Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Bipartisan praise for Venezuela move
Democrats and Republicans lauded Biden administration for granting protective status to Venezuelans in the U.S.
The decision by President Joe Biden’s administration to grant temporary protected status for Venezuelans living in the U.S. produced something extraordinary on Monday: bipartisan praise.
Democrats and Republicans from Florida who typically agree on nothing applauded the decision. Among those offering praise are Republicans who voted against Electoral College results that certified Biden as the winner of the presidential election.
U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a Democrat representing parts of Broward and Palm Beach counties, called it a “compassionate and bold decision” that provides the swift relief and security that the Venezuelan community needs and demonstrates what we can achieve now that our country has moral leadership.”
Wasserman Schultz lives in Weston, which is home to so many Venezuelans who have fled the economic collapse and repression under that country’s dictators that it’s often referred to as Westonzuela.
Wasserman Schultz said in a statement that former President Donald Trump “had four years to do this, but the Republican Party’s xenophobia got in the way of doing what is right … I am thrilled that President Biden bravely put politics aside and took this moral, humane and urgently-needed action.”
U.S. Sen. Rick Scott’s office said the Florida Republican was “applauding action taken by the Biden Administration.”
“Hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans are fleeing the violence and starvation of Maduro’s socialist regime and the United States must stand with them,” Scott said in a statement. “We must continue to do everything in our power to save Venezuela from this tyrannical dictator.”
Like Wasserman Schultz, Scott also used the announcement to make a partisan point. He said Democrats in the Senate in the past had stymied efforts to win TPS for Venezuelans. He said Biden’s effort “builds on” actions taken by Trump.
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said “Venezuela remains a nation in crisis” and applauded the Biden administration’s commitment on the issue.
“While Venezuelans who fled Maduro’s narco-terrorist regime cannot return home safely today, I know they await the day they can return to their beloved homeland. That is why it is critical that we continue working with our democratic allies to secure a Venezuela free from tyranny and ensure this temporary status in the U.S. does not become a permanent one,” Rubio said.
Rubio is a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch, a Broward-Palm Beach County Democrat who serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said on Twitter that “these Venezuelans, many of whom live in South Florida, fled a dire humanitarian situation. It is unsafe to return. @ POTUS was right to protect this community.”