Hastings pushes reform agenda

Congressman Alcee Hastings (D-Miramar), a proud FAMU law alumnus, doesn’t shy away from tough fights. With a new presidential administration and Congressional session right around the corner, he’s already rolling up his sleeves to take on hot-button issues.

Two of his biggest priorities are fairer treatment for Haitian refugees and election reform. Recently, he called on U.S. President-elect Barack Obama to issue an executive order granting Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Haitians.

According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, TPS provides temporary immigration status to men and women “who are temporarily unable to safely return to their home country because of ongoing armed conflict, an environmental disaster, or other extraordinary and temporary conditions.”

"The people of Haiti cannot afford to wait a single day longer for this much needed assistance," Hastings said. "While I continue to hope that [President George W. Bush] will finally acknowledge and address the dire plight of the Haitian people, it is important that the next Administration be made aware of the importance of TPS.”

Hastings also wants to Congress to appropriate $1 billion over the next four years to combat long lines at the polls and meet the needs of increasing numbers of voters.

"Voting should not be a right granted only to those who can stand in line the longest or who can go the longest without food or a bathroom break," Hastings said. "Voting is the sacred right of all eligible citizens. We have a solemn responsibility to ensure the greatest possible access to exercise that right and make that experience as comfortable and efficient as possible."