{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where chamber = \"House\", state = \"FL\" and year = 2019 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=056031B1-6AE8-49D6-8CB9-35A076D14F4F", "VIDEO: Rubio to Build off 2019 Victories for Florida in New Year", "2019-12-31", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tMiami, FL  U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) released a short video touching on some of his major accomplishments of 2019. A detailed report on Rubio's 2019 accomplishments will be released in early 2020.Broadcast quality video can be found here.In 2018, Rubio released a report called Fighting for Florida detailing his legislative accomplishments during the 115th Congress. GovTrack's non-partisan analysis ranked Rubio 4th out of 100 Senators in both 2017 and 2018 for the number of bills he authored that became law.Video Highlights:\r\n\r\nMay 30, 2019: The Congressional Management Foundation recognized Senator Rubio as a national leader in constituent services and a winner for the 2019 Democracy Awards.\r\n\r\nIn 2019 Rubio's casework team helped nearly 9,000 Floridians with casework issues.\r\n\r\nDecember 19, 2019: Rubio secured $200 million for Everglades restoration and a dedicated New Start for the Central Everglades Planning Project.\r\n\r\nRubio also secured report language for reef restoration through the NOAA Coral Reef Program that provides $29.5 million, which is $2 million above the previous year's funding level;\r\nReport language on harmful algal blooms (HAB) that provides $19 million for HAB research and $1 million to establish a new regional pilot for HAB monitoring and detection; and,\r\nA $1.64 million increase for planning and monitoring activities associated with the Everglades and Florida Keys Coral Reef ecosystems, the second straight year of significant funding increases.\r\n\r\nNovember 27, 2019: Rubio's Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act was signed into law by President Donald Trump. The Senate unanimously passed the bill on November 19th, with the House following on November 20th by a vote of 417 to 1, sending the bill directly to President Trump.\r\nDecember 19, 2019: Rubio's Venezuela Emergency Relief, Democracy Assistance, and Development (VERDAD) Act of 2019 was passed by Congress. The legislation included $400 million in humanitarian aid to support Venezuelan refugees and codified crucial sanctions against the corrupt Maduro regime.\r\nAs chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Senator Rubio named 25 Florida-based small businesses as U.S. Senate Small Business of the Week.\r\n\r\nOceana Coffee of Tequesta\r\nIndian Pass Raw Bar of Port St. Joe\r\nBailey's General Store of Sanibel Island\r\nCaroll Bradford Incorporated of Orlando\r\nHaynes Security of Miami\r\nJL Marine Systems, Inc. of Tampa\r\nMagellan Transport Logistics of Jacksonville\r\nHog Technologies of Stuart\r\nMiami Tour Company of Miami\r\nSouthern Craft Creamery of Marianna\r\nSunshine Peanut Company of Jacksonville\r\nThe Big Cheese of Miami\r\nRising Tide Car Wash of Parkland\r\nGT AirInject of Jacksonville\r\nRoyal Furniture and Design of The Keys\r\nTwo Peas Caf of La Belle\r\nCapital Shoe Fixery of Tallahassee\r\nLevatas of Palm Beach Gardens\r\nRethreaded of Jacksonville\r\nMelao Bakery of Kissimmee\r\nMother Kombucha of St. Petersburg\r\nAmelia Island Kayak Excursions of Fernandina Beach\r\nMisha's Cupcakes of Coral Springs\r\nTomato Express of Kissimmee\r\nGranny Cantrell's Restaurant of Panama City", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://alceehastings.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=402283", "Hastings Statement on West Palm Beach VA Shared Congressional Space Closure", "2019-12-30", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Alcee Hastings", "H000324", "alceehastings.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Alcee L. Hastings made the following statement on the closing of the shared Congressional space at the West Palm Beach Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC-WPB), effective December 31, 2019(Please find attached the letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs): I am truly honored and privileged to represent the West Palm Beach Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC-WPB) in my Congressional district.Thus, I find it most regrettable that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has made an extremely short-sighted decision to terminate the shared-space agreement at the VAMC-WPB, effective December 31, 2019.This was the the first-of-its-kind agreement, which enabled the entire Palm Beach Congressional delegation to hold office hours at the VAMC-WPB, helping to improve constituent access to our Congressional offices.While appeals have been made to the VA to reconsider this decision, it is extremely unfortunate that veterans in our region will be hurt by this decision.I remain committed to serving our veterans and their families with the dignity and respect they rightly deserve, said Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (FL-20).\r\nCongressman Alcee L. Hastings serves as Vice-Chairman of the House Rules Committee, Chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, and Co-Chairman of the Florida Delegation.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://alceehastings.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=402284", "Hastings Condemns Violent Anti-Semitic Attack on Jewish Community in New York", "2019-12-30", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Alcee Hastings", "H000324", "alceehastings.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Hastings Condemns Violent Anti-Semitic Attack on Jewish Community in New York  \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Fort Lauderdale, FL,\r\n        December 30, 2019\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) issued the following statement on the attack in Rabbi Chaim Rottenberg's home in Monsey, New York:\r\nI was heartbroken to learn of the heinous anti-Semitic attack during a Hanukkah celebration in Rabbi Rottenberg's home. I condemn in the strongest possible terms this horrific act of violence and the many recent anti-Semitic attacks in the New York metro area, during this holiday season.\r\nThere is no doubt that the forces of anti-Semitism are not only affecting our nation, but also are on the rise across the globe, and must be unequivocally denounced.People of all faiths deserve to feel safe in their place of worship.We must condemn all forms of hatred and strengthen our resolve to make it clear that bigotry and hate have no place in our society. Congressman Alcee L. Hastings serves as Vice-Chairman of the House Rules Committee, Chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, and Co-Chairman of the Florida Delegation.  \r\n\r\n###\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://shalala.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2226", "Congresswoman Donna E. Shalala Announces Congressional App Challenge Winners", "2019-12-26", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Donna Shalala", "S001206", "shalala.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Miami, FL Today, Rep. Donna Shalala (FL-27) released the following statement to announce the winners of her district's 2019 Congressional App Challenge. The Congressional App Challenge is a yearly competition for middle and high school students encouraging them to learn to code and pursue careers in computer science and STEM fields:\r\nThis year we had an overwhelming amount of submissions from across South Florida. As a lifelong educator, the ingenuity and hard work of our students is truly inspiring. This year's winner is AED Locator, an application by Kamal Kay-Ramos, Joshua Delgado, Jake Charron and Jordan Schmidt of Gulliver Schools. This application assists those who are near a victim of cardiac arrest to find the nearest automated external defibrillator (AED) device available.\r\nTied for second place are Volunteerio and Shleep Helper. Volunteerio, an app by Mike Hickey and Paloma Hickey of Miami Beach Senior High School, seeks to streamline the volunteering process by allowing students and teachers to log and verify volunteer hours within the same application. Meanwhile, Shleep Helper, by Anthony Pena of Miami Senior High School, seeks to help those who have difficulty falling asleep through music and interactive games.\r\nThe talent of our South Florida students is truly remarkable. Their creativity and dedication is clear in the many submissions that our office received. I would like to thank our judges, Professor Geoff Sutcliffe of the University of Miami and Sarah Jacob, Senior Director of Product Management at CareCloud for their time and effort to reviewing each individual application.\r\nThank you to all the dedicated students who entered this year's competition. I look forward to seeing what great ideas our students have in the years to come.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=403162", "Castor Announces $1.2 Million Returned to Tampa Area Families and Veterans in 2019, $1.3 Billion in Federal Grants", "2019-12-23", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Kathy Castor", "C001066", "castor.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) announced today that Tampa area families, veterans and seniors received over $1.2 million though the work of her constituent service team in 2019. Castor also worked to secure more than $1.3 billion in federal grants in 2019, including $958 million for medical research that demonstrates that Tampa Bay continues to grow as a national hub in health care innovation. \r\n\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) announced today that Tampa area families, veterans and seniors received over$1.2 millionthough the work of her constituent service team in 2019. Castor also worked to secure more than$1.3 billionin federal grants in 2019, including $958 millionfor medical research that demonstrates that Tampa Bay continues to grow as a national hub in health care innovation. The federal dollars returned to our neighbors and invested in our community are creating jobs, boosting education and infrastructure, and supporting the important work of local partners. Under the leadership of my District Director, Marcia Mejia, my Tampa constituent services team, Tery Sanchez, Dee Gonzalez, Tania Fernandez, and Steven Angotti work to cut bureaucratic red tape and to ensure citizens receive the benefits they have earned, U.S. Rep. Castor said.\r\nTeam Castor tackles complex cases like that ofMs. Mamie Walkerthat garnered attention earlier this year. Our talented caseworkers advocate for our neighbors day in and day out - whether it's for our veterans, our seniors who rely on Social Security and Medicare, or individuals with disabilities. In 2019, U.S. Rep. Castor's office handled over 1,200 individual cases for Tampa area neighbors to ensure they received the assistance they earned and deserve. About half of the$1.2 millionin federal benefits recovered by Team Castor were for veterans and current service members and their families. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Hillsborough County has the highest veteran population in Florida with more than 98,000 veterans. Every year, U.S. Rep. Castor assists Tampa veterans with cases related to benefit adjustments, disability claims and appeals, debt waivers, as well as expedited benefits decisions and record requests. Grants  $1.3 billion Thanks to USF, Moffitt Cancer Center, local nonprofits and the many expanding businesses, our region remains a fast-growing center of economic growth. I am proud to advocate to bring our tax dollars back to Tampa to create higher-wage jobs and invest in the skills training that lift our community, U.S. Rep. Castor said. In addition to significant investments in medical research and health care, the University of South Florida (USF) received a$7.5 milliongrant to establish a National University Transportation Center (UTC) to advance research that will address our nation's most critical transportation challenges. U.S. Rep. Castor also championed $200,000 to the Corporation to Develop Communities of Tampa, Inc. (CDC of Tampa) and $300,000 to the University Area Community Development Corporation (UACDC) to create a skilled workforce in communities where EPA brownfields assessment and cleanup activities are taking place. Additionally, her work continues to restore the Gulf of Mexico after the BP disaster in 2010 when she announced a $1.95 million grant for the Florida Institute of Oceanography at USF.\r\n The investments made for Tampa Bay keep our region on the cutting edge of health care innovation, keep our economy growing, ensure environmental justice and modernize our transportation infrastructure. I will continue to oppose radical cuts proposed by President Trump to health, education, transit and housing, U.S. Rep. Castor said. I'm committed to doing more in 2020 to bring transit dollars home, boost innovation and fight for higher wages in Tampa Bay. Residents in Florida Congressional District 14 can call U.S. Rep. Castor's Tampa office at 813-871-2817or visitwww.castor.house.govfor assistance. Happy Holidays!", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=7F2612F5-E31A-4B8E-93B9-9FAFAB396A90", "Rubio Statement on Florida District Court Nominee", "2019-12-23", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tMiami, FL  U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) issued the following statement regarding the nomination of John L. Badalamenti to serve as a federal district court judge for the Middle District of Florida:I am pleased the president nominated Judge Badalamenti to serve as a federal district court judge for the Middle District of Florida, Rubio said. Judge Badalamenti, who currently serves on the Florida Second District Court of Appeal, is a highly qualified nominee who was identified and recommended by our Judicial Nominating Commission in 2017. I look forward to his confirmation as Senate Republicans continue to fill judicial vacancies by confirming well-qualified judges to the federal bench.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://shalala.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2225", "Rep. Shalalas Venezuela Legislation is Signed into Law as Part of Government Funding Package", "2019-12-21", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Donna Shalala", "S001206", "shalala.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC  Today, Congresswoman Donna Shalala (FL-27) released the following statement after President Trump signed the federal government's 2020 Fiscal Year funding bills into law:\r\n\r\nToday is a momentous day in the Venezuelan people's struggle for freedom. The government spending bills that were just signed into law includes the landmark Menendez/Rubio VERDAD Act, vital provisions to address the crisis in Venezuela and to aid the resistance to Maduro's illegitimate band of thugs. I am proud of having introduced the Venezuela Arms Restriction Act, which bans the export of defense and crowd control materials to the Maduro regime's forces, that was included in the VERDAD Act.\r\nThis and other provisions aiding the Venezuelan patriots was the direct result of tireless, bipartisan efforts by Reps. Diaz-Balart, Mucarsel-Powell, and Wasserman-Schultz to help secure peace, prosperity, and the return of democracy to Venezuela. Though we should applaud this victory, we cannot rest until liberty is restored to the people of that once great but now humbled country.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=0A02CEFA-B2E6-489C-973C-23C6A48570A9", "Rubio Urges Trump to Recognize Brazil as Vital Strategic Partner in the Western Hemisphere", "2019-12-20", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tMiami, FL  U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) urged President Donald Trump to support Brazil's accession to the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and Brazil's inclusion in NATO partnership programs.In the letter Rubio wrote, The U.S. and Brazil have too much in common as nations to succumb to political and trade disagreements that will only benefit authoritarian adversaries like China and Russia.Brazil is an important ally, as well as a trade and security partner, and has much to offer the U.S. in the areas of naval, counternarcotics, and counterterrorism cooperation, Rubio continued. To advance these objectives, the U.S. should recognize Brazil as a vital strategic partner in the Western Hemisphere and force multiplier for trade and mutual security. Now is the time to strengthen our bilateral security, military, and economic relationship. To that end, I respectfully urge your administration to reiterate its support and advocate for Brazil's accession to the OECD and Brazil's inclusion in NATO partnership programs.Rubio is Chairman of the Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women's Issues.The full text of the letter is below.Dear Mr. President:As the United States seeks to rebalance our trade and security priorities around the world, it is essential that we leverage the strong partnerships we have with nations in the Western Hemisphere to advance our shared objectives. This is especially true of Brazil. We currently have a unique opportunity to work with a friendly government to pursue shared economic prosperity and counter China's growing influence in the region. Therefore, I urge you to increase U.S. engagement with Brazil, including by supporting and advocating for Brazil's accession to the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and Brazil's inclusion in NATO partnership programs.As you know, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and his administration are eager to work closer with the U.S. China is seeking to create a strategic partnership with Brazil by leveraging Brazil's reliance on China for export of agricultural commodities at the expense of an improved relationship with the U.S. This is not in our national interest. The U.S. and Brazil have too much in common as nations to succumb to political and trade disagreements that will only benefit authoritarian adversaries like China and Russia. The Chinese government's use of telecommunications sales and other economic incentives further expands its influence in the region and subverts U.S. interests. The U.S. cannot allow unfettered expansion of Chinese telecommunication equipment in our hemisphere, or provide an opening for China or Russia to enhance their security relationship with Brazil.Brazil is an important ally, as well as a trade and security partner, and has much to offer the U.S. in the areas of naval, counternarcotics, and counterterrorism cooperation. To advance these objectives, the U.S. should recognize Brazil as a vital strategic partner in the Western Hemisphere and force multiplier for trade and mutual security. Now is the time to strengthen our bilateral security, military, and economic relationship. To that end, I respectfully urge your administration to reiterate its support and advocate for Brazil's accession to the OECD and Brazil's inclusion in NATO partnership programs.Thank you for your consideration of this important matter. I look forward to working with you to cement a strong and lasting relationship with Brazil.Sincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=1B5076DF-8B0C-4897-9A1E-E02A85E3C309", "English/ Espaol: Rubio, Menendez Applaud Passage of VERDAD Act to Address Maduro's Humanitarian Crisis in Venezuela and Advance International Efforts", "2019-12-20", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Miami, FL  U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ) issued the following statements following of the VERDAD Act, which was included in the FY20 appropriations bill and awaits the president's signature. The VERDAD Act seeks to address the political, economic,and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela.    I am proud to have led this push for the VERDAD Act, a comprehensive legislative effort that strengthens our nation's response to Venezuela's man-made humanitarian crisis and the coordinated international effort for a post-Maduro Venezuela, Rubio said. As usurper-in-chief Nicols Maduro continues his illegitimate grip on power, the U.S. is reaffirming its unwavering support for interim President Juan Guaid and the democratically elected National Assembly. By granting $400,000,000 in humanitarian assistance for Venezuelan migrants and hosting neighboring communities, the United States is once again reiterating its support to the people of Venezuela and our regional allies who have made a tremendous effort in welcoming the migrants.    I am incredibly proud to have led the effort to pass the VERDAD Act, the single largest legislative package of U.S. support to Venezuela and a sign of our unwavering commitment to the Venezuelan people, Menendez said. The VERDAD Act greatly expands the U.S response to Venezuela's tragic humanitarian crisis and its impact on our closest partners in the region. It maintains strategic pressure on the Maduro regime and advances efforts to address the vast amount of resources stolen from the Venezuelan people by regime officials. Our legislation also sends a clear message to sanctioned regime officials: if you're not involved in human rights abuses and support the return of democracy in Venezuela, including new presidential elections, the sanctions can go away.    The VERDAD Act was also cosponsored by Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Ben Cardin (D-MD), John Cornyn (R-TX), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Todd Young (R-IN), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Michael Bennet (D-CO), John Barasso (R-WY), Chris Coons (D-DE), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Tom Carper (D-DE), Cory Gardner (R-CO), and John Kennedy (R-LA).    Key provisions of the legislation\r\n \r\n$400 million in humanitarian assistance for Venezuela and neighboring countries.\r\n$17 million in support for democratic actors and civil society in Venezuela.\r\nStrengthens U.S. support for Interim-President Juan Guaid, Venezuela's democratically-elected National Assembly, and a negotiated solution to the Venezuelan crisis.\r\nEstablishes a waiver to lift targeted sanctions on individuals that take steps to restore democracy in Venezuela.\r\nRequires the State Department to report on the Maduro regime's complicity in crimes against humanity.\r\nRestricts entrance into the U.S. for family members of sanctioned individuals/ Prohibits visas for the families of sanctioned Maduro regime officials.\r\nRequires new efforts to freeze and recover assets stolen from the Venezuelan people by the Maduro regime.\r\n \r\n  Rubio is Chairman of the Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women's Issues.    \r\nSENADO APRUEBA LEGISLACIN LIDERADA POR RUBIO Y MENNDEZ PARA ATENDER CRISIS HUMANITARIA CAUSADA POR MADURO EN VENEZUELA Y AMPLIAR ESFUERZOS INTERNACIONALES\r\n\r\nMiami, FL El senador estadounidense Marco Rubio (R-FL) y Bob Menndez (D-NJ) emitieron las siguientes declaraciones despus que el Senado aprobara su proyecto de ley Venezuela Emergency Relief, Democracy Assistance and Development Act (VERDAD), el esfuerzo ms robusto hasta la fecha para enfrentar la crisis en Venezuela.    Me enorgullece el haber sido coautor del VERDAD Act, un esfuerzo legislativo que fortalece la respuesta de nuestra nacin a la crisis humanitaria en Venezuela y el esfuerzo internacional para una Venezuela post-Maduro, Rubio dijo. Mientras el usurpador Nicols Maduro contina su mandato ilegtimo, los Estados Unidos est reafirmando su apoyo inquebrantable al presidente interino Juan Guaid y a la Asamblea Nacional, cuerpo electo democrticamente. Al otorgar $400,000,000 de dlares en asistencia humanitaria para los migrantes venezolanos y a las comunidades vecinas quienes han acogido a los migrantes, EE.UU. reitera una vez ms su apoyo al pueblo venezolano y a nuestros aliados regionales que han hecho un gran esfuerzo recibiendo a los migrantes \".    Estoy increblemente orgulloso de haber liderado los esfuerzos para aprobar el Proyecto de ley VERDAD, el paquete legislativo ms grande de apoyo de Estados Unidos a Venezuela y una seal incuestionable a nuestro compromiso total con el pueblo venezolano, Menndez dijo. Esta propuesta ampla enormemente la respuesta estadounidense a la trgica crisis humanitaria de Venezuela y su impacto sobre nuestros aliados ms cercanos en la regin. Ms all, esta propuesta tambin mantiene una presin estratgica sobre el rgimen de Maduro y avanza esfuerzos para lidiar con la gran cantidad de recursos robados al pueblo venezolano por los funcionarios del rgimen Madurista. Por ltimo, el Proyecto de ley VERDAD tambin le enva un mensaje muy claro a los funcionarios del rgimen sancionados: Si no est involucrado en abusos de los derechos humanos de los venezolanos y apoya el retorno a un camino democrtico en Venezuela, incluyendo nuevas elecciones presidenciales justas, las sanciones individuales en su contra pueden ser impedidas.    Principales provisiones de la ley VERDAD:\r\n \r\nEleva a $400 millones la suma para nueva ayuda humanitaria para Venezuela\r\n$17 millones en apoyo a actores democrticos y sociedad civil en Venezuela\r\nFortalece el apoyo de Estados Unidos al presidente interino, Juan Guaid, la Asamblea Nacional elegida democrticamente por Venezuela, y una solucin negociada a la crisis venezolana.\r\nEstablece una exencin para levantar las sanciones especficas a las personas que toman medidas para restaurar la democracia en Venezuela.\r\nRequiere que el Departamento de Estado informe sobre la complicidad del rgimen de Maduro en crmenes contra la humanidad.\r\nRestringe la entrada a los Estados Unidos a familiares de personas sancionadas\r\nProhbe visas para las familias de funcionarios sancionados del rgimen de Maduro.\r\nRequiere nuevos esfuerzos para congelar y recuperar los activos robados al pueblo venezolano por el rgimen de Maduro.\r\nCodifica una prohibicin de venta de armas al rgimen Maduro.\r\nProhbe visas para personas que trabajan con el gobierno ruso para socavar la gobernabilidad democrtica en Venezuela.\r\n \r\n  Rubio es el presidente del Subcomit de Relaciones Exteriores para el Hemisferio Occidental, Delincuencia Transnacional, Seguridad Civil, Democracia, Derechos Humanos y Asuntos Globales de la Mujer.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=3C8F67E5-B49C-4A52-AFBE-1E62E09F22EE", "ICYMI: Can Rubionomics Succeed? Boris Johnson Will Soon Find Out", "2019-12-20", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tCan Rubionomics Succeed? Boris Johnson Will Soon Find OutBy Joseph C. SternburgDecember 19, 2019Wall Street JournalParallels between British and American politics abound after last week's U.K. election. Prime Minister Boris Johnson won by copying Donald Trump's brand of conservative, nationalist populism, we're told. The Labour Party's historic defeat is a warning to Democrats pursuing similarly implausible left-wing fantasies.All true, but the U.S. politician who should be paying closest attention to what happens in Britain now is Sen. Marco Rubio....The link between Johnsonism and Rubionomics is easy to miss because the similarities between Mr. Johnson and Mr. Trump are so strong....Once Mr. Johnson has executed Brexit, he'll need to give those voters some other reason to support the Tories. His economic theory is that by aping the left-wing policies those voters have always supported but implementing them more competently, his party can bring those voters permanently into the fold.Similarly, Mr. Rubio, seeing how Mr. Trump has activated new segments of the electorate for Republicans, is trying to devise some policy platform to retain those voters once Mr. Trump is no longer on the ballot. The solution is to copy much of the language and some of the policy views of the left so as to avoid alienating those new voters.The most telling manifestation of this, from both Mr. Johnson and Mr. Rubio, is their approach to productivity and investment. One of their insights is entirely traditional-conservative: Only by boosting productivity can an economy deliver employment and wage growth.The Rubionomics version is the senator's fixation on the evils of Wall Street, whether it's alleged investor short-termism or supposedly rampant share buybacks sapping productive business investment. He couples this with staunch support for tax handouts such as expanded child credits, which take on a Keynesian tinge for their focus on boosting short-term consumption over productive investment.So far this program has been an electoral winner for Mr. Johnson  Mr. Rubio has the benefit of watching that experiment play out across the pond before he tries to launch his own version.Read the rest here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=7F59F1BD-022D-431D-80D0-237AECA9EEFB", "ICYMI: Rubio: On impeachment, Pelosi improperly playing games and threatening partisan stunt", "2019-12-20", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tOn impeachment, Pelosi improperly playing games and threatening partisan stuntBy U.S. Senator Marco RubioDecember 19, 2019Fox News For the past several months, House Democrats have carried out a partisan process with the singular goal of impeaching President Trump. In fact, many congressional Democrats began plotting the impeachment even before Donald Trump was inaugurated.Now House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., is playing games by threatening to delay the transmission to the Senate of the two articles of impeachment approved by House Democrats  and not a single Republican  Wednesday night.This partisan stunt will further undermine the credibility of the process carried out by House Democrats, but it will not impede the Senate from carrying out its constitutional obligations.While our founders cautioned against partisan impeachments, they wisely gave the Senate the incredible responsibility to decide whether a duly elected president should be removed from office.As we prepare to play that role, it is important to understand that no senator is neutral  senators cannot be impartial jurors in the traditional sense of a jury trial in court. All 100 of us have a preexisting opinion of the president. Seven Democratic senators are currently running or were running to replace him, and many more probably wish they could.While the talking heads attack the Senate process before it even begins, they conveniently ignore lawmakers like presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., who announced she would vote to convict President Trump before the House even revealed the articles of impeachment.We are required by the Constitution to conduct a trial to reach a judgment, and we must conduct that trial fully. But the Constitution provides no guidelines for how senators should arrive at their decisions.As I have repeatedly stated, my decision will be guided by two factors. First, an understanding that a conviction carries a mandatory and extraordinary minimum sentence: removal from office  a punishment without precedent in American history. The second factor is that there is an alternative remedy available for those who want President Trump out of the White House: the 2020 election.We are less than a year away from a presidential election where voters will be allowed to take all information about President Trump into account and render judgment. I would be very cautious, no matter who resides in the White House, about substituting our wisdom for that of the American electorate.Therefore my decision will be based on a two-pronged test:Did the president commit treason, bribery, and/or a high crime or misdemeanor as meant by Constitution; and does the president's conduct rise to a level warranting his removal, or is it best left for voters to decide in 11 months?This was not the approach taken by House Democrats, who hastily wielded the most serious tool afforded to Congress in the Constitution with blatant partisanship.But Speaker Pelosi's last-ditch charade will not prevent senators from fulfilling our constitutional duty to hold a trial.After this latest partisan ploy is over, I am hopeful that Congress can then move on to continue the important work the American people sent us to Washington to do.Read the rest here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=F2EF4393-EBFB-4BFD-8B15-BAA2EF53246C", "Rubio, Menendez Applaud Passage of Bill Reshaping U.S. Policy in Eastern Mediterranean", "2019-12-20", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tMiami, FL  U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ) issued the following statements after Congress last night approved their Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act of 2019, which was included in the appropriations bill to fund the government through Fiscal Year 2020. The legislation is a comprehensive recalibration of American diplomatic, military, and economic policy towards the Eastern Mediterranean and a strong and prosperous alliance between the United States, Greece, Israel, and Cyprus.The Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act of 2019 authorizes new security assistance for Cyprus and Greece and lifts the U.S. arms embargo on Cyprus. It also authorizes the establishment of a United States-Eastern Mediterranean Energy Center to facilitate energy cooperation among the U.S., Israel, Greece, and Cyprus.I am proud to have co-authored a bill that enhances our engagement in the Eastern Mediterranean, a region that is strategically important to the U.S. and our allies, Rubio said. The inclusion of the Eastern Mediterranean Security and Partnership Act of 2019 in the appropriations bill for fiscal year 2020 reaffirms our nation's commitment to strengthening and expanding our energy and security cooperation with our key allies and partners in the region.This legislation marks the dawn of a new day for the United States' engagement in the Eastern Mediterranean. By including this legislation in the government funding package, the United States Congress has prioritized our significant national security interests in the region, Menendez said. Bolstered by strong and expanding relationships with Greece, Israel, and Cyprus, this commonsense legislation will significantly strengthen our joint efforts to promote peace, prosperity, and security.The Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act of 2019:\r\n\r\nLifts the prohibition on arms sales to the Republic of Cyprus;\r\nAuthorizes the establishment of a United States-Eastern Mediterranean Energy Center to facilitate energy cooperation between the U.S., Israel, Greece, and Cyprus;\r\nAuthorizes Foreign Military Financing (FMF) assistance for Greece;\r\nAuthorizes International Military Education and Training (IMET) assistance for Greece and Cyprus; and\r\nRequires the Administration to submit to Congress a strategy on enhanced security and energy cooperation with countries in the Eastern Mediterranean, as well as reports on malign activities by Russia and other countries in the region.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://crist.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1828", "CRIST, BILIRAKIS LEAD LETTER TO DESANTIS ON VETERAN SUICIDE", "2019-12-20", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Charlie Crist", "C001111", "crist.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC U.S. Representatives Charlie Crist (D-St. Petersburg) and Gus Bilirakis (R-Palm Harbor) sent aletterto Governor Ron DeSantis requesting the State of Florida's assistance to improve the accuracy of data on veterans mortality and life expectancy. Specifically, Congressmen Crist and Bilirakis ask that the state of Florida establish a policy requiring medical examiners and investigators to indicate whether a victim of suicide is a veteran on their death certificates. In cases where there are missing or incomplete service records, medical examiners and investigators can partner with Veteran Service Organizations to improve accuracy. The letter to Governor DeSantis comes after a joint meeting of Congressmen Crist's and Bilirakis' Veteran Advisory Boards raised concerns that veteran suicide data may not be as accurate as it should be. Congressmen Crist and Bilirakis are proud to represent the more than 110,000 veterans.The full letter to Governor Ron DeSantis can be foundhere, the text of which appearing below. December 18, 2019\r\n\r\nOffice of Governor Ron DeSantis\r\nState of Florida\r\nThe Capitol\r\n400 S. Monroe St.