a major security breach and should never have happened.”
Rep. Jared Moskowitz called for better oversight: "Our airports need an all-around approach to security... It is my hope that this was a mistake from TSA and that this type of access for conflicted foreign officials is never granted again."
For more details on the SAFE Act, click here.
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