Cuban and American relations have been quite tense historically, to say the least, but Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy (D-FL) is making a bipartisan push with Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) to focus on victims of Cuban socialism and the Castro regimes oppression decades-long human rights atrocities. Rep. Murphy's bill looks to help reunite Cuban exiles with their families.
The Cuban Family Reunification Modernization Act program would permit the US government to use our naval station at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to conduct interviews and background checks and possible beneficiaries of the bill.
The bill will also allow lawful residents to apply for their family members to claim resident status.
The naval base would only be used on a temporary basis, but only time will tell if the temporary status is extended or made permanent.
The issue is personal for Rep. Murphy who "Escaped a brutal communist regime" in Vietnam with her family
"I’m proud to co-lead this bipartisan legislation with Congressman Diaz-Balart to allow the federal government to use our naval base on the island to conduct interviews and background checks, helping Cuban Americans swiftly and lawfully reunite with their family members from Cuba," stated Murphy.
Murphy has also touted that her legislation would serve as a prohibition on human rights abusers from benefiting from the long-standing program.
The proposal while being drafted by a Democrat did not fail to pick up Republican support as Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL) commenting that it will help the Cuban people escape the "Chokehold of Socialism."
The question remains, however, if the anti-Socialism rhetoric is the root cause behind the proposal, are other Democrats willing to get behind Murphy's legislation and fully denounce Socialism in Cuba, and its recent rise in the United States?
Florida State Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith (D) recently made headlines when questioned the claim that Socialism has killed people around the world.
“Again, Wow! These are stunning allegations that Socialism has killed people around the world. My question is, are you at all concerned that by focusing on Democratic Socialism,” said Smith.