\r\nTallahassee, FL 32399\r\n\r\nDear Governor DeSantis,\r\nWe write to request your help in obtaining a true and accurate count of the annual number of veteran suicides in Florida. As Members of Congress from Florida's 12thand 13thCongressional Districts, we are honored to represent more than 110,000 of the 1,500,000 veterans who call the Sunshine State home. At a joint meeting of our Veterans Advisory Boards, local veteran leaders raised concerns that veterans suicide data may not be as up-to-date or accurate as it could be. We need the most accurate data possible to effectively tackle this epidemic facing our veteran community.\r\nAs you know, Congress tasks the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to report annual veterans suicide data, along with general data on mortality and life expectancy. However, because not all veterans use the VA, they also rely on a combination of U.S. Department of Defense service records and state death certificates. Unfortunately, state death certificates do not always tell the full picture. After a death, veteran status is indicated on a form filled out by a funeral home; however, when local medical examiners take over death investigations in cases of suspected suicide, they do not necessarily investigate whether the deceased is a veteran. We are concerned that this dynamic is leading to an undercount of veteran suicides.\r\nAs you know, the Governor's office works with the Medical Examiners Commission and District Medical Examiners on best practices and standards. We ask your assistance to improve the accuracy of data on veteran mortality and life expectancy by establishing a policy in which every medical examiner must determine and indicate the deceased's veteran status on the death certificate. For those with missing or incomplete service records, medical examiners and investigators can partner with Veteran Service Organizations to improve the accuracy of the record.\r\nThrough our roles on the House Veterans Affairs Committee and the House Appropriations Committee, we are committed to fighting for those who fought for our freedom  and are still fighting today. Ensuring the accuracy of the count of veterans who die from suicide is a small but impactful way the state of Florida can help in this fight. Thank you for your consideration, and we look forward to working together to help Florida's veterans.\r\nSincerely,\r\n\r\nCharlie Crist Gus M. Bilirakis\r\nMEMBER OF CONGRESS          MEMBER OF CONGRESS", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://gaetz.house.gov/media/in-the-news/gaetz-democrats-are-trying-cut-and-run-their-own-impeachment-because-they-see-it", "Gaetz: Democrats Are Trying to Cut and Run on Their Own Impeachment Because They See That It Is a Failure", "2019-12-20", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Matt Gaetz", "G000578", "gaetz.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Thursday, during an appearance on Fox News Channel's The Ingraham Angle, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), an outspoken critic of the House Democrat impeachment effort, said Democrats were now attempting to distance themselves from impeachment given it has not had the traction they had hoped it would.\n[F]irst, they had to hide the evidence in the bunker of the basement, then they had to release selected excerpts out of context of the transcripts, then when they actually have live witnesses before the American people, the polling immediately inverted on impeachment, he said. Independents started turning against it. They lost intensity even among Democrats, and Republicans certainly saw the sham that it was. So now, facing a real trial where a full complement of witnesses would be called, Democrats are trying to cut and run on their own impeachment because they see that it is a failure.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/d-az-balart-colegas-bipartidistas-presentan-una-resoluci-n-que-exige-la", "Daz-Balart, colegas bipartidistas presentan una resolucin que exige la liberacin inmediata de Jos Daniel Ferrer", "2019-12-20", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Mario Diaz-Balart", "D000600", "mariodiazbalart.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. Los Representantes Mario Daz-Balart (R-FL-25), Albio Sires (D-NJ-13), Michael McCaul (R-TX-10), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL-23), Francis Rooney (R-FL-19) y Chris Smith (R-NJ-4) presentaron una resolucin bipartidista que exige la liberacin inmediata del lder de la Unin Patritica de Cuba (UNPACU), Jos Daniel Ferrer, y todos los otros presos polticos en Cuba. Ferrer fue encarcelado durante la famosa \"Primavera Negra\" de 2003, y con valenta ha seguido abogando por los derechos humanos y la libertad del pueblo cubano.\nEstoy profundamente preocupado por el bienestar de Ferrer, que languidece en prisin en condiciones abominables. Su esposa afirma que ha sufrido abuso, tortura y negacin de atencin mdica esencial. El rgimen en Cuba tiene la sangre de inocentes en sus manos, y aquellos que cometen estos abusos atroces deben rendir cuentas por sus crmenes. Agradezco a mis colegas por acompaarme en la presentacin de esta importante resolucin para exigir la liberacin inmediata e incondicional del hroe cubano Jos Daniel Ferrer \".\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/diaz-balart-bipartisan-colleagues-introduce-resolution-demanding-jose", "Diaz-Balart, Bipartisan Colleagues Introduce Resolution Demanding Jose Daniel Ferrers Immediate Release", "2019-12-20", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Mario Diaz-Balart", "D000600", "mariodiazbalart.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Representatives Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL-25), Albio Sires (D-NJ-13), Michael McCaul (R-TX-10), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL-23), Francis Rooney (R-FL-19), and Chris Smith (R-NJ-4) introduced a bipartisan resolution demanding the immediate release of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU) leader Jose Daniel Ferrerand all other political prisoners in Cuba. Ferrer was imprisoned during the notorious Black Spring of 2003 and courageously has continued to advocate for human rights and freedom for the Cuban people.\nI am profoundly concerned for the welfare of Ferrer, who languishes in prison in abhorrent conditions. His wife asserts that he has suffered abuse, torture, and denial of essential medical care. The regime in Cuba has the blood of innocents on its hands, and those who commit these egregious abuses must be held accountable for their crimes. I thank my colleagues for joining me in introducing this important resolution to demand the immediate, unconditional release of Cuban hero Jose Daniel Ferrer.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mucarsel-powell.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=339", "Mucarsel-Powell Urges Army Corps of Engineers to Increase Environmental Infrastructure Funding to Key West", "2019-12-20", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Debbie Mucarsel-Powell", "M001207", "mucarsel-powell.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC  On December 20,U.S. Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (FL-26),Vice Chair of the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee, led a letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer requesting additional reimbursements for the Florida Keys Water Quality Improvement Program, which has helped transition the Keys from a septic system to a proper sewage system.\r\nThe letter was signed byReps. Donna Shalala, Mario Diaz-Balart, Ted Deutch, Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Federica Wilson.\r\nText of the letter can be found below:\r\nDecember 20, 2019\r\nThe Honorable Rickey Dale \"RD\" James\r\nAssistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works\r\nU.S. Army Corps of Engineers\r\n108 Army Pentagon\r\nWashington, D.C. 20310-0108\r\n\r\nDear Assistant Secretary James:\r\nWe write in strong support of the City of Marathon, Village of Islamorada, and the Key Largo Wastewater Treatment District, Florida in their efforts to obtain Fiscal Year 2020 Environmental Infrastructure funding for the ongoing Florida Keys Water Quality Improvement Program (FKWQIP).\r\nFKWQIP is replacing sewage treatment systems with state-of-the-art central sewer collection and wastewater treatment systems in the ecologically sensitive area of the Florida Keys. The project benefits both residents and visitors to South Florida and the National Marine Sanctuary ecosystem.\r\nTo date, FKWQIP local sponsors have received $63.467 million in federal funding for this project. This funding, coupled with substantial local funding, has helped to meet the required water quality standards designed to protect and restore the near shore waters of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. All three local sponsors have the demonstrated ability to obligate Fiscal Year 2020 funds within the fiscal year and to complete separable elements with the funds allocated.\r\nEstablished in 1990, the Sanctuary is a flag-ship marine space in the federal sanctuary program and is the world's third largest coral reef system, protecting the only living barrier coral reef in the continental United States. Mitigating the effects of land-based pollutants, primarily wastewater discharge from storm water runoff, will help ensure this national treasure in South Florida is protected for years to come.\r\nIn order to meet the environmental protections for the Sanctuary and coastal areas overwhelmingly owned by Federal and State governments, Keys residents will pay for water treatment standards that are four times more stringent than most any other location in the nation. The FKWQIP helps alleviate some of these costs.\r\nThe fiscal year 2020 appropriations package provides $100 million for the Environmental Infrastructure account within the Army Corps Civil Works Division. As the Army Corps of Engineers reviews projects for the FY 2020 Work Plan, we ask that you give full and fair consideration to our efforts to obtain Environmental Infrastructure funding. With additional funding, the local sponsors can continue to protect a vital national resource.\r\n\r\nSincerely,\r\n**PLEASE NOTE: an earlier version of this letter incorrectly stated that local sponsors have received $61.467 million.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://teddeutch.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=402714", "Deutch Statement on House Passage of USMCA with Improvements by House Democrats", "2019-12-19", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Ted Deutch", "D000610", "teddeutch.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Deutch Statement on House Passage of USMCA with Improvements by House Democrats \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington,\r\n        December 19, 2019\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      Today, Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-22) voted in favor of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) which included significant improvements negotiated by House Democrats to strengthen the deal for American workers.Upon passage of the USMCA trade agreement, Congressman Deutch issued this statement: \"The American people voted for a Democratic majority in the House to fight for their best interests. Democrats negotiated a stronger USMCA trade agreement by securing labor protections for American workers, ensuring environmental protections by establishing environment-focused monitors, and eliminating provisions that would unfairly lock in high prescription drug costs for American families. \"While the USMCA is far from perfect, the goal of any trade agreement should be to create good-paying American jobs with strong protections for American workers, lower prices for American consumers, and contribute to local communities and our national economy. International trade is a particularly important part of our local economy in South Florida due to our major ports, three international airports, and a vibrant business community engaged every day with the world. \"Because of the improvements negotiated by House Democrats, I voted for the USMCA trade deal for the benefits it can have for consumers, workers, and businesses in our South Florida community.\"\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=15C58945-A050-4511-BEC5-1E571B7F88E1", "Rubio Joins Hawley, Colleagues in Urging UN to Raise Issue of China's Human Rights Violations", "2019-12-19", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) joined Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) and their Senate colleagues in a letter to Secretary-General of the United Nations Antnio Guterres urging him to raise the issue of China's violations of human rights and its destruction of its documentary record in both his discussions with member states and at the U.N. Human Rights Council and the U.N. Security Council.The letter comes on the anniversary of the December 19, 1984 signing of the Sino-British Joint Declaration  a bilateral agreement that was registered at the U.N. which defined the terms of the one country, two systems principle that would protect Hong Kong's autonomy as it transferred from British to Chinese authority. In the letter the Senators wrote, \"China's actions in Hong Kong are consistent with its actions in other parts of the region and its treatment of those within its borders who may hold different beliefs from those of the Communist Party of China. Its detention camps in Xinjiang holding nearly a million Uyghur Muslims reflect China's true ambitions. Joining Senators Rubio and Hawley in sending the letter were U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Rick Scott (R-FL), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Ted Cruz (R-TX), and Todd Young (R-IN).  The full text of the letter is below. Dear Mr. Secretary-General: Thirty-five years ago today the United Kingdom and the People's Republic of China signed the Joint Declaration - a bilateral agreement that was registered at the United Nations which defined the terms of the one country, two systems principle that would protect Hong Kong's autonomy as it transferred from British to Chinese authority in 1997. In the decades since, and in particular during both the Umbrella movement in 2014, the unraveling of the Legislative Council elections in 2016, and over the last six months, Beijing has systematically violated core aspects of Hong Kong's autonomy, from violently silencing demonstrators to interfering in local elections to imposing on Hong Kong's judicial independence. Simply put, China has repeatedly demonstrated cavalier disregard for its treaty commitments, including those registered at the United Nations.  China's actions in Hong Kong are consistent with its actions in other parts of the region and its treatment of those within its borders who may hold different beliefs from those of the Communist Party of China. Its detention camps in Xinjiang holding nearly a million Uyghur Muslims reflect China's true ambitions. Last month, over 400 pages of leaked internal documents published in The New York Times revealed harrowing examples of how Chinese officials issued guidance for surveillance and population control, including requiring that Chinese bureaucrats threaten that students' behavior could impact their relatives' detention, and that their parents' faith is a virus' in their thinking which requires that authorities show absolutely no mercy.  This week, in response to The New York Times report about these documents, Chinese authorities reportedly began a campaign to systematically destroy all documentation related to its internment camps in Xinjiang. According to The Associated Press, Chinese officials were reportedly instructed to burn paper forms containing sensitive personal details on residents in their area, such as their detention status, and for various state offices to throw away computers, tighten management of classified information, and ensure all information related to the camps is now stored on databases disconnected from the internet in special, restricted access rooms to bar hackers. Mr. Secretary-General, when asked about the detention camps in Xinjiang earlier this year you rightfully insisted that it is necessary for human rights to be respected, and that it is very important to act in a way that each community feels that their identity is respected and that they belong, at the same time, to the society as a whole. The United States and twenty-two countries at the United Nations came together to push for holding China accountable for its actions in Xinjiang. Mr. Secretary-General, as representatives of the U.N.'s principal founding member and largest contributor, we the undersigned urge actions by the United Nations to hold China accountable for its human rights violations. Specifically, we ask that you work with both member states and with the U.N. Human Rights Council and the U.N. Security Council to take meaningful steps to condemn China's operation of its detention camps in Xinjiang and to protect the documentary record of what is taking place in Xinjiang. Your actions on this matter will be a testament to the United Nations' important mandate of protecting human rights wherever they are threatened. If you take these actions we stand ready to work with you to ensure China's ruthless disregard for international norms and basic liberties will have consequences.  Sincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=30D24AC7-5190-4C3D-B3A0-C111E4871843", "Rubio, Klobuchar Applaud Senate Passage of Supporting Veterans in STEM Careers Act", "2019-12-19", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) applauded the Senate passage of their bipartisan Supporting Veterans in STEM Careers Act (S.153), which would assist veterans re-entering the workforce by directing the National Science Foundation to encourage veterans to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.The future of work in the 21st century will be dominated by STEM roles, and the United States should prioritize policies that utilize our well-qualified veterans to fill this future workforce, Rubio said. I thank my Senate colleagues for unanimously approving this important and bipartisan bill to ensure our nation's veterans have the skills and opportunities to succeed in STEM careers. I look forward to working with our colleagues in the House to get this bill to the President. We owe it to our nation's heroes to ensure this bipartisan bill gets across the finish line.\"Our veterans aren't just heroes on the battlefieldthey are the scientists, teachers, inventors, and engineers who will lead us to a brighter future. The passage of the Supporting Veterans in STEM Careers Act through the Senate brings us one step closer to bringing veterans the benefits of well-paying jobs in science, technology, engineering, and math, and helping employers better meet their hiring needs. By supporting veterans in their transition to civilian life through STEM career training, we not only help them to succeed, but also strengthen our economy and our nation, Klobuchar said.The Supporting Veterans in STEM Careers Act would also require the Office of Science and Technology Policy to establish an interagency working group to improve veteran and spouse equity and representation in STEM fields and to develop a strategic plan to address the barriers that veterans face when reentering the workforce. The bill is supported by The Manufacturing Institute, Samsung, TechNet, Verizon, and the Consumer Technology Association.Related:", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=C5ACFC7A-6CFF-4E98-8788-B99CB9B54F32", "Rubio Applauds Senate Confirmation of Raag Singhal to be U.S. District Court Judge for the Southern District of Florida", "2019-12-19", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) applauded the Senate confirmation of Anuraag Raag Singhal to serve as a federal district court judge for the Southern District of Florida. Rubio also submitted a statement for the record at Judge Singhal's confirmation hearing in front of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, which took place on September 11, 2019.Today's confirmation of Judge Singhal is further proof that that the Senate is committed to filling judicial vacancies with President Trump's well-qualified nominees, Rubio said. Judge Singhal has lived and worked in Florida for 30 years, and he has extensive experience in the courtroom as both an attorney and a judge. He is committed to honoring professionalism, honesty, integrity, and ethics in his work and in the community, and I am confident he will exhibit and exercise those qualities on the federal bench.In 2019, the Senate has confirmed eight district court nominees for Florida, as well as two nominees to serve on the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, which handles federal cases in the states of Alabama, Florida, and Georgia.In the 115th Congress, Rubio and Senator Nelson (D-FL) organized and led the Florida Federal Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC) to identify and recommend highly qualified individuals for consideration to become U.S. district judges in each of the three judicial districts in Florida. The JNC recommended 18 names for 9 vacancies, and since 2017, the Senate has filled those vacancies by confirming nine Florida district court judges recommended: Raag Singhal, Bill Jung, Roy Altman, Rudy Ruiz, Rodney Smith, Wendy Berger, Tom Barber, Kent Wetherell, and Allen Winsor.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=E0A2D701-DFB7-420A-B8F6-6137DFC942E0", "Rubio Secures Critical Funding for Florida & U.S. National Security Interests in Appropriations Bills", "2019-12-19", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), a member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, applauded the Senate passage of the Consolidated National Security Bill (H.R. 1158) and the Consolidated Domestic and International Assistance Bill (H.R. 1865). The two appropriations bills include a number of critical priorities advanced by Rubio and will fund the federal government through Fiscal Year (FY) 2020.Whether it's the full $200 million for Everglades restoration, $2.4 billion to rebuild Tyndall Air Force Base, or $125 million for the STOP School Violence Act, I am proud to have secured a significant number of priorities for Florida in these two spending packages, Rubio said. Importantly, these packages also include the Disaster Tax Relief Act, a bill I was proud to support that will enact tax relief for families, businesses, and communities across our state who are still recovering from recent natural disasters, including Northwest Florida communities that were devastated by Hurricane Michael.These bills also fund priorities that are critical to our national security interest and regional partners. I was proud to co-author both the VERDAD Act, which provides $400 million to help restore democracy in Venezuela, and the Eastern Mediterranean Security and Partnership Act of 2019, which enhances our engagement in the Eastern Mediterranean region, Rubio continued. Whether it be my unwavering support of religious freedom, fighting for human rights and democracy, or combating China, this bill makes it clear that the United States continues to be the biggest champion of freedom and democratic principles across the globe.Florida FirstEverglades and Environment:\r\n\r\n$200 million for Everglades restoration and a dedicated New Start for the Central Everglades Planning Project.\r\nSenate report language included in Investigations related to the Central Everglades Planning Project and strongly urges the Corps to design and construct PPA New Water and the Everglades Agricultural Area as quickly as possible.\r\nProvides additional funding for Harmful Algal Blooms in Aquatic Nuisance Control Research in the Operations & Maintenance account.\r\n$100 million for Environmental Infrastructure in Construction (Monroe County wastewater projects).\r\nIncludes report language for reef restoration through the NOAA Coral Reef Program and provides $29.5 million, $2 million above FY19.\r\nIncludes report language on harmful algal blooms (HAB); provides $19 million for HAB research and $1 million to establish new regional pilot for HAB monitoring and detection.\r\nSouth Florida Geographic Program: $1.64 million increase for planning and monitoring activities associated with the Everglades and Florida Keys Coral Reef ecosystems, the second straight year of significant funding increases.\r\nIncludes explicit funding and report language on coral reef health, invasive species, and PFAS, climate adaptation science centers through USGS.\r\n\r\nHomeland Security:\r\n\r\n$90 million for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program.\r\nBill language and funding for 452 new Customs and Border Protection officers.\r\n\r\nNational Flood Insurance Program:\r\n\r\nExtends the National Flood Insurance Program to September 30, 2020.\r\n\r\nPanhandle:\r\n\r\n$2.42 billion for rebuilding Tyndall Air Force Base. Additionally, the bill provides $173.2 million for Military Construction projects in Florida.\r\n$312 million for the Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Cutter, being built at Eastern Shipbuilding in Panama City.\r\nDisaster tax relief that enacts tax relief for victims of federally declared natural disasters from 2018 and 2019, including reduced taxes on the use of retirement funds for recovery, employee retention by businesses, increased deductions for charitable giving and casualty loss, and flexibility for calculating the earned income tax credit and child tax credit.\r\nPayments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program at $500 million.\r\n$440 million for Legal Services Corporation, an increase of $25 million.\r\n\r\nSchool Safety:\r\n\r\n$125 million for the STOP School Violence Act.\r\nIncludes report language that directs the Department of Education to brief Congress on the progress made towards establishing a clearinghouse with effective evidence-based approaches for school safety and positive learning environments, including improving and expanding access to mental health for students.\r\n$105 million for Safe Schools National Activities, an increase of $10 million, which supports evidence-based activities to improve school safety, prevent violence, and improve school climates.\r\nIncludes report language that encourages the Department of Education to partner with outside experts and other Federal agencies to develop best-practices to improve school safety and school climate.\r\nIncludes report language that encourages the Department of Education to better coordinate with states on school safety and school climate efforts.\r\n\r\nEducation:\r\n\r\n$1.3 billion for Career and Technical Education (CTE) State Grants, an increase of $20 million, and report language.\r\nIncreases the maximum Pell Grant award by $150, an increase of 2.2 percent, from $6,195 to $6,345 for the 2020-21 school year.\r\n$325 million for Strengthening HBCUs, an increase of $42 million.\r\n$787 million for English Language Acquisition, an increase of $50 million.\r\n$175 million to expand opportunities through federally registered apprenticeships, an increase of $15 million.\r\nThe Family First Transition Act, which extends funding certainty for child welfare demonstration projects and supports implementation of the Family First Prevention Services Act by creating a new funding stream for waiver states like Florida.\r\n\r\nHealthcare and Veterans:\r\n\r\n$2.82 billion for Alzheimer's disease research, a $350 million increase.\r\n$6.4 billion for the National Cancer Institute, an increase of $299.4 million.\r\n$500 million for the NIH Brain Initiative.\r\nPrevents $4 billion in Medicaid cuts to hospitals.\r\nRepealed three Obamacare taxes  the Cadillac tax on employer health care, the Health Insurance tax on health insurance plans and the Medical Device Tax\r\n$3.9 billion for mental health programs.\r\n$3.8 billion to combat the opioid crisis.\r\nInclusion of the CREATES Act to end PhRMA's practices that prevent generic manufacturers from developing lower cost alternatives to drugs.\r\n$9.4 billion for Veteran Mental Health Services.\r\n$153.6 million for the implementation of the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act.\r\n$311 million for the Veterans' Employment and Training Service, an increase of $11 million.\r\n$135 million for the SBA's Small Business Development Centers, $4 million above the FY2019 enacted level.\r\n\r\nHousing\r\n\r\nMaintains reforms that require the timely remediation of health and safety conditions, creates new maintenance standards, and establishes oversight of inspection process at Section 8 project-based assistance housing facilities.\r\nLanguage on the use of tenant surveys.\r\n$23.9 billion for Section 8 Tenant Based Rental Assistance.\r\n$21.5 billion for Section 8 Voucher renewals.\r\n$410 million for Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA).\r\n$25 million for Family Unification Vouchers to provide housing for at-risk foster youth transitioning out of foster care at the age of 17.\r\n$3.4 million for technology research partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).\r\n\r\nSpace Coast:\r\n\r\nFunding for Venture Class Launch Service Tactically Responsive Launch Operations, a $22 million increase.\r\n$2.586 billion for the Space Launch System (SLS).\r\n$1.4 billion for the Orion crewed spacecraft to continue development of NASA's next deep space crewed capsule.\r\n\r\nPuerto Rico:\r\n\r\nMedicaid funding for Puerto Rico. Extends funding to the U.S. territories for FY2020 and FY2021; includes important program integrity improvements for Puerto Rico's Medicaid program. This funding will be available at a Federal Match rate of 76 percent for Puerto Rico and 83 percent for the other territories.\r\nLanguage supporting Army Corps construction of the Cao Martin Pea environmental restoration and flood control project in San Juan.\r\n\r\nSmall Business:\r\n\r\n$135 million for the SBA's Small Business Development Centers.\r\n$14 million for veterans outreach programs.\r\nFully funds the disaster loans program at $177 million.\r\nAdopts language for SBA on Office of Credit Risk Management for appropriate lender oversight.\r\nAdopts language on SBA disaster loan duplication of assistance, ensuring disaster victims will not be penalized unfairly.\r\nAdopts language on Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) concentration to expand the number of small businesses who have access to venture capital funding.\r\n\r\nAdvancing Democracy, Human Rights, and Religious Freedom GloballyWestern Hemisphere:\r\n\r\nThe Venezuela Emergency Relief, Democracy Assistance and Development (VERDAD) Act of 2019, co-authored by Senator Rubio, strengthens the U.S response to Venezuela's growing humanitarian crisis and its impact on neighboring countries. It includes $400 million for Venezuelan migrants and host communities who have fled their homeland. It restricts entrance into the U.S. for family members of sanctioned individuals, advances the coordinated international effort for a post-Maduro Venezuela, and requests a report on crimes against humanity committed by the Maduro regime. The VERDAD Act also includes text that extends the expiration date of the Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act of 2014 (Public Law 113278) to December 31, 2023.\r\n$21 million Office of Cuba Broadcasting.\r\n$448 million for programs for Colombia.\r\n$519 million for Central America assistance for Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama including through the Central America Regional Security Strategy.\r\n$20 million for Central American Women and Children.\r\n\r\nPromoting Democracy:\r\n\r\n$2.4 billion for Democracy Programs.\r\n\r\n$300 million for the National Endowment for Democracy.\r\n$20 million for Cuba Democracy Programs.\r\n\r\n$30 million for Venezuela Democracy Programs.\r\n\r\nSupporting U.S. Allies:\r\n\r\n$3.3 billion for Foreign Military Financing (FMF) security assistance for Israel.\r\nThe Eastern Mediterranean Security and Partnership Act of 2019, co-authored by Senator Rubio, deepens U.S. security and energy relationships in the Eastern Mediterranean region, especially with Israel, Cyprus and Greece. The bill authorizes security assistance for Cyprus and Greece and would lift arms restrictions on Cyprus. It also authorizes the establishment of a United States-Eastern Mediterranean Energy Center to facilitate energy cooperation among the U.S., Israel, Greece, and Cyprus.\r\n\r\nCombating China:\r\n\r\nRetains report language requiring the Department of Health and Human Service's Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to disclose the Russian and Chinese labs that may be receiving federal payments to process Americans' genomic data.\r\nReport language on prohibition of Chinese Rail cars.\r\n$300 million for a new fund to combat malign Chinese influence activities and increase transparency and accountability associated with the Belt and Road Initiative.\r\n\r\nAdvancing International Religious Freedom:\r\n\r\nAuthorizes the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) for three years to continue the vital work of highlighting religious freedom violations and advancing religious liberty worldwide. It also includes provisions to enhance USCIRF's credibility and transparency.\r\n\r\nStrengthening Global Health:\r\n\r\n$6.3 billion for HIV/AIDS assistance, including $1.56 billion for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS/Tuberculosis, and Malaria.\r\n$61 million for polio eradication efforts.\r\n$102 million to combat Neglected Tropical Diseases.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://crist.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1821", "CRIST INTRODUCES BIPARTISAN BILL TO CLOSE PENSACOLA LOOPHOLE", "2019-12-19", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Charlie Crist", "C001111", "crist.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC Today, U.S. Representative Charlie Crist (D-St. Petersburg) announced introduction of theForeign National Firearms Background Check Enhancement Act. The bill, co-led by Representatives John Rutherford (R-FL) and Val Demings (D-FL) would close the Pensacola loophole', an exception in federal law that allows foreign nationals to purchase guns if they first acquire a valid state hunting license. The Pensacola loophole is what allowed a Saudi foreign national to purchase a gun and open fire at the Naval Air Base Pensacola on December 6th, injuring eight and killing three people. As communities in Florida, Georgia and Alabama mourn the loss of three of our best and brightest young airmen, Congress has a responsibility to step in and close the loophole that made this tragedy possible, saidRep. Crist. Foreign nationals should not be able to buy a firearm through the purchase of a hunting license. We need tougher vetting than that, and requiring them to petition the Attorney General directly would provide greater scrutiny and security for the American people. Following the tragedy at Naval Air Station Pensacola, it is clear that Congress must act to close a loophole in federal gun laws that allowed a foreign visitor to legally purchase a firearm and kill three Americans,said Rep. Rutherford.As the former Sheriff of Duval County and a strong supporter of the Second Amendment, I believe thatall foreigners seeking to purchase a firearm must be vetted both here in the U.S. and in their country of origin. This bipartisan bill is crucial to strengthening our national security and keeping communities safe. Thank you to Representatives Crist and Demings for their bipartisan work on this legislation. Guns in the wrong hands lead to tragedy, like the tragic shooting at NAS Pensacola this month. It's simply common sense that people shouldn't be able to get a gun anywhere, anytime. Nearly every American agrees with this basic principle, yet the gun lobby has left federal gun laws riddled with loopholes,said Rep. Demings. This legislation, like other bills already passed by the House and awaiting a vote in the Senate, will close a loophole and bring our laws back in line with common sense.\r\n  \r\nBackground onthe Foreign National Firearms Background Check Enhancement Act:\r\nUnder Title 18 of the US Code there are four mechanisms that allow a foreign national to purchase and/or possess a firearm in the United States.\r\n1. If the individual is an official representative of a foreign government  \r\n2. If the individual is a member of foreign law enforcement entering the United States on official law enforcement business  \r\n3. If the individual is in possession of a hunting license.  \r\n4. Additionally, foreign nationals may petition the Attorney General to purchase and/or possess a firearm if they have been residing in the US for more than 180 consecutive days.