MIAMI, FL — Salazar for Congress today launched its first ad of the 2026 general election, recorded in Washington, D.C., outside the White House, with María Elvira Salazar delivering a direct message to President Donald Trump on immigration enforcement.

“Mr. President, some of your immigration enforcement efforts have gone too far,” Salazar says in the ad. “The same Hispanics who helped you get to the White House in 2024 feel betrayed today.”

Beginning today, the ad will air across broadcast television, digital and OTT throughout South Florida. It is the first of several spots planned ahead of the November election.

The campaign opens with immigration at a critical moment for South Florida and the nation. Salazar represents Florida’s 27th Congressional District in Miami-Dade, where immigration touches thousands of families and remains deeply woven into the community. 

Salazar has made immigration reform a defining issue of her work in Congress. She leads the bipartisan Dignity Act, an effort to strengthen border enforcement while addressing the status of qualifying undocumented immigrants already living in the United States.

Now, with her first general-election ad, Salazar is taking her message directly to President Trump.

WATCH THE ENGLISH AD [HERE]

MIRE EL ANUNCIO EN ESPAÑOL [AQUÍ]

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Every day, South Florida’s firefighters answer calls that most people hope they never have to make. They run toward fires, medical emergencies, natural disasters, and moments of crisis without hesitation. Supporting them means more than thanking them for their service, it means making sure they have the protection, benefits, resources, and support they have earned.

“South Florida’s firefighters run toward danger when everyone else is trying to get away. They protect our homes, save lives, and show up for our families on the worst days imaginable,” said Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar. “I am deeply honored to earn the support of the South Florida Council of Fire Fighters. In Congress, I have fought to protect firefighters from toxic chemicals, make sure service-related cancer is treated like the line-of-duty sacrifice it is, protect the retirement benefits they have earned, and help first responders afford a home in the communities they serve. Our firefighters have South Florida’s back every single day, and they will always have mine.”

“The South Florida Council of Firefighters (SFCFF), representing the interests of 4,000 firefighters and their respective families, proudly endorses your candidacy to continue serving as United States Representative in Florida’s 27th District,” said John O’Brien, President of The South Florida Council of Firefighters. “Immediately following your elevation to Congress in 2021 came your steadfast support for firefighters, and in the years since, that support has never wavered. Whether in hearing our concerns or championing our causes, your firefighters know that we can count on both you and your office to take the time to listen. You truly specialize in the lost art of treating others with dignity and respect, and it does not go unnoticed. We will be encouraging our members to support you.”

The South Florida Council of Fire Fighters represents firefighters and families throughout the region, including Coral Gables Fire Fighters Local 1210, Key Biscayne Fire Fighters Local 3638, Key West Fire Fighters Local 1424, Marathon Local 4396, Metro-Dade Fire Fighters Local 1403, Miami Beach Fire Fighters Local 1510, Miami Fire Fighters Local 587, Monroe County Local 3909, and Hialeah Fire Fighters Local 1102.

The Council’s endorsement letter specifically highlighted Rep. Salazar’s advocacy for the reauthorization of the AFG and SAFER grant programs, her attention to the occupational health burdens firefighters face, and her support for repealing the Social Security Windfall Elimination Provision. Salazar voted for the Fire Grants and Safety Act, which became law in 2024, and for the Social Security Fairness Act, which became law in 2025.

The endorsement reflects Salazar’s broader legislative record on issues affecting firefighters, including occupational cancer, toxic exposure, federal benefits, retirement security, homeownership, and the resources available to fire departments.

Rep. Salazar’s Record of Standing with Firefighters and First Responders:

Congresswoman Salazar has supported legislation addressing the health risks firefighters face on the job, the benefits they and their families receive, the resources available to fire departments, and the financial security of first responders after their service.

Expanding Benefits for Firefighters Battling Cancer: Supported the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act, expanding federal benefits for firefighters and first responders who die or become permanently disabled from certain service-related cancers.

Strengthening Firefighter Cancer Research: Voted to reauthorize the national Firefighter Cancer Registry, helping researchers better understand and address cancer risks firefighters face on the job.

Protecting Firefighters from Toxic Chemicals: Backed legislation to reduce firefighter exposure to PFAS and supports efforts to develop safer, PFAS-free protective gear.

