{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where chamber = \"House\" and state = \"FL\" sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://laurellee.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-rep-lee-washington-examiner-america-doesnt-have-energy-shortage-we-have", "ICYMI: Rep. Lee in the Washington Examiner: America doesn\u2019t have an energy shortage. We have a lawsuit problem.", "2026-09-30", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Laurel M. Lee", "L000597", "laurellee.house.gov", "laurellee", "https://laurellee.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. - In case you missed it, the Washington Examiner published an op-ed by Representative Laurel Lee outlining the case for her new bill, the Unleash American Pipelines Act.\n\nRead the op-ed here and below:\n\nAmerica doesn\u2019t have an energy shortage. We have a lawsuit problem.\n\nBy Representative Laurel Lee\n\nAmerica does not have an energy shortage. We have an infrastructure problem. The United States is the world\u2019s largest producer of natural gas, with abundant reserves, American workers ready to build, and the technology to power our homes, businesses, and industries for generations. But producing energy does little good if we cannot build the infrastructure necessary to move it where it is needed. Increasingly, the obstacle is a legal system that can turn federal approval into the beginning of years of litigation.\n\nWhen the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issues a certificate of public convenience and necessity for an interstate natural-gas pipeline, the project has already undergone extensive federal review, environmental analysis, public comment, and expert agency consideration. Judicial review should remain available to people genuinely harmed by an agency decision. But it should not become a mechanism for opponents to delay an approved project until it becomes too expensive to build.\n\nThe Mountain Valley Pipeline demonstrates the consequences. The project was originally expected to enter service in 2018 at an estimated cost of $3.5 billion. After years of litigation, regulatory setbacks, and construction delays, its cost reached approximately $7.85 billion. Congress ultimately had to intervene in 2023 to expedite completion of a project that had already received federal approval.\n\nOther projects never made it that far. The roughly $8 billion Atlantic Coast Pipeline was canceled even after its developers prevailed in a 7-2 Supreme Court decision in a major permitting dispute. Dominion Energy cited growing costs and an increasingly uncertain permitting and litigation environment, while Duke Energy was left with more than $1.6 billion in costs associated with the canceled project. The Constitution Pipeline was similarly abandoned after years of regulatory and legal battles when its developers concluded that the project was no longer economically viable.\n\nThese cases reveal a larger structural problem. Investors considering new infrastructure must account for the possibility that a valid federal authorization will still be followed by years of litigation. That uncertainty raises financing costs, discourages investment, and means some viable projects are never built. A federal permit should not guarantee that a project succeeds, but neither should it become an invitation to another decade of litigation.\n\nAmericans ultimately pay the price when infrastructure fails to keep pace with demand. Winter Storm Fern provided a stark example. During the January 2026 storm, natural-gas supplies tightened across the Northeast, and spot gas prices in New York and New England approached $300 per million BTU, roughly 90 times the national average. New England\u2019s vulnerability did not develop overnight. Pipeline projects intended to expand natural-gas capacity into the region have repeatedly faced regulatory opposition and litigation, leaving consumers more exposed when extreme weather sends demand soaring.\n\nThe reliability challenge is becoming more urgent. The North American Electric Reliability Corporation found that 13 of 23 North American assessment areas face resource-adequacy challenges over the next decade. Electricity demand is growing as manufacturing facilities, data centers, and other large loads connect to the grid. Natural gas remains essential to meeting demand when intermittent resources cannot provide sufficient power, but gas-fired generation cannot keep the lights on without pipelines to deliver its fuel.\n\nMeanwhile, China is building. Its pipeline network exceeded 120,000 kilometers in 2025, while its state-owned pipeline operator accelerated construction on nearly 40 major infrastructure projects totaling more than 9,000 kilometers. China invested $500 billion in major energy projects in 2025 while the United States continues debating whether federally approved infrastructure can survive another round of litigation. We should not imitate China\u2019s political system or abandon meaningful environmental review, but we should recognize the strategic consequences when our foremost economic competitor can build critical infrastructure while ours is litigated into paralysis.\n\nThat is why I introduced the Unleash American Pipelines Act. The legislation makes three targeted reforms to judicial challenges involving FERC Section 7 pipeline certificates, drawing from provisions that passed the House as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill before being removed in the Senate on procedural grounds.\n\nThe legislation requires petitioners to demonstrate direct and irreparable economic harm arising from the certificate they are challenging, including requirements for organizational petitioners. It establishes a clear-and-convincing-evidence standard for challenges to FERC\u2019s determination, recognizing the agency\u2019s technical expertise and extensive administrative record. Finally, it consolidates challenges in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, creating a single, predictable judicial forum rather than allowing litigation across multiple circuits to multiply uncertainty, delay, and expense.\n\nThese reforms do not eliminate judicial review. They ensure those bringing a challenge have a genuine stake in the outcome, courts appropriately recognize the extensive administrative process preceding FERC\u2019s decision, and litigation cannot be used indefinitely to accomplish what opponents could not achieve during the permitting process.\n\nFor Florida, the stakes are particularly high. Natural gas generates nearly three-quarters of our electricity, while our state produces very little of the natural gas it consumes. Florida families and businesses depend heavily on interstate pipelines to deliver the fuel that keeps our electric grid running. A system that prevents needed pipeline capacity from being built is not an abstract Washington policy dispute. It directly affects affordability, reliability, and economic growth for the people I represent.\n\nThe same is true for our country. America is entering an era of rapidly growing electricity demand while competing with China for advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and the industries that will define the next century. We cannot pursue American energy dominance, reshore manufacturing, build new data centers, and strengthen our electric grid while maintaining a legal framework that allows essential infrastructure to spend years trapped between a federal permit and a courtroom.\n\nAmerica has built the interstate highway system, the transcontinental railroad, and pipelines across some of the most difficult terrain on the continent. We remain capable of building great things. Our laws should ensure rigorous review and protect Americans genuinely harmed by government decisions, but they should not allow delay itself to become the objective. America has the energy, workers, and technology to meet the next generation of demand. We need a legal system that allows us to build.", 1, "2026-10-01T11:23:28Z", "2026-10-01T11:25:15Z"], ["https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3538", "Wasserman Schultz Conducts Surprise Miramar ICE Facility Inspection Following Whistleblower Report", "2026-09-30", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Debbie Wasserman Schultz", "W000797", "wassermanschultz.house.gov", "wassermanschultz", "https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "\u201cThe conditions we documented during my last surprise inspection got ICE\u2019s attention, so they did their best over the last week to clean things up. Oversight and public pressure work, and we need more of it in our state and across the country,\u201d said Wasserman Schultz. \u201cIt\u2019s clear that the push from the Trump administration to round up as many people as possible has caused this facility, and others, to become overwhelmed. They simply don\u2019t have the capacity to hold this many people humanely, and most of them are law-abiding immigrants who just came here for a better life.\u201d\n\nMiramar, FL \u2013 Today, U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) made an unannounced visit to conduct oversight at the ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Center in Miramar, FL. This was Wasserman Schultz\u2019s second visit to the facility, after a previous inspection uncovered overcrowding, unhygienic conditions, and illegal detention of individuals for days or weeks on end, prompting Democrats on the House Oversight Committee to open an investigation into the facility\u2019s dangerous and unlawful practices.\n\nClick here for video of the press conference and Wasserman Schultz entering the facility.\n\nThe surprise inspection follows whistleblower disclosures detailing horrific conditions in the Miramar facility, including a pregnant woman being detained for three weeks, detainees brushing their teeth outside with water from a hose attached to a jug, lack of proper access to medication or hygiene products, and other abuses. Detainees have been cuffed and chained overnight, forced to use overflowing porta-potties, and denied access to medical care despite more than two dozen emergency calls, including a detainee throwing up blood.\n\n\u201cThe conditions we documented during my last surprise inspection got ICE\u2019s attention, so they did their best over the last week to clean things up. Oversight and public pressure work, and we need more of it in our state and across the country,\u201d said Wasserman Schultz. \u201cIt\u2019s clear that the push from the Trump administration to round up as many people as possible has caused this facility, and others, to become overwhelmed. They simply don\u2019t have the capacity to hold this many people humanely, and most of them are law-abiding immigrants who just came here for a better life.\u201d\n\nWasserman Schultz described the improvements she saw in the facility\u2019s operations as proof that oversight of ICE detention centers remains crucial. People were being processed quicker compared to her first inspection, leading to less overcrowding in the Miramar facility, approximately 20 people per holding room.\n\nBut there is still no consistent policy regarding showers or changes of clothes for individuals detained at the facility. Additionally, Wasserman Schultz saw broken sinks, floors covered in filth, and overflowing dumpsters. There is no medical unit, and Wasserman Schultz saw a woman with a leg injury. Wasserman Schultz also reported that two detainees told her in Spanish that they had been there for six days \u2013 much longer than the 12 hours permitted after a federal court order barred ICE from holding immigrants for three days or longer in temporary processing facilities.\n\n####\n\nRelated News", 1, "2026-10-01T11:23:28Z", "2026-10-01T11:25:15Z"], ["https://cammack.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-kat-cammack-secures-continued-housing-homeless-veterans-ocala", "Congresswoman Kat Cammack Secures Continued Housing for Homeless Veterans in Ocala and Gainesville", "2026-09-29", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Kat Cammack", "C001039", "cammack.house.gov", "cammack", "https://cammack.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Kat Cammack (FL-03) today announced that veterans experiencing homelessness in Ocala and Gainesville will keep their housing after she worked directly with the Department of Veterans Affairs to secure a new contract for Volunteers of America. Beginning October 1, the VA's Contract Emergency Residential Services (CERS) program will fund 36 beds at the Ritz Veterans Village in Ocala and 18 beds in Gainesville, part of 102 beds across North Florida. The facilities' previous VA funding was set to expire September 30.\n\nWhen Volunteers of America contacted Congresswoman Cammack's office for help, she immediately called VA Secretary Doug Collins. Her district team then worked with VA leadership to confirm the new contract ahead of the October 1 transition.\n\n\"No veteran who wore this country's uniform should have to wonder where they'll sleep next month. The moment we heard these men were at risk, our team went to work, and we didn't let up until this was done,\" said Congresswoman Cammack. \"They deserve a roof over their heads and a system that has their back. I'm grateful to the VA for working with us and to Volunteers of America for the work they do every day.\"\n\n\"The office of Congresswoman Kat Cammack was critical for the success of obtaining alternative new funding. Thanks to her strong advocacy and commitment to serve our homeless veterans, we are now able to offer our veterans a safe place to rest and heal,\" said Janet Stringfellow, President and CEO ofVolunteers of America of Florida.\n\n\u201cIn Marion County, honoring our veterans means showing up for them when they need us most. Keeping Ritz Veterans Village open means a veteran has a safe place to sleep, people to lean on and a chance to move forward with dignity,\u201d said Carl Zalak III, Chairman, Marion County Board of County Commissioners. \u201cWe\u2019re deeply grateful to Volunteers of America, Congresswoman Kat Cammack and everyone who worked to keep that hope alive. Our veterans stood for us, and this community will continue standing for them.\u201d\n\n\u201cI would like to personally thank Congresswoman Kat Cammack and her staff for taking the lead in helping secure funding for Volunteers of America,\u201d said Jim Hilty, Ocala City Councilman. \u201cThe funding had been lost due to an administrative error. This was no small feat and as chairman of the local Vets Helping Vets we now have places to place some vulnerable Veterans. This not only restored funding in Ocala but Gainesville and Tallahassee as well.\u201d\n\nVeterans who need assistance can contact Congresswoman Cammack's office at 352-505-0838.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-30T10:57:52Z", "2026-09-30T10:59:04Z"], ["https://bilirakis.house.gov/media/press-releases/bilirakis-host-house-energy-commerce-chairman-brett-guthrie-tampa-bay-health", "BILIRAKIS TO HOST HOUSE ENERGY & COMMERCE CHAIRMAN BRETT GUTHRIE FOR TAMPA BAY HEALTH CARE AFFORDABILITY ROUNDTABLE", "2026-09-28", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Gus M. Bilirakis", "B001257", "bilirakis.house.gov", "bilirakis", "https://bilirakis.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "TAMPA, FL - On Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) will host House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) for a regional roundtable with Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) focused on expanding access to high-quality, affordable health care and ensuring vulnerable patients do not fall through the cracks. The discussion will bring together leaders from community health centers throughout the Tampa Bay region to showcase the innovative work they are doing to deliver high-quality care while keeping services affordable and accessible for the patients and families who need them most. Importantly, the roundtable will give local health care providers and patients an opportunity to bring their real-life experiences directly to one of our nation\u2019s leading health policy makers. Patient stories will help illustrate the challenges families face accessing affordable care and inform a broader discussion about how Congress can strengthen community-based care, address barriers to access, and ensure federal health policy works for patients on the ground. The event will also highlight an innovative partnership with Feeding Tampa Bay that recognizes the important connection between nutrition and health. Through this model, health care and community partners are working together to address patients\u2019 dietary needs and combat food insecurity among vulnerable populations. Members of the media are invited to attend and cover the discussion.\n\nWHAT: Regional Federally Qualified Health Center Roundtable on Health Care Affordability and Access\n\nWHO: U.S. Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), U.S. Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Federally Qualified Health Center leaders from throughout the Tampa Bay region, Local patients and community partners\n\nWHEN:Wednesday, September 30, 2026, 10:00 a.m.", 1, "2026-09-29T11:07:12Z", "2026-09-29T11:08:49Z"], ["https://salazar.house.gov/media/press-releases/salazar-joins-mount-sinai-new-emergency-center-opening-highlights-healthcare", "SALAZAR JOINS MOUNT SINAI FOR NEW EMERGENCY CENTER OPENING, HIGHLIGHTS HEALTHCARE RECORD", "2026-09-28", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Maria Elvira Salazar", "S000168", "salazar.house.gov", "salazar", "https://salazar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "MIAMI, Fla. \u2014 U.S. Representative Mar\u00eda Elvira Salazar (FL-27) joined Mount Sinai Medical Center leaders, healthcare professionals, and members of the South Florida community for the ribbon cutting of Mount Sinai\u2019s new Emergency Center in Westchester, located in Florida\u2019s 27th Congressional District.\n\nThe new four-story facility will expand access to emergency treatment, advanced diagnostic imaging, and behavioral health services for families in Westchester and surrounding communities. It is scheduled to open to patients in October.\n\n\u201cQuality healthcare has to be both accessible and affordable,\u201d said Rep. Salazar. \u201cThat means having excellent care close to home, enough doctors to see patients, access to the treatments people need, and costs families can actually afford. I am proud to join Mount Sinai for this important expansion and will continue working across the aisle to strengthen healthcare for South Florida.\u201d\n\n\"When we broke ground here, we made a commitment to the Westchester community that nationally recognized care was coming. Today, it is here,\u201d said Gino R. Santorio, President and CEO of Mount Sinai Medical Center. \u201cFamilies in this community now have emergency care close to home, with advanced imaging on site so patients get answers during their visit rather than a referral and a second trip. And this is only the beginning. We are grateful to Congresswoman Salazar for standing with us today and for her continued support of Mount Sinai and the patients we serve across South Florida.\"\n\nThe Emergency Center marks the first phase of Mount Sinai\u2019s broader expansion at the site. Future phases are expected to add inpatient and observation beds, surgical services, cardiac care, and additional specialty services.\n\nSALAZAR\u2019S RECORD ON HEALTHCARE\n\nIn Congress, Rep. Salazar has built a bipartisan healthcare record focused on lowering costs, expanding access, strengthening the medical workforce, and bringing federal healthcare investments home to South Florida.\n\nShe has secured nearly $15 million in direct federal investments for healthcare and medical research in South Florida, including:\n\n$7.65 million for resilience improvements at Mount Sinai Medical Center to help protect critical hospital operations during hurricanes and other emergencies.\n\n$2.5 million for Banyan Community Health Center to expand access to care in underserved communities.\n\n$1 million for Nicklaus Children\u2019s Hospital to expand pediatric mental-health care, plus $450,000 for genetic testing to help doctors identify safer and more effective medicines for children.\n\n$3.13 million for Florida International University to advance cancer research and precision medicine.\n\nSalazar has also worked across the aisle to make healthcare more affordable for working families, supporting efforts to lower insurance premiums, prescription-drug costs, and out-of-pocket expenses while expanding access to Health Savings Accounts.\n\nShe has made addressing healthcare-worker shortages another priority, working across the aisle to strengthen South Florida\u2019s healthcare workforce and pushing for continued funding for programs that train doctors in community-based and underserved settings.\n\nHer healthcare work also includes efforts to improve cancer screening and early detection, expand care for patients with rare diseases, strengthen pediatric genomic testing, and support mental-health and addiction-treatment services.\n\nThe $7.65 million Salazar previously secured for Mount Sinai supported resilience improvements at its Miami Beach medical center and is separate from the new Emergency Center.", 1, "2026-09-29T11:07:12Z", "2026-09-29T11:08:49Z"], ["https://steube.house.gov/press-releases/rep-steube-introduces-flafo-act-to-rein-in-warrantless-flock-safety-surveillance/", "Rep. Steube Introduces\u00a0FLAFO\u00a0Act to Rein In Warrantless \u2018Flock Safety\u2019 Surveillance", "2026-09-25", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "FL", "W. Gregory Steube", "S001214", "steube.house.gov", "steube", "https://steube.house.gov/category/press-releases/page/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) today introduced the Facilitating Liberty and Accountability for Flock Observations (FLAFO) Act, legislation prohibiting federal agencies from purchasing, leasing, operating, accessing, or sharing data with networked Automated License Plate Reader surveillance systems without a judicial warrant. The bill also conditions Department of Justice federal grant funding for state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies on the adoption of substantially similar privacy regulations.\n\n\u201cThe Fourth Amendment is not optional. Americans should not be tracked everywhere they drive without a warrant,\u201d said Rep. Steube. \u201cFlock Safety\u2019s surveillance network is expansive, and we have seen several instances across the country where this technology is too easily abused. The FLAFO Act limits warrantless surveillance by ALPR systems because the government has no business tracking law-abiding Americans.\u201d\n\nAutomated license plate reader systems, or ALPR systems, utilize cameras, sensors, or associated hardware or software systems to automatically capture, record, analyze, process, aggregate, or store a motor vehicle license plate, image, location, date, time, or other identifying vehicle information or characteristic. Flock Safety is the industry leader, accounting for more than 80 percent of ALPR systems operating in the U.S., but the FLAFO Act would also cover any other company utilizing ALPR systems.\n\nAutomated license plate reader technology has expanded from localized tools for identifying criminal activity into large-scale surveillance mechanisms capable of aggregating sensitive location information across jurisdictions. By using artificial intelligence and machine learning, covered ALPR systems aggregate vehicle data into centralized databases, enabling detailed tracking of individuals\u2019 movements, associations, and daily routines without individualized suspicion.\n\nThe need for strict safeguards and federal oversight has been underscored by widespread reports of law enforcement officers abusing Flock camera networks to spy on personal acquaintances and conduct unauthorized searches. Recent investigations in Florida, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin, have exposed officers using ALPR databases improperly, leading to administrative suspensions, resignations, and criminal reviews. Investigations across multiple law enforcement agencies have documented alleged misuse of Flock Safety technology, highlighting the severe gaps in centralized surveillance databases.\n\nCommercial operators and government entities have deployed networked ALPR systems across multi-jurisdictional databases with limited safeguards, allowing users to conduct historical searches across jurisdictions and track vehicles based on visual characteristics beyond license plate numbers. Federal agencies should not provide support or authorization for surveillance practices that infringe upon constitutionally protected civil liberties.\n\nThe FLAFO Act closes that gap by prohibiting federal agencies from purchasing, leasing, operating, accessing, or supplying data to covered ALPR systems without a judicial warrant, while preserving limited exceptions for immediate threats to life, safety, and national security.\n\nThe full text of the FLAFO Act is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-25T10:04:52Z", "2026-09-25T10:05:46Z"], ["https://rutherford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rutherford-statement-2026-south-atlantic-red-snapper-season", "Rutherford Statement on the 2026 South Atlantic Red Snapper Season", "2026-09-25", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "FL", "John H. Rutherford", "R000609", "rutherford.house.gov", "rutherford", "https://rutherford.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 On Friday, U.S. Congressman John H. Rutherford (FL-05) released the following statement on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries\u2019 announcement of the 2026 recreational red snapper fishing season in the South Atlantic in which the agency issued new Exempted Fishing Permits (EFPs) requested by Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina.\n\nFlorida\u2019s red snapper recreational fishing season in the South Atlantic will open for fourteen days this year from October 9th through October 22nd.\n\n\u201cFinally, the long-awaited South Atlantic red snapper season is here, and I encourage everyone to take advantage of Florida\u2019s beautiful waters and go fishing,\u201d saidRutherford. \u201cWhile it is fewer days than we hoped for, this season is a great opportunity for us to learn more about the red snapper fishery, collect high-quality data, and lay the groundwork for a longer and more predictable recreational season in 2027 and the years to come.\n\n\u201cAs a co-chair of the South Atlantic Red Snapper Task Force, I remain committed to advocating for proven methods of collecting reliable data, expanding sustainable harvests, and supporting our coastal economies that depend on this fishery. I look forward to continuing to work with President Trump, Secretary Lutnick, Governor DeSantis, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) to fight for recreational anglers in our community and across the Great State of Florida. Together, we can Make Fishing Great Again.\"", 1, "2026-09-26T09:43:57Z", "2026-09-26T09:44:55Z"], ["https://steube.house.gov/press-releases/rep-steube-introduces-legislation-to-lower-diesel-prices-and-boost-american-refining-capacity/", "Rep. Steube Introduces Legislation to Lower Diesel Prices and Boost American Refining Capacity", "2026-09-25", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "FL", "W. Gregory Steube", "S001214", "steube.house.gov", "steube", "https://steube.house.gov/category/press-releases/page/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) introduced the American Fuel Affordability Act, legislation to lower diesel prices immediately and expand American refining capacity to bring down fuel costs for the long term.\n\n\u201cAmericans are paying far too much for diesel, and that cost gets passed down to families on just about everything they buy,\u201d said Rep. Steube. \u201cMy bill gets rid of the federal diesel tax to bring prices down now and makes it easier to build new refineries here at home. We have the energy and the resources, and we should be producing and refining more of it.\u201d\n\nThe American Fuel Affordability Act repeals the federal excise tax on diesel fuel that is currently 24.3 cents per gallon. This legislation keeps the Highway Trust Fund and Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund whole through general fund transfers.\n\nTo expand American refining capacity, the bill creates a 35 percent tax credit for investment in the construction of new U.S. refineries and a 5-cent-per-gallon production credit for gasoline and diesel produced at qualifying new facilities during their first 10 years of operation. Property used in qualifying new refinery construction would be 100 percent expensable under the American Fuel Affordability Act.\n\nThe American Fuel Affordability Act takes a supply-side approach to fuel affordability by incentivizing additional domestic refining capacity without imposing export restrictions that could discourage refinery utilization and production.\n\nThe full text of the American Fuel Affordability Act is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-26T09:43:57Z", "2026-09-26T09:44:55Z"], ["https://cammack.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-kat-cammack-introduces-bipartisan-time-act-modernize", "Congresswoman Kat Cammack Introduces Bipartisan TIME Act to Modernize International Movement of Competition Horses", "2026-09-25", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Kat Cammack", "C001039", "cammack.house.gov", "cammack", "https://cammack.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Yesterday, Congresswoman Kat Cammack (FL-03) and Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-20) introduced H.R. 10611, the Temporary International Movement of Equines (TIME) Act of 2026. The bipartisan bill directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to modernize the rules governing the temporary entry of international competition horses and racehorses. It would establish a science-based framework aligned with internationally recognized standards while keeping strong safeguards in place for the domestic equine population.\n\n\"Marion County is the Horse Capital of the World, and the best horses on the planet should be able to come here and compete without getting tangled up in red tape,\u201d said Congresswoman Cammack. \"The TIME Act brings our rules in line with proven international standards and keeps strong protections in place for the horses already here. I'm proud to partner with Congressman Tonko on this bill and to keep working with the American Horse Council to get it across the finish line.\"\n\n\"Aligning with international safety standards benefits fans, athletes, economies, and the sport as a whole, which is what drove me to introduce the TIME Act,\" said Congressman Tonko. \"This bill prioritizes equine health and safety while pushing venues like my district's own Saratoga Racetrack and its athletes further onto the international stage. I thank Congresswoman Cammack for joining me to champion this bill and urge my colleagues to join us in this effort.\"\n\nAs the United States prepares to host the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles and a growing slate of international equestrian and racing events, current import requirements can create obstacles for horses traveling here temporarily to compete. Today's top equine athletes already travel under rigorous health, identification, and biosecurity protocols. Florida is a leading hub for global equestrian sport and Thoroughbred activity, and Marion County's thoroughbred breeding and training industry is a major economic driver for North Central Florida.\n\nThe TIME Act is based on the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) High Health, High Performance (HHP) framework for the temporary international movement of elite competition horses. The United States Animal Health Association (USAHA) has formally urged USDA to recognize HHP horses as a distinct subpopulation and to use the WOAH framework to implement the concept in the United States. The House Appropriations Committee also included report language in its FY2027 Agriculture Appropriations bill encouraging USDA to explore approaches consistent with the HHP framework.\n\nSpecifically, the TIME Act would:\n\nDirect USDA to establish regulations governing the temporary international movement of high-health, high-performance horses.\n\nImplement a risk-based system incorporating identification, traceability, and biosecurity measures.\n\nProvide expedited entry procedures and modified quarantine protocols consistent with international best practices.\n\nImprove the efficiency of USDA animal health oversight by reducing duplicative requirements and allowing agency personnel to focus resources on higher-risk disease concerns.\n\nThe TIME Act is supported by the American Horse Council, which represents more than 1.6 million horse owners across all 50 states, as well as the U.S. Equestrian Federation, the American Association of Equine Practitioners, The Jockey Club, and the Breeders' Cup.\n\n\"We applaud Representatives Tonko and Cammack for their bipartisan leadership in advancing the TIME Act. Their willingness to listen to the equine community and champion this issue marks an important step toward ensuring the United States remains a leading destination for international equine competition for years to come,\" said Julie Broadway, President of the American Horse Council.\n\n\"The Breeders' Cup World Championships are built on bringing together the best horses and their connections from around the globe, and efficient international movement is essential to making that possible. The world's elite horses are also among the most rigorously tested, health-certified, and examined equine athletes, with extensive veterinary oversight surrounding their international movement and participation. We support the TIME Act's effort to modernize the process for high-performance horses while maintaining rigorous protections for equine health and biosecurity. A science-based framework that reflects the realities of international competition will help strengthen the United States' position as a destination for world-class racing and other equestrian sports,\" said Drew Fleming, President and CEO of Breeders' Cup Limited.\n\n\"The US Equestrian Federation looks forward to working collaboratively with the USDA to improve policies for international movement of high-performance horses. In our capacity as a national governing body via the Ted Stevens Act, we recognize the complexities that come with temporary international travel overseas and similar challenges for competitors from other countries. The United States has become one of the largest international competition hosts in the world. Our goal is to keep all horse populations safe and healthy, and the proposed joint partnership between government and private resources is a big step in the right direction,\" said David O'Connor, Olympic medalist and US Equestrian Chief of Sport.\n\n\"Modernizing these requirements means a reduction in quarantine time and post-arrival restrictions for the temporary entry of competition and racehorses that are already among the healthiest and most closely monitored in the world. That's a win for equine welfare and for the health of horses,\" said Dr. Sarah Reuss, President of the American Association of Equine Practitioners.\n\n\"The TIME Act recognizes that modern identification, traceability, and biosecurity tools can support both horse welfare and international competition. By creating a framework for the temporary movement of high health, high performance horses, this legislation would reduce unnecessary barriers to international participation in U.S. racing while maintaining rigorous animal health safeguards. As the United States prepares to host some of the world's premier racing and equestrian events, a science-based approach to equine movement helps ensure our entire equine industry remains competitive on the global stage while protecting the health and welfare of horses,\" said Kristin Werner, Vice President of Thoroughbred Strategy & Industry Initiatives at The Jockey Club.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-27T10:23:37Z", "2026-09-27T10:25:08Z"], ["https://buchanan.house.gov/2026/09/24/buchanan-marks-final-100-days-in-office-pledges-to-keep-fighting-for-florida/", "Buchanan Marks Final 100 Days in\u00a0Office,\u00a0Pledges\u00a0to Keep Fighting for Florida", "2026-09-24", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Vern Buchanan", "B001260", "buchanan.house.gov", "buchanan", "https://buchanan.house.gov/media/", "scraper", "Enters Final Months Building on Two Decades of Delivering Results for Florida\n\nWASHINGTON \u2014 Today marks the start of Congressman Vern Buchanan\u2019s final 100 days in office. Buchanan, who announced his retirement in January after 20 years representing Florida, is highlighting his signature legislation that passed the House this Congress while focusing on the work that lies ahead this fall.\n\n\u201cFighting for Florida over the last 20 years has been the honor of my life, and I\u2019m continuing in that fight over my last 100 days in office,\u201d said Buchanan. \u201cI didn\u2019t come to Washington to let down the people who sent me here: our seniors, veterans, small business owners, and hardworking families. I came here to ensure the American Dream that was possible for me is still possible for them, and for our children and our grandchildren. There are still bills to pass and problems to solve, and I\u2019m not leaving any of that on the table. Until my very last day, I\u2019ll keep championing legislation for the people of Florida\u2019s 16th Congressional District like I\u2019ve done every day since first elected to serve.\u201d\n\nBuchanan, Vice Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee and Chairman of the Health Subcommittee, enters his final 100 days with a record of results this Congress. His bipartisan Chronic Disease Flexible Coverage Act passed the House unanimously in March 2025, allowing employers that offer high-deductible health plans to cover certain services for common chronic illnesses before the deductible kicks in. In December 2025, the House unanimously passed his bipartisan Hospital Inpatient Services Modernization Act, which extends the successful Hospital at Home program through 2030. That was followed in June 2026 by unanimous House passage of his Healthcare Efficiency Through Flexibility Act, which gives Accountable Care Organizations more options for reporting on quality of care. In July 2026, the House passed his Sunshine Protection Act in a bipartisan vote to make daylight saving time permanent and end the twice-yearly clock change.\n\nMore of Buchanan\u2019s bills are advancing. The Ways and Means Committee unanimously advanced his bipartisan Alzheimer\u2019s Screening and Prevention (ASAP) Act last week, which would expand Medicare coverage for early Alzheimer\u2019s detection and now has 219 bipartisan cosponsors in the House. The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee also advanced an amended version of his SAFE Act, which would ban the transportation of horses for slaughter for human consumption, and is headed to the House floor as part of the bipartisan five-year surface transportation reauthorization. Buchanan also secured 10 amendments in the House-passed FY27 National Defense Authorization Act.\n\nOver the coming months, Buchanan will build on that momentum as he helps Congress finish strong on the work still ahead and continues to author legislation for the people of Florida\u2019s 16th Congressional District. Buchanan leaves office as the longest-serving Republican to represent Southwest Florida in the U.S. House of Representatives, with 51 of his bills and initiatives signed into law under four presidents.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-25T10:04:52Z", "2026-09-25T10:05:46Z"], ["https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/no-more-blank-checks-appropriators-white-house-direct-un-accountability", "No More Blank Checks: Appropriators, White House Direct UN Accountability", "2026-09-23", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Mario Diaz-Balart", "D000600", "mariodiazbalart.house.gov", "mariodiazbalart", "https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "September 23, 2026\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 From Congress to the White House, the Republican agenda has been clear: disrupting the broken status quo.\n\nFrom FY26 appropriations signed into law by President Trump to the FY27 bills advanced out of the full committee, with multiple passed across the House floor, there have been fundamental shifts in how Washington does business:\n\nBlank checks have been replaced by accountability.\n\nWasteful programs have been replaced by disciplined, results-driven investments.\n\nWeakness and soft rhetoric have been replaced by decisive leadership.\n\nProgressive mandates and excess have been replaced by America First priorities.\n\nForeign wish lists have been replaced by U.S. interests and security.\n\nThis realignment extends across the whole of government, and this week\u2019s United Nations General Assembly brings it into focus. American foreign policy should put U.S. interests first, account for geopolitical and security realities, and distinguish genuine threats from strategic opportunities.\n\nThose priorities are reflected in the FY26 and FY27 bills of the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs (NSRP) Subcommittee that I chair. The FY26 NSRP bill \u2013 which is enacted law \u2013 cut UN funding by double digits, conditioned funds based on accountability measures, prohibited funds to UNRWA, and required UN voting records be assessed in deciding assistance to countries. The House-passed FY27 NSRP bill built on these measures with the following:\n\nEnding the UN Blank Check: Provides no funding for the UN regular budget. Further assessed contributions are not justified without additional reforms.\n\nNo Resources Without Reform: The FY27 bill withholds UN and international organization funding unless entities meet transparency and accountability requirements, including public audits, U.S. access to audits, whistleblower protections, restrictions on premium travel, action against anti-Israel bias and antisemitism, disclosure of diversion, and terrorist-affiliation vetting.\n\nReal U.S. Oversight: American investments demand accountability. Prohibits funding to international organizations that refuse to commit in writing to giving U.S. Inspectors General and the GAO access to information relevant to American contributions.\n\nPeacekeeping Discipline: Sharply constrains peacekeeping funding, requires advance justification of new or expanded missions, requires mission-by-mission accountability certifications, and specifically directs the State Department and the UN to evaluate missions and consider drawdowns when their goals have been substantially achieved.\n\nUNRWA: Prohibits assessed and voluntary U.S. contributions to UNRWA and includes additional measures designed to discourage funding from outside donors. In addition, conditions other UN resources until the Secretary-General provides assurances against invoking immunity in terrorism, material support, and serious human-rights cases involving UN personnel.\n\nUN Human Rights Council and OHCHR: Prohibits funding to the UNHRC, its Israel Commission of Inquiry, and OHCHR \u2013 directly reinforcing the Trump Administration\u2019s withdrawal and accountability policy.\n\nICC and ICJ: Expressly backs the Trump Administration\u2019s ICC sanctions and prohibits funding for the international courts.\n\nWHO: Prohibits funds to the World Health Organization (WHO) and blocks funding for the pandemic accord absent Senate approval.\n\nCurbing Liberal Climate: Directs the State Department to defend U.S. energy and commercial interests in international maritime negotiations and ensures international fuel rules do not put American producers at a disadvantage. Prohibits funds to the Green Climate Fund and Clean Technology Fund. Provides no funding for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Provisions align with the Trump Administration\u2019s opposition to the International Maritime Organization\u2019s (IMO) carbon-tax approach and broader withdrawal from international climate structures.\n\nStopping Anti-Israel Bias and Antisemitism: Resources are conditioned on credible action to combat anti-Israel bias, with detailed reporting required on antisemitism and systemic bias across UN entities, personnel, experts, and procedures.\n\nUN Voting and Burden Sharing: Directs the State Department to weigh countries\u2019 UN voting records and support for Taiwan when making assistance decisions. The Department is further encouraged to take into account migration cooperation, opposition to U.S. adversaries, and allied burden sharing. Countries seeking American assistance should be expected to stand with American interests and shoulder their share of the responsibility.\n\nCutting Off U.S. Dollars to Adversaries: American taxpayer dollars should never bankroll our adversaries. Prohibits UN and multilateral procurement of Russian goods and services and restricts funding to international organizations chaired by Chinese Communist Party-endorsed Chinese nationals. The broader FY27 bill also prohibits funding for the PRC and Chinese Communist Party and requires opposition to multilateral development bank lending to China.\n\nStrengthening American Influence, Demanding Accountability: U.S. leadership at the UN should be measured by influence, not dollars spent. Calls for placing more Americans in international organizations and UN leadership positions while imposing stricter accountability and oversight requirements on institutions receiving U.S. taxpayer dollars.\n\nPresident Trump has made clear his focus of making the United Nations Great Again and putting America First at the UN, and House Republican Appropriators are supporting that agenda through reinforcing investments to advance U.S. national security, economic prosperity, and strategic interests. We accomplish more while also spending less. My FY27 NSRP bill cuts $2.7 billion in unnecessary spending, building on FY26's historic 16 percent reduction while directing resources to the highest-impact priorities that strengthen America.\n\nThrough enacted NSRP measures, advancing FY27 bills, a field hearing with U.S. Ambassador to the UN, and renewed leadership through President Trump and the Executive Branch, all levers are being used to restore discipline, enforce consequences, and promote freedom. The President has expressed that the United Nations has great potential and that one day it will eventually live up to that promise. It's long overdue, and House Republicans are driving that reset into motion.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-24T10:30:22Z", "2026-09-24T10:31:42Z"], ["https://wilson.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-wilson-introduces-glaucoma-vision-act-to-expand-screenings-and-prevent-vision-loss", "Rep. Wilson Introduces Glaucoma Vision Act to Expand Screenings and Prevent Vision Loss", "2026-09-23", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Frederica S. Wilson", "W000808", "wilson.house.gov", "wilson", "https://wilson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24) introduced the Glaucoma Vision Act of 2026, legislation to expand access to annual glaucoma screenings, bring detection and treatment to underserved communities, and invest in research to protect and restore vision.\n\n\u201cGlaucoma can steal a person\u2019s sight before they even know they have it. By the time symptoms appear, the damage may be irreversible,\u201d said Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24). \u201cA screening could change the course of someone\u2019s life, but too many people face gaps in coverage or cannot afford the care they need. My bill would help families detect glaucoma earlier, get treatment sooner, and hold on to the independence that comes with their sight.\u201d\n\nApproximately 4.22 million Americans were living with glaucoma in 2022, and about half of people with the disease are unaware they have it. Although Medicare covers screenings for certain people at high risk, federal law does not uniformly require glaucoma screening coverage across Medicaid, private health plans, and the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program.\n\nKey Provisions of the Glaucoma Vision Act of 2026\n\nExpands screening coverage across major health plans. The bill would require glaucoma screening coverage for eligible people with private insurance, Medicaid, and Federal Employees Health Benefits coverage. It would also eliminate applicable Medicare Part B cost sharing for screenings furnished to eligible people. The coverage provisions would generally take effect in 2027.\n\nReaches people at higher risk. Eligible individuals include adults age 40 or older who identify as having African, Hispanic/Latino, or Asian ancestry, or who have a clinical risk factor such as diabetes, a family history of glaucoma, elevated eye pressure, myopia, certain blood pressure conditions, or chronic corticosteroid use. Adults age 60 or older would also qualify.\n\nBrings screening and treatment into underserved communities. Through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention\u2019s Vision Health Initiative, the bill would establish competitive grants for free or low-cost screenings and follow-up treatment for uninsured and underinsured people at high risk. Grants could also support community education, mobile screening units, care coordination, and disease surveillance. Projects serving racial and ethnic minority communities and other underserved populations with a high burden of vision loss would receive priority. The bill authorizes $10 million for these activities across fiscal years 2027 and 2028.