\r\nIf enacted, the legislation would require all foreign nationals that fall into any of the above four categories to petition the U.S. Attorney General for the right to purchase a firearm, providing a more rigorous and intensive background check and ongoing oversight.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://crist.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1826", "CRIST TO SUPPORT USMCA", "2019-12-19", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Charlie Crist", "C001111", "crist.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "CRIST TO SUPPORT USMCA \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington,\r\n        December 19, 2019\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      Washington, DC U.S. Representative Charlie Crist (D-St. Petersburg) released the following statement on H.R. 5430, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act (USMCA). The agreement will modernize and replace the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). It includes stronger protections for American workers and enforceable labor standards, as well as environmental protections. It eliminates the Trump Administration's threat that the United States could walk away entirely from the trade agreement with Canada and Mexico, which would devastate U.S. jobs and our economy. In Florida alone, trade with Canada and Mexico supports 750,400 jobs and $12.2 billion in exports.Thanks to the hard work of our negotiators in the People's House, USMCA has vastly improved since the beginning of this process,said Rep. CristThe renegotiated agreement will bring generic drugs to market sooner and includes strong new enforcement standards to hold our trading partners accountable. These hard won provisions will help level the unfair playing field created by the original NAFTA agreement. That's important because we know that in a fair fight, Florida workers will always win. This victory sets a critical new standard for fairness in our trade agreements.\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://demings.house.gov/media/press-releases/demings-introduces-bipartisan-bill-close-pensacola-loophole", "Demings Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Close Pensacola Loophole", "2019-12-19", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Val Demings", "D000627", "demings.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  Today, U.S. Rep. Val Demings (D-FL) joined Reps. Charlie Crist (D-FL) and John Rutherford (R-FL) to introduce the Foreign National Firearms Background Check Enhancement Act.\nThe bill would close the Pensacola loophole,' an exception in federal law that allows foreign nationals to purchase guns if they first acquire a valid state hunting license. The Pensacola loophole allowed a Saudi foreign national to purchase a gun and open fire at the Naval Air Base Pensacola on December 6th, injuring eight and killing three people.\nSaid Rep. Demings, Guns in the wrong hands lead to tragedy, like the tragic shooting at NAS Pensacola this month. It's simply common sense that people shouldn't be able to get a gun anywhere, anytime. Nearly every American agrees with this basic principle, yet the gun lobby has left federal gun laws riddled with loopholes. This legislation, like other bills already passed by the House and awaiting a vote in the Senate, will close a loophole and bring our laws back in line with common sense.\nAs communities in Florida, Georgia and Alabama mourn the loss of three of our best and brightest young airmen, Congress has a responsibility to step in and close the loophole that made this tragedy possible, said Rep. Crist. Foreign nationals should not be able to buy a firearm through the purchase of a hunting license. We need tougher vetting than that, and requiring them to petition the Attorney General directly would provide greater scrutiny and security for the American people.\nFollowing the tragedy at Naval Air Station Pensacola, it is clear that Congress must act to close a loophole in federal gun laws that allowed a foreign visitor to legally purchase a firearm and kill three Americans, said Rep. Rutherford. As the former Sheriff of Duval County and a strong supporter of the Second Amendment, I believe that all foreigners seeking to purchase a firearm must be vetted both here in the U.S. and in their country of origin. This bipartisan bill is crucial to strengthening our national security and keeping communities safe. Thank you to Representatives Crist and Demings for their bipartisan work on this legislation.\nBackground\nUnder Title 18 of the US Code there are four mechanisms that allow a foreign national to purchase and/or possess a firearm in the United States.\n If the individual is an official representative of a foreign government\n\tIf the individual is a member of foreign law enforcement entering the United States on official law enforcement business\n\tIf the individual is in possession of a hunting license.\n\tAdditionally, foreign nationals may petition the Attorney General to purchase and/or possess a firearm if they have been residing in the US for more than 180 consecutive days.\n If enacted, the legislation would require foreign nationals who fall into any of the above four categories to petition the U.S. Attorney General for the right to purchase a firearm, providing a more rigorous and intensive background check and ongoing oversight\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://demings.house.gov/media/press-releases/demings-introduces-bipartisan-bill-close-pensacola-loophole-0", "Demings Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Close Pensacola Loophole", "2019-12-19", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Val Demings", "D000627", "demings.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  Today, U.S. Rep. Val Demings (D-FL) joined Reps. Charlie Crist (D-FL) and John Rutherford (R-FL) to introduce the Foreign National Firearms Background Check Enhancement Act.\nThe bill would close the Pensacola loophole,' an exception in federal law that allows foreign nationals to purchase guns if they first acquire a valid state hunting license. The Pensacola loophole allowed a Saudi foreign national to purchase a gun and open fire at the Naval Air Base Pensacola on December 6th, injuring eight and killing three people.\nSaid Rep. Demings, Guns in the wrong hands lead to tragedy, like the tragic shooting at NAS Pensacola this month. It's simply common sense that people shouldn't be able to get a gun anywhere, anytime. Nearly every American agrees with this basic principle, yet the gun lobby has left federal gun laws riddled with loopholes. This legislation, like other bills already passed by the House and awaiting a vote in the Senate, will close a loophole and bring our laws back in line with common sense.\nAs communities in Florida, Georgia and Alabama mourn the loss of three of our best and brightest young airmen, Congress has a responsibility to step in and close the loophole that made this tragedy possible, said Rep. Crist. Foreign nationals should not be able to buy a firearm through the purchase of a hunting license. We need tougher vetting than that, and requiring them to petition the Attorney General directly would provide greater scrutiny and security for the American people.\nFollowing the tragedy at Naval Air Station Pensacola, it is clear that Congress must act to close a loophole in federal gun laws that allowed a foreign visitor to legally purchase a firearm and kill three Americans, said Rep. Rutherford. As the former Sheriff of Duval County and a strong supporter of the Second Amendment, I believe that all foreigners seeking to purchase a firearm must be vetted both here in the U.S. and in their country of origin. This bipartisan bill is crucial to strengthening our national security and keeping communities safe. Thank you to Representatives Crist and Demings for their bipartisan work on this legislation.\nBackground\nUnder Title 18 of the US Code there are four mechanisms that allow a foreign national to purchase and/or possess a firearm in the United States.\n If the individual is an official representative of a foreign government\n\tIf the individual is a member of foreign law enforcement entering the United States on official law enforcement business\n\tIf the individual is in possession of a hunting license.\n\tAdditionally, foreign nationals may petition the Attorney General to purchase and/or possess a firearm if they have been residing in the US for more than 180 consecutive days.\n If enacted, the legislation would require foreign nationals who fall into any of the above four categories to petition the U.S. Attorney General for the right to purchase a firearm, providing a more rigorous and intensive background check and ongoing oversight\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://demings.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-demings-votes-usmca", "Rep. Demings Votes for USMCA", "2019-12-19", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Val Demings", "D000627", "demings.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  Today, U.S. Rep. Val Demings (FL-10) voted in favor of the renegotiated North American Free Trade Agreement (USMCA).\nSaid Rep. Demings, This deal is not perfect, but after Democrats in Congress negotiated numerous substantial changes to the unacceptable initial draft, I will support it. America's workers and businesses can create endless opportunities when they are able to complete on an even playing field. However, increased economic output must translate to real quality of life gains for Americans. USMCA includes important new mechanisms to lower the cost of prescription drugs, defend the environment, and strengthen worker rights.\nGoing forward, I remain concerned about defending American workers, as well as the high cost of prescription drugs for American families, and do not believe that this should be a model for future deals. Additionally, I have concerns regarding copyright protections for American companies and Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which gives internet platforms overly-broad immunity from liability, enabling a swath of illegal and destructive online behavior.\nWhile I look forward to future reforms around these issues, the USMCA overall is a constructive agreement which will open a door to future opportunities for Central Florida while protecting American workers from unfair competition.\nBackground\nThe original USMCA, as proposed by the White House, included major giveaways to the pharmaceutical industry and failed to protect American workers. It was rejected by trade negotiators in the House of Representatives, who negotiated over the course of several months for significant reforms.\nThe deal's main components are:\n Creates certainty in the North American market and between the United States and its two largest trading partners in the wake of destabilizing trade action by this administration\n\tCloses enforcement loopholes and streamlines the dispute settlement system, bolstering the strength of the underlying rules in each chapter\n\tSignificantly increases labor standards and makes them more enforceable by establishing an enhanced, rapid-response labor enforcement system to ensure partners live up to the agreement\n\tCreates a digital trade chapter to allow more American goods and services to reach Mexican and Canadian markets, building a roadmap for future agreements\n\tExpands agricultural market access, particularly in dairy markets, and improves sanitary and phytosanitary standards\n\tIncludes strong environmental standards and protections that are fully enforceable\n Democratic changes to the deal include:\n Crafting effective and meaningful labor standards and protecting worker rights;\n\tConstructing an enforcement mechanism for the U.S. and Mexico (given their labor law reform);\n\tRaising, strengthening, protecting, and enforcing environmental standards;\n\tProtecting access to affordable medicines\n Before and After Comparison:\nENFORCEMENT\n\t\t\t\tOriginal USMCA Draft\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tUSMCA with Democrats' Changes\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tAllowed Panel Blocking: Any country could block the formation of a dispute settlement panel, stopping an enforcement complaint from ever being heard.\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tPrevents Panel Blocking: Democrats removed this language allowing a responding party to block the formation of a dispute settlement panel.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWeak Enforcement Hearing Process: Enforcement proceedings would have been hampered by unclear procedures regarding evidence and treatment of witnesses.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tRules of Evidence: Democrats added rules to help the United States more successfully litigate labor, environmental, and other fact-intensive disputes.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\nPROTECTING AMERICAN WORKERS\n\t\t\t\tOriginal USMCA Draft\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tUSMCA with Democrats' Changes\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tSustained or Recurring Threshold for Anti-Worker Violence: would have required U.S. to prove that anti-worker violence was sustained or recurring before enforcement measures could be taken.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tRemoves Sustained or Recurring Requirement so that acts of anti-worker violence can be more easily confronted and violations enforced.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tStacked The Deck Against Labor Violation Claims: included a requirement that to prove a labor violation, the complaining party had to prove that it was in a manner affecting trade or investment.\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tCreates a new presumption that a labor violation affects trade and investment and will require the other government to prove otherwise.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tSelf-Policing Forced Labor: allowed the parties to determine for themselves what measures were appropriate, hampering enforcement.\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tRemoves Self-Policing Loophole on forced labor.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWeak Labor Monitoring: did not provide enough resources or guidelines to adequately monitor that our trading partners are providing labor rights and living up to their obligations.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tEstablishes Labor Attachs that will be based in Mexico and will provide on-the-ground information about Mexico's labor practices.\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tEstablishes key benchmarks for Mexico's labor reform implementation process. Failure to comply with these benchmarks will lead to enforcement action under the agreement\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tCreates an interagency committee that will monitor Mexico's labor reform implementation and compliance with labor obligations.\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tCreates ongoing reporting requirements to Congress.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWeak Labor Enforcement: Did not contain strong enough provisions to ensure that our trading partners live up to strong labor standards.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tEstablished a New & Enhanced Labor-Specific Enforcement Mechanism:\n\t\t\t\tTakes immediate effect upon entry into force of the agreement;\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tProvides for facility-based enforcement of labor obligations in the agreement within a rapid timeframe;\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tCovers all manufactured goods and all services traded between the United States and Mexico;\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tRequires verification of compliance by independent labor experts; and\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tLeads to penalties on goods and services that are not produced in compliance with the freedom of association and collective bargaining obligations\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\nENVIRONMENT\n\t\t\t\tOriginal USMCA Draft\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tUSMCA with Democrats' Changes\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tStacked Deck Against Environmental Violation Claims: Included a requirement that to prove an environment violation, the complaining party had to prove that it was in a manner affecting trade or investment\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tCreates a presumption that an environmental violation affects trade and investment and will require the other government to prove otherwise.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWeak environmental rules: Failed to meet the standard set by House Democrats in 2007 that Parties had to adopt, implement and maintain seven multilateral environment agreements (MEAs).\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tEliminated safeguard from NAFTA that prioritized MEA commitments when implementing MEA and trade agreement obligations.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tAdded commitment that all Parties will adopt, implement, and maintain the seven MEA and additional language that allows all Parties to agree to add to the list of covered MEAs.\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tRestores protections that prioritize MEA commitments when implementing MEA and trade agreement obligations.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWeak Environment Monitoring: Did not provide enough resources or infrastructure to adequately monitor that our trading partners are living up to their environmental obligations.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tEstablishes Environment-Focused Attachs in Mexico City that will regularly monitor Mexico's environment laws, regulations, and practices.\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tCreates an interagency committee that will\n\t\t\t\tConduct an assessment of the current environment landscape of Canada and Mexico;\n\t\t\t\t\tMonitor implementation of the environment obligations and recommend enforcement actions;\n\t\t\t\t\tHelp coordination, utilization & funding of U.S. efforts to strengthen environment practices amongst parties.\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\nPRESCRIPTION DRUGS\n\t\t\t\tOriginal USMCA Draft\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tUSMCA with Democrats' Changes\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tLocked in at least 10 years of market exclusivity for biologics, some of the most expensive drugs on the market.\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tProvision removed\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tLocked in Patent Evergreening: required the Parties to confirm that patents would be available for new uses of known products. This provision would have locked in the practice of patent evergreening, in which pharmaceutical companies obtain hundreds of patents related to a product to block generic competition and price reductions.\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tProvision removed\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tRequired three additional years of exclusivity for clinical information submitted in connection with new uses of previously-approved pharmaceutical products. This is another way that pharmaceutical companies delay competition and access to affordable medicines.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tProvision removed\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tFailed to encourage competition in the drug markets.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tBolsters Generics & Biosimilars:\n\t\t\t\tRevised regulatory review provision to clarify the circumstances in which generic and biosimilar companies may use a patented invention so that they can obtain marketing approval on day one of patent expiration.\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tRevised data protection provision to incorporate limitations in U.S. law that foster generic competition.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tAbandoned key principles to improve access to medicines that House Democrats included in previous U.S. trade agreements with Peru, Panama, and Colombia.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tRevised patent linkage provision to remove the hard linkage of regulatory approval and patent status. Under an annex to the agreement, Mexico must ensure that all interested parties receive notice and an opportunity to be heard. The revision also includes language that permits incentives for generic competition and improves transparency.\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tRevised patent term adjustment provision to provide non-exhaustive examples of limitations on the adjustment of patent terms for regulatory delays.\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://francisrooney.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2554", "Congressman Rooney Votes in Favor of USMCA Trade Agreement to Boost America\u2019s Economy", "2019-12-19", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Francis Rooney", "R000607", "francisrooney.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  Today, Congressman Rooney voted in favor of boosting America's economic prosperity by supporting the passage of the United States Mexico Trade Agreement (USMCA).Congressman Rooney stated, Since its introduction, I have consistently urged my colleagues in Congress to support the USMCA as an important framework for increasing economic prosperity, trade and security in the western hemisphere. Strengthening trade relationships with our neighbors, Canada and Mexico, has collateral benefits like increased cooperation on regional security challenges, dealing with the movement of illegal drugs and guns, and working to curb human trafficking. The United States has more immediately at stake with Mexico than any other country in the world. We are their largest trading partner and they are our third largest. Over 70 percent of Mexico's total imports come from the United States, $265 billion worth of U.S. goods in 2018, and another $34 billion in services. Moreover, 70 percent of the parts in a typical Mexican product originate in the United States. If Mexico succeeds, the U.S. economy benefits. Ratifying this agreement ensures that we can build on the gains we have made with Mexico in the last 25 years, since NAFTA was enacted. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://gaetz.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-matt-gaetz-issues-statement-following-house-passage-usmca", "Congressman Matt Gaetz Issues Statement Following House Passage of the USMCA", "2019-12-19", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Matt Gaetz", "G000578", "gaetz.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. Today, US Congressman Matt Gaetz (FL-01) issued the following statement in response to the US House of Representatives'passage of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA):\n\n\"President Trump's resolve to protect the American worker and invigorate the US economy was realized today by a bipartisan vote in the House of Representatives. The passage of the USMCA is a monumental achievement for the American people that has been spearheaded by President Trump since his first day in office. This trade deal advances the America First agenda on the world stage and secures a successful future for our nation's economy, job growth, and trade. I'm proud to have voted for this historic bill today and thank President Trump for his unwavering commitment to the American worker,\"Congressman Gaetz said.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rutherford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rutherford-introduces-bill-close-pensacola-loophole", "Rutherford Introduces Bill to Close the Pensacola Loophole", "2019-12-19", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "John H. Rutherford", "R000609", "rutherford.house.gov", "rutherford", "https://rutherford.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Representatives John Rutherford (R-FL), Charlie Crist (D-FL), and Val B. Demings (D-FL) introduced the Foreign National Firearms Background Check Enhancement Act. On December 6, 2019, three servicemembers were killed and eight were injured in a shooting at Naval Air Station Pensacola. The shooter, who was a Saudi Arabian national, used a hunting license to legally purchase a handgun. Today's legislation would prohibit foreign nationals from purchasing a firearm in the United States, unless that individual receives a waiver from the U.S. Attorney General certifying that, both here and abroad, they meet the same background check standards as a U.S. citizen.\n\n\"Following the tragedy at Naval Air Station Pensacola, it is clear that Congress must act to close a loophole in federal gun laws that allowed a foreign visitor to legally purchase a firearm and kill three Americans,\" said Rep. Rutherford. \"As the former Sheriff of Duval County and a strong supporter of the Second Amendment, I believe that all foreigners seeking to purchase a firearm must be vetted both here in the U.S. and in their country of origin. This bipartisan bill is crucial to strengthening our national security and keeping communities safe. Thank you to Representatives Crist and Demings for their bipartisan work on this legislation.\"\n\n\"As communities in Florida, Georgia and Alabama mourn the loss of three of our best and brightest young airmen, Congress has a responsibility to step in and close the loophole that made this tragedy possible,\" said Rep. Crist. \"Foreign nationals should not be able to buy a firearm through the purchase of a hunting license. We need tougher vetting than that, and requiring them to petition the Attorney General directly would provide greater scrutiny and security for the American people.\"\n\nUnder current law, non-immigrant visa holders are permitted to purchase a firearm in the event they: 1) Have a hunting license or are present for lawful hunting; 2) Are a foreign law enforcement officer on official duty; or 3) Are an official representative of a foreign government on official duties. The Foreign National Firearms Background Check Enhancement Act would end those exceptions, and would only allow a non-immigrant visa holder to purchase a firearm after first receiving a waiver from the U.S. Attorney General. Before issuing a waiver, the Attorney General must receive a written statement from the visa holder's country of origin consulate certifying that the individual is in compliance with all National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) requirements in the U.S.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:45:33Z"], ["https://shalala.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2214", "Rep. Shalala Statement on Voting in Favor of the Impeachment of President Donald Trump", "2019-12-19", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Donna Shalala", "S001206", "shalala.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Shalala Statement on Voting in Favor of the Impeachment of President Donald Trump \r\n    \r\n     \r\n\r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      Washington,\r\n      December 19, 2019\r\n    \r\n     | \r\n    Carlos Condarco\r\n    (2022253931)\r\n  \r\n  \r\n\r\n  \r\n\r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n\r\n  \r\n    \r\n      WASHINGTON, DC  Today, Congresswoman Donna Shalala (FL-27) released the following statement:\r\nMy vote for impeachment is not a matter of politics; it is a matter of protecting the integrity of our democracy for future generations. Despite unprecedented obstruction from the president, the evidence in this case is so powerful that voting against impeachment would risk the permanent erosion of our system of checks and balances.\r\nWe in Congress take an oath to defend the Constitution because the framers knew that democracy is precious, but fragile. They understood that its survival depends on the strength, courage, and commitment of the people to maintain it.\r\nFor over 200 years, honesty and vigilance have won out as generations of public servants have adhered to their oaths of office and met the standards of service that our democracy necessitates. Today, my colleagues and I rose to meet that standard to preserve our democracy and the future of our republic.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://shalala.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2218", "Reps. Shalala and Spano Introduce NCAA Commission Bill to Fully Examine the  State of Intercollegiate Athletics", "2019-12-19", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Donna Shalala", "S001206", "shalala.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, Reps. Donna Shalala (D-FL) and Ross Spano (R-FL) introduced the Congressional Advisory Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics (CACIA) Act, bipartisan legislation that creates a Blue-ribbon Congressional Commission to identify and examine issues of national concern related to the conduct of intercollegiate athletics and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).\r\nCollege sports, as overseen by the NCAA, have undergone a massive transformation in recent years. As profits, compensation for coaches, and spending on luxurious athletic facilities have ballooned, the association has repeatedly failed to address systemic problems with respect to the health and well-being of student athletes. The demands of year-round training, sacrificing study time and sleep to clock more hours at the gym, and pushing through exhaustion have taken a toll athletes' physical and mental health, said Rep. Shalala.\r\nOur higher education institutions receive a substantial amount of federal student support funding. There is little oversight, and as a result, we have little insight into how the funding is being spent and if the students' best interests are being prioritized. This commission would fill that gap. College students deserve to have the best possible education, especially considering the cost. I'm excited to join Rep. Shalala in her effort to ensure that our students are being put first, said Rep. Spano.\r\nA Congressional commission is needed to examine the complicated relationship of higher education and intercollegiate athletics in the 21st century. It is past time for an outside entity to do a top to bottom review of intercollegiate athletics to assess academic integrity, athlete safety, budgeting and spending, athletes' rights and anti-trust issues just to name a few points a commission will consider and potentially issue recommendations and future legislation, said David Ridpath, President of the Drake Group.\r\nThe CACIA Act will empower an independent commission to fully review, analyze and report back to Congress on the state of the NCAA and the athletic programs participating in intercollegiate sports. This legislation examines the interaction between athletics and academics, the financing of college sports, recruitment policies and retention practices for student athletes. Additionally, the bill further examines the NCAA's policies on institutional oversight and governance, compensation, the health and safety protections for college athletes, due process and equal enforcement of rules.\r\nShalala continued, We must address the extent to which higher education institutions, which are currently receiving over $130 billion in federal student support, are subsidizing athletic programs with little or no financial controls. It is time for Congress to intercede in order to protect college athletes and maintain the integrity of college sports once and for all.  \r\n\r\nIntercollegiate athletics is an iconic American enterprise that has become overly bureaucratized by over a century of whack-a-mole management. Since inception, we've legislated Band-Aid-fixes for chronic ailments with an organizational focus on optics rather than opportunity, legislation rather than education. It is time for data-driven decision makingfor researchers, practitioners, and lawmakers to come together to address mounting legal and ethical issues of the past and present and fortify a path for the future, said Erianne A. Weight, Director of the Center for Research in Intercollegiate Athletics.\r\nIntercollegiate athletics have been run by universities for too long, ignoring the interests of athletes. As an example, the NCAA formerly required universities to show they were moving towards Title IX compliance, but Mark Emmert ceased these modest efforts on behalf of female student athletes shortly after he was hired. A sports Commission could result in checks and balances in America's college sport system, for a more equitable system for all,said Nancy Hogshead-Makar, Founder of ChampionWomen.\r\nDonna Shalala is a former three-time university president, having served as president of Hunter College, the University of Miami and as chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she oversaw dozens of intercollegiate athletic programs.\r\nRead the full text of the CACIA Act HERE.\r\n###\r\n  \r\nICYMI:  \r\nNCAA board of governors seeking to change policies on athletes with a history of sexual violence  \r\nProposed federal law seeks to limit skyrocketing salaries of college coaches  \r\nLitan: Don't penalize college athletes for being injured", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://shalala.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2223", "Shalala Statement on the Passage of USMCA Trade Deal", "2019-12-19", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Donna Shalala", "S001206", "shalala.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, Congresswoman Donna Shalala (FL-27) released the following statement after U.S. House of Representatives voted to the pass the United States Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA): \r\nSouth Florida has long been recognized as the crossroads of Americas. The USMCA trade deal will strengthen the foreign trade that drives our community's economic engine by leveling the playing field, providing necessary protections, and laying the foundation for the expansion of our prosperity. That said, we must be mindful that we not sacrifice our country's long-term health for short-term economic profit. We must continue to expand environmental protections and make investments in green technologies to limit the effects of climate change.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://spano.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2352", "Shalala and Spano Introduce NCAA Commission Bill to Fully Examine the  State of Intercollegiate Athletics", "2019-12-19", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Ross Spano", "S001210", "spano.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Reps. Donna Shalala (D-FL) and Ross Spano (R-FL) introduced the Congressional Advisory Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics (CACIA) Act, bipartisan legislation that creates a Blue-ribbon Congressional Commission to identify and examine issues of national concern related to the conduct of intercollegiate athletics and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).\r\nCollege sports, as overseen by the NCAA, have undergone a massive transformation in recent years. As profits, compensation for coaches, and spending on luxurious athletic facilities have ballooned, the association has repeatedly failed to address systemic problems with respect to the health and well-being of student athletes. The demands of year-round training, sacrificing study time and sleep to clock more hours at the gym, and pushing through exhaustion have taken a toll athletes' physical and mental health, said Rep. Shalala.\r\nOur higher education institutions receive a substantial amount of federal student support funding. There is little oversight, and as a result, we have little insight into how the funding is being spent and if the students' best interests are being prioritized. This commission would fill that gap. College students deserve to have the best possible education, especially considering the cost. I'm excited to join Rep. Shalala in her effort to ensure that our students are being put first, said Rep. Spano.\r\nA Congressional commission is needed to examine the complicated relationship of higher education and intercollegiate athletics in the 21st century. It is past time for an outside entity to do a top to bottom review of intercollegiate athletics to assess academic integrity, athlete safety, budgeting and spending, athletes' rights and anti-trust issues just to name a few points a commission will consider and potentially issue recommendations and future legislation, said David Ridpath, President of the Drake Group.