{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Democrat\", state = \"FL\" and year = 2017 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://stephaniemurphy.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=589", "Rep. Murphy Challenges Rep. Rogers to a Friendly Wager Over UCF-Auburn Peach Bowl Game", "2017-12-29", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Stephanie Murphy", "M001202", "stephaniemurphy.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy of Winter Park, Fla., has challenged Congressman Mike Rogers of Anniston, Ala., to a friendly wager over the outcome of the 2018 Peach Bowl game between the undefeated University of Central Florida (UCF) Knights and the Auburn University Tigers. Murphy is the representative of Floridas seventh congressional districthome of UCFwhile Rogers represents Alabamas third congressional districthome of Auburn University. The Peach Bowl is scheduled to take place on New Years Day in Atlanta, Ga.When asked to comment on the challenge, Murphy exclaimed: Charge On! When contacted for a response, Rogers declared: War Eagle!  The terms of the wager are as followed: \tIf UCF wins, Rogers must deliver a bucket of Florida oranges to Murphys office while carrying a classic UCF football helmet. \tIf Auburn wins, Murphy must continue one of Auburn Universitys richest traditions and roll the small oak tree from the Toomers Corner oak lineage on the lawn of the U.S. Capitol. The loser of the wager must execute the wager upon his or her return to the nations capital in January 2018. The act will be filmed and shared on social media for all to enjoy (or endure). ###\r\nU.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy represents Floridas Seventh Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, where she serves on the House Armed Services Committee and Small Business Committee. The district includes all of Seminole County and much of northern Orange County, including downtown Orlando, Maitland, Winter Park, and the University of Central Florida. Previously, Murphy was a businesswoman and college instructor who also served as a national security specialist in the Office of the Secretary of Defense where she received numerous awards for her distinguished service, including the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Civilian Service. Murphy lives in Winter Park with her husband and two children.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398560", "U.S. Rep. Castor Announces Over $1.2 million for Tampa area families", "2017-12-28", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Kathy Castor", "C001066", "castor.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) announced today that her office worked to obtain over $1.2 million for veterans, seniors, and families across the Tampa Bay area in 2017.\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) announced today that her office worked to obtain over $1.2 million for veterans, seniors, and families across the Tampa Bay area in 2017. Tampa areafamilies count on me and my constituent service team to be their advocate and cut through red tape regarding Social Security, IRS, passports, immigration, Veterans Affairs, Medicare, military matters and more. I am here to help, U.S. Rep. Castor said. Most of the $1.2 million in federal benefits recovered by U.S. Rep. Castor and her team were owed to local veterans. Hillsborough County is home to one of the largest military and veterans communities in the country with more than 98,000 veterans, the highest veteran population in Florida according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. U.S. Rep. Castor has held two 50th Vietnam War Veterans Commemorations to honor the service of local members of the Armed Forces for their service during the Vietnam War as part of an ongoing national effort to honor the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. U.S. Rep. Castor looks forward honoring more of our Vietnam War era veterans at future ceremonies in 2018. More information on U.S. Rep. Castors 50th Vietnam War Veterans Commemorations can be found at www.Castor.House.gov. U.S. Rep. Castor also worked to secure almost $200 million in federal grants this year to create jobs, invest in education and infrastructure, and bolster the important work of local partners. Among the federals grants won this year are nearly $5 million to the University of South Florida to support 2018 enrollment in the federal health insurance marketplace, $1.6 million to Moffitt Cancer Center in partnership with the Ponce School of Medicine in Ponce, Puerto Rico for interdisciplinary cancer research, $780,800 to strengthen Tampas economy by creating permanent jobs in East Tampa and grants to numerous social programs including $1.1 million for youth programs in disadvantaged communities.This year, U.S. Rep. Castor also held a Tech Training & Jobs InfoSession where many of her neighbors could connect with numerous local organizations that offer technical and vocational training programs and opportunities to help workers land our region's higher-paying jobs. I intend to be just as determined in 2018 to stand up for our community and fight for the benefits veterans and others have earned. My hard-working neighbors and students are my top priority, U.S. Rep. Castor added. Residents in Florida Congressional District 14 can call U.S. Rep. Castors Tampa office at 813-871-2817 or visit www.Castor.house.gov for assistance. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://soto.house.gov/media/in-the-news/rep-soto-good-day-orlando-fox-35-puerto-rico-visit", "Rep. Soto on Good Day Orlando, Fox 35 on Puerto Rico Visit", "2017-12-28", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Darren Soto", "S001200", "soto.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "451 3rd Street NW\n\nWinter Haven, FL 33881\n\n  Phones: (202) 600-0843  \n\t       (202) 615-1308\nOpenThursdayand Friday 9AM-5PM", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.billnelson.senate.gov/newsroom/news/congressional-leaders-call-for-faster-help-for-hurricane-ravaged-puerto-rico", "Congressional Leaders call for faster help for hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico", "2017-12-28", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Bill Nelson", "N000032", "www.billnelson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Some members of central Floridas congressional delegation are calling for more help for Puerto Rico.\n\nMore than a third of the island remains without power nearly 100 days after Hurricane Maria.\n\nThe devastation has prompted more than 250,000 Puerto Ricans to flee to Florida. More than half have settled in central Florida.\n\nSen. Bill Nelson and Congressman Darren Soto visited the island earlier this week. Nelson says he talked with Puerto Rican leaders about what Florida can expect.\n\nThe exodus will continue. If you cant get the stores open because you dont have electricity people arent going to have jobs, and they need to provide for their families.