\n\nAdvances research on glaucoma and optic nerve damage. The bill would authorize $10 million across fiscal years 2027 and 2028 for National Eye Institute research, including work on optic nerve repair, neuroprotection, gene therapies, and approaches to preserving or restoring vision.\n\n\u201cNo one should lose their sight because glaucoma went undetected. The Glaucoma Vision Act of 2026 would expand screening coverage, invest in community detection programs, and support vital research to improve treatment and prevent vision loss. The Academy applauds Representative Wilson for introducing this important legislation and advancing eye health for all Americans,\u201d said Michael Repka, MD, MBA, Medical Director for Governmental Affairs, American Academy of Ophthalmology.\n\n\u201cThe impacts of untreated glaucoma extend beyond the individual, leading to emotional and psychological challenges for patients and their families. It can also diminish independence and contribute to substantial economic costs at both local and national levels through decreased productivity and increased health care demands. Given that there is currently no cure, proactive screening and prompt treatment are essential to reduce incidents of preventable blindness. Congresswoman Wilson\u2019s legislation addresses this critical public health issue by increasing access to early glaucoma screening and investing in public health and research. Put together, these initiatives aim to protect vision, maintain independence, and mitigate the long-term personal and economic effects associated with this silent, irreversible disease. Prevent Blindness applauds Rep. Wilson\u2019s efforts to promote early detection, preserve sight, and improve the health and well-being of our communities,\u201d said Karen Allison, MD, MBA, FACS, Associate Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology at the Flaum Eye Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center; Prevent Blindness Board of Directors member; and Prevent Blindness Public Health & Science Committee Co-Chair.\n\n\u201cProtecting someone\u2019s vision protects their ability to work, care for their family, and move through the world on their own terms,\u201d said Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24). \u201cWe have the knowledge to catch glaucoma earlier. We must make sure people have the opportunity to act on it.\u201d\n\nCosponsors of this bill are Reps. Joyce Beatty (OH-3), Sanford Bishop (GA-2), Troy Carter (LA-2), Yvette Clarke (NY-9), Emanuel Cleaver (MO-5), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Lois Frankel (FL-22), Adelita Grijalva (AZ-7), Jonathan L. Jackson (IL-1), Robin Kelly (IL-2), Lucy McBath (GA-6), Jennifer McClellan (VA-4), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Christian D. Menefee (TX-18), Kweisi Mfume (MD-7), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Terri Sewell (AL-7), Brad Sherman (CA-32), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Bennie Thompson (MS-2), Nydia Vel\u00e1zquez (NY-7), Maxine Waters (CA-43), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), and Nikema Williams (GA-5), as well as Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL).\n\nOrganizations supporting this bill are the American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Glaucoma Society, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Alliance for Vision Research, Cornea Society, Macula Society, Foundation Fighting Blindness, and Prevent Blindness.", 1, "2026-09-24T09:44:48Z", "2026-09-24T09:45:52Z"], ["https://donalds.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2638", "Donalds Introduces the STARS Act", "2026-09-22", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Byron Donalds", "D000032", "donalds.house.gov", "donalds", "https://donalds.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Congressman Byron Donalds (R-FL) is leading the effort in the House to secure Florida as the permanent home for the newly established United States Space Academy through the introduction of the \"Securing the Advancement of Rising Spacefarers (STARS) Act\".\n\nThe \"STARS Act\" is the 28th piece of legislation introduced by Congressman Donalds in the 119th Congress and is co-led by Senator Ashley Moody (R-FL) in the Senate. Congressman Mike Haridopolos (R-FL) is an original co-sponsor in the House.\n\nThis piece of legislation directly answers President Trump's August 28 Executive Order, establishing a federal commission tasked with planning a dedicated, NASA-led academy to train the nation's military, civilian, and commercial space workforce.\n\n\"Florida is the birthplace of American space exploration and has led the world in spaceflight for decades. The Sunshine State has built an unmatched, fully integrated space ecosystem that bridges operational launch infrastructure, military space command assets, and tier-one research universities. Establishing the Space Academy on Florida's Space Coast forges an immediate talent pipeline and creates an unmatched competitive advantage, offering cadets daily exposure to NASA personnel, Space Force leaders, and private industry innovators,\" said Congressman Byron Donalds. \"To ensure American space superiority in an increasingly competitive domain, our future leaders must be educated at the very nexus of global space operations. I am proud to stand alongside Senator Moody in this effort to further strengthen and elevate Florida\u2019s ever-emerging space landscape and solidify our nation\u2019s strength and security beyond Earth\u2019s orbit for generations to come.\"\n\nBACKGROUND:\n\nWHAT THIS BILL DOES:\n\nThis bill recommends the Space Commission to locate the Space Academy in Florida. Specifically, it suggests that the location be within reasonable distance to the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral.\n\nAdditionally, this bill outlines that the selection and implementation of the Space Academy be done in coordination with the Governor of Florida and include academic and operational partnerships with Space Launch Delta 45 and Patrick Space Force Base.", 1, "2026-09-23T09:45:16Z", "2026-09-23T09:46:14Z"], ["https://mast.house.gov/press-releases?ID=EA940509-BA0F-41D5-A0B9-F99484C28AEA", "Mast Recognizes National Estuaries Week", "2026-09-22", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Brian J. Mast", "M001199", "mast.house.gov", "mast", "https://mast.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Representatives Brian Mast (FL-21) introduced a resolution expressing support for the designation of the week of September 19 through September 25, 2026 as \u201cNational Estuaries Week.\u201d\n\n\u201cFlorida is truly blessed with one of the most unique ecosystems in the entire world. The Everglades and the coastal estuaries provide Florida with both environmental and economic benefits,\u201d said Rep. Brian Mast. \"The problems facing the Indian River Lagoon, St. Lucie, Caloosahatchee and Lake Worth Lagoon is a reminder of the importance of these critical habitats. Our work to protect and restore our waterways and environment is not over, the public health and our economies depend on it.\"\n\nFirst recognized in 1988 by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Estuaries Week raises awareness on the critical habitats for wildlife, as well as the economic and environmental benefit they bring to our communities.", 1, "2026-09-23T09:45:16Z", "2026-09-23T09:46:14Z"], ["https://frost.house.gov/media/press-releases/oversight-ranking-members-robert-garcia-bennie-thompson-and-maxwell-frost-demand-answers-from-ice-on-dangerous-conditions-in-florida-immigration-facilities", "Oversight Ranking Members Robert Garcia, Bennie Thompson, and Maxwell Frost Demand Answers From ICE on Dangerous Conditions in Florida Immigration Facilities", "2026-09-21", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Maxwell Frost", "F000476", "frost.house.gov", "frost", "https://frost.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, Rep. Robert Garcia, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, and Rep. Maxwell Frost, Ranking Member of Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Energy Policy, and Regulatory Affairs, wrote to the Acting Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Inspector General demanding answers after whistleblowers shared with Oversight Democrats information on the Trump Administration\u2019s dangerous conditions and lawless practices at ICE holding facilities in Florida. The reports include overflowing restrooms, air vents with visible black mold, and detainees forced to sleep on the concrete floor or in chains.\n\n\u201cWhistleblowers have shared explosive new information with Oversight Democrats about the horrific conditions inside ICE facilities in Florida. The Trump Administration is trying to cover up these disgusting and unsafe conditions and escape accountability, while countless lives are put in danger. ICE must immediately put an end to this inhumane treatment and give us answers on this horrific situation,\u201d said Ranking Member Robert Garcia.\n\n\u201cWhistleblower reports detailing inhumane and illegal detention conditions at multiple ICE holding facilities are appalling. These horrors \u2013 and the fact that the Trump administration is trying to cover up these abuses \u2013 must be fully investigated. These facilities must also be shut down and the individuals responsible need to be held accountable. Immigrants in ICE custody must be treated humanely and given proper medical care,\u201d said Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson.\n\n\u201cTrump\u2019s immigration detention system is as cruel as it is unnecessary, and this administration's deliberate efforts to hide the conditions inside ICE facilities in Miramar and Orlando, Florida are abhorrent. This new whistleblower report reinforces what has long been documented about immigration detention facilities\u2014a system being used to punish people rather than uphold basic human dignity and justice. Alongside my colleagues on the Oversight Committee, I\u2019m demanding accountability and an end to these horrific abuses that are putting lives in danger,\u201d said Congressman Maxwell Frost.\n\nImages of Miramar Holding Facility provided by the whistleblower can be accessed here.\n\nIn the letters to Mr. David J. Venturella, the Acting Director of ICE, and Joseph V. Cuffari, the Inspector General of DHS, the Members wrote, \u201cWe have received confidential whistleblower disclosures about the Trump Administration\u2019s dangerous and lawless practices and conditions at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) holding facilities in Miramar and Orlando, Florida. Acting in clear defiance of court orders and ICE\u2019s own internal policies, the Trump Administration has created crises at these facilities where brutal conditions put staff, detainees, and the public at imminent risk of serious harm or death. Whistleblowers warn that, among other abuses, ICE is detaining people\u2014including men, women, families, and elderly people with chronic medical conditions\u2014for days to weeks in abusive and life-threatening conditions, including overcrowded cells, prolonged shackling, inadequate access to medical care and hygiene, insufficient food, and limited to no legal access. ICE is simultaneously attempting to cover up these horrific practices.\u201d\n\nIn July 2026, Ranking Member Robert Garcia and Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal demanded answers from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) regarding the vetting and training of ICE officers in the wake of the killing of Joan Sebasti\u00e1n Dur\u00e1n Guerrero on July 13, 2026, in Biddeford, Maine.\n\nIn May, Ranking Member Garcia held an immigration round table in Orlando, and visited an Orlando ICE facility with Congressman Maxwell Frost.\n\nIn February 2026, Ranking Member Garcia released a report highlighting Oversight Democrats\u2019 key findings regarding the killings of Ren\u00e9e Good and Alex Pretti by federal immigration enforcement agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Both victims were killed while bearing witness to the abuses and injustices on their neighbors by the Trump Administration\u2019s aggressive, violent, and unlawful immigration enforcement tactics.\n\nIn December 2025, Ranking Member Garcia and Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal launched a series of bicameral hearings to expose and investigate abuses, excessive force, and constitutional violations by federal immigration enforcement agents.\n\nIn November 2025, Ranking Member Garcia led Oversight Democrats in launching a public Immigration Enforcement Dashboard to track and document incidents of abuse and potential misconduct by DHS immigration enforcement agents across the country.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-22T09:42:49Z", "2026-09-22T09:44:35Z"], ["https://buchanan.house.gov/2026/09/21/buchanan-urges-trump-administration-to-take-action-on-sulfur-shortage-threatening-american-fertilizer-production/", "Buchanan Urges Trump Administration to\u00a0Take\u00a0Action\u00a0on Sulfur Shortage Threatening American Fertilizer Production", "2026-09-21", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Vern Buchanan", "B001260", "buchanan.house.gov", "buchanan", "https://buchanan.house.gov/media/", "scraper", "\u201cWhat Hurts American Phosphate Hurts the American Farmer and Costs American Families\u201d\n\nSulfur Prices Have Surged Nearly 600 Percent as Domestic Fertilizer Producers Cut Production and Jobs\n\nWASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Vern Buchanan, Vice Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, sent a letter to President Donald Trump and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick urging immediate action to address the severe disruption in sulfur supply putting American phosphate fertilizer production at risk.\n\n\u201cSulfur is the backbone of domestic phosphate fertilizer production, and right now American producers cannot afford it,\u201d said Buchanan. \u201cWhat hurts American phosphate hurts the American farmer and costs American families. More than 200 workers have already lost their jobs, and every day the interagency process drags on puts more of them at risk. The Administration has the tools to act, and I am urging them to use them now to support and protect our farmers. This isn\u2019t one company\u2019s problem or one state\u2019s problem. It\u2019s whether America can feed itself without depending on foreign suppliers. I\u2019m not willing to leave that to chance for our children and grandchildren.\u201d\n\nSulfur is a critical raw material for domestic phosphate fertilizer production. The letter warns that the shortage has already forced significant production curtailments and that the more than 200 workers who lost their jobs a few weeks ago may be the first of many.\n\nRecent geopolitical and shipping disruptions have constrained global sulfur supplies and driven prices to historic levels. The ten-year average price for sulfur in Tampa is $172 per long ton. Since May, prices have surged more than $1,000 per long ton and are currently approximately $1,100 to $1,200, a nearly 600 percent increase.\n\nThe disruption affects thousands of contractors, suppliers and communities that depend on these operations every day. This is not a challenge that can be fixed by one company, state or industry. Losing domestic fertilizer production would increase America\u2019s reliance on foreign sources for an essential agricultural input.\n\nThe letter calls on the Administration to act quickly to support American farmers and the domestic fertilizer industry they depend on.\n\nRead the full letter here or below:\n\nDear President Trump and Secretary Lutnick,\n\nI write requesting immediate, high-level action to address the severe disruption in sulfur supply and affordability. Sulfur is a critical raw material in phosphate fertilizer production in the United States. Without sulfur, there is no domestic phosphate fertilizer production. Without phosphate-based fertilizers, American agriculture, food security and supply chains are at risk.\n\nThousands of American workers rely on the American fertilizer industry, and this challenge is already forcing production curtailments. A few weeks ago, hundreds of those workers lost their jobs, threatening the domestic fertilizer supply farmers rely on. Elemental sulfur is essential to converting phosphate rock into crop nutrients. No affordable sulfur means less fertilizer and lower crop yields, resulting in an impacted food supply.\n\nWhat hurts American phosphate, hurts the American farmer, and costs American families.\n\nRecent geopolitical and shipping disruptions have constrained global sulfur supplies and driven prices to historic levels. The ten-year average price for sulfur in Tampa is $172 per long ton. Since May, prices have surged to $1,000 per long ton and are currently approximately $1,100 to $1,200, a nearly 600 percent increase.\n\nThese disruptions also affect the thousands of contractors, suppliers, and communities depending on these operations. It\u2019s important to note once production capacity is lost, it cannot be quickly restored. Every day America produces less fertilizer amounts to lost volumes for future planting seasons. This is a direct impact to American agriculture.\n\nMore broadly, this is not a challenge fixed by one company, state or industry. It is a critical national supply chain and food security issue. Losing domestic fertilizer production would increase our reliance on foreign sources for an essential agricultural input at a time when Congressional Republicans are working with your Administration to bolster domestic manufacturing and strengthen American supply chains.\n\nThe interagency process, while appreciated, falls short of moving at a speed commensurate with the urgency of the situation. Immediate engagement at the highest levels is needed. Your Administration has a range of lawful tools to increase the near-term availability of competitively priced sulfur, including authorities under the Defense Production Act; voluntary coordination with domestic refiners and sulfur marketers; transportation, storage, and logistics solutions; trade or financing tools; and engagement with allied suppliers. Any action should be targeted and account for potential impacts on energy markets and other domestic sulfur users.\n\nMarket forces alone cannot resolve this challenge quickly enough. Every day of disruption threatens more jobs, fertilizer production, and U.S. agricultural resilience. Prompt action can help protect a critical domestic industry and the farmers who depend on it. We stand ready to partner with your Administration in pursuing practical solutions and respectfully request to be kept informed of next steps.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-23T09:45:16Z", "2026-09-23T09:46:14Z"], ["https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-diaz-balart-hosts-19th-annual-service-academy-day", "Congressman D\u00edaz-Balart Hosts 19th Annual Service Academy Day", "2026-09-21", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Mario Diaz-Balart", "D000600", "mariodiazbalart.house.gov", "mariodiazbalart", "https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "MIAMI, FL \u2013 Congressman Mario D\u00edaz-Balart (FL-26), Dean of the Florida Delegation, Vice Chair of the House Committee on Appropriations, Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs, and member of the Defense Subcommittee, hosted his 19th Annual Service Academy Day on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at U.S. Southern Command.\n\nAcademy Day offers high school students and their parents the opportunity to learn more about pursuing a military career. Attendees have the opportunity to speak with representatives from the U.S. Service Academies and learn more about the application, nomination, selection, and appointment processes. This year's event welcomed more than 100 students and their families.\n\nD\u00edaz-Balart said, \"It is always a source of pride for me to host young men and women from Florida's 26th District interested in serving their country. Preparing future Sailors, Soldiers, Marines, Airmen, and Guardians to become dedicated, disciplined leaders with a strong understanding of core military values and institutional knowledge ensures a steady supply of capable officers for one of our country's most important missions: protecting our national defense.\n\nI am especially grateful to General Francis L. Donovan for hosting us, and to the representatives from the United States Service Academies for sharing valuable insights with those eager to serve our great nation.\n\nI look forward to nominating outstanding candidates for appointments and to following their continued success.\"\n\nAdditional Information:\n\nA service academy is a four-year, tuition-free college that admits a select number of qualified candidates and provides them with a world-class education, rigorous leadership training, and physical training, resulting in a commission as an officer in a specific branch of the U.S. military.\n\nThe honor of attending a service academy comes with the obligation and commitment to serve in the military for a minimum of five years upon graduation. For more information, please click here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-23T09:45:16Z", "2026-09-23T09:46:14Z"], ["https://bilirakis.house.gov/media/press-releases/bilirakis-backed-change-act-improve-early-alzheimers-detection-advances-out", "Bilirakis-Backed CHANGE Act to Improve Early Alzheimer\u2019s Detection Advances Out of Committee", "2026-09-18", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Gus M. Bilirakis", "B001257", "bilirakis.house.gov", "bilirakis", "https://bilirakis.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) applauded the House Ways and Means Committee\u2019s unanimous advancement of bipartisan legislation containing provisions of the Concentrating on High-Value Alzheimer\u2019s Needs to Get to an End (CHANGE) Act, which Bilirakis introduced with Representatives Linda T. S\u00e1nchez (D-CA), Darin LaHood (R-IL) and Doris Matsui (D-CA). The CHANGE Act is designed to promote earlier detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer\u2019s disease and related dementias by directing the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to identify cognitive impairment detection tools that can help clinicians more effectively detect cognitive decline and connect patients with appropriate follow-up care. Earlier this week, the CHANGE Act was amended into H.R. 6130, the bipartisan Alzheimer\u2019s Screening and Prevention (ASAP) Act, which the Ways and Means Committee approved by a unanimous 40-0 vote. The broader package seeks to improve early detection and treatment of Alzheimer\u2019s disease. More than seven million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer\u2019s disease, and for many patients, a diagnosis comes only after the disease has already taken a significant toll. Advances in testing and treatment have increased the importance of identifying Alzheimer\u2019s and related dementias at earlier stages.\n\n\u201cAlzheimer\u2019s is a devastating disease that has touched my family personally, so I understand the tremendous toll it takes not only on patients, but also on the loved ones who care for them,\u201d said Congressman Bilirakis. \u201cAs promising new treatments continue to emerge, early detection and diagnosis are more important than ever. The bipartisan CHANGE Act will help ensure patients and their doctors have better tools to identify cognitive decline earlier, when interventions may have the greatest impact. I am pleased to see this important legislation advance out of Committee as part of a broader package, bringing us another step closer to improving care, preserving quality of life, and ultimately finding a cure for this terrible disease.\u201d\n\n\u201cAlzheimer\u2019s touches millions of families, and identifying the disease early can make a meaningful difference for patients and their loved ones,\u201d said Congresswoman Matsui. \u201cThe CHANGE Act brings us closer to giving healthcare providers the tools to recognize the warning signs sooner and connect families with the care and support they need. I\u2019m proud this bipartisan legislation is moving forward so more families can have more time, better care, and greater hope.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis is deeply personal for me. I lost both of my parents to Alzheimer\u2019s, and I know firsthand how much earlier detection could have meant for our family,\u201d said Congresswoman S\u00e1nchez. \u201cAdvancing this bill out of committee brings us one step closer to giving other families that chance. I\u2019m grateful to my Ways and Means colleagues for passing our bipartisan bill and will keep fighting to get it signed into law.\u201d\n\n\u201cAlzheimer\u2019s impacts millions of Americans, and we must do everything we can to support the search for a cure. This bipartisan bill provides help to patients and clinicians through expanded early detection support and improved data collection,\u201d said Congressman LaHood. \u201cThe CHANGE Act, coupled with the ASAP Act, will strengthen existing tools to help streamline and broaden the ability for earlier diagnosis of Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia.\u201d\n\nThe CHANGE Act is supported by a broad coalition of patient, provider and aging organizations, including UsAgainstAlzheimer\u2019s, the American Academy of Neurology, Alzheimer\u2019s Association, Alzheimer\u2019s Foundation of America, Alliance for Aging Research, Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, Gerontological Society of America, American Society of Consultant Pharmacists, Latinos Against Alzheimer\u2019s and USAging.\n\nSenators Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Mark Warner (D-VA) have also introduced companion legislation in the Senate.", 1, "2026-09-19T09:11:33Z", "2026-09-19T09:12:45Z"], ["https://franklin.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1934", "Franklin Statement On House Passage Of Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia And Iran Act", "2026-09-18", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Scott Franklin", "F000472", "franklin.house.gov", "franklin", "https://franklin.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Congressman Scott Franklin (FL-18) issued the following statement after supporting House passage of H.R. 5334, the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026:\n\n\u201cRussia continues to finance its war in Ukraine through energy exports while relying on countries that help Moscow evade sanctions. That money allows Russia to strengthen its military and continue waging hostilities.\n\n\u201cUsing America\u2019s economic strength to cut off that funding is commonsense national security. This bill increases pressure on Russia\u2019s energy and financial sectors and imposes consequences on countries that continue major purchases of Russian energy or help Moscow get around U.S. sanctions. It also maintains important sanctions against Iran.\n\n\u201cA stronger Russia has more resources to challenge the United States and our allies, while Iran continues to fund terrorism and threaten American interests. Making it harder for our adversaries to finance those activities reduces their ability to threaten Americans, our service members and our allies.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m pleased to see this bill pass both the House and Senate and head to President Trump\u2019s desk for his signature.\u201d", 1, "2026-09-19T09:11:33Z", "2026-09-19T09:12:45Z"], ["https://bilirakis.house.gov/media/press-releases/bilirakis-host-20th-annual-veterans-resource-fair-senators-scott-and-moody", "Bilirakis to Host 20th Annual Veterans Resource Fair with Senators Scott and Moody", "2026-09-17", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Gus M. Bilirakis", "B001257", "bilirakis.house.gov", "bilirakis", "https://bilirakis.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "PASCO COUNTY, - Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) will host his 20th Annual Veterans Resource Fair on Saturday, September 26, 2026. This year\u2019s event will be jointly hosted by U.S. Senators Rick Scott and Ashley Moody. For two decades, this annual Veterans Resource Fair has brought together organizations and agencies from throughout the community to help Veterans and their families connect directly with the benefits, services, and support they have earned. This year\u2019s fair will feature resources related to Veterans claims assistance and education benefits, healthcare, job placement and employment services, housing assistance, social services, and more.\n\n\u201cServing those who have served our nation is one of my highest priorities, and I\u2019m incredibly proud that we are celebrating the 20th year of bringing this important event directly to our local Veterans and their families,\u201d said Congressman Gus Bilirakis. \u201cOur Veterans have sacrificed so much in defense of our freedoms, and we have a responsibility to ensure they can access the benefits, healthcare, opportunities, and support they have earned. Too often, Veterans simply don\u2019t know about all of the resources available to them or where to turn for help. That\u2019s exactly why we bring these organizations together under one roof - to make it easier for Veterans and their families to get answers, make connections, and access the assistance they deserve. I\u2019m grateful to Senators Scott and Moody for joining me this year as we continue working together to serve those who have served us.\u201d\n\nSenator Rick Scott said, \u201cAs a Navy veteran and the son of a World War II veteran, I know firsthand the service and sacrifice our veterans and their families make \u2013 and the toll those sacrifices can take long-term. As Florida\u2019s U.S. Senator, it is crucial to me that our federal government stands with them and that every veteran can access the benefits he or she has earned. That starts with ensuring our veterans and their families have the information, resources, and help they need to make the process as easy as possible. That starts with ensuring our veterans and their families have the information, resources, and help they need to make the process as easy as possible, which is why I am grateful for Congressman Gus Bilirakis\u2019 leadership and I am glad to join him and Senator Ashley Moody in hosting the 20th Annual Veterans Resource Fair. I encourage veterans and their families in Florida\u2019s 12th Congressional District to come learn more about your benefits.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur veterans answered the call to serve our nation, and we have a responsibility to stand with them when they return home. I\u2019m happy to cohost Congressman Bilirakis\u2019s 20th Annual Veterans Resource Fairs to help connect those who served with the benefits, resources, and support they\u2019ve earned. I\u2019ll always fight to ensure Florida\u2019s veterans and their families are supported and never forgotten,\u201d said Senator Ashley Moody.\n\nThe event is free and open to Veterans and their families. Attendees will have an opportunity to speak directly with participating organizations, ask questions, learn more about available programs, and receive assistance identifying resources that may meet their individual needs. Veterans are encouraged to RSVP by calling 727-232-2921.\n\nEVENT DETAILS\n\nWHAT: Veterans Resource Fair Jointly Hosted by Representative Gus Bilirakis, U.S. Senators Rick Scott and Ashley Moody\n\nWHEN: Saturday, September 26, 2026 - 10:00 a.m. \u2013 12:00 p.m.\n\nWHERE: Sunlake High School, 3023 Sunlake Blvd., Land O\u2019 Lakes, FL 34638", 1, "2026-09-18T09:27:43Z", "2026-09-18T09:29:09Z"], ["https://bilirakis.house.gov/media/press-releases/bilirakis-secures-major-tampa-bay-and-nature-coast-water-infrastructure", "Bilirakis Secures Major Tampa Bay and Nature Coast Water Infrastructure Priorities in House-Passed WRDA", "2026-09-17", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Gus M. Bilirakis", "B001257", "bilirakis.house.gov", "bilirakis", "https://bilirakis.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congressman Gus Bilirakis announced that the U.S. House of Representatives passed the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026, which includes several priorities he requested to strengthen water infrastructure, improve storm resiliency, protect natural resources, and support communities throughout Florida\u2019s 12th Congressional District and the greater Tampa Bay region.\n\nWRDA is Congress\u2019s biennial legislation authorizing U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects and studies related to water infrastructure, ports and harbors, flood and storm risk reduction, ecosystem restoration, and other critical water-resource needs.\n\n\u201cFlorida is growing rapidly, and we have to make sure our infrastructure keeps pace while protecting the natural resources that make our communities such special places to live, work and raise a family,\u201d said Congressman Bilirakis. \u201cI worked closely with our local partners to identify their most pressing water infrastructure and resiliency needs, and I\u2019m pleased that the House-passed WRDA includes each of the priorities we submitted. These provisions will help address water and wastewater needs, strengthen our defenses against hurricanes and flooding, protect and restore important ecosystems, and lay the groundwork for future investments throughout our region. I\u2019ll keep working to get these priorities across the finish line.\u201d\n\nAt Bilirakis\u2019s request, the House-passed legislation includes:\n\nPasco County Ecosystem Restoration and Water Supply: Authorizes a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers feasibility study examining opportunities for ecosystem restoration and water supply improvements in Pasco County.\n\nLower Withlacoochee River Watershed Restoration: Authorizes a feasibility study focused on ecosystem restoration of the Lower Withlacoochee River Watershed, an important natural resource for the Nature Coast.\n\n$29.6 Million Authorization for Hernando County Water Infrastructure: Authorizes a new environmental infrastructure project of up to $29.6 million for water and wastewater infrastructure in Hernando County, including stormwater management and environmental restoration.\n\n$400,000 Authorization for Pasco County Water Infrastructure: Authorizes a new environmental infrastructure project for water and wastewater infrastructure, including distribution systems, in Pasco County.\n\n$100 Million Regional Water Infrastructure Authorization: Authorizes up to $100 million for water infrastructure, including water-supply projects, serving Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas counties and the cities of New Port Richey, St. Petersburg, and Tampa.\n\nPort Tampa Bay and McKay Bay Storm Protection: Directs the expedited completion of a feasibility study for hurricane and storm-damage risk reduction at Port Tampa Bay, including McKay Bay. The study is intended to help identify potential measures to better protect critical infrastructure and surrounding communities from hurricanes, storm surge, and flooding.\n\nThe legislation also contains an additional provision benefiting the Tampa Bay region by directing the expedited completion of a feasibility study for hurricane and storm-damage risk reduction and ecosystem restoration in the vicinity of MacDill Air Force Base.", 1, "2026-09-18T09:27:43Z", "2026-09-18T09:29:09Z"], ["https://franklin.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1933", "Franklin Statement On House Passage Of Water Resources Development Act", "2026-09-17", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Scott Franklin", "F000472", "franklin.house.gov", "franklin", "https://franklin.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Congressman Scott Franklin (FL-18) issued the following statement after House passage of H.R. 9497, the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026:\n\n\u201cWater management isn\u2019t an abstract issue in Florida. Decisions involving Lake Okeechobee, the Everglades, flood control and our coasts directly affect our communities, agriculture, environment and economy. WRDA is one of the most important tools Congress has to set priorities for the Army Corps and keep critical water infrastructure projects moving.\n\n\u201cThis bill advances several major Florida priorities. It moves the Central Everglades Planning Project and Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir forward, supports continued work on Lake Okeechobee and strengthens federal support for beach renourishment and flood-risk reduction. It also includes reforms to Corps project delivery and coordination so important projects aren\u2019t held up by unnecessary delays.\n\n\u201cAs a member of the Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee, I\u2019m focused on making sure these priorities have the resources and direction needed to move from authorization to construction. Congress can authorize important projects, but we must also ensure the Corps can execute them efficiently and keep long-term work on schedule.\n\n\u201cFlorida\u2019s water challenges require sustained attention. Restoring the Everglades, managing Lake Okeechobee, protecting communities from flooding and maintaining our coasts are long-term commitments. The House has done its work, and I urge the Senate to act quickly so we can move WRDA forward and get these critical Florida water priorities across the finish line.\u201d", 1, "2026-09-18T09:27:43Z", "2026-09-18T09:29:09Z"], ["https://laurellee.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-laurel-lee-introduces-unleash-american-pipelines-act-reform-natural-gas", "Rep. Laurel Lee Introduces the Unleash American Pipelines Act to Reform Natural Gas Pipeline Judicial Review", "2026-09-17", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Laurel M. Lee", "L000597", "laurellee.house.gov", "laurellee", "https://laurellee.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, Congresswoman Laurel Lee, a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, introduced the Unleash American Pipelines Act, legislation to reform the judicial review process for natural gas pipeline certificates of public convenience and necessity issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).\n\nThe legislation would provide greater certainty for federally approved pipeline projects by limiting legal challenges to parties that can dictate direct and irreparable economic harm, establishing a clear and convincing evidence standard for overturning FERC\u2019s expert determinations, and consolidating challenges in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.\n\n\u201cFlorida families and businesses depend on affordable, reliable energy, and natural gas powers nearly three-quarters of our state\u2019s electricity,\u201d said Rep. Lee. \u201cWhen a pipeline has undergone extensive federal review and received approval from FERC, outside groups should not be able to use endless litigation to delay critical energy infrastructure indefinitely. The Unleash American Pipelines Act will bring greater certainty to the permitting process while preserving judicial review for those directly affected. This is a commonsense step to strengthen American energy infrastructure, lower costs, and ensure Florida has the reliable energy supply we need to continue growing.\u201d\n\n\"Florida relies on interstate pipelines for nearly all of the natural gas that powers homes and businesses across the state,\u201d said CEO of Florida Power & Light Company, Scott Bores. \u201cReliable pipeline infrastructure is essential to providing affordable, reliable electric service for our customers and supporting Florida's continued growth. We appreciate Congresswoman Lee's leadership on this important issue.\"\n\n\u201cTECO Energy applauds Congresswoman Lee for focusing on the right things: making government more efficient and effective to protect consumers and save customers' money. In Florida, natural gas is the backbone of the electric generation system, and smart policy that unleashes these investments promotes reliability and economic benefits,\u201d said TECO. \u201cWe look forward to working with her on this legislation to improve the bureaucratic process to get much needed infrastructure built that supports growth in Florida.\u201d\n\n\u201cEnsuring customer affordability and reliability has been and remains at the heart of everything Duke Energy does - from our operations to investments to our public policy engagement\u201d said Louis Renjel, Chief Executive Officer of Duke Energy Florida and Midwest. \u201cTo that end, this legislation will help increase access to lower-cost gas supplies, strengthen energy reliability for Floridians and keep customer costs as low as possible.\u201d\n\nFlorida\u2019s dependence on natural gas makes reliable pipeline infrastructure especially important. The state produces less than one percent of the natural gas it consumes, meaning nearly all of the fuel used to power Florida homes and businesses must reach the state through interstate pipelines. When approved projects are tied up in years of litigation, the resulting uncertainty can increase financing and construction costs, discourage investment, and make it more difficult to build the infrastructure needed to meet growing energy demand.\n\nBackground:\n\nNatural gas accounts for nearly 73 percent of Florida\u2019s electricity generation. Yet Florida produces less than one percent of the natural gas it uses, leaving the state heavily dependent on interstate pipelines to deliver its supply.\n\nBefore an interstate natural gas pipeline can be built, developers must receive a certificate of public convenience and necessity from FERC. That approval comes after an extensive federal review process.\n\nUnder current law, however, receiving a FERC certificate does not necessarily provide certainty that an approved project will be completed. Third-party organizations that are not landowners or otherwise directly economically affected by a project can challenge a certificate in federal court, potentially adding years of litigation after the federal review process has already concluded.\n\nThose delays have consequences beyond individual pipeline projects. Pipeline construction is capital intensive, and years of potential litigation create additional financial risk for developers and investors. That uncertainty can result in more expensive financing, higher required returns, and projects that become too costly to build. For projects that do move forward, additional costs incurred during years of litigation can ultimately affect the utilities that rely on pipeline capacity and the families and businesses paying their energy bills.\n\nThe Mountain Valley Pipeline illustrates the consequences of prolonged litigation. The 303-mile pipeline was approved by FERC and originally scheduled for completion in 2018 at an estimated cost of $3.5 billion. After years of litigation and delays, the project\u2019s cost grew to approximately $7.85 billion\u2014more than double its original estimate. Congress ultimately had to intervene to allow construction to be completed.\n\nWith electricity demand and utility costs increasing across the country, the Unleash American Pipelines Act would provide greater certainty after FERC completes its review and approves critical pipeline infrastructure.\n\nThe Unleash American Pipelines Act enacts three targeted reforms.\n\nStanding Reform: Limits legal challenges to parties who have suffered direct and irreparable economic harm from the specific pipeline certificate at issue. Organizations may only bring claims if every individual member independently satisfies that standard, ensuring judicial review is available to those who are genuinely affected.\n\nHeightened Standard of Review: Requires courts to apply a clear and convincing evidence standard before overturning FERC's expert determinations, reflecting the depth and rigor of the Commission's review process and preserving the appropriate role of agency expertise.\n\nExclusive D.C. Circuit Jurisdiction: Consolidates all pipeline certificate challenges in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, eliminating forum shopping and creating a single, predictable appellate forum for all parties.\n\nThis legislation is supported by Duke Energy, TECO, and Florida Power and Light.", 1, "2026-09-18T09:27:43Z", "2026-09-18T09:29:09Z"], ["https://patronis.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-patronis-votes-to-advance-legislation-to-protect-consumers-from-rising-utility-costs-driven-by-ai-data-centers", "Congressman Patronis Votes to Advance Legislation to Protect Consumers from Rising Utility Costs Driven by AI Data Centers", "2026-09-17", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Jimmy Patronis", "P000622", "patronis.house.gov", "patronis", "https://patronis.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Late Wednesday evening, Congressman Jimmy Patronis (R-FL) voted to advance H.R. 9340 the Ratepayer Protection Act to ensure hardworking Americans aren\u2019t footing the bill for AI data centers.\n\nCongressman Patronis said, \u201cIf Big Tech wants to build a massive data center and use massive amounts of electricity, they should pay for the power and infrastructure they need, not hardworking families and small businesses. I don\u2019t want families in Northwest Florida footing the bill for someone else\u2019s investment opportunity.\u201d\n\nThe Ratepayer Protection Act would:\n\nGive states the tools to protect ratepayers.\n\nCreate a federal standard for large-load customers, like data centers, to pay for the power and grid upgrades they need.\n\nCreate a framework to protect families from the bill if a data center leaves.\n\nThe Ratepayer Protection Act passed the House by a vote of 417-3 and now moves to the Senate for consideration.\n\nTo view the Ratepayer Protection Act, click here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-18T09:27:43Z", "2026-09-18T09:29:09Z"], ["https://steube.house.gov/press-releases/rep-steubes-bill-to-strengthen-taxpayer-rights-passes-house-heads-to-u-s-senate/", "Rep. Steube\u2019s Bill to Strengthen Taxpayer Rights Passes House, Heads to U.S. Senate", "2026-09-17", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "FL", "W. Gregory Steube", "S001214", "steube.house.gov", "steube", "https://steube.house.gov/category/press-releases/page/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2013On Tuesday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed Congressman Greg Steube\u2019s H.R. 9498, the Taxpayer Advocate Participation Act (TAPA), under suspension of the rules. Introduced by Rep. Steube (R-Fla.) alongside Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.), the bipartisan legislation authorizes the National Taxpayer Advocate (NTA) to appear as amicus curiae in federal tax cases on issues that may broadly affect taxpayer rights.\n\n\u201cAmerican taxpayers deserve someone in their corner when their rights are at stake in federal court,\u201d said Rep. Steube. \u201cThe National Taxpayer Advocate already fights for taxpayers across the country, but current law does not authorize the Advocate to weigh in on court cases that could impact millions of Americans. My bill closes that gap and makes sure the taxpayer\u2019s voice is heard. I\u2019m pleased to see the House pass TAPA, and I urge the Senate to get it to President Trump\u2019s desk.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe National Taxpayer Advocate plays an important role in championing the interests of American taxpayers,\u201d said Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08). \u201cHowever, current law prohibits the Advocate from doing so when taxpayer rights are at stake in litigation before a court of law. This is a serious weakness in the office\u2019s ability to carry out its mission. With the Taxpayer Advocate Participation Act, Representative Steube has identified a targeted solution and one that is reflective of his ongoing, successful work to advance the interests of American taxpayers.\u201d\n\n\u201cAmerican taxpayers deserve to have an independent voice represent them in court, especially in cases that could impact them and their tax bill. This bipartisan bill will allow the National Taxpayer Advocate to weigh in on behalf of millions of Americans in these vital cases,\u201d said Rep. DelBene. \u201cI thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their efforts to get this through the Ways and Means Committee and now the House so we can better advocate for taxpayers.\u201d\n\nUnder current law, the NTA is barred from submitting amicus briefs in federal tax litigation, even in major precedent-setting cases. TAPA closes this statutory gap by amending Section 7803(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, granting the Advocate targeted amicus authority modeled after recommendations in the NTA\u2019s 2026 Purple Book.\n\nThe bill does not authorize the NTA to represent individual taxpayers, but ensures the Advocate\u2019s systemic expertise can inform judicial proceedings. TAPA is backed by key organizations, including the National Taxpayers Union, Small Business & Entrepreneurship (SBE) Council, Intuit, 60 Plus Association, and National Association of Consumer Advocates.\n\nThe bill unanimously passed the House Committee on Ways and Means on July 1, 2026. Following this week\u2019s passage in the House, TAPA now heads to the U.S. Senate for consideration.\n\nWatch Rep. Steube\u2019s remarks on the House floor here.\n\nBackground: Protecting taxpayers and strengthening taxpayer rights has been a consistent focus of Rep. Steube\u2019s work on the Ways and Means Committee. In the nearly forty years since the landmark Tax Reform Act of 1986, Rep. Steube is one of only two Members of Congress who did not chair the committee to have sponsored tax legislation signed into law by presidents of both parties. The House passage of TAPA is another example of what Congress can accomplish when taxpayers are put first.