Rep. Donna Shalala Updates Florida’s 27th on Her First Month in Congress

Donna E. Shalala

Since taking office on January 3, my team and I have been working tirelessly to improve the lives of the people in Florida’s 27th Congressional District.

It was unfortunate that we entered the 116th Congress during a government shutdown. But the South Florida community was resilient during a time of need for 800,000 federal employees who were furloughed or worked without pay for 35 days. Thank you to the food banks, nonprofits, and business community for your efforts to support the impacted workers in South Florida and provide assistance in their time of need.

In my first month as a Member of Congress I have introduced and signed onto bills that explicitly target the Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro and his cronies, protect our communities from senseless gun violence, combat climate change, and strengthen Social Security for generations.

I was also assigned to the powerful House Committee on Rules and the House Committee on Education and Labor. As a member of the Rules Committee, l will have a voice on every piece of legislation the House considers for votes. What’s more, an appointment to the Education & Labor Committee will allow me to dive head-first into fixing our schools and education system, bringing down student debt, fighting for labor rights and pensions, and improving health care.

Addressing the Crisis in Venezuela

The people of Venezuela have suffered for far too long under the authoritarian Maduro regime. We cannot allow this dictatorship to continue to steamroll democracy and act with impunity. That is why members of South Florida’s congressional delegation have worked in a bipartisan fashion to address the crisis facing Venezuela. Together, we’ve introduced:

  • Venezuela Arms Restriction Act of 2019 – the first bill I introduced will prohibit the export of defense articles and crime control materials from the United States to Maduro’s security forces, which often use these tools against peaceful protesters with lethal consequences.
  • Venezuela TPS Act of 2019 – legislation I cosponsored that will allow Venezuelan nationals to become eligible for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) in the United States.
  • Humanitarian Assistance to the Venezuelan People Act of 2019 – a bill I cosponsored that authorizes $150 million in humanitarian aid to the people of Venezuela.

Hitting the Ground Running:

Among the bills that I have cosponsored, I want to highlight a few that I believe will have a significant impact on the quality of life for Miamians.

  • Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019 – expands background checks to cover all gun sales and closes the gun show loop hole.
  • COAST Act – bans offshore drilling in the Florida Straits and off both Florida’s Gulf and Atlantic coastlines.
  • Social Security 2100 Act – would enhance and expand Social Security for current retirees and future generations.

This first month has been full of challenges, but each day reminds me of why it is such an honor to represent Florida’s 27th District. That said, I want to know how we can do better, so please don’t hesitate to contact my office with your comments, questions, and concerns regarding the federal government or how I can work to better serve our community.

If you would like to request a Capitol tour or U.S. flag flown over the Capitol, or need assistance with a federal agency and applying for a federal grant, visit our website https://shalala.house.gov/services or give us a call at (305) 668-2285 or (202) 225-3931.

And be sure you stay up-to-date with the latest developments from our office on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: @RepShalala.


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17 COMMENTS

  1. What can you do to help cities like Pinecrest and South Miami to fight FPL building a high voltage line along the US Corridor?
    Will appreciate your input
    By the way I respect you, voted for you, I worked at UM for years I think you did an amazing job both at the health department and at um
    Good luck in your new Endeavor

  2. I don’t think most American politician understand the definition of a dictator or the concept of national sovereignty and the rule of law. President Maduro was democratically elected in a free and fair election and has widespread support among the people of Venezuela. It is the violent Venezuelan opposition that seeks to overthrow the government that is committing human rights violations not the Maduro administration. The US government’s economic sanctions have caused widespread suffering for the Venezuelan people and caused severe damage to Venezuela’s economy. The Venezuelan opposition is a puppet of the US government that has no loyalty to the people of Venezuela. The US government seeks to overthrow Venezuela’s government so US oil companies and other multinational oil companies can seize control of Venezuela’s oil. America must respect the sovereignty of other nations and respect their right to control their own natural resources and use them for the benefit of the people instead of letting foreign multinational companies benefit from them. Donna Shalala is not a socialist. She is an anti-socialist like most US politicians are that seek to overthrow left wing governments and replace them with neoliberal governments that would privatize the nations resources giving control of the nation to transnational corporations who’s only concern is maximizing profits. Any real socialist opposes the bipartisan foreign policy of the US government committed to empire building.

  3. Addressing the Crisis in Venezuela: Democrats need to be very vocal on get the dictator out now. This is cancer not a thorn in our toe. People are dying by the day. Venezuelans can’t fight through democratic means because the government controls all aspects of it; and they cant fight physically because the have no guns, the army is tainted by corruption and drug trafficking, and the Cuban G2 has more than 22000 spies/indoctrinators armed ready to squash any armed uprising. South Florida is terribly disappointed with our democrats talk about dialog and right of self determination when the people cannot have clean, certifiable elections. Get on the side of righteousness and legality. Don’t play up to the fake socialists.

  4. Thank you for being in favor of expanded background checks for gun owners. If you can get rid of the military type weapons in civilian hands – better yet!
    Thank you for fighting off shore drilling.
    So I guess, thank you for being an evil devil dressed in white fighting for women’s rights.

  5. She’s one of the devils in white during the Presidents speech. Another disrespectful witch that didn’t stand up for women regarding 9 month abortions & human trafficking. All those women in white are evil. You will all be checking into the Supreme Court in the sky when you die. Good luck! I’m sure God will have plenty to say about His babies being murdered one by one.

  6. Okay, let’s see. Congresswoman Shalala vehemently opposes Maduro. So do I. So do most of the people I know. NEXT, She is in favor of expanded background checks for guns. Hey, so am I and most of the folks I know are in favor as well. The Congresswoman opposes offshore drilling. Me too! Finally she wants to expand social security benefits. Couldn’t agree with her more.
    I guess that makes Donna a Lackey of THE PEOPLE. Isn’t that what she is supposed to be???

  7. Be honest to all citizen regales of party line… do not play politics… we got you in we can also get you out…don’t be another Pelosi…

  8. Please explain to the governor that teachers don’t need bonuses, we need legitimate raises. Not 1%. The public school teachers are paying the price for charter and mega magnet. We can not survive, we will never make “highly effective” when were teaching the kids that aren’t “accepted” to those charter/magnets. It’s unfair. If this continues the teacher shortage will be in crisis mode. Been a Miami-Dade Public School employee for 24 years. WE ARE IN TROUBLE and someone has to fix this before it’s too late!

  9. Thank you SO MUCH for jumping right into serious issues, and representing those of us who know you will fight for what we want.

  10. Very disappointed. Voted for you thinking you would represent us as an adult, professional woman you are but you opted to be part of a group that behaved more like high school girls gossiping and looking out for approval to stand or applaud in group during SOTUS. I expected you to Stand for what you believe and not to follow a bunch of clowns which is exactly the impression the American people received. Please do the right thing for us, your constituents.

  11. Don’t you plan to do something, just one thing to make our business grow in our area? What I see you doing so far is increasing our expenditures, which could be great if you show revenue increasing. Are you doing something to lower unemployment? Or you are leaving it just to Trump?

    Our District is not UM, don’t make same mistakes!

  12. She was dressed in white, like the rest of the wackos. I emailed her a question on border security, she responded with the Democratic cookie cutter answer. No folks, shes a liberal, one way her way or else.

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