\r\nThe CACIA Act will empower an independent commission to fully review, analyze and report back to Congress on the state of the NCAA and the athletic programs participating in intercollegiate sports. This legislation examines the interaction between athletics and academics, the financing of college sports, recruitment policies and retention practices for student athletes. Additionally, the bill further examines the NCAA's policies on institutional oversight and governance, compensation, the health and safety protections for college athletes, due process and equal enforcement of rules.\r\nShalala continued, We must address the extent to which higher education institutions, which are currently receiving over $130 billion in federal student support, are subsidizing athletic programs with little or no financial controls. It is time for Congress to intercede in order to protect college athletes and maintain the integrity of college sports once and for all.\r\nRead the full text of the CACIA Act HERE.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://spano.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2353", "Spano Supports USMCA as Huge Economic Victory", "2019-12-19", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Ross Spano", "S001210", "spano.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Ross Spano (Florida-15) released the following statement regarding H.R. 5430, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) Implementation Act.\r\nToday, I voted in favor of the United States-Mexico-Canada Trade Deal, which will modernize our trading relationship with Mexico and Canada for the first time in 24 years. This trade agreement is a huge win for our economy as it has the potential to create over 170,000 new jobs and produce over $60 billion in new economic activity. While this agreement lacked a specific provision that I fought for to protect our strawberry growers, I am confident the Administration will join me to support this industry in the future. I will continue to work with the U.S. Trade Representative to ensure our farmers can compete on a level playing field with growers abroad.\r\nFlorida's year-round warm weather allows its farmers to be the nation's principal produce suppliers during the winter while northern and western growers are active during warmer seasons. Mexico, however, subsidizes their own winter growers, allowing them to import vast quantities of below-cost produce into the United States and drive American farmers out of business. Across the country, farms are reducing or ceasing production, while Florida's tomato, bell pepper, blueberry, and strawberry industries have all been severely impacted. If this continues, the majority, if not all, of Plant City's strawberry production will be wiped out.\r\nUSMCA has been a priority issue for Rep. Spano from the moment he took office. Negotiations began in earnest in March when he hosted U.S. Chief Agricultural Ambassador Gregg Doud during the 2019 Plant City Strawberry Festival. Rep. Spano has since been heavily engaged with the Florida Congressional Delegation, Sen. Marco Rubio, and the U.S. Trade Representative on behalf of the Florida Strawberry Growers Association, the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association, the Florida Farm Bureau, and District 15 growers.\r\nUSMCA is just the first step, said Rep. Spano. My constituents and Florida's strawberry farmers come first. They've provided for us year-round and I will continue to fight for them year-round. \r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://stephaniemurphy.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1193", "Murphy on House Passage of USMCA", "2019-12-19", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Stephanie Murphy", "M001202", "stephaniemurphy.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTONU.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy of Winter Park, Fla., a member of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade, issued the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement (USMCA) on a bipartisan 385-41 vote:\r\nI was proud to vote for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, a bipartisan trade deal that will create more good-paying jobs and help more Florida businesses and farmers sell their goods abroad. USMCA was the product of thoughtful, bipartisan negotiations between the White House and Congress, and, as a member of the Ways & Means Subcommittee on Trade, I'm proud of the work we did to help get it done. Today's strong bipartisan vote is a reminder of how much we can accomplish when we put people over politics to deliver results. USMCA will strengthen America's relationship with our two closest neighbors, bolstering our national security through increased trade cooperation. In my congressional district alone, trade with Canada and Mexico supports over 45,000 jobs, and businesses export over $530 million a year in goods and services to those two countries. While not perfect, this trade deal is good for Florida and good for America, and I'm pleased to support it.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://steube.house.gov/media/press-releases/steube-statement-house-passage-usmca", "Steube Statement on House Passage of USMCA", "2019-12-19", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Greg Steube", "S001214", "steube.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.Today, Congressman Greg Steube (FL-17) released the following statement after the House of Representatives' vote on the United States Mexico Canada Agreement:\n\"Today, I voted in favor of the United States Mexico Canada Agreement. Florida relies on trade with Canada and Mexico to survive and thrive. From transportation equipment to machinery, to agricultural products, in 2017 alone, Florida exported $6.7 billion in goods to Canada and Mexico and we aren't alone. Canada was the leading market for U.S. goods exported followed closely by Mexico in 2017. These allies account for 34 percent of U.S. exports and 35 percent of U.S. imports. They are our strategic partners and an important part of our successful economy.\nContinuing the long history of our successful trade relationship is essential to bringing the U.S. economy into the 21st century. By implementing the USMCA, we will be creating 176,000 additional American jobs and continuing to grow our economy by over $68 billion. American dairy producers alone will grow their access to up to 3.59 percent of the Canadian Dairy Market. This deal is a good deal for Florida and America.\nNow that this deal has passed, I am confident that Ambassador Lighthizer and agricultural leaders will continue to work toward a solution to address the issues facing specialty crops in Florida.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://steube.house.gov/press-releases/steube-statement-on-house-impeachment-vote-0/", "Steube Statement on House Impeachment Vote", "2019-12-19", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "W. Gregory Steube", "S001214", "steube.house.gov", "steube", "https://steube.house.gov/category/press-releases/page/", "scraper", "Steube Statement on House Impeachment Vote\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Today, Congressman Greg Steube (R-Fla.) released the following statement after the House of Representatives\u2019 vote on the Articles of Impeachment for President Donald J. Trump:\n\n\u201cTonight, I voted no on the Articles of Impeachment for President Donald J. Trump. This impeachment charade was riddled with procedural failures, denials of due process, and partisan games. The facts are clear, the president has not committed an impeachable offense, and certainly not a high crime or misdemeanor as the Democrats allege. I urge the Senate to quickly evaluate the lack of evidence and acquit the president, so we can all focus on improving the lives of Americans instead of further dividing our nation.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:45:33Z"], ["https://steube.house.gov/press-releases/steube-statement-on-house-passage-of-usmca/", "Steube Statement on House Passage of USMCA", "2019-12-19", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "W. Gregory Steube", "S001214", "steube.house.gov", "steube", "https://steube.house.gov/category/press-releases/page/", "scraper", "Steube Statement on House Passage of USMCA\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Today, Congressman Greg Steube (R-Fla.) released the following statement after the House of Representatives\u2019 vote on the United States Mexico Canada Agreement:\n\n\u201cToday, I voted in favor of the United States Mexico Canada Agreement. Florida relies on trade with Canada and Mexico to survive and thrive. From transportation equipment to machinery, to agricultural products, in 2017 alone, Florida exported $6.7 billion in goods to Canada and Mexico and we aren\u2019t alone. Canada was the leading market for U.S. goods exported followed closely by Mexico in 2017. These allies account for 34 percent of U.S. exports and 35 percent of U.S. imports. They are our strategic partners and an important part of our successful economy.\n\nContinuing the long history of our successful trade relationship is essential to bringing the U.S. economy into the 21st century. By implementing the USMCA, we will be creating 176,000 additional American jobs and continuing to grow our economy by over $68 billion. American dairy producers alone will grow their access to up to 3.59 percent of the Canadian Dairy Market. This deal is a good deal for Florida and America.\n\nNow that this deal has passed, I am confident that Ambassador Lighthizer and agricultural leaders will continue to work toward a solution to address the issues facing specialty crops in Florida.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:45:33Z"], ["https://waltz.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=131", "Waltz Statement On Passage Of USMCA Trade Agreement", "2019-12-19", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Michael Waltz", "W000823", "waltz.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  On Thursday, U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz (R-Fla.) voted in favor of ratifying the United States-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) trade agreement, a replacement of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).\r\nAfter more than a year of waiting on House Democrats to bring this trade agreement to the floor, we've finally voted and ratified the USMCA, Waltz said. This trade deal will open up our job market and help our already on-fire economy continue to thrive.\r\nOn Nov. 30, 2018, U.S., Mexican and Canadian leaders signed the USMCA, which requires approval by each nation's legislature to go into effect. Both Mexico and Canada ratified the agreement earlier this year. \r\nFlorida largely stands to benefit from the ratification of the USMCA. Trade with Mexico and Canada is a $12 billion industry in Florida, supporting more than 700,000 jobs in the Sunshine State. International trade supports nearly 2.4 million jobs in Florida  more than one in five jobs statewide. \r\nThank you to President Trump for negotiating this 21st-century trade deal and to my colleagues for supporting it, Waltz said. I'm proud to vote in favor of the USMCA for the sake of more than 175,000 jobs and nearly $68 billion economic growth nationwide. While there is still work to be done to assist Florida's growers with trade cases involving seasonal and perishable produce, I am confident that the Administration will work with the delegation and our growers in good faith.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://webster.house.gov/press-releases?ID=0365E859-E8CC-4E7F-930A-89C42D9DE530", "Webster on USMCA: A Win for American Workers", "2019-12-19", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Daniel Webster", "W000806", "webster.house.gov", "webster", "https://webster.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2013 Florida Congressman Daniel Webster released the below statement following his vote to ratify the United States-Mexico-Canada-Agreement (USMCA).\n\n\u201cCanada and Mexico accounted for more than $7 billion of Florida\u2019s global exports in 2018. Today\u2019s vote is critical for allowing more Sunshine State businesses to sell more of what they make to consumers around the world.\n\n\u201cReplacing the outdated NAFTA, USMCA lays a solid foundation for the future of North American trade. It includes new, cutting-edge rules on digital trade that will help American businesses & innovators continue to thrive in the modern economy. It also contains many significant wins for American ranchers, businesses and workers. Under this agreement, hardworking Americans will have the opportunity to achieve more growth, more exports, more jobs and rising wages.\n\n\u201cWhile the USMCA text does not currently provide the relief and trade remedies we sought for our seasonal producers, I am committed to working with my colleagues, Ambassador Lighthizer and others to ensure these producers are able to access trade remedies that are available to other U.S. producers.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:45:33Z"], ["https://wilson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/wilson-slams-court-ruling-in-gop-lawsuit-attacking-americans-health-care", "Wilson Slams Court Ruling in GOP Lawsuit Attacking Americans Health Care", "2019-12-19", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Frederica Wilson", "W000808", "wilson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  Today, Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson responded to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals' ruling against the Affordable Care Act's individual mandate and asking of the district court, which had previously struck down the entirety of the ACA, to determine next steps. Rep. Wilson highlighted the devastating impact that this ruling could have on the 130 million Americans with pre-existing conditions, including 7,810,300 Floridians.\nToday's ruling in support of the Trump Administration's all-out assault on health care in the courts is a grave blow to the health and financial security of Florida families who rely on the Affordable Care Act's life-saving protections, said Rep. Wilson. On day one of this Congress, our House Democratic Majority voted to throw the full legal weight of the House of Representatives into the fight against this lawsuit, and we will continue to fight in the courts and the Congress to protect and strengthen Americans' health care.\nThe ruling could have disastrous consequences on the health and financial well-being of Florida families:\n 7,810,300  Number of Florida men, women and children who have pre-existing conditions and will lose their protections.\n\t1,600,000  Number of Floridians who will lose all health care coverage.\n\t132,000  Young Floridians under age 26 who will lose the ability to remain on their parents' insurance.\n\t$4,007  Amount of a new Age Tax that insurance companies could charge Floridians over the age of 50.\n\t5,587,000  Number of Floridians who face reinstated lifetime and annual limits on coverage.\n\t1,432,332  Number of Floridians who will pay more for coverage without access to health insurance affordability tax credits.\n\t334,343  Number of Floridian seniors who will have to pay more for their prescription drugs.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/sen-rick-scott-merry-christmas-heres-how-congress-about-waste-your-money", "Sen. Rick Scott: Merry Christmas, Heres How Congress is About to Waste Your Money", "2019-12-19", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Rick Scott", "S001217", "www.rickscott.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  In case you missed it, Senator Rick Scott wrote an op-ed for National Review about the $1.4 trillion, 2,313 page-long spending package that Congress is voting on this week.\nIn the op-ed, Senator Rick Scott wrote, This week, Congress is set to vote on a giant spending package  2,313 pages long  that was just released, was negotiated in secret, spends $1.4 trillion, and is chock full of member projects and special-interest giveaways.\nTo put that number in context: Without any opportunity to read the bill, Congress will vote to spend more than $4,200 for every man, woman, and child in America. That's on top of the $23 trillion in debt we've already accumulated, not to mention that the federal government is already running a trillion-dollar deficit, every year.\n\nAnd let's not forget. This bill spends $1.4 trillion, with no cuts or reforms.\nThis is not how Washington is supposed to work.\n\nBut one simple idea that we can get done right now is No Budget, No Pay. If Congress can't pass a budget and appropriations bills in a timely and orderly fashion, members of Congress shouldn't get a paycheck. You don't get paid if you don't do your job. Why should Congress?\nIt's time to stop the madness. How many more trillions of dollars do we need to spend before we wake up to the danger of our national debt?\nWe need to reform the way Washington works, and we need to do it now.\nRead the full op-ed in the National Review HERE.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/senator-rick-scott-response-house-impeachment", "Senator Rick Scott Response to House Impeachment", "2019-12-19", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Rick Scott", "S001217", "www.rickscott.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, Senator Rick Scott released the following statement after the House vote on impeachment.\nSenator Rick Scott said, The House Democrats just spent a month confirming that the President did nothing wrong and that this impeachment circus is nothing but partisan politics. Today's vote solidifies how little the Democrats care about what's really important to the American people. It's clear all they care about are political games. This is sad and embarrassing, but I came to Washington to get something done for the American people. I look forward to getting back to working on all the things that aren't getting done, like passing No Budget, No Pay, securing the border, and lowering drug prices for American families.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/senators-rick-scott-and-josh-hawley-nbc-stand-human-rights-refuse-air-olympics-hosted-communist", "Senators Rick Scott and Josh Hawley to NBC: Stand Up for Human Rights; Refuse to Air Olympics Hosted in Communist China", "2019-12-19", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Rick Scott", "S001217", "www.rickscott.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, Senators Rick Scott and Josh Hawley wrote a letter to the Chief Executive Officer of NBC Universal and the President of NBC Olympics urging them to put human rights over profits by requesting that the International Olympic Committee re-bid the 2022 Olympics, which is being hosted in Communist China, or refuse to air the 2022 games. \nRead the letter HERE or below. \nDecember 19, 2019\nMr. Stephen Burke\nChief Executive Officer\nNBC Universal\n30 Rockefeller Plaza\nNew York, NY 10112\nMr. Gary Zenkel\nPresident\nNBC Olympics\nOne Blachey Road\nStamford, CT 06902\n\nDear Mr. Burke and Mr. Zenkel:\nAs the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing approach, we write to you with grave concern about the decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to allow a Communist regime with an abysmal record on human rights to host a global sporting event that attracts athletes and spectators from all across the world. By doing so, you are placing profits over principles, and ensuring that China can be accepted into the international system even as it violates its basic rules and tenets.\nCommunist China is one of the great human rights abusers in the world, and it presents a threat to the safety and security of every athlete and tourist who will travel to Beijing. General Secretary Xi has set up a surveillance infrastructure in Beijing that tracks every person's location and internet activity. Communist China uses millions of cameras, powered by facial recognition technology, to spy on and persecute those who criticize the regime. The 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing will provide the Chinese government access to a global array of dignitaries, athletes, corporations, and government entities, a risk that should be avoided at all costs. \nOn top of the concerns about Chinese surveillance, in November, documents obtained by the New York Times revealed the lengths to which Communist China uses this technology to track and oppress Uyghurs, a Muslim ethnic group in the province in Xianjing. The documents showed how the Communist regime weaponizes military surveillance to spy on civilians and treat them as military threats, instead of human beings endowed with personal dignity. And they confirmed, as had previously been reported, that more than a million Uyghurs are in prison and re-education camps, simply because of their religion.\nMany of us have shared similar concerns directly with the IOC. Unfortunately, in one response the IOC claimed that it must remain strictly politically neutral with regard to Communist China and would take no action. We find that response to be woefully lacking. \nWe hope you, unlike the IOC, understand that this is not about politics, but about human rights and the security of athletes and international visitors. We also hope you know Communist China did not abide by the Host City Contract in the 2008 Beijing Winter Olympics, and its long history of breaking promises shows that it is not a country that can be trusted. \nNBC Universal is faced with an important decision. As a media organization, it also has a moral responsibility to inform the public. By overlooking China's human rights record, you betray your viewers in misleading them about the most important threat facing our values and our way of life. Please pick human rights over profits. If Communist China continues to persecute religious minorities, forcibly harvest organs of innocent civilians, oppress the people of Hong Kong, spy on civilians, and imprison political dissidents, they should forfeit their rights to host an event that is supposed to bring the world together. We urge NBC to stand with us and request that the IOC re-bid the 2022 Olympics or refuse to air the 2022 games. \nWe look forward to hearing your decision on this important matter.\nSincerely,\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tRick Scott\n\t\t\tUnited States Senator\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tJosh Hawley\n\t\t\tUnited States Senator\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://yoho.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/usmca-leaves-florida-producers-out-in-the-cold", "USMCA Leaves Florida Producers Out in the Cold", "2019-12-19", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Ted Yoho", "Y000065", "yoho.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington D.C. - Congressman Ted S. Yoho (R-FL), member of the House Agriculture Committee, released the following statement after voting no' on the shortfalls of the USMCA agreement for Florida farmers.\nNAFTA was originally created to remove traditional trade barriers and facilitate economic growth amongst the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Our great state of Florida is one of the biggest agriculture partners in the world, and our district benefits tremendously from free trade opportunities with other countries. However, international trade should not come at the expense of American farmers and workers.\nI commend President Trump and his administration for renegotiating a much-needed trade deal between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.\nHowever, this agreement will not solve the failures of NAFTA with regards to the seasonal competition of agricultural produce that caused our fruit and vegetable farmers to lose a large share of the U.S. market to Mexican producers. Absent proper trade enforcement tools, we are maintaining the status quo that will continue to harm Florida producers.\nUSMCA favors Mexican producers over the hardworking Southeastern farmers. Remedies, after that fact are too late to address our farmers needs now. Without the inclusion of trade remedies in USMCA for Florida's produce farmers, I cannot, in good conscience, support this agreement.\n  \n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=403153", "Castor Statement on Articles of Impeachment Votes", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Kathy Castor", "C001066", "castor.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Castor Statement on Articles of Impeachment Votes \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington,\r\n        December 18, 2019\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n        U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) released the following statement ahead of today's votes in the House of Representatives on articles of impeachment\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) released the following statement ahead of today's votes in the House of Representatives on articles of impeachment:\r\nThe president abused his power. He violated his oath of office. He sought to elevate himself as a dictator or a king, but we are not a monarchy. We are the United States of America. We are a republic, a democracy where the executive doesn't have absolute power. America was founded on a system of checks and balances. When the president withheld military aid to vulnerable Ukraine and pressed for a personal favor to manufacture dirt against a political opponent, he went too far. He undermined America's national security. He sought to sabotage our elections. He elevated his personal interests over the interests of America. Then he tried to cover up his scandalous behavior and he obstructed the investigation. The president violated his oath of office, but I intend to uphold mine to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States of America. I will vote to impeach President Trump.\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://posey.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=396737", "Rep. Posey's Statement Opposing Impeachment", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Bill Posey", "P000599", "posey.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Posey's Statement Opposing Impeachment\r\n                      \r\n                    \r\n                        \r\n                    \n\r\n                    \r\n                    \r\n                    \r\n                    \r\n                        \r\n                            Washington,\r\n                            December 18, 2019-\r\n                        Congressman Bill Posey (R-Rockledge) issueD the following statement about tonight's vote to impeach President Trump:\n\"The two articles of impeachment in the resolution are broad and cite no specific crimes that the President committed. The House Democrats are basing the entire impeachment on hearsay testimonies grounded on absolutely no evidence of a crime. Sadly, this impeachment is the worst case of partisan politics in the history of our Republic.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://teddeutch.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=402713", "Deutch Bill Supporting Iranian People's Right to Protest Regime Passes Foreign Affairs Committee", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Ted Deutch", "D000610", "teddeutch.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Deutch Bill Supporting Iranian People's Right to Protest Regime Passes Foreign Affairs Committee \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington,\r\n        December 18, 2019\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      This morning, the House Foreign Affairs Committee unanimously approved Chairman Ted Deutch's (FL-22) resolution supporting the people of Iran's peaceful and legitimate protests against the oppressive and corrupt regime in Tehran.This resolution was jointly introduced with Ranking Member Joe Wilson (SC-02). \"Congress has long expressed bipartisan support for the human rights of the Iranian people, including the rights to peaceably assemble and protest,\" Congressman Deutch said. \"In the face of popular protests across the country against the regime, Iranian authorities shut down the Internet and security forces used lethal force to kill hundreds of people and arrest at least 7,000. This resolution condemns the Iranian regime's serious human rights abuses and reaffirms our support for the Iranian people and their right to live in a free society.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://teddeutch.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=402715", "Deutch Statement on Passage of Articles of Impeachment against President Trump", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Ted Deutch", "D000610", "teddeutch.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "After Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-22) voted in favor of the articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump, he issued this statement:\"I have an obligation to uphold my oath of office to the Constitution. I've sat through hours of testimony from fact witnesses, read through hundreds of pages of evidence and legal analysis, and consulted with constitutional scholars to determine whether President Trump's abuses of power amount to impeachable offenses. I have also heard from thousands of constituents. \"I do not take my vote lightly; this vote on impeachment is one of the most serious votes I will ever cast. But when the President abused his power to solicit foreign interference in our election, when he put his personal and political interests above our national interest, he was cheating the American voters before they even had a chance to vote in the 2020 election. And the President's obstruction of the United States Congress is unprecedented in our nation's history. \"American presidential power comes from the people through elections. The Constitution requires that Congress protect those elections. \"Impeachment is the remedy provided by our Constitution for grave moments like today. I voted to impeach President Trump because his abuse of power and obstruction of Congress forced this action to protect our elections, our democracy, and our Constitution.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=0140A8F8-5726-4C90-8C81-4B2108E2F94A", "Rubio Statement on Committee Approval of SBA Administrator Nomination", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, issued the following statement after the committee approved Jovita Carranza's nomination to be Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The nomination now moves to the full Senate for consideration.I congratulate Ms. Carranza on being favorably reported to the Senate floor. If confirmed, I look forward to working collaboratively with her to modernize the SBA, optimize the agency's programs, and increase interagency coordination, Chairman Rubio said. As Chairman, I recognize the vital role the Administrator plays in ensuring the efficacy of the agency, and am eager for the role of SBA Administrator to be filled. This will better allow the Committee to fulfill our oversight responsibilities and further our efforts to reauthorize the Small Business Act. During her confirmation hearing, Chairman Rubio asked Ms. Carranza to agree to a number of commitments that require immediate action at the SBA. Ms. Carranza's commitments to Chairman Rubio include:\r\n\r\nAddressing the management challenges at the Office of Investment and Innovation;\r\nTestifying before the committee in 90 days for an oversight hearing on progress addressing those challenges;\r\nCommunicating with Congress on the subsidy models and incorporated calculations for all federal credit programs at SBA;\r\nEnsuring the backlog of staff needed by the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) teams are filled in her first 100 days;\r\nEnsuring that, moving forward, federal grant money is not used to repay previous misspent funds identified by the SBA's Office of Inspector General (OIG);\r\nWorking to modernize the Disaster Loan program and institute internal controls recommended by the OIG to stop waste, fraud, and abuse;\r\nExpeditiously working on implementing a women-owned certification program; and,\r\nExpeditiously providing information to Congress on how SBA plans to help small businesses protect themselves from cyber-attacks.\r\n\r\nRelated:", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=116AE492-E0AA-4A38-B402-97943E613141", "Rubio, Scott, Daz-Balart Urge Miami Int'l Airport to Protect American Aviation and Security Networks from China", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWashington D.C.  U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Rick Scott (R-FL) and U.S. Representative Mario Daz-Balart (R-FL) raised concerns with Aviation Director and CEO of Miami International Airport Lester Sola regarding offers from firms, like CIMC-Tiiana, a Chinese state-backed enterprise, that may seek to undermine American aviation security and industrial competitiveness.In the letter the members note that, CIMC-Tianda has already been found guilty of industrial espionage by a U.S. Federal District court in Houston, TX. The decision ruled that CIMC-Tianda misled a company into a transfer of its business and design information as it relates to passenger boarding bridges. This information was later used by CIMC-Tianda to compete in the market with stolen intellectual property, at a significantly lower bid.The full text of the letter is below.Dear Mr. Sola:It has recently come to our attention that Miami International Airport is considering awarding contracts for passenger boarding bridges to CIMC-Tianda, a Chinese firm and state-backed enterprise. As you evaluate bids to supply passenger boarding bridges and other components to the airport, we urge you to consider rejecting offers from firms that may seek to infiltrate and exploit American aviation and security networks.As you are aware, aviation is a critical sector of our nation's infrastructure, with airports in particular emerging as a high priority target for sabotage and espionage by our adversaries. The increasing digitalization of aircraft systems and airport security procedures places the sensitive and personal information of American travelers at an increased exposure risk and creates new vulnerabilities for malign actors, like the Chinese regime, to exploit. It is vital to fully consider all security and privacy risks when considering whether to allow firms with ties to the Chinese regime to embed themselves within U.S. airports. Further, language included in the report for the Senate's funding bill for the Department of Transportation (S. 2520) specifically raises concerns over boarding bridges manufactured by foreign state-owned enterprises.Additionally, CIMC-Tianda has already been found guilty of industrial espionage by a U.S. Federal District court in Houston, TX. The decision ruled that CIMC-Tianda misled a company into a transfer of its business and design information as it relates to passenger boarding bridges. This information was later used by CIMC-Tianda to compete in the market with stolen intellectual property, at a significantly lower bid.While equipment, such as passenger boarding bridges, from Chinese state-backed enterprises may boast attractive price tags, the associated security drawbacks are too serious to ignore. The Chinese regime, using state-funded and state-directed companies, has already targeted U.S. transit networks in an attempt to undermine American industrial capacity and national security. Congress has responded to this by approving language in the Conference Report for the National Defense Authorization Act (S. 1790/H.R. 2500) which bars federal funding from being used by local transit agencies to contract with Chinese state-sponsored entities for the procurement of rolling stock.We thank you for your commitment to modernizing Miami International Airport and upgrading systems to ensure the safety, security, and comfort of travelers. As you do so, it is critical to identify technology and infrastructure components from untrusted and high-risk vendors, such as CIMC-Tianda. Thank you for your consideration of our concerns and we look forward to continuing this discussion.Sincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=3256F9E9-B28D-44AC-862D-95C7E3FD0B27", "Rubio, Klobuchar Applaud Senate Passage of Supporting Veterans in STEM Careers Act", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) applauded the Senate passage of their bipartisan Supporting Veterans in STEM Careers Act (S.153), which would assist veterans re-entering the workforce by directing the National Science Foundation to encourage veterans to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.The future of work in the 21st century will be dominated by STEM roles, and the United States should prioritize policies that utilize our well-qualified veterans to fill this future workforce, Rubio said. I thank my Senate colleagues for unanimously approving this important and bipartisan bill to ensure our nation's veterans have the skills and opportunities to succeed in STEM careers. I look forward to working with our colleagues in the House to get this bill to the President. We owe it to our nation's heroes to ensure this bipartisan bill gets across the finish line.