Keeping Fire Departments Staffed and Equipped: Voted to reauthorize the AFG and SAFER grant programs, which help departments fund staffing, equipment, training, and other critical needs.

Protecting Earned Social Security Benefits: Voted for the Social Security Fairness Act, now law, eliminating WEP and GPO reductions that affected some firefighters and other public servants receiving pensions.

Recognizing Job-Related Illnesses: Supported protections providing federal firefighters with presumptive coverage for certain cancers, heart and lung diseases, and other occupational illnesses.

Helping First Responders Buy Homes: Supports the bipartisan HELPER Act, which would make homeownership more accessible for firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, law enforcement officers, and teachers.

Strengthening Fire Safety: Voted to give the U.S. Fire Administration greater authority to investigate major fires and use those findings to improve prevention and safety nationwide.
Standing with South Florida’s First Responders: Has met directly with local firefighters and emergency personnel and hosted a 2026 First Responders Recognition Ceremony honoring their service to South Florida.

This is the record behind the South Florida Council of Firefighters’ endorsement: protecting firefighters on the job, defending the benefits they earned, and ensuring first responders have the resources and support they need.

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MIAMI, FL — Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar today announced the endorsement of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the nation’s leading small and independent business association, recognizing her record of standing with small businesses, protecting job creators, and fighting for the entrepreneurs who power South Florida’s economy.

From family-owned restaurants and neighborhood shops to contractors, manufacturers, and growing startups, small businesses are at the heart of Miami-Dade.

“South Florida runs on small business. Our restaurants, shops, contractors, and family-owned companies create jobs, strengthen our neighborhoods, and give people the opportunity to achieve the American Dream,” said Congresswoman Salazar. “I am proud to have earned a 100% NFIB voting record and to have helped make the 20% Small Business Tax Deduction permanent. I will continue fighting to keep taxes low, cut unnecessary red tape, and make sure Washington works for our small businesses, not against them.”

“Representative Salazar has been a true supporter of small business during her time in Congress,” said Louis Bertolotti, NFIB Political Director. “She has a 100% NFIB Voting Record and continues to be a small business champion, especially with her vote to make the 20% Small Business Tax Deduction permanent. We are pleased to endorse Rep. Salazar for re-election today and we look forward to continuing to work together to support Main Street.”

NFIB’s endorsement reflects Congresswoman Salazar’s record of standing with small businesses, keeping taxes low, and pushing back against unnecessary government burdens that make it harder for entrepreneurs to grow and create jobs.

The backing of America’s leading small-business advocacy organization adds significant momentum to Rep. Salazar’s reelection campaign and underscores the confidence of the entrepreneurs and job creators who are helping drive South Florida’s economy.

Rep. Salazar’s Record of Delivering for Main Street

Congresswoman Salazar has built a consistent record of supporting the entrepreneurs, family-owned businesses, and job creators who power South Florida’s economy.

• Making the 20% Small Business Tax Deduction Permanent: Voted to make the 20% Small Business Tax Deduction permanent, giving Main Street businesses greater certainty to invest, expand, and hire.
• $650,000 Secured for BizGap Program at FIU: funding supported SBDC’s BizGap program, providing essential consulting and training to more than 1,000 small businesses across Florida’s 27th District and helping drive job creation and business growth.
• Expanding Access to Capital: Original cosponsor of the Main Street Capital Access Act to strengthen community financial institutions and improve access to credit for local entrepreneurs.
• Protecting South Florida’s Travel Industry: Introduced the bipartisan Flight Refund Fairness Act to prevent small travel agencies from being forced to cover refunds when airlines cancel flights.
• Strengthening the Small-Business Workforce: Backed efforts connecting Small Business Development Centers with apprenticeships, workforce training, and work-based learning opportunities.
• Bringing Federal Resources Home: Worked directly with the Small Business Administration and local entrepreneurs to connect Miami-Dade businesses with resources, financing opportunities, and federal support.
• Maintaining a 100% NFIB Voting Record: Earned a perfect voting record from the National Federation of Independent Business for supporting policies important to small-business owners.

This is the record behind NFIB’s endorsement: lower taxes, greater access to capital, fewer unnecessary burdens, and a commitment to helping South Florida’s small businesses grow and succeed.

To read more about Congresswoman Salazar’s work to support small businesses and strengthen South Florida’s economy, please click here.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MIAMI, FL — Today, Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar announced the endorsements of the South Florida Police Benevolent Association, Florida State Fraternal Order of Police District 6, Police Officers Defense Coalition, Hispanic Police Officers Association, and Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz.

