Latino members of Congress have urged Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., to stop blocking the confirmation of the next U.S. ambassador to Mexico.

Roberta Jacobson, who played a key role in the renewed diplomatic relations talks with Cuba under her role as U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Western Affairs, was nominated by President Barack Obama to become the next U.S. ambassador to Mexico on June 1. Several months later, Jacobson has yet received her confirmation vote. She would have succeeded Tony Wayne, who retired from the position.

In a letter, which included the signatures of 17 Latino members of Congress, addressed to Rubio, the need to confirm Jacobson comes at a crucial time between U.S. and Mexican relations.

"As you know, the United States and Mexico share a 2,000 mile long border and at a time when American faces dire threats from abroad, it is critical that we continue to build on the invaluable security partnership between our two nations," wrote congressional lawmakers including Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairwoman Linda Sánchez, D-Calif., and Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., noting Mexico is the third largest trading partner and travel destinations for Americans.

The signatories claimed Rubio has been blocking her nomination process "for reasons that have nothing to do with her qualifications or even the [Obama] Administration's policies" with Mexico. The Latino lawmakers urged Rubio to lift his "misguided hold" and move her nomination forward.

"Sen. Rubio has made it clear that his reasons for blocking Ms. Jacobson's confirmation are purely political," said Gallego in a statement. "At a time when our nation faces security threats abroad, it is more important than ever to make sure our security partnership with our neighboring countries remains strong. Rubio is putting our nation's security and our economic ties with Mexico at risk, and it's time he put his grudges aside and did what was best for this country."

Sánchez said it is "wholly unacceptable" for Rubio to block Jacobson's nomination process. In her statement, Sánchez also acknowledged Rubio's Senate attendance record as "the worst." According to Sánchez, more than 33.7 million Mexicans live in the U.S., including 22.3 million who were U.S.-born, and it's crucial to maintain long-term success as regional and economic partners.

"While I understand Sen. Rubio has his own political ambitions to serve, there is absolutely no justification for holding up the nomination of a qualified woman as Ambassador to Mexico. It's time for Sen. Rubio to get out of the way and allow Roberta Jacobson's nomination to be considered by the full United States Senate before the end of the year," said Sánchez.

Reps. Xavier Becerra, Tony Cárdenas, Joaquin Castro, Jim Costa, Ruben Hinojosa, Ben Ray Luján, Michelle Lujan Grisham, Grace Napolitano, Lucille Roybal-Allard, Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan, Loretta Sanchez, Jose Serrano, Norma Torres, Juan Vargas and Nydia Velázquez also signed the letter.

In a statement in November, Rubio explained Jacobson refused to provide several documents that he's requested and failed to provide answers he specifically questioned. He also criticized Jacobson's response to events in Venezuela and Cuba.

"It is clear that the Obama Administration's foreign policy around the world, and specifically in the Western Hemisphere has been short-sighted and counter-productive. Our allies have been left to question the commitments we have made to them, while our adversaries have been emboldened to challenge the U.S. at every step. As the United States' lead diplomat for the Western Hemisphere, Roberta Jacobson has played a central role in that failure," said Rubio.

The Florida senator added that there must be a U.S. ambassador in Mexico City that has the trust of Congress, but he does not believe Jacobson is that individual, therefore, he opposes her confirmation.

Letter to Senator Rubio on Roberta Jacobson's Nomination:


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