\"Our veterans aren't just heroes on the battlefieldthey are the scientists, teachers, inventors, and engineers who will lead us to a brighter future. The passage of the Supporting Veterans in STEM Careers Act through the Senate brings us one step closer to bringing veterans the benefits of well-paying jobs in science, technology, engineering, and math, and helping employers better meet their hiring needs. By supporting veterans in their transition to civilian life through STEM career training, we not only help them to succeed, but also strengthen our economy and our nation, Klobuchar said.The Supporting Veterans in STEM Careers Act would also require the Office of Science and Technology Policy to establish an interagency working group to improve veteran and spouse equity and representation in STEM fields and to develop a strategic plan to address the barriers that veterans face when reentering the workforce. The bill is supported by The Manufacturing Institute, Samsung, TechNet, Verizon, and the Consumer Technology Association.Related:", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=A55408C1-DAB1-4F3B-B374-793D42496ABF", "Rubio, Scott Joined by Colleagues in Honoring Victims of NAS Pensacola Tragedy", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Rick Scott (R-FL) were joined by Senators David Perdue (R-GA), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Richard Shelby (R-AL), and Doug Jones (D-AL) in passing a resolution honoring the victims of the tragic shooting at Naval Air Station Pensacola on December 6, 2019. Shortly after the Senate passed the resolution, Senator Rubio honored the victims in a speech on the Senate floor.Rubio's remarks as prepared are below. Broadcast quality video can be found here.Rubio: Ensign Joshua Kaleb Watson.Airman Mohammed Sameh Haitham.Airman Apprentice Cameron Walters.Those are the names of our nation's heroes who lost their lives the morning of Friday, December 6th, when a horrific event took place at Naval Air Station Pensacola in my home state of Florida.In only fifteen minutes, this act of senseless terrorism killed three and wounded eight people.Pensacola is one of Florida's hidden gems. The Navy and Marines are part of the identity, fabric, and culture of the city.This terrorist attack was not just an attack on the Naval Air Station, it was an attack on the very heart and soul of Pensacola.I visited Naval Air Station Pensacola in the aftermath of the attack. When I arrived, I was deeply saddened by the loss of life and impact this loss had left in the community.But I was also in awe of the bravery of so many, including the first responders who made their way to harm's way.The stories of heroism in the face of evil remind us that those who volunteer to serve our country personify the very ideals of what makes this the greatest nation on earth.23 year-old Ensign Joshua Kaleb Watson of Alabama. Son of Benjamin Watson and Shelia Wilemon Watson.Ensign Watson dreamed of becoming a Navy pilot and reported to Pensacola for flight training the week of Veterans Day. He was the officer on deck at the time of the shooting.When faced with danger, Ensign Watson did what so few do -- he ran towards it. Watson yelled out for people to get out, proceeded to tackle the shooter, and fought him in an attempt to disarm him -- all while being shot at least five times.Even though he was heavily wounded, Ensign Watson made his way out to flag down first responders and gave an accurate description of the shooter.19 year-old Airman Mohammed Sameh Haitham's family moved to St. Petersburg, Florida from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.Haitham's Lakewood High school assistant principal, where he graduated from last year, called him the Perfect One' because he was a good student, a star track runner and basketball player.According to the Assistant Principal, he would walk into any room and it would light up. He had this magnetic personality  big smile, always happy. And people would alwaysgravitate toward him.'Airman Haitham's commanding officer told his father that his son had also bravely attempted to take down the gunman.For those who knew 21 year-old Cameron Walters of Georgia, he was an amazing guy, he always had something good to say to everybody, and was always smiling.'The morning of the shooting, Walters was randomly assigned to watch duty in Building 633, which is where the shooting unfolded. The airman apprentice had only been stationed in Pensacola for two weeks before the deadly attack.Let us never forget the heroes who sacrificed their lives protecting their fellow Navy members as this tragedy unfolded at Naval Air Station Pensacola.There is no action we can take to bring these heroes back, but what we can do is commit ourselves to serving our country honorably and to ensure that reforms are put in place to prevent an attack like this from happening in the future.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=A78ED4F5-ABF3-41D3-85F3-CD5B39AA6E6E", "Rubio Joins Blackburn, Scott, Cornyn, Cotton to Urge Response to National Security Threats Posed by Chinese Drones", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) joined Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Rick Scott (R-FL), John Cornyn (R-TX) and Tom Cotton (R-AR) in writing to Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao and Administrator Stephen Dickson of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to express concerns regarding the national security threats posed by Chinese drones.Weurge you to immediately restrict the use of this equipment and technology that has the potential to jeopardize the security of critical information and infrastructure gained through this and other FAA programs, the Senators wrote. American taxpayer dollars should not fund state-controlled or state-owned firms that seek to undermine American national security and economic competitiveness.The full text of the letter is below.Dear Secretary Chao and Administrator Dickson:We write to express concern regarding the national security threats posed by Chinese drones and urge the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to ensure that the use of such drones is excluded from its programs and partnerships.Given the information presented in several government directives regarding the use of Chinese-manufactured drones, we were dismayed to learn that on December 3, 2019, one of the ten lead participants of DOT and FAA's Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Integration Pilot Program (IPP) announced its decision to partner with Da Jiang Innovations (DJI) Inc., a Chinese drone company, and use DJI drones for aircraft inspections, delivery of aircraft parts, airport perimeter security, and various airport safety inspections.On August 2, 2017, the Department of the Army released a memorandum ordering a halt on the use of DJI applications and products, citing an increased awareness of cyber vulnerabilities associated with DJI products. Subsequently, on August 9, 2017, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) released an unclassified bulletin which specifically warned against DJI for targeting critical infrastructure and law enforcement and providing U.S. data to the Chinese government. The bulletin states with high confidence that the company [DJI] is selectively targeting government and privately owned entities within these sectors to expand its ability to collect and exploit sensitive U.S. data. The bulletin also warns that DJI-created apps, when used in conjunction with their UAS hardware, collect GPS locations and photographs taken by the device, register facial recognition data even when the system is off, and automatically upload information to cloud storage to which the Chinese government most likely has access. The bulletin continues, [a] foreign government with access to this information could easily coordinate physical or cyber attacks against critical sites.On May 20, 2019, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued an industry alert of the potential risks to an organization's information posed by Chinese-made drones and DJI in particular. The alert states that the products contain components that can compromise data and share information on a server accessed beyond the company itself.More recently, on October 30, 2019, the Department of Interior announced that it was grounding its fleet of more than 800 non-emergency drones purchased from China until a security review is completed. Further, Section 848 of the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act specifically prohibits the Department of Defense from operating or procuring UAS manufactured in the China.We commend the goal of the UAS IPP to partner federal, state, local, and tribal governments with the FAA to evaluate and integrate new technologies into airspace operations. We, however, urge you to immediately restrict the use of this equipment and technology that has the potential to jeopardize the security of critical information and infrastructure gained through this and other FAA programs. American taxpayer dollars should not fund state-controlled or state-owned firms that seek to undermine American national security and economic competitiveness. We therefore request the following information:\r\nHave the DOT and FAA reviewed the reports by ICE, CISA, the Army, and any other agencies to appropriately grasp the magnitude of the threat posed by the use of DJI hardware and software, and if so, what conclusions were drawn?\r\nHave the DOT and FAA conveyed their concerns with regard to data protection to the relevant state, local, and tribal partners in the IPP and any other program that may involve the use of drones?\r\nWhat, if any, security efforts have the DOT and FAA worked to implement with state, local, and tribal officials to ensure critical infrastructure data does not fall into the hands of the Chinese government?\r\nThank you for your attention to this matter. We look forward to your prompt response.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bilirakis.house.gov/media/press-releases/23-bilirakis-priorities-included-appropriations-package", "23 Bilirakis Priorities Included in Appropriations Package", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Gus M. Bilirakis", "B001257", "bilirakis.house.gov", "bilirakis", "https://bilirakis.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Press Release: December 18, 2019\n\nContact: Summer Robertson 727-232-2921\n\n23 Bilirakis Priorities Included in Appropriations Package\n\nYesterday, the House passed two Appropriations Bills (H.R. 1158, H.R. 1865) which continue to fund operation of the federal government. In addition to restoring the nation's military readiness, providing $1.3 billion for a wall on the nation's southern border and funding the largest pay increase in nearly a decade for active duty military personnel, Congressman Gus Bilirakis successfully negotiated the inclusion of 23 provisions that he either sponsored or co-sponsored.\n\nReauthorizes the BRAND USA Program- This 7-year extension is the longest ever reauthorization of this vital tourism program.\n\nProvides approximately $6 million in funding for Congenital Health Research\n\nImplements funding for the Jason Simcaoski PROMISE Act, which I authored and was signed into law in 2016. This legislation ensures the use of best prescribing practices within the VA, and funds access for alternative and complementary treatments through the VA\n\nOffers a total of $402 million in opioid abuse treatment and prevention at VA\n\nIncludes language encouraging the reunification of Cyprus\n\nAppropriates nearly $9 billion for VA MISSION Act implementation\n\nProvides $125 million more than requested for Blue Water Navy implementation\n\nAllocates $9.43 billion for VA mental health, including $221.8 million for suicide prevention outreach\n\nReauthorizes National Flood Insurance program through September 2020\n\nOffers $263 million for FEMA Flood Mapping\n\nIncludes three years of funding for International Military Education and Training assistance for Greece and for Cyprus\n\nExtends critical funding for community health centers through May 22, 2020. More than 25 million Americans receive their primary care, dental, mental and substance abuse services through community health centers.\n\nRepeals the medical device tax, health insurance tax, and Cadillac tax\n\nStreamlines the transition of biological products to allow certain medications deemed as a biologic and ensures they get to market sooner\n\nIncludes funding for the Laboratory Access for Beneficiaries Act, a bipartisan bill I co-authored that will ensure seniors have access to diagnostic lab tests\n\nOffers $1.85 billion for the homeless veterans assistance program, which has been a priority of mine\n\nProvides funding for implementation of the PACT Act (HR 2498) which will help patients with rare diseases\n\nExtends funding for vital Medicaid programs in Puerto Rico and other U.S. Territories\n\nImproves school safety by including $235 million for COPS Hiring program\n\nIncludes $16 million for research for Parkinson's Neurotoxin Exposure Treatment\n\nProhibits delivery of F-35 aircraft to Turkey, except under NDAA conditions\n\nMaintains major Hyde protections for our Pro-Life community\n\nHelps continue to address opioid crisis by allocating $378 million in opioid abuse reduction activities through the Department of Justice", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:45:33Z"], ["https://buchanan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/buchanan-statement-impeachment-0", "Buchanan Statement on Impeachment", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Vern Buchanan", "B001260", "buchanan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Congressman Vern Buchanan spoke on the House floor Wednesday against the impeachment of President Donald Trump. \nMadamSpeaker, I will vote today against both articles of impeachment because they are without merit and set a dangerous precedent for our country. This political vendetta is an abuse of the impeachment process and would subvert the votes of 63 million Americans. Just because the President's opponents are afraid he will win reelection is no excuse for weaponizing impeachment. No president in history has ever been impeached 10 months before an election. Elections are the heart of our democracy. Our founding fathers devised a simple way to remove a president that you disagree with  it's called an election  and we have one coming up in less than a year. Let the people decide.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://demings.house.gov/media/press-releases/president-trump-impeached", "President Trump Impeached", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Val Demings", "D000627", "demings.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  Today, U.S. Rep. Val Demings (FL-10), a member of the House Judiciary and Intelligence Committees, voted as a Member of the whole House for two Articles of Impeachment for President Donald Trump.\nSaid Rep. Demings, the United States is one nation, under God, and our President takes a sacred oath to hold our national security and our elections as a public trust, not exploit them for his own gain.\nThis president abused his power, jeopardizing our national security in an extortion scheme to cheat in the 2020 election. He continues to be an active and ongoing threat to our democracy.\nToday we exercised our constitutional duty to protect the constitution, uphold the rule of law, and hold the President accountable. In a government of the people, no one is above the law.\nArticle I: Abuse Of Power\n President Trump solicited the interference of a foreign government, Ukraine, in the 2020 United States Presidential election.\n\tIn so doing, President Trump used the powers of the Presidency in a manner that compromised the national security of the United States and undermined the integrity of the United States democratic process.\n\tPresident Trump, by such conduct, has demonstrated that he will remain a threat to national security and the Constitution if allowed to remain in office, and has acted in a manner grossly incompatible with self-governance and the rule of law.\n Article II: Obstruction Of Congress\n The House of Representatives has engaged in an impeachment inquiry focused on President Trump's corrupt solicitation of the Government of Ukraine to interfere in the 2020 United States Presidential election.\n\tIn the history of the Republic, no President has ever ordered the complete defiance of an impeachment inquiry or sought to obstruct and impede so comprehensively the ability of the House of Representatives to investigate high Crimes and Misdemeanors. This abuse of office served to cover up the President's own repeated misconduct and to seize and control the power of impeachment  and thus to nullify a vital constitutional safeguard.\n As a member of the Judiciary Committee, Rep. Demings gave an opening statement, remarks throughout, and was the final speaker of the debate.\nOn the Floor of the whole House, Rep. Demings gave final remarks this evening.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://francisrooney.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2553", "Congressman Rooney to vote NO on impeachment of the President", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Francis Rooney", "R000607", "francisrooney.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Francis Rooney will vote against the impeachment of President Donald Trump.  \r\n   \r\nCongressman Rooney stated, \"The impeachment of a President is among the most somber votes that any Member of Congress can take. The process should not be rushed or based on an artificial timeline, nor should it be partisan or incomplete. It should be thorough and convincing. I repeatedly urged the leaders of the process to stay these proceedings until all executive privilege claims and refusals to deliver documents could be adjudicated by the courts, and all relevant primary sources of testimony could be heard under oath, as was the case in both the Clinton and Nixon impeachment hearings.Additionally, having asked numerous ex-White House Counsels and well-known government attorneys, there can be no obstruction of Congress (or of justice) while the person refusing to comply is relying on a claim of executive privilege. Only after losing in court, and still refusing to comply with a subpoena, would a claimant be obstructing. Based on the limited evidence provided to the House of Representatives, the President's behavior, while inappropriate, was neither criminal, nor does it rise to the level of justifying impeachment. \"It is now time to get back to the business of passing the USMCA, securing our borders, fixing our immigration system, protecting our environment, and working to reduce our unconscionable national debt.\" ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3022", "ICYMI: Rep. Frankel Supports Bipartisan Funding Bills on the House Floor", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Lois Frankel", "F000462", "frankel.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC  On Tuesday, Rep. Lois Frankel (FL-21) took to the House floor to support the bipartisan collection of funding bills which will provide $200 million for restoring the Evergladesthe largest federal investment in the project to date.\r\nThe bill passed the house by a vote of 297 to 120 and now goes to the Senate.\r\nBelow are Rep. Frankel's remarks as delivered:\r\nThank you, Madam Speaker.\r\nAnd thank you to our illustrious chair for your great work. Madam Speaker, later today in the Energy and Water Resources bill, it will include significant funding for a critical, bipartisan environment issue for my home state of Florida.\r\nKnown as the River of Grass, the Everglades is a 100-mile-long natural region of tropical wetlands that is the main source of water for millions of Floridians and visitors.\r\nIt contains one of Florida's, and America's, most popular national parks, it is home to hundreds of animal species.\r\nThe state of Florida and the federal government are engaged in a long-term undertaking to restore its natural flow and improve water quality.\r\nThis bill, Madam Speaker, includes $200 million to Everglades restoration, the largest allocation ever, by the federal government for this project.\r\nIt will help protect South Florida's magnificent ecosystem, keep our water safe, and drive our economy.\r\nThank you, and I yield back.\r\nFor video of the speech, click here. \r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3023", "ICYMI: Rep. Frankel Speaks on House Floor Ahead of Impeachment Vote", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Lois Frankel", "F000462", "frankel.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC  On Wednesday, Rep. Lois Frankel (FL-21) took to the House floor to support the articles of impeachment against President Donald J. Trump for his abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.\r\nBelow are Rep. Frankel's remarks as delivered:\r\nIn 1787 at the conclusion of the constitutional convention, Benjamin Franklin was asked, do we have a republic or a monarchy?\r\nHe responded: a Republic, if you can keep it.'\r\nMadam Speaker, a republic is a form of government in which the country is considered a public matter not the private concern or property of the rulers.\r\nIn a republic no person is above the law.\r\nIn a republic the president may not abuse his power by withholding critical foreign assistance for his own personal, political gain. Nor may he stop witnesses from talking.\r\nI did not come to Congress to impeach a president, but I did take an oath to keep the republic.\r\nFor our children and grandchildren, we should do nothing less.\r\nOne day I will tell my grandson that I stood up for our democracy. I will vote yes to impeach the President.\r\nFor video of the speech, click here. \r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3024", "Rep. Frankel Statement on Voting to Impeach President Trump", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Lois Frankel", "F000462", "frankel.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Frankel Statement on Voting to Impeach President Trump \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington,\r\n        December 18, 2019\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      Washington, DC  Rep. Lois Frankel (FL-21) issued the following statement after voting to impeach President Trump on the charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress:\r\n\r\nThe President of the United States abused his power by withholding critical foreign assistance for his own personal political benefit and then stoppingwitnesses from talking to Congress during a lawful investigation. His actions threatened our national security and undermined our elections. In a republic, no person is above the law. One day I will tell my grandson that I stood up for our democracy.\r\n\r\nBoth articles of impeachment passed the House. Article I on abuse of power passed by a vote of 230 to 197; Article II on obstruction of Congress by a vote of 229 to 198.\r\n\r\n###\r\n\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://gaetz.house.gov/media/in-the-news/rep-matt-gaetz-war-room-impeachment-setup-dems", "Rep. Matt Gaetz to 'War Room': Impeachment a 'Setup' by Dems", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Matt Gaetz", "G000578", "gaetz.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., told \"War Room: Impeachment\" live on Newsmax TV on Tuesday that the House impeachment probe was \"a setup orchestrated to distract the country from the lies that the Democrats told us about Russia.\"\n\"It was a straight-up setup,\" Gaetz, in his second term, told hosts Steve Bannon and Jason Miller. \"The Democrats have failed to meet their own standard.\n  \n\t\"The evidence wasn't good,\" he added. \"It wasn't direct evidence.\"\nThe House is scheduled to vote Wednesday on the articles of impeachment, obstruction of Congress and abuse of power, against President Donald Trump.\nIf approved, the articles will be sent to the Senate for adjudication in a trial overseen by U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts. Senators would then vote to acquit or convict, removing Trump from office.\nGaetz also asked Bannon and Miller for advice on how Republicans should approach the Senate action.\nBannon told Gaetz that the \"jury\" was instead \"the American people and a global audience,\" including America's enemies: Iran, China, North Korea, and Russia.\nBannon, the former White House chief strategist, called for \"a detailed trial\" with House Republicans like Gaetz \"who go after these witnesses.\n  \n\t\"An unconditional acquittal is still not as good as exoneration and vindication,\" Bannon said, because Democrats will try other tactics to remove Trump.\n\"They're not going to stop the fight until we drive the stake in the heart of it.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://gaetz.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-matt-gaetz-votes-no-impeachment", "Congressman Matt Gaetz Votes No on Impeachment", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Matt Gaetz", "G000578", "gaetz.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.Today, U.S. Congressman Matt Gaetz (FL-01) voted no on both articles of impeachment filed against President Donald Trump in the United States House of Representatives.\n\nPrior to the vote, Rep. Gaetz delivered a speech on the House floor, admonishing the Democrats for their partisan impeachment process, and giving his reasons for voting against impeachment.\n\nThe video of Rep. Gaetz speaking on the House floor, and remarks as prepared for delivery, can be found below.\n\nCLICK HERE TO WATCH REP. GAETZ'S REMARKS\n  REMARKS AS PREPARED FOR DELIVERY:\n\nThis isn't about Ukraine. It's about power. Donald Trump has it  and the Democrats want it. With no crime, no victim, no evidence, no proof, and no agenda for America, this impeachment charade has followed no rules, and adheres to no sense of honor.\n\nThe American people aren't fooled by dirty tricks. Americans will never forget that Democrats have been triggered into impeaching the President  simply because they don't like himand they don't like us.\n\nThose who vote yes on today's articles of impeachment must carry the heavy burden of shame and guilt, for as long as they serve in Congress  which won't be long, because Americans will remember in November.\n\nDemocrats would rather trip the President, just to see him stumble, than see America succeed.\n\nDemocrats would rather impeach the President than work together for the common good of our country and our citizens.\n\nThey have been pushing for Donald Trump's impeachment since before his inauguration.\n\nToday's vote is more about Democrats' hatred of Donald Trump than love of the Constitution.\n\nDemocrats may have won the House in 2018, but they haven't forgiven Donald Trump for having the audacity to win the Presidency  and they haven't forgiven you for voting for him.\n\nThe day before she was sworn into Congress, one member of this body said that she promised to impeach the mother******.\n\nShe's not alone. Trump's impeachment was plotted and planned before the ink was dry on his election certificate  and possibly before some Democrats could even find Ukraine on a map.\n\nIn seeking the chairmanship of the Judiciary Committee, the gentleman from New York said that he was the strongest member to lead a potential impeachment.\n\nDemocrats may not have known why they wanted to impeach the President, but they knew it was inevitable  facts be damned.\n\nThis impeachment is a slap in the face to the millions of Americans who voted for President Trump  the same Americans that Democrats in Washington DC have mocked for years as smelly Wal-Mart shoppers and deplorables.\n\nThis impeachment is below the dignity of the House.\n\nI will be voting no on this national disgrace, and encourage my colleagues to do the same.\n\n###\n\nFor updates, subscribe to Congressman Gaetz's newsletterhere.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lawson.house.gov/media/press-releases/congress-passes-future-act-to-help-fund-hbcus-msis", "Congress Passes FUTURE Act to Help Fund HBCUs, MSIs", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Al Lawson", "L000586", "lawson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 18, 2019\n\t\t\t Congress Passes FUTURE Act to Help Fund HBCUs, MSIs \n\t\t\t\r\nWASHINGTON, DC  U.S. Rep. Al Lawson (Fl-05) recently joined House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other members of Congress for the enrollment signing of H.R. 2486, the Fostering Undergraduate Talent Using Resources for Education (FUTURE) Act. The bipartisan proposal would make permanent $255 million in annual funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), and other Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs), as well as simplifying the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by eliminating up to 22 questions and allowing the Internal Revenue Service to share applicants' tax information directly with the U.S. Department of Education. It would also eliminate paperwork for federal student loan borrowers who use income-based repayment plans. \r\nMillions of our nation's best and brightest students rely on FUTURE Act funding to create pathways of opportunity for millions of Americans, many of whom are first generation college students, said Rep. Lawson.In Florida's 5th District, these funds will help to propel students at Florida A&M University and Edward Waters College for the high-tech, high-wage jobs of the future. \r\nThe FUTRE Act would provide the following: \r\n \r\n$85 million annually to HBCUs; and $15 million to PBIs, respectively\r\nHSIs would continue to receive $100 million in competitive grants\r\nAmerican Indian Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) would receive $30 million. \r\nAlaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions (ANNHs) would receive $15 million.\r\nAsian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs) would receive $15 million. \r\nNative American-Serving, Nontribal Institutions (NASNTIs) would receive $5 million.\r\n \r\nMSIs serve nearly 4 million students, accounting for more than one-quarter of all undergraduates. These institutions enroll a significant share of all students of color. For example, Hispanic Serving Institutions account for 13 percent of all non-profit colleges and universities, and yet enroll 60 percent of all Hispanic students. Similarly, these schools disproportionately enroll low-income students  two-thirds of students at HBCUs and more than half of students at Tribal Colleges or Universities (TCUs) receive Pell Grants, compared to only 38 percent of all students. \r\nAs our country becomes increasingly diverse, federal funding for these schools is more important than ever, Rep. Lawson said. As an graduate of FAMU, I understand first-hand the power of these institutions. The FUTURE Act will help to extend that privilege for generations to come.\r\n\r\n###\r\n \n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lawson.house.gov/media/press-releases/us-rep-al-lawson-statement-on-impeachment", "U.S. Rep. Al Lawson Statement on Impeachment", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Al Lawson", "L000586", "lawson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 18, 2019\n\t\t\t U.S. Rep. Al Lawson Statement on Impeachment \n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Rep. Al Lawson released the following statement regarding the impeachment of President Trump:\r\nIt is with no small measure of regret that Congress was forced to impeach the President of the United States. His continued abuse of power compelled us to take action and hold him accountable. The Senate should approach this with the seriousness it deserves and consistent with their oath. We have faced difficult times in the past, and today is no different.While this is a somber moment in our nation's history, I am hopeful that all of us -- Democrats and Republicans -- can begin to heal the divide across our country.\r\n### \n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/diaz-balart-rubio-scott-urge-miami-int-l-airport-to-protect-american", "Diaz-Balart, Rubio, Scott, Urge Miami Intl Airport to Protect American Aviation and Security Networks from China", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Mario Diaz-Balart", "D000600", "mariodiazbalart.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL-25) and U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Rick Scott (R-FL) raised concerns with Aviation Director and CEO of Miami International Airport Lester Sola regarding offers from firms, like CIMC-Tiiana, a Chinese state-backed enterprise, that may seek to undermine American aviation security and industrial competitiveness.\nIn the letter, the members note that CIMC-Tianda has already been found guilty of industrial espionage by a U.S. Federal District Court in Houston, TX. The decision ruled that CIMC-Tianda misled a company into a transfer of its business and design information as it relates to passenger boarding bridges. This information was later used by CIMC-Tianda to compete in the market with stolen intellectual property, at a significantly lower bid.\nThe full text of the letter is below.\nDear Mr. Sola:\nIt has recently come to our attention that Miami International Airport is considering awarding contracts for passenger boarding bridges to CIMC-Tianda, a Chinese firm and state-backed enterprise. As you evaluate bids to supply passenger boarding bridges and other components to the airport, we urge you to consider rejecting offers from firms that may seek to infiltrate and exploit American aviation and security networks.\nAs you are aware, aviation is a critical sector of our nation's infrastructure, with airports in particular emerging as a high priority target for sabotage and espionage by our adversaries. The increasing digitalization of aircraft systems and airport security procedures places the sensitive and personal information of American travelers at an increased exposure risk and creates new vulnerabilities for malign actors, like the Chinese regime, to exploit. It is vital to fully consider all security and privacy risks when considering whether to allow firms with ties to the Chinese regime to embed themselves within U.S. airports. Further, language included in the report for the Senate's funding bill for the Department of Transportation (S. 2520) specifically raises concerns over boarding bridges manufactured by foreign state-owned enterprises.\nAdditionally, CIMC-Tianda has already been found guilty of industrial espionage by a U.S. Federal District court in Houston, TX. The decision ruled that CIMC-Tianda misled a company into a transfer of its business and design information as it relates to passenger boarding bridges. This information was later used by CIMC-Tianda to compete in the market with stolen intellectual property, at a significantly lower bid.\nWhile equipment, such as passenger boarding bridges, from Chinese state-backed enterprises may boast attractive price tags, the associated security drawbacks are too serious to ignore. The Chinese regime, using state-funded and state-directed companies, has already targeted U.S. transit networks in an attempt to undermine American industrial capacity and national security. Congress has responded to this by approving language in the Conference Report for the National Defense Authorization Act (S. 1790/H.R. 2500) which bars federal funding from being used by local transit agencies to contract with Chinese state-sponsored entities for the procurement of rolling stock.