\n\nAfter the trip Nelson, Soto and Congresswoman Val Demings met with state and local leaders in Kissimmee, where they discussed issues like education, housing and health care.\n\nThey lamented what they described as inaction on the part of the Trump administration and Congress.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.billnelson.senate.gov/newsroom/news/senator-nelson-visits-puerto-rico-people-displaced-hope-for-more-help", "Senator Nelson visits Puerto Rico, people displaced hope for more help", "2017-12-27", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Bill Nelson", "N000032", "www.billnelson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congress is expected to take up a disaster spending bill early next month.\n\nSenator Bill Nelson traveled to Puerto Rico to assess the situation personally. Much of the island still remains without power.\n\nRegina Kearns is now staying in Delray Beach, after spending the past seven years in Vieques, Puerto Rico.\n\nHer home was damaged after Hurricane Maria swept through.\n\n\"Figured I'd come up here and rebuild my life,\" said Kearns.\n\nAs she sits here stateside, she keeps a list of what people need on the island.\n\n\"Linens, tarps, insulin,\" said Kearns.\n\nShe hopes the federal government and others will help as the island continues to recover.\n\n\"I'm a survivor things are going to get better.\"\n\nRegina has created a GoFundMe account to help Vieques.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.billnelson.senate.gov/newsroom/news/us-sen-bill-nelson-will-travel-to-puerto-rico-to-see-hurricane-maria-aftermath", "U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson will travel to Puerto Rico to see Hurricane Maria aftermath", "2017-12-26", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Bill Nelson", "N000032", "www.billnelson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson and Rep. Darren Soto will travel tomorrow to Puerto Rico, where more than 1,000 deaths related to Hurricane Maria have been reported, to meet with local officials and get a firsthand look at the ongoing recovery efforts.\n\nNelson will meet with Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rossello and other local leaders throughout the day.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398559", "U.S. Rep. Castor Calls on Florida Attorney General to Stand Against FCC Net Neutrality Rollback", "2017-12-22", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Kathy Castor", "C001066", "castor.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Rep. Castor Calls on Florida Attorney General to Stand Against FCC Net Neutrality Rollback \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 22, 2017\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      U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) released the following statement after she was joined by a number of her Florida Congressional colleagues in a letter calling on Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi to stand up to the Federal Communication Commissions rollback of net neutrality rules: The Trump Administration and the FCCs decision to undo net neutrality consumer protections that ensured an open and free internet is a blow to my neighbors, families and small businesses. I am disappointed that Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi would not stand up for Florida families by joining Attorneys General from other states to urge the FCC to delay its rollback of these protections. I firmly believe an open and fair internet is important to protecting the access, innovation and opportunity many small businesses and entrepreneurs in Tampa Bay rely on. I, along with a number of my Florida Congressional colleagues, sent a letter today encouraging Attorney General Bondi to stand up to the FCCs anti-consumer move and protect Floridians by challenging the repeal of net neutrality in court. Read the letter here. ###\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://wilson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-passes-wilson-language-to-protect-seniors-in-nursing-homes-during", "House Passes Wilson Language to Protect Seniors in Nursing Homes during Natural Disasters", "2017-12-22", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Frederica Wilson", "W000808", "wilson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  Today the House of Representatives passed H.R. 4667, an $81 billion disaster aid package. The package includes language provided by Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson to protect seniors in nursing homes during natural disasters.\nHurricanes are as much a part of Floridas ecosystem as its coral reefs, so we must be as proactive as possible in how we prepare for these inevitable storms. Such planning will help us save lives and reduce recovery costs, the congresswoman said.\nCongresswoman Wilsons language requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide training and guidance annually that will ultimately assist nursing homes and long term care facilities to better prepare for power outages during a major natural disaster or other emergency and return to functioning status following such events. The congresswomans language was in fact a direct response to the multiple-day delay in restoring power at the Rehabilitation Center in Hollywood Hills, which resulted in the deaths of 14 residents, the majority of whom were senior citizens. \nSpecifically, the language says:\nNot later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall provide guidance and training on an annual basis to State, Tribal, and local governments, first responders, and utility companies on (1) the need to prioritize assistance to hospitals, nursing homes, and other long-term care facilities to ensure that such health care facilities remain functioning or return to functioning as soon as practicable during power outages caused by natural hazards, including severe weather events; and (2) how hospitals, nursing homes and other long-term care facilities should adequately prepare for power outages during a major disaster or emergency.\nThis is another effort by Congresswoman Woman to protect seniors and others who rely on nursing homes for care. When Congress returns in 2018, she will file legislation to mandate generators in nursing homes and prioritize nursing homes and long-term care facilities for power restoration following a disaster or emergency, and to award grants to nursing homes and long-term care facilities to help them purchase a generator or prepare for an emergency power outage.\nSince the tragic deaths of 14 residents of the Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills, the congresswoman has taken several steps to improve nursing home emergency preparedness in her state and across the nation, including a district town hall meeting at which she launched a long-term care emergency response task force to address first response efforts at long-term care facilities and a congressional field hearing in Miami on nursing homes emergency preparedness and response to disasters.