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-18T09:27:43Z", "2026-09-18T09:29:09Z"], ["https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/media-advisory-congressman-diaz-balart-host-service-academy-day-us", "Media Advisory: Congressman D\u00edaz-Balart to Host Service Academy Day at U.S. Southern Command", "2026-09-17", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Mario Diaz-Balart", "D000600", "mariodiazbalart.house.gov", "mariodiazbalart", "https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "MIAMI, FL \u2013 Congressman Mario D\u00edaz-Balart (FL-26), Dean of the Florida Delegation, Vice Chair of the House Committee on Appropriations and Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs, will host his annual Service Academy Day on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. at U.S. Southern Command:\n\nOn this day, representatives from the U.S. Naval, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Military, U.S. Merchant Marine, and U.S. Coast Guard Academies will meet with and inform prospective students about educational and career opportunities at the service academies.\n\nEvent Details:\n\nRSVP is required due to security restrictions. A valid government ID and media credentials must be presented at the checkpoint for admittance. Please RSVP to Dietwin Smoli.\n\nWHAT:\n\nService Academy Day\n\nWHO:\n\nCongressman Mario D\u00edaz-Balart (FL-26)\n\nRepresentatives from the United States Service Academies\n\nWHEN:\n\nSaturday, September 19, 2026\n\n8:30 a.m. ET\n\nWHERE:\n\nU.S. Southern Command\n\n9301 NW 33rd Street\n\nDoral, FL 33172", 1, "2026-09-19T09:11:33Z", "2026-09-19T09:12:45Z"], ["https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/once-again-diaz-balart-delivers-big-905-m", "Once Again, Diaz-Balart Delivers BIG $90.5 M", "2026-09-17", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Mario Diaz-Balart", "D000600", "mariodiazbalart.house.gov", "mariodiazbalart", "https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Mario D\u00edaz-Balart (FL-26), Dean of the Florida Delegation, Vice Chair of the House Committee on Appropriations and Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs, released the following statement after the passage of H.R. 9497, the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026:\n\n\"My record is clear. I consistently deliver for South Florida, and WRDA 26 builds on it. I am grateful to Chairman Sam Graves, for working with me to secure a critical provision that makes PortMiami eligible to compete for federal reimbursement of approximately $90.5 million for the Miami Harbor Deep Dredge project.\n\nSince my time in the Florida Legislature, and now as a member of Congress, I have long fought for our state's seaports. As the Chairman of the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Subcommittee on Appropriations in 2019, I created the first-ever dedicated pot of money specifically for seaport infrastructure development. Despite Miami-Dade County\u2019s many challenges at the Port, I have always understood the need to provide our ports with adequate resources to fit the needs of our growing economy, and the Miami Harbor Deep Dredge project did just that. This project created and continues to support thousands of jobs, has furthered the Port\u2019s cargo growth, surpassed one million TEUs for 11 consecutive years, and made its mark as the 11th largest container port in the United States of America.\n\nChairman Graves understands the vital importance of strengthening our nation\u2019s water infrastructure, supporting our ports and waterways, and advancing projects that benefit both our economy and our environment. Working alongside my Florida colleagues, Rep. Daniel Webster and Rep. Brian Mast, Chairman Graves leadership in navigating Florida\u2019s waters and delivering restoration for America\u2019s Everglades does not go unnoticed.\n\nWRDA 26 directs the U.S. Army Corps to expedite completion of various studies and projects for Everglades restoration efforts in South Florida, as well as new authorization for feasibility studies in the region:\n\nCentral & South Florida Project\n\nComprehensive Everglades Restoration Program\n\nLake Okeechobee Watershed Restoration\n\nCentral & South Florida Resiliency Study \u2013 Broward Basins for the project for flood risk management\n\nFlood Risk Management, Coastal Storm Risk Management, and Ecosystem Restoration in the back bay system of Broward County, Florida\n\nThese efforts are vital to restoring the Everglades and protecting South Florida\u2019s water supply, communities, and economy.\n\nA summary of the bill is available here.\n\nBill Text is available here.\n\nBackground:\n\nDiaz-Balart secures Miami Harbor Deep Dredge project authorization in WRDA 2007.\n\nDiaz-Balart applauds then-Governor Rick Scott for commitment to job creation and economic growth for the region. (March 2011)\n\nDiaz-Balart champions modification authorization for the Deep Dredge Project at PortMiami in WRDA 13 (July 2013; / October 2013)\n\nDiaz-Balart, as a member of the Appropriations Committee, secures amendments to the authorized limit for the PortMiami Deep Dredge Project in the final FY2014 E&W Appropriations Bill. (January 2014)\n\nPortMiami Deep Dredge Project was completed in 2015 \u2013 ahead of schedule, and positioned PortMiami as the first U.S. port in the Southeast with a -50/52 foot controlling draft.\n\nSince completion, cargo activity has risen by 25.3% overall, and by as much as 43% in FY2011, the busiest year in the Port\u2019s history. PortMiami has surpassed one million TEUs for eleven consecutive years and welcomed more than 2,120 Neo-Panamax vessels. These vessels previously could not dock at the Port because of draft limitations.\n\nToday, PortMiami is the nation\u2019s 11th largest container port and a major economic driver for South Florida, supporting 340,000 jobs and contributing $61 billion annually to the regional economy.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-19T09:11:33Z", "2026-09-19T09:12:45Z"], ["https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/watch-chairman-diaz-balart-delivers-opening-remarks-subcommittee", "WATCH: Chairman D\u00edaz-Balart Delivers Opening Remarks at Subcommittee Hearing with U.S. Trade and Investment Agencies to Empower Economic Growth and Strategic Partnerships", "2026-09-17", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Mario Diaz-Balart", "D000600", "mariodiazbalart.house.gov", "mariodiazbalart", "https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Mario D\u00edaz-Balart (FL-26), Vice Chair of the House Committee on Appropriations and Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs, delivers opening remarks at Subcommittee hearing with U.S. Trade and Investment Agencies to Empower Economic Growth and Strategic Partnerships:\n\nChairman D\u00edaz-Balart's opening remarks as prepared here\n\n\"Acting Director Hardy, Acting Chief of Staff Petrie, and Head of Investments, Mr. Coleman, thank you for appearing today to testify on the President\u2019s 2027 budget request.\n\nYour agencies are important instruments of American economic statecraft and commercial diplomacy that advance our national security.\n\nI would note that this is also an important year for the Export-Import Bank of the United States. While we invited the agency to testify today, they unfortunately could not accommodate our schedule.\n\nWith a $30 trillion economy accounting for 26% of global GDP -- up from 24% in 2021 -- the United States remains the largest, most innovative, and resilient country in the world.\n\nAdvancing the security and prosperity of Americans is fundamental to United States foreign policy and drives the funding priorities of this Subcommittee.\n\nPresident Trump and Secretary Rubio have made strengthening the economic security of Americans and advancing U.S. commercial interests overseas a top foreign policy priority.\n\nIn that regard, this Subcommittee strongly supports the important efforts by your agencies to further strengthen the economic and strategic position of the United States around the world, such as in the Western Hemisphere and the Indo-Pacific.\n\nThis includes financing and technical assistance to\u2014\n\ncombat the influence of the PRC and Chinese Communist Party;\n\nsecure access to critical minerals;\n\nnearshore strategically important manufacturing supply chains; and\n\nidentify commercial opportunities for our vibrant private sector;\n\nall while supporting partners that champion freedom.\n\nThis was showcased with great success last week in the Philippines at the Luzon Economic Corridor Investment Forum.\n\nEach of your agencies, along with the Department of State and in partnership with the Philippines, demonstrated what a well-coordinated, focused foreign policy initiative in support of U.S. national security looks like. I look forward to discussing this initiative more when we get to questions.\n\nCongress supported the creation and recent reauthorization of the Development Finance Corporation (DFC) in part to help counter the PRC\u2019s aggressive use of infrastructure finance to advance Beijing\u2019s strategic goals and to partner with the private sector to expand U.S. economic opportunities abroad.\n\nMr. Coleman, I hope you can address the DFC\u2019s budget request in the context of available program balances, as well as prioritization of critical minerals, nuclear energy technology and artificial intelligence, and the recent legislative requests for the FY27 appropriations process.\n\nThe Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) plays a unique role among U.S. trade and investment agencies by providing competitive, eligibility-based funding to accelerate economic growth, including through infrastructure and other high-priority investments in countries that take demonstrable steps to support personal and economic freedom.\n\nMr. Petrie, I hope you can address how the FY27 request will enable MCC to work effectively with partner countries to achieve strong economic growth in ways that align with the America First strategy, as well as help create new opportunities for the United States economy.\n\nThe U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) has the mission of helping U.S. companies create American jobs by connecting the private sector with infrastructure and development projects in emerging economies.\n\nThis includes the use of feasibility studies, technical assistance, and pilot projects in significant sectors and countries of strategic importance to the United States.\n\nDirector Hardy, I trust you will inform the Subcommittee on how the FY27 budget request supports the mission of USTDA, including by helping to strengthen the foundation of American economic power and leadership abroad.\n\nBefore I conclude, let me thank you for your service to our country, and note how much we appreciate the dedication of the men and women in your agencies.\n\nI\u2019ll turn now to the ranking Member for her opening remarks.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-19T09:11:33Z", "2026-09-19T09:12:45Z"], ["https://bilirakis.house.gov/media/press-releases/bilirakis-celebrates-house-passage-am-radio-every-vehicle-act", "Bilirakis Celebrates House Passage of AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act", "2026-09-16", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Gus M. Bilirakis", "B001257", "bilirakis.house.gov", "bilirakis", "https://bilirakis.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) applauded House passage of the bipartisan AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, legislation he supports to ensure Americans continue to have access to AM radio in new vehicles. AM radio remains an important source of news, weather, emergency information, and community programming for millions of Americans. It is particularly critical during hurricanes and other natural disasters when power, cellular networks, and internet service may be disrupted. The legislation would require automakers to maintain access to AM broadcast radio in new vehicles without an additional charge to consumers.\n\n\u201cHere in Florida, we know firsthand how important it is to have reliable access to emergency information before, during, and after a hurricane,\u201d said Congressman Bilirakis. \u201cWhen the power goes out, cell towers are overwhelmed, or internet service is disrupted, AM radio can be a lifeline. It also remains an important source of news and information for seniors, rural communities, and millions of Americans traveling our roads each day. As technology continues to evolve, we should not eliminate a proven, reliable communications tool that helps keep people informed and safe. I am proud to lead this bipartisan legislation and pleased to see it pass the House.\u201d\n\nAM radio also plays an important role in the nation\u2019s emergency communications infrastructure. Because AM signals can travel long distances and reach broad geographic areas, local broadcasters can provide critical information to residents throughout a region during an emergency.\n\nThe AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act directs the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to require automakers to include AM radio in new passenger vehicles as standard equipment and ensure consumers are not charged an additional fee for access.\n\n\u201cPublic safety should never take a back seat to technological trends,\u201d Bilirakis continued. \u201cFloridians deserve access to every reliable tool available when disaster strikes. I urge the Senate to act quickly so we can send this commonsense legislation to the President\u2019s desk.\u201d\n\nCongressman Bilirakis has consistently supported efforts to strengthen emergency preparedness, protect consumers, and ensure communities have access to reliable communications during disasters.", 1, "2026-09-17T09:52:05Z", "2026-09-17T09:53:00Z"], ["https://buchanan.house.gov/2026/09/16/house-ways-and-means-committee-advances-buchanan-bill-to-expand-medicare-coverage-for-early-alzheimers-detection/", "House\u00a0Ways and Means Committee Advances Buchanan Bill to Expand Medicare Coverage for Early Alzheimer\u2019s Detection", "2026-09-16", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Vern Buchanan", "B001260", "buchanan.house.gov", "buchanan", "https://buchanan.house.gov/media/", "scraper", "\u201cEarly Detection of Alzheimer\u2019s Disease is Key to Giving Families More Time, Options and Hope\u201d\n\nThe ASAP Act Would Provide Medicare Coverage for Preventive Alzheimer\u2019s Detection\n\nWASHINGTON \u2014 Today, Congressman Vern Buchanan, Vice Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee and Chairman of the Health Subcommittee, announced that his bipartisanAlzheimer\u2019s Screening and Prevention (ASAP) Act (H.R. 6130) advanced out of the committee in a unanimous vote. Buchanan\u2019s bill is co-led by Congressman Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.).\n\n\u201cEarly detection of Alzheimer\u2019s is key to giving families more time, options and hope,\u201d said Buchanan. \u201cHaving served as a caregiver to an elderly parent with Alzheimer\u2019s and with nearly 200,000 seniors in my district, this issue is deeply personal to me. Expanding access to early detection will give millions of Americans the opportunity to plan ahead and seek preventative care. I\u2019m grateful to the committee for advancing my Alzheimer\u2019s Screening and Prevention Act and call on my colleagues in the House to pass it and ensure every American can benefit from these lifesaving innovations.\u201d\n\n\u201cMore than seven million Americans are living with Alzheimer\u2019s, and for too many families, a diagnosis comes only after the disease has already taken a serious toll,\u201d said Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08). \u201cToday, we have blood-based tests that can help detect Alzheimer\u2019s before symptoms even appear, but outdated Medicare rules stand between seniors and access to these tools. As Chairman of our Health Subcommittee, Representative Buchanan has prioritized policies that improve health outcomes for Americans, informed in part by his own experience caring for his parent. His ASAP Act will help make sure seniors and their families can benefit from earlier detection and have more information as they navigate this devastating disease.\u201d\n\n\u201cMany promising and potentially lifechanging advancements are being made in Alzheimer\u2019s diagnoses, treatment, and care; but they will mean little unless patients are able to access and afford them,\u201d Congressman Tonko said. \u201cThis is where Congress can and must act. I was proud to join Congressman Buchanan to introduce the ASAP Act, which builds a pathway for Medicare coverage of FDA approved blood biomarker screening tests that help diagnose Alzheimer\u2019s disease. I urge my colleagues to join us in advancing this bipartisan legislation that keeps Congress at pace with these exciting new innovations and ensures they are accessible to those who need them.\u201d\n\nThe ASAP Act authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide a pathway for Medicare coverage for FDA-approved or cleared blood-based biomarker tests for the early detection of Alzheimer\u2019s and related dementias. Under current law, Medicare can only cover preventive services that Congress has specifically authorized or that are recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. That can delay coverage for years after a screening test receives FDA approval.\n\nWith 7.2 million Americans living with Alzheimer\u2019s nationwide and more than 580,000 Floridians facing the disease, the ASAP Act aims to give families more time to plan ahead, seek care sooner and preserve their quality of life as blood-based screening technology continues to advance.\n\nBuchanan\u2019s bill is supported by the Alzheimer\u2019s Association and the Alzheimer\u2019s Impact Movement and has secured 215 bipartisan cosponsors in the House. Senators Susan Collins(R-Maine) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) have introduced companion legislation in the Senate which has already secured 50 bipartisan cosponsors.\n\nBuchanan is a leader in advancing legislation to support Alzheimer\u2019s patients, caregivers and families. In June 2026, he introduced a bipartisan resolution alongside Reps. Nanette Barrag\u00e1n (D-Calif.), Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.) and Linda S\u00e1nchez (D-Calif.), recognizing June 2026 as Alzheimer\u2019s and Brain Awareness Month.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-17T09:52:05Z", "2026-09-17T09:53:00Z"], ["https://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=405288", "Reps. Castor & Sewell Introduce the Affordable Premiums for Seniors Act", "2026-09-16", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Kathy Castor", "C001066", "castor.house.gov", "castor", "https://castor.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 This week, U.S. Reps. Kathy Castor (FL-14) and Terri Sewell (AL-07) introduced the Affordable Premiums for Seniors Act, legislation that would prevent the Trump Administration from prematurely ending the Medicare Part D Premium Stabilization Demonstration and keep monthly premiums down for seniors enrolled in standalone Medicare prescription drug plans. The legislation follows the Trump Administration\u2019s announcement that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) would terminate the Part D Premium Stabilization Demonstration at the end of 2026.\n\n\u201cEvery trip to the grocery store and every monthly bill is increasingly painful for my older neighbors. The added strain of higher prescription drug costs is the last thing they need, so I will fight to reverse a recent HHS scheme to increase Medicare prescription drug costs for seniors and people with disabilities,\u201d said Rep. Castor. \u201cThe Affordable Premiums for Seniors Act will reverse the HHS scheme, keep premiums down and provide greater certainty on health care costs. Seniors worked hard for their earned Medicare benefits, and I am fighting to keep those benefits affordable and dependable.\u201d\n\n\u201cFor seniors living on fixed incomes, every dollar matters. At a time when seniors are already struggling to keep up with the rising cost of groceries, housing, health care, and everyday necessities, the Trump Administration should be doing everything it can to lower costs, not ending a program that is helping seniors afford their prescription drugs,\u201d said Rep. Sewell. \u201cEnding the Part D Premium Stabilization Program could mean higher premiums and greater financial strain for millions of seniors. The Affordable Premiums for Seniors Act will help ensure that Medicare beneficiaries have the stability and certainty they deserve.\u201d\n\nCMS established the demonstration in 2025 after changes to the Medicare Part D benefit under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to help stabilize premiums for beneficiaries enrolled in standalone prescription drug plans.\n\nThe IRA made several changes to Medicare prescription drug coverage, including establishing a $2,000 annual cap on out-of-pocket prescription drug costs beginning in 2025. As the redesigned benefit shifted more prescription drug costs to Part D plans, the Premium Stabilization Demonstration was created to help mitigate premium increases and provide greater stability during the transition.\n\nAccording to the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), the demonstration saved seniors an average of $312 in 2026. Ending the demonstration could expose beneficiaries to higher premiums beginning in 2027.\n\nThe Affordable Premiums for Seniors Act would require CMS to:", 1, "2026-09-17T09:52:05Z", "2026-09-17T09:53:00Z"], ["https://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=405289", "Castor Champions Passage of Bipartisan Ratepayer Protection Act to Shield Neighbors from Higher Electric Bills Tied to Data Centers", "2026-09-16", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Kathy Castor", "C001066", "castor.house.gov", "castor", "https://castor.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Reps. Kathy Castor (FL-14) and Gabe Evans (CO-08) celebrated the passage of their bipartisan Ratepayer Protection Act, which protects American families and small businesses from the costs of energy and grid upgrades required for new hyperscale data centers.\n\nThe Ratepayer Protection Act requires state utility regulators to establish rules ensuring communities do not pay for the costs of building new power plants, transmission lines and other upgrades to serve data centers. Without proper safeguards, families and small businesses in communities where data center development occurs could see their electric bills skyrocket. The Ratepayer Protection Act ensures that wealthy Big Tech companies cover the full energy and infrastructure costs of new data center development and are held accountable for their promises.\n\n\u201cFloridians already are dealing with sky-high electric bills. They should not be forced to subsidize the enormous energy demands of the world\u2019s richest corporations,\u201d said Rep. Castor. \u201cIf Big Tech builds a massive AI data center, the Big Tech company\u2014not hardworking families, farmers or small businesses\u2014should pay for their power and grid upgrades. The bipartisan Ratepayer Protection Act is an important first step that can help lower costs for our neighbors back home and empower states to set strict guardrails.\u201d\n\n\u201cHardworking families should not have to subsidize the energy demands of data centers. America needs the infrastructure to lead the world in AI and outcompete Communist China, but we cannot have that growth at the expense of hardworking families, farmers, seniors, and small businesses. My bipartisan Ratepayer Protection Act ensures large data centers pay for the infrastructure they require while giving states the flexibility to determine what works best for their communities. I\u2019m incredibly proud to lead the charge on this pivotal issue, ensure our ratepayers are protected, and keep American innovation moving forward,\u201d said Rep. Evans.\n\nCastor strongly opposes data center development in Hillsborough County due to high electric bills and environmental concerns and pressed the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners in a September 10, 2026 letter to \u201cact decisively to protect Hillsborough County residents, resources and long-term sustainability.\u201d\n\nThe Ratepayer Protection Act builds on Rep. Castor\u2019s leadership on the Stopping Hikes in Electricity from large Load Demands (SHIELD) Act, which she introduced with Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49) in January.\n\nBackground\n\nIf enacted, the Ratepayer Protection Act would direct state regulators to adopt new guardrails for new data centers with a demand of 100 megawatts or more, including:", 1, "2026-09-17T09:52:05Z", "2026-09-17T09:53:00Z"], ["https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5030", "ICYMI: FAA Accepting Public Comments on Proposed Permanent Mar-a-Lago Flight Restrictions Through October 2", "2026-09-16", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Lois Frankel", "F000462", "frankel.house.gov", "frankel", "https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "On September 2, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) formally proposed making the current airspace restrictions around Mar-a-Lago permanent. The FAA is accepting public comments on the proposal through October 2, 2026.\n\nHOW TO SUBMIT A PUBLIC COMMENT\n\nMembers of the public can submit comments on the FAA\u2019s proposal by clicking here or by:\n\n1. Going to Regulations.gov.\n\n2. Entering FAA-2026-10827-0001 in the search box.\n\n3. Following the instructions to submit a comment.\n\nComments must be submitted by October 2, 2026.\n\nCongresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-22) recently joined Palm Beach County Commissioner Gregg Weiss, Palm Beach Mayor Danielle Moore, and local residents to raise concerns about the FAA\u2019s proposal and explain how members of the public can make their voices heard through the agency\u2019s formal comment process.\n\nFollowing the event, Rep. Frankel sent a letter to FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford requesting that the FAA:\n\nDelay action on the proposal to make the restrictions permanent;\n\nExtend the public comment period by 60 days, through December 1, 2026, if the agency moves forward, so residents have adequate time to review the proposal and respond;\n\nHold a public meeting in Palm Beach County so affected residents can ask questions, provide input, and hear directly from the FAA; and\n\nEstablish a clear and expedited process to modify or end the restrictions if security circumstances change, rather than locking the community into restrictions that may no longer be necessary.\n\nFor Rep. Frankel\u2019s full letter to the FAA, click here.", 1, "2026-09-17T09:52:05Z", "2026-09-17T09:53:00Z"], ["https://laurellee.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-laurel-lees-safe-cloud-storage-act-passes-house", "Rep. Laurel Lee\u2019s Safe Cloud Storage Act Passes the House", "2026-09-16", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Laurel M. Lee", "L000597", "laurellee.house.gov", "laurellee", "https://laurellee.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed Congresswoman Laurel Lee\u2019s bipartisan Safe Cloud Storage Act, legislation to modernize how law enforcement securely stores and processes digital evidence in child sexual exploitation investigations.\n\nRep. Lee introduced the House legislation alongside bipartisan co-leads Representatives Steve Cohen (D-TN), Madeleine Dean (D-PA), and Brad Knott (R-NC). Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) led the Senate legislation, which passed the Senate in May.\n\nThe legislation addresses a growing challenge facing law enforcement as the volume of digital evidence in child sexual exploitation investigations continues to increase. Many agencies still rely on physical storage systems such as thumb drives, external hard drives, and local servers to manage highly sensitive evidence. The Safe Cloud Storage Act removes a legal barrier that has limited law enforcement\u2019s ability to work with trusted cloud service providers while maintaining strict security and accountability requirements.\n\n\u201cEvery minute matters when law enforcement is working to identify a child being exploited and bring the predator responsible to justice,\u201d said Rep. Laurel Lee. \u201cOur investigators should have access to modern, secure technology that helps them do that work as quickly and effectively as possible. The Safe Cloud Storage Act removes an unnecessary legal barrier that has prevented law enforcement from fully utilizing trusted cloud technology while maintaining strong safeguards for this incredibly sensitive evidence. I am proud that this bipartisan legislation has now passed both chambers of Congress, and I look forward to seeing it signed into law.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe must do everything in our power to protect children from abuse and prosecute those who commit such despicable crimes \u2014 that requires modernizing how law enforcement stores sensitive information so that they can bring more abusers to justice,\u201d Rep. Dean said. \u201cMany police departments still rely on older technology like thumb drives to store materials for child sexual abuse material (CSAM) investigations, which slows down investigations and lets criminals stay one or two steps ahead. Our bipartisan bill is a commonsense measure enabling law enforcement to use secure cloud-based storage, helping them to track, stop, and prosecute more of these heinous crimes. I am thrilled that the Safe Cloud Storage Act will become law, and I\u2019m grateful to my colleagues in the House and Senate for their efforts in its passage.\u201d\n\n\u201cI'm proud to work with Congresswoman Lee on this critical legislation, and I'm pleased to see it pass the House today with strong, bipartisan support,\u201d said Congressman Brad Knott. \u201cAs a former federal prosecutor who worked investigations and in courtrooms, I know how essential it is to modernize evidence handling and production in these cases. This bill will help ensure that heinously criminal offenders are brought to justice more efficiently, that victims see accountability, and that strict standards govern the storage and use of this evidence. I look forward to seeing it move through the Senate.\u201d\n\nThe Safe Cloud Storage Act provides limited civil and criminal liability protections to approved cloud service providers contracted by federal, state, and local law enforcement or prosecutorial agencies to securely store and process digital evidence related to child sexual exploitation investigations. The legislation requires covered providers to comply with cybersecurity requirements and establishes exceptions to its liability protections for certain misconduct.\n\nThe legislation builds on the framework established by the bipartisan REPORT Act, which was signed into law in 2024 and provided limited liability protections for vendors contracted by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) to store and transfer child sexual abuse material for investigative purposes.\n\nThe Safe Cloud Storage Act is supported by law enforcement, child protection, and victim advocacy organizations, including the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, the Fraternal Order of Police, Thorn, Raven, the Child Rescue Coalition, the National District Attorneys Association, the National Center on Sexual Exploitation, the Association of State Criminal Investigative Agencies, and International Justice Mission.\n\nKey Provisions of the Safe Cloud Storage Act:\n\nModernizes Evidence Storage: Enables law enforcement-approved cloud service providers to securely store and process digital evidence used in child sexual exploitation investigations.\n\nProvides Limited Liability Protections: Protects approved vendors from certain civil and criminal liability when handling qualifying evidence on behalf of law enforcement.\n\nMaintains Accountability: Preserves liability in circumstances excluded by the legislation and ensures protections are limited to qualifying vendors acting within the scope of their work with law enforcement.\n\nStrengthens Cybersecurity: Requires approved vendors to comply with stringent cybersecurity requirements to protect highly sensitive evidence.\n\nBy allowing investigators to securely use modern cloud-based technology, the Safe Cloud Storage Act will help law enforcement more efficiently manage growing volumes of digital evidence and support investigations aimed at identifying victims and holding offenders accountable.", 1, "2026-09-17T09:52:05Z", "2026-09-17T09:53:00Z"], ["https://salazar.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-maria-elvira-salazar-delivers-24-million-key-biscayne-flood-protection-and", "REP. MAR\u00cdA ELVIRA SALAZAR DELIVERS $2.4 MILLION FOR KEY BISCAYNE FLOOD PROTECTION AND COASTAL RESILIENCE", "2026-09-16", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Maria Elvira Salazar", "S000168", "salazar.house.gov", "salazar", "https://salazar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. \u2014 U.S. Representative Mar\u00eda Elvira Salazar (FL-27) visited Key Biscayne to deliver more than $2.4 million in federal funding she secured for two projects that will help address flooding around Key Biscayne K-8 Community School and explore a long-term solution to shoreline erosion.\n\nJoined by Key Biscayne Mayor Joe Rasco and Village leaders, Rep. Salazar presented $2 million for stormwater improvements around Key Biscayne K-8 and $412,500 for an offshore barrier reef study in collaboration with the University of Miami.\n\n\u201cLeadership means seeing a problem before it becomes a crisis and doing the work to solve it,\u201d said Rep. Salazar. \u201cWhen our streets flood and our coastline is threatened, families feel the consequences. In Congress, my job is to turn those challenges into action: secure the resources, hold federal agencies accountable, and deliver results on the ground. That is the standard I have set across South Florida, and I will keep raising it.\u201d\n\n\u201cThese investments give Key Biscayne the opportunity to address the flooding challenges we face today while planning responsibly for the future of our shoreline,\u201d said Key Biscayne Mayor Joe Rasco. \u201cWe are grateful to Congresswoman Salazar for securing these federal resources and to the University of Miami for bringing its expertise to this effort. Strong partnerships like these are essential to keeping Key Biscayne safe and resilient for generations to come.\u201d\n\nFlooding around the school can reach two to three feet during severe rain events, disrupting access for families, school buses, first responders, and the more than 1,000 students who attend Key Biscayne K-8. The $2 million secured by Rep. Salazar will help install a new pump-based drainage system designed to move water out more effectively, reduce flooding, and improve safety in the surrounding neighborhood.\n\nRep. Salazar also delivered $412,500 for the Village\u2019s Offshore Barrier Reef for Shoreline Stabilization Study, a collaboration between Key Biscayne and the University of Miami. The study will examine whether a hybrid offshore reef could help reduce beach erosion while limiting unintended environmental impacts and reducing the need for repeated beach renourishment.\n\nThe $2,412,500 in Community Project Funding was secured by Rep. Salazar through the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations process, signed into law in February 2026.\n\nWatch Rep. Salazar\u2019s visit to Key Biscayne and learn more about the projects HERE.\n\nMire la visita de la representante Salazar a Key Biscayne y conoce m\u00e1s sobre estos proyectos AQU\u00cd\n\nREP. SALAZAR\u2019S RECORD ON FLOOD PROTECTION\n\nRep. Salazar has secured more than $20 million for flood mitigation and stormwater projects across South Florida, including:\n\n$14 million for the City of Miami\n\n$2.3 million for Pinecrest\n\n$2 million for Cutler Bay\n\n$2.9 million for Key Biscayne\n\n$1.4 million for Miami-Dade County\n\nTogether, these investments reflect Rep. Salazar\u2019s broader focus on strengthening South Florida\u2019s infrastructure before the next major storm. From drainage and flood mitigation to coastal resilience, she has prioritized projects that protect neighborhoods, improve public safety, and help communities prepare for the challenges ahead.", 1, "2026-09-17T09:52:05Z", "2026-09-17T09:53:00Z"], ["https://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases/soto-leads-florida-democrats-urging-speaker-johnson-reinstate-affordable-care", "Soto Leads Florida Democrats in Urging Speaker Johnson to Reinstate the Affordable Care Act Premium Tax Credit", "2026-09-16", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Darren Soto", "S001200", "soto.house.gov", "soto", "https://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 This week, Congressman Darren Soto (FL-09) led a letter with all Democratic Members of the Florida Congressional Delegation urging Speaker of the House Mike Johnson to reinstate the Affordable Care Act\u2019s (ACA) Enhanced Premium Tax Credit (EPTC) in any future funding vehicles.\n\n\"Around 4.7 million Floridians were enrolled in ACA insurance plans before the tax credits expired. Many of our districts had 30% or more residents enrolled,\u201d wrote the Members. \"However, as a result of the expired funding, about 443,000 Floridians dropped their ACA plans this year so far, more than in any other state, and the system saw a 13% drop in enrollment from one year to the next.\"\n\n\"These subsidies bridged a vital gap in access to care for hard-working Americans. Over half of adult marketplace enrollees are small business owners or self-employed\u2014the very backbone of our great country. Now, many of these individuals are either uninsured or struggling to afford premiums that have risen by more than 58% since last year, a direct result of the expiration of ACA EPTCs...\u201d continued the Members. \"Congress just voted to pass a Continuing Resolution, keeping the government open through December. As negotiations for the FY27 Appropriations process continue, we must include the reinstatement of the ACA EPTCs in the discussion. With Americans facing rising costs in all aspects of daily life, increases in health premiums could amount to a death blow.\u201d\n\nThe signers include all seven Democratic Members of Florida\u2019s Congressional Delegation, including Reps. Kathy Castor (FL-14), Lois Frankel (FL-22), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), Jared Moskowitz (FL-23), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), and Frederica Wilson (FL-24).\n\nFor the full text of the letter, please click here.", 1, "2026-09-17T09:52:05Z", "2026-09-17T09:53:00Z"], ["https://salazar.house.gov/media/press-releases/chairwoman-salazar-leads-house-hearing-nicaragua-warns-growing-us-national", "Chairwoman Salazar Leads House Hearing on Nicaragua, Warns of Growing U.S. National Security Threat", "2026-09-15", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Maria Elvira Salazar", "S000168", "salazar.house.gov", "salazar", "https://salazar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, U.S. Representative Mar\u00eda Elvira Salazar (FL-27), Chairwoman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, convened a hearing titled \u201cConfronting the Totalitarian Ortega-Murillo Regime,\u201d examining the dictatorship\u2019s repression of the Nicaraguan people, its growing cooperation with America\u2019s adversaries, and the threat it poses to U.S. national security.\n\n\u201cNicaragua is not forgotten. Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo have spent years dismantling democracy, persecuting the Church, crushing political opposition, and acting as if the country were their private property. Now they are opening Nicaragua wider to China and Russia, giving America\u2019s adversaries a dangerous foothold in our own hemisphere. That is not only a tragedy for the Nicaraguan people; it is a national security concern for the United States. Congress is watching, the Administration is paying attention, and Ortega and Murillo should consider themselves warned,\u201d said Chairwoman Salazar.\n\nIn her opening remarks, Salazar pointed to a major shift in U.S. policy toward Latin America under President Trump and made clear that Nicaragua must remain part of America\u2019s renewed focus on the Western Hemisphere.\n\nShe highlighted the Administration\u2019s posture toward Venezuela and Cuba before turning to Nicaragua, where Ortega and Murillo have dismantled democratic institutions, jailed political opponents, driven hundreds into exile, targeted the Catholic Church, destroyed civil society organizations and universities, and moved to eliminate meaningful elections.\n\nDuring the hearing, Chairwoman Salazar questioned Ana Quintana-Lovett, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Central America and Migration Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, about China\u2019s growing strategic and economic presence in Nicaragua and the consequences for American security.\n\nSalazar raised particular concern over China\u2019s involvement in the $500 million expansion of Punta Huete, an airfield originally built to accommodate strategic bombers. She questioned the national security implications of Beijing gaining access to strategically significant infrastructure so close to the United States.\n\nShe also highlighted China\u2019s expanding economic footprint in Nicaragua, including mining concessions granted to Chinese interests and Beijing\u2019s involvement in critical infrastructure projects such as the modernization of Puerto de Corinto.\n\nChairwoman Salazar questioned what more the United States can do to prevent the Ortega-Murillo regime from handing increasingly important pieces of Nicaragua\u2019s economy and strategic infrastructure to China.\n\nSalazar also examined the growing level of cooperation between the Ortega-Murillo regime and Russia, raising concerns about Moscow\u2019s expanding presence and freedom of movement in Nicaragua and what that relationship could mean for U.S. national security.\n\nThe hearing underscored that Nicaragua can no longer be viewed solely through the lens of political repression and human rights. As the Ortega-Murillo regime deepens its relationships with China and Russia, Nicaragua is increasingly becoming a strategic concern for the United States and the security of the Western Hemisphere.\n\nTo watch Chairwoman Salazar\u2019s opening statement click here.\n\nCHAIRWOMAN SALAZAR'S RECORD ON NICARAGUA\n\nChairwoman Salazar has been one of Congress's leading voicesfor democracy, religious freedom, and human rights in Nicaragua. Since coming to Congress, she has consistently worked to expose the abuses of the Ortega-Murillo regime and increase pressure on the dictatorship through sanctions, congressional oversight, and legislation.\n\nRep. Salazar was an original House leader of the bipartisan RENACER Act, landmark legislation enacted in 2021 to strengthen sanctions against the Ortega regime, increase scrutiny of international lending to Nicaragua, and expand U.S. tools to respond to electoral fraud, corruption, and human rights abuses. The legislation also required greater reporting on Russian influence and security cooperation in Nicaragua.\n\nIn January 2026, she introduced the Restoring Sovereignty and Human Rights in Nicaragua Act alongside Rep. Chris Smith. The legislation would strengthen sanctions on the Ortega-Murillo regime, prohibit U.S. investment that benefits the dictatorship, oppose international financing that strengthens the regime, support political prisoners and people of faith targeted by the government, and increase assistance for democracy and human rights programs in Nicaragua.\n\nChairwoman Salazar has been a vocal defender of Nicaragua's political prisoners, exiled dissidents, journalists, and religious leaders. She has repeatedly condemned the regime's persecution of the Catholic Church and warned that Ortega's growing partnerships with China, Russia, and Iran pose a threat not only to the Nicaraguan people but also to U.S. interests and democratic stability throughout the hemisphere.\n\nAs Chairwoman of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee, Rep. Salazar has made Nicaragua a central focus of the Subcommittee's oversight efforts, highlighting the regime's democratic backsliding, attacks on civil society, growing foreign influence, and ongoing human rights abuses. She has consistently called for free and fair elections, accountability for regime officials, and stronger U.S. support for those fighting for freedom in Nicaragua.", 1, "2026-09-16T09:43:13Z", "2026-09-16T09:44:22Z"], ["https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3537", "Wasserman Schultz Leads Florida Democrats in Denouncing Florida\u2019s Use of Cages in Everglades Internment Camp", "2026-09-15", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Debbie Wasserman Schultz", "W000797", "wassermanschultz.house.gov", "wassermanschultz", "https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2013 U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) led all Democratic Members of the Florida Congressional Delegation to call on Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, and Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) Executive Director Jared Perdue to provide transparency around holding detainees in outdoor cages only slightly larger than telephone booths at the so-called \u201cAlligator Alcatraz\u201d ICE internment camp.\n\nThe DHS Inspector General recently released a report which found that 79 detainees were held in \u201csmall metal enclosures\u201d of roughly 4-by-4, or 16 square feet for up to 2 hours. Facility staff members described them as \u201ccalming areas\u201d for \u201cdetainees to de-escalate and have time alone.\u201d They also found numerous other concerning conditions, saying the facility \u201cdid not comply with standards related to: Environmental Health and Safety; Special Management Units; Medical Care; Food Service; Personal Hygiene; and Recreation.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis is not how America should treat human beings in our custody, regardless of their immigration status. We can enforce our laws without abandoning basic human dignity,\u201d wrote the Members. \u201cAnd in a nation of laws, there must be consequences when elected officials and their appointees rob taxpayer funds to inflict environmental damage, violate Constitutional protections, and commit acts of torture in our backyard. Those responsible for these conditions must be held accountable and we must make sure nothing like this happens again in Florida.\u201d\n\nThe signers comprise all seven Democratic Members of Florida\u2019s Congressional Delegation, including Reps. Kathy Castor (FL-14), Frederica Wilson (FL-24), Lois Frankel (FL-22), Darren Soto (FL-09), Jared Moskowitz (FL-23) and Maxwell Frost (FL-10).\n\nWasserman Schultz conducted a surprise oversight inspection of the facility in April prior to its closure in June. She also introduced the No Cages in the Everglades Act with fellow Florida Democrats to defund the Everglades internment camp, launch an independent investigation of any laws broken in its construction and operation, and ensure more robust Congressional oversight there and in all similar facilities.\n\nRead the full letter here and below:\n\nAs Members of Congress representing the State of Florida, we are sickened by the revelations reported by the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security regarding a wide range of human rights abuses at the Everglades camp operated by FDEM that was cruelly nicknamed \u201cAlligator Alcatraz\u201d.\n\nIn particular, the Inspector General\u2019s report found that people were locked in tiny metal enclosures\u2014just 18 square feet\u2014for up to two hours. The federal watchdog found these conditions unprecedented and a significant risk to detainees\u2019 health and safety. People held in this type of cage, nicknamed \u201cthe Box,\u201d were isolated and exposed to environmental hazards including extreme heat and insects. This is a clear violation of the prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment in our Constitution, and human rights experts describe this practice as a form of torture.\n\nMany of us conducted oversight inspections at this facility, which was constructed and operated illegally, using over $1 billion in Florida taxpayer funds designated for responding to emergencies like hurricanes. We witnessed and exposed horrific, inhumane detention conditions that shocked the conscience of our State.\n\nDuring these visits, Members in our delegation were repeatedly denied access to view these punishment cages,and told by DHS and FDEM employees and contractors that detainee reports of their existence and use for punitive or coercive purposes were categorically false. We were deceived. It is now clear that this was intended to mislead public officials at public expense.\n\nThe Inspector General report not only confirms many allegations of sadistic cruelty that we saw or were reported by detainees, but sheds light on why the Trump Administration and Florida\u2019s state government worked overtime to block transparency and accountability.\n\nShortly after our initial visit, we introduced the No Cages in the Everglades Act to prohibit the use of Federal funds for this appalling project or any other detention facility in the Everglades, require an independent investigation of State and federal laws violated in its construction and management, and permanently codify the rights of Members of Congress to conduct unannounced oversight visits wherever immigrants are detained.