September 9, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 143 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Page H7550]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 EXPEDITED ENTRY AND TPS FOR BAHAMIANS

  (Ms. WATERS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, I rise in support, strong support, for the 
people of the Bahamas in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian. Residents 
of the Grand Bahama and Abaco Islands are in a desperate situation.
  This is a humanitarian crisis, the likes of which has never before 
faced the Bahamas. I am grateful for the efforts of the USAID and the 
U.S. Coast Guard, which have been instrumental in leading search-and-
rescue efforts and providing emergency food assistance to Bahamians.
  As the chair of the House Committee on Financial Services and co-
chair of the Congressional Caribbean Caucus, I strongly support an 
expedited U.S. visa application process or a waiver process for 
Bahamians who are seeking to enter the U.S., and I am extremely 
supportive of the extension of the Temporary Protected Status 
designation for all Bahamians who cannot safely return to the Bahamas.
  Displaced Bahamians must be treated with respect, and all 
applications for visas must be processed efficiently and in an 
emergency manner. The road to recovery for Bahamians will be long and 
difficult, but all Bahamians must be treated with respect.
  Madam Speaker, the United States is standing with the Bahamas during 
this difficult time. We will do all that we can to aid in the recovery 
efforts in the coming weeks and months.

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