\nIn a letter to Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-Texas) and Ranking Member Richard Neal (D-Mass.), Congresswoman Wilson, joined by Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.), called on the committee to investigate the tragedy at Hollywood Hills so that lawmakers can understand what led to such a horrific incident and how we can prevent such a tragedy in the future.\nCongresswoman Wilson and 36 House members also have written to the heads of the Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to urge the agencies to consider additional regulations requiring some nursing homes to possess alternate energy sources that can sustain heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems and to maintain a fuel supply that will last for at least seven days. The lawmakers also are calling on the agencies to consider regulations that would encourage state and local municipalities to warehouse additional alternate energy sources they can easily access in the event that their emergency plans fail.\nIn addition, the Florida Democrat plans to introduce legislation that will require nursing homes and other long-term care facilities that receive federal funding and resources to have a backup generator or other power source to protect residents, particularly senior citizens, from severe weather conditions.\n.The families and friends of the 14 people who died as a result of the Hollywood Hills nursing homes negligence are struggling to find the strength to celebrate this holiday season and bring in the New Year without their loved ones. As lawmakers it is our duty to do all that we can to mitigate the possibility of such a disaster ever happening againotherwise, the negligence will be ours, she said.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=676", "Rep. Frankel Announces Major Reimbursement to Palm Beach County for Trumps Visits", "2017-12-21", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Lois Frankel", "F000462", "frankel.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Frankel Announces Major Reimbursement to Palm Beach County for Trumps Visits \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        West Palm Beach,\r\n        December 21, 2017\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, Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-21) announced the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is awarding $3.4 million in reimbursements to Palm Beach County to cover overtime costs of protecting President Trump from his inauguration through September 30, 2017.\r\n\r\nThe Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office, West Palm Beach Police Department, and Town of Palm Beach will all receive reimbursements through the Presidential Residence Protection Assistance Grant. This grant compensates law enforcement for extra costs associated with protecting President Trump at his non-governmental residences, including Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach.\r\n\r\nTrumps visits to Palm Beach County cost millions in overtime for area law enforcement agencies, said Rep. Frankel. These reimbursements will provide needed relief to local budgets.\r\n\r\nSince his inauguration, President Trump has spent 33 days at Mar-a-Lago with more visits expected. The South Florida Congressional delegation will continue seeking federal reimbursement.\r\n\r\nThe award amounts are: \r\n \r\n    $ 3,293,988.00 - Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office\r\n    $ 71,270.12 - Town of Palm Beach\r\n    $ 63,163.73 - West Palm Beach Police Department\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://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-soto-leads-bipartisan-letter-requesting-fema-housing-program-extension", "Rep. Soto Leads Bipartisan Letter Requesting FEMA Housing Program Extension for Puerto Rican Arrivals in Central Florida", "2017-12-21", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Darren Soto", "S001200", "soto.house.gov", "soto", "https://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Kissimmee, Florida \u2013 Yesterday, Congressman Darren Soto led a bipartisan letter to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator William B. Long, urging the agency to approve the expansion of the Direct Lease program or for an extension to the Transitional Shelter Assistance (TSA) program, for the Puerto Rican evacuees residing in Central Florida. The letter was supported by eight Members of Congress from Central and South Florida.\n\n\"As a host state, Florida has received over 250,000 evacuees from Puerto Rico. However, the state of Florida and its local governments have been unable to provide affordable housing due to limited resources,\" the letter reads.\n\nIn addition to Rep. Soto, the letter was signed by Representatives Dennis Ross (FL-15), Kathy Castor (FL-14), Carlos Curbelo (FL-26), Val Demings (FL-10), Ted Deutch (FL-22), Stephanie Murphy (FL-07), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27), and Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (FL-23).\n\nClick here for signed letter. The full text of the letter can be found below:\n\nThe Honorable William B. Long\n\nAdministrator\n\nFederal Emergency Management Agency\n\n500 C Street S.W.\n\nWashington, D.C. 20472\n\nDear Administrator Long:\n\nWe write to urge your agency to approve the expansion of the Direct Lease program, or in the alternative, to extend the Temporary Shelter Assistance (TSA) program beyond the January 15, 2018 deadline for the evacuees of Hurricane Maria currently residing in Florida. As a host state, Florida has received over 250,000 evacuees from Puerto Rico. However, the state of Florida and its local governments have been unable to provide affordable housing due to limited resources.\n\nAs you know, the Puerto Rican government has not requested approval from FEMA for the Direct Lease program. As a result, we request these funds directly for Florida as a host state. This is a direct detriment to the state of Florida and the evacuees from Puerto Rico. Despite Florida's best efforts to assist Puerto Rican evacuees, Florida's local and state governments lack a sufficient supply of housing to accommodate the recent, and anticipated, arrivals of evacuees from Puerto Rico.\n\nPuerto Rican evacuees in Florida need housing. Florida need assistance to support the housing needs of the Puerto Rican evacuees. Therefore, we respectfully request that you approve the Direct Lease program for the Puerto Rican evacuees in Florida, or in the alternatives, extend the TSA program past the January 15, 2018 deadline for a minimum of six months. We thank you for continued attention to this ongoing matter.