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Regarding the state of the US economy, what are the prospects for recovery, and how soon?

Unfortunately, any recovery is being hampered by uncertainty for small business owners and investors who do not see the current political climate to be business friendly. The unemployment rate has been at nearly 10% for over a year since June 2009 and it does not look like that will change soon. Looming tax increase will especially hurt the drivers of our economy. I fully support extending the 2001 tax cuts as a component of our economic recovery. In fact, if this tax increase occurs, it is likely that the economy may go right back into another recession.

What are some of the particular challenges that you are facing in your district?

One particular challenge facing my district is Medicare fraud. South Florida has become the epicenter for this type of fraud and it is costing our Medicare system approximately $60 billion dollars annually. This is a problem that preys on our most vulnerable citizens and it shatters the trust they have in Medicare. Congressman Ron Klein and I have introduced an anti-medical fraud bill that will help deter this criminal activity. It doubles the existing penalties for engaging in Medicare fraud and equips law enforcement with the tools and resources necessary to effectively combat this threat.

Foreclosure is another critical issue facing my district. South Florida’s foreclosure rate has been one of the highest in the nation. Our families need to know that they will not be abandoned or left homeless due to the current economic downturn. The recent housing market crisis has heightened the need for FHA programs to be not only viable, but sustainable in the long-term. The peace of mind of homeowners and homebuyers is something that must never be compromised.

What would you say is the state of our democracy in these challenging and unusually polarized times?

The breadth and scope of current political speech is a sure sign of a strong and diverse democracy that is secure in its ideals. The United States is proud of our tradition of free-flowing thoughts and concerns in the public realm and I would be concerned if people were less inclined to speak their minds.

In various polls conducted throughout the U.S. Congress hasn't fared well with the American people. Why is that, in your opinion, and how do you address this issue as Congressman?

Congress must work to restore the public trust in our actions and policies. At the very least this requires encouraging job creation and growth and reeling in the rampant spending of Washington to control the bloated government deficit. Congress must certainly focus on keeping its past promises to the American people and make sure that the needs of Main Street America are always met.

Would you encourage more active voter participation in your decision making as Congressman, using the advances of technology, like the Internet and other forms of communication?

The heart of our great democracy is the right to vote. I certainly encourage every American to exercise this right and have long supported new and innovative ways of engaging our citizens. Developments like “vote by mail” initiatives being rolled out in several states are prime examples of the growth of this type of civic engagement.

How did you become interested in the Greek-American community, and who introduced you to them?

Having fled Castro’s communist Cuba at a young age, I grew to cherish the ideals of freedom and democracy that the United States espouses at home and abroad. It led to my engagement in international relations and in my current capacity of Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs committee it gave me the chance to meet individuals from our nation’s diverse communities, including the Greek-American community.

What are your thoughts on the Cyprus issue and what are some of the things you've done to support settlement efforts?

Thirty-six years following the invasion by Turkish troops, Cyprus continues to suffer the division of its land and people, with the occupation of northern Cyprus by 45,000 Turkish troops. Any solution to this conflict must be developed by the Cypriots themselves-without interference by Turkey-and it must include withdrawal of the Turkish occupying forces. I will continue to call on Turkish officials to withdraw their troops from Cyprus, and to fully support reunification efforts. The Government of Turkey must accept that the people of Cyprus want to see their country unified once again and that they deserve a future of peace, stability and democracy.

Do you consider Turkish provocations in the Aegean a threat to regional stability and international peace? Also, what actions have you taken or do you plan to take to encourage the US to take a stronger stance against this kind of irresponsible behavior?

I am concerned whenever I hear reports of tensions or territorial disputes in the Aegean. The combative posturing by Turkish military jets over the Aegean islands, and interference by Turkish military naval vessels in Greek commercial and maritime operations, threatens the stability of the entire region. Turkey must stop engaging in such provocative acts. I have discussed such tensions with Turkish government officials, and will continue to do so. I have been encouraged that Greece’s initiative, with historic visits to Turkey by both former Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis and current Prime Minister George Papandreou, has led to a reciprocal visit to Greece this year by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. I am hopeful that continuing such high-level consultations will help enhance stability across the Aegean Sea.

Are you aware of the state persecution against the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Turkey and what have you done to address this issue in Congress?

I believe that Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew’s advocacy for peace and religious tolerance stands in strong contrast with those policies of the Turkish Government that infringe on the religious freedom of the Orthodox Church. Those policies indeed threaten the continued existence of the Church itself in Turkey. The Patriarchate must be allowed to reopen the Halki Seminary and train future clergy, own property and elect its own spiritual leader without interference or unrealistic mandates from the Turkish government. I believe that policy changes in this area are something that the Turkish government can and must do. Therefore, I was pleased to join in co-sponsoring House Resolution 838, to welcome the Patriarch to the United States on his visit Last October, and also House Resolution 236, urging Turkey to respect the rights and religious freedoms of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

Since the Bush Administration recognized FYROM as "Macedonia", the country has become more intransigent when it comes to territorial and cultural irredentism against Greece who her major financial supporter in the region. What kind of action on the part of the US would you promote in order for a mutually acceptable solution to be facilitated?

I remain frustrated by the lack of progress on a resolution of the name dispute between Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, which I believe has negatively affected stability in the Balkan region. Such a mutually beneficial resolution will only be reached when both parties demonstrate an openness and commitment to the negotiations. The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia must stop holding to intractable positions which, despite providing domestic political gains in the short term, will only prolong the dispute and thereby hinder the country’s future growth. I believe the United States should use only the interim name of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia until such time that a mutually acceptable resolution is reached that addresses all of the historical, cultural, linguistic and territorial issues involved. To promote such a resolution, I have joined with my colleagues in support of House Resolution 486, which urges the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to work in good faith with Greece to reach a mutually acceptable resolution to all issues, and to cease all hostile and provocative acts until such a compromise is achieved.