January 25, 2021
Dear friend,
Welcome back to another edition of Mario’s Message. As the 117th Congress kicks off, I want to continue to ensure that my constituents are kept up to date on all things happening in Washington and Florida’s 25th Congressional District. It is my absolute honor to serve you, and I encourage you to get in touch with my office if we can ever be of assistance.
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COVID-19 Vaccine Information
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Governor Ron DeSantis has signed Executive Order 20-315, which outlines that providers can only administer the COVID-19 shot to the following groups:
- Long-term care facility residents and staff
- Healthcare workers in direct contact with COVID-19 patients, including paramedics and EMS
- People age 65 and older
For updated locations and appointment information, click here.
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Miami Lakes ZIP Code Bill |
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Today, I reintroduced legislation in Congress that would create a unique ZIP code for Miami Lakes. For far too long, Miami Lakes residents have dealt with the negative impact of lacking a unique ZIP Code for their town. From higher insurance rates to election confusion, there are a number of reasons why a dedicated ZIP Code is necessary. For nearly a decade, I have been working alongside Mayor Manny Cid and the Town of Miami Lakes to create a unique ZIP Code for the town. Legislation that I introduced in the past three Congresses have overwhelmingly passed in the House, but unfortunately have not even been considered in the Senate.
For that reason, I am introducing similar legislation again this Congress. I will continue to work with my House and Senate colleagues to get this bill to the President’s desk and am hopeful that Mayor Cid and the town will be granted the unique ZIP Code they so desperately need.
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Thanking the Florida National Guard |
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Last week, I had the great honor of meeting with the Florida National Guard that has been tirelessly safeguarding our nation’s capital.
My deepest gratitude to the heroes that keep us safe and free.
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As one of his last decisions in office, President Trump has guaranteed that those Venezuelans who sought safety in the United States will not be returned to the dictatorship, where they could be subject to persecution, human rights abuses, or even death. This issue has always been a top priority of mine, and for the past four years, I have been working closely with President Trump and his Administration to secure this important protection for Venezuelan nationals.
Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) differs from Temporary Protected Status (TPS) in that it derives from the president's foreign policy authority rather than through legislation passed by Congress. The chart below shows the main differences.
Normally, an application for DED is not required— DED status is automatically granted to eligible individuals; however, at this time, USCIS has not yet provided guidance on procedures to receive this benefit or to obtain employment authorization as directed in the order.
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Recognizing 'The Congressional Award' Bronze Medalist |
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It was a privilege to personally recognize Flavia Nunez for receiving The Congressional Award's Bronze Medal.
Flavia is a student from Florida's 25th Congressional District who devoted more than 260 hours of community service to the Town of Miami Lakes. Once again, I congratulate her for setting challenging goals and meeting the needs of her community.
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Re-Elected as Lead Republican on T-HUD |
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I'm grateful to have been re-elected by the House Republican Steering Committee to continue serving as the leading Republican on the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriation Subcommittee. During my years on T-HUD, as former Chairman and now Ranking Member, I have brought millions of federal dollars to South Florida to support our veterans, the elderly, the disabled, and other vulnerable populations. I have also worked diligently to maintain and upgrade our nation’s roadways, seaports, transit systems, and airports. Further, I have successfully been able to bring these investments into our community. Whether through the first federal capital for the SMART plan, PortMiami receiving the largest grant for port infrastructure development, or helping to build the Underline, I am thankful to have been at the forefront of obtaining these funds. |
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To keep up with live updates, connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram, or visit my website for any constituent services I am able to provide you with.
As always, it’s a pleasure to serve you.
Warm Regards,
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Mario Diaz-Balart
Member of Congress
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