\n\nSincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T22:19:19Z"], ["https://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-soto-thanks-government-puerto-rico-requesting-fema-housing-program", "Rep. Soto Thanks Government of Puerto Rico for Requesting FEMA Housing Program Extension", "2017-12-21", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Darren Soto", "S001200", "soto.house.gov", "soto", "https://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Kissimme, Florida \u2013 Congressman Darren Soto release the following statement following the announcement that Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rossell\u00f3 will request an extension of the Transitional Shelter Assistance (TSA) program, which provides Puerto Rico evacuees of Hurricane Maria currently residing in Florida with housing vouchers:\n\n\"I would like to thank Governor Rossell\u00f3 and the Puerto Rican government for requesting a FEMA extension beyond the January 13 deadline to the TSA program. While I continue to be supportive of a swift and resilient reconstruction of Puerto Rico, the reality is Florida has received over 250,000 evacuees from the island and our state lacks the resources to provide affordable housing for all.\n\n\"The Governor's 60-Day TSA extension request is much needed, and I believe we can do even more to address the housing crisis Central Florida is facing with new Puerto Rican arrivals. Thus, I urge FEMA to consider a full 180-Day extension. I also encourage Governor Rossell\u00f3 to request approval for FEMA's Direct Lease program.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T22:19:19Z"], ["https://stephaniemurphy.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=557", "At Murphys Request, CMS Prepares Fact Sheet to Help Displaced Puerto Rico Families Access Medicare and Medicaid in the States", "2017-12-21", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Stephanie Murphy", "M001202", "stephaniemurphy.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "At the request of U.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy of Winter Park, Fla., the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has published a fact sheet to help American citizens from Puerto Rico who were displaced by recent hurricanes maintain their access to Medicare and Medicaid when they relocate to Florida or another state. Murphy requested the fact sheet in response to press reports detailing how displaced individuals from Puerto Rico were experiencing challenges obtaining health care services in Florida, despite the fact that they were enrolled in Medicaid or Medicare back in Puerto Rico.I am pleased that CMS prepared the fact sheet we requested, said Murphy. This fact sheet will provide clarity to displaced individuals trying to obtain health care services when they relocate to the states, whether on a temporary or permanent basis. The fact sheet will also provide important guidance to health care providers, insurers, and state and local government officials in Florida as they work to help displaced families. Murphy made the request in a November 15 letter, which she co-led with Florida Senators Bill Nelson and Marco Rubio and which was co-signed by nine bipartisan members of Floridas delegation in the U.S. House.  Since Hurricane Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico, over 230,000 individuals from the U.S. territory have arrived in Florida.  Some are expected to return home to Puerto Rico when conditions improve, but many are expected to remain in Florida.  Murphy has introduced two bills designed to help lower-income residents of Puerto Rico who relocate to Florida or another state to enroll in Medicaid through an expedited process, with the federal government temporarily paying the full cost of coverage.    The CMS fact sheet is available on Murphys website here. CMS has advised Murphy that the document will soon be available on its website, in both English and Spanish. CMS has trained representatives at the 1-800-Medicare (1-800-633-4227) call center to answer questions in English or Spanish.  ###\r\n\r\nU.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy represents Floridas Seventh Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, where she serves on the House Armed Services Committee and Small Business Committee. The district includes all of Seminole County and much of northern Orange County, including downtown Orlando, Maitland, Winter Park, and the University of Central Florida. Previously, Murphy was a businesswoman and college instructor who also served as a national security specialist in the Office of the Secretary of Defense where she received numerous awards for her distinguished service, including the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Civilian Service. Murphy lives in Winter Park with her husband and two children.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://stephaniemurphy.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=558", "Murphy Statement on Her Vote to Continue Funding the Federal Government", "2017-12-21", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Stephanie Murphy", "M001202", "stephaniemurphy.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy of Winter Park, Fla., today voted in support of a continuing resolution to fund the federal government until January 19, 2018. The bill also temporarily extended funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which nine million children across the nation rely on for vital health care coverage. Murphy issued the following statement on her vote:\"Congresss constitutional responsibility is to fund the federal government.  A Congress that allows the government to shut down, even for a short period, is a Congress that has failed to fulfill its most fundamental duty.  A government shutdown would cause severe hardship for millions of Americans, especially seniors, military veterans, children, students, and every community who depends onand whose taxes pay fora functioning government. A shutdown would also compromise the ability of our armed forces, our homeland security professionals, and our federal law enforcement officers to keep our nation safe. \"Over the next month, it is essential for Congress to work together in a bipartisan way to pass a comprehensive bill to fund the federal government through the end of the fiscal year, reauthorize CHIP, Community Health Centers and other expired public health programs, and enact an enduring solution for the 800,000 young Dreamers who have contributed so much to this country and who have earned the right to live, work and prosper here.\"\r\n\r\n\r\n###\r\nU.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy represents Floridas Seventh Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, where she serves on the House Armed Services Committee and Small Business Committee. The district includes all of Seminole County and much of northern Orange County, including downtown Orlando, Maitland, Winter Park, and the University of Central Florida. Previously, Murphy was a businesswoman and college instructor who also served as a national security specialist in the Office of the Secretary of Defense where she received numerous awards for her distinguished service, including the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Civilian Service. Murphy lives in Winter Park with her husband and two children.