\n\nThis is not how America should treat human beings in our custody, regardless of their immigration status. We can enforce our laws without abandoning basic human dignity. And in a nation of laws, there must be consequences when elected officials and their appointees rob taxpayer funds to inflict environmental damage, violate Constitutional protections, and commit acts of torture in our backyard. Those responsible for these conditions must be held accountable and we must make sure nothing like this happens again in Florida.\n\nIn service to that goal, we request your response to the following questions as soon as possible:\n\nHow many individuals were subjected to treatment constituting torture under U.S. or international law at the Everglades internment camp or at other immigrant detention facilities in Florida?\n\nHas the Office of the Attorney General conducted an analysis of the State\u2019s potential civil liability for cruel and unusual punishment without due process at this facility?\n\nHow many other facilities used for immigrant detention in Florida have utilized isolation in small metal cages as a punitive or coercive measure?\n\nWho instructed FDEM employees and contractors to deceive Members of Congress conducting lawful oversight with respect to the use of these cages?\n\nWill you commit to ceasing this practice and dismantling these cages, wherever they are used?\n\nHave the State government and its contractors involved in constructing and operating the Everglades detention camp appropriately retained and preserved photographic evidence, digital communications, documents, and other records that may be relevant in future investigations, pursuant to Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes?\n\nIf so, please provide a list of all relevant evidence that you have retained.\n\nDo you commit to fully cooperating with future law enforcement investigations of Florida's involvement in immigration detention abuses?\n\nIf not, are you aware of the potential legal consequences associated with obstructing law enforcement investigations, failing to preserve or report evidence of wrongdoing, or violating court orders or Congressional subpoenas?\n\nWe hope that you will take immediate action to bring these abusive practices to an end and begin repairing the damage you have inflicted on our neighbors, our beloved Everglades, and the State of Florida.\n\n####", 1, "2026-09-16T09:43:13Z", "2026-09-16T09:44:22Z"], ["https://wilson.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-wilson-and-us-commission-on-the-social-status-of-black-men-boys-to-honor-parents-carrying-forward-the-legacies-of-black-children-lost-to-violence", "Rep. Wilson and U.S. Commission on the Social Status of Black Men & Boys to Honor Parents Carrying Forward the Legacies of Black Children Lost to Violence", "2026-09-15", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Frederica S. Wilson", "W000808", "wilson.house.gov", "wilson", "https://wilson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 This week, Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24), chair of the U.S. Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys, will center the voices, courage and advocacy of bereaved parents during the 55th Annual Legislative Conference of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation.\n\nThe centerpiece of Congresswoman Wilson\u2019s final Annual Legislative Conference as a member of Congress will be the U.S. Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys Braintrust, \u201cOur Young Black Boys Are Being Murdered and Nobody Seems to Care,\u201d on Friday, September 18.\n\nThe braintrust will honor the lives and legacies of King Carter, Jordan Davis, Trayvon Martin and Nolan Wells while paying special tribute to the parents who turned unimaginable loss into a lifelong fight for truth, justice and change.\n\nSix-year-old King Carter was killed by gunfire near his Miami-Dade home in 2016. His parents, Monica Smith and Santonio Carter, transformed their heartbreak into advocacy aimed at ending gun violence and protecting other children from the tragedy that took their son.\n\nSeventeen-year-old Jordan Davis was shot and killed at a Jacksonville gas station in 2012 following a confrontation over loud music. His mother, Congresswoman Lucy McBath (GA-06), carried Jordan\u2019s memory from advocacy into public office, becoming a leading national voice for gun violence prevention.\n\nSeventeen-year-old Trayvon Martin was walking back from a convenience store in Sanford, Florida, when he was followed and fatally shot in 2012. His death awakened the conscience of the nation and helped ignite a new era of civil rights activism. His mother, Sybrina Fulton, has dedicated her life to preserving Trayvon\u2019s legacy and fighting for safer communities, justice and meaningful change.\n\nEighteen-year-old Nolan Wells disappeared during a Fourth of July boating trip to Horn Island, Mississippi, and was found dead two days later. With critical questions surrounding the circumstances of his death still unanswered, his parents, Christine Wells Wonsley and Elmore Wonsley, continue to demand a complete, transparent and accountable investigation into what happened to their son.\n\nThe discussion will be co-moderated by civil rights attorney Ben Crump and Congresswoman McBath, who will also share Jordan\u2019s story and her journey from a grieving mother to a national leader in the fight to protect families from gun violence.\n\nPanelists will include Congresswoman Wilson; Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04); Congressman Christian Menefee (TX-18); STARZ actor Nicco Annan; Sybrina Fulton, mother of Trayvon Martin; Christine Wells Wonsley and Elmore Wonsley, mother and father of Nolan Wells; and Monica Smith and Santonio Carter, mother and father of King Carter.\n\nTogether, the moderators, panelists and parents will share their experiences, honor their children\u2019s lives and confront a nation that has too often failed to protect Black children or deliver justice to their families.\n\n\u201cThese parents have endured the pain no mother or father should ever have to bear, yet they refused to allow their children\u2019s stories to end with their deaths,\u201d said Congresswoman Wilson. \u201cThey turned grief into action, heartbreak into advocacy and their children\u2019s names into movements for justice. We honor King, Jordan, Trayvon and Nolan by honoring the parents who carry their legacies forward and by continuing their fight to protect every Black child in America.\u201d\n\nThe Commission will also hold its Official Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony: Honoring the Martyrs Who Shaped Black History, featuring a special tribute to the parents who continue to carry their children\u2019s legacies forward.\n\nThe Commission will honor Monica Smith and Santonio Carter, parents of King Carter; Congresswoman Lucy McBath, mother of Jordan Davis; Sybrina Fulton, mother of Trayvon Martin; and Christine Wells Wonsley and Elmore Wonsley, parents of Nolan Wells.\n\nThe ceremony will recognize these parents not simply as survivors of tragedy, but as leaders whose relentless pursuit of truth, justice and accountability has changed communities, influenced public policy and ensured that their children\u2019s names will never be forgotten.\n\n\u201cBehind every young Black life lost is a family left carrying unimaginable grief and a future forever rewritten,\u201d said the U.S. Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys. \u201cYet these parents have turned their pain into purpose, their heartbreak into action and their children\u2019s names into a national demand for justice. The Commission stands with them to ensure their voices are heard, their children\u2019s legacies endure and their courage drives the change necessary to protect Black men and boys across America.\u201d\n\nCongresswoman Wilson has spent her career fighting for Black children and standing beside families whose lives have been forever changed by violence. Her work led to the establishment of the U.S. Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys, a bipartisan federal commission charged with examining the conditions affecting Black men and boys and advancing solutions in education, health care, employment, housing, criminal justice and public safety.\n\nThe Commission\u2019s work continues the mission Congresswoman Wilson began more than three decades ago through the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project: protecting Black boys, interrupting the school-to-prison pipeline and surrounding young men with the mentorship, opportunities and support they need to succeed.\n\n\u201cFor years, these parents cried out for justice while too many people looked away,\u201d said Congresswoman Wilson. \u201cThe Commission exists because America must pay attention to what is happening to Black men and boys. We will say their names. We will listen to their families. We will tell their stories. Most importantly, we will continue fighting for a country where no parent has to bury a child because of racism, violence or a system that failed to value his life.\u201d\n\nWilson Scholars and Role Models representing Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Broward County Public Schools, Duval County Public Schools and the Los Angeles Unified School District will also travel to Washington to participate in the conference. The students will attend the Commission\u2019s braintrust, serve as ambassadors and experience the institutions and history their predecessors helped shape.\n\nTheir presence will create a powerful connection between the children whose lives were taken, the parents protecting their legacies and the young men Congresswoman Wilson has dedicated her life to protecting.\n\nThe week will also include \u201cFrom the Classroom to Congress: Celebrating Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson,\u201d recognizing her 35 years of public service as an educator, school board member, state legislator and member of Congress.\n\nKEY EVENTS\n\nFrom the Classroom to Congress: Celebrating Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson\n\nThursday, September 17, 2026\n\n7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.\n\nThe Anthem Room\n\nMarriott Marquis Washington, D.C.\n\nU.S. Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys Braintrust\n\n\u201cOur Young Black Boys Are Being Murdered and Nobody Seems to Care\u201d\n\nCo-Moderators:\n\nCongresswoman Lucy McBath (GA-06)\n\nCivil Rights Attorney Ben Crump\n\nPanelists and Featured Participants:\n\nCongresswoman Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24)\n\nCongressman Hank Johnson (GA-04)\n\nCongressman Christian Menefee (TX-18)\n\nNicco Annan, STARZ Actor\n\nSybrina Fulton, mother of Trayvon Martin\n\nChristine Wells Wonsley and Elmore Wonsley, mother and father of Nolan Wells\n\nMonica Smith and Santonio Carter, mother and father of King Carter\n\nFriday, September 18, 2026\n\n4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.\n\nBallroom C\n\nWalter E. Washington Convention Center\n\nWashington, D.C.\n\ncbcfinc.com/ALC\n\nOfficial Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for the U.S. Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys\n\nHonoring the Martyrs Who Shaped Black History\n\nA Tribute to the Parents Who Carry Their Legacies Forward\n\nHonoring:\n\nMonica Smith and Santonio Carter, parents of King Carter\n\nCongresswoman Lucy McBath, mother of Jordan Davis\n\nSybrina Fulton, mother of Trayvon Martin\n\nChristine Wells Wonsley and Elmore Wonsley, parents of Nolan Wells\n\nFriday, September 18, 2026\n\n4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.\n\nBallroom C\n\nWalter E. Washington Convention Center\n\nWashington, D.C.\n\ncbcfinc.com/ALC\n\nAbout the U.S. Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys", 1, "2026-09-16T09:43:13Z", "2026-09-16T09:44:22Z"], ["https://frost.house.gov/media/press-releases/frost-ezell-king-hinds-bill-to-give-disaster-survivors-more-time-to-appeal-fema-denials-clears-committee", "Frost, Ezell, King-Hinds Bill To Give Disaster Survivors More Time To Appeal FEMA Denials Clears Committee", "2026-09-15", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Maxwell Frost", "F000476", "frost.house.gov", "frost", "https://frost.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 The bipartisan Post-Disaster Protection Act, led by Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost (FL-10), Congressman Mike Ezell (MS-04), and Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds (MP-AL), passed the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure\u2019s markup today, bringing the legislation one step closer to a vote on the House floor.\n\nThe legislation would extend the deadline for applicants to appeal denials of FEMA disaster assistance from 60 to 90 days, matching the amount of time FEMA has to review an appeal. The extension would apply to individual disaster survivors as well as government applicants, including states, cities, counties, and utilities.\n\n\u201cWhen disaster strikes, people should not have to race against the clock to prove that they need help,\u201d said Congressman Maxwell Frost. \u201cIf FEMA has 90 days to review an appeal, survivors should have 90 days to make their case. This is a simple fix that gives families and communities the time they need to gather documents, correct mistakes, and access the assistance they are entitled to.\u201d\n\n\u201cCommunities across South Mississippi know firsthand that recovering from a natural disaster is difficult enough without unnecessary hurdles from the federal government. The Post-Disaster Protection Act is a commonsense fix that gives families and local communities more time to navigate FEMA\u2019s appeals process and make their case. If FEMA gets 90 days to review an appeal, disaster survivors deserve the same amount of time to submit one. I\u2019m glad to see this bipartisan bill advance out of committee, and I look forward to working to get it across the finish line.\u201d \u2014 Congressman Mike Ezell\n\n\u201cDisaster survivors and communities are often navigating an overwhelming recovery process while trying to access the federal assistance they need,\u201d said Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds. \u201cHaving experienced firsthand the challenges of disaster recovery in the Northern Mariana Islands, I understand how difficult it can be to gather documentation, navigate federal requirements, and appeal a decision while rebuilding lives and critical infrastructure. The Post-Disaster Protection Act is a practical step that gives disaster survivors and local governments a fair opportunity to make their case. I am proud to join Representatives Frost and Ezell in advancing this bipartisan legislation and ensuring that communities across our nation have the time and support they need to recover.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Post-Disaster Protection Act is an important step toward giving homeowners and community associations more time to appeal FEMA assistance decisions during disaster recovery. CAI is proud to support this bipartisan legislation and commends Rep. Maxwell Frost\u2019s leadership in helping the 78.1 million Americans living in community associations access the federal assistance they need to recover and rebuild.\u201d \u2014 Community Associations Institute\n\n\"Disaster survivors are often at their most vulnerable when they're forced to navigate FEMA's complex appeals process,\" said National Association of Counties Executive Director Matthew Chase. \"The Post-Disaster Protection Act provides much-needed fairness by giving survivors 90 days to appeal a denial, giving them the time they need to gather documentation and correct errors after a disaster upends their lives. This commonsense change will help more residents successfully access the relief they're entitled to and ease the burden on local governments working to help our communities recover. As this legislation heads to markup, counties urge the T&I Committee to advance this bipartisan legislation.\"\n\n\u201cOne of the biggest challenges of responding to and recovering from a disaster is managing the complexities of federal programs. The Post-Disaster Protection Act will bring applicant deadlines into alignment with federal review periods and help ease the burden on disaster survivors. NEMA thanks the Members willing to co-sponsor and make this bill truly bipartisan.\u201d \u2014 A.J. Gary, NEMA President\n\n\u201cThe National League of Cities supports the Post-Disaster Protection Act, which would give communities additional time to appeal FEMA assistance decisions. We thank Representatives Maxwell Frost, Mike Ezell, and Kimberlyn King-Hinds for championing this important bipartisan legislation.\u201d \u2014 Yucel Ors, Legislative Director, Public Safety and Crime Prevention, National League of Cities\n\nThe bill is endorsed by the National Association of Counties, Community Associations Institute, United States Conference of Mayors, National League of Cities, and National Emergency Management Association.\n\nThe Post-Disaster Protection Act is cosponsored by Reps. Mike Ezell (R-MS), Kimberlyn King-Hinds (R-VI), Kathy Castor (D-FL), Byron Donalds (R-FL), Lois Frankel (D-FL), Scott Franklin (R-FL), Mike Haridopolos (R-FL), Laurel Lee (R-FL), Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), Brian Mast (R-FL), Cory Mills (R-FL), Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), Darren Soto (D-FL), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Daniel Webster (R-FL), and Frederica Wilson (D-FL).\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-17T09:52:05Z", "2026-09-17T09:53:00Z"], ["https://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=405290", "Rep. Castor Leads SEEC Institute\u2019s Release of Thriving Economy Project Report", "2026-09-15", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Kathy Castor", "C001066", "castor.house.gov", "castor", "https://castor.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Rep. Castor today joined the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC) Institute to release the Thriving Economy Project report, a first-of-its-kind menu of more than 800 policy recommendations for Congress to consider now for long-term economic and job growth and affordable, reliable, and cleaner energy for all American families and businesses.\n\nThe report is the product of a coalition of members of Congress and a diverse set of energy, environmental, and economic policy subject-matter experts, including private-sector leaders and advocates, and former senior officials and advisors spanning several past presidential administrations and Congressional offices and committees.\n\nRep. Castor is the Chair of the Thriving Economy Project and is one of nine Members of Congress who worked on the report. Rep. Castor also collaborated with Samantha Medlock on the chapter on Thriving, Affordable, and Resilient Communities.\n\n\u201cMy neighbors are facing rising costs, including from increasingly deadly and costly extreme weather. Geopolitical uncertainty and growing competition from abroad drive difficult decisions at the gas pump and on our farms,\u201d said Rep. Castor. \u201cThe Thriving Economy Project provides a menu of practical, common-sense solutions that will lower costs and keep our communities safe. It\u2019s a roadmap to help every family, in every zip code, share in a healthier and more secure future.\u201d\n\nThe Thriving Economy Project is an effort of SEEC Institute, a nonprofit founded in 2024 to advance climate and clean energy solutions. The report was shaped by nearly two years of public input, including convenings around the country and more than 1,300 policy recommendations and other responses received from communities and business leaders, experts, advocates, and policymakers across the country and economic sectors.\n\nThe ideas highlighted in the report focus on the challenges affecting American families and businesses today, and cover themes like rising household costs, reliable and affordable energy, economic competitiveness, access to good jobs, ways to make our supply chains more efficient and effective, environmental protection, public lands protections, and government efficiency.\n\nAmong the policy recommendations included in the chapter Rep. Castor led are:\n\nCreate an independent FEMA, with a Senate-confirmed administrator and IG.\n\nReestablish FEMA as an independent, cabinet-level agency reporting directly to the President, with a Senate-confirmed Administrator and Deputy Administrator and a dedicated Inspector General.\n\nAdditional policy recommendations included in the report include:\n\nMake sure federal energy assistance helps families keep their homes cool as summers get hotter.\n\nEnsure LIHEAP adequately addresses home cooling needs.\n\nCreate an energy reserve that states could draw on to keep energy prices low.\n\nCreate a Strategic Energy Affordability Reserve drawing from windfall oil and gas profits to give states resources to secure energy price stability for their residents.\n\nCreate a permanent White House office responsible for protecting U.S. energy security from global disruptions.\n\nEstablish a permanent Office of Global Energy Security (OGES) with adequate funding and staff as a component of the White House Executive Office of the President (EOP), structured similarly to the Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD).\n\nCreate a 30% tax credit for major new transmission lines and upgrades that increase the capacity of existing lines.\n\nEstablish a 30% Investment Tax Credit (ITC) for new high voltage interregional and interstate lines, and for upgrades to existing lines using advanced transmission technologies and reconductoring that increases line capacity.\n\nDownload a copy of the report from the SEEC Institute website at https://www.seecinstitute.org/thriving-economy-project.\n\nMedia Contacts:\n\nCastor Office Media Contact:\n\nJay Rhoden\n\nCommunications Director\n\nJay.Rhoden@mail.house.gov\n\nSEEC Institute Media Contact:\n\nPearson Croney-Clark\n\nDirector of External Affairs\n\nSEEC Institute\n\npearson@seecinstitute.org", 1, "2026-09-19T09:11:33Z", "2026-09-19T09:12:45Z"], ["https://cammack.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-kat-cammack-secures-50-million-water-infrastructure", "Congresswoman Kat Cammack Secures $50 Million in Water Infrastructure Authorizations and Horseshoe Beach Storm Protection Study in House-Passed WRDA", "2026-09-15", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Kat Cammack", "C001039", "cammack.house.gov", "cammack", "https://cammack.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Kat Cammack (FL-03) secured $50 million in new and expanded federal water and wastewater infrastructure authorizations for Columbia, Suwannee, Marion, and Gilchrist Counties, along with a coastal storm risk study for Horseshoe Beach in Dixie County, in the Water Resources Development Act of 2026 (H.R. 9497), which passed the House of Representatives today by a vote of 415 to 9.\n\nThe House-passed bill:\n\nAuthorizes up to $39.3 million for water and wastewater infrastructure in Columbia and Suwannee Counties.\n\nMore than doubles Marion County's existing authorization, from $10 million to $20.5 million, providing an additional $10.5 million in authorized capacity.\n\nAuthorizes up to $200,000 for water and wastewater infrastructure, including stormwater management, in Gilchrist County.\n\nDirects the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to study coastal storm risk management for the town of Horseshoe Beach, including shoreline damage prevention and mitigation.", 1, "2026-09-25T10:04:52Z", "2026-09-25T10:05:46Z"], ["https://bilirakis.house.gov/media/press-releases/bilirakis-barragan-cammack-auchincloss-kean-mullin-introduce-bipartisan-bill", "Bilirakis, Barrag\u00e1n, Cammack, Auchincloss, Kean & Mullin Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Permanently Protect Rare Pediatric Disease Drug Development Program -Legislation Provides Long-Term Certainty to Encourage Investment in Lifesaving Treatments for Childr", "2026-09-14", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Gus M. Bilirakis", "B001257", "bilirakis.house.gov", "bilirakis", "https://bilirakis.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Bilirakis, Barrag\u00e1n, Cammack, Auchincloss, Kean & Mullin Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Permanently Protect Rare Pediatric Disease Drug Development Program\n\n-Legislation Provides Long-Term Certainty to Encourage Investment in Lifesaving Treatments for Children with Rare Diseases-\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Earlier today, U.S. Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Nanette Barrag\u00e1n (D-CA), Kat Cammack (R-FL), Jake Auchincloss (D-MA), Tom Kean, Jr. (R-NJ) and Kevin Mullin (D-CA) introduced bipartisan legislation to permanently authorize the U.S. Food and Drug Administration\u2019s (FDA) Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher (PRV) Program, an important incentive for developing treatments for children with rare and devastating diseases. Since its creation in 2012, the program has helped bring treatments to market across 47 rare pediatric diseases - only four of which had an FDA-approved treatment before the program existed. The program, currently scheduled to sunset in 2029, awards a transferable priority review voucher to companies that successfully develop and receive FDA approval for qualifying treatments. Because rare-disease drug development can take as long as 15 years, permanent authorization would provide the long-term certainty needed to encourage continued investment in treatments for small patient populations that might otherwise struggle to attract research and development resources.\n\n\u201cParents of children battling rare diseases should never have to hear that promising research was abandoned because there wasn\u2019t enough incentive to pursue a treatment,\u201dsaid Congressman Gus Bilirakis. \u201cMedical innovation is advancing at an incredible pace, but no child should be left behind simply because their disease affects too few patients to attract traditional investment. Drug development takes years, and innovators need certainty when making research decisions today. By making this successful program permanent, our bipartisan bill will encourage continued investment in lifesaving treatments and give hope to families who are desperately waiting for the next breakthrough.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe should not let a rare disease become a death sentence simply because the market is too small,\u201dsaid Rep. Nanette Barrag\u00e1n. \"The Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher Program has helped bring treatments to children who face devastating diseases that previously had few or no options. That is why I am joining Congressman Bilirakis in introducing bipartisan legislation to permanently authorize this program and create certainty for researchers and investors who need to make decisions today for families and children who cannot afford to wait.\u201d\n\n\u201cEvery child deserves a chance at life, no matter how rare their disease,\u201d said Congresswoman Kat Cammack. \u201cA rare diagnosis should never mean that a child is left behind in the search for a treatment or cure. The Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher Program encourages America\u2019s innovators to take on these devastating diseases and pursue breakthroughs that can give children and their families hope. I\u2019m proud to join this bipartisan effort to make this important program permanent.\u201d\n\n\u201cEvery child deserves a shot at a healthy future,\u201d said Congressman Mullin. \u201cThe Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher Program is bringing lifesaving treatments to kids who desperately need them, and we can\u2019t let that progress stall. I\u2019m proud to join this bipartisan effort to make the program permanent and give families hope that more rare pediatric treatments will be developed. When a child\u2019s life is on the line, we can\u2019t afford to wait.\u201d\n\n\"Children with rare cancers need cures just as much as everyone else. Yet, many companies who want to develop those cures can\u2019t find the necessary financing for such a small group of patients. The Rare Pediatric Disease PRV program provides these companies a vital incentive to invest millions of dollars to find cures for only a handful of children. Congress must permanently reauthorize this program to help these kids and give families hope that treatments and therapies will continue to advance for these devastating conditions,\u201dsaid Congressman Tom Kean, Jr.\n\n\u201cThe medical science to cure pediatric diseases has never been more promising. The vouchers have been an important tool to turn that science into therapies. Congress must not abandon what's working \u2013 we should make the vouchers permanent,\u201d said Congressman Jake Auchincloss.\n\nAlthough the program does not sunset until 2029, investment decisions are being made now. During the program\u2019s lapse from December 2024 to February 2026, the Rare Disease Company Coalition identified roughly 200 therapies at risk of losing eligibility and reported that investors were pulling back from the space. Permanent authorization would provide greater certainty for continued investment in rare pediatric disease research. The legislation is supported by the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), Rare Foundation (formerly EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases), Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), and Rare Disease Company Coalition (RDCC).\n\n\u201cThe Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher program is a proven, budget-neutral incentive that spurs innovation and supports the development of new therapies for children living with rare diseases,\u201dsaid Chris Porter, Chair of the Rare Disease Company Coalition. \u201cDuring the program's lapse from December 2024 to February 2026, over 200 pipeline assets were at risk of not receiving a priority review voucher, representing more than $4 billion in potential lost reinvestment capacity. Permanently reauthorizing the program will provide the certainty and predictability rare disease innovators need to continue investing into rare disease research and development for patients with few or no existing options. The Rare Disease Company Coalition applauds Representatives Bilirakis, Auchincloss, Barrag\u00e1n, Cammack, Mullin and Kean for their leadership and for taking action to make the PPRV program a permanent part of our nation\u2019s rare disease innovation ecosystem.\u201d\n\n\u201cFor families facing a rare pediatric disease, time isn't a luxury. The Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher Program has proven to be one of the most effective tools we have for enabling companies to translate promising science into new treatments. Developing a treatment for a devastating pediatric disease takes years, sometimes decades. Making the PRV permanent gives drug developers and the patient communities counting on them the certainty to make that long-term bet. The RARE Foundation, formerly known as the EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases, is grateful to Representatives Bilirakis, Barrag\u00e1n, Cammack, Auchincloss, Kean, and Mullin for introducing the Priority for Pediatric Cures Act so that we can build on the incredible momentum of the first 14 years of the PRV Program, which has enabled over 70 new treatments for pediatric rare diseases,\u201d Annie Kennedy, Chief Mission Officer, Rare Foundation.\n\n\u201cThe Rare Pediatric Disease PRV program provides critical incentives for rare disease research and development at no cost to taxpayers. Permanent reauthorization of this vital program would bring hope to children and families touched by rare disease who have no more time to wait, and stability and confidence for biotech innovators who are leading the way in the discovery of breakthrough treatments,\u201d said BIO President & CEO John F. Crowley. \u201cPrevious lapses in the PPRV program have devastated families who have run out of treatment options. We are grateful to Representatives Bilirakis, Barragan, and the bipartisan leadership of all the bill\u2019s cosponsors for making the PRV permanent on behalf of pediatric patients and their families.\u201d\n\nBackground\n\nRoughly one in ten Americans lives with a rare disease. Of the more than 10,000 known rare diseases, approximately 95 percent still have no FDA-approved treatment, and half of all patients diagnosed with a rare disease are children. Because rare diseases affect relatively small patient populations, promising treatments can struggle to attract the investment necessary to support years of costly research and development.\n\nThe Rare Pediatric Disease PRV Program helps address that challenge by awarding a priority review voucher following FDA approval of a qualifying treatment. The voucher may be used for another eligible application or transferred to another company. FDA has awarded 63 vouchers to date, with more than 90 percent going to therapies for indications that previously had no approved treatment. Making the program permanent would provide greater certainty for continued investment in treatments and cures for children with rare diseases.", 1, "2026-09-15T09:50:21Z", "2026-09-15T09:52:05Z"], ["https://buchanan.house.gov/2026/09/14/icymi-buchanan-reflects-on-the-25th-anniversary-of-september-11/", "ICYMI: Buchanan\u00a0Reflects on\u00a0the 25th\u00a0Anniversary of September 11", "2026-09-14", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Vern Buchanan", "B001260", "buchanan.house.gov", "buchanan", "https://buchanan.house.gov/media/", "scraper", "\u201cEveryone Remembers Where They Were on September 11, 2001\u201d\n\nOp-Ed Remembers 9/11 and the Importance of Continued Action to Protect our Nation\n\nWASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Vern Buchanan recently penned an op-ed in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune reflecting on his firsthand experience on 9/11 and warning that Congress cannot let its guard down on funding the agencies and first responders who protect the country from the next attack.\n\n\u201cAmerica\u2019s darkest day was September 11,\u201d said Buchanan. \u201cIts brightest was September 12, when the country stood together. We honor that unity best not with speeches alone, but by making sure the people and agencies standing between us and the next attack have what they need, every year, not just this one.\u201d\n\nRead the full op-ed HERE or below:\n\nTwenty-five years after 9/11, remembering is not enough\n\nCongressman Vern Buchanan\n\nEveryone remembers where they were on September 11, 2001. Twenty-five years later, I still remember every detail of that morning. I was at the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, in the district I would one day represent, waiting to greet President George W. Bush after his visit to Emma E. Booker Elementary School just a few miles away. It was supposed to be an ordinary morning, a handshake and a photo with the president.\n\nInstead, a Secret Service agent pulled me into a back room. He told me a small plane may have gotten off course and struck one of the towers at the World Trade Center in New York. He said the President would be with me shortly. At that point, everybody still thought it was an accident. A terrible accident, but an accident.\n\nMinutes later he came back. A second plane had hit. We were under attack.\n\nAir Force One was sitting on the tarmac right in front of me. The president was abruptly rushed into his motorcade and loaded aboard. I watched as the plane climbed almost vertically off the runway. I had never seen an aircraft climb like that. I stood there and watched it go, and I did not know where he was going or when any of us would know anything again. You cannot imagine, standing on a runway in Sarasota on a Tuesday morning, that someone would fly an airplane into a building full of people. Nearly 3,000 of them never made it home. Twenty-five years later, I still remember every detail of that morning as if it happened yesterday.\n\nThe children President Bush was reading with at Booker Elementary School that morning were seven years old. They are in their thirties now. Some of them have children of their own who have never known what our nation was like before.\n\nI have thought a lot about how different this country was the day before. On September 10, there was no Department of Homeland Security. There was no TSA. People boarded airplanes without giving it a second thought, because we did not live like a country that expected to be attacked at home. All of it was built afterward, at a terrible price. In the years right after 2001, this country spent whatever it took to safeguard our nation, but then time passed and the funding fights got harder.\n\nThat day taught me a hard lesson. The men and women who protect us, our first responders, our intelligence professionals, the agencies that stand watch over our airports, borders and infrastructure, cannot do their critical job without sustained support from Congress. Homeland security is not a line item we fund once and set aside. It is a continuing obligation.\n\nThat obligation does not stop at a speech for me. It shows up in how I vote. In 2019, I voted for the Never Forget the Heroes Act, which was signed into law by President Trump and permanently funded the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund so that responders and survivors who got sick from their work at Ground Zero would never have to worry about their care being cut off or delayed by Washington.\n\nThat same principle has to guide how we fund homeland security today. The threats have changed since 2001, from hijacked airliners to cyberattacks on our power grids, hospitals and water systems, but the need for round-the-clock vigilance has not. TSA screeners, Coast Guard crews, cybersecurity personnel and local fire and EMS departments are the modern front line of the fight that began on 9/11. That day deserves more than a tribute. It deserves sustained funding for the agencies and first responders who carry that mission forward today.\n\nThis year, I once again cosponsored the 9-1-1 SAVES Act, which would finally classify 911 dispatchers as first responders. They are the first voice you hear on the worst day of your life. We ought to call them what they are. Every year in this district, I host a ceremony to honor our fire, rescue and EMS crews, because the people who run toward the emergency deserve more than one day.\n\nAmerica\u2019s darkest day was September 11. Its brightest was September 12, when the country stood together. We honor that unity best not with speeches alone, but by making sure the people and agencies standing between us and the next attack have what they need, every year, not just this one.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-15T09:50:21Z", "2026-09-15T09:52:05Z"], ["https://steube.house.gov/press-releases/president-trump-signs-rep-steubes-disaster-tax-relief-bill-into-law/", "President Trump Signs Rep. Steube\u2019s Disaster Tax Relief Bill Into Law", "2026-09-14", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "FL", "W. Gregory Steube", "S001214", "steube.house.gov", "steube", "https://steube.house.gov/category/press-releases/page/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) announced that President Donald Trump signed the Doug LaMalfa Federal Disaster Tax Relief Certainty Act into law, delivering critical tax relief and certainty to Americans recovering from federally declared natural disasters. The legislation extends federal disaster tax relief for Americans impacted by federally declared disasters between July 4, 2025, and December 31, 2026.\n\n\u201cThis delivers long-overdue certainty to Americans rebuilding after natural disasters. Disaster victims should be focused on rebuilding their homes, businesses, and communities, not worrying about an unexpected tax burden on the assistance they receive,\u201d said Rep. Greg Steube. \u201cI\u2019m grateful to President Trump for signing this important legislation into law and ensuring families across the country receive the relief they deserve. Congressman LaMalfa worked tirelessly to get this legislation across the finish line, and it is fitting that his legacy of service will live on for years to come.\u201d\n\n\u201cThanks to bipartisan leadership in Congress and President Trump, disaster victims now have the certainty they need to rebuild their lives. Families who lose their homes to a wildfire or a hurricane should not also lose a sizable piece of their recovery resources to the IRS. I commend Congressman Steube for his tireless efforts to see this bill across the finish line, and I want to recognize our late colleague Doug LaMalfa, whose years of advocacy for disaster victims in California made this law possible,\u201d said Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith.\n\n\u201cAfter disaster strikes, impacted Americans should be focused on rebuilding their lives and their communities \u2013 not surprise changes to their tax bills. After speaking with so many Americans in Florida and across the country impacted by natural disasters, including meeting Spencer Pratt at his burned-down home and touring the aftermath of the Palisades Fire, I knew we had to do something. Now that President Trump has signed this bill into law, I\u2019m grateful to have worked with Spencer, Rep. Steube, and Sen. Schiff to ensure those affected by hurricanes, wildfires, and other natural disasters continue to receive the real tax relief \u2013 and the peace of mind \u2013 they deserve,\u201d said Senator Rick Scott.\n\n\u201cThe last thing families and communities recovering from natural disasters should have to worry about is an additional tax burden when they\u2019re trying to get back on their feet,\u201d said Rep. Panetta. \u201cI\u2019m proud that our bipartisan legislation has been signed into law to ensure that wildfire relief payments and hurricane losses continue to qualify for fair tax treatment. This new law will provide disaster-impacted Americans with the certainty, time, and tools they need to rebuild and move forward.\u201d\n\n\u201cSurviving a natural disaster can place an enormous financial burden on families. It is critical that we support victims of devastating disasters like the wildfires in California and across the country. That\u2019s why I was proud to team up with Senator Rick Scott and Representatives Greg Steube, Mike Thompson and Jimmy Panetta to provide tax relief to the victims of natural disasters and why I am so grateful to see our bipartisan bill signed into law. We must ensure that those hit the hardest when disaster strikes receive the support and the tax relief they need to recover. And in seeing our bill become law, we affirm a vital part of the late Doug LaMalfa\u2019s legacy,\u201d said Senator Adam Schiff.\n\nTheDoug LaMalfa Federal Disaster Tax Relief Certainty Act allows Americans impacted by federally declared disasters to deduct qualified casualty losses without having to itemize deductions. The legislation also ensures certain disaster relief payments are not treated as taxable income.\n\nThe legislation was led in the upper chamber by Senator Rick Scott (R-Fla.), with Representatives Steube, the late Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.), Mike Thompson (D-Calif.), and Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.) leading in the House. The legislation was originally introduced as the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2025, but was later renamed in honor of the late Congressman LaMalfa, who spent years championing disaster tax relief for Americans recovering from catastrophic events and passed unanimously.\n\nThe Doug LaMalfa Federal Disaster Tax Relief Certainty Act builds on Rep. Steube\u2019s Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2023, which delivered billions in tax relief to Americans recovering from hurricanes, floods, wildfires, tornadoes, and other federally declared disasters. By extending these tax provisions through December 31, 2026, the Doug LaMalfa Federal Disaster Tax Relief Certainty Act provides continued certainty for disaster victims as they rebuild and recover.\n\nWith multiple pieces of standalone tax legislation now signed into law by both Presidents Trump and Biden, Congressman Steube has continued to demonstrate his ability to overcome Washington gridlock and deliver meaningful results for the American taxpayer.\n\nCongressman Steube is one of five House Republicans not on the Ways and Means Committee Leadership to bring two taxpayer bills into law in over fifty years.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-15T09:50:21Z", "2026-09-15T09:52:05Z"], ["https://frost.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-frost-federal-watchdog-confirms-reports-of-inhumane-conditions-at-alligator-alcatraz", "Rep. Frost: Federal Watchdog Confirms Reports of Inhumane Conditions at \u201cAlligator Alcatraz\u201d", "2026-09-14", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Maxwell Frost", "F000476", "frost.house.gov", "frost", "https://frost.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost (FL-10) released the following statement after a Department of Homeland Security Inspector General report confirmed that detainees at the now-shuttered \u201cAlligator Alcatraz\u201d were held in outdoor metal cages as small as 16 square feet for extended periods of time:\n\n\u201cToday\u2019s report confirms what we already knew: what happened at Alligator Alcatraz was disgusting, inhumane, and a stain on Florida\u2019s history.\n\nI saw those conditions with my own eyes. I went to Alligator Alcatraz twice, and before both visits, I was specifically told to see \u201cthe cage\u201d in the recreation area \u2014 including that there had been blood inside it. Both times, I was assured the cages were no longer being used. Now we know that wasn\u2019t true. The federal government\u2019s own watchdog confirmed that people were being held in outdoor metal cages barely larger than a telephone booth, sometimes for nearly two hours.\n\nThis does not end with Alligator Alcatraz. People in ICE custody across America are still facing horrific conditions. I will continue conducting oversight at facilities across Florida and demanding answers.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-17T09:52:05Z", "2026-09-17T09:53:00Z"], ["https://frost.house.gov/media/press-releases/25-years-later-we-remember", "25 Years Later, We Remember", "2026-09-11", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Maxwell Frost", "F000476", "frost.house.gov", "frost", "https://frost.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "ORLANDO, FL \u2014 In a statement marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, Congressman Maxwell Frost said:\n\n\u201cTwenty-five years ago, our country experienced an unimaginable tragedy. Nearly 3,000 people never made it home to their families, and countless others have lived with that loss every day since.\n\nWe remember the people we lost. We remember the first responders who ran toward danger. And we remember how, in the aftermath, Americans showed up for each other.\n\nThat spirit of looking out for one another is what we should carry forward. Twenty-five years later, we remember, we mourn, and we recommit ourselves to building a country where we take care of each other.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-17T09:52:05Z", "2026-09-17T09:53:00Z"], ["https://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=405285", "U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor Opposes Data Centers in Hillsborough County", "2026-09-10", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Kathy Castor", "C001066", "castor.house.gov", "castor", "https://castor.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "TAMPA, Fla. \u2013 U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) today expressed strong opposition to data centers in Hillsborough County in a letter to the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners. Castor highlighted the significant strains on pocketbooks and local resources associated with data center development that can drive up electric and water bills for residents, farmers and small businesses.\n\nIn Hillsborough County, the average electric utility bill has increased by over 40 percent in the past five years. Castor\u2019s bipartisan Ratepayer Protection Act would require data centers to pay the full costs of energy demand and protect ratepayers from data center rate hikes.\n\nCastor concluded, \u201cData centers cannot come at a cost to neighbors who are already facing high grocery, gas, utility, health care and housing costs. We need to make sure these projects actually bring good-paying jobs to our community and that workers, families, and neighborhoods aren\u2019t forced to pay the burden of rapid technology growth, while out-of-state tech billionaires get richer.\u201d\n\nRead the full letter below:\n\nRE: Opposition to Data Center Development in Hillsborough County\n\nDear Commissioner[s]:\n\nAs the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners considers the future of data centers in our community, I would like to relay my strong opposition to the siting of data centers in Hillsborough County. The potential impacts on the cost of living for our residents and on our community\u2019s essential resources are too significant to ignore.\n\nAs the Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee\u2019s Energy Subcommittee, I have led the national conversation in Congress as we grapple with high energy bills and rising electricity demand from data centers. I\u2019m proud to lead the Ratepayer Protection Act \u2013 a bipartisan bill that requires data centers to pay the full costs of their energy demand. Data centers cannot be allowed to pass on their costs to hardworking Florida families and small businesses. The Ratepayer Protection Act would preserve local control over siting and permitting decisions \u2013 because these are decisions that should be made by the people and communities where these facilities are being built.