\nWe thank you for your commitment to modernizing Miami International Airport and upgrading systems to ensure the safety, security, and comfort of travelers. As you do so, it is critical to identify technology and infrastructure components from untrusted and high-risk vendors, such as CIMC-Tianda. Thank you for your consideration of our concerns and we look forward to continuing this discussion.\nSincerely,\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/diaz-balart-this-impeachment-has-no-merit", "Diaz-Balart: This Impeachment Has No Merit", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Mario Diaz-Balart", "D000600", "mariodiazbalart.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart released the following statement regarding the passage of H. Res. 755 - Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors.\nThe United States Constitution grants Congress the power to impeach a president for high crimes and misdemeanors.' Before tonight, only two presidents had been impeached by Congress; President Andrew Johnson, for violating the Tenure of Office Act, in 1868, and William J. Clinton, for committing Perjury, in 1998. Both were impeached for clear violations of law. As history illustrates, impeachment is a remarkably divisive tool that should only be utilized in the most extreme cases, and after careful consideration and debate. There should not be any doubt about the high crimes and misdemeanors' that form the basis of an impeachment. As the facts demonstrate in this case, there were no violations of law, and therefore, this impeachment has no merit.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mast.house.gov/press-releases?ID=724FA96E-A551-46D5-A58C-33DE1167AF21", "Mast Statement On President Trump Impeachment", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Brian Mast", "M001199", "mast.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Congressman Brian Mast (FL-18) today released the following statement ahead of the House of Representatives voting to impeach President Donald Trump:\r\nFrom the start, this has not been about justice. It has been a pursuit of injustice, rooted in hatred of the President and disdain for the voters who elected him. From the very first minute that President Trump was sworn into office, Nancy Pelosi and her allies in Congress were so determined to override the results of the election that they would have impeached President Trump for leaving the toilet seat up. This is a disgraceful day for our country, and I couldn't be more opposed to this shameful attempt to circumvent the will of the American people.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mucarsel-powell.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=287", "Mucarsel-Powells Statement on the Impeachment of President Donald J. Trump", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Debbie Mucarsel-Powell", "M001207", "mucarsel-powell.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. Today,Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powellvoted in favor of H.Res 755, Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for High Crimes and Misdemeanors. The Congresswoman issued the following statement on the House floor during the debate of the resolution:\r\nI did not have the privilege of being born into this country. My mother brought me here from Ecuador for freedom and opportunity. This is not just my story. It is the story of so many people in Florida's 26th congressional district and across the country. As immigrants, we have experienced corruption in our countries of birth, where brutal dictatorships have choked their potential to benefit those in power.\r\nBut this President  elected by the American people  violated his oath of office and the rule of law. The evidence is overwhelming that he withheld military aid approved by Congress and leveraged a White House meeting to extract a political favor from a foreign government, only releasing the aid when he was caught. The President actively sought election interference to benefit himself. It's undeniable that he has abused his power and obstructed Congress. He presents a clear and present danger to the future of our democracy.\r\nWe, in Congress, must abide by our oath to defend our Constitution. That is my duty as a member of this body and that is my duty as a mother. It is because of these reasons that today I voted in favor of both articles of impeachment.\r\nFor House floor speech clickHERE\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://shalala.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2212", "Rep. Shalala Statement on President Trumps Proposal to Allow States to Import Drugs from Canada", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Donna Shalala", "S001206", "shalala.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Shalala Statement on President Trump's Proposal to Allow States to Import Drugs from Canada \r\n    \r\n     \r\n\r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      Washington,\r\n      December 18, 2019\r\n    \r\n     | \r\n    Carlos Condarco\r\n    (2022253931)\r\n  \r\n  \r\n\r\n  \r\n\r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n\r\n  \r\n    \r\n      WASHINGTON, DC  Today, Congresswoman Donna Shalala (FL-27) released the following statement after the Trump administration released a proposed rule on drug importation:\r\nPresident Trump is again asking a foreign country for assistancethis time on drug prices. The House of Representatives passed a bill to allow the federal government to negotiate for lower drug prices directly with pharmaceutical companies that is safer and better for the American people than this plan, but apparently the President doesn't have the courage to negotiate on his own as he promised during his campaign.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://shalala.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2213", "Rep. Shalala Statement on the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court Ruling in Texas v. United States", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Donna Shalala", "S001206", "shalala.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC  Today, Congresswoman Donna Shalala (FL-27) released the following statement after the U.S.Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a ruling declaring the Affordable Care Act's (ACA) individual mandate unconstitutional:\r\nI am deeply disappointed with the ruling handed down by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. More than 100,000 people in my district, alone, rely on this law for access to quality, affordable health insurance. From the moment the Affordable Care Act was passed into law, the Republican party has led a continuous assault on its lifesaving provisions that impact millions of Americans.\r\nThose with preexisting conditions, whether they get their health insurance through the marketplaces or from their employers, are especially at risk. We must keep fighting to protect the ACA for our fellow citizens whose health care and lives depend on it.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://spano.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2351", "Spano Opposes Latest Effort to Remove President Without Cause", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Ross Spano", "S001210", "spano.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Spano Opposes Latest Effort to Remove President Without Cause \r\n    \r\n     \r\n\r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      Washington,\r\n      December 18, 2019\r\n    \r\n    \r\n    \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n\r\n  \r\n\r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n\r\n  \r\n    \r\n      Representative Ross Spano (Florida-15) released the following statement regarding his decision to vote no on H. Res. 755, a resolution to remove President Donald Trump from office.\r\nToday, I voted against the impeachment of President Trump because it isclear that this impeachment isfueledbyhearsay andpartisan motive, not fact.The transcript of the call showed no conditions were placed on U.S aid to Ukraine, Presidents Trump andZelenskyhave said there was no pressure, and Ukraine received theiraid without taking any actions.Thearticles of impeachment allege President Trump abused the power of his office and obstructed Congress, butthe only abuse of power I've seen is from theHouseMajority.\r\nThe Majority has failed to deliver for the American people. They failed to pass a budget on time, failed to pass the spending bills on time, and have failed to deliver bipartisan policies that will help improve the lives of Americans. Instead, they have spent the past 12 months fishing for something, anything, to undo the 2016 Presidential Election.\r\nIt's time for this nightmare to end and for us to move forward. We are here to serve the American people, and we need to get back to putting them first.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://stephaniemurphy.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1191", "House Approves Government Funding Bills that Include Key Murphy Priorities", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Stephanie Murphy", "M001202", "stephaniemurphy.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "House Approves Government Funding Bills that Include Key Murphy Priorities\r\n  \r\n    \r\n      Legislation is likely to become law in the coming days\r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington,\r\n        December 18, 2019\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      WASHINGTONThe U.S. House of Representatives this week approved two bipartisan bills to fund the federal government through Sept. 30, 2020, which contain numerous measures spearheaded by U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy of Winter Park, Fla. These include Murphy-led measures to fund gun violence research, to help states secure their election infrastructure, to combat harmful algae blooms, to empower the people of Venezuela as they seek to reclaim their country from the regime of Nicols Maduro, to prevent youth suicide, to protect seniors and other consumers from fraud, to crack down on drug trafficking in Florida and Puerto Rico, to support English-language learners in Florida schools, to support Orlando's modeling and simulation community, and to help workers save for retirement. The funding bills also included a historic pay raise for service members, something Murphy has long supported.The U.S. House of Representatives passed the two spending bills with bipartisan support, which will now be considered by the U.S. Senate. Current funding for the federal government expires at midnight on Friday.Keeping the government open and investing in our defense and domestic priorities is our most basic responsibility as Members of Congress,said Murphy.I'm proud to have secured these critical federal investments that will help make our communities safer, our environment cleaner, our elections more secure, and our local economy more prosperous for all. This is why bipartisan cooperation is so important; it's the only way to get results for the people I represent. From pay raises for our troops to bringing home federal dollars, I will never stop fighting for central Florida families.The following are some of the Murphy-led measures that were included in the final bills:\r\n\r\n    Gun Violence Prevention:the bills include $25 million for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to sponsor independent research into ways to reduce gun violence. In her first term in office, Murphy led thesuccessful effortto repeal the longstanding ban on federally-sponsored research in this area, and now she has helped secure the funding necessary to conduct this research. \r\n    Election Security:the bills include $425 million for the U.S. Election Assistance Commission to provide grants to states to help them secure their election infrastructure, the most ever provided for this purpose. The Murphy-led Blue Dog Coalitionled the chargein urging congressional leaders to provide enhanced election security funding. \r\n    Harmful Algae Blooms:the bills includetwo Murphy-led measuresdesigned to address harmful algae blooms (HABs), which are particularly problematic in Florida and can be detrimental to human health, water quality, recreation and tourism, and the broader economy. The first measure increases funding for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to research ways to reduce HABs, while the second measure provides NOAA with $1 million to sponsor a much-needed study on the economic impacts of HABs, both nationally and in hard-hit states like Florida.\r\n    Promoting Democracy in Venezuela:the bills include an unprecedented $30 million to fund U.S. efforts to bolster democracy, support independent media, promote human rights and the rule of law, and reveal the failings of the Maduro regime in Venezuela, all of which advance U.S. national security interests. This accomplishment comes on the heels of Murphy and other members of the Florida congressional delegationsecuring a $3 million increasein funding for this same purpose in the House version of the bill and thenurging congressional leadersto provide the highest level of funding feasible in the final version of the bill. \r\n    Youth Suicide Prevention:the bills include critical funding for states, communities, and schools to prevent youth suicide, which is now the second leading cause of death among young people in the United States. Earlier this year, the Murphy-ledFuture Forum secureda $2 million increase for the Garrett Lee Smith Youth Suicide Prevention grant program, which funds education and support services for vulnerable students in K-12 schools, colleges and universities, foster care systems, and juvenile justice systems.\r\n    Protecting Seniors and Other Consumers from Fraud:the bills include a Murphy-led provision that increases funding for the U.S. Secret Service to combat credit card skimming, which involves the installation of electronic devices, typically at gas station pumps or ATM machines, that steal encoded information from debit and credit cards. Orlando is one the cities where credit card skimming is most prevalent.\r\n    Combatting Drug Trafficking in Florida and Puerto Rico:the bills include languageauthored by Murphy and Puerto Rico Rep. Jenniffer Gonzlez-Colonto combat drug trafficking and related violence in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Florida.The language directs the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) to prepare and publish an updated Caribbean Border Counternarcotics Strategy, which will help crack down on drug traffickers and criminal networks that use Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands as an illicit transit route into Florida and other states along the eastern seaboard.\r\n    Supporting Programs to Help Students Learn English: the bills include an unprecedented level of funding for the U.S. Department of Education to provide grants to states and school districts to improve English-language programs,as Murphy requested. This funding increase could help pave the way for passage ofa bill that Murphy introducedwith Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., to amend the current grant formula so that it fully takes into account Spanish-speaking students who relocate from Puerto Rico to Florida or another U.S. state.\r\n    Strengthening the Modeling and Simulation Community in Orlando:the bills robustly fund three important Department of Defense accounts that make investments in simulation technology to help service members train for their missions. As co-chair of the Modeling & Simulation Caucus in Congress, Murphy led the effort to preserve funding for these accounts, which the Administration and the Senate had proposed to cut.\r\n    Helping Workers Save for Retirement: the bills include the full text of Murphy's legislation, H.R. 1874, which requires employers to allow long-term, part-time employees to participate in a company 401(k) plan, subject to certain qualifications. Under current law, employers may generally exclude part-time employees when providing a defined contribution plansuch as a 401(k) planto their employees. This harms many workers, especially women, because women are more likely than men to work part-time.\r\n\r\n###\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://steube.house.gov/media/press-releases/steube-statement-house-impeachment-vote-0", "Steube Statement on House Impeachment Vote", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Greg Steube", "S001214", "steube.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.Today, Congressman Greg Steube (FL-17) released the following statement after the House of Representatives' vote on the Articles of Impeachment for President Donald J. Trump:\n\"Tonight, I voted no on the Articles of Impeachment for President Donald J. Trump. This impeachment charade was riddled with procedural failures, denials of due process, and partisan games. The facts are clear, the president has not committed an impeachable offense, and certainly not a high crime or misdemeanor as the Democrats allege. I urge the Senate to quickly evaluate the lack of evidence and acquit the president, so we can all focus on improving the lives of Americans instead of further dividing our nation.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://waltz.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=133", "Rep. Waltz on Impeachment: Nothing in President Trumps Call Rises to Level of High Crimes and Misdemeanors", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Michael Waltz", "W000823", "waltz.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Waltz on Impeachment: Nothing in President Trump's Call Rises to Level of High Crimes and Misdemeanors \r\n    \r\n     \r\n\r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      Washington,\r\n      December 18, 2019\r\n    \r\n    \r\n    \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n\r\n  \r\n\r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n\r\n  \r\n    \r\n      WASHINGTON, D.C.  On Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz (R-Fla.) addressed the U.S. House of Representatives to discuss his opposition to the impeachment of President Donald J. Trump. \r\nI'm a Green Beret and a proud veteran  but this process does not make me proud. I've fought all over the world  from Africa to Afghanistan  and seen fairer and more transparent processes than this. Since Democrats lost the election in 2016, they've been focused on impeaching this President. Meanwhile, we have not solved the problems America entrusted us to solve, [like] immigration, healthcare [and] infrastructure. Nothing in President Trump's call rises to the levels of high crimes and misdemeanors. For that reason, I'll be voting against impeachment today.\r\nClick below to watch Rep. Waltz's remarks:", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://waltz.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=134", "Waltz Statement Opposing Impeachment", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Michael Waltz", "W000823", "waltz.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  On Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz (R-Fla.) issued the following statement on his decision to vote against the impeachment of President Donald J. Trump:\r\n It's a shame that impeaching President Trump has been Democrats' number one priority since they lost the election in 2016, well before the current charges regarding Ukraine. For the past three months, Speaker Pelosi has rushed through a secretive, unfair, partisan and incredibly divisive impeachment process. We should all be working together to keep our economy the strongest it's ever been, keep Americans safe from our enemies overseas and make the American Dream real. \r\n While Democrats have been distracted and moving full-speed ahead with impeachment, they waited nearly a year to vote on the USMCA trade deal and have yet to tackle major issues in a serious way, like our growing federal debt, fixing our broken immigration system, protecting Social Security and Medicare, reforming our healthcare system and modernizing our infrastructure. I will vote against impeachment today because I believe we need to focus on our jobs in Congress rather than taking this President out of office. Let the American people decide our next President in the 2020 election.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://webster.house.gov/press-releases?ID=ADBBFBBE-A529-4BA1-BCEB-22D8BBFF9126", "Webster: A Paucity of Evidence", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Daniel Webster", "W000806", "webster.house.gov", "webster", "https://webster.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2013 Florida Congressman Daniel Webster, R-Clermont, released the following statement on the sham-impeachment of President Trump.\n\n\u201cTo quote Professor Jonathan Turley, \u2018a paucity of evidence, but an abundance of anger\u2019 has driven this impeachment against President Trump. None of the witnesses or evidence confirmed Democrats\u2019 allegations of quid pro quo, bribery, or extortion. The Articles of Impeachment exposes the bad faith of House Democrats. Blinded by their hatred of a duly-elected President, House Democrats are ignoring the facts and the role of the judicial branch in Article III of the U.S. Constitution. The constitution specifically empowers our federal courts to serve as the umpire in disputes between the legislative and executive branches. This impeachment and today\u2019s vote are not about facts or the constitution, it is about overturning and blocking the will of American voters.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:45:33Z"], ["https://wilson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/wilson-statement-on-vote-to-impeach-trump", "Wilson Statement on Vote to Impeach Trump", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Frederica Wilson", "W000808", "wilson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson issued the following statement after the House voted to impeach President Donald J. Trump:\nPresident Trump had to be impeached. He does not deserve to occupy the highest office in this land. He is a disgrace to our Founding Fathers, our constituents and our children.\nThe elephant (pun intended) in the room is Russia.\nMy regret is that we do not yet know what Russia and Putin have on Trump to cause him to serve as a puppet for the communist nation. I eagerly await the answer to that question.\nBut whatever this foreign adversary has on Trump, he is now the third president in U.S. history to be impeached by the House. And, I believe that when Trump ultimately leaves office, he will be indicted in federal court and we will get our answers.\nHe will face trial for financial crimes and collusion with Russia and will ultimately be found guilty and sentenced to prison.\nI await that day.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/sen-rick-scott-government-misfires-funding-arts", "Sen. Rick Scott: Government Misfires in Funding the Arts", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Rick Scott", "S001217", "www.rickscott.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, Senator Rick Scott released an episode of his series in partnership with the Heritage Foundation: How Washington Wastes Your Money. See previous Washington Waste Wednesday features HERE.\nToday's episode focuses on what happens when Washington gets involved in the arts  waste and misuse of taxpayer dollars. We all can support research and appreciate the arts, but the federal government spends $300 million a year on arts and humanities, including funding expensive projects that don't provide any return on investment for taxpayers.\nFor example, this year's spending bills include $25 million for the operation, maintenance and security of the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. and a $7.25 million increase in funding for the National Endowment for the Arts, the largest increase in a decade. These spending increases might be nice to have, but with $23 trillion in national debt, Congress needs to make some tough choices.\n \nSee more in the video HERE or below.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/sen-rick-scott-passes-resolution-honoring-victims-naval-air-station-pensacola-shooting", "Sen. Rick Scott Passes Resolution Honoring Victims of Naval Air Station Pensacola Shooting", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Rick Scott", "S001217", "www.rickscott.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, Senator Rick Scott joined Senators Marco Rubio, David Perdue, Johnny Isakson, Richard Shelby and Doug Jones to pass a resolution honoring the victims of the tragic shooting at Naval Air Station Pensacola on December 6th, 2019. Senator Scott also honored the victims in a speech on the Senate floor. \nWatch Senator Scott's speech and read his full remarks as prepared for delivery below.\nToday, we come together to honor the courage of our brave men and women in uniform  our heroes  and to remember the victims of the tragic terrorist attack that took place at Naval Air Station Pensacola on the morning of Friday, December 6th. \nI'd like to thank my colleagues, Senators Rubio, Perdue, Isakson, Shelby, and Jones for standing with me today as we honor the sacrifice and memory of the 3 victims and their families:\nAirman Mohammed Sameh Haitham, known to friends and family as Mo, just 19-years-old from St. Petersburg, Florida, a great athlete who loved to make others laugh.\nEnsign Joshua Kaleb Watson of Enterprise, Alabama, a 23-year-old natural born leader and selfless volunteer who lifted others up. Joshua died a hero after giving first responders information on the shooter's location while he was mortally wounded.\nAnd Airman Apprentice Cameron Scott Walters of Richmond Hill, Georgia, just 21-years-old with a contagious smile whose dream was to serve his country.\nOur sailors and law enforcement officials showed heroism and bravery in the face of evil as they ran towards the shooter that day, saving lives. \nAnd our first responders, who came to the swift aid of those in need: thank you.\nToday, the state of Florida stands united around the community of Pensacola and the families of the victims as we pray for healing.\nAnd I join my colleagues as we do everything we can to prevent future terrorist attacks.\nThank you.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/senator-rick-scott-applauds-moffitt-cancer-center-taking-decisive-action-end-chinese-influence", "Senator Rick Scott Applauds Moffitt Cancer Center for Taking Decisive Action to End Chinese Influence", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Rick Scott", "S001217", "www.rickscott.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, Senator Rick Scott released the following statement after the Moffitt Cancer Center announced that several members of its leadership team resigned after connections were discovered with Communist China's Thousand Talents Program. This investigation was the direct result of a letter Senator Scott sent this month to Florida university presidents urging them to protect national security by safeguarding U.S. research from Communist China.\nSenator Rick Scott said, I applaud Lee Moffitt and the board of directors of Florida's H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute for their proactive leadership in taking swift and decisive action against these individuals, who had an improper and undisclosed relationship with the Communist Chinese government. According to the U.S. Senate Homeland Security Committee, the Thousand Talents Program incentivizes individuals engaged in research and development in the United States to transmit the knowledge and research they gain here to China in exchange for salaries, research funding, lab space, and other incentives.' We should all be very concerned about the threat of Communist China and its attempts to steal U.S. research and intellectual property. We have to remain vigilant and proactive, and I will to continue to work with universities, hospitals and businesses to make sure they are protected. \n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://yoho.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/yoho-votes-no-on-articles-of-impeachment", "Yoho Votes No on Articles of Impeachment", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Ted Yoho", "Y000065", "yoho.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  Congressman Ted S. Yoho (R-FL) released the following statement after voting against both articles of impeachment.\nIn March of this year, Speaker Pelosi said the following, Impeachment is so divisive to the country that unless there's something so compelling and overwhelming and bipartisan, I don't think we should go down that path, because it divides the country. The past three months have been anything but bipartisan. Speaker Pelosi and her Democrats have pushed through a flawed, partisan crusade to remove President Trump from office. In truth, the efforts to remove the President began in January 2017. So tonight, we are faced with a vote to impeach- eleven months before the American people decided for themselves who the next president will be.\nForget about facts and fairness, the efforts of House Democrats on the Intelligence and Judiciary Committees already had their minds made up as they rushed the process. After the Mueller report came up blank, there was a need to find something, anything, to pin on the President. Or, as Rep. Al Green said on May 6, 2019, I'm concerned that if we don't impeach this president, he will get re-elected. This whole process has felt predetermined.\n\"The impeachment of a sitting president for high crimes and misdemeanors' is something we should take very seriously. President George Washington warned the Republic over 200 years ago about political parties using impeachment for political gain by saying, However, political parties, may now and then answer popular ends,[but] they are likely in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government.\n\"I agree that no one is above the law. However, under the articles of impeachment that were laid before us tonight, I feel there was no evidence to impeach President Trump. Today is a day that will live in infamy as a stain on our Republic. Speaker Pelosi along with rank and file Democrats divided our nation over partisan hatred of a duly elected President. Today is a regrettable day. Now, the Senate will decide. May God guide our Republic.\n\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=403152", "Castor Statement on House Passage of 2020 Appropriations Bills", "2019-12-17", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Kathy Castor", "C001066", "castor.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) issued the following statement on the passage the FY2020 appropriations bills.\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) issued the following statement on the passage the FY2020 appropriations bills:\r\nHardworking families, service members, seniors, students and veterans in Tampa Bay stand to benefit from investments in their lives reflected in the federal appropriations package. Our major economic engines like Moffitt Cancer Center, University of South Florida, Port Tampa Bay, and Tampa International Airport are poised to grow with good-paying jobs, medical research funding, environmental protection and a strong commitment to public education. Importantly, Congress rejected President Trump's misguided cuts to schools, health care, infrastructure, and environmental protection and clean energy programs - and thankfully he did not shut down the government over policy disagreements this year.\r\nThe Democratic-led House secured priorities to ensure our national and domestic security and support our neighbors, including: appropriating gun violence prevention research funding for the first time in more than 20 years, prioritizing the Environmental Protection Agency with a record-level budget, providing election security grants for states including Florida, fully funding the 2020 census, providing record-level funding for the National Institutes of Health, which will bolster cancer research at Moffitt Cancer Center, and increasing funding for initiatives that support the next generation, including Head Start, Child Care and Development Block Grants.\r\nMy hometown, Tampa, is a patriotic community, and this spending package secures critical funding for MacDill Air Force Base, the two combatant commands headquartered there, veterans, service members and their families. I am pleased that my language to provide relief to military families, including those at MacDill, who have been harmed by mold in base housing due to shoddy construction by contractors was included in this package.Importantly, we fought for a 3.1% pay increase  the biggest hike in a decade - for military personnel.\r\nHighlights of funding increases and investments that will impact Tampa Bay:\r\n \r\n    3.1% pay increase for military personnel, including service members at MacDill AFB.\r\n    $9.7 billion to fund SOCOM's operation and maintenance requirements.\r\n    Provides relief to military families, including MacDill families. The Department of Defense is directed to ensure that families who have suffered as a result of negligent maintenance, mold, asbestos, radon, faulty electrical wiring, and other safety and health threats are made whole.\r\n    $41.7 billion for NIH, an increase of $2.6 billion from FY19.\r\n    $125 million above the budget request for the Veterans Benefits Administration for hiring additional claims and appellate staff, and overtime pay in order to continue reducing the disability claims backlog.\r\n    A record-setting $9 billion Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) budget.\r\n    Extends the National Flood Insurance Program through September 30, 2020.\r\n    $80.2 billion for VA Medical Care, including $222 million in suicide prevention outreach.\r\n    Extends and increases Medicaid funding to our fellow Americans in Puerto Rico and the territories for two years.\r\n    $2.8 billion for Energy Efficiency & Renewables initiatives, a $411 million increase over FY19.\r\n    Extends Brand USA authorization through 2027.\r\n    $40 million for Explosive Detection System Reimbursements for airports  including $12.7 million for Tampa Airport.\r\n    $8 billion for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)  $636 million above the 2019 enacted level.\r\n    $12.9 billion for the Federal Transit Administration, including $510 million for Transit Infrastructure Grants, $75 million for low- and no-emission buses, and $8.5 million for areas of persistent poverty.\r\n    $3.79 billion for Army Corps of Engineers operation and maintenance - including $8.53 million for Tampa.\r\n    $944 million, an increase of $17 million, for programs to improve maternal and child health, including an additional $5 million to reduce maternal mortality.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://teddeutch.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=402712", "Deutch Statement on Passage of Bipartisan FY20 Spending Agreement", "2019-12-17", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Ted Deutch", "D000610", "teddeutch.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Following passage of the bipartisan spending agreement for fiscal year 2020, Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-22) issued this statement:\"The American people elected a new majority in the House, one that would work with Republicans while standing firm on Democratic values to make our country healthier and stronger. With this bipartisan spending bill, Congress is investing in initiatives to prevent gun violence, protect our environment, expand access to healthcare, and care for our veterans at risk of homelessness and suicide. \"Our gun safety majority secured historic wins to keep communities safe from gun violence. After more than 20 years of being blocked from basic research, Congress will fund $25 million for gun violence research at the Centers for Disease Control and National Institutes of Health. We are devoting $125 million to STOP School Violence Act grants, a bipartisan bill I introduced that first passed Congress one month after the tragedy at Stoneman Douglas High School. In addition, Congress is providing the Department of Justice $78.3 million to improve the NICS firearms background check system. \"This spending bill affects us directly in Florida. Congress is extending the National Flood Insurance Program, which helps stabilize flood insurance premiums for Floridians. It also provides $1.8 billion for disaster relief for natural disasters, including hurricanes that devastated our state. We emphasize the growing threats of climate change by increasing the budgets for NOAA's National Ocean Service, National Weather Service, and climate research initiatives. And continuing our commitment to strengthen our democracy, we directed $425 million for election security grants.  \"Congress is making investments to improve the health, education, and well-being of Americans. For example, we are raising the minimum age for purchasing tobacco to 21. In addition, we are making important investments in medical research to continue progress toward the next generation of treatments and cures for diseases like Alzheimer's, HIV/AIDS, cancer, and others. We are making higher education more accessible to lower-income students by increasing the maximum Pell Grant to $6,345. This legislation also brings stability to the SNAP program to ensure that Americans who are struggling with food insecurity receive the help they need to feed their families. \"We are directing $75 million to implement the First Step Act, a major bipartisan law to reform our criminal justice system. To help more lower-income Americans access legal representation, we are increasing the budget of the Federal Defender Services to $1.23 billion and the Legal Services Corporation to $440 million. \"We are funding the Legal Orientation Programs to help people navigating the immigration court process. We fought against Republican efforts to increase ICE's detention bed mandate and fought to secure $319 million for Alternatives to Detention, an increase of $44.6 million. \"Congress is reaffirming American priorities in our foreign policy. The spending bill funds full security assistance for Israel pursuant to the Memorandum of Understanding signed during the Obama Administration, including vital funding for Iron Dome, David's Sling, and Arrow. The bill strengthens security in Israel and the West Bank by restoring humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people. It also includes my Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act, a bipartisan bill to highlight and support the growing partnership in the eastern Mediterranean between Israel, Greece, and Cyprus. \"In our own hemisphere, the bill provides crucial funding for improving security and stability in Colombia, Mexico, and Central American countries, and support for democracy as Venezuelans suffer under the Maduro regime. We also fund important efforts to counter Russian and Chinese influence globally. \"Amid a deeply troubling rise in violent and deadly anti-Semitic attacks across our country, Congress directs $90 million for Homeland Security non-profit security grants for institutions like synagogues and Jewish Community Centers to strengthen security measures. \"How Congress allocates federal funds is a reflection of our values and priorities. I'm proud of this spending bill that shows the American people how Democrats and Republicans can work together to make our nation safer, healthier, and stronger.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=B7778106-2D95-4C30-9B32-F0A13C478327", "Rubio Applauds Senate Passage of FY20 NDAA, Securing Critical Provisions for Florida", "2019-12-17", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) applauded the Senate passage of the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) conference report, which includes the Fiscal Year 2020 Intelligence Authorization Act and critical provisions for Florida. The Senate's action sends the final conference report to President Trump for signature.Today, the Senate passed the NDAA conference report, ensuring the brave men and women serving in our nation's armed forces and intelligence community have access to critical resources and authorities needed for our national security. It also grants our service men and women their largest pay raise in a decade, Rubio said. Florida continues to be a priority in this NDAA, with funding for military construction projects across the state, including the recovery of Tyndall Air Force Base. The legislation also included the Intelligence Authorization Act, which includes provisions to strengthen our Intelligence Community, safeguard our elections, and better position our country to defend against Chinese, Russian, and other foreign threats.The FY20 NDAA supports a total of $738 billion in funding for our national defense, provides for a 3.1 percent pay raise  the largest in a decade  for uniformed service members, prioritizes investments in research and engineering, invests the necessary resources to achieve the goals in the most recent National Defense Strategy, and authorizes more than $1.5 billion in funding for Tyndall Air Force Base to continue reconstruction following Hurricane Michael's devastation. The bill also includes several provisions aimed at addressing the military housing situation, including the creation of a Military Tenant Bill of Rights, increased oversight, and a fair dispute resolution process for military tenants. The FY20 NDAA also includes a three-year phased repeal of the requirement that Survivor Benefit Plan payments be reduced by Dependency and Indemnity Compensation payments.Rubio supported provisions in the FY20 NDAA:Disaster Recovery\r\n\r\nThe bill authorizes over $1.5 billion for the reconstruction of Tyndall Air Force Base and includes a Sense of Congress calling for the restoration of the base using innovative construction methods, materials, designs, and technologies in order to achieve efficiencies, cost savings, resiliency, and capability. This reconstruction is allowed to open architecture design to evolve with the national defense strategy and efficient ergonomic enterprise for members of the Air Force in the 21st century.\r\n\r\nMilitary Construction\r\n\r\nThe FY20 NDAA supports $192 million in funding for Military Construction projects across Florida in additional to disaster-related funding.\r\n\r\nPay Raise\r\n\r\nThe Conference report pays particular attention to family support, including providing for a 3.1 percent pay raise (the largest increase in a decade), extending special pay and bonuses for service members.\r\n\r\nPaid Family Leave\r\n\r\nThe conference agreement provides 12 weeks of paid parental leave to all federal civilian employees.\r\n\r\nMilitary Family Housing\r\n\r\nThe NDAA implements the most substantial overhaul of the Privatized Military Housing Initiative since its creation in 1996. These reforms address the considerable gaps in oversight and accountability seen at all levels of housing management from ineffective housing offices, to substandard property management, to under-engaged military leadership. The conference report requires the Pentagon to establish a Tenant Bill of Rights that sets minimum acceptable livability standards, requires better communication, creates greater transparency, addresses establishment of a formal dispute resolution process, bans the use of non-disclosure agreements as a condition of moving out of military housing, and enhances protections against reprisal. Specifically, the conference report:\r\n\r\nRequires the Department to establish a standardized assessment tool to be used in evaluating military housing for certain risks, including lead and mold;\r\nDirects each military service to develop guidelines for a dispute resolution process to include the ability to withhold Basic Allowance for Housing until the dispute is resolved;\r\nIncreases transparency for families by requiring disclosure of major repairs/remediation prior to lease signing;\r\nReinforces the need for the Government Housing Office to be present as the advocate for military families;\r\nRequires new quality control measures and increases health and hazard inspections;\r\nAuthorizes additional funding to ensure installation housing offices are properly staffed;\r\nProvides for a temporary direct hiring authority for government housing personnel to increase oversight of private contractors; and\r\nSuspends the Resident Energy Conservation Program until the Secretary of Defense can certify that homes are accurately metered.\r\n\r\n\r\nMade in Florida\r\n\r\nThe FY20 NDAA authorizes the following programs which are operated, produced in or supported in some form in Florida:\r\n\r\nSupports the budget request for 73 UH-60M Blackhawks, 48 AH-64 Apaches, 9 MH-47G Chinooks, 6 CH-53K King Stallions, 12 HH-60W Combat Rescue Helicopters, and 6 MQ-1 Gray Eagles;\r\nIncludes an additional $28 million for the CH-47 Block II program and preserves the option for the Army to buy this helicopter in future years;\r\nProhibits the retirement of RC-135 and KC-10 aircraft;\r\nExpands maritime patrol by adding three additional P-8 Poseidon and one E-2D Hawkeye aircraft;\r\nIncreases intertheater airlift by adding four additional C-130 Hercules aircraft;\r\nFully supports the Air Force UH-1N utility helicopter replacement program;\r\nSupports the Army budget request for 131 Armored Multipurpose Vehicles, 152 Stryker Combat Vehicles, and 165 Abrams Tanks; and\r\nProvides for additional funding for Army medium and heavy tactical trucks.\r\nAuthorizes an additional $1 billion for 12 additional F-35A aircraft to address an identified Air Force unfunded requirement and accelerate delivery of needed 5th generation capability and $440 million for the purchase of additional F-35s originally ordered by Turkey;\r\nProvides the necessary authority for buying F-35 long lead spare parts in bulk to help achieve better cost savings for the F-35 program and authorizes buy-to-budget authority to capitalize on lower unit cost savings;\r\nSupports the budget request for 10 F-35B and 20 F-35C 5th generation strike fighters to help address Navy and Marine Corps strike fighter shortfalls;\r\nSupports the budget request for 24 F/A-18E/F Super Hornets to help address Navy strike fighter shortfalls;\r\nSupports full funding for the B-21 long-range strike aircraft development;\r\nSupports the budget request for 8 F-15EX aircraft to begin replacing aging aircraft while also enhancing congressional oversight of the program;\r\nSupports nearly $1 billion for the Air Force Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) Program ensuring U.S. air superiority for our future;\r\nAuthorizes an additional $249.2 million for the Stryker combat vehicle medium caliber weapon system, an identified Army unfunded requirement.\r\n\r\n\r\nFeres Doctrine\r\n\r\nWhile the NDAA does not repeal the Feres doctrine, it authorizes the Secretary of Defense to allow, settle, and pay an administrative claim against the United States for personal injury or death of a member of the uniformed services that was the result of medical malpractice caused by a Department of Defense health care provider.\r\n\r\nIndustrial Base\r\n\r\nThe FY20 NDAA enables the DoD to assess and mitigate risks to its supply chain posed by advanced intelligence services like China and Russia that seek to exploit vulnerabilities to erode our military advantage. The NDAA:\r\n\r\nModernizes risk assessment and mitigation across DOD's contracting processes to strengthen decision-making about which suppliers to use;\r\nStrengthens reporting to Congress on key industrial base vulnerabilities and plans to address them, including with partners and allies.\r\nImproves insight to and mitigation of risks posed by foreign ownership, control and influence of defense contractors;\r\nImproves insight to contractors' adherence to law and regulation pertaining to human rights and human trafficking, workplace safety, labor standards, sexual harassment, and fraud;\r\nReduces reliance on foreign sources of rare earth minerals;\r\nRepairs microelectronics supply chain security; and\r\nEnhances manufacturing and small business innovation.\r\n\r\n\r\nGuantanamo Bay Detention Facility\r\n\r\nThe FY20 NDAA prohibits transferring GTMO detainees to the U.S., transferring GTMO detainees to certain other countries, constructing or modifying new detention centers in the United States, or on closing or relinquishing control of GTMO. The NDAA also establishes a Chief Medical Officer to oversee the medical care provided to individuals detained at Guantanamo Bay, reporting directly to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs.\r\n\r\nCounternarcotics\r\n\r\nThe FY20 NDAA provides $945 million for drug interdiction and counter-drug activities. It also requires an assessment of the impact of any planned or proposed border wall construction would have on the volume of illegal narcotics entering the United States. Finally, it adopts the Fentanyl Sanctions Act, which implements a number of economic and financial sanctions to cripple the operations of foreign traffickers of opioids.\r\n\r\nIntelligence Authorization\r\n\r\nThe FY20 NDAA includes three years of Intelligence Authorization Act (IAA), which authorizes critical intelligence and intelligence-related activities for Fiscal Year 2018, 2019, and 2020 to ensure the Intelligence Community is postured to effectively address the growing array of threats to our national security. Further, the IAA seeks to deter Russian and other foreign influence in our U.S. elections by requiring assessments of foreign intelligence threats to Federal elections and a strategy for countering Russian cyber threats to U.S. elections.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe IAA also addresses challenges to the Intelligence Community's supply chain by requiring an Intelligence Community-led task force to protect against counterintelligence threats from countries such as Russia and China and requires accountability for foreign threats to our infrastructure before entering into foreign intelligence sharing agreements. The bill also focuses on the security of the homeland by requiring relevant intelligence agencies to conduct a strategic intelligence assessment of domestic terrorism threats\r\n\r\nPFAS/PFOA\r\n\r\nThe NDAA prohibits the use of firefighting foam containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) after October 1, 2024, with an exception for shipboard use, and immediately prohibits the uncontrolled release of fluorinated aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) and the use of AFFF in training exercises at military installations. The conference agreement encourages the Secretary of Defense to finalize cooperative agreements with states to address contamination by these substances and authorizes the National Guard to access Defense Environmental Remediation Account funds for the limited purpose of addressing PFOS and PFOA exposure and contamination resulting from National Guard activities in and around National Guard bases.\r\n\r\nDeterring Foreign Influence in Elections\r\n\r\nCounters aggression from Russia and other foreign actors by increasing capabilities to detect Russian activities, including active measures campaigns and illicit financial transactions;\r\nSecures elections from foreign meddling by requiring assessments of Russian cyber threats and influence campaigns, and facilitating information sharing between state, local, and Federal officials;\r\nSupports the IC's role in countering Russian propaganda by creating an independent Social Media Data and Threat Analysis Center;\r\n\r\n\r\nRequires the DNI to designate a national counterintelligence (CI) officer within the National Counterintelligence Security Center (NCSC) to lead election security-related CI matters; and\r\nExpresses Congress's view that WikiLeaks resembles a non-state hostile intelligence service.\r\n\r\nIncreased Oversight of Russian and Chinese Activities\r\n\r\nRequires ongoing notifications of travel by certain Russian Federation personnel in the U.S. and any potential active measures campaigns conducted by those individuals;\r\nRequires reporting on foreign surveillance of U.S. telecommunications networks; and\r\nRequires reporting on Chinese influence campaigns directed at Taiwan, including United States actions to disrupt such operations, as well as reporting on surveillance technologies.\r\n\r\nProtection of IC Supply Chain from Foreign Counterintelligence Threats\r\n\r\nRequires a DNI-created task force to protect IC supply chains from foreign CI risks from Russia, China, and other adversaries;\r\nRequires the IC to account for foreign threats to our infrastructure before entering into foreign intelligence sharing agreements; and\r\nRequires reporting on national security risks from foreign investments.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://buchanan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/buchanan-proposal-sanction-china-deadly-fentanyl-exports-heads-president", "Buchanan Proposal to Sanction China for Deadly Fentanyl Exports Heads to Presidents Desk", "2019-12-17", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Vern Buchanan", "B001260", "buchanan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Congressman Vern Buchanan's legislation punishing China for failing to curb the flow of deadly synthetic opioids into the United States passed the U.S. Senate Tuesday as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The bill passed the U.S. House last week and now goes to the President's desk for his signature.\nBuchanan introduced the Fentanyl Sanctions Act (H.R. 2226) with Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) in April. The bill, which closely mirrors language included in the NDAA, would impose economic penalties on China-based drug manufacturers that knowingly send synthetic opioids to drug traffickers and criminal operations.\nFor too long, fentanyl and other opioids have continued to wreak havoc on communities in Florida and across the country, Buchanan said. We need to hold Beijing accountable for any lack of progress controlling the fentanyl freely flowing out of their country.\nWith drug overdoses on the rise, last month Buchanan urged the chairmen of the U.S. House and Senate Armed Services Committees to include his bill in the final version of the NDAA.\nAccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drug deaths nationwide involving fentanyl or other synthetic opioids skyrocketed by more than 1000 percent in the past six years.\nIn Manatee County, there have been601 overdoses and 61 deaths through October of this year  morethan twice as many deaths as reported during the same period last year, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's office.In Sarasota County, there have been 78 overdoses and ten deaths through October  a 20 percent increase in overdoses over the number during the same period last year, according to the Sarasota County Sheriff's office.\nThis is a frightening development considering that just a few years ago the number of overdoses was declining, Buchanan said.\nCongressman Buchanan has been an active leader in addressing the opioid crisis in Florida. Buchanan's bill to create a national database on the best ways for patients to manage pain and avoid opioid addiction, the Centralized Opioid Guidance Act, was signed into law last year. Two other Buchanan-backed bills were also signed into law during the last session of Congress, the INTERDICT Act to help stem the flow of illicit opioids and the STOP Act to toughen screening of overseas shipments of deadly synthetic drugs coming into the United States.In 2017, Buchanan was successful insecuring millions of dollarsin funding for our area of Southwest Florida to confront the opioid epidemic.\nHe has consistently pushed to raise awareness of the Suncoast's drug problems including chairing a hearing examining the impact of addiction on families and children. Buchanan also hosted a roundtable in Bradenton with local police officers, medical professionals, and stakeholders and led a meeting of the bipartisan 29-member Florida congressional delegation in Washington, D.C. where members heard testimony from anti-drug experts.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://buchanan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/us-house-passes-buchanan-bill-help-americans-save-retirement", "U.S. House Passes Buchanan Bill to Help Americans Save for Retirement", "2019-12-17", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Vern Buchanan", "B001260", "buchanan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON The U.S. House Tuesday passed Congressman Vern Buchanan's bipartisan legislation making it easier for workers to save for retirement. The Retirement Security for Workers Act, included in a broad government funding bill, would make it less costly for small businesses to set up retirement plans for their employees.\nThe bill is expected to be approved by the Senate later this week and sent to President Trump for his signature.\nToday's House passage brings us one step closer to helping millions of hardworking Americans who enter retirement without adequate savings, Buchanan said. We should be doing all we can to help people invest in their future and achieve financial security.\nPreviously introduced by Buchanan in the114thand115thCongresses, Buchanan'sRetirement Security for American Workers Act(H.R. 1907) allows businesses to join together in multiple employer plans (MEPs) to share the administrative burden and costs of offering a retirement plan.\nBuchanan noted that up to 35 percent of private-sector workers over the age of 22 work for a company that doesn't offer a retirement plan, while over 40 percent of millennials don't have access to an employer-sponsored retirement plan, according to the Pew Charitable Trusts.\nMillions of American employees stand to benefit from expanding the availability of workplace retirement plans. In fact, the AARP has found that workers are 15 times more likely to save when they have access to a retirement plan.\nAARP endorsed Buchanan's legislation, noting that it will make it easier for smaller employers to offer automatic savings through a pooled plan that offers low cost investment savings to workers and their families.\nThe American Retirement Association also backed Buchanan's billstating, We hereby express our strong support for the Setting Every Community up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act of 2019 and the inclusion of the Retirement Security for American Workers Act in the SECURE Act  Pooling unrelated employers together into one plan creates an economy of scale that lowers both employer and plan participant cost.\nAccording to USA Today, the average American has less than $4,000 in savings while nearly 60 percent of adults have less than $1,000 to their names.\nEarlier this month, the House Ways and Means Committee passed another Buchanan bill to help Americans plan for retirement. The Know Your Social Security Act helps Americans plan for retirement by making it easier to access critical information about their Social Security earnings, contributions and future benefits.\nBuchanan represents over 220,000 Social Security recipients in the nation's seventh-oldest congressional district.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://buchanan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/us-house-passes-buchanan-bill-protect-endangered-wildlife", "U.S. House Passes Buchanan Bill to Protect Endangered Wildlife", "2019-12-17", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Vern Buchanan", "B001260", "buchanan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  The U.S. House Tuesday passed Congressman Vern Buchanan's legislation aimed at cracking down on wildlife poaching and the illicit trafficking of endangered species. The Rescuing Animals With Rewards (RAWR) Act, included in a broad government funding bill,allows the State Department to offer rewards for information leading to the arrest or conviction of wildlife traffickers around the globe.\nThe bill is expected to be approved by the Senate later this week and sent to President Trump for his signature.\nWildlife trafficking is a grave and persistent threat to endangered animals across the world,said Buchanan, a leader in protecting animals and promoting wildlife conservation. The RAWR Act would provide another tool to crack down on the billions of dollars generated by this illegal industry.\nThe RAWR Act would explicitly add wildlife trafficking to the list of criminal activities the State Department can target with financial rewards for whistleblowers. The RAWR Act (H.R. 97) previously passed the U.S. House as a standalone bill back in July.\nEndangered animals are subjected to some of the most horrifying acts of abject cruelty due to wildlife trafficking. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has stated that thousands of wildlife species are threatened by trafficking. Elephants, rhinos, giraffes, lions and other animals are targeted by poachers across the globe. In the past few years some of the gains of conservation of rhinos have been halted due to a surge in poaching, as the rhino horn is used in traditional medicine.Hundreds of lions are killed and mutilated for their claws and teeth each year. According to one report by National Geographic in 2018, four young lions were found with their faces and paws hacked off.\n\"The slaughter of wildlife for their parts is one of the greatest threats to rare species across the world,\" said Penny Eastman, deputy director of federal legislation for Animal Wellness Action. \"Rep. Buchanan has stepped up again with this anti-wildlife trafficking measure to combat the merciless killing of the planet's wildlife.\"\nCrimes related to illicit wildlife trafficking generates billions of dollars every year, much of which is funneled to terrorist groups. It is estimated that a kilogram of raw ivory can fetch as much as $2,100, while a kilogram of rhino horn is worth $65,000.\nIt is critical that we get this bill to the president's desk as soon as possible,Buchanan continued. We need to incentivize whistleblowing that will protect global wildlife and deny terrorist groups funding derived from this nefarious industry.\nTerrorist organizations, including Boko Haram, use poaching as a main funding source to finance their other activities. Boko Haram alone has killed 25,000 elephants in a ten year period.\nWith the passage of the RAWR Act in the congressional spending bill, the State Department will be able to further crack down on the destructive and highly lucrative wildlife trafficking industry which is decimating iconic species like elephants and lions--and must be stopped, said Sara Amundson, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. This is another significant, bipartisan victory for Rep. Buchanan and Rep. Titus in their unparalleled fight to protect our world's most imperiled species.\nBuchanan co-chairs the Animal Protection Caucus in Congress and received a perfect score from the Humane Society for his leadership and votes in 2019. He is also a past winner of the Humane Society's prestigious Legislator of the Year award. Last month Buchanan's bill making animal abuse a federal offense was signed into law.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://crist.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1824", "CRIST HIGHLIGHTS LOCAL WINS IN APPROPRIATIONS BILLS", "2019-12-17", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Charlie Crist", "C001111", "crist.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC U.S. Representative Charlie Crist (D-St. Petersburg) released the following statement on House passage of the 12 appropriations bills for fiscal year 2020. The bipartisan, bicameral bills, represent a commonsense compromise and consist of two packages. The first package, the domestic priorities and international assistance minibus, consists of the Labor-Health and Human Services-Education, Agriculture, Energy and Water Development, Interior-Environment, Legislative Branch, Military Construction-Veterans Affairs, State-Foreign Operations, and Transportation-Housing and Urban Development appropriations bills. It passed 297-120. The second package, the national security minibus, consists of the Defense, Commerce-Justice-Science, Financial Services and General Government, and Homeland Security appropriations bills, which passed 280-138. Today, the People's House completed the fiscal work of the people. Congress came together, set partisan differences aside, and passed commonsense legislation to keep government funded and operational,said Rep. Crist. These 12 appropriations bills reflect nearly a year's worth of oversight, outreach, and compromise. No legislation is perfect, but I'm proud of the incredible work that went into completing this package. In these bills we put Pinellas first  doubling funding to $10 million to fight red tide, providing over $140 million to clean up mold in military housing, and investing in America's Veterans by providing the largest VA budget ever. I am proud to support passage of this critical legislation and look forward to it being signed into law. As a member of the powerful Appropriations Committee, Congressman Crist secured a wide range of funding for critical local programs, projects, and oversight efforts impacting the greater Pinellas community and the families that call our area home:\r\n \r\n    $10 million within NOAA for research to combat red tide and other harmful algae blooms\r\n    $23 million to expand and support Veterans Treatment Court programs\r\n    $140.8 million to address mold and other health hazards in military housing, including MacDill AFB\r\n    $12.5 million to Tampa International Airport, to reimburse them for explosive detection systems put in place following 9/11\r\n    $5 million to support new partnerships between VA hospitals and National Cancer Institute-designated facilities, like Moffitt Cancer Center, giving veterans to access cancer clinical trials\r\n    $216 billion in funding for the Veterans Affairs, a record investment for those who fought for our freedom\r\n    $125 million for STOP School Violence Act to harden schools against gun violence\r\n    $200 million for Everglades restoration\r\n    $262 million for Community Development Financial Institutions, providing credit and financial services to underserved communities\r\n    $30 million for C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program\r\n    $17 million for National Cord Blood Inventory\r\n    $98 million for Ex-Offenders Reintegration Programs\r\n    $10 billion for Head Start, providing children from low income families access to education\r\n    $252 million for the libraries and museums\r\n    Increased oversight of detention facilities, including requiring ICE to sever contracts with inadequate detention facilities like Homestead", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://crist.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1825", "CRIST STATEMENT ON IMPEACHMENT", "2019-12-17", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Charlie Crist", "C001111", "crist.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "CRIST STATEMENT ON IMPEACHMENT \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington,\r\n        December 17, 2019\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      Washington, DC - Congressman Charlie Crist (D-FL) released the following statement regarding tomorrow's vote in the U.S. House of Representatives on whether to impeach President Donald Trump. \"I take no joy in my decision to vote to impeach President Trump.  \"But given the facts presented, I've come to the grave conclusion that the President abused his position of power to such a degree that we have no choice but to act.  \"No President, Republican or Democratic, is above the law. No President should be allowed to leverage our national security for their personal political benefit. No President should ask foreign governments to interfere in our elections. No President should obstruct Congress' constitutionally mandated duty to provide oversight of the Executive Branch. \"I want to thank the brave men and women from the State Department and National Security Council who were willing to put their careers and reputations on the line to bear witness to the misdeeds of this President and his administration. Without their courage none of this information would have come to light. \"This is a sad, painful, and divisive situation for our nation. But impeachment is the direct result of the President's own words and actions. And we have a duty to our Oath of Office and the Constitution to not stand silent.\"\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://demings.house.gov/media/press-releases/2020-appropriations-victories", "2020 Appropriations Victories", "2019-12-17", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Val Demings", "D000627", "demings.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  Today, the House of Representatives passed an appropriations package with federal funding for 2020.\nSaid Rep. Demings, Today, we passed a comprehensive spending bill to prevent a government shutdown. We are proving that with responsible leadership, Congress can conduct oversight and demand accountability while continuing to fund and reform vital government programs. I am proud that this legislation includes full funding for many of my priorities, including enhancing security at our airports, protecting the integrity of our elections, increasing Alzheimer's research, childcare, and education programs for young children. I will continue to work for a government that serves all of us and for expanded economic fairness, affordable health care, good education, and effective public safety.\nIncluded in today's package are multiple initiatives led or supported by Rep. Val Demings (FL-10) during the negotiation process. These include:\nAirport Security Programs (Led by Rep. Demings)\nThe Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will receive $4.9 billion ($53.1 million above the FY2019 enacted level and $1.1 billion above the President's budget request). This includes:\n Full funding for Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response teams (VIPR)\n\tFull funding for K9 teams at airports\n\tFull funding for exit lane staffing\n\tFull funding for the Law Enforcement Officer reimbursement program\n\t$40,000,000 for TSA to continue reimbursement of airports that installed in-line baggage explosives detection systems before August 3, 2007. This includes MCO and multiple other Florida airports.\n Airport Security Programs (Supported by Rep. Demings)\n $68,600,000 for deployment of computer tomography (CT) machines for checkpoints, covering 320 new units.\n\t$2 million for R&D on a smaller CT unit to support airports with space limitations (essentially any pre-9/11 airport that has not completely rebuilt their concourse).\n Early Childhood Programs (Supported by Rep. Demings)\n An overall increase of $1.1 billion, bringing the programs to historically high funding.\n\t$5.8 billion for the Child Care and Development Block Grantan increase of $550 million. The program provides block grants to states, territories, and tribal governments to assist families with paying for child care and prepare children to succeed in school.\n\t$10.6 billion for Head Startan increase of $550 million. Head Start has prepared more than 36 million low-income children for school through early childhood education and nutritional, health, and social services.\n\t$275 million for Preschool Development Grantsan increase of $25 million. This program will expand preschool programs in targeted communities, and serve as a model for other low- and moderate-income communities\n Alzheimer's Research (Supported by Rep. Demings)\n $2.8 billion for Alzheimer's disease research\n\t$500 million for the Brain Research through Application of Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) initiative.\n Election Security (Supported by Rep. Demings)\n $425 million for a new round of election security grants to improve the security and integrity of elections for federal office.\n\t$15.2 million for Election Assistance Commission (EAC) operating expensesan increase of $6 million. This will restore staffing and other resources to enable the EAC to improve their support to states in advance of the 2020 elections and beyond.\n Also included in the 2020 Appropriations Package supported by Rep. Demings:\nFor the good health of families:\n Permanently repealed health care taxes including the so-called Cadillac Tax on employer-sponsored health plans;\n\tBlocks Trump's ACA sabotage nuclear options, by preventing him from ending silver loading and auto re-enrollment;\n\tSecured record funding for life-saving medical research at the NIH including $2.8 billion for Alzheimer's disease research;\n\tEnsured strong support for initiatives to lower the price of prescription drugs by increasing competition for generics.\n\tContinuing the historic $1.5 billion in funding for state grants to combat the opioid epidemic;\n\tExtended & increased Medicaid funding to our fellow Americans in Puerto Rico and the territories for two years;\n\tLaid the groundwork for progress in the spring to lower prescription drug costs and extend robust funding for key health initiatives.