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://demings.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-demings-appointed-house-judiciary-committee", "Rep. Demings Appointed to House Judiciary Committee", "2017-12-20", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Val Demings", "D000627", "demings.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "ORLANDO, FL  Congresswoman Val Demings (D-Orlando) today commented on her  \n\tselection to serve on the U.S. House Judiciary Committee.\nSaid Rep. Demings, After a troubling year it has become increasingly obvious that the  \n\tmost fundamental issues facing our country are matters of justice.\nThe safety and security of our families and our communities depend on protecting the  \n\tfuture of our democracy. The soul of our nation depends on our ability to expand  \n\tequality and to balance respect for the rule of law with its proper application in all  \n\tsituations with all persons.\nI am honored by the trust and support of my colleagues, and I look forward to applying  \n\tmy experience as a 27 year law enforcement officer to the important work ahead of us.\"\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=674", "Reps. Wasserman Schultz and Frankel Push Ethics Accountability Bill for Sexual Harassment in Congress", "2017-12-20", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Lois Frankel", "F000462", "frankel.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC U. S. Rep.Debbie Wasserman Schultz(FL-23) filed legislation today that would require sexual harassment cases to be automatically referred to the Ethics Committee in order to help lift the shroud of secrecy cloaking settlements, and to ensure a more accountable culture in Congress.\r\nRep.Lois Frankel(FL-21) is an original co-sponsor of theMe Too Congressional Ethics Act,which would ensure that members of Congress and their staff face potential Ethics Committee sanctions for unwanted and improper sexual behavior that generates an official action, such as a legal settlement or a finding by the Congressional Office Of Compliance.\r\nThe current process for handling sexual harassment cases in Congress too often protects the perpetrators while leaving the victims exposed,said Wasserman Schultz, who authored the bill. In sexual harassment cases where a settlement is reached or wrongdoing is found, the Ethics Committee should immediately initiate an investigation. As weve just seen with so many troubling legal settlements coming to light, that is simply not happening now. The Congressional culture surrounding sexual harassment must change immediately  and it must be much more transparent and accountable. Victims of sexual harassment deserve to be heard. There should be consequences levied when the accusation is found to have merit, including and especially within the halls of Congress.\r\nThe Me Too movement has arrived, exposing the toxic nature of sexual harassment. Members of Congress who breach the trust of their office by violating civil rights law, including acts of sexual abuse, should be held accountable both to the victim and the institution. This legislation assures swiftness and fairness in responding to an ugly chapter in the history of Congress, saidCongresswoman Frankel, Chair of the Democratic Womens Working Group, an original co-sponsor of the bill.\r\nBill language is available here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://soto.house.gov/media/in-the-news/soto-launches-new-bipartisan-task-force-puerto-rican-arrivals", "Soto Launches New Bipartisan Task Force on Puerto Rican Arrivals", "2017-12-20", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Darren Soto", "S001200", "soto.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "As delivered on the House Floor on December 19, 2017.\n\nFull transcript below:\nOver 250,000 of my fellowPuerto Ricans have arrived in Florida since Hurricane Maria. The tax bill on top of that, absolutely is going to decimate the manufacturing sector there which is only going to lead more of my fellow brothers and sisters to my home state, the great State of Florida. \nWe have done our best as a host state to ease school enrollment for our young people, to have in-state tuition for our college students coming here from the island, our hospitals are doing their best to meet the challenges, and many are getting jobs although not as high paying as we would like. We are also putting bills forward to speed-up Medicare qualifications and expand Section 8 housing. \nBut most critically, Florida faces a housing crisis of epic proportions. On January 15th,the FEMA hotel vouchers expire. This must be extended for another six-months. \nIn addition, we are leading a bipartisan effort in Florida to directly seek approval of FEMA direct-lease vouchers so that people could have a place to stay. I am appointing a bipartisan federal task force of Puerto Rico arrivals in Central Florida to help in this very good work.\nAnd I yield back.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://stephaniemurphy.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=555", "Murphys Bipartisan Initiative to Help Schools Enrolling Students Displaced by Hurricanes One Step Closer to Becoming Law", "2017-12-20", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Stephanie Murphy", "M001202", "stephaniemurphy.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The disaster relief bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives this week includes $2.9 billion in emergency education funding to support a bipartisan initiative led by U.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy of Winter Park, Fla. The funding will help school districts in Florida and other states address the increased costs they are experiencing as they enroll new students from hurricane-stricken areas like Puerto Rico. Murphy, in response to concerns from central Florida school districts, has spearheaded the push for this emergency education funding over the past three months. She led bipartisan letters in October and December in support of her initiative and worked closely with the White House Office of Management and Budget, congressional leaders in the House and Senate, and local school districts.Florida is welcoming displaced families from Puerto Rico with open arms, said Murphy. These families have endured so much hardship, and we want to ease their burden, not increase it. However, our stateespecially our public school systemneeds federal support to offset these new costs. The funding that we have worked so hard to secure will enable school districts to provide a high-quality education to both new and existing students. This emergency education funding will be critical for schools in the states, especially Florida, that are enrolling displaced students from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In the last three months, Florida public schools have enrolled approximately 10,000 displaced students from these two U.S. territories. The public school system in Orange County, part of which Murphy represents, has already enrolled 2,733 students from Puerto Ricomore than any other public school system in the United States.  