\n\nEqually troubling is the immense water usage required for cooling these facilities. In a state where water resources are already under pressure from population growth and climate challenges, diverting millions of gallons for private corporations is neither sustainable nor in the public\u2019s best interest. The county faces moderate to extreme drought conditions, limiting our public water supplies and hurting our farming communities. Hillsborough County and Tampa Bay Water are grappling with huge new water demand requirements and costs. Plant City is already turning to creative water solutions, like reuse for crop freeze protection, and population growth that are threatening local aquifer levels. Community leaders have expressed to me their strong opposition to data centers that could further strain our limited water supplies.\n\nI am also deeply concerned about the new state law permitting nondisclosure agreements for data centers. Secret deals are wrong. This lack of transparency undermines public trust and prevents residents from fully understanding the environmental, economic, and infrastructural impact on their lives. Our community deserves immediate open access to information about developments that could affect our daily lives for decades to come.\n\nData centers cannot come at a cost to neighbors who are already facing high grocery, gas, utility, health care and housing costs. We need to make sure these projects actually bring good-paying jobs to our community and that workers, families, and neighborhoods aren\u2019t forced to pay the burden of rapid technology growth, while out-of-state tech billionaires get richer.\n\nPlease act decisively to protect Hillsborough County\u2019s residents, resources, and long-term sustainability.\n\nI respectfully urge you to prioritize the public interest over private profit.\n\nThank you for your time, service, and commitment to our community.", 1, "2026-09-11T09:25:29Z", "2026-09-11T09:27:08Z"], ["https://steube.house.gov/press-releases/rep-steube-sen-moody-urge-army-corps-to-preserve-charlotte-county-septic-to-sewer-authorization/", "Rep. Steube, Sen. Moody Urge Army Corps to Preserve Charlotte County Septic-to-Sewer Authorization", "2026-09-10", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "FL", "W. Gregory Steube", "S001214", "steube.house.gov", "steube", "https://steube.house.gov/category/press-releases/page/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) and Senator Ashley Moody (R-Fla.) today sent a joint letter to Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam Telle urging the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to preserve Charlotte County\u2019s eligibility to seek federal funding for septic-to-sewer conversion projects.\n\nRep. Steube worked to increase the amount in federal funding that Charlotte County could seek from $3 million to $33 million in 2022 to address nearly 2,600 failing septic systems harming water quality in the Charlotte Harbor National Estuary and the Gulf of America. Federal funds have yet to be dispersed for the project, but the lawmakers say that reflects bureaucratic delay, not a lapse in need. Charlotte County has since completed the Manasota Key Shoreline Protection Study and is now positioned to pursue a roughly $400 million wastewater conversion program, with the county planning to request Congressional support for septic-to-sewer conversions in the upcoming funding cycle.\n\nRep. Steube and Sen. Moody warn that removing Charlotte County\u2019s eligibility for federal support now would strip the county of its ability to seek funding for this work going forward, undoing years of Congressional effort to address failing septic systems and improve water quality throughout Southwest Florida.\n\nThe full letter is attached here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-11T09:25:29Z", "2026-09-11T09:27:08Z"], ["https://buchanan.house.gov/2026/09/09/icymi-buchanan-warns-of-looming-national-debt-crisis-in-sarasota-herald-tribune-op-ed/", "ICYMI: Buchanan Warns of\u00a0Looming\u00a0National Debt Crisis\u00a0in Sarasota Herald-Tribune Op-Ed", "2026-09-09", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Vern Buchanan", "B001260", "buchanan.house.gov", "buchanan", "https://buchanan.house.gov/media/", "scraper", "\u201cFlorida families balance their budgets every month. It is about time Washington does the same.\u201d\n\nOp-Ed Details the $40 Trillion National Debt and Buchanan\u2019s Balanced Budget Amendment\n\nWASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Vern Buchanan recently penned an op-ed in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune warning that the national debt, now surpassing $40 trillion, is on pace to leave the next generation with a bill they never agreed to and cannot afford.\n\n\u201cI spent more than 30 years running businesses before I ever set foot on the House floor,\u201d said Buchanan. \u201cIn the business world, there is a simple rule that never changes: you cannot spend more than you take in year after year and expect to stay open. Every entrepreneur and small business owner in Florida knows this. So does every family balancing a checkbook. It\u2019s time Washington learned it too.\u201d\n\nRead the full op-ed HERE or below:\n\nThe Next Generation Shouldn\u2019t Inherit Washington\u2019s Spending Problem\n\nCongressman Vern Buchanan\n\nI spent more than 30 years running businesses before I ever set foot on the House floor. In the business world, there is a simple rule that never changes: you cannot spend more than you take in year after year and expect to stay open. Every entrepreneur and small business owner in Florida knows this. So does every family balancing a checkbook. It\u2019s time Washington learned it too.\n\nThe national debt has surpassed $40 trillion, a number so large it\u2019s difficult to picture. To put it in perspective, that\u2019s more than $300,000 owed for every household in America, a bill no family ever agreed to, and no family should have to afford. The debt now stands at more than 100 percent of the size of our entire economy, a level that warrants extreme concern. Additionally, interest on the debt is growing out of control as it surpasses defense to become the federal governments second largest expense. We\u2019ve borrowed against the future before, but always to win a war or survive a depression, never simply to avoid making a hard choice.\n\nIf Washington continues on its current course, with no more wars, no recession and no major new programs, the debt is projected to hit a staggering $64 trillion within the next decade. Add more than $80 trillion in unfunded promises to Social Security and Medicare and the picture becomes even more sobering. These are promises we\u2019ve made to seniors who spent their whole lives paying in, and to young people who haven\u2019t even cast their first vote yet. As representatives of the American people, we are here to serve their best interest, and there is nothing in their interest about handing the next generation a bill this country can\u2019t afford.\n\nIn January 2007, the national debt stood at just under $9 trillion. In less than two decades, it has more than quadrupled. Think about that. It took this country more than 230 years, through two world wars, the Great Depression and the Cold War, to reach $9 trillion in debt. It has taken us less than 20 years to add more than $31 trillion more on top of it.\n\nThis did not happen under one party or one president. Both sides of the aisle share the blame, and both sides need to be part of the solution. That is why I authored H.J. Res. 3, a constitutional amendment to require a balanced federal budget, as both my first piece of legislation when I arrived in Congress and my first bill to introduce in each Congress since. I believe nothing else we can do in Washington matters much if we do not get our fiscal house in order first.\n\nA balanced budget amendment simply says what every Florida family and every small business already lives by: Congress cannot spend money it does not have without a real plan to pay it back. It would force Washington to set priorities, cut what does not work and stop kicking the hardest decisions down the road to our kids and grandkids. This is not a Republican idea or a Democratic idea. It is widely understood, and it deserves support from members on both sides of the aisle who care about the country the next generation will inherit.\n\nI\u2019ve heard the argument that we can simply tax our way out of this problem. But I don\u2019t believe the answer is to reach deeper into the pockets of the people who are already carrying this country. The math does not support it either. Even the most aggressive tax increases on the wealthiest Americans would not come close to closing deficits of this size, let alone pay for the new spending some in Washington keep proposing. Working families and small businesses didn\u2019t run up this debt, and they shouldn\u2019t be the ones to foot the bill for it. The only honest path forward is to control spending, grow the economy and stop treating the congressional credit card as if it has no limit.\n\nI did not come to Washington to leave behind a bigger problem than the one I found. I came here to run government the way I ran my businesses, with discipline, accountability and an eye on long-term success. Nearly 20 years later, that mission is more urgent than it has ever been.\n\nThe debt crisis we are approaching will not announce itself with a single dramatic headline. It will show up in higher interest rates, a weaker dollar, less money for the priorities that matter and fewer opportunities for the next generation. It will reach into the everyday lives of Americans nationwide. We still have time to change course, but that window is closing quickly.\n\nI\u2019m asking my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in getting the national debt under control. Florida families balance their budgets every month. It is about time Washington does the same.\n\nRep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla) is the Vice Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee and the chairman of the Health Subcommittee. Prior to serving in Congress, Buchanan was in business for over 30 years and chaired both the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce and Florida Chamber of Commerce.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-10T09:25:58Z", "2026-09-10T09:27:09Z"], ["https://franklin.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1932", "Franklin Leads Members Of Florida Delegation In Effort To Protect Domestic Fertilizer Production", "2026-09-09", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Scott Franklin", "F000472", "franklin.house.gov", "franklin", "https://franklin.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Congressman Scott Franklin (FL-18) led members of Florida\u2019s congressional delegation in a letter to President Trump and Commerce Secretary Lutnick urging continued action to address the supply and rising cost of sulfur, a critical input used to produce phosphate fertilizer.\n\n\u201cFlorida is at the heart of America\u2019s phosphate fertilizer production, and the current sulfur shortage threatens an industry our farmers and food supply depend on,\u201d said Congressman Scott Franklin. \u201cA reliable, affordable supply of sulfur is critical to producing fertilizer American farmers depend on. I appreciate the Trump Administration\u2019s work on this issue, and we want to build on those efforts to protect American fertilizer production, support our farmers and reduce our dependence on foreign sources.\u201d\n\nGeopolitical and shipping disruptions have constrained global sulfur supplies and driven prices to historic levels. Tampa sulfur prices have risen sharply from a previous average of $172 per long ton. Since May, prices have exceeded $1,100 per metric ton. This increase has put significant pressure on domestic phosphate fertilizer production.\n\nDomestic phosphate producers have already reduced operating rates and idled facilities as sulfur costs and supply constraints have intensified. Further disruptions could threaten American jobs, tighten fertilizer supplies, increase costs for farmers and leave the United States more dependent on foreign fertilizer.\n\nThe Trump Administration has convened an interagency process to examine the issue. Franklin and his colleagues encouraged continued engagement and outlined potential options to increase access to competitively priced sulfur, including coordination with domestic refiners and sulfur marketers, addressing transportation and logistics constraints, using appropriate trade and financing tools and engaging allied suppliers.\n\nThe lawmakers also encourage the Administration to designate a senior official to coordinate the federal response and work with Congress on any additional authorities or resources that may be needed.\n\nCosigners include: Reps. Byron Donalds (FL-19), Kat Cammack (FL-03), Daniel Webster (FL-11), Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Laurel Lee (FL-15), Greg Steube (FL-17) and Anna Paulina Luna (FL-13).\n\nRead the full letter here.", 1, "2026-09-10T09:25:58Z", "2026-09-10T09:27:09Z"], ["https://steube.house.gov/press-releases/rep-steube-pushes-his-myakka-river-bill-before-house-natural-resources-committee/", "Rep. Steube Pushes His Myakka River Bill Before House Natural Resources Committee", "2026-09-09", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "FL", "W. Gregory Steube", "S001214", "steube.house.gov", "steube", "https://steube.house.gov/category/press-releases/page/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2013\u2013Last week, Rep. Steube testified before the House Natural Resources subcommittee on Federal Lands in support of his bill H.R. 642, the Myakka Wild and Scenic River Act of 2025. His legislation would add the 34-mile Sarasota County segment of the Myakka River to the Partnership Wild and Scenic River program, a collaborative federal framework jointly protecting free-flowing rivers that mostly run though private or non-federal land.\n\n\u201cAs a Floridian who grew up working cattle along the Myakka River, I know firsthand how important the river is to Southwest Florida,\u201d said Rep. Steube. \u201cMy legislation would recognize the 34-mile segment of the Myakka River in Sarasota County through the Partnership Wild & Scenic Rivers program and help preserve this Florida treasure for generations to come.\u201d\n\n\u201cSarasota County appreciates the continued attention to the Myakka River and its importance to our community, environment and quality of life,\u201d said Ron Cutsinger, Chair of the Sarasota County Commission. \u201cWe are grateful to Congressman Steube and our federal delegation for recognizing the importance of this treasured natural resource, and we value the ongoing work to support stewardship of the river for future generations.\u201d\n\nThe Myakka Wild and Scenic River Act has the support of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Sarasota County Commission, Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, Trust for Public Lands, Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, City of Venice, Suncoast Builders Association, Hawkins Ranch, Big Waters Land Trust, Coastal & Heartland National Estuary Partnership, League of Women Voters of Sarasota County, and the Myakka River Management Coordination Council.\n\nBackground: Rep. Steube\u2019s bill has rapidly grown statewide support since its introduction, with Senators Rick Scott and Ashley Moody leading this effort in the Senate. Rep. Steube\u2019s bill has also gained the bipartisan support of Representatives Vern Buchanan, Daniel Webster, Darren Soto, Jimmy Patronis, Kat Cammack, John Rutherford, Laurel Lee and Gus Bilirakis.\n\nClearing a major legislative benchmark, last week\u2019s hearing before the House Natural Resources committees brings Rep. Steube\u2019s bill one step closer to consideration before the U.S. House of Representatives.", 1, "2026-10-01T11:23:28Z", "2026-10-01T11:25:15Z"], ["https://wilson.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-wilson-honors-smithsonian-secretary-lonnie-bunch-iii-following-retirement-announcement", "Rep. Wilson Honors Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch III  Following Retirement Announcement", "2026-09-08", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Frederica S. Wilson", "W000808", "wilson.house.gov", "wilson", "https://wilson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24) released the following statement on the retirement of Lonnie G. Bunch III.\n\n\u201cLonnie Bunch III did not simply preserve history. He made it, defended it, and refused to let anyone erase it.\n\n\u201cAs the first Black Secretary of the Smithsonian and founding director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, he transformed a dream carried across generations into a national treasure.\n\n\u201cFor 38 years, Secretary Bunch fought to ensure that Black history was protected and told truthfully. When powerful forces sought to censor exhibits, distort the past, and diminish the Black experience, he stood firmly in their way.\n\n\u201cAttempts to censor our history cannot erase it, and attempts to silence the truth will only make us tell it louder.\n\n\u201cIf there is a sword worth falling on, it is this: We will never stop telling the full American story.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-09T09:27:09Z", "2026-09-09T09:29:04Z"], ["https://salazar.house.gov/media/press-releases/salazar-joins-bipartisan-effort-expand-access-child-tax-credit-working", "Salazar Joins Bipartisan Effort to Expand Access to Child Tax Credit for Working Families", "2026-09-08", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Maria Elvira Salazar", "S000168", "salazar.house.gov", "salazar", "https://salazar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Representative Mar\u00eda Elvira Salazar (FL-27) joined Representatives Carol Miller (R-WV), Steven Horsford (D-NV), and Chris Pappas (D-NH) in introducing the bipartisan Stronger Start for Working Families Act, legislation that would lower the earned-income threshold for the refundable Child Tax Credit from $2,500 to $1.\n\nUnder current law, the refundable portion of the Child Tax Credit does not begin phasing in until a family earns more than $2,500. The Stronger Start for Working Families Act would allow eligible working families to begin earning the refundable credit with their first dollar of earned income. According to the Tax Policy Center, the change would provide a tax cut to nearly 3.5 million families with children in 2026.\n\n\u201cRaising a family is expensive, and too many parents in South Florida are doing everything right and still feeling squeezed by the cost of everyday life,\u201d said Rep. Salazar. \u201cThe Stronger Start for Working Families Act makes a simple, commonsense change: working families should be able to start benefiting from the refundable Child Tax Credit from the very first dollar they earn, instead of waiting until they reach $2,500 in earnings. I\u2019m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this bipartisan bill to put more of that help within reach for families paying for groceries, child care, rent, and all the everyday costs that come with raising children.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Stronger Start for Working Families Act is a common-sense piece of legislation designed to help our families across the country who are struggling with the rising costs of raising a child. By lowering the earned income limit, we can ensure parents start receiving much-needed Child Tax Credit benefits from the very first dollar they earn, providing tax relief and improved peace of mind to those needing it most,\u201d said Congresswoman Carol Miller.\n\n\u201cThe Stronger Start for Working Families Act is a bipartisan solution for working families who have watched relief stay just out of reach. Lowering the qualifying threshold from $2,500 to just $1 means that so many families below the poverty line who were previously prevented from qualifying now have access to the assistance they deserve. That can be the difference between keeping the lights on and putting food on the table. There is still more work to be done for families who need support, but this is a positive first step. I'm proud to work with my colleagues across the aisle on this much needed relief, and I will continue to ensure working families can get ahead, not just get by,\" said Rep. Horsford.\n\n\"Families in New Hampshire are working hard and still coming up short. Child care for a family with two kids costs close to $32,000 a year here, more than a quarter of our state's median family income. It makes no sense that parents who need the Child Tax Credit most are the ones missing out. This bill is a simple and straightforward fix: let families start earning the credit with their first dollar of work so we can put money back in their pockets,\" said Congressman Chris Pappas.\n\nThe Stronger Start for Working Families Act would:\n\nLower the earned-income threshold for the refundable Child Tax Credit from $2,500 to $1, allowing eligible families to begin earning the credit with their first dollar of earned income;\n\nExpand access to the refundable portion of the Child Tax Credit for lower-income working families;\n\nMaintain the credit\u2019s connection to earned income while allowing the refundable benefit to begin phasing in sooner; and\n\nApply the change beginning with the 2026 tax year.\n\nThe legislation is the House companion to the bipartisan Stronger Start for Working Families Act introduced in the Senate by Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Todd Young (R-IN).\n\n\u201cParents are struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living, with majorities of low-income parents saying they have increased spending on groceries and utilities this year. The Stronger Start for Working Families Act will help families access a larger Child Tax Credit sooner, which helps them afford basic necessities that help children thrive and incentivizes parents to join or stay in the workforce. BPC Action commends Reps. Miller (R-WV) and Horsford (D-NV) for leading this bill in the House,\u201d says Michele Stockwell, president of Bipartisan Policy Center Action (BPC Action).\n\nThe Stronger Start for Working Families Act is supported by Bipartisan Policy Center Action, Third Way, Bread for the World, America Forward, Save the Children, Niskanen Center, Family Matters, and RESULTS.\n\nRep. Salazar has made affordability a priority in Congress, advancing policies to address housing costs, strengthen homeownership, and help South Florida families keep more of what they earn. She will continue working to ease the financial pressure facing parents and make it more affordable to raise a family in FL-27.", 1, "2026-09-11T09:25:29Z", "2026-09-11T09:27:08Z"], ["https://salazar.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-salazar-bera-reintroduce-bipartisan-bill-combat-tuberculosis-worldwide", "Reps. Salazar, Bera Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Combat Tuberculosis Worldwide", "2026-09-04", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Maria Elvira Salazar", "S000168", "salazar.house.gov", "salazar", "https://salazar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, Mar\u00eda Elvira Salazar (R-FL) U.S. Representatives Ami Bera, M.D. (D-CA) co-chairs of the House Tuberculosis Elimination Caucus, introduced the End Tuberculosis Now Act of 2026. This bipartisan legislation would strengthen U.S. efforts to prevent, diagnose, treat, and ultimately eliminate tuberculosis (TB) worldwide. A group of seven bipartisan Representatives joined as original cosponsors.\n\n\u201cTuberculosis has challenged humanity for centuries. It should not define the centuries ahead,\u201d said Representative Mar\u00eda Elvira Salazar. \u201cTB is preventable, treatable, and curable, yet too many people still die because they cannot get a timely diagnosis or the care they need. I\u2019m proud to co-lead the End Tuberculosis Now Act of 2026 to keep America leading this fight, equip our partners with better tools, and stop a preventable disease from claiming more lives. The goal is simple: find it, treat it, and end it.\u201d\n\n\u201cTuberculosis is preventable, treatable, and curable, yet it continues to take far too many lives around the world,\u201d said Representative Ami Bera, M.D. \u201cThe End Tuberculosis Now Act of 2026 ensures the United States remains a leader in this fight by focusing on proven approaches: investing in better diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines and making sure our global health programs are accountable for results. I\u2019m especially grateful to John Green, RESULTS, and TB advocates across the country for their tireless work to raise awareness, build support, and move us closer to ending TB once and for all.\u201d\n\n\u201cRESULTS is deeply grateful to Rep. Bera and Rep. Salazar for their unwavering commitment to the fight against TB, and for championing this legislation,\u201d said Dr. Joanne Carter, Executive Director of Raise Your Voice to End Poverty (RESULTS). \u201cCommunities around the world are leading the fight against TB, and we now have a range of powerful new tools ready to deploy. The U.S. government has already set bold targets for ending TB globally, and this bill provides the framework for how we actually get there. Our volunteers across the country are ready to support Congress to get this bill enacted into law.\u201d\n\n\u201cI\u2019m so grateful to Rep. Bera and Rep. Salazar for advancing the fight against tuberculosis. This disease, curable since the 1950s, has been allowed to ravage the world for far too long,\u201d said John Green, TB advocate and author of the New York Times best-selling book Everything is Tuberculosis. \u201cThe End TB Now Act will help reduce the burden of a terrible global scourge.\u201d\n\nThe End Tuberculosis Now Act of 2026 modernizes U.S. global TB programs to focus resources on finding, treating, and preventing tuberculosis, particularly in countries and communities with the highest burden of the disease.\n\nThe legislation would:\n\nExpand access to TB diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, including active case finding, rapid diagnostics, treatment for drug-resistant TB, and preventive treatment for people at high risk of infection;\n\nAccelerate research and development of better tools to fight TB, including new diagnostics, drug therapies, vaccines, and other technologies, while strengthening health systems and laboratory capacity;\n\nSet clear goals and strengthen accountability for U.S. programs, including working by 2030 to reduce TB incidence by 80 percent and TB deaths by 90 percent from 2015 levels, diagnose and begin treatment for 90 percent of TB and drug-resistant TB cases, achieve a 90 percent treatment success rate, and provide preventive treatment to 30 million people; and\n\nRequire annual reporting on U.S. global TB programs and investments in research and development to track progress and strengthen accountability.\n\nSince 2022, Representative Salazar has led bipartisan efforts in the House of Representatives to eliminate tuberculosis. Alongside Representative Bera, Salazar introduced the End Tuberculosis Now Act of 2022, which advanced through the House Foreign Affairs Committee that year. He reintroduced the legislation in 2023, when it again passed the Committee unanimously.\n\nAs a member of congress, Salazar has consistently made the case that investing in prevention, detection, and eradication efforts abroad is also an investment in the health and security of Americans at home.\n\nCompanion legislation in the Senate was introduced in the 119th Congress by Senators Todd Young (R-IN) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH).", 1, "2026-09-05T08:49:07Z", "2026-09-05T08:50:44Z"], ["https://laurellee.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-laurel-lee-introduces-ballots-election-day-act-establish-clear-deadline", "Rep. Laurel Lee Introduces Ballots by Election Day Act to Establish Clear Deadline for Federal Elections", "2026-09-03", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Laurel M. Lee", "L000597", "laurellee.house.gov", "laurellee", "https://laurellee.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Laurel Lee (FL-15), Chairwoman of the House Administration Subcommittee on Elections and former Florida Secretary of State, introduced the Ballots by Election Day Act, legislation establishing a clear, uniform standard that ballots cast in federal elections must be received by the close of polls on Election Day in order to be counted.\n\nThe legislation is the House companion to legislation introduced by Senator Ashley Moody (R-FL). It would require absentee and mail-in ballots in federal elections to be received by the close of polls on Election Day, while preserving existing protections for military and overseas voters under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA). The requirement would take effect beginning with federal elections held in 2027.\n\nAs Florida\u2019s former Secretary of State, Rep. Lee served as the state\u2019s chief election officer and oversaw the administration of Florida\u2019s elections. Florida already requires most vote-by-mail ballots to be received by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day in order to be counted. The Ballots by Election Day Act would bring that same basic principle to federal elections nationwide: voters should know the deadline, election officials should know the rules, and Election Day should mark the end of voting.\n\n\u201cHaving served as Florida\u2019s Secretary of State and overseen elections across our state, I have seen firsthand that clear rules, firm deadlines, and consistent election administration work,\u201dsaid Rep. Laurel Lee.\u201cFlorida has shown that we can provide voters with accessible ways to cast their ballots while maintaining a clear deadline for when those ballots must be received. Election Day should mean election results. When the polls close, voters should have confidence that the voting is over and election officials can move forward with determining the results. The Ballots by Election Day Act applies that commonsense standard to federal elections across the country and provides greater certainty for voters, election officials, and the American people.\u201d\n\nThe Ballots by Election Day Act is a simple fix to rebuild trust in elections. The fact that some states allow ballots to pour in for days after an election is absurd. Passing our Ballots by Election Day Act would deliver results before bed,\u201d said Senator Ashley Moody. \u201cI\u2019m happy to see my friend and colleague, Representative Laurel Lee, join me in this fight to bring Florida\u2019s blueprint for elections nationwide.\n\nBACKGROUND:\n\nThe Ballots by Election Day Act follows the Supreme Court\u2019s decision in Watson v. Republican National Committee, which determined that current federal law does not establish a nationwide deadline for receiving mail ballots and left the issue for Congress to address.\n\nThis bill establishes a clear deadline for when ballots cast for federal office must be received. It provides voters with consistent rules and certainty about when their ballots are due, regardless of where they live. The approach is modeled after Florida, where most vote-by-mail ballots must be received by the close of polls on Election Day.\n\nThe Ballots by Election Day Act would:", 1, "2026-09-04T09:19:37Z", "2026-09-04T09:20:58Z"], ["https://cammack.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-kat-cammack-issues-statement-censure-rep-chuck-edwards", "Congresswoman Kat Cammack Issues Statement on the Censure of Rep. Chuck Edwards", "2026-09-02", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Kat Cammack", "C001039", "cammack.house.gov", "cammack", "https://cammack.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "\"Yesterday, I voted to censure Congressman Chuck Edwards.\n\nI read the Ethics Committee's report, and I read his letter and his lawyers' response with the seriousness they deserve. He had every right to defend himself. It did not change my vote.\n\nThe Committee found a persistent pattern of unprofessional and inappropriate conduct toward two young women on his staff, and he did not deny much of the underlying conduct. In fact, defends it. He defends the gifts and the poetry, and he defends traveling with a young woman who had only just left his office. His argument is that none of it broke a rule, and that is precisely the problem.\n\nI was a congressional staffer myself before becoming a Member. I understand the responsibility Members have to the people who work for us. Members of Congress hold enormous power over the people who work for us. 'Technically permitted' is a low bar. Judgment is the standard.\n\nI co-founded the Republican Women's Caucus to raise the standard in this institution, and that starts with how we treat the people who serve alongside us. Two young women left his office, and the Committee said the House lost them because of his conduct.\n\nCongress cannot ask the American people to trust this body if we refuse to hold ourselves accountable. Yesterday's vote was accountability after the fact. My work with Chairwoman Leger Fern\u00e1ndez and the Democratic Women's Caucus is about making sure the next staffer never has to get that far. We will have more to share on that work soon.\"", 1, "2026-09-03T09:29:33Z", "2026-09-03T09:31:32Z"], ["https://franklin.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1930", "Franklin Secures $2.9 Million For Public Safety Innovation Lab At Florida Poly", "2026-09-02", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Scott Franklin", "F000472", "franklin.house.gov", "franklin", "https://franklin.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Congressman Scott Franklin (FL-18) today announced he secured $2.9 million for Florida Polytechnic University to establish a new Public Service Applied Innovation Laboratory (PSAIL).\n\n\u201cFlorida Poly is doing important work to prepare the next generation of American innovators and tackle real-world challenges in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and public safety,\u201d said Congressman Scott Franklin. \u201cAs a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I\u2019m pleased we were able to secure $2.9 million to help build on that work. This investment will give students valuable hands-on experience, strengthen our public safety capabilities and help develop the skilled workforce America needs to remain competitive and secure.\u201d\n\n\u201cCongressman Franklin\u2019s leadership and support are helping Florida Poly take a major step forward in developing technologies increasingly critical to our state and nation,\u201d said Dr. Devin Stephenson, president of Florida Polytechnic University. \u201cThis $2.9 million investment will give our faculty and students extraordinary opportunities to work at the forefront of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. It will help build a workforce ready to meet our evolving technology needs and expand Florida Poly\u2019s capacity to address real-world challenges that impact our economy and national security. We are tremendously grateful to Congressman Franklin for his confidence in Florida Poly and his commitment to championing this important work.\u201d\n\nThe Public Service Applied Innovation Laboratory will:\n\nEstablish an Artificial Intelligence Solutions Lab for applied AI research and partnerships;\n\nCreate a Network Operations and Security Center focused on protecting network and information technology systems;\n\nBuild secure laboratory and data spaces, including an AI prototype room and cyber range;\n\nProvide equipment and hands-on opportunities for student interns working in each lab; and\n\nSupport collaboration with public service and public safety organizations on challenges including emergency management.\n\nThe funding, secured by Franklin through the annual appropriations process, will equip existing space on the second floor of Florida Poly\u2019s Gary C. Wendt Engineering Building for applied research, hands-on learning and collaboration. The investment will support equipment for student interns in each lab, two secure and dedicated data spaces, an Artificial Intelligence Solutions Prototype Room and Cyber Range, an AIS Management Cockpit and a Network Operations and Security Operations Center Command Center. Together, these capabilities will give students and faculty the tools to test emerging technologies and work alongside public safety partners to develop solutions to real-world challenges.\n\nThe $2.9 million award will be administered through the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and advances NIST\u2019s federal mission under Section 272 of Title 15 of the U.S. Code to support research, education and partnerships that strengthen American innovation and workforce readiness. The project will help develop skilled talent in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and other technologies increasingly important to America\u2019s economic and national security.", 1, "2026-09-03T09:29:33Z", "2026-09-03T09:31:32Z"], ["https://frost.house.gov/media/press-releases/frost-introduces-no-homeless-detention-centers-act-to-ban-forced-labor-and-cruel-homeless-encampments", "Frost Introduces No Homeless Detention Centers Act to Ban Forced Labor and Cruel Homeless Encampments", "2026-09-02", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Maxwell Frost", "F000476", "frost.house.gov", "frost", "https://frost.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "*LIVESTREAM AVAILABLE*\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost (FL-10) joined Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Congressman Troy Carter (LA-02), Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), and Congresswoman Delia Ramirez (IL-03), along with Eric Tars of the National Homeless Law Center, Setareh Gandehari, Advocacy Director, Detention Watch Network, and Wesley Thomas, Guest Advisory Board Member, Miriam\u2019s Kitchen to announce his No Homeless Detention Centers Act, legislation to stop federal housing dollars from being used to force people experiencing homelessness into detention-like facilities or subject them to forced labor.\n\nThe bill would prevent the federal government from funding programs that force people experiencing homelessness into shelters, camps, or other facilities against their will. It would also ban these facilities from making people work in exchange for a place to stay or punishing people for doing basic things they need to survive, like sleeping, resting, eating, drinking, or protecting themselves from the weather.\n\n\"No one should look at a person who is homeless and think the answer is to lock them up or make them work for a place to sleep,\u201d said Congressman Frost. \u201cPeople need housing, not cages. They need support, not forced labor. At a time when homelessness is growing and housing is becoming more and more unaffordable, we should be investing in getting people into homes\u2014not building cruel encampments and criminalizing people for trying to survive.\u201d\n\n\u201cAllowing Americans to live on streets is not a standard our nation should be willing to accept, but forcing unhoused people into detention-style facilities and forcing them to work while corporations rake in profits is a cruel punishment,\u201d said Congresswoman Bonamici. \u201cWe must make clear that we won\u2019t stand for federal dollars being used to detain people simply for being unhoused. Together, let\u2019s advance policies that will actually help people experiencing homelessness instead of making their lives more difficult.\u201d\n\n\u201cHomelessness is not a crime \u2013 it is a failure of systems meant to serve the needs of our communities,\u201d said Congressman Carter. \u201cThe solution to this failure is not locking people up. It is not forcing them to work in exchange for a place to stay. It is not denying them access to care. The Trump Administration\u2019s reckless policies are causing homelessness to rise by the day. If we truly want to address homelessness we must invest in affordable housing, expand mental health services, and strengthen workforce pathways \u2013 not punish people for simply trying to survive.\u201d\n\n\u201cTrump and all the authoritarians in the Administration want our lives, our labor, and our freedom to extract every bit of profit they can from us for themselves and their billionaire bosses. Just as they knew that mandatory detention paired with Trump\u2019s mass deportation campaign would be good for business, they know that detention camps for unhoused neighbors will also be a lucrative venture,\" said Congresswoman Ramirez. \"Detention has always been UNSAFE, INAPPROPRIATE, INADEQUATE. We must not continue to fund our death and destruction. That's why I introduced the Melt ICE Act, and why I am proud to join Congressman Frost in introducing the No Homeless Detention Centers Act to demand an end to the detention and punishment of our unhoused neighbors. Together, let\u2019s fight for every single thing our people need to thrive, including HOUSING FOR ALL!\"\n\n\u201cWe should be operating from the fundamental truth that every person deserves a roof over their head and a safe place to sleep. When rent, grocery, and gas prices are skyrocketing, and Trump has cut healthcare for tens of millions of people, it is absolutely wrong to criminalize the inability to afford a home. That is why I am proud to co-lead the No Homeless Detention Centers Act to prevent a dime of federal funding from being used to put people experiencing homelessness into the for-profit prison industrial complex.\u201d - Congresswoman Jayapal\n\n\u201cTrump is carrying out a cruel and multi-layered detention expansion plan as part of his mass deportation agenda, locking up tens of thousands of people in facilities rife with egregiously poor conditions, medical neglect, and a culture of violence that results in system-wide abuses, including death. That\u2019s why we are alarmed by the Trump administration\u2019s efforts to criminalize and detain people without homes. We see this is a clear attempt to vilify homeless people and enrich private prison companies and tech surveillance organizations, just as they have done with our immigrant communities - all while ignoring the real affordability crisis in this country.\u201d - Setareh Ghandehari, Advocacy Director, Detention Watch Network\n\nWe shouldn\u2019t have to be here today, introducing the No Homeless Detention Centers Act, legislation restricting federal funds from going to detention camps for Americans who can\u2019t afford the rent. But we are here today, because it is necessary to fight back against the Trump Administration that is aggressively erasing decades of data-based progress on solving homelessness and instead promoting jails, labor camps, warehouses, and asylums, not because there is any evidence to support them, but because the right-wing Cicero Institute is spoon-feeding Trump detention policies that will enrich its billionaire-backers financially \u2013 and benefit him politically. We know the solution to homelessness is housing, not handcuffs. -Eric Tars, Senior Policy Director, National Homelessness Law Center\n\nThe bill comes as the far-right Cicero Institute, a conservative think tank backed by wealthy donors and corporate interests, pushes states and the federal government to criminalize homelessness, ban sleeping in public, and move people into temporary shelters or treatment facilities\u2014sometimes against their will. Versions of these policies have already passed in states including Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah, with some proposals also including work requirements or forced labor.\n\nThe No Homeless Detention Centers Act is endorsed by: National Homelessness Law Center and Detention Watch Network, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights; Drug Policy Alliance; National Health Care for the Homeless Council; Funders Together for Housing Justice; National Coalition for the Homeless; National Housing Law Project; A Way Home America; Housing Justice Collective; Justice in Aging; National Low Income Housing Coalition; National Association of Social Workers; Poverty & Race Research Action Council; Kids In Crisis; National Organization for Women; The Southern Poverty Law Center; National Network to End Domestic Violence; League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC); National Partnership for New Americans; Sisters of Mercy of the Americas \u2013 Justice Team; The Workers Circle; Muslim Advocates; DemCast USA; Just Detention International; Coalition on Human Needs; Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees (GCIR); Freedom Network USA; Latino Community Fund of Washington State; Praxis Health Empowerment; National Legal Aid & Defender Association; Street Democracy; Miami Valley Immigration Coalition; Lincoln County Indivisible; Western Center on Law & Poverty; Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center; Access Reproductive Justice and Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness.\n\nFootage of the press conference\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-04T09:19:37Z", "2026-09-04T09:20:58Z"], ["https://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases/soto-leads-letter-opposing-president-trumps-decision-import-300000-tons-tariff", "Soto Leads Letter Opposing President Trump\u2019s Decision to Import 300,000 Tons of Tariff-Free Beef", "2026-09-02", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Darren Soto", "S001200", "soto.house.gov", "soto", "https://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Today, Congressman Darren Soto (FL-09) led a letter to President Donald Trump opposing his recent decision to import 300,000 tons of tariff-free beef.\n\n\"American consumers are struggling with the rising cost of groceries and deserve long-term solutions to bring prices under control. Grocery prices as a whole have risen 2.7% in the past year, with strong demand for beef and low inventory leading to price increases for beef products. Flooding the market with beef imports will not solve the long-term issues that led us to this point\u2014it will only harm our nation\u2019s ranchers and jeopardize our long-term goal of building a strong domestic beef industry,\u201d wrote the Members. \"American ranchers have faced strong headwinds in recent years. Soaring input costs, droughts, and extreme weather events have left our ranchers with the lowest cattle supply in 75 years\u201d\n\n\"Additionally, the ongoing outbreak of New World Screwworm has imposed additional burdens on ranchers as they work to protect their herds. Since June of this year, 46 cases of New World Screwworm have been detected, posing additional economic risks for our ranchers,\u201d continued the Members. \"Our ranchers are actively working to rebuild America\u2019s domestic beef industry, using strong demand from American consumers to reinvest in their herds. Our policies must reflect our commitment to the ranchers and producers that feed our country.\u201d\n\nIn addition to Rep. Soto, the letter was signed by Reps. Kathy Castor (FL-14), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), Frederica Wilson (FL-24), and Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05).\n\nFor the full text of the bill, please click here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-17T09:52:05Z", "2026-09-17T09:53:00Z"], ["https://buchanan.house.gov/2026/09/01/icymi-buchanan-calls-for-usmca-reforms-to-protect-seasonal-produce-growers-in-the-hill-op-ed/", "ICYMI: Buchanan\u00a0Calls\u00a0for USMCA Reforms to Protect Seasonal Produce Growers in\u00a0The Hill\u00a0Op-Ed", "2026-09-01", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Vern Buchanan", "B001260", "buchanan.house.gov", "buchanan", "https://buchanan.house.gov/media/", "scraper", "\u201cThis USMCA review gives our country a real opportunity to restore fairness for our seasonal produce growers, strengthen our food security and build a food system Americans can rely on and trust.\u201d\n\nWASHINGTON \u2014 Today, Congressman Vern Buchanan penned an op-ed in The Hill highlighting the necessity of protections for seasonal producers within the ongoing United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) review.\n\n\u201cThe strength of our food supply is imperative to our nation\u2019s strength,\u201d said Buchanan. \u201cDuring this review, the United States faces a clear choice: protect our ability to grow our own food or continue down a path of greater dependence on foreign food supplies, at the expense of our food security, our supply chains and Americans confidence in what\u2019s on their plate.\u201d\n\nRead the full op-ed HERE or below:\n\nFairness for Growers Is Food Security for America\n\nCongressman Vern Buchanan\n\nFood security begins at home. That\u2019s why the ongoing review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) is such an important moment for American agriculture, and for our country. During this review, the United States faces a clear choice: protect our ability to grow our own food or continue down a path of greater dependence on foreign food supplies, at the expense of our food security, our supply chains and Americans\u2019 confidence in what\u2019s on their plate.\n\nAs Vice Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, I helped negotiate USMCA back in 2019 as the top Republican on the Trade Subcommittee, and even then, I pushed for accommodations for our seasonal growers. Today, the stakes for Florida are higher than ever. Agriculture is a cornerstone of our state\u2019s economy, and the outcome of this review will help determine whether our Florida growers can keep producing the fruits and vegetables our country depends on.