Delegate to Congress Stacey Plaskett was among a 10-member delegation of House Representatives who visited Barbados on Friday. Led by Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, the delegation met with “government officials and regional experts to discuss ways to advance our respective security, economic and climate goals,” said Ms. Plaskett.
“As a proud Caribbean-American and Virgin Islander, I am committed to highlighting the need for enhancement of the economic partnership between the United States and the Caribbean region,” she said.
The delegation included Rep. Amata Coleman Radewagen (R-American Samoa), Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA-43), Rep. Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY-5), Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA-12), Rep. Steven Horsford (D-NV-4), Rep. Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY-9), Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-OH-3), and Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL-02).
Last week's visit coincided with the commemoration of Barbados’s 58th independence anniversary, along with the 100th birthday of Barbadian-American Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, who Congresswoman Plaskett described as one of her idols.
The nine Democratic House Representatives were joined by one Republican colleague on the trip to Barbados, and included “senior committee members relevant to critical issues in Barbados and throughout the Western Hemisphere,” Plaskett said.
The trip was a continuation of efforts by the Biden administration to strengthen relationships in the region, according to the release. Last year, a similar delegation journeyed to Trinidad & Tobago, where they joined Secretary of State Antony Blinken at a CARICOM Heads of Government conference.