These endorsements recognize Rep. Salazar’s record of supporting law enforcement, securing millions in federal funding for public safety, and ensuring officers and deputies have the resources needed to protect South Florida.

“Keeping our families safe starts with supporting the brave men and women who put their lives on the line every day,” said Congresswoman Salazar. “I am honored to have the trust of these local and national law enforcement leaders. I will always fight to give our officers the tools and support they need to keep our communities safe.”

Why They are Endorsing Rep. María Elvira Salazar

Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz said: “Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar has been a strong and reliable fighter for law enforcement in South Florida. She understands that keeping our communities safe means making sure the men and women who protect us have the tools, resources, and support they need to do their jobs. From securing federal funding to strengthen public safety operations and help law enforcement combat crime, to consistently standing with our officers and deputies, Congresswoman Salazar has proven she is committed to safer streets and stronger communities. I’m proud to support her re-election.”

South Florida PBA President Steadman Stahl said: “The South Florida PBA is committed to endorsing candidates who support the brave men and women of law enforcement and understand the unique challenges these officers face each and every day. Congresswoman Salazar has made law and order a priority throughout her public service career and has remained dedicated to ensuring the safety and security of the residents she represents and the members we protect. We are proud to support her re-election.”

Florida State Fraternal Order of Police, District 6, Director Felix del Rosario said: “The Florida State Fraternal Order of Police, District 6, representing more than 4,500 law enforcement officers throughout Miami-Dade County, is proud to officially endorse your candidacy. You have been a steadfast supporter of the men and women of law enforcement, and your commitment has extended beyond words through your efforts to secure critical federal resources for our police departments, including funding for marked police vehicles and other public safety initiatives.”

Police Officers Defense Coalition President Bert Eyler said: “Representative Salazar’s leadership has delivered real resources for officers. She has proposed and supported legislation that strengthens public safety and has exhibited unwavering support for those who put on the badge every day. The officers and directors of the Police Officers Defense Coalition are proud to endorse Rep. María Salazar for re-election and look forward to continuing to work with her in Congress.”

Hispanic Police Officers Association President Carlos Arguelles said: “On behalf of the Hispanic Police Officers Association (HPOA), we are proud to endorse your candidacy for your re-election Campaign. You are a champion of law enforcement, and we are proud to support your candidaсy.”

These endorsements demonstrate strong local and national law enforcement support for Congresswoman Salazar and her proven record of fighting for safer streets, stronger communities, and the officers who protect them.

Rep. Salazar Record on Public Safety

Rep. Salazar has secured $3.75 million to modernize technology for the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, $2.1 million for new City of Miami Police patrol vehicles, and $1.25 million for the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office Violence Reduction Initiative, which seeks to reduce gun-related deaths and strengthen public safety.

As the lead House sponsor of the bipartisan TAKE IT DOWN Act, Rep. Salazar led the fight in Congress to protect victims from nonconsensual intimate images and AI-generated deepfakes. Signed into law in May 2025, the legislation makes this abuse a federal crime and requires online platforms to remove the content. Earlier this year, the law secured its first conviction, proving that Rep. Salazar’s legislation is already holding online predators accountable and delivering justice for victims.

Rep. Salazar regularly honors our local officers for acts of bravery and recognizes the service and sacrifice of South Florida’s law enforcement community in keeping our community safe.

More on Rep. Salazar Public Safety Record Here.

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This law makes it a federal crime to publish, or threaten to publish, non-consensual intimate images, including AI-generated sexually explicit deepfakes. It also requires covered online platforms to remove this harmful content quickly after receiving a valid request from a victim.

The law is especially important because technology has changed the way predators can target innocent people. Today, someone can take an ordinary photo from social media and use artificial intelligence to create a fake explicit image or video. These images can then be used to harass, shame, blackmail, or exploit victims. Women, young girls, and children are often the most vulnerable targets.

For victims and families, the damage can be devastating. Once an image is posted online, it can spread in minutes and be copied across different platforms. The TAKE IT DOWN Act gives victims stronger protections, helps parents defend their children, and makes clear that online exploitation has serious federal consequences.