\n\nFor more than two decades, Mexican shippers have squeezed Florida farmers out of their own market by flooding it with low-priced produce during Florida\u2019s own growing season. According to an October 2025 report from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services report, Florida\u2019s share of the fruit and vegetable market has fallen by nearly 50 percent over the past two decades, while Mexico\u2019s share has surged by more than 200 percent. Bell peppers, cucumbers, squash, blueberries: entire sectors of Florida agriculture have taken steep losses in market share and revenue, even as consumer demand keeps growing. Multi-generational Florida farms, family operations that have fed this country for generations, are being forced to shut their doors.\n\nSince USMCA took effect, the volume of these disruptive imports has only accelerated, jumping from $14 billion in 2020 to roughly $19 billion today. That surge has widened our already large agricultural trade deficit with Mexico and pushed more Florida growers to the breaking point.\n\nThe Trump administration recognizes this problem. Unchecked seasonal import volumes from Mexico are putting Florida agriculture at risk, and the administration is right to make finding a solution a priority in this USMCA review.\n\nThe solution Florida\u2019s industry has put forward is pragmatic, measured and long overdue: seasonal, product-specific tariff-rate quotas (TRQs) on Mexican produce during Florida\u2019s marketing season. TRQs are a well-established, targeted trade tool already used across American agriculture. They strike the right balance, keeping trade flowing while preventing the seasonal surges that undercut a stable domestic supply. Any new agreement with Mexico should include this approach so we don\u2019t further compromise Florida\u2019s ability to grow food at home.\n\nFlorida isn\u2019t alone. Fruit and vegetable growers well beyond our state are facing the same pressures as import volumes surge, and they\u2019ve joined Florida in calling for a real solution. We agree: our trade agreements should never come at the expense of American agriculture\u2019s survival.\n\nEarlier this year, I authored a bipartisan letter to President Trump, alongside Senator Ashley Moody and members of the Florida Delegation, urging his administration to address the harm caused by these unchecked seasonal import surges. That call is even more urgent today.\n\nAt current rates, we risk permanently losing production capacity in key fruit and vegetable sectors. Once our farms, our infrastructure and generations of agricultural know-how are gone in favor of foreign production, they may never come back.\n\nThis USMCA review gives our country a real opportunity to restore fairness for our seasonal produce growers, strengthen our food security and build a food system Americans can rely on and trust. For the sake of Florida\u2019s growers and for a food supply this country can always count on, now is the time to act.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-02T09:19:58Z", "2026-09-02T09:20:51Z"], ["https://franklin.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1929", "Franklin Statement On Passage Of Continuing Appropriations Act To Avert Government Shutdown", "2026-09-01", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Scott Franklin", "F000472", "franklin.house.gov", "franklin", "https://franklin.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Congressman Scott Franklin (FL-18) today issued the following statement after House passage of the Senate Amendment to H.R. 6500 - Continuing Appropriations Act, 2027:\n\n\u201cToday, the House took the final step to prevent another unnecessary government shutdown weeks ahead of the funding deadline. We have a responsibility to keep the government open and do our job on behalf of the American people.\n\n\u201cAs an appropriator, I\u2019ve been working to advance responsible spending bills through regular order, rein in wasteful spending and ensure taxpayer dollars are used wisely. The House Appropriations Committee completed its work on all 12 bills, and the House has already passed three of them individually. Meanwhile, the Senate has failed to make meaningful progress on its appropriations bills or begun to seriously engage in the process.\n\n\u201cThat failure has left the House with two less-than-desirable options: kick the can down the road by passing a temporary continuing resolution or allow the government to shut down. A shutdown would disrupt critical services, hurt service members and federal employees and create needless uncertainty for the American people. I will not support putting them through that simply because the Senate isn\u2019t willing to fulfill its Constitutional duty.\n\n\u201cThis continuing resolution is necessary, but it is not the finish line. Congress still has work to do to complete the full-year appropriations process before temporary funding expires in December. I\u2019ll continue working to cut wasteful spending, restore regular order and deliver the accountability taxpayers deserve.\u201d", 1, "2026-09-02T09:19:58Z", "2026-09-02T09:20:51Z"], ["https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresista-diaz-balart-celebra-la-aprobacion-de-una-resolucion", "Congresista D\u00edaz-Balart celebra la aprobaci\u00f3n de una resoluci\u00f3n condenando y denunciando al socialismo en todas sus formas", "2026-09-01", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Mario Diaz-Balart", "D000600", "mariodiazbalart.house.gov", "mariodiazbalart", "https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 El congresista Mario D\u00edaz-Balart (FL-26), vicepresidente del Comit\u00e9 de Asignaciones de la C\u00e1mara de Representantes y presidente del Subcomit\u00e9 de Seguridad Nacional, Departamento de Estado y Programas Relacionados celebra la aprobaci\u00f3n de una resoluci\u00f3n condenando y denunciando al socialismo en todas sus formas:\n\n\u201cEl socialismo y el control del gobierno sobre nuestras vidas no tienen cabida en los Estados Unidos. Va en contra de nuestra forma de vida y del sue\u00f1o americano.\n\nMe enorgullece haber apoyado esta importante resoluci\u00f3n que condena el socialismo y salvaguarda la integridad de nuestra naci\u00f3n. El socialismo ha causado estragos en todo nuestro Hemisferio, prueba de ello es el innegable impacto catastr\u00f3fico del socialism y Cuba, Venezuela y Nicaragua son claros ejemplos de las consecuencias destructivas que un gobierno socialista puede tener sobre las sociedades y las naciones con d\u00e9cadas de dictadura y represi\u00f3n, destrucci\u00f3n de naciones otrora pr\u00f3speras y el \u00e9xodo forzado de millones de ciudadanos de sus pa\u00edses de origen.\n\nEstados Unidos se fundado sobre los principios de la libertad individual, un gobierno representativo y los derechos otorgados por Dios a su pueblo. Nunca debemos dar estas libertades por sentadas ni permitir que una ideolog\u00eda con un historial tan devastador se arraigue sin oposici\u00f3n.\n\nDebemos mantenernos firmes en la defensa de estos principios y asegurarnos de que Estados Unidos nunca siga el camino destructivo que ha llevado a la represi\u00f3n y la ruina a innumerables pueblos y naciones.\n\nMe indigna ver que 192 dem\u00f3cratas decidieron oponerse a esta resoluci\u00f3n y se negaron a condenar esta ideolog\u00eda antiamericana responsable de tanto sufrimiento y opresi\u00f3n. Estados Unidos debe aprender de la historia y rechazar el socialismo en todas sus formas.\n\nSiempre defender\u00e9 la libertad, las oportunidades econ\u00f3micas y los derechos constitucionales que hacen de nuestro pais una gran nacion.\u201d\n\nEl texto de la resolucion se puede encontrar aqui.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-02T09:19:58Z", "2026-09-02T09:20:51Z"], ["https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-diaz-balart-celebrates-passage-resolution-condemning-and", "Congressman Diaz-Balart Celebrates the Passage of Resolution Condemning and Denouncing Socialism in all its Forms", "2026-09-01", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Mario Diaz-Balart", "D000600", "mariodiazbalart.house.gov", "mariodiazbalart", "https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Mario D\u00edaz-Balart (FL-26), Vice Chair of the House Committee on Appropriations and Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs, celebrates the Passage of H. Res. 1490, Providing for the Condemnation and Denouncement of Socialism in all its Forms:\n\n\u201cSocialism and the government takeover of our lives have no place in America. It is anathema to our way of life and the American Dream.\n\nI am proud to have supported this important resolution denouncing socialism and safeguarding our nation's integrity. Socialism has wreaked havoc across our hemisphere. The catastrophic impact of socialism is undeniable. Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua are vivid reminders of the destructive consequences that socialist governance can have on societies and nations: decades of dictatorship and repression, the destruction of once-thriving nations, and forcing millions to flee their homeland.\n\nAmerica was founded upon the principles of individual liberty, representative government, and the God-given rights of its people. We must never take these freedoms for granted or allow an ideology with such a devastating historical record to gain an unchallenged foothold.\n\nWe must remain steadfast in defending those principles, and ensuring that the United States never follows the destructive path that has brought repression and ruin to countless others.\n\nI am appalled to see that 192 Democrats chose to oppose this resolution and refused to condemn this anti-American ideology responsible for so much suffering and oppression. America must learn from history and reject socialism in all its forms.\n\nI will always stand for freedom, economic opportunity, and the constitutional rights that make our nation exceptional.\u201d\n\nResolution text can be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-02T09:19:58Z", "2026-09-02T09:20:51Z"], ["https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-diaz-balart-commends-passage-hr-6500-continuing", "Congressman Diaz-Balart Commends the Passage of H.R. 6500, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act", "2026-09-01", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Mario Diaz-Balart", "D000600", "mariodiazbalart.house.gov", "mariodiazbalart", "https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Mario D\u00edaz-Balart (FL-26), Vice Chair of the House Committee on Appropriations and Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs, commends the passage of H.R. 6500, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act:\n\n\u201cI am proud to have voted in favor of keeping the American government open and ensuring that our troops, law enforcement officers, and air traffic controllers continue to receive their pay.\n\nThe passage of H.R. 6500, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, provides important stability by extending federal funding at Fiscal Year 2026 levels through December 11, 2026, while also extending several expiring federal programs.\n\nThis unprecedented and responsible step puts the needs of the American people ahead of shutdown politics. Families, small businesses, federal employees, and communities across the country deserve a government that continues to function and deliver essential services.\n\nWhile I support keeping the government open, a continuing resolution is not a permanent solution. Back in July, the House took an important step toward responsible governance by passing all 12 Fiscal Year 2027 appropriations bills. It is now incumbent upon the Senate and Democrats to work in good faith to advance and complete the appropriations process and provide the federal government with a responsible operating budget.\n\nThere will always be debates over how Washington spends taxpayer dollars and what our long-term priorities should be. Those debates are important and should continue. But they should not come at the expense of keeping the government open and serving the American people.\n\nI will continue working to advance responsible spending, protect taxpayers, and make sure the federal government remains focused on the people it serves.\u201d\n\nBill text can be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-02T09:19:58Z", "2026-09-02T09:20:51Z"], ["https://wilson.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-wilson-votes-yes-to-keep-the-government-funded-protect-critical-programs-and-lower-costs", "Rep. Wilson Votes \u2018YES\u2019 to Keep the Government Funded, Protect Critical Programs, and Lower Costs", "2026-09-01", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Frederica S. Wilson", "W000808", "wilson.house.gov", "wilson", "https://wilson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24) released the following statement after voting for the bipartisan continuing resolution to fund the government through December 11.\n\n\u201cToday, I voted \u2018YES\u2019 to keep our government open and protect the vital services families across South Florida depend on. With the cost of living already stretching household budgets, hardworking Americans should not suffer because of dysfunction.\n\n\u201cThis bipartisan bill protects critical housing, nutrition, healthcare, veterans, and infrastructure programs while temporarily blocking the Trump administration\u2019s reckless attempt to politicize federal grants.\n\n\u201cNow, Congress must finish the job and pass full-year funding bills that lower costs, protect our communities, and put people first.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-02T09:19:58Z", "2026-09-02T09:20:51Z"], ["https://laurellee.house.gov/media/press-releases/prison-staff-safety-enhancement-act-heads-presidents-desk", "Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act Heads to the President\u2019s Desk", "2026-09-01", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Laurel M. Lee", "L000597", "laurellee.house.gov", "laurellee", "https://laurellee.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Yesterday, Congresswoman Laurel Lee's legislation, the Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act, passed through the House. The legislation is a bipartisan and bicameral measure to strengthen safety and accountability in federal correctional facilities. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Jon Osoff (D-GA) led the passage of the Senate version of the bill.\n\nThis legislation takes very important and necessary steps to improve the conditions for correctional officers, staff, and inmates by enhancing oversight, promoting safer facility operations, and addressing issues with sexual abuse and misconduct within these prisons. This bill will help to ensure all allegations are properly investigated and strengthen protections for the prison employees when the situation of an inmate assaulting an officer occurs.\n\n\u201cI am incredibly proud to see the Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act head to the President\u2019s desk and become one step closer to being a law,\u201d said Rep. Laurel Lee. \u201cFor far too long, too many Bureau of Prisons employees have faced sexual harassment and assault by inmates while they are just trying to do their job. This bill is a very important step toward strengthening oversight, protecting our hardworking correctional officers, and ensuring the inmates who commit these horrific crimes are held accountable to the fullest extent. I remain committed to advancing reforms that strengthen public safety, support law enforcement, and improve the justice system.\u201d\n\n\u201cNo law enforcement officer should have to fear for their safety when they show up to work,\u201d said Senator Blackburn. \u201cThe Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act would help us end the sexual abuse of prison staff who are simply trying to do their jobs.\u201d\n\nThe Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act was passed under suspension of the House rules and now heads to the President\u2019s desk to be signed into law.", 1, "2026-09-12T09:02:30Z", "2026-09-12T09:03:27Z"], ["https://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases/soto-castor-demand-federal-investigation-accountability-after-grand-jury-finds", "Soto, Castor Demand Federal Investigation, Accountability After Grand Jury Finds Taxpayer Dollars Were Abused for Corrupt Political Purposes", "2026-09-01", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Darren Soto", "S001200", "soto.house.gov", "soto", "https://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Reps. Darren Soto (FL-09) and Kathy Castor (FL-14) are demanding a federal investigation and full transparency following new reporting that $10 million in taxpayer funds from a Medicaid-related settlement were misappropriated and routed through the Hope Florida Foundation, with $8.5 million ultimately flowing to political committees.\n\nIn their latest letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS OIG) and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Reps. Soto and Castor urged federal officials to investigate whether the diversion violated federal Medicaid law and determine who was responsible.\n\nEarlier this year, a Florida grand jury concluded that the $10 million was misappropriated \u201cas part of a sophisticated scheme to fund political activities.\u201d The grand jury investigation followed allegations uncovered through a Florida House Republican-led inquiry into the settlement.\n\nReps. Soto and Castor first called for a federal investigation in May 2025 after questions emerged about Florida\u2019s $67 million Medicaid settlement with Centene. The settlement directed $10 million to the Hope Florida Foundation. $8.5 million was then transferred through nonprofit organizations to political action committees controlled by James Uthmeier, Gov. Ron DeSantis\u2019 then-chief of staff and now Florida Attorney General. According to the grand jury report, Uthmeier\u2019s PAC transferred $7 million directly to the Republican Party of Florida and $1.23 million to the Florida Freedom Fund, another Uthmeier-controlled PAC.\n\nThe new grand jury report also raises questions about the unusual speed and timing of the transactions. Centene was required to transfer $10 million to the Hope Florida Foundation within seven days, while being granted more than a year to repay the remaining $57 million to the State of Florida. The grand jury concluded the settlement appeared rushed because the 2024 election was only 45 days away and many Florida families were busy recovering from Hurricanes Helene and Milton.\n\nDespite concluding that taxpayer money was misappropriated for political purposes, the grand jury found insufficient evidence to bring criminal charges because officials would not identify\u2014or said they could not remember\u2014who made the decision to send the $10 million to Hope Florida.\n\nReps. Soto and Castor argue that the inability to pursue state criminal charges does not end the federal government\u2019s responsibility to determine whether Medicaid laws and regulations were violated and taxpayer dollars were misappropriated for political purposes.\n\nRead the full letter here and below.\n\nRE: Urging Transparency into and Accountability for Unlawful Diversion of Medicaid Funds in Florida\n\nDear Inspector General Bell and Administrator Oz:\n\nOn May 15, 2025, we wrote a letter urging your agencies to investigate whether the $10 million settlement scheme from Centene to the Hope Florida Foundation at the direction of the State of Florida in 2024 violated federal law and complied with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) legal and regulatory framework. Federal law requires that Medicaid proceeds be used solely for health services authorized by law and for the benefit of those served by Medicaid, but $8.5 million in funding was quickly redirected to political committees supporting a Governor DeSantis-led campaign against a ballot amendment to legalize recreational marijuana use in Florida. Recent press reports have brought new information to light regarding the settlement that we believe requires further investigation and clarity by federal agencies.\n\nEarlier this year, a grand jury in Florida concluded that the DeSantis administration misappropriated $10 million in taxpayer money to Hope Florida Foundation and that the funds \u201cwere misappropriated as part of a sophisticated scheme to fund political activities.\u201d The inquiry followed allegations raised through a Florida House Republican-led investigation. These findings and gross abuse of taxpayer dollars demand immediate federal action.\n\nThe grand jury concluded that \u201cthese funds were misappropriated as part of a sophisticated scheme to fund political activities.\u201d The report provides important context on the timing of these financial transactions during the deadly Hurricanes Helene and Milton, and suggests the State may have taken advantage of the chaos and confusion on the ground for purely political gain while Floridians were reeling from the destruction and devastation of sequential natural disasters. The expedited nature of the movement of unusually large amounts of money moving through various entities, and the quick disbursement to their final destination during the 2024 election appears to be illegal and morally wrong.\n\nWe learned several new items from the grand jury report, including an alarming money trail that funneled $8.5 million in taxpayer dollars into a political action committee (PAC) controlled by James Uthmeier, then Florida Governor Ron DeSantis\u2019 chief of staff and now Florida\u2019s Attorney General. Uthmeier\u2019s PAC then transferred $7 million directly to the Republican Party of Florida and $1.23 million to the Florida Freedom Fund, another Uthmeier-controlled PAC.\n\nWe also learned that the repayment schedule for the settlement required Centene to wire transfer the $10 million to the Hope Florida Foundation within seven days, while allowing Centene a year and 45 days to repay the remaining $57 million to the State. The grand jury report noted that \u201cThe Centene settlement itself seems rushed as it materialized rapidly after years of inactivity. Then, once reached, it took a mere 7 days to fund. We believe the rush was due to the impending election which was just 45 days away.\u201d\n\nUnfortunately, reports from the grand jury conclude that \u201cDespite our finding that the money was misappropriated, we find insufficient evidence to charge anyone criminally\u2026Nobody will take responsibility for deciding the $10 million of taxpayer money would go to Hope Florida\u2026or had any memory of who made it. We recognize that this would be an impediment to criminal prosecution. While we can\u2019t provide who is responsible, we can plainly see that taxpayer money was misused for political purposes and we would like to see changes made to prevent this from happening again\u201d (emphasis added). An inability to pursue state criminal prosecution because public officials profess memory lapses and CMS has recouped the federal share associated with the settlement does not eliminate the federal government\u2019s independent responsibility to protect Medicaid and taxpayer dollars from abuse.\n\nFederal interest is not theoretical. In February 2026, Florida Agency for Health Care Administrator Secretary Shevaun Harris confirmed that Florida calculated and returned the federal share using the full $67 million settlement \u2013 not $57 million \u2013 while characterizing the action as an \u201cabundance of caution.\u201d That accounting undercuts the claim that the $10 million was independent of the Medicaid recovery.\n\nSection 1903(d)(2)(A) of the Social Security Act and 42 C.F.R. Part 433 require states to account for Medicaid overpayment recoveries and return the federal share; states report recoveries through Form CMS-64. HHS OIG regularly audits state reporting of Medicaid settlements and judgments. Reimbursement would not by itself cure the diversion of a Medicaid recovery through private entities for partisan political expenditures, identify the responsible officials or make Florida\u2019s taxpayers whole.\n\nWhile we thank you for your previous response and confirmation that CMS has recouped all federal share associated with the full $67 million settlement, we believe further questions remain, particularly given the new information that has come to light. We kindly request the answers to the following questions:\n\nDid CMS or HHS OIG take any steps to ensure Medicaid and taxpayer dollars are protected following our May 15, 2025 letter, or was the matter simply considered resolved upon recouping the funds despite what the grand jury described as \u201ca sophisticated scheme to divert taxpayer dollars for political purposes?\u201d\n\nFor CMS: In the grand jury report, Mr. Weida confirmed that the State decided to reimburse the federal government\u2019s share of the full $67 million settlement. Please detail all conversations between CMS and the State of Florida about this settlement and the recoupment of the federal share. Given the grand jury testimony, identify any false, incomplete or misleading statement made to CMS concerning the settlement, source of funds, federal share or intended use of the $10 million in taxpayer dollars.\n\nFor HHS OIG: In response to our letter, OIG stated that they had no role in overseeing the terms of the settlement agreed to between the State of Florida and Centene. Given this new information, can you confirm that the State of Florida did not violate federal law and fully complied with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) legal and regulatory framework?\n\nDid the settlement provision directing $10 million to a private foundation \u2013 and the subsequent transfers to politically active nonprofits and committees \u2013 comply with the Social Security Act, 42 C.F.R. Parts 433 and 438, Form CMS-64 instructions, Florida\u2019s approved Medicaid state plan and all federal award conditions?\n\nWill CMS review other Florida Medicaid-related settlements for third-party carveouts, donations or unreported recoveries?\n\nWill this be used as precedent for other states when determining how to use recouped settlement funding in the future? Will CMS adopt guidance or controls to prevent the routing of Medicaid-related taxpayer dollars to a private entity without enforceable restrictions, robust public reporting or appropriations through legislation?\n\nThe grand jury report ends with recommendations to enact legislation to prevent this from happening again, including rules for taxpayer funding, consequences for violating the law, and measures to ensure taxpayer funds are tracked and monitored. They write that \u201ctaxpayer money should have been treated as such instead of being allocated for partisan political purposes and without transparency.\u201d We urge CMS and OIG to seriously consider the new information brought to light in this case and to provide full transparency into any federal government involvement with the State.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-17T09:52:05Z", "2026-09-17T09:53:00Z"], ["https://bilirakis.house.gov/media/press-releases/bilirakis-seniors-should-get-relief-not-insurance-companies", "Bilirakis: Seniors Should Get the Relief - Not Insurance Companies", "2026-08-31", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Gus M. Bilirakis", "B001257", "bilirakis.house.gov", "bilirakis", "https://bilirakis.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, introduced the Part D Premium Protection Act of 2026, legislation designed around a simple principle: when Washington provides relief from rising prescription drug premiums, the benefit should go to seniors - not insurance companies. The Biden Administration created the temporary Part D Premium Stabilization Demonstration after changes made under the Inflation Reduction Act threatened to drive premiums sharply higher for seniors enrolled in stand-alone Medicare prescription drug plans. The demonstration lowered premiums for beneficiaries, but it also provided participating insurance companies with additional taxpayer-backed protection against losses. That additional protection for insurance companies has been eliminated, effective 2026. Insurance companies have had two years to adjust and do not need additional taxpayer protection. However, the remaining premium assistance that is helping seniors with their monthly prescription drug costs is also scheduled to disappear after 2026. Bilirakis believes seniors should not lose that relief. The Part D Premium Protection Act of 2026 would preserve the average premium relief seniors received under the demonstration for one final year in 2027, without restoring or extending the additional federal loss protections that the Biden Administration previously provided to insurance companies.\n\n\u201cInsurance companies have had two years to adjust and do not need additional taxpayer protection. But seniors living on fixed incomes shouldn\u2019t be left holding the bag,\u201d said Congressman Bilirakis. \u201cMy bill puts the relief where it belongs - with seniors. If Washington has a choice between protecting an insurance company\u2019s bottom line and lowering a senior\u2019s monthly prescription drug bill, I\u2019m going to choose the senior every single time.\u201d\n\nUnder Bilirakis\u2019s legislation, seniors enrolled in stand-alone Medicare Part D plans would receive a uniform credit directly on their 2027 premium bills, based on the average premium relief beneficiaries received during 2025 and 2026. Every dollar of the credit must go toward lowering the senior\u2019s premium. Insurance companies would have no discretion over the amount and would be reimbursed only for the amount actually credited to beneficiaries. Importantly, the legislation does not reinstate the Biden-era protections against insurance company losses that the Trump Administration eliminated for 2026. Instead, it preserves the portion of the temporary program that directly benefits seniors while keeping those insurer protections off the books.\n\n\u201cEverywhere I go, seniors tell me that every dollar matters. Groceries cost more. Utilities cost more. Insurance costs more. Healthcare costs more,\u201d Bilirakis continued. \u201cThey worked their entire lives, paid into Medicare and Social Security, and played by the rules. They shouldn\u2019t have to choose between filling a prescription, buying groceries or keeping the lights on. I\u2019ll keep fighting to make Washington work for them instead of protecting the profits of big insurance companies.\u201d\n\nThe legislation applies to beneficiaries enrolled in stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plans and provides the premium credit for 2027, preserving relief for seniors for the final year originally envisioned under the temporary premium stabilization effort without bringing back additional taxpayer protections for insurance companies.", 1, "2026-09-01T09:48:49Z", "2026-09-01T09:49:51Z"], ["https://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=405273", "Castor, Soto Demand Federal Investigation, Accountability After Grand Jury Finds Taxpayer Dollars Were Abused for Corrupt Political Purposes", "2026-08-31", "2026", "2026-08", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Kathy Castor", "C001066", "castor.house.gov", "castor", "https://castor.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "TAMPA, Fla. \u2014 U.S. Reps. Kathy Castor (FL-14) and Darren Soto (FL-09) are demanding a federal investigation and full transparency following new reporting that $10 million in taxpayer funds from a Medicaid-related settlement were misappropriated and routed through the Hope Florida Foundation, with $8.5 million ultimately flowing to political committees.\n\nIn their latest letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS OIG) and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Castor and Soto urged federal officials to investigate whether the diversion violated federal Medicaid law and determine who was responsible.\n\nEarlier this year, a Florida grand jury concluded that the $10 million was misappropriated \u201cas part of a sophisticated scheme to fund political activities.\u201d The grand jury investigation followed allegations uncovered through a Florida House Republican-led inquiry into the settlement.\n\nCastor and Soto first called for a federal investigation in May 2025 after questions emerged about Florida\u2019s $67 million Medicaid settlement with Centene. The settlement directed $10 million to the Hope Florida Foundation. $8.5 million was then transferred through nonprofit organizations to political action committees controlled by James Uthmeier, Gov. Ron DeSantis\u2019 then-chief of staff and now Florida Attorney General. According to the grand jury report, Uthmeier\u2019s PAC transferred $7 million directly to the Republican Party of Florida and $1.23 million to the Florida Freedom Fund, another Uthmeier-controlled PAC.\n\nThe new grand jury report also raises questions about the unusual speed and timing of the transactions. Centene was required to transfer $10 million to the Hope Florida Foundation within seven days, while being granted more than a year to repay the remaining $57 million to the State of Florida. The grand jury concluded the settlement appeared rushed because the 2024 election was only 45 days away and many Florida families were busy recovering from Hurricanes Helene and Milton.\n\nDespite concluding that taxpayer money was misappropriated for political purposes, the grand jury found insufficient evidence to bring criminal charges because officials would not identify\u2014or said they could not remember\u2014who made the decision to send the $10 million to Hope Florida.\n\nCastor and Soto argue that the inability to pursue state criminal charges does not end the federal government\u2019s responsibility to determine whether Medicaid laws and regulations were violated and taxpayer dollars were misappropriated for political purposes.\n\nRead the full letter here and below.\n\nRE: Urging Transparency into and Accountability for Unlawful Diversion of Medicaid Funds in Florida\n\nDear Inspector General Bell and Administrator Oz:\n\nOn May 15, 2025, we wrote a letter urging your agencies to investigate whether the $10 million settlement scheme from Centene to the Hope Florida Foundation at the direction of the State of Florida in 2024 violated federal law and complied with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) legal and regulatory framework. Federal law requires that Medicaid proceeds be used solely for health services authorized by law and for the benefit of those served by Medicaid, but $8.5 million in funding was quickly redirected to political committees supporting a Governor DeSantis-led campaign against a ballot amendment to legalize recreational marijuana use in Florida. Recent press reports have brought new information to light regarding the settlement that we believe requires further investigation and clarity by federal agencies.\n\nEarlier this year, a grand jury in Florida concluded that the DeSantis administration misappropriated $10 million in taxpayer money to Hope Florida Foundation and that the funds \u201cwere misappropriated as part of a sophisticated scheme to fund political activities.\u201d The inquiry followed allegations raised through a Florida House Republican-led investigation. These findings and gross abuse of taxpayer dollars demand immediate federal action.\n\nThe grand jury concluded that \u201cthese funds were misappropriated as part of a sophisticated scheme to fund political activities.\u201d The report provides important context on the timing of these financial transactions during the deadly Hurricanes Helene and Milton, and suggests the State may have taken advantage of the chaos and confusion on the ground for purely political gain while Floridians were reeling from the destruction and devastation of sequential natural disasters. The expedited nature of the movement of unusually large amounts of money moving through various entities, and the quick disbursement to their final destination during the 2024 election appears to be illegal and morally wrong.\n\nWe learned several new items from the grand jury report, including an alarming money trail that funneled $8.5 million in taxpayer dollars into a political action committee (PAC) controlled by James Uthmeier, then Florida Governor Ron DeSantis\u2019 chief of staff and now Florida\u2019s Attorney General. Uthmeier\u2019s PAC then transferred $7 million directly to the Republican Party of Florida and $1.23 million to the Florida Freedom Fund, another Uthmeier-controlled PAC.\n\nWe also learned that the repayment schedule for the settlement required Centene to wire transfer the $10 million to the Hope Florida Foundation within seven days, while allowing Centene a year and 45 days to repay the remaining $57 million to the State. The grand jury report noted that \u201cThe Centene settlement itself seems rushed as it materialized rapidly after years of inactivity. Then, once reached, it took a mere 7 days to fund. We believe the rush was due to the impending election which was just 45 days away.\u201d\n\nUnfortunately, reports from the grand jury conclude that \u201cDespite our finding that the money was misappropriated, we find insufficient evidence to charge anyone criminally\u2026Nobody will take responsibility for deciding the $10 million of taxpayer money would go to Hope Florida\u2026or had any memory of who made it. We recognize that this would be an impediment to criminal prosecution. While we can\u2019t provide who is responsible, we can plainly see that taxpayer money was misused for political purposes and we would like to see changes made to prevent this from happening again\u201d (emphasis added). An inability to pursue state criminal prosecution because public officials profess memory lapses and CMS has recouped the federal share associated with the settlement does not eliminate the federal government\u2019s independent responsibility to protect Medicaid and taxpayer dollars from abuse.\n\nFederal interest is not theoretical. In February 2026, Florida Agency for Health Care Administrator Secretary Shevaun Harris confirmed that Florida calculated and returned the federal share using the full $67 million settlement \u2013 not $57 million \u2013 while characterizing the action as an \u201cabundance of caution.\u201d That accounting undercuts the claim that the $10 million was independent of the Medicaid recovery.\n\nSection 1903(d)(2)(A) of the Social Security Act and 42 C.F.R. Part 433 require states to account for Medicaid overpayment recoveries and return the federal share; states report recoveries through Form CMS-64. HHS OIG regularly audits state reporting of Medicaid settlements and judgments. Reimbursement would not by itself cure the diversion of a Medicaid recovery through private entities for partisan political expenditures, identify the responsible officials or make Florida\u2019s taxpayers whole.\n\nWhile we thank you for your previous response and confirmation that CMS has recouped all federal share associated with the full $67 million settlement, we believe further questions remain, particularly given the new information that has come to light. We kindly request the answers to the following questions:\n\nDid CMS or HHS OIG take any steps to ensure Medicaid and taxpayer dollars are protected following our May 15, 2025 letter, or was the matter simply considered resolved upon recouping the funds despite what the grand jury described as \u201ca sophisticated scheme to divert taxpayer dollars for political purposes?\u201d\n\nFor CMS: In the grand jury report, Mr. Weida confirmed that the State decided to reimburse the federal government\u2019s share of the full $67 million settlement. Please detail all conversations between CMS and the State of Florida about this settlement and the recoupment of the federal share. Given the grand jury testimony, identify any false, incomplete or misleading statement made to CMS concerning the settlement, source of funds, federal share or intended use of the $10 million in taxpayer dollars.\n\nFor HHS OIG: In response to our letter, OIG stated that they had no role in overseeing the terms of the settlement agreed to between the State of Florida and Centene. Given this new information, can you confirm that the State of Florida did not violate federal law and fully complied with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) legal and regulatory framework?\n\nDid the settlement provision directing $10 million to a private foundation \u2013 and the subsequent transfers to politically active nonprofits and committees \u2013 comply with the Social Security Act, 42 C.F.R. Parts 433 and 438, Form CMS-64 instructions, Florida\u2019s approved Medicaid state plan and all federal award conditions?\n\nWill CMS review other Florida Medicaid-related settlements for third-party carveouts, donations or unreported recoveries?\n\nWill this be used as precedent for other states when determining how to use recouped settlement funding in the future? Will CMS adopt guidance or controls to prevent the routing of Medicaid-related taxpayer dollars to a private entity without enforceable restrictions, robust public reporting or appropriations through legislation?\n\nThe grand jury report ends with recommendations to enact legislation to prevent this from happening again, including rules for taxpayer funding, consequences for violating the law, and measures to ensure taxpayer funds are tracked and monitored. They write that \u201ctaxpayer money should have been treated as such instead of being allocated for partisan political purposes and without transparency.\u201d We urge CMS and OIG to seriously consider the new information brought to light in this case and to provide full transparency into any federal government involvement with the State.", 1, "2026-09-01T09:48:49Z", "2026-09-01T09:49:51Z"], ["https://patronis.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-patronis-introduces-legislation-to-rename-lake-ontario-lake-america", "Congressman Patronis Introduces Legislation to Rename Lake Ontario \u2018Lake America\u2019", "2026-08-31", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Jimmy Patronis", "P000622", "patronis.house.gov", "patronis", "https://patronis.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Jimmy Patronis (R-FL) introduced the Lake America Act, legislation to officially rename Lake Ontario to Lake America. The legislation follows President Trump\u2019s official renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, a change that was met with strong support across Northwest Florida.\n\n\u201cPresident Trump put America back on the map. Now we\u2019re putting America on Lake Ontario,\u201d said Congressman Patronis. \u201cCanada can call it whatever they want, but here in America, I say we call it Lake America. I\u2019m a proud American, and I\u2019ve always believed there\u2019s nothing wrong with a little more American pride. So I figured, why stop at the Gulf? Lake America sounds a whole lot better.\u201d\n\nThe Lake America Act would:\n\nRename Lake Ontario as \u201cLake America.\u201d\n\nReplace references to Lake Ontario with \u201cLake America\u201d across federal laws, maps, regulations, and official records.\n\nDirect the Secretary of the Interior and U.S. Board on Geographic Names to oversee implementation.\n\nRequire federal agencies to update their maps and documents within 180 days.\n\nCongressman Patronis continued, \u201cRepresenting Florida\u2019s First Congressional District, including Destin and Pensacola, I saw firsthand the pride and patriotism that came with the Gulf of America. I love that energy, and I think this is another opportunity to build on it. This is another tool in President Trump\u2019s toolbox to put America First and restore pride in our great country.\u201d\n\nTo view the Lake America Act click here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-01T09:48:49Z", "2026-09-01T09:49:51Z"], ["https://wilson.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-wilson-announces-final-release-of-more-than-1-million-to-florida-international-university-for-environmental-stewardship", "Rep. Wilson Announces Final Release of More than $1 Million to Florida International University for Environmental Stewardship", "2026-08-31", "2026", "2026-08", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Frederica S. Wilson", "W000808", "wilson.house.gov", "wilson", "https://wilson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24) is proud to announce that the final $1,031,000 to be awarded to Florida International University through one of her Fiscal Year 2026 Community Project Funding requests will be released this month. This funding milestone marks the culmination of three projects and over $11.5 million in Congressionally directed funding delivered by Congresswoman Wilson to support critical research, restoration, and educational initiatives that protect South Florida\u2019s Everglades and advance innovative technologies. This release by the National Institute of Standards and Technology of the final grant funding this month will put the full resources behind these projects, enabling the critical work to move forward.\n\n\u201cAs Congress\u2019s top Democrat on water resources and the environment, protecting our waterways is my critical mission. There is no South Florida if we do not protect the Everglades and Biscayne Bay,\u201d said Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24). \u201cI will also stand with FIU as it delivers critical research and restoration efforts. As a proud steward of the environment, I am proud that this work will positively impact generations of South Floridians.\u201d\n\nCongresswoman Wilson (FL-24) is extremely proud that this funding will create a central data clearinghouse, making complex restoration data readily accessible. This funding also supports training students, engaging our communities, and advancing Everglades research that we will all benefit from.\n\nToday\u2019s funding will support FIU\u2019s Everglades Task Force \u2013 Research, Development, Remote Sensing/Geographic Information System Support. The project will support whole-system resilience and assess vulnerabilities. The Everglades Task Force will leverage this funding and existing partnerships to upgrade and modernize carbon-flux measurement towers, deploy cutting-edge remote sensing and geographic information systems, develop a climate technologies and community engagement hub facility, create a central data clearinghouse for data and synthesis across the restoration lifecycle, and conduct research and development on nature-based green-gray solutions and novel methods for restoration and mangrove rehabilitation.\n\nIn March, Congresswoman Wilson (FL-24) had the pleasure of joining FIU\u2019s President Jeanette Nunez in the grand opening of FIU\u2019s Coastal Conservation and Restoration Laboratory and the marine robotics research space at the FIU Biscayne Bay Campus. During the visit, Congresswoman Wilson had the opportunity to see firsthand how the grant funding has been put to work, supporting cutting-edge research and strengthening FIU\u2019s capacity to protect our coastlines. In honor of Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson\u2019s tireless commitment to FIU and the environment, FIU named a research robot after her, RV Wilson.\n\n###\n\nCongresswoman Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24) is an eighth-term lawmaker from Florida, representing parts of Northern Miami-Dade and Southeast Broward counties. A former state legislator and lifelong educator, she founded the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project, a mentoring and dropout prevention program for boys and young men of color. Congresswoman Wilson is also the founder and chair of the U.S. Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys and the Florida Ports Caucus. This bipartisan task force coordinates federal action to support Florida\u2019s harbors and waterways and is a proud member of the Congressional HBCU Caucus and Congressional Black Caucus. The Florida lawmaker sits on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Education and Labor Committee. She serves as the Ranking Member of the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.", 1, "2026-09-01T09:48:49Z", "2026-09-01T09:49:51Z"], ["https://steube.house.gov/press-releases/rep-steube-introduces-shield-act-to-protect-parental-rights-in-schools/", "Rep. Steube Introduces SHIELD Act to Protect Parental Rights in Schools", "2026-08-27", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "House", "FL", "W. Gregory Steube", "S001214", "steube.house.gov", "steube", "https://steube.house.gov/category/press-releases/page/", "scraper", "Rep. Steube Introduces SHIELD Act to Protect Parental Rights in Schools\n\nWASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) today introduced the School Health and Instructional Environment Limits and Disclosure (SHIELD) Act, legislation requiring local educational agencies to notify parents before distributing or disseminating information about abortion or abortion-related services to students. The bill also prohibits abortion providers and their subsidiaries from distributing or disseminating such information to students on school grounds or through a school\u2019s virtual platforms, including social media. The SHIELD Act is endorsed by Students for Life Action, a leading national organization fighting to protect the unborn and defend the right to life.\n\n\u201cI believe every child, born and unborn, is made in the image of God and deserves to be protected, not managed behind their parents\u2019 backs. No school employee should ever schedule an abortion for someone else\u2019s daughter and tell her to keep it a secret from her own mother and father,\u201d said Rep. Steube. \u201cI\u2019m fighting for the unborn and I\u2019m fighting for parents, because those two fights are the same fight. The SHIELD Act keeps abortion providers out of our classrooms and puts parents back in charge of these conversations with their kids.