Congressman Adriano Espaillat to Join Summit of the Americas Congressional Delegation Led by Speaker Nancy Pelosi
During the Summit of the Americas, Rep. Espaillat will meet with leaders of the region, including leaders from Latin America and the Caribbean
NEW YORK, NY -- Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) will join the upcoming congressional delegation led by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to participate in the Ninth Summit of the Americas to be held June 6-10, 2022, in Los Angeles, California. This year's theme is “Building a sustainable, resilient and equitable future.”
The Summit of the Americas will bring together leaders of North America, South America, Central America and the Caribbean. The Summit and its forums promote cooperation towards inclusive economic growth and prosperity throughout the region, based on common respect for democracy, fundamental freedoms, the dignity of work and free enterprise.
“Governments and institutions from across our hemisphere have prioritized their responses to concerns such as the COVID-19 pandemic, threats to democracy, the climate crisis, and the lack of equitable access to economic, social and political opportunities in the region, which places a heavy burden on the most vulnerable and underrepresented among us,” said Rep. Espaillat. “I look forward to participating in the upcoming forums and collaborating with leaders from the region to contribute to the success of the Summit, which will depend on the adoption and implementation of a working agenda to address the challenges of the hemisphere and contribute to peace, safety and well-being of the entire region and citizens.
Rep. Espaillat has presented three initiatives aimed at strengthening relations throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, among them his bill H.R.4133 - Law for the Authorization of the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative, which the bill's funding has been approved in the House of Representatives and awaits approval in the Senate for its implementation.
The Caribbean Basin Security Initiative Authorization Act would allocate nearly $75,000,000 per year from 2022 to 2026 to enhance security cooperation with Caribbean nations and combat illicit drug trafficking, support justice sector reform, and strengthen the rule of law, and address the instability caused by natural disasters.
Previously, Rep. Espaillat secured $80,000,000 for the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative in the fiscal year 2022 federal budget.
Also introduced by Rep. Espaillat is the Nearshoring Law - Made in the Americas, which encourages companies to move from China to the Caribbean and Latin America, encourages companies that are already based in the Caribbean to expand, assists companies that move to countries that have a free trade agreement, such as DR-CAFTA, increases energy capabilities in the Caribbean and Latin America, and helps to alleviate supply chain disruptions currently in the United States.
“Other benefits of the Nearshoring Law are the creation of jobs in Latin America and the Caribbean that meet the labor and environmental standards established in federal trade agreements. My bill will help alleviate the root cause of migration, such as the lack of economic opportunity and help foster stronger partnerships between the United States and Latin America and the Caribbean,” said Rep. Espaillat.
The third bill introduced by Rep. Espaillat is the Law of the Americas - Energy Security Initiative of the Americas, which, if approved, will direct the United States Department of the Treasury to establish an interest-free loan program or low interest rates for US partners in the Caribbean and Latin America to help governments meet their short-term energy goals as well as transition to renewable energy.
The Americas Act directs the Department of State and other federal agencies to prioritize and accelerate efforts to support governments in the Caribbean and Latin America to increase their energy security and helps countries in the region obtain the energy they need to address daily activities such as driving, showering, cooking, heating or cooling the home and much more.
During the Ninth Summit of the Americas, Rep. Espaillat will meet with leaders of the region, including leaders from Latin America and the Caribbean.