Local leaders praise bill strengthening U.S./Caribbean ties
Local leaders are commending the recent passage of a new bill by the U.S. House of Representatives to increase U.S. engagement with Caribbean governments and the Caribbean-American community.
The bill, called the United States-Caribbean Strategic Engagement Act of 2016, requires the Secretary of State and the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to submit to Congress a multiyear strategy focused on enhancing engagement with the countries of the Caribbean and Diaspora communities in the U.S. The legislation puts particular emphasis on regional security, energy stability, expanded diplomacy, and economic diversification. The bill was tabled by Representative Engel, accompanied by Republican Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen from South Florida. The bill was also endorsed by Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS) in Washington D.C., who lobbied heavily for the bill.
“This was a top priority for the Caribbean Congressional Caucus and the ICS,” says Florida Representative, Jamaican-American Hazelle Rogers, who is a frequent representative on Caribbean-American caucuses to Washington, D.C. “I’m excited this legislation passed the House in June, Caribbean Heritage Month, as we focus on branding, educating and empowering the Caribbean community.”
South Florida’s board member of the ICS, Roxanne Valies, also commended the “swift passage” of the bill, which “shows great promise for improved relationship between the United States and the Caribbean,” as well as outlining “ an approach to broaden outreach to the Caribbean Diaspora community in the United States.”
Among the many sectors prioritized by the bill, “The inclusion of energy security improvements is of key importance,” says Valies. “Lack of affordable energy is an old and constant drain on the Caribbean economies. Improvements in this sector would allow for the development and sustainability of the economy of the region.”
Both however acknowledge that the bill’s passing marked just the beginning of the campaign for meaningful change between the U.S. and the region.
“We can put more teeth in the legislation later, but it’s an important first step that we applaud,” noted Valies.
The next step for supporters of the bill, says Rogers, is to ensure “appropriate funding follows the legislation. This is our responsibility as we continue our advocacy.”