\u201d\n\n\u201c\u2018School Health and Instructional Environment Limits and Disclosure Act,\u2019 better known as the SHIELD Act, provides long-overdue protections for students from a predatory abortion industry infiltrating classrooms to push deadly abortions \u2013 without any parental involvement. Rep. Greg Steube\u2019s bill has SFLAction\u2019s full support as he works to ensure that when it comes to talking with kids about life-ending abortions, parents are engaged. Planned Parenthood\u2019s own annual report makes it clear that they start marketing early, infiltrating schools to build a customer base for life. Parents need to know what schools are teaching their children and need to be sure that when they send a child to school, their grandchildren are not being targeted by school officials who cut those who care most from a life-and-death decision. We all saw the chaos in Fairfax County, Virginia, just outside of Washington, D.C., where Students for Life rallied against secret school abortions. We will fight to ensure that schools do not become another place for Planned Parenthood to push for abortion deaths for profit and that parents are fully informed about what their children are learning,\u201d said Kristan Hawkins, President, Students for Life of America & Students for Life Action.\n\nThis legislation is also co-sponsored by Reps. Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.), Sheri Biggs (R-S.C.), and Diana Harshbarger (R-Tenn.).\n\nThe need for greater parental transparency has been underscored by incidents such as one in Fairfax County, Virginia, where a public high school social worker reportedly scheduled an abortion appointment for a 17-year-old student, paid the associated clinic fees, and instructed the student to conceal the matter from her parents. The U.S. Department of Education has since opened an enforcement action against Fairfax County Public Schools.\n\nFederal law already gives parents the right to inspect instructional materials used in their child\u2019s curriculum and requires parental notice for certain nonemergency, invasive physical examinations or screenings administered by schools. However, no comparable requirement specifically exists when schools distribute or disseminate information about abortion or abortion-related services to students.\n\nOrganizations such as Planned Parenthood have used sex education programs, educator training, and classroom instruction to reach K-12 students on abortion-related issues, often with limited parental awareness of the content being presented. Taxpayer-funded schools should not serve as a venue for abortion providers or their affiliates to promote abortion-related information to minors without parents being informed.\n\nThe SHIELD Act closes that gap by amending the General Education Provisions Act to require parental notification before abortion-related information is distributed or disseminated to students. The legislation also prohibits abortion providers and their subsidiaries from using K-12 schools or school-operated virtual platforms to distribute abortion-related information to students. The bill defines an \u201cabortion-related service\u201d as any medical, surgical, or support care directly related to terminating a pregnancy.\n\nThe full text of the SHIELD Act is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-27T16:10:01Z", "2026-08-27T16:10:50Z"], ["https://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=405286", "U.S. Rep. Castor takes aim at High Rents and Predatory Housing Practices", "2026-08-27", "2026", "2026-08", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Kathy Castor", "C001066", "castor.house.gov", "castor", "https://castor.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) introduced the Housing Price Transparency Act to help make housing more affordable for renters by disincentivizing predatory AI algorithmic and surveillance pricing. Rents rise when landlords implicitly collude through computer software and algorithms to raise prices together. This new predatory price-fixing demands new solutions to keep rents affordable.\n\n\u201cThe cost of living is already soul-crushing, and rental pricing algorithms make it worse as invisible systems quietly push rents up, putting profits before people who need affordable homes,\u201d said Rep. Castor. \u201cRental software can look at a lot of data\u2014things like what other landlords charge\u2014and suggests rent prices that maximize profit and push housing even further out of reach. Instead, the data should be kept out in the open, algorithms disclosed and collusion ended to protect renters from corporate greed and unreasonable rent increases.\u201d\n\nThe Housing Price Transparency Act is a commonsense approach that would require transparency in pricing practices and give renters more power to combat predatory models. Specifically, the bill would:\n\n-Require disclosure by companies that use an algorithm to help set monthly rental prices.\n\n-Empower the FTC to pursue unfair and deceptive practices in the rental housing market.\n\n-Authorize state attorneys general to bring civil enforcement actions.\n\n-Establish a private right of action, allowing individuals to sue within two years of an alleged violation, with statutory damages of $10,000 per violation.\n\nThe bill builds on Rep. Castor\u2019s record of standing up for consumers, including championing the largest piece of Housing legislation in decades, targeting hidden fees in the hotel and timeshare industries, and leading legislation for pricing transparency in government deals with Big Pharma.\n\nBACKGROUND:\n\nAlgorithmic pricing, the use of formulas to automatically set prices to maximize profit, is increasingly common across industries, including residential rentals. When these formulas incorporate personally identifying information, the practice is known as surveillance pricing, which is distinct from ordinary dynamic pricing based on real-time supply and demand.\n\nWhile new AI-driven tools can simplify the process of finding and comparing housing, they also carry risks: discrimination, lack of transparency in decision-making, and misuse of sensitive personal data.\n\nFull text of the bill is available HERE.", 1, "2026-09-16T09:43:13Z", "2026-09-16T09:44:22Z"], ["https://frost.house.gov/media/press-releases/for-immediate-releaseaugust-26-2026contactariana-ornearianaornemailhousegovfrost-nadler-demand-antitrust-investigation-into-syscos-291-billion-acquisition-of-restaurant-depot-over-threats-of-higher-costs-for-restaurants", "Frost, Nadler Demand Antitrust Investigation Into Sysco\u2019s $29.1 Billion Acquisition of Restaurant Depot Over Threats of Higher Costs for Restaurants", "2026-08-26", "2026", "2026-08", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Maxwell Frost", "F000476", "frost.house.gov", "frost", "https://frost.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2013 Today, Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost (FL-10) and Congressman Jerry Nadler (NY-12) are calling on the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to closely scrutinize Sysco's proposed $29.1 billion acquisition of Restaurant Depot and investigate its potential anticompetitive effects. In the letter sent to the DOJ and FTC, the Congressmen warn that the deal could reduce competition, drive up costs for independent restaurants, and ultimately make dining out more expensive for consumers\n\nRestaurant Depot currently operates 166 locations across 35 states and serves more than 700,000 restaurants and food service operators. As a direct competitor to Sysco, Restaurant Depot provides independent restaurants with an important alternative when purchasing food and negotiating prices.\n\n\u201cRestaurants are already struggling with rising costs, and eliminating competition in food distribution could make the problem worse. If this merger drives up the cost of food for small restaurants, those costs will ultimately be passed on to consumers. Families can\u2019t afford another hit to their wallets, and that\u2019s why the DOJ and FTC need to closely scrutinize this deal,\u201d said Congressman Maxwell Frost (FL-10).\n\n\u201cSoaring food prices are forcing Americans to struggle to put food on the table for their families. The last thing our districts need is another bloated corporation using their unfair market power to raise food prices further. The Department of Justice must take its job seriously by fairly and carefully examining this proposed transaction to ensure that American consumers are protected,\u201d said Congressman Jerry Nadler (NY-12), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on the Administrative State, Regulatory Reform, and Antitrust Committee on the Judiciary.\n\n\"Independent restaurants operate on razor-thin margins, and Restaurant Depot gives them an essential alternative to large distributors like Sysco and a critical price benchmark when negotiating with suppliers. If Sysco is allowed to acquire a major competitor, independent restaurants will lose that leverage, face higher food costs, and ultimately have little choice but to pass those costs on to diners. We thank Representatives Frost and Nadler for urging federal regulators to thoroughly investigate this deal before it does lasting harm to independent restaurants and the communities they serve,\u201d said Erika Polmar, Executive Director Independent Restaurant Coalition.\n\nThe proposed acquisition would eliminate a major competitor to Sysco, the nation\u2019s largest food distributor, and could give the company greater leverage over the prices restaurants pay for ingredients and supplies. For independent restaurants operating on already-thin margins, even modest increases in food costs can have significant consequences, including higher prices for customers.\n\nFrost warned that the impact of the merger could extend beyond restaurant owners to consumers and workers. If restaurants face higher costs, they may have little choice but to pass those costs on to customers at a time when families are already cutting back on dining out because of rising prices.\n\nThe proposed acquisition could also have implications for independent farmers and growers. Sysco has touted the increased purchasing power that would result from the acquisition, raising concerns about how greater market concentration could affect the prices paid to producers.\n\nFrost is calling on the Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission to closely examine the proposed acquisition and launch an antitrust investigation into its potential effects on competition, independent restaurants, farmers, workers, and consumers.\n\nRead the full letter here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-27T16:10:01Z", "2026-08-27T16:10:50Z"], ["https://buchanan.house.gov/2026/08/25/buchanan-named-most-bipartisan-member-in-florida-in-national-congressional-scorecard/", "Buchanan\u00a0Named\u00a0Most Bipartisan Member in Florida in National\u00a0Congressional Scorecard", "2026-08-25", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Vern Buchanan", "B001260", "buchanan.house.gov", "buchanan", "https://buchanan.house.gov/media/", "scraper", "Earns an \u201cA\u201d Grade in Bridge Grades Nonpartisan Congressional Scorecard\n\nWASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Vern Buchanan has earned an \u201cA\u201d grade with a score of 96.9 out of 100 from Bridge Grades, a nonpartisan scorecard that rates members of Congress on their record of bipartisan collaboration. Buchanan\u2019s score is more than double the House average of 44.9 and earns him the title of the most bipartisan member in the Florida congressional delegation.\n\n\u201cFloridians didn\u2019t send me to Washington to fight for the sake of fighting,\u201d said Buchanan. \u201cThey sent me to get things done and deliver results for all Americans. For nearly 20 years, I have worked across the aisle for Southwest Florida and this score reflects that approach. I believe in leading bills that bring people together, build coalitions and avoid the personal attacks that get in the way of real progress for our communities.\u201d\n\nBridge Grades evaluates members of Congress based on their record of introducing and cosponsoring cross-partisan legislation, their public rhetoric around bipartisanship and whether they avoid personal attacks on colleagues, with bonus consideration for political courage and coalition building. Buchanan\u2019s \u201cA\u201d grade places him among the highest-rated members of the House on the scorecard. This grading also earns Buchanan the title of the most bipartisan member of the Florida congressional delegation.\n\nBuchanan has represented Florida in Congress since 2007 with nearly two decades of service marked by a consistent focus on creating real results for all Americans. This work includes bills such as the ASAP Act (H.R. 6130) on Alzheimer\u2019s screening, the SAFE Act (H.R. 1661) on animal welfare, the bipartisan Stop Insider Trading Act (H.R. 7008) and continued work on the Sunshine Protection Act (H.R. 139).\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-26T05:33:32Z", "2026-08-26T05:34:56Z"], ["https://luna.house.gov/posts/rep-anna-paulina-luna-introduces-bipartisan-bill-requiring-influencers-to-disclose-payments-by-foreign-governments", "Rep. Anna Paulina Luna Introduces Bipartisan Bill Requiring Influencers to Disclose Payments by Foreign Governments", "2026-08-24", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Anna Paulina Luna", "L000596", "luna.house.gov", "luna", "https://luna.house.gov/press", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Today, U.S. Representative Anna Paulina Luna (FL-13), joined by co-leads Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34), Rep. Derrick Van Orden (WI-03), and Rep. Jared Moskowitz (FL-23) introduced the Foreign Propaganda Disclosure Act, legislation to strengthen transparency surrounding foreign influence online by expressly including social media influencers under the Foreign Agents Registration Act.\n\nThe bill would amend the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 to expressly include social media influencers within the definition of a \u201cpublicity agent.\u201d The legislation defines a social media influencer as any person with a monetized social media account and incorporates the existing federal definition of a social media platform.\n\n\u201cThere is a big difference between having an organic opinion and secretly acting on behalf of foreign interests to push propaganda to Americans,\u201d said Rep. Anna Paulina Luna. \u201cForeign adversaries have been actively using disinformation and psychological operations to divide America, erode our national security, and undermine U.S. foreign policy. Americans deserve to know when the voices shaping what they see online are working on behalf of foreign interests.\u201d\n\nSocial media has become one of the most powerful tools for shaping public opinion, political debate, and public trust. As foreign adversaries look for new ways to influence Americans online, Rep. Luna\u2019s legislation would close a transparency gap by ensuring social media influencers are expressly included within FARA\u2019s existing disclosure framework.\n\n\u201cFederal law must adapt to an ever-changing digital media landscape, especially as more Americans turn to social media for news consumption and public discourse. Our bill increases public transparency around paid partnerships between social media influencers and foreign governments to prevent deceptive practices that may hinder audiences from building a fully informed opinion,\u201d said Congressman Gonzalez.\n\nKey Provisions of the Foreign Propaganda Disclosure Act\n\nBrings Social Media Influencers Under FARA: Amends the Foreign Agents Registration Act to expressly include \u201csocial media influencers\u201d within the definition of a \u201cpublicity agent.\u201d\n\nDefines Social Media Influencers: Defines a \u201csocial media influencer\u201d as any person who has a monetized social media account on a social media platform.\n\nDefines Social Media Platforms: Incorporates the existing federal definition of a \u201csocial media platform\u201d established under federal law.\n\nRep. Luna emphasized that the legislation is designed to strengthen transparency surrounding foreign influence operations and ensure that social media influencers acting on behalf of foreign interests are not able to conceal those relationships from the American public.\n\n\u201cAmericans should be able to know when the people shaping conversations online are acting on behalf of foreign interests,\u201d Rep. Luna continued. \u201cThe Foreign Propaganda Disclosure Act brings foreign-backed influence operations into the light and sends a clear message that America\u2019s public square is not for sale.\u201d\n\nView the full bill text here\n\n###\n\nContact:\n\nOffice of Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna\n\n(202) 225-5961 | david.leatherwood@mail.house.gov\n\nFollow updates at luna.house.gov", 1, "2026-08-25T05:31:37Z", "2026-08-25T05:33:09Z"], ["https://salazar.house.gov/media/press-releases/salazar-joins-acting-labor-secretary-sonderling-highlight-no-tax-tips-address", "Salazar Joins Acting Labor Secretary Sonderling to Highlight No Tax on Tips, Address Restaurant Workforce Crisis", "2026-08-24", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Maria Elvira Salazar", "S000168", "salazar.house.gov", "salazar", "https://salazar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "MIAMI, FL \u2014 Today, Congresswoman Mar\u00eda Elvira Salazar (FL-27) joined Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling and South Florida restaurant leaders for a roundtable focused on No Tax on Tips, the pressures facing locally owned restaurants, and the industry\u2019s need for a stable, legal workforce.\n\n\u201cMiami gathers around its restaurants, from the morning cafecito to the last table of the night. Behind every one of those tables is someone working hard for every tip they earn,\u201d said Congresswoman Salazar.\u201cThat is why I helped turn No Tax on Tips into law. It allows servers, bartenders, and other restaurant workers to keep more of their earnings for the bills waiting at home, without asking small restaurant owners, already operating on tight margins, to absorb another cost.\u201d\n\nUnder the new law, eligible workers may deduct up to $25,000 in qualified tip income from their federal taxable income. The law also provides a deduction for eligible overtime compensation.\n\nThe roundtable then turned from immediate tax relief to a longer-term challenge raised by restaurant owners: maintaining a stable and legal workforce.\n\nAccording to the National Restaurant Association, nearly one in four restaurant and food-service employees (23 percent) was born outside the United States. Restaurant operators struggled to fill nearly 900,000 open positions each month in 2025, and the industry is expected to add approximately 1.7 million jobs over the next decade.\n\nThe National Restaurant Association has endorsed Salazar\u2019s bipartisan Dignity Act (H.R. 4393), and restaurant owners participating in the roundtable expressed support for the legislation as a practical answer to the workforce uncertainty affecting their businesses.\n\n\u201cRestaurant owners told us directly that they have positions they cannot fill and no reliable legal workforce to fill them. At the same time, experienced workers who have lived here for years remain unable to work legally,\u201d Salazar said. \u201cThe Dignity Act brings those realities together under strict rules. That is why the National Restaurant Association and restaurant owners support it: it replaces uncertainty with a permanent workforce solution that restaurants nationwide can use and trust.\u201d\n\nThe Dignity Act would allow eligible, longtime undocumented immigrants to earn renewable legal status and work authorization after meeting strict requirements. Combined with nationwide E-Verify, it would help restaurants build a stable, verified workforce while protecting businesses that follow the rules. The Dignity Program provides no federal benefits or pathway to citizenship.\n\nDuring the roundtable, local operators described how rising costs, narrow margins, and staffing shortages shape decisions about hours, service, and expansion. Salazar underscored her message: No Tax on Tips delivers immediate relief to restaurant employees, while the Dignity Act addresses the staffing instability holding their employers back.\n\nSalazar thanked Acting Secretary Sonderling for bringing the conversation directly to Miami and hearing firsthand from the restaurant leaders affected by federal labor and workforce policies.\n\nParticipants included representatives from the National Restaurant Association, the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, Rusty Pelican, Texas Roadhouse, Chick-fil-A, Grove Bay Hospitality, VE Hospitality, SuViche, Novecento, Outback Steakhouse, Anna Management, Meat N\u2019 Bone, and Wagyu Bar.", 1, "2026-08-25T05:31:37Z", "2026-08-25T05:33:09Z"], ["https://steube.house.gov/press-releases/rep-steube-introduces-bipartisan-bill-to-protect-nonprofits-tax-exempt-status/", "Rep. Steube Introduces Bipartisan\u00a0Bill to Protect Nonprofits\u2019 Tax-Exempt Status", "2026-08-24", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "House", "FL", "W. Gregory Steube", "S001214", "steube.house.gov", "steube", "https://steube.house.gov/category/press-releases/page/", "scraper", "Rep. Steube Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Protect Nonprofits\u2019 Tax-Exempt Status\n\nWASHINGTON\u2013U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) and Representative Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.) today introduced the Safeguarding America\u2019s Nonprofits Act, legislation to amend the Internal Revenue Code and clarify that a nonprofit\u2019s federal tax-exempt status does not constitute federal financial assistance.\n\n\u201cNonprofits across the country depend on their tax-exempt status to carry out their work. That status should never be treated as a form of government assistance,\u201d said Rep. Steube. \u201cThe Safeguarding America\u2019s Nonprofits Act puts a clear, permanent rule in statute so nonprofits do not have to worry about their tax exemption being reinterpreted as a government handout.\u201d\n\n\u201cNonprofits across the country rely on clear, consistent federal rules to continue serving their communities effectively. In recent years, conflicting court decisions have created uncertainty by suggesting that nonprofits could be subject to regulations that Congress never intended for them. This bipartisan legislation would clarify that an organization\u2019s tax-exempt status is not federal financial assistance. It would protect charities, philanthropies, community\u2011based organizations, and religious institutions from unnecessary regulations so they can stay focused on delivering critical services,\u201d said Congresswoman Suzan DelBene.\n\n\u201cNonprofit organizations are the heart of our communities. They play an essential role in supporting families and hardworking Americans, advancing research, educating students, and providing countless other public benefits, often stepping in where government and business can\u2019t or shouldn\u2019t. Their strength lies in their independence. The Safeguarding America\u2019s Nonprofits Act protects tax-exempt organizations independent from the federal government from unnecessary and burdensome risks of litigation or bureaucratic overreach. We appreciate Congressman Greg Steube (R-FL) and Congresswoman DelBene for their bipartisan leadership so nonprofits can continue to focus on their missions,\u201d said Community Impact Coalition Co-Chairs: Tommy Goodwin and Mary Wheatley.\n\n\u201cAssociations are among the most trusted institutions in American life,\u201d said Michelle Mason, FASAE, CAE, President and CEO, American Society of Association Executives. \u201cThey set the standards that keep products safe and professions credible, train and credential the workforce, and convene the people who solve problems no single company or agency can solve alone. That work depends on their independence. The Safeguarding America\u2019s Nonprofits Act makes clear what has always been true: tax exemption is not federal financial assistance, and it should never become a lever for government control over organizations that accept no federal dollars. ASAE thanks Congressman Steube and Congresswoman DelBene for introducing this important legislation and urges members of Congress to support it.\u201d\n\n\u201cRepresenting family forestry businesses across Rural America, the Forest Landowners Association understands firsthand the important role nonprofit organizations play in strengthening communities and advancing the interests of the people and industries they serve,\u201d said Scott Jones, CEO, Forest Landowners Association. \u201cTax-exempt status is not a government grant or subsidy, and it should not be treated as federal financial assistance. The Safeguarding America\u2019s Nonprofits Act provides important clarity and protects organizations like FLA from unnecessary regulatory burdens that could hinder our ability to carry out our missions. FLA is proud to support this bipartisan legislation.\u201d\n\n\u201cCommunity Associations Institute (CAI) is proud to support the Safeguarding America\u2019s Nonprofits Act,\u201d said Dawn M. Bauman, CAE, CEO of CAI. \u201cNonprofit organizations like CAI play an essential role in providing important resources to support the integrity and strength of America\u2019s communities. This legislation helps ensure CAI can continue to prioritize our members and provide the education, advocacy, and resources they need to support thriving community associations. We thank Congressman Steube and Senator Lankford for their leadership on this important legislation.\u201d\n\nThe bill amends Section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code to state that a federal income tax exemption does not count as federal financial assistance for organizations described under sections 501(c), 501(d), or 401(a).\n\nThere are roughly 2 million nonprofit organizations in the United States. Many operate without any direct government assistance, thereby avoiding the compliance burdens that federal subsidies often impose. When the tax code was written, Congress intended for a clear distinction between nonprofits that do and do not accept government assistance. This bill affirms Congress\u2019 intent and limits legal uncertainty.\n\nThe legislation is supported by a broad coalition of nonprofit organizations, including the Community Impact Coalition, Career Education Colleges and Universities, American Society of Association Executives, National Scleroderma Foundation, Women in Trucking, Florida Association of Free and Charitable Clinics, Community Associations Institute, The Handcrafted Soap & Cosmetic Guild, Inc., Household and Commercial Products Association, American Rental Association, American Council of Academic Physical Therapy, Bostrom, National Association for Regulatory Administration, Association Management Services, Inc., Association CEO, American Society for Nondestructive Testing, American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, and the National Emergency Number Association.\n\nThe full text of the Safeguarding America\u2019s Nonprofits Act is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-25T05:31:37Z", "2026-08-25T05:33:09Z"], ["https://buchanan.house.gov/2026/08/21/icymi-alzheimers-association-highlights-urgent-need-for-asap-act-on-fox-news/", "ICYMI: Alzheimer\u2019s Association Highlights Urgent Need for ASAP Act on Fox News", "2026-08-21", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Vern Buchanan", "B001260", "buchanan.house.gov", "buchanan", "https://buchanan.house.gov/media/", "scraper", "Advocates Call for Passage of ASAP Act with nearly 200 Bipartisan Cosponsors\n\nWASHINGTON \u2014 Today, Congressman Vern Buchanan, Vice Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee and Chairman of the Health Subcommittee, highlights the growing bipartisan support behind the Alzheimer\u2019s Screening and Prevention (ASAP) Act (H.R. 6130), which currently has nearly 200 cosponsors and continues to gain record-breaking momentum heading into the end of the year.\n\nThe ASAP Act would provide a pathway for Medicare coverage of blood-based biomarker screening tests for Alzheimer\u2019s disease and related dementias, expanding access to early detection and diagnosis for patients and families.\n\nThis past week, Rachel Conant, Senior Vice President of Public Policy at the Alzheimer\u2019s Association and Executive Director of the Alzheimer\u2019s Impact Movement (AIM), joined Fox News to discuss the policy hurdles blocking access to breakthrough Alzheimer\u2019s treatments and the urgent need to pass Congressman Vern Buchanan\u2019s ASAP Act. During the segment, Conant explained that while new Alzheimer\u2019s treatments are emerging faster than ever, outdated policy barriers are keeping many patients from being able to access them in reasonable time. She pointed out early detection as the key to changing that trajectory, noting that blood-based biomarker tests now make it possible to diagnose Alzheimer\u2019s far sooner than in the past through preventative measures. But Medicare\u2019s current coverage restrictions prevent many seniors from getting screened before it\u2019s too late to benefit from critical treatment.\n\nConant underscored that closing this gap is exactly what the ASAP Act, introduced by Congressman Buchanan, is designed to do. She called on Congress to build on its bipartisan momentum and get the bill across the finish line once and for all.\n\nBuchanan\u2019s ASAP Act has secured nearly 200 bipartisan cosponsors in the House. In addition to being Vice Chairman and the most senior Republican on the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee, Buchanan serves as the Chairman of the Health Subcommittee, which has broad leadership over traditional Medicare, the Medicare prescription drug benefit program and Medicare Advantage, providing quality health resources to Americans nationwide.\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-22T05:24:59Z", "2026-08-22T05:26:16Z"], ["https://bilirakis.house.gov/media/press-releases/bilirakis-soto-velazquez-reschenthaler-kelly-and-hernandez-file-bill-honor", "Bilirakis, Soto, Vel\u00e1zquez, Reschenthaler, Kelly and Hern\u00e1ndez File Bill to Honor Baseball Legend Roberto Clemente at U.S. Capitol", "2026-08-20", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Gus M. Bilirakis", "B001257", "bilirakis.house.gov", "bilirakis", "https://bilirakis.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Earlier today, U.S. Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Darren Soto (D-FL), Nydia Vel\u00e1zquez (D-NY), Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA), Mike Kelly (R-PA), and Resident Commissioner Pablo Jos\u00e9 Hern\u00e1ndez (D-PR) introduced bipartisan legislation to authorize the creation and presentation of a statue honoring the life and enduring legacy of baseball legend and humanitarian Roberto Clemente at the United States Capitol.\n\nBorn in Carolina, Puerto Rico, on August 18, 1934, Clemente became one of the most accomplished and admired players in Major League Baseball history. During his 18 seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Clemente recorded exactly 3,000 hits, won four National League batting titles, earned 12 consecutive Gold Glove Awards, was named the National League\u2019s Most Valuable Player in 1966, and helped lead the Pirates to two World Series championships. He also made history as the first Latin American and Caribbean player inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.\n\nClemente\u2019s impact, however, extended far beyond the baseball diamond. Throughout his career, he courageously spoke out against discrimination and dedicated himself to humanitarian causes, particularly efforts to improve the lives of children and families throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Clemente tragically died on December 31, 1972, when a plane carrying humanitarian aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua crashed shortly after takeoff from Puerto Rico.\n\n\u201cRoberto Clemente embodied the very best of the American spirit. He was a trailblazer whose extraordinary talent changed the game of baseball, but his greatest legacy was the compassion, courage, and selflessness he demonstrated in service to others,\u201d said Congressman Bilirakis. \u201cAs a proud Floridian who represents a vibrant Hispanic community and a lifelong Pirates fan, I know how deeply Clemente\u2019s example continues to resonate with generations of Americans. It is fitting that we announce this bipartisan legislation on his birthday to ensure his remarkable story and enduring legacy are permanently honored at our Nation\u2019s Capitol. I am proud to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to recognize a true American hero whose life reminds us that greatness is measured not simply by what we achieve, but by what we do for others.\u201d\n\nClemente was posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 1973 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2003, among the Nation\u2019s highest honors. Major League Baseball also annually presents the Roberto Clemente Award to the player who best exemplifies extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy, and positive contributions both on and off the field.\n\nThe effort to honor Clemente with a statue at the U.S. Capitol builds upon legislation previously introduced by Puerto Rico Governor Jenniffer Gonz\u00e1lez-Col\u00f3n during her tenure as Puerto Rico\u2019s Resident Commissioner in Congress. Today\u2019s bipartisan effort continues that work to ensure Clemente\u2019s extraordinary contributions to our Nation and his enduring legacy of service receive permanent recognition at the U.S. Capitol.\n\nUnder the legislation, a statue of Clemente would be created and presented for permanent display at the U.S. Capitol, giving millions of Americans who visit each year an opportunity to learn about a man whose contributions transcended sports and whose example of courage, service, and compassion continues to inspire generations.\n\nClemente famously said, \u201cIf you have an opportunity to make things better and you don\u2019t, then you are wasting your time on Earth.\u201d His life embodied that principle. More than five decades after his passing, Clemente\u2019s commitment to service, equality, and helping those in need continues to inspire people throughout Puerto Rico, across the United States, and around the world.", 1, "2026-08-21T05:30:57Z", "2026-08-21T05:32:22Z"], ["https://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=405270", "U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor Leads Bipartisan Letter Urging Administration to Protect American Farmers and Fertilizer Producers Against Rising Costs and Chinese Weaponization", "2026-08-20", "2026", "2026-08", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Kathy Castor", "C001066", "castor.house.gov", "castor", "https://castor.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Reps. Kathy Castor (FL-14) and Zachary Nunn (IA-3), members of the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, today led a letter to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer urging immediate action to protect American farmers and domestic fertilizer producers from a deepening, deliberately engineered supply chain crisis.\n\nGlobal conflicts and market manipulation by the People's Republic of China (PRC) has created a critical vulnerability in America's agricultural supply chain that is hurting American producers, rural communities, and families.\n\n\"Hardworking American farmers, workers and families are depending on the Administration to ensure farmers can access the fertilizer they need, at prices they can afford,\" Rep. Castor said. \"The Chinese Communist Party has demonstrated a willingness to exploit global commodity disruptions to advance its strategic interests at the expense of American producers and consumers. We need to act now to protect our supply chain from bad actors who send costs skyrocketing.\"\n\n\"Iowa farmers shouldn't have to outbid Communist China for American-made inputs in their own backyard,\" said Rep. Nunn. \"Adding fertilizer minerals like phosphate and potash to the U.S. Critical Minerals list was the first step. Now, I'm asking the Administration to work with us on a whole-of-government strategy to secure our fertilizer supply chain and give Iowa producers the certainty to plan for next season.\u201d\n\nRep. Castor is urging USDA and USTR to secure domestic fertilizer production and develop a comprehensive fertilizer supply chain security strategy that accounts for geopolitical risk, adversarial commodity manipulation, and the strategic importance of domestic agricultural inputs before American businesses are irreversibly harmed.\n\nFull text of the letter is below and available here:\n\nDear Secretary Rollins and Ambassador Greer:\n\nWe write as members of the Select Committee on Strategic Competition with the Chinese Communist Party to urge action to protect American farmers and domestic fertilizer producers from a deepening supply chain crisis. The convergence of geopolitical disruptions, the People\u2019s Republic of China\u2019s (PRC\u2019s) strategic use of export controls, and PRC government intervention in global commodity markets have created a critical vulnerability in America\u2019s agricultural supply chain. This challenge is one that requires a strong interagency response before irreversible harm can be done to American producers, rural communities, and ultimately, American families.\n\nSulfur is an indispensable input for the manufacture of phosphate fertilizer, an essential tool for sustaining American crop yields. [1] Over the past year, a series of geopolitical shocks including Russia\u2019s war of aggression in Ukraine and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz have severely restricted global sulfur supply. [2] The result has been an acute and artificial price spike. In December 2025, sulfur traded at approximately $450 per ton. Today, spot market prices have surged above $1,000 per ton. [3] The United States Gulf Coast, once a reliable but modest global supplier, has become the primary source of global sulfur supply by default. [4] Yet American manufacturers are being systematically outbid in their own backyard.\n\nThe crisis facing American fertilizer producers is not simply a function of market forces, it reflects a deliberate strategic posture by the PRC government. Chinese state-affiliated and state-linked companies are actively purchasing American-produced sulfur at elevated prices, outcompeting domestic manufacturers. Mosaic Company, a cornerstone of American phosphate fertilizer production, was recently outbid for a sulfur contract by CMOC, a PRC-linked metals and mining company operating in Brazil. American sulfur is leaving the country while American fertilizer plants are idled.\n\nIn early May 2026, the PRC enacted a ban on sulfuric acid exports. By purchasing American sulfur at premium prices, converting it into sulfuric acid domestically, and then restricting exports of that processed product, Beijing is effectively weaponizing a critical agricultural input. The move hoards upstream supply while locking downstream output behind export controls. It reflects a sophisticated strategy by the PRC government to acquire American raw materials, process them domestically, and then restrict re-export, achieving supply chain leverage over American agriculture while preserving its own food security and industrial base.\n\nThe consequences of inaction are no longer theoretical. For example, the Mosaic Company is currently in curtailment at two manufacturing facilities due to its inability to secure affordable sulfur. [5] These disruptions are having impacts on farmers as well. The U.S. Department of Agriculture expects the average cost of production for an acre of corn to rise to $917 in 2026, up from $890.[6] This will layer on top of the increased cost of diesel and equipment and cut into the already thin margins that American farmers operate on. [7]\n\nThe window for preventive action is closing rapidly. Once phosphate manufacturing capacity is idled, restarting it is a slow and costly process. We urge you both to consider measures to resecure American fertilizer production. We urge USDA and USTR to develop a comprehensive fertilizer supply chain security strategy that accounts for geopolitical risk, adversarial commodity manipulation, and the strategic importance of domestic agricultural inputs.\n\nAmerican farmers, workers, and families are depending on this Administration to ensure farmers can access the fertilizer they need, at prices they can afford. Meanwhile, the Chinese Communist Party has demonstrated a willingness to exploit global commodity disruptions to advance its strategic interests at the expense of American producers and consumers.\n\nThank you for your attention to this matter and please advise on how you can help lessen the pain of the current supply chain crisis.\n\n[1]https://ers.usda.gov/sites/default/files/_laserfiche/publications/113324/ERR-354.pdf?v=42889\n\n[2]https://www.woodmac.com/press-releases/middle-east-conflict-disrupts-major-metals-and-mining-markets-threatening-global-supply-and-prices/\n\n[3]https://www.spglobal.com/energy/en/news-research/latest-news/agriculture/052926-high-sulfur-prices-squeeze-fertilizer-margins-spur-production-cutbacks\n\n[4]https://www.spglobal.com/energy/en/news-research/latest-news/agriculture/031926-sulfur-nitrogen-markets-under-pressure-as-middle-east-war-persists-analysts\n\n[5]https://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24654-mosaic-to-scale-back-us-phosphate-production-over-high-input-costs\n\n[6] https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/commodity-costs-and-returns\n\n[7]https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/rising-fuel-prices-hit-us-farms-iran-war-drags-2026-06-09/", 1, "2026-08-22T05:24:59Z", "2026-08-22T05:26:16Z"], ["https://bilirakis.house.gov/media/press-releases/roberto-clementes-birthday-bilirakis-soto-and-valazquez-announce-bipartisan", "On Roberto Clemente\u2019s Birthday, Bilirakis, Soto and Valazquez Announce Bipartisan Bill to Honor Baseball Legend at U.S. Capitol", "2026-08-18", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Gus M. Bilirakis", "B001257", "bilirakis.house.gov", "bilirakis", "https://bilirakis.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 On what would have been Roberto Clemente\u2019s 92nd birthday, U.S. Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Darren Soto (D-FL), and Nydia Vel\u00e1zquez (D-NY) announced bipartisan legislation that would authorize the creation and presentation of a statue honoring the life and enduring legacy of baseball legend and humanitarian Roberto Clemente at the United States Capitol. Born in Carolina, Puerto Rico, on August 18, 1934, Clemente became one of the most accomplished and admired players in Major League Baseball history. During his 18 seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Clemente recorded exactly 3,000 hits, won four National League batting titles, earned 12 consecutive Gold Glove Awards, was named the National League\u2019s Most Valuable Player in 1966, and helped lead the Pirates to two World Series championships. He also made history as the first Latin American and Caribbean player inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Clemente\u2019s impact, however, extended far beyond the baseball diamond. Throughout his career, he courageously spoke out against discrimination and dedicated himself to humanitarian causes, particularly efforts to improve the lives of children and families throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Clemente tragically died on December 31, 1972, when a plane carrying humanitarian aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua crashed shortly after takeoff from Puerto Rico.\n\n\u201cRoberto Clemente embodied the very best of the American spirit. He was a trailblazer whose extraordinary talent changed the game of baseball, but his greatest legacy was the compassion, courage, and selflessness he demonstrated in service to others,\u201d said Congressman Bilirakis. \u201cAs a proud Floridian who represents a vibrant Hispanic community and a lifelong Pirates fan, I know how deeply Clemente\u2019s example continues to resonate with generations of Americans. It is fitting that we announce this bipartisan legislation on his birthday to ensure his remarkable story and enduring legacy are permanently honored at our Nation\u2019s Capitol. I am proud to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to recognize a true American hero whose life reminds us that greatness is measured not simply by what we achieve, but by what we do for others.\u201d\n\n\u201cI am proud to join Rep. Bilirakis in this effort to authorize the placement of a statue honoring Roberto Clemente on Capitol Grounds. In Central Florida, Clemente's legacy lives on in our renamed streets and schools, in little league field murals, as well as in the morals we teach our children to follow,\u201d said Rep. Soto. \u201cFrom his efforts to reform American baseball to his humanitarian work, Clemente demonstrated that he practiced what he preached and dedicated his life to helping others overcome adversity. Though his life was tragically cut short, we will keep fighting to keep his spirit alive in this U.S. Capitol. \u00a1Wepa!\u201d\n\nClemente was posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 1973 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2003, among the Nation\u2019s highest honors. Major League Baseball also annually presents the Roberto Clemente Award to the player who best exemplifies extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy, and positive contributions both on and off the field. The effort to honor Clemente with a statue at the U.S. Capitol builds upon legislation previously introduced by Puerto Rico Governor Jenniffer Gonz\u00e1lez-Col\u00f3n during her tenure as Puerto Rico\u2019s Resident Commissioner in Congress. Bilirakis, Soto, and Vel\u00e1zquez are continuing that bipartisan effort to ensure Clemente\u2019s extraordinary contributions to our Nation and his enduring legacy of service receive permanent recognition at the U.S. Capitol. The lawmakers\u2019 legislation would authorize the creation and presentation of a statue of Clemente for display at the U.S. Capitol. The tribute would ensure that the millions of Americans who visit the Capitol each year have an opportunity to learn about a man whose contributions to our Nation transcended sports and whose example of service continues to inspire generations.\n\nClemente famously said, \u201cIf you have an opportunity to make things better and you don\u2019t, then you are wasting your time on Earth.\u201d His life embodied that principle. More than five decades after his passing, Clemente\u2019s commitment to service, equality, and helping those in need continues to inspire people throughout Puerto Rico, across the United States, and around the world.", 1, "2026-08-19T05:29:02Z", "2026-08-19T05:30:24Z"], ["https://buchanan.house.gov/2026/08/18/buchanan-joins-torres-fitzpatrick-in-cosponsoring-bipartisan-9-1-1-saves-act/", "Buchanan Joins Torres, Fitzpatrick in Cosponsoring Bipartisan 9-1-1 SAVES Act", "2026-08-18", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Vern Buchanan", "B001260", "buchanan.house.gov", "buchanan", "https://buchanan.house.gov/media/", "scraper", "Legislation Would Recognize 9-1-1 Dispatchers as First Responders\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Vern Buchanan (FL-16), Vice Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, announced he is cosponsoring the 9-1-1 Supporting Accurate Views of Emergency Services (SAVES) Act, bipartisan legislation reintroduced by Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) and Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35). The bill reclassifies 9-1-1 dispatchers as first responders and recognizes America\u2019s over 100,000 9-1-1 professionals for their work to save lives.\n\n\u201cEvery day, 9-1-1 dispatchers are the calm, steady voice on the other end of the line when Americans are facing the worst moments of their lives,\u201d said Congressman Buchanan. \u201cThey deserve a classification that reflects the seriousness of that responsibility. I\u2019m proud to join Congresswoman Torres and Congressman Fitzpatrick in the effort to recognize these heroes, and I\u2019ll keep pushing to get it across the finish line.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs a former 9-1-1 dispatcher for over 17 years, I know firsthand the critical role dispatchers play in our public safety system,\u201d said Congresswoman Torres. \u201cIt\u2019s time we officially recognize their contributions. This small change will have a meaningful impact on the lives of over 100,000 dedicated dispatchers across the United States.\u201d\n\n\u201cAnyone who has dialed 9-1-1 in an emergency understands the critical role of the operator on the other end of the line,\u201d said Congressman Fitzpatrick. \u201cThese unsung heroes are vital to the safety and security of our communities, and it is long overdue that we honor their extraordinary service.\u201d\n\nDespite serving as the first point of contact in nearly every emergency, 9-1-1 dispatchers are currently classified as clerical staff. Professions, such as school crossing guards, carry the first responder designation, yet these critical roles don\u2019t. The 9-1-1 SAVES Act corrects that at zero cost to taxpayers, recognizing the more than 100,000 dispatchers nationwide who talk callers through medical emergencies, coordinate law enforcement and fire response and are frequently the first, and only, lifeline for someone in crisis.