Rep. María Elvira Salazar helped lead the fight to pass this bill in the House. She introduced the House version of the TAKE IT DOWN Act and helped move it forward with overwhelming bipartisan support. The bill passed the House and was signed into law by the President.

The law is already delivering results. In April 2026, the Department of Justice announced the first known conviction under the TAKE IT DOWN Act. The case involved cyberstalking, threats, real intimate images, and AI-generated sexually explicit digital forgeries. This first conviction shows exactly why the law was needed: victims deserve protection, families deserve peace of mind, and predators must be held accountable.

The TAKE IT DOWN Act is a major victory for women, children, parents, and all victims of online abuse. It protects human dignity, strengthens online safety, and ensures that new technology is not used as a weapon against innocent people.

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The American people deserve safety at the border, fairness under the law, and dignity for those who contribute to our country. The Dignity Act delivers all three.

Here’s what my bill does:

Secures the Border by fully funding modern technology, infrastructure, and personnel to stop illegal crossings and drug trafficking.

Enforces the Law to restore accountability and protect American workers.

Creates a Path Forward for undocumented immigrants who have been here for years — allowing them to earn legal status through work, paying restitution, and contributing to society — without a path to citizenship and only if they have no criminal record.

This legislation proves that we can be tough and compassionate at the same time. We can secure the border while also recognizing the contributions of millions of people who are already part of our communities.

America is a nation of laws and a nation of immigrants — the Dignity Act honors both.

I will continue fighting every day in Congress to fix our immigration system, protect our workers, and preserve the American Dream for future generations.

In the news:

Bipartisan bill would grant legal status to certain illegal immigrant workers

Bipartisan Group of Legislators Keep Dream of Immigration Reform Alive with Reintroduced ‘DIGNIDAD’ Act

What is the Dignity Act? Congress reintroduces bipartisan immigration reform bill

Miami Republican has ‘simple’ plan to stop mass deportations. Trump should listen

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The rapid rise of artificial intelligence has made it easier than ever for predators to create fake, explicit content that destroys lives. The TAKE IT DOWN Act finally gives victims real legal tools to fight back. If you exploit someone online, you will face consequences—including jail time. No more excuses.

Over 120 organizations representing victim advocacy groups, law enforcement, and the tech industry have voiced their support for this legislation. That includes Meta, Snap, Google, Microsoft, TikTok, X, Amazon, Bumble, Match Group, IBM, TechNet, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Fraternal Order of Police, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), RAINN, and the National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE).

The TAKE IT DOWN Act protects victims while upholding free speech. It:

• Criminalizes the publication—or threat to publish—non-consensual intimate images (NCII) across state lines;
• Permits the good-faith sharing of NCII for law enforcement or medical assistance;
• Requires websites to remove NCII within 48 hours of victim notification; and
• Applies a “reasonable person” standard for AI-generated NCII to ensure realism without violating the First Amendment.

I reintroduced this bill in January and led the charge in the House to get it passed. This is a win for families, for safety, and for justice.

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With the frequency, intensity, and cost of climate-related disasters projected to rise over the next several decades, governments at all levels in the U.S. must act now to reduce the impacts of those events, particularly floods. Although some federal agencies, states, and localities have formalized natural disaster and climate adaptation and resilience plans, the country lacks a cohesive approach to resilience across all levels of government. Now, a bipartisan bill on Capitol Hill could help address this issue by creating a national strategy to coordinate federal initiatives and enhance support for local and state governments seeking to reduce risks from disasters, such as flooding.

The bipartisan National Climate Adaptation and Resilience Strategy Act, introduced yesterday by Senators Chris Coons (D-Delaware) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Representatives Scott Peters (D-CA) and Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL) in the Senate and House of Representatives, respectively, would create a chief resilience officer position in the Executive Office of the President to improve the effectiveness of efforts to address climate vulnerabilities. This would be achieved in part through establishment and oversight of interagency working groups and a council of nonfederal partners focused on taking stock of existing federal operations; identification of challenges and barriers to building climate resilience; and design of a national strategy and implementation plan to address those shortcomings. The Pew Charitable Trusts applauds this vision and supports passage of the bill.