The House is scheduled to vote on the broader $81 billion disaster relief bill this week before it heads to the U.S. Senate for a vote. About the New Funding      Under the bill released this week, a state can apply to the U.S. Department of Education to receive federal funding according to the following terms: \t$9,000 for enrolling a displaced student who is an English-language learner  \r\n\t$10,000 for enrolling a displaced student with disabilities  \r\n\t$8,500 for enrolling a displaced student who does not fit either of the above criteria As Murphy requested, in addition to providing funding for K-12 schools, the bill provides funding to institutions of higher education that were directly affected by a hurricane (up to $200 million) or that enroll students displaced by a hurricane (up to $120 million). The bill also provides up to $25 million to local educational agencies serving homeless children displaced by a hurricane.  ###\r\n\r\nU.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy represents Floridas Seventh Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, where she serves on the House Armed Services Committee and Small Business Committee. The district includes all of Seminole County and much of northern Orange County, including downtown Orlando, Maitland, Winter Park, and the University of Central Florida. Previously, Murphy was a businesswoman and college instructor who also served as a national security specialist in the Office of the Secretary of Defense where she received numerous awards for her distinguished service, including the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Civilian Service. Murphy lives in Winter Park with her husband and two children.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.billnelson.senate.gov/newsroom/news/nelson-slams-tax-bills-unequal-benefits-for-puerto-ricans", "Nelson Slams Tax Bill's Unequal Benefits For Puerto Ricans", "2017-12-20", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Bill Nelson", "N000032", "www.billnelson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Floridas U.S. Senator Bill Nelson is slamming the Republican tax bill. Both houses of Congress passed the measure Wednesday on largely party line votes. Nelson says the package benefits corporations more than working people.\n\nA trillion and a half dollars are borrowed in order to finance a huge tax cut for multinational corporations to send American jobs overseas. That ought to be enough,\" Nelson said. And it ought to be enough that there are just crumbs for the hardworking middle-class families.\"\n\nUnder the bill, corporations will see a permanent cut, while individuals will get temporary tax cuts. The tax burden will be lowered on pass through businesses, like those maintained by the Trump Corporation, and fewer multi-millionaires will have to pay taxes on inheritances. The bill also repeals the individual mandate under the Affordable Care Act. That could mean 13 million fewer people with healthcare over ten years.\n\nNelson is also criticizing the measure for not extending the same benefits to Puerto Ricans as to other mainland families. Not included in the measure was a plan to expand the child tax credit for Puerto Ricans. Mainland families will be able to deduct $2,000 per child. But that amount is graduated based on federal taxes paid, and that means a smaller deduction for lower income people. Residents of the island territory with fewer than three children will also miss out on the full deduction. Nelson says Puerto Ricans should get the same benefits as any other citizens.\n\nThat increase to help poor working families with children was not given to Puerto Rico! That doesnt make sense, he said.\n\nPuerto Ricos tax code means only certain residents qualify for the credit. But after a crippling economic collapse and the utter destruction of Hurricane Maria, Nelson says Puerto Ricans need a tax break as much as anyone.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.billnelson.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/nelson-demands-answers-on-fda-drug-seizures", "Nelson demands answers on FDA drug seizures", "2017-12-20", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Bill Nelson", "N000032", "www.billnelson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. In what appears to be a major shift in policy, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has started seizing individuals prescription drugs ordered from pharmacies outside the United States.\nThe agency has also reportedly raided at least nine Central Florida storefront locations that storeowners say operate simply to help older Floridians order their prescription drugs online at a much cheaper price.\nWhile the importation of prescription drugs is illegal under most circumstances, the federal governmentannouncedin 2006 that it would stop seizing small amounts of prescription drugs from pharmacies in Canada.\nThe policy, which was put in place at the urging of U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) and others, has allowed U.S. residents, mainly seniors, to save on the cost of their prescription drugs by ordering them online from pharmacies in Canada, instead of filling them at pharmacies in the U.S.\nAnd now, following what appears to be a sudden change in that policy, Nelson is demanding answers.\nI appreciate that we need to keep dangerous drugs like fentanyl and counterfeit pharmaceuticals out of our country, but many of my constituents are confused about why they are suddenly receiving a seizure notice instead of their necessary medication  if there has been no change in policy, Nelson wrote in a letter today to FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb. To the best of my knowledge, no new FDA policies have been publicly announced or shared with Congress.\nNelson first got involved in the issue in 2004, when he sent a similar letter to the heads of the FDA and U.S. Customs and Border Protection after the government seized an elderly Florida couples medication ordered from Canada.\nTwo years later, at Nelsons request, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee launched an investigation into the custom departments seizure of prescription drugs purchased for personal use from pharmacies outside the U.S.\nLater that same year, Nelson, along with Sen. David Vitter (R-LA), filed legislation, which Congress passed and the president signed into law, that allowed Americans crossing the Canadian border to bring back small amounts of prescription drugs.