\n\nThe bill has the backing of fire, police, 9-1-1 and public safety associations across the country.\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-19T05:29:02Z", "2026-08-19T05:30:24Z"], ["https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-mario-diaz-balart-attends-ribbon-cutting-ceremony-aars-new", "Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart Attends Ribbon Cutting Ceremony of AAR\u2019s New Airframe MRO Facility Expansion", "2026-08-17", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Mario Diaz-Balart", "D000600", "mariodiazbalart.house.gov", "mariodiazbalart", "https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "MIAMI, FL - Congressman Mario D\u00edaz-Balart (FL-26), Vice Chair of the House Committee on Appropriations and Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs, attends ribbon cutting ceremony of AAR\u2019s new airframe MRO facility expansion.\n\n\u201cIt is a privilege to join the community and AAR today to celebrate the expansion of this Airframe MRO facility at Miami International Airport. This new hangar represents a significant investment in Miami and strengthens our region\u2019s position as a global leader in aviation, while helping ensure that South Florida remains at the forefront of this vital industry.\n\nThis expansion will create 200 full-time jobs for Miami-Dade residents and bring additional economic activity to our community. These are the kinds of investments that make a real difference for working families and help build a stronger local economy. With more than 1,300 AAR employees already based across Florida, this project also underscores the company\u2019s continued commitment to our state and to the skilled workforce that makes Florida a great place to do business.\n\nAviation is a cornerstone of our economy, and Miami International Airport is an essential gateway connecting our community to the nation and the world. Investments like this one help strengthen that gateway and position South Florida for continued success in the years ahead.\n\nI want to congratulate AAR on this important milestone and thank Miami International Airport, as well as our federal, state, and local partners, for their collaboration in making this project possible. Projects of this scale take partnership and commitment, and I am proud to see everyone come together to deliver results for our community.\n\nCongratulations to everyone involved in this exciting milestone and thank you for continuing to invest in the people and future of our community.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-18T05:27:41Z", "2026-08-18T05:29:06Z"], ["https://steube.house.gov/press-releases/rep-steube-introduces-gator-act-after-fatal-central-florida-alligator-attack/", "Rep. Steube Introduces GATOR Act After Fatal Central Florida Alligator Attack", "2026-08-17", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "House", "FL", "W. Gregory Steube", "S001214", "steube.house.gov", "steube", "https://steube.house.gov/category/press-releases/page/", "scraper", "Rep. Steube Introduces GATOR Act After Fatal Central Florida Alligator Attack\n\nWASHINGTON\u2013U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) today introduced the Gathering Alligator Treatment, Oversight, and Response Act of 2026, or the GATOR Act, legislation that requires the Comptroller General and the Department of the Interior to study how a decades-old federal species listing affects the ability of state wildlife agencies to remove nuisance alligators from residential and commercial waterways.\n\nThe bill follows the death of a 31-year-old Oviedo woman, who was killed by a 13-foot alligator near her home. The attack renewed public attention on how alligators are managed in neighborhoods where growing development has pushed people and gators into closer contact.\n\n\u201cFlorida families deserve to protect their children and pets in their own backyards,\u201d said Rep. Steube. \u201cThe American alligator is an apex predator, and it\u2019s been fully recovered since 1987. Federal look-alike rules meant to stop trafficking remain in place, but they may be discouraging Floridians from using our state\u2019s nuisance alligator program. The GATOR Act simply studies whether these federal trade enforcements have influenced the way states manage nuisance gators or the way residents report them.\u201d\n\nThe American alligator is not listed as endangered or threatened. It carries a \u201cthreatened due to similarity of appearance\u201d classification because it closely resembles the American crocodile, a status meant to prevent traffickers from passing off protected crocodile hides as alligator hides in interstate commerce. The GATOR Act would examine whether that trade-focused listing has unintentionally slowed the removal of nuisance alligators and invasive caimans from areas where they pose a risk to people, pets, and property.\n\nThe legislation directs the Comptroller General, working with the Secretary of the Interior and relevant state wildlife agencies, to determine the effect of the federal listing on state management programs for the American alligator, common caiman, and brown caiman; whether the listing has contributed to more than a full recovery of the American alligator population; whether it has contributed to the common or brown caiman becoming invasive species in Florida; and whether it has made it more difficult to remove nuisance alligators or invasive caimans from waterways in or around residential and commercial areas.\n\nThe GATOR Act does not change how any state currently manages its alligator population. It directs a federal study to determine whether the current framework has led states and communities to treat alligators as a threatened population.\n\nThe full text of the GATOR Act is available here.", 1, "2026-08-18T05:27:41Z", "2026-08-18T05:29:06Z"], ["https://bilirakis.house.gov/media/press-releases/bilirakis-host-affordable-housing-fair-pasco-county", "Bilirakis to Host Affordable Housing Fair in Pasco County", "2026-08-14", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Gus M. Bilirakis", "B001257", "bilirakis.house.gov", "bilirakis", "https://bilirakis.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "-Event will connect residents with resources and information to help make housing more affordable-\n\nPASCO COUNTY, FL \u2013 Congressman Gus Bilirakis will host an Affordable Housing Fair on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. to connect Pasco County residents with resources, programs, and information aimed at helping families navigate the rising cost of housing and homeownership.\n\n\u201cWhether you are looking to purchase your first home, struggling with rising housing, electric or insurance costs, or simply trying to find an affordable place to live, I want to make sure you know about the resources that may be available to help,\u201d said Congressman Bilirakis. \u201cHousing affordability continues to be one of the most significant challenges facing families in our community. I am committed to pursuing solutions at the federal level while also bringing resources directly to the people I represent.\u201d\n\nBilirakis has worked alongside local leaders to secure federal investments that expand affordable housing opportunities and support some of the community\u2019s most vulnerable residents. These investments include:\n\n$7.2 million for affordable senior housing in West Pasco, helping expand housing options for seniors, many of whom are living on fixed incomes.\n\n$4 million for Magnolia Oaks, a new affordable housing community designed to serve at-risk Veterans.\n\n$4 million for Vincent House\u2019s innovative housing initiatives, which support adults living with serious mental illness and help provide greater stability and independence.\n\nBeyond these local investments, Bilirakis has championed bipartisan legislation to address the housing affordability crisis on a national level. He has supported measures including the Saving the American Dream Act, the More Homes on the Market Act, and, most recently, the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, which has become law. Together, these commonsense reforms seek to address some of the underlying factors driving housing costs by increasing the supply of affordable housing, reducing unnecessary regulatory barriers that make construction more expensive, lowering barriers to renting and purchasing a home, and expanding opportunities for homeownership.\n\n\u201cHousing affordability affects every generation,\u201d Bilirakis said. \u201cWhether you are a senior on a fixed income, a Veteran returning home, a first-time homebuyer, or a family struggling with rising insurance costs, we have to pursue practical solutions that address both the immediate pressures families are facing and the long-term factors driving housing costs higher.\u201d\n\nRecognizing that Florida\u2019s property insurance crisis is placing additional pressure on homeowners, Bilirakis has also introduced legislation that would provide a $10,000 federal tax credit for Florida homeowners to help offset the skyrocketing cost of property insurance.\n\nAdditionally, Bilirakis supported $585 million in federal disaster assistance for Pasco County to help families and communities recover from recent devastating hurricanes. These resources are helping homeowners rebuild, repair damaged properties, and strengthen homes and communities against future disasters. Bilirakis is also a proud co-sponsor of the HELPER Act, legislation designed to help teachers, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and other critical community workers overcome one of the biggest barriers to homeownership: the cost of a down payment. The measure would help these essential workers afford to live in the communities they serve.\n\n\u201cFamilies should not have to choose between paying their insurance premium, putting food on the table, or keeping a roof over their heads,\u201dBilirakis continued. \u201cThere is no single solution to the housing affordability crisis, which is why we need to attack the problem from every angle. We need to build more housing, remove unnecessary barriers that increase costs, help more existing homes come onto the market, address Florida\u2019s property insurance crisis, and make it easier for hardworking families and essential workers to achieve the American Dream of homeownership. This Affordable Housing Fair is another important part of that effort. It is about making sure our neighbors have access to practical information and resources that can help them right now, while I continue fighting for long-term solutions in Congress.\u201d\n\nResidents interested in learning more about affordable housing initiatives and programs that may be available to assist them are encouraged to attend.", 1, "2026-08-15T05:23:20Z", "2026-08-15T05:24:50Z"], ["https://wilson.house.gov/media/press-releases/more-than-2000-job-seekers-attend-rep-wilson-s-federal-job-fair", "More Than 2,000 Job Seekers Attend Rep. Wilson\u2019s Federal Job Fair", "2026-08-14", "2026", "2026-08", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Frederica S. Wilson", "W000808", "wilson.house.gov", "wilson", "https://wilson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "MIAMI GARDENS, FL \u2014 Today, Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24), in partnership with Miami-Dade County Commissioner Oliver G. Gilbert, III, Miami Dade College, CareerSource South Florida, and the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project, welcomed more than 2,000 job seekers and 60 vendors to a Federal Job Fair at Miami Dade College.\n\nThe extraordinary turnout demonstrated both the urgent need for employment opportunities and the determination of South Floridians to build brighter, more secure futures. Attendees connected directly with employers representing a wide range of industries and sectors, explored full-time and part-time positions, and accessed on-site career and professional development resources.\n\n\u201cJOBS! JOBS! JOBS! That has always been my mantra because a good job is about far more than a paycheck. It is about dignity, independence, stability, and the ability to provide for your family,\u201d said Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24). \u201cToday, more than 2,000 people walked through these doors ready to work, grow, and build a brighter future. That incredible turnout sends a powerful message: South Florida is ready for opportunity.\u201d\n\n\u201cWhen we connect people with meaningful employment, opportunities become careers, careers become stability, and stability strengthens entire families and communities,\u201d Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24) continued. \u201cI am proud that we brought 60 vendors together to meet our residents where they are and help open doors that can change lives for generations. This is what progress looks like, and we will continue working until every South Floridian has a real shot at success.\u201d\n\nThe Federal Job Fair was held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Miami Dade College\u2019s North Campus. The event reflected Congresswoman Wilson\u2019s longstanding commitment to job creation, workforce development, economic opportunity, and empowering South Florida\u2019s working families.\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-15T05:23:20Z", "2026-08-15T05:24:50Z"], ["https://buchanan.house.gov/2026/08/13/buchanan-joins-salazar-on-letter-urging-secretary-rubio-to-designate-ecuador-as-a-major-non-nato-ally/", "Buchanan Joins Salazar\u00a0On\u00a0Letter Urging Secretary Rubio to\u00a0Designate Ecuador as a Major Non-NATO Ally", "2026-08-13", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Vern Buchanan", "B001260", "buchanan.house.gov", "buchanan", "https://buchanan.house.gov/media/", "scraper", "Calls to Recognize Ecuador as a Major Non-NATO Ally to Strengthen Their Strategic Partnership with the United States\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congressman Vern Buchanan (FL-16) joined a letter led by Congresswoman Mar\u00eda Elvira Salazar (FL-27), alongside Congressman Carlos Gim\u00e9nez (FL-28), Congresswoman Carol Miller (WV-01) and Congressman Greg Steube (FL-17), urging Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the Department of State to designate Ecuador as a Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA).\n\n\u201cThe United States must continue to strengthen partnerships with trusted allies in our own hemisphere,\u201d said Rep. Buchanan. \u201cAs Chairman of the House Democracy Partnership, I have seen firsthand Ecuador\u2019s commitment to combating organized crime, countering narcotics trafficking and advancing democratic institutions. Recognizing Ecuador as a Major Non-NATO Ally would strengthen our strategic partnership, and I am proud to support this effort.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe battle against the cartels does not stop at Ecuador\u2019s borders,\u201d said Rep. Salazar. \u201cThe United States has a strategic interest in helping democratic allies confront the criminal organizations that threaten our hemisphere. Designating Ecuador as a Major Non-NATO Ally would strengthen one of our closest security partners in the Western Hemisphere.\u201d\n\nThe letter describes Ecuador as one of the front lines in the fight against transnational drug trafficking, with criminal organizations exploiting the country\u2019s Pacific coast as a major corridor for cocaine shipments bound for the United States and Europe. It also highlights the record levels of violence driven by these groups and the enormous security challenges confronting the country.\n\nThe lawmakers explain that Major Non-NATO Ally status would expand Ecuador\u2019s access to key security benefits, including military financing opportunities, increased training, excess U.S. defense equipment and advanced counterterrorism technology. These tools would strengthen Ecuador\u2019s ability to confront organized crime, protect innocent lives and stop illegal drugs before they reach the United States. Ensuring the greater protection of our citizens.\n\nMajor Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) status provides enhanced opportunities for defense and security cooperation with the United States, including:\n\nEligibility for certain U.S. military financing and defense loans\n\nExpanded military training and education opportunities with the United States\n\nPriority access to Excess Defense Articles, including certain U.S. defense equipment\n\nEligibility to participate in cooperative defense research and development projects\n\nIncreased access to counterterrorism cooperation and technology\n\nOpportunities for U.S. defense industry partnerships and defense procurement cooperation\n\nThe letter concludes by urging Secretary Rubio to grant the designation and reaffirm the United States commitment to supporting Ecuador as it continues its fight against transnational organized crime.\n\nCurrently, 19 countries are designated as Major Non-NATO Allies: Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Morocco, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines, Qatar, South Korea, Thailand, and Tunisia.\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-14T06:13:05Z", "2026-08-14T06:14:08Z"], ["https://cammack.house.gov/media/press-releases/cammack-delivers-more-42-million-rural-health-investments-north-central", "Cammack Delivers: More Than $42 Million in Rural Health Investments for North Central Florida", "2026-08-13", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Kat Cammack", "C001039", "cammack.house.gov", "cammack", "https://cammack.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Kat Cammack (FL-03) today announced more than $42.2 million in Rural Health Transformation Program investments benefiting health care providers and communities across North Central Florida, following her work in Congress to help craft and advance the legislation that created the program.\n\nAs a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and its Health Subcommittee, Cammack helped shape the rural health provisions and shepherd them through the committee process as part of the Working Families Tax Cuts law. The resulting Rural Health Transformation Program secured $209 million for Florida in its first year alone, with funding now reaching rural hospitals, physicians, health systems, and communities across the state.\n\nAt least $13.4 million is directly tied to providers with locations in Florida\u2019s Third Congressional District, while additional regional investments will strengthen health care infrastructure serving rural communities throughout North Central Florida.\n\nCommunityHealth IT received more than $26.7 million across Florida\u2019s Northeast and Northwest regions to strengthen health information technology systems supporting rural providers, including those serving FL-03.\n\n\u201cThis is exactly why I fought to make rural health care a priority in this legislation. I helped craft these provisions and shepherd them through Energy and Commerce because North Central Florida needed more than another study or another promise \u2014 we needed resources,\u201d said Congresswoman Cammack. \u201cWe secured more than $200 million for Florida, and now more than $42 million is being put to work benefiting the communities I represent. That means stronger hospitals, better technology, more access to specialists, and more care delivered closer to home. We fought for these dollars, we secured them, and now we\u2019re bringing them home.\u201d\n\nDirect Investments in FL-03\n\nProviders headquartered in Florida\u2019s Third Congressional District receiving directly attributable awards include:\n\n\u2022 Medlink Management Services (Lake Butler Hospital), Union County \u2014 $6,989,484.92 across two awards.\n\n\u2022 North Florida Pediatrics Associates, Lake City, Columbia County \u2014 $5,999,924.26 across two awards.\n\n\u2022 Trenton Medical Center (Palms Medical Group), Gilchrist County \u2014 $439,775.40.\n\nLake Butler Hospital\u2019s larger award supports preventive and at-home care, including mobile health, community paramedicine, remote patient monitoring, on-site pharmacy services, and retail clinic care.\n\nNorth Florida Pediatrics Associates\u2019 larger Lake City award supports specialty and acute care through diagnostic technology and telehealth.\n\nThese investments directly address one of the most persistent challenges facing rural North Central Florida: distance. For seniors, working families, and patients managing chronic conditions, access to more services locally can mean fewer hours on the road and faster access to the care they need.\n\nOn Tuesday, Governor Ron DeSantis announced nearly $188 million in the latest round of Year 1 awards, supporting more than 80 projects across Florida\u2019s 31 rural counties. The Northeast Region, which includes portions of FL-03 and surrounding North Central Florida communities, accounted for approximately $50.7 million of the awards.\n\n\u201cWashington doesn\u2019t know Lake Butler, Lake City, or Trenton better than the people who live and work there. That\u2019s why we built flexibility into this program and fought to get Florida the resources to put solutions on the ground,\u201d Cammack added. \u201cI helped secure more than $200 million for our state, and Governor DeSantis, Secretary Harris, and our local providers are turning that investment into care. This is what legislating is supposed to look like: identify the problem, build the solution, fight for the resources, and deliver results back home.\u201d\n\nA full list of Rural Health Transformation Program award recipients, award amounts, and project details is available here.", 1, "2026-08-14T06:13:05Z", "2026-08-14T06:14:08Z"], ["https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5028", "Rep. Frankel Leads Bipartisan Florida Delegation in Urging Surgeon General to Protect Critical HIV Prevention Funding", "2026-08-13", "2026", "2026-08", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Lois Frankel", "F000462", "frankel.house.gov", "frankel", "https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Today, Representative Lois Frankel (FL-22) led a bipartisan group of Florida lawmakers in urging Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo and the Florida Department of Health to ensure critical federal HIV prevention funding reaches community-based organizations (CBOs), preventing disruptions to essential HIV prevention services across the state.\n\nThis follows reports last month that White House directed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) not to renew direct HIV prevention grants to CBOs nationwide and instead distribute the funding to state and local health departments. In Florida, 11 organizations collectively receive approximately $5 million each year through the program.\n\nThe letter was cosigned by Reps. Maria Salazar (R-FL-27), Kathy Castor (D-FL-14), Maxwell Alejandro Frost (D-FL-10), Jared Moskowitz (D-FL-23), Darren Soto (D-FL-9), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL-25), and Frederica Wilson (D-FL-24).\n\n\u201cFlorida\u2019s CBOs are trusted providers that deliver lifesaving services, including HIV testing, prevention, care coordination, and outbreak response. Any interruption in funding would jeopardize these services, increase the risk of HIV transmission, and undermine the State\u2019s progress in ending the HIV epidemic. In addition, without either direct federal funding or state pass-through funding, affected CBOs risk losing eligibility for the 340B Drug Pricing Program. That would eliminate a critical source of support for providing free or low-cost PrEP and PEP medications and other essential services to uninsured and underinsured Floridians,\u201d the lawmakers wrote.\n\n\u201cWe appreciate FL DOH\u2019s commitment to protecting public health. We respectfully request that the Department act promptly to ensure uninterrupted HIV prevention services for Floridians and provide a response outlining FL DOH's plans for establishing cooperative agreements with CBOs to pass through these funds,\u201d the lawmakers continued.\n\nRepresentative Frankel also joined House Democratic colleagues in a separate letter to White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought demanding answers about reports that OMB directed the CDC not to renew approximately $46 million in direct HIV prevention grants supporting 96 community-based organizations. The lawmakers emphasized that Congress appropriated these funds to support evidence-based HIV prevention services, including HIV testing, linkage to care, referrals for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), and outbreak response.\n\nFor the full text of the letter to Surgeon General Ladapo, click here.", 1, "2026-08-14T06:13:05Z", "2026-08-14T06:14:08Z"], ["https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresista-mario-diaz-balart-asiste-la-ceremonia-de-nombramiento-de", "Congresista Mario D\u00edaz-Balart asiste a la ceremonia de nombramiento de una calle en honor de su hermano, el congresista Lincoln D\u00edaz-Balart", "2026-08-13", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Mario Diaz-Balart", "D000600", "mariodiazbalart.house.gov", "mariodiazbalart", "https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "MIAMI, FL - El congresista Mario D\u00edaz-Balart (FL-26), vicepresidente del Comit\u00e9 de Asignaciones de la C\u00e1mara de Representantes y presidente del Subcomit\u00e9 de Seguridad Nacional, Departamento de Estado y Programas Relacionados, asisti\u00f3 a la ceremonia de nombramiento de una calle en honor de su hermano, el congresista Lincoln D\u00edaz-Balart.\n\n\u201cHoy es un d\u00eda muy significativo para m\u00ed y mi familia al reunirnos en el que habr\u00eda sido el cumplea\u00f1os de mi hermano Lincoln, para honrar su vida y su legado de servicio, as\u00ed como el v\u00ednculo tan profundo que mantuvo con nuestra comunidad.\n\nEn nombre de toda nuestra familia quiero expresar mi m\u00e1s profundo agradecimiento a todos los que hicieron posible este homenaje. Estamos especialmente agradecidos con la senadora Ileana Garc\u00eda y con el comisionado de la Ciudad de Miami, Ralph Rosado. Nos conmueve saber que el nombre de Lincoln quedar\u00e1 para siempre a la vista a lo largo de una de las v\u00edas m\u00e1s hist\u00f3ricas de nuestra comunidad, y estamos profundamente agradecidos por el cari\u00f1o y el respeto que le han demostrado a Lincoln y a nuestra familia.\n\nLincoln D\u00edaz-Balart dedic\u00f3 su vida al servicio p\u00fablico, sirvi\u00f3 con integridad, convicci\u00f3n y un inquebrantable compromiso con todos a los que represent\u00f3. Su legado perdura en las vidas de aquellos a quienes sirvi\u00f3 y en las causas dignas que defendi\u00f3.\n\nSu mayor satisfacci\u00f3n proven\u00eda de ser la voz de quienes le confiaron el honor de representarlos y de ser una voz para los silenciados y los oprimidos.\n\nGracias por continuar honrando el legado de Lincoln de una forma tan significativa y duradera.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-14T06:13:05Z", "2026-08-14T06:14:08Z"], ["https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-mario-diaz-balart-attends-street-naming-ceremony-honoring", "Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart Attends Street Naming Ceremony Honoring His Late Brother, Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart", "2026-08-13", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Mario Diaz-Balart", "D000600", "mariodiazbalart.house.gov", "mariodiazbalart", "https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "MIAMI, FL - Congressman Mario D\u00edaz-Balart (FL-26), Vice Chair of the House Committee on Appropriations and Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs, attends a street naming ceremony honoring his late brother, Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart.\n\n\u201cToday is a meaningful day for me and my family as we gather on what would have been my brother Lincoln\u2019s birthday to honor his life and legacy of service and his enduring connection to our community.\n\nOn behalf of our entire family, I want to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who made this tribute possible. We are especially thankful to Senator Ileana Garcia and City of Miami Commissioner Ralph Rosado. We are moved that Lincoln\u2019s name will forever be seen along one of the most historic roadways in our community, and are profoundly grateful for the affection and respect you have shown him and our family.\n\nLincoln Diaz-Balart devoted his life to public service. He served with conviction, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to the people he represented. His legacy lives on in the people he served and the dignified causes he championed.\n\nHis greatest satisfaction came from being a voice for those who entrusted him with the honor of representing them, and for being a voice for the silenced and the oppressed.\n\nThank you for continuing to honor Lincoln\u2019s legacy in such an enduring way.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-14T06:13:05Z", "2026-08-14T06:14:08Z"], ["https://mast.house.gov/press-releases?ID=A7956722-DC86-4413-8558-D662AC104DE3", "Mast Introduces Freedom Haulers Act", "2026-08-13", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Brian J. Mast", "M001199", "mast.house.gov", "mast", "https://mast.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Representative Brian Mast (FL-21) today introduced legislation to codify the Freedom Haulers initiative, permanently securing the fast-track pathway for America\u2019s Veterans to earn commercial driver\u2019s licenses (CDLs) and take the wheel of America\u2019s trucking industry.\n\n\"Veterans have already proven they have the discipline, the training, and the grit to handle the world\u2019s most demanding jobs in the world\u2019s most dangerous places. Hauling America's freight should be next,\" said Congressman Brian Mast. \"President Trump opened the fast lane for veterans to get behind the wheel and my bill make sure it stays that way.\"\n\nLast month at the White House by President Trump, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, VA Secretary Doug Collins, and Acting Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling, unveiled the Freedom Haulers initiative as a way to connect veterans with good-paying trucking careers. Under President Trump, trucker earnings have surged 7.42 percent and traffic fatalities are at a historic low.\n\nToday, the initiative exists as a directive from the administration. Mast's bill writes the guidance into federal law:\n\nDoubling the Military Skills Test Waiver window from 12 months to 24 months after service, letting veterans with heavy vehicle military experience transfer their skills without taking redundant road tests. More than 40,000 veterans have already used this waiver.\n\nMaking the Even Exchange Program permanent, allowing qualified veterans to bypass CDL knowledge exams and receive licenses faster. Thirty-four states, including Florida, participate.\n\nThe bill builds on Rep. Mast's work to secure America's roadways after an illegal foreign trucker killed three Americans on Florida's Turnpike just minutes from his home in 2025. The bill carries out his mission to replace dangerous, unqualified drivers off the road with the veterans who earned our trust in the driver's seat.", 1, "2026-08-14T06:13:05Z", "2026-08-14T06:14:08Z"], ["https://patronis.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-patronis-applauds-9-million-investment-in-pensacola-shipbuilding-industry", "Congressman Patronis Applauds $9 Million Investment in Pensacola Shipbuilding Industry", "2026-08-13", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Jimmy Patronis", "P000622", "patronis.house.gov", "patronis", "https://patronis.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Jimmy Patronis (R-FL) applauded a $9 million investment from the State of Florida through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund to strengthen shipbuilding infrastructure at the Port of Pensacola and create approximately 2,000 manufacturing and related jobs.\n\nThe $9 million investment will help expand shipbuilding at the Port of Pensacola, allowing the Port to construct a facility where parts for Navy submarines and warships up to 400 feet long will be constructed. The project will strengthen America\u2019s shipbuilding industry while bringing more jobs and economic opportunities to Pensacola.\n\n\u201cPensacola has always answered the call to support our military, and this investment will help carry that proud tradition into the future,\u201d said Congressman Patronis. \u201cAs a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I was proud to address the Australian Embassy in July with officials from Birdon to help promote this relationship and continue the work of growing jobs and opportunities for the Pensacola area. Northwest Florida has a longstanding history of protecting our nation, and I\u2019m grateful to President Trump and Governor DeSantis for their work to defend America\u2019s shores.\u201d\n\nThe investment comes as the United States works to expand domestic shipbuilding capacity and strengthen the maritime industrial base to meet growing national security demands. In July, Congressman Patronis fought to include key provisions in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) to study deepening and widening Pensacola Harbor. A deeper channel would allow larger ships to access Pensacola, creating new opportunities for commercial activity while strengthening the port\u2019s ability to support the Navy and national security missions at NAS Pensacola.\n\nTo view information on the Water Resources Development Act click here.\n\nTo view information on the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund click here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-14T06:13:05Z", "2026-08-14T06:14:08Z"], ["https://salazar.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-maria-elvira-salazar-speaks-pope-leo-xiv-vatican-about", "CONGRESSWOMAN MAR\u00cdA ELVIRA SALAZAR SPEAKS WITH POPE LEO XIV AT THE VATICAN ABOUT IMMIGRATION, PRESENTS DIGNITY ACT", "2026-08-13", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Maria Elvira Salazar", "S000168", "salazar.house.gov", "salazar", "https://salazar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "VATICAN CITY \u2014 U.S. Representative Mar\u00eda Elvira Salazar (R-FL) spoke today with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, where she raised the issue of immigration in the United States and personally presented the Holy Father with information about the DIGNITY Act (H.R. 4393), her bipartisan immigration reform legislation.\n\nDuring the exchange, the Congresswoman spoke about the importance of finding a lasting solution to America\u2019s immigration challenge and shared the DIGNITY Act as the work she is leading in Congress on the issue.\n\n\u201cIt was a profound honor to speak with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV about immigration at such a consequential moment for our country,\u201d said Congresswoman Salazar. \u201cFor decades, Washington has debated this issue while millions of families have continued to live with uncertainty. I was grateful for the opportunity to place the DIGNITY Act in the Holy Father\u2019s hands and to share the work we are doing to find a lasting way forward.\u201d\n\nPope Leo XIV, the first American-born Pope, has made migration an important part of his public teaching, addressing both the responsibility of nations to govern their borders and the need to respect the dignity of migrants and families.\n\nThe DIGNITY Act is the only major bipartisan immigration reform proposal currently before Congress. It combines border security, mandatory E-Verify, and accountability measures with an earned legal status for qualifying long-term immigrants who meet strict requirements.\n\nImmigration also has deep relevance for the Church in the United States. More than four in ten U.S. Catholics are immigrants or the children of immigrants, according to Pew Research Center. A 2025 report issued by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and evangelical partners found that roughly one in twelve American Christians is vulnerable to deportation or lives with someone who is.\n\nThe people at the center of America\u2019s immigration debate are also, in significant numbers, the people sitting in its pews.\n\n\u201cA nation can defend its borders without closing its heart, Congresswoman Salazar said. \u201cWe can uphold the rule of law, demand responsibility, and protect our country while recognizing the inherent dignity of every person and the reality of families who have lived, worked, worshiped, and built their lives here for years. That is the principle at the heart of the DIGNITY Act.\u201d\n\nFor the Congresswoman, the exchange also carried personal significance. As the daughter of Cuban exiles representing South Florida, immigration is both a national policy issue and part of the history of the community she serves.\n\nThe Vatican exchange brought the Congresswoman\u2019s immigration reform effort into one of the world\u2019s most consequential moral and faith-based conversations on migration, while underscoring her continued push for Congress to reach a durable solution.\n\nWatch the video from Congresswoman Salazar\u2019s visit to the Vatican in English HERE.\n\nVea el video de la visita de la congresista Salazar al Vaticano en espa\u00f1ol AQU\u00cd.\n\nGrowing Support for the DIGNITY Act\n\nThe DIGNITY Act (H.R. 4393) has continued to gain momentum in Congress and across the country, with support from 40 Members of Congress and more than 100 organizations and stakeholders representing business, agriculture, faith communities, veterans, employers, families, and immigration advocates.\n\nRecent support includes the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, National Association of Manufacturers, National Restaurant Association, and leading scientific and research organizations, adding to a broad coalition backing congressional action on immigration reform.\n\nThe effort has also expanded beyond Capitol Hill through the National DIGNITY Coalition, nationwide events, policy forums, roundtables, and direct engagement with workers, employers, faith leaders, Dreamers, mixed-status families, and community organizations.\n\nThe DIGNITY Act has generated more than 250 national, state, and local media stories and mentions, as the proposal continues to gain visibility in the national immigration debate.\n\nWith its congressional coalition and national support continuing to grow, the effort is increasingly focused on translating that momentum into legislative action.\n\nCongresswoman Mar\u00eda Elvira Salazar represents Florida\u2019s 27th Congressional District and serves as Chairwoman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere.", 1, "2026-08-14T06:13:05Z", "2026-08-14T06:14:08Z"], ["https://steube.house.gov/press-releases/rep-steube-introduces-red-fuel-act-to-eliminate-penalties-on-dyed-diesel-fuel/", "Rep. Steube Introduces RED Fuel Act to Eliminate Penalties on Dyed Diesel Fuel", "2026-08-13", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "House", "FL", "W. Gregory Steube", "S001214", "steube.house.gov", "steube", "https://steube.house.gov/category/press-releases/page/", "scraper", "Rep. Steube Introduces RED Fuel Act to Eliminate Penalties on Dyed Diesel Fuel\n\nWASHINGTON\u2013U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) today introduced the Restoring Economic Diesel (RED) Fuel Act, legislation that would eliminate federal penalties for the sale and use of dyed diesel fuel in traditionally taxable applications, including use on public roads and highways.\n\n\u201cFarmers, ranchers, and small business owners who rely on off-road diesel should not be treated like criminals over a fuel dye,\u201d said Rep. Steube. \u201cThe RED Fuel Act removes an outdated penalty structure and lets Americans use the fuel they need to do their jobs.\u201d\n\nDyed diesel fuel is sold at some gas stations and is primarily intended for agricultural and off-road use. The fuel is dyed to signify that it is tax-free, since standard diesel carries a federal tax of 24.3 cents per gallon. Current law penalizes the use of dyed diesel in taxable applications at $1,000, or $10 per gallon used, whichever is greater. The RED Fuel Act would eliminate these penalties.\n\nThe full text of the RED Fuel Act is available here.", 1, "2026-08-14T06:13:05Z", "2026-08-14T06:14:08Z"], ["https://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases/soto-leads-letter-urging-epa-address-puerto-ricos-drinking-water-emergency", "Soto Leads Letter Urging the EPA to Address Puerto Rico's Drinking Water Emergency", "2026-08-13", "2026", "2026-08", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Darren Soto", "S001200", "soto.house.gov", "soto", "https://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, Congressman Darren Soto (FL-09) led a letter to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin urging the EPA to address the urgent drinking water emergency affecting Puerto Rico.\n\n\"In early June, the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA) detected a rupture in a 72-inch Superaqueduct transmission line. Despite repairs to this fracture, outdated infrastructure continues to cause significant interruptions in water service, leaving roughly 3 million residents with inconsistent access to drinking water,\u201d wrote the Members. \"This crisis is further intensified by a worsening drought, with the U.S. Drought Monitor designating more than half of the island as experiencing moderate to extreme drought conditions. As a result, hundreds of thousands of residents are forced to ration their water supply and go as long as two days without running water.\u201d\n\n\"The island\u2019s water system has carried the weight of an aging infrastructure for decades. Experts estimate that 60 percent of the island\u2019s water supply is lost due to leaks in aging infrastructure\u2026\u201d continued the Members. \"Since this crisis began, residents have been forced to buy potable water, spend money at laundromats, and haul heavy buckets up several flights of stairs to wash dishes, flush toilets, and take showers. The strain falls hardest on those least able to bear it: lower-income households, older adults, and people with disabilities, with community leaders noting that some have been hospitalized as the water shortages persist...\"\n\nIn addition to Rep. Soto, the letter was signed by Puerto Rico Resident Commissioner Pablo Jos\u00e9 Hern\u00e1ndez and Reps. Nydia Vel\u00e1zquez (NY-07), Nanette Barrag\u00e1n (CA-44), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Maxwell Alejandro Frost (FL-10), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Analilia Mejia (NJ-11), Rob Menendez (NJ-08), Nellie Pou (NJ-09), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), and Ritchie Torres (NY-15).\n\nFor the full text of the letter, please click here.\n\nRecently, Rep. Soto introduced an amendment to H.R. 9022, the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2027, in support of the following report language for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands:\n\n\"The Committee directs the Department [of Energy] to offer technical and other programmatic assistance to Puerto Rico for the assessment and implementation of innovative technologies to mitigate power plant emissions, treat and reuse wastewater, produce biofuels, and generate power from solid waste.\n\n\"In addition, the Committee directs the Department [of Energy] to offer technical and other programmatic assistance to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands in assessing the feasibility of:\n\n(1) Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands subsea electric and fiber optic cable interconnection as well as a stronger connection between Puerto Rico and surrounding islands such as Vieques and Culebra;\n\n(2) the potential effectiveness of solar and wind power implementation in the territories; plans for power grid repair, improvement, resiliency, and modernization; and\n\n(3) microgrid innovation.\u201d\n\nRep. Soto also supported an amendment to H.R. 9022 introduced by Rep. Vel\u00e1zquez to direct the U.S. Secretary of the Army to fund an integrated water management plan for Puerto Rico.\n\nAdditionally, Rep. Soto co-sponsored H.R. 7397, the Puerto Rico Water Infrastructure Resilience Act, introduced by Resident Commissioner Hern\u00e1ndez, to require the U.S. Secretary of the Army to conduct a comprehensive assessment of Puerto Rico's water and wastewater infrastructure modernization needs.\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-15T05:23:20Z", "2026-08-15T05:24:50Z"], ["https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresista-mario-diaz-balart-asiste-la-ceremonia-de-renombramiento-de", "Congresista Mario Diaz-Balart asiste a la ceremonia de renombramiento de la escuela primaria de Hialeah en memoria de su hermano, el Congresista Lincoln Diaz-Balart", "2026-08-12", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Mario Diaz-Balart", "D000600", "mariodiazbalart.house.gov", "mariodiazbalart", "https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "HIALEAH, FL - El congresista Mario D\u00edaz-Balart (FL-26), vicepresidente del Comit\u00e9 de Asignaciones de la C\u00e1mara de Representantes y presidente del Subcomit\u00e9 de Seguridad Nacional, Departamento de Estado y Programas Relacionados, asisti\u00f3 al renombramiento de la escuela primaria de Hialeah en memoria de su Hermano, el Congresista Lincoln Diaz-Balart.\n\n\u201cTengo el coraz\u00f3n lleno de profunda gratitud al unirme a la celebraci\u00f3n del renombramiento de la Escuela Primaria de Hialeah en memoria de mi hermano, Lincoln Diaz-Balart. Lincoln vivi\u00f3 con un compromiso inquebrantable con el servicio p\u00fablico y la convicci\u00f3n de que cada ni\u00f1o merece la oportunidad de aprender y prosperar.\n\nCada estudiante que cruce estas puertas ver\u00e1 su nombre, y espero que se sienta inspirado por los valores con los que \u00e9l vivi\u00f3: compasi\u00f3n, integridad y una dedicaci\u00f3n a hacer el bien p\u00fablico ayudando a muchas personas. Estoy agradecido de que la Escuela Primaria Lincoln Diaz-Balart de Hialeah permanezca como un tributo duradero a su legado, record\u00e1ndonos a todos el poder que cada uno de nosotros tiene para hacer la diferencia en la vida de los dem\u00e1s.\n\nLa gran ciudad de Hialeah y sus residentes siempre ocuparon un lugar especial en el coraz\u00f3n de Lincoln. \u00c9l compart\u00eda un v\u00ednculo especial con esta comunidad que le eligi\u00f3 9 veces al Congreso. \u00c9l comprend\u00eda las esperanzas, los desaf\u00edos y los sue\u00f1os de Hialeah de una manera profundamente personal y apreciaba a su gente. Uno de los mayores honores de la vida de Lincoln fue haber sido la voz de los residentes de Hialeah en Washington durante 18 a\u00f1os.\n\nEn nombre de toda nuestra familia quiero expresar mi m\u00e1s sincero agradecimiento a todos los que hicieron posible este honor, en especial quiero agradecer al miembro de la Junta Escolar Dan Espino por su arduo trabajo en este esfuerzo. Estamos profundamente agradecidos por la forma en que nos han acogido mientras honran el legado de Lincoln\u201d.\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-13T06:17:16Z", "2026-08-13T06:18:13Z"], ["https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-mario-diaz-balart-attends-ceremony-renaming-school-after", "Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart Attends Ceremony Renaming School After His Late Brother, Former Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart", "2026-08-12", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Mario Diaz-Balart", "D000600", "mariodiazbalart.house.gov", "mariodiazbalart", "https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "HIALEAH, FL - Congressman Mario D\u00edaz-Balart (FL-26), Vice Chair of the House Committee on Appropriations and Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs, attends the renaming of Hialeah Elementary School after his late brother, former Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart.\n\n\u201cIt fills my heart with profound gratitude to join the celebration of the renaming of Hialeah Elementary School in memory of my late brother, Lincoln Diaz-Balart. Lincoln lived with an unwavering commitment to public service and the belief that every child deserves the chance to learn and thrive.\n\nAs each student steps through these doors, they will see his name and, I hope, feel inspired by the values he lived\u2014compassion, integrity, and a dedication to doing the public good by helping many. I am grateful that the Lincoln Diaz-Balart Hialeah Elementary School will stand as a lasting tribute to his legacy, reminding us all of the power that each one of us has to make a difference in the lives of others.\n\nThe great city of Hialeah and its residents always held a special place in Lincoln\u2019s heart. He shared a special bond with this community, who 9 times elected him to Congress. He understood the hopes, challenges, and dreams of Hialeah in a deeply personal way, and he cherished its people. It was one of the great honors of Lincoln\u2019s life to be the voice of the residents of Hialeah in Washington for 18 years.\n\nOn behalf of our entire family, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who made this honor possible. I especially want to thank School Board Member Dan Espino for his hard work on this effort. We are profoundly grateful for the way you have embraced us while honoring Lincoln\u2019s legacy.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-13T06:17:16Z", "2026-08-13T06:18:13Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 28035, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"chamber\" = :p0 and \"state\" = :p1 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "House", "p1": "FL"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=FL", "results": [{"value": 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