\n For Americans' economic & financial security:\n Gave federal civilian employees a 3.1 percent pay raise;\n\tReauthorized the jobs-creating Export-Import Bank;\n\tProtected the pensions of 100,000 coal miners;\n\tInvested billions in smart job training initiatives;\n\tExtended the National Flood Insurance Program;\n\tSecured a long-term reauthorization of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program  a major priority for hospitals, commercial real estate buildings, educational facilities, sports facilities, NASCAR and theme parks, and any location (including Orlando) where commercial facilities host large numbers of people;\n\tExtended key tax provisions through 2020: encouraging investments in clean energy priorities like wind and energy efficiency, providing relief for families recovering from recent disasters, supporting investments in low-income communities, and protecting families facing high medical costs or the loss of a home to foreclosure.\n For our national security & safety at home:\n Secured $25 million for gun violence research at the CDC and NIH, which is being funded for the first time in more than 20 years;\n\tSecured $425 million for election security grants to protect our elections from foreign attack, which Republicans refused to fund last year.\n For our children:\n Raised the tobacco age to 21;\n\tStrengthened the Families First Prevention Services Act;\n\tAchieved record funding levels for Head Start, Child Care and Development Block Grants, and Title I schools;\n\tExtended funding for essential services in thousands of schools serving millions of children in rural communities across 41 states \n For our values:\n Secured billions to fund a fair, accurate 2020 Decennial Census to ensure all Americans are counted & have a voice;\n\tInvests billions in science and research for NASA, the Department of Energy and National Science Foundation;\n\tSecures strong funding for environmental protection  including the highest funding level for the Land and Water Conservation Fund in 15 years.\n ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://dunn.house.gov/2019/12/dunn-applauds-house-passage-of-disaster-tax-relief", "Dunn Applauds House Passage of Disaster Tax Relief", "2019-12-17", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Neal Dunn", "D000628", "dunn.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC  Today, Congressman Neal Dunn (FL-02) applauded the House passage of tax extenders and disaster tax relief as part of the compromised government funding bill. Dr. Dunn has been fighting for routine disaster tax relief since Hurricane Michael hit the Panhandle in October 2018.\r\nThe passage of these crucial tax extenders is a big win for Hurricane Michael victims who are still picking up the pieces more than a year later. We finally got routine disaster tax relief across the finish line. This important legislation allows disaster victims to access money they have saved over the years without facing penalties and temporarily suspends limitations on charitable contributions to our area that are associated with hurricane relief, said Dr. Dunn. We still have a lot of rebuilding to do in the Panhandle, but the passage of this tax relief is an important part of the process.\r\nAfter Hurricane Michael devastated the Panhandle, Congressman Dunn introduced The Hurricane Michael Tax Relief Act. This legislation would allow individuals affected by the Category-5 storm penalty-free early access to their retirement savings and helps employers and businesses within the disaster area. Specifically, the bill would allow for penalty free withdrawals from retirement plans, make it easier to qualify for personal casualty loss deductions, provide tax relief to help businesses retain employees, temporarily suspends limitations on charitable contributions associated with hurricane relief, and grants taxpayers the option to refer to earned income from the previous year for determining the Earned Income Tax Credits and Child Tax Credits.\r\nWhile the filing for the 2018 tax year has passed, individuals have the option to amend their 2018 tax returns. Talk to your tax professional about filing an amended return if you had storm related losses.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://dunn.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=314", "Dunn Applauds House Passage of Disaster Tax Relief", "2019-12-17", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Neal P. Dunn", "D000628", "dunn.house.gov", "dunn", "https://dunn.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Today, Congressman Neal Dunn (FL-02) applauded the House passage of tax extenders and disaster tax relief as part of the compromised government funding bill. Dr. Dunn has been fighting for routine disaster tax relief since Hurricane Michael hit the Panhandle in October 2018.\n\n\u201cThe passage of these crucial tax extenders is a big win for Hurricane Michael victims who are still picking up the pieces more than a year later. We finally got routine disaster tax relief across the finish line. This important legislation allows disaster victims to access money they have saved over the years without facing penalties and temporarily suspends limitations on charitable contributions to our area that are associated with hurricane relief,\u201d said Dr. Dunn. \u201cWe still have a lot of rebuilding to do in the Panhandle, but the passage of this tax relief is an important part of the process.\u201d\n\nAfter Hurricane Michael devastated the Panhandle, Congressman Dunn introduced The Hurricane Michael Tax Relief Act. This legislation would allow individuals affected by the Category-5 storm penalty-free early access to their retirement savings and helps employers and businesses within the disaster area. Specifically, the bill would allow for penalty free withdrawals from retirement plans, make it easier to qualify for personal casualty loss deductions, provide tax relief to help businesses retain employees, temporarily suspends limitations on charitable contributions associated with hurricane relief, and grants taxpayers the option to refer to earned income from the previous year for determining the Earned Income Tax Credits and Child Tax Credits.\n\nWhile the filing for the 2018 tax year has passed, individuals have the option to amend their 2018 tax returns. Talk to your tax professional about filing an amended return if you had storm related losses.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:45:33Z"], ["https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3021", "Rep. Frankel Votes for Funding Bills That Invest in Families", "2019-12-17", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Lois Frankel", "F000462", "frankel.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC  Today, Representative Lois Frankel (FL-21) issued the following statement after voting for a collection of funding bills for FY 2020:\r\nThis bipartisan funding deal makes many For The People investments, including robust funding for hard-working families through early learning programs, medical research, and veteran's education, and makes smart investments in our country's infrastructure, including restoration of Florida's Everglades to keep the drinking water for over eight million residents and millions of visitors clean and safe.\r\nIt includes reimbursements for local law enforcement for overtime costs of protecting President Trump in South Florida and for businesses at Lantana Airport, which lose business when the President is in town due to airport closure for security reasons.\r\nAs a member of the House Appropriations Committee, Rep. Frankel advocated for an array of programs, many of which will positively impact South Florida, including:\r\nLabor-Health and Human Services-Education\r\n \r\n    $7million in new funding for Veterans Student Service Centers, which provide resources and give a boost to student veterans transitioning from military to civilian life.\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n    $41.7billion for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a more than $2.6billion increase over FY19 to this agency that provides life-saving research and care, including:\r\n \r\no $2.8billionfor Alzheimer's disease research,\r\no $195 million for the Cancer Moonshot project.\r\n \r\n    $25million for firearm injury and mortality prevention research, divided evenly between the NIH and the Center for Disease Control. This is new funding, not included in last year's budget.\r\n    $5.8billion for the Child Care and Development Block Grant, an increase of $550 million from FY19 that will help low-income families afford quality child care.\r\n    $10.6 billion for Head Start, an increase of $550 million from FY19 to provide comprehensive early childhood education for low-income families.\r\n    $12 million for the National Domestic Violence Hotline. \r\n    $4.1 million for the Violence Against Women health initiative, state partnerships.\r\n \r\nEnergy and Water\r\n \r\n    $200 million for Everglades Restoration, a $133 million increase from FY19 levels.\r\n    $50 million for Beach Restoration, maintaining funding from FY19 levels.\r\n    Language ensuring the best available science is used when determining Lake Okeechobee water levels.\r\n    Six new starts for Army Corps projects, in which Port Everglades may compete for their expansion project.\r\n \r\nTransportation, HUD\r\n \r\n    Extended funding to reimburse businesses at Lantana Airport, which lose business when the President is in town due to security restrictions.\r\n    $1 billion for infrastructure grants.\r\n    $2.2 billion for highway projects.\r\n    $23.9 billion for affordable housing assistance.\r\n    $2.78 billion for homelessness assistance grants.\r\n \r\nHomeland Security\r\n \r\n    Continued funding to reimburse local law enforcement for overtime when protecting the President.\r\n    $50 million for physical security enhancements to churches, synagogues, and other non-profit organizations that are at high risk of a terrorist attack.\r\n    $83.5 million for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for airport exit lane staffing.\r\n \r\nFinancial, Services and General Government\r\n \r\n    $425 million for Election Assistance Grants, to help states protect elections.\r\n \r\nMilitary Construction, Veterans Affairs\r\n \r\n    $380 million to supportive service programs for veterans' families.\r\n    $880 million for medical and prosthetics support.\r\n    $1 billion for homeless veterans assistance.\r\n \r\nState-Foreign Operations\r\n \r\n    $3.3 billion commitment for security assistance to Israel.\r\n    $165 million to combat gender-based violence, a $15 million increase from FY19.\r\n    $15 million for combatting child marriage, a $4 million increase above FY19.\r\n \r\n \r\n    $265 million to help implement the Women's Entrepreneurship and Economic Empowerment Act, by supporting micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises that benefit the poor, especially women.\r\n \r\nDefense\r\n \r\n    $500 million for Israeli missile defense programs, including the Iron Dome.\r\n    $7 million for implementation of the Women Peace and Security Act.\r\n \r\nAgriculture\r\n \r\n    $8.5 million to fight citrus disease.\r\n \r\nCommerce, Justice, Science\r\n \r\n    $502 million for Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) programs administered by the Department of Justice.\r\n    \r\n \r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lawson.house.gov/media/press-releases/us-rep-lawson-announces-2018-19-recipients-of-the-gilman-international-scholarship", "U.S. Rep. Lawson Announces 2018-19 Recipients of the Gilman International Scholarship", "2019-12-17", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Al Lawson", "L000586", "lawson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 17, 2019\n\t\t\t U.S. Rep. Lawson Announces 2018-19 Recipients of the Gilman International Scholarship \n\t\t\tU.S. Rep. Lawson Announces 2018-19 Recipients of the Gilman International Scholarship\r\n\r\nWASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Rep. Al Lawson (FL-05) today announced that ten outstanding students from the Florida's Fifth Congressional District have been awarded the highly competitive Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to study abroad during the 2018-2019 academic year. \r\nMore than 13,000 students nationwide applied for the Gilman scholarship, and 10 students from Rep. Lawson's district were among the those awarded scholarships. \r\nThis scholarship provides a valuable opportunity for learning and growth through cultural exchange, Rep. Lawson said. These scholars have the chance to engage with their world and academic disciplines through this experience, and I look forward to the new global perspectives and conversations they will bring back to our community.\r\nThe scholarship program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and administered by the Institute of International Education. In the academic year 2018-19, over 3,000 U.S. students benefited from the Gilman Program, 56 percent gaining language skills in languages deemed critical by U.S. national security. \r\nSince the scholarship's inception, 31,000 American students from more than 1,335 colleges and universities, and diverse backgrounds have studied or interned abroad in 151 countries. \r\n\r\nThe recipients are:\r\n\r\nKenia Alcy of Tallahassee\r\nSchool: Florida State University\r\nHost location: Ghana\r\n\r\nFreadrika Curry of Jacksonville\r\nSchool: University of South Florida\r\nHost location: Italy\r\n\r\nMyah Freeman of Tallahassee\r\nSchool: Florida State University\r\nHost location: Senegal\r\n\r\nColleah Gilbert of Jacksonville\r\nSchool: Florida A&M University\r\nHost location: Ecuador\r\n\r\nRain Kwan of Jacksonville\r\nSchool: New College of Florida\r\nHost location: Japan\r\n\r\nDyvonier Larcheveaux of Tallahassee\r\nSchool: Florida State University\r\nHost location: United Kingdom\r\n\r\nEmmarica Lassin of Tallahassee\r\nSchool: Florida State University\r\nHost location: Ghana\r\n\r\nJalicia Lewis of Jacksonville\r\nSchool: Florida State University\r\nHost location: Peru\r\n\r\nAllyn Roa of Tallahassee\r\nSchool: Florida State University\r\nLocation: Czech Republic\r\n\r\nAniah Williams of Jacksonville\r\nSchool: University of South Florida\r\nHost: Costa Rica\r\n\r\n\r\n### \n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/diaz-balart-supports-funding-for-our-nation-s-priorities", "Diaz-Balart Supports Funding for our Nations Priorities", "2019-12-17", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Mario Diaz-Balart", "D000600", "mariodiazbalart.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25), Ranking Member of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee, issued the following statement after the passage of FY2020 funding bills, H.R. 1158 and H.R. 1865.\nAs former Chairman, and now Ranking Member of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee, funding the priorities of the American people has always been the matter of greatest importance to me. The funding bills passed by the House today are big wins for our nation and for Florida. These bills prioritize funding for enhancing our infrastructure, supporting our military and strengthening our national security, and bolstering school safety initiatives. In addition, critical housing programs such as the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Homeless Assistance Grants are prioritized. We have already seen Florida capitalize on the programs these bills fund, and with its passage today our state will continue to benefit from them moving forward.\nI am proud of this legislation, which not only keeps our government runningbut also funds critical initiatives that directly and positively impact my constituents. I congratulate Ranking Member Kay Granger and Chairwoman Nita Lowey for their bipartisan, determined work on this legislation. It's an honor to work alongside them and our colleagues in the Appropriations Committee.\nCongressman Diaz-Balart, a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, was successful in including the following items in the 2020 appropriations minibuses:\n Continues the investments into our nation's infrastructure\n\t\t$2.6B for highway grants\n\t\t\t$1.9B for Capital Investment Grants\n\t\t\t$1B for the Department of Transportation's BUILD grant program\n\t\t\t$910M for investments into our airports and transit systems\n\t\t\t$225M for seaports, the second year in a row I have been able to secure this funding\n\t\t\n\tProvides housing opportunities to our most vulnerable populations\n\t\t$23.87B in public housing vouchers\n\t\t\t$3.425 for Community Development Block Grants\n\t\t\t$2.77B for Homeless Assistance Grants\n\t\t\t$1.35B for the HOME Investment Partnerships Program\n\t\t\t$1.4B for housing for persons living with HIV/AIDS, the elderly, and persons with disabilities\n\t\t\t$159M for Neighborworks, helping local communities' partner with the public and private sector to provide housing\n\t\t\t$25M for a Mobility Demonstration Program under HUD\n\t\t\n\tEnsures the protection of our environment\n\t\t$200M for continued Everglades Restoration\n\t\t\t$185M in additional funding for Army Corps construction projects, for which environmental restoration projects can compete\n\t\t\t$29.8M for the National Estuary Program, which the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve will directly benefit from\n\t\t\t$19M for NOAA's Harmful Algal Blooms research program\n\t\t\t$4.8M for the South Florida Geographic Program, which monitors coral health and enhances water quality\n\t\t\n\tBolsters our Defense capabilities and provides for our servicemen and women\n\t\t$693.3B in funding for the Department of Defense\n\t\t\t$560.5M for SOUTHCOM and counter-narcotics activity\n\t\t\tLocal businesses in FL-25 with proven products are expected to compete for:\n\t\t\t\t$10M in Army procurement for the Enhanced Ballistic Armor Protection System\n\t\t\t\t\t$5M increase in Army research for the Advanced Helicopter Seating System\n\t\t\t\t\t$2M increase in Army research for Helicopter Emergency Oil Systems\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t$210M for Light Attack Aircraft, which is built in Florida\n\t\t\tProvides funding needed to continue to rebuild the military after years of neglect by the Obama Administration\n\t\t\tFunds a 3.1% military pay raise, continues to restore readiness, and provides our warfighters the housing, health care, and resources they need to defend our country\n\t\t\n\tEnsures the safety of our schools\n\t\t$342.3 million through programs administered by the DOJ\n\t\t\t\tOf this, $125 million for the STOP School Violence Act grant program which includes a carveout of $50 million for school hardening measures administered by the Community Oriented Policing Services\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t$270.2 million through various grant programs under HHS\n\t\t\t$105 million for School Safety National Activities through the Department of Education\n\t\t\tLanguage allowing Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) and State Homeland Security Grants to be used for school safety\n\t\t\n\tSupports democracy abroad and our closest allies, and counters Russian and Chinese aggression\n\t\t$2.4B for democracy programs, including no less than $50M for Cuba and Venezuela\n\t\t\tFully funds the U.S.-Israel Memorandum of Understanding by providing $500M for Israeli Cooperative Programs, including Iron Dome\n\t\t\tAn additional $3.3B for Israel, for foreign military financing\n\t\t\t$1.52M for Jordan, for foreign military financing and economic support\n\t\t\t$520M for Central America, including funds to combat drug trafficking\n\t\t\t$448.3M for Colombia, including assistance to communities impacted by the refugee crisis\n\t\t\t$300M for the National Endowment for Democracy\n\t\t\t$300M for the Countering Chinese Influence Fund\n\t\t\t$290M for the Countering Russian Influence Fund\n\t\t\n\tProvides for our farmers and growers\n\t\t$81M for citrus greening activities and multi-agency coordination efforts\n\t\t\t$38B in loans for rural housing, rural utilities, and rural businesses\n\t\t\t$3.6B for rural development programs which assists in building sustainable rural infrastructure\n\t\t\t$1.2B to support those affected by hurricanes, floods, drought, and other natural disasters\n\t\t\t$1B for the National Institute of Food and Agriculture's Research and Education account\n\t\t\n\t$41.7B for the National Institute of Health to ensure America continues to lead in basic science research and advance biomedical research\n\t$1.5B for Opioid Response Grants\n\t$85M for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Infectious Diseases Rapid Response Reserve Fund, an account I have long supported and fought for\n\t$500M for the Payment in Lieu of Taxes program, of which Collier county is the largest recipient in the state of Florida\n\t$285M for High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas, which includes Miami-Dade and Collier counties\n\t$4.9B in net funding for the TSA, allowing the agency to hire 1,090 more checkpoint personnel, 50 additional canine teams, and 320 new CT machines\n\tProvides $22.5M for Pell Grants, and increases the maximum award to $5,285\n\tLanguage directing $5M to support the establishment of partnerships between VA hospitals and NCI-designated facilities, such as Moffitt Cancer Center, that allow for Veterans to access cancer clinical trials at VA health centers\n\tLanguage urging the Department of Defense to collaborate with existing research universities with federally designated testing facilities, such as Florida International University, to accelerate investments to asses DOD installation vulnerabilities at home and abroad\n\t$312M for the Coast Guard's revised Offshore Patrol Cutter timeline\n\t$2.9M for FEMA grant programs to help states and localities prepare for, mitigate, and respond to disasters\n\t$193M for Floodplain Management and Mapping under FEMA\n\tMaintains ALL pro-life protections\n\tLegislative Priorities I have long supported included in this legislation\n\t\tAn extension of the National Flood Insurance Program to September 30, 2020\n\t\t\tA seven-year authorization of the Export-Import Bank, along with needed reforms\n\t\t\t\tOur district is home to the largest number of small businesses utilizing the Ex-Im Bank in the state of Florida\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\tThe VERDAD Act, which strengthens the U.S. response to Venezuela's humanitarian crisis\n\t\t\tThe Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act, which deepens the U.S. security and energy relationship with countries such as Israel, Cyprus, and Greece\n\t\t\tA three-year authorization of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom\n\t\t\tThe European Energy Security and Diversification Act, which authorizes financing to catalyze public and private sector investment in strategically important energy projects as a tool to counter Russia's predatory energy policies\n\t\t\tA provision authorizing the Department of State to provide U.S. Government personnel with brain injuries and cognitive issues stemming from health incidents that occurred during their service in Cuba and China with additional benefits\n\t\t\tThe SECURE Act, which expands access to retirement plans for millions of workers and increases retirement security for both savers and employers\n\t\t\tAmends the Anti-Terrorism Clarification Act to provide American victims of international terrorism with additional legal grounds on which to pursue justice in U.S. courts\n\t\t\tRepeals the 2.3% excise tax on medical devices, the sales tax on health insurance, and the excise tax on employer-provided health insurance plans\n\t\t\tExtends Medicaid funding to U.S. territories for Fiscal Year 2020 and 2021\n\t\t\tDelays the reduction in the allotments for Medicaid disproportionate share hospitals\n\t\t\tExtends the Community Health Centers Fund and National Health Service Corps Fund\n\t\t\tExtends the Special Diabetes Program, which supports research on the prevention and cure for Type 1 diabetes, and includes provisions to incentivize more competition in the insulin market\n\t\t\n ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mast.house.gov/press-releases?ID=1D7E6E48-5F70-4B86-9215-1EFC4F9655C0", "At Mast\u2019s Urging, Congress Delivers Huge Everglades Restoration Funding Increase", "2019-12-17", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Brian Mast", "M001199", "mast.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  At the urging of U.S. Congressman Brian Mast (FL-18), the U.S. House of Representatives today passed a critical increase in funding for Everglades restoration. The appropriations package will nearly triple funding for South Florida Ecosystem Restoration, which funds the Everglades Agricultural Area Southern Storage Reservoir Project, from $67.5 million in FY 2019 to $200 million for FY 2020.\r\nAfter a year of fighting tooth and nail, today Congress finally stopped kicking the can down the road and came together to triple funding for Everglades restoration projects, including the southern storage reservoir, Rep. Mast said. This is a huge victory for the Everglades and our fight to stop harmful discharges.\r\nIn addition to funding Everglades restoration, Rep. Mast also fought for and secured additional water quality funding, including:\r\n \r\n$100 million for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer's Environmental Restoration or Compliance programs, which can be used for Everglades restoration projects.\r\n$100 million for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer's Environmental Infrastructure programs, which can be used for additional restoration programs in Florida.\r\n$10 million for U.S. Army Corps of Engineer's Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration programs, which can be used for additional restoration programs in Florida.\r\n$29.8 million for the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) National Estuary Program.\r\n$4.8 million for the EPA's South Florida Geographic Program.\r\n$10 million for the National Parks Service operations of Everglades National Park restoration initiatives.\r\n$8.3 million for the U.S. Geological Survey to conduct research into Everglades restoration.\r\n$50.1 million for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers shore protection projects.\r\n$19 million for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Coastal Science and Assessment Program.\r\n$14 million for NOAA's Integrated Ocean Acidification Program.\r\n \r\nTimeline of Events\r\n \r\nAt the beginning of this year, Rep. Mast urged the White House to include $200 million in Everglades Restoration funding in their budget request.\r\nIn mid-March, the White House released a budget that included less than $70 million in Everglades Restoration funding. Rep. Mast joined Senator Marco Rubio, Senator Rick Scott and Congressman Francis Rooney (FL-19) in speaking out against that decision.\r\nLater in March, President Trump visited Lake Okeechobee where Rep. Mast made the pitch to the President to increase Everglades restoration funding, specifically citing the need to prevent harmful algal blooms.\r\nWhile continuing to work behind the scenes to convince the Administration to amend their budget request, at the beginning of April, Rep. Mastas well as Representatives Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (FL-26), Francis Rooney (FL-19) and Alcee Hastings (FL-20)urged the Appropriations Committee to fully fund Everglades restoration.\r\nRep. Mast also testified before the Appropriations Committee about the importance of this funding in April.\r\nOn May 14, 2019, at the urging of Rep. Mast and other members of the Congressional delegation, the President amended his budget request to include $200 million in Everglades restoration.\r\nThe day after the budget was amended, the Appropriations Committee Energy and Water Subcommittee nonetheless passed an appropriations bill that included less than $70 million in Everglades restoration funding.\r\nOn May 20, 2019, after nearly a week of lobbying the committee to increase this funding amount, Reps. Mast, Mucarsel-Powell, Rooney and Hastings led a bipartisan group of Florida Members in formally urging the committee to meet the President's amended budget request.\r\nOn May 21, 2019, at their urging, the committee amended and passed the FY2020 Appropriations bill with $200 million in funding for Everglades Restoration.\r\nOn September 19, 2019, after failing to reach an agreement on appropriations bills, House Democrats voted to pass a two month Continuing Resolution that locked in lower funding levels for Everglades restoration. Rep. Mast opposed this bill because of the lower funding levels for Everglades restoration.\r\nOn November 18, 2019, House Democrats again passed a four week Continuing Resolution to maintain lower funding levels for Everglades restoration. Rep. Mast opposed this bill because of the lower funding levels for Everglades restoration.\r\nAt Rep. Mast's urging, on December 17, 2019, the House passed the FY2020 Appropriations bill with $200 million in funding for Everglades Restoration.\r\n \r\nThis appropriations bill is expected to be passed by the Senate and signed into law by President Donald Trump in the coming days.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mucarsel-powell.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=286", "Mucarsel-Powell Delivers on Local Priorities in Latest Appropriations Legislation", "2019-12-17", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Debbie Mucarsel-Powell", "M001207", "mucarsel-powell.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. Today,U.S. Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell(FL-26) applauded the passage of the two funding packages for Fiscal Year 2020, H.R. 1865 and H.R. 1158. The legislation provides $200 million for Everglades Restoration, extends and increases funding for Community Health Centers, and funds gun violence research for the first time in over two decades.\r\nEarlier this year, Mucarsel-Powell joined her South Florida colleagues in pushing forfull funding for Everglades Restoration. She alsochampionedincreased funding forthe Army Corps Environmental Infrastructure, which received $100 million in today's legislation. Additionally, this funding supports the Florida Keys Water Quality Improvement Program (FKWQIP), a crucial program that reimburses Monroe County as the Keys transition away from septic tanks. Also important to South Florida is the $3.1 billion funding for HIV/AIDS research. Furthermore, the legislation includes Mucarsel-Powell'sHumanitarian Assistance for the Venezuelan People Act of 2019, which provides for much-needed assistance for Venezuelans suffering from the worst humanitarian crisis in the Western Hemisphere.\r\nEvery week I come to Washington, D.C. and work with my constituents in mind, and the latest appropriations bills approved by the House of Representatives reflect the local priorities I have advocated for all year, saidMucarsel-Powell. From fighting for Everglades Restoration, to improving water infrastructure, to making our communities safer with gun violence research, I am proud of the work we have done to make sure the priorities of South Florida's residents are top of mind for our country's leaders.\r\nSomeadditionalprovisionsinclude:\r\n \r\n    $10.6 billion for Head Start, an increase of $550 million\r\n \r\n \r\n    $29.5 million for NOAA's Coral Reef Program, a $1.9 million increase\r\n    A new, dedicated carve out of $10 million for research to combat harmful algal blooms\r\n    Raising the minimum age to purchase tobacco products to 21\r\n    $7.56 billion for the Census Bureau, an increase of more than $3.7 billion\r\n \r\nFact sheets for H.R. 1865 can be foundHEREand for H.R. 1158 can be foundHERE. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rutherford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rutherford-secures-major-funding-northeast-florida", "Rutherford Secures Major Funding for Northeast Florida", "2019-12-17", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "John H. Rutherford", "R000609", "rutherford.house.gov", "rutherford", "https://rutherford.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman John Rutherford (FL-04) applauds passage of the Fiscal Year 2020 appropriations bills, which include major wins for Northeast Florida.\n\n\"As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I am proud to announce that the Fiscal Year 2020 bills fund critical programs for our Northeast Florida community,\" said Rutherford. \"Included in this bipartisan agreement is continued support for NAS Jacksonville, Naval Station Mayport, JAXPORT, and the Port of Fernandina. It also strengthens veteran care and suicide prevention throughout the First Coast, continues the fight against diseases like Alzheimer's, and safeguards our kids in schools through continued funding of my STOP School Violence Act of 2018. Important to our coastal communities, this bill also extends authorization for the National Flood Insurance Program. In an often-divisive Washington, I am proud of our bipartisan collaboration on the Appropriations Committee to smartly and efficiently fund our nation's priorities. I look forward to continuing to fight for our community in Congress.\"\n\nMajor wins for Northeast Florida:\n\n$32.4 million for NAS Jacksonville's Targeting and Surveillance System Support Facility.\n\n$18.7 million for a new police station at Blount Island Command.\n\n$1.5 million to improve data collection for stock assessments of red snapper in the South Atlantic, which may lead to longer red snapper seasons.\n\n$125 million for Rutherford's STOP School Violence Act.\n\n$225 million for the Port Infrastructure Development Program to invest in growing our nation's seaports, including JAXPORT and Port of Fernandina\n\n$9.8 million for the Department of Transportation Short Sea Transportation Program (Marine Highways), which benefits the Port of Fernandina.\n\n$210 million increase in Air Force procurement for Light Attack aircraft.\n\nNine P-8A Poseidon, including an additional $541.2 million for 3 P-8As to replace aircraft for NAS Jacksonville's VP-62.\n\n$346.5 million for two additional E-2D Advanced Hawkeyes, which are manufactured in St. Augustine.\n\n98 new F-35s for the Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy.\n\n$2.8 billion for Alzheimer's research at the National Institute on Aging.\n\n$41.7 billion for the National Institutes of Health, which funds research for cures to rare diseases and cancers.\n\n$222 million for VA Suicide Prevention Outreach programs.\n\nFully funds VA MISSION Act.\n\nExtension of National Flood Insurance Program.\n\nExtension of tax relief for brewers and distillers.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:45:33Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 3776, "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 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "House", "p1": "FL", "p2": "2019"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=FL&year=2019", "results": [{"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 2582, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=FL&year=2019&party=Republican", "selected": false}, {"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 1194, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=FL&year=2019&party=Democrat", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=FL&year=2019", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 3776, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=FL&year=2019", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=FL&year=2019", "results": [{"value": "FL", "label": "FL", "count": 3776, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2019", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=FL&year=2019", "results": [{"value": "2019", "label": "2019", "count": 3776, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=FL", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2019-12-17,https~3A~2F~2Frutherford~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia~2Fpress-releases~2Frutherford-secures-major-funding-northeast-florida", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=FL&year=2019&_next=2019-12-17%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Frutherford~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia~2Fpress-releases~2Frutherford-secures-major-funding-northeast-florida&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 617.193694692105, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}