Currently, natural disaster recovery and preparedness plans, programs, and funds are spread across at least 17 federal agencies, including the Department of Transportation, Small Business Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and Department of Housing and Urban Development.  This siloed approach to resilience often creates inefficiencies within the federal government and challenges for state and local partners. As of June 2021, more than 15 states—coastal and inland, with governments across the political spectrum—had initiated comprehensive resilience planning processes that emphasize community-scale solutions, updated development codes, and use of nature-based solutions to mitigate flooding. Given this uptick in adaptation activity at the state level, implementing a national disaster resilience strategy is critical for the efficient use of state and federal resources.

State and local governments, as well as nongovernment entities, should be supported by an adaptation strategy that guides investments, leads with science, puts nature to work, and addresses historical inequities, such as how climate impacts disproportionately affect low-income neighborhoods. The comprehensive approach proposed in the legislation could help increase communities’ capacity to prepare for disasters and encourage greater collaboration among all levels of government and key resilience partners such as nongovernmental organizations, academic institutions, and the private sector.

The National Climate Adaptation and Resilience Strategy Act would complement the Biden administration’s ambitious agenda to address climate change. If signed into law, the bill would move our country toward better use of taxpayer dollars through thoughtful climate change preparedness, response, and adaptation, and could jump-start more improvements in how the U.S.—and states and localities—weathers an uncertain future.

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Last week, U.S. Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar, R-Fla., teamed up with U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas, D-NH, in a push “to bring legislation to the floor that would improve recruitment and retention efforts by police departments while making necessary reforms and improvements.”

Pappas and Salazar led a letter to U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and U.S. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., signed by more than a dozen other U.S. House members from both sides of the aisle on the matter.

“We write to urge you to bring legislation to the floor that would bolster the recruitment and retention efforts of police departments while honoring the officers who serve. Our law enforcement professionals show up every day with a steadfast commitment to serving their communities and standing up for equal justice under the law, yet many agencies are understaffed, underfunded, and lack the vital resources and training they need to do their jobs,” they wrote.

“These practical pieces of bipartisan legislation are necessary to reform, improve, and assist our law enforcement officers and agencies. The bills cover a broad range of issues. They include grants for programs such as hiring mental health professionals, supporting small police departments, and maintaining adequate staffing levels. Passing this legislation will provide departments with the tools they need to strengthen partnerships, build trust, and keep our communities safe,” they added.

Pappas and Salazar pointed to 13 “pro-law enforcement bills” that they wanted to see brought to the House floor for a vote.

“There is no doubt that crime is on the rise and our neighborhoods, unfortunately, tend to be significantly less safe than they were just two years ago,” said Salazar. “As the daughter of Cuban exiles, I firmly believe in the need for a strict and fair rule of law. That is why I am calling on House leaders to act in a bipartisan way to respond to growing concerns over crime and provide police with the support necessary to keep us all safe.”

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This week, U.S. Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar, R-Fla., helped get a proposal to help battle “rising rates of substance use disorder and addiction across the country” through a subcommittee without opposition.

U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., introduced the “Summer Barrow Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Act” at the end of March with Salazar and U.S. Reps. Kelly Armstrong, R-ND, and Tom O’Halleran, D-Ariz., co-sponsoring it.

“The Summer Barrow Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Act, named for a Virginian who died by overdose in 2020, would reauthorize more than $900 million in funding through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) to support our nation’s fight against the substance use disorder epidemic which, from October 2020-2021, claimed a record-setting number of lives according to the CDC. Key programs funded by the legislation address overdose prevention, first responder training, co-prescribing programs, pregnant and postpartum women substance use disorder treatment, and alternatives to opioids in emergency rooms,” supporters noted.

“The addiction crisis touches all of our communities — whether urban, suburban, or rural. Right now, we need to recognize that there are two pandemics happening in our country; even as we’re making significant progress in the fight against COVID-19, the opioid and substance use disorder crisis continues to worsen. And going forward, we must focus on strengthening access to treatment and recovery programs,” said Spanberger when she introduced the proposal. “That’s why I am proud to lead this bipartisan, comprehensive effort to forcefully respond to the substance use disorder crisis through SAMHSA.”

The bill was sent to the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee which sent it to the Health Subcommittee. The bill was included in the “Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act” from U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, D-NJ, which the subcommittee advanced this week without opposition

“Homelessness, mental health, and substance abuse are significant issues for South Florida, and Congress must confront these issues and the challenges they present,” said Salazar. “I’m very proud to see bipartisan support for this important bill, which will authorize grants to better equip community partners to assist those in need. It is time to provide the full range of tools available to save lives, improve health, and keep families together.”

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