\nShortly after Nelsons bill was approved, Customs announced in Oct. 2006 that it would no longer seize individuals prescription drugs purchased from pharmacies outside the United States. That same year, Nelson received assurances from the FDA that it, too, would no longer act on small amounts of prescription drugs being imported into the U.S. for individual use.\nDespite the agencys 2006 announcement, some Floridians have reportedly received notices in the past couple of months indicating that their prescription drugs are being held at their local post office at the request of the FDA.Around that same time, the FDAreportedlyraided at least nine Central Florida storefronts designed to help customers, mainly seniors, buy their prescription drugs online.\nIf there has been a change in policy, I urge the FDA to announce those changes publicly, Nelson wrote. Americans, especially our seniors, shouldnt be left in the dark waiting for needed medication to arrive without clear guidance from the agency.\nFollowing is text of the letter, a PDF copy is availablehere.\n\nDecember 20, 2017\nDr. Scott Gottlieb  \n\tCommissioner  \n\tU.S. Food and Drug Administration  \n\t10903 New Hampshire Ave  \n\tSilver Spring, M.D. 20993-0002\nDear Commissioner Gottlieb,\nIt has come to my attention that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is seizing prescription drugs purchased by Floridians from Canada and other countries. I have heard from constituents that the FDA is also raiding Florida storefronts that are reported to help customers order drugs from pharmacies outside the United States. I have serious concerns about the potential impact that such a shift in policy could have on the ability of Americans who choose to utilize these pharmacies to afford the prescription drugs they need.\nThe importation of foreign prescription drugs is illegal under most circumstances to control the safety of our supply chain. However, the FDA has always exercised enforcement discretion in cases of personal use, and I am concerned that the agency may have now changed its policy and has begun taking steps to crack down on seniors who are buying their medications from other countries because they cannot afford to purchase them in the United States. To the best of my knowledge, no new FDA policies have been publicly announced or shared with Congress.\nI appreciate that we need to keep dangerous drugs like fentanyl and counterfeit pharmaceuticals out of our country, but many of my constituents are confused about why they are suddenly receiving a seizure notice instead of their necessary medication  if there has been no change in policy. I am also troubled by reports that the FDA has raided at least nine storefronts in Central Florida that storeowners say are there to help customers, many of whom are older, navigate the internet to order the drugs they need at lower prices from legitimate pharmacies in Canada and other countries.\nThese recent actions by the FDA raise serious questions about whether the agency has changed its policy regarding the enforcement of prescription drugs being imported into the country for individual use. If there has been a change in policy, I urge the FDA to announce those changes publicly - and make known any considerations and conditions that prompted this change in policy. Americans, especially our seniors, shouldnt be left in the dark waiting for needed medication to arrive without clear guidance from the agency.\nI appreciate your prompt attention to this request. We must work together to ensure that Americans can access their medications.\nSincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://alceehastings.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398915", "Hastings Statement on Passage of the Republican TaxScam", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Alcee Hastings", "H000324", "alceehastings.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) released the following statement following passage of H.R.1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:\r\nHouse Republicans have just voted to increase the deficit by $1.5 trillion in order to cut taxes for billionaires, millionaires, and corporations. This bill is a scam, pure and simple, and the manner in which it was rammed through the House of Representatives without a single hearing is outrageous. \r\nAmong other things, the Republican tax bill will create new tax breaks for corporations that ship American jobs overseas, and steal $1.5 trillion from Medicare and Medicaid. Republicans have had the audacity to punt on critical issues like the Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and disaster relief, because they cant agree on how to pay for it. And yet, they have no problem exploding the debt and raising taxes on 86 million middle class households to provide handouts for the one percent. This is hypocrisy at its very worst. \r\nThey may be cheering now, but they wont be so happy come November. Americans will not forget this sham of a bill, nor will they forget who was responsible for it.\r\nCongressman Alcee L. Hastings serves as Senior Member of the House Rules Committee, Ranking Democratic Member 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://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398555", "U.S. Rep. Castors bill to help caregivers nationwide passes U.S. House", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Kathy Castor", "C001066", "castor.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the RAISE Family Caregivers Act, introduced by U.S. Reps. Kathy Castor and Gregg Harper (MS3), which marks a major step in addressing the nations role of caregivers. The Recognize, Assist, Include, Support, and Engage (RAISE) Family Caregivers Act is landmark legislation strongly endorsed by the AARP that will finally give caregivers the recognition they deserve.\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the RAISE Family Caregivers Act, introduced by U.S. Reps. Kathy Castor and Gregg Harper (MS3), which marks a major step in addressing the nations role of caregivers. The Recognize, Assist, Include, Support, and Engage (RAISE) Family Caregivers Act is landmark legislation strongly endorsed by the AARP that will finally give caregivers the recognition they deserve.  \r\n\r\nU.S. Rep. Castor said: The passage of the RAISE Family Caregivers Act that I introduced with U.S. Rep. Gregg Harper (R-MS), and U.S. Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Susan Collins (R-ME) will hopefully bring additional support and resources to family caregivers across America. All too often, caregivers are forced to sacrifice jobs and wages to take care of an aging family member or child with special needs. Caregivers often have little or no support themselves. In Florida, almost 3 million caregivers provide more than 2.6 billion hours of care. This bill would establish a diverse group of experts and stakeholders for a national Family Caregiving Advisory Council to help modernize federal policies and support caregivers.I have worked closely with the AARP on this legislation to implement the federal Commission on Long-Term Cares recommendation that Congress bolster backing for caregivers through an integrated national strategy. Improving the lives of caregivers will improve the lives of our seniors, veterans and all families who need some help. We must give family caregivers the tools they need to survive economically, provide some respite when they need it, and importantly ensure that their loved ones receive the care they need. We have made much progress in recent years in elevating the role of caregivers, but as the complexity and intensity of family caregiving increases, a nationwide blueprint will help boost families, and ensure we are smart and efficient with our resources.\r\nView U.S. Rep. Castors remarks on the RAISE Family Caregivers Act before its passage yesterday by the U.S. House of Representatives.\r\nView U.S. Rep. Castors recent op-ed on RAISE Family Caregivers Act\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398556", "Castor votes no on GOP tax scam", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Kathy Castor", "C001066", "castor.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the GOP tax bill. U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) voted against it, and before the vote, she urged her colleagues to also vote on the side of middle-class Americans, instead of the super-rich and big corporations.\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the GOP tax bill. U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) voted against it, and before the vote, she urged her colleagues to also vote on the side of middle-class Americans, instead of the super-rich and big corporations.  \r\n\r\nThe GOP proposed a tax bill that Ebenezer Scrooge would love. It is a big bah-hum-bug for America, U.S. Rep. Castor said. Theyre in essence giving the middle-class a lump of coal for Christmas, while showering tax breaks and new loopholes on the super-rich and big corporations. It is fundamentally unfair, and the GOP does this with a massive increase to our national debt of about $2.3 trillion. Their bill mortgages the future for our kids and grandkids, and squeezes out our ability to invest in medical research and modern infrastructure. To pay for it, they admit they will look to cut benefits and raise costs on families who depend on Medicaid and Medicare. In this bill, they even go so far as to rip health coverage away from 13 million Americans  another attack on affordable health care coverage.\r\nView U.S. Rep. Castors floor remarks\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://teddeutch.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399223", "Rep. Deutch Statement on Republican Tax Scam Conference Report", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Ted Deutch", "D000610", "teddeutch.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Washington) Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-22) issued this statement after voting against the Republican Tax Conference Report, which will give 83 percent of tax cuts to the wealthiest 1 percent of Americans while raising taxes on 86 million middle-class families:\"Congressional Republicans have turned their backs on the American people, who overwhelmingly oppose this devastating scam. This bill sends a clear message to their constituents that they would rather bend the system in favor of lobbyists, donors, and corporate executives than strengthen seniors and middle-class families. Despite their promises, there's no great tax simplification or benefit for middle-class Americans. This is a massive, permanent giveaway to the largest corporations, encouraging them to ship more American jobs overseas, while short-changing middle-class families with limited temporary breaks and raising taxes on 86 million American households. \"There's no magic math here; adding over $2 trillion to the national debt will force automatic cuts to Medicare and give Republicans cover to attempt to gut Social Security and other vital programs in the future.Republicans would rather satisfy campaign promises using false  and disproven  promises of economic growth than sit down with Democrats and tax experts on a comprehensive, bipartisan proposal. \"My colleagues haven't learned from the last time they tried to pass an unpopular bill - Trumpcare - that the American people expect them to put country over politics. Our job is to strengthen our country and improve the lives of the American people and help them succeed. Taking away healthcare and adding scores of additional giveaways to lobbyists in a tax code already stacked for the special interests clearly fails this test. I voted no.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://crist.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=300", "CRIST: GOP TAX BILL BAD DEAL FOR THE PEOPLE", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Charlie Crist", "C001111", "crist.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "CRIST: GOP TAX BILL BAD DEAL FOR THE PEOPLE \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, 2017\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 Charlie Crist (D-St. Petersburg) released the following statement outlining his opposition to the fiscally irresponsible, morally bankrupt Republican tax package. The plan prioritizes special interests over the middle class, with large cuts reserved for the top 1% of earners, a doubling of the estate tax exemption, providing corporations with massive, permanent tax cuts  while individual breaks are much smaller and temporary. It includes a provision that will disrupt the health insurance marketplace causing premiums to skyrocket, allows drilling in the pristine Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and adds, at minimum, $1.45 trillion to the national debt.\"The Republican-led Congress and White House missed a great opportunity to work in a bipartisan way to simplify the tax code and make it work better for the American people, particularly the middle class. Instead, we have a hyper-partisan product that writes the rigged economy into law while creating major disruption in the healthcare marketplace, damaging our environment, and jacking up the national debt to new heights,\"said Crist. \"Massive cuts for big corporations and the wealthiest will only further shrink our middle class and stack the cards against small businesses. Exploding the deficit saddles future generations, limiting their economic prospects. And slashing Medicare by $25 billion breaks a promise to our seniors. \"For the good of the American people, I pray my colleagues have a change of heart. No political victory is worth the cost of this bad bill.\"\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://frankel.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=673", "Rep. Frankel Votes Against GOP Tax Scam", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Lois Frankel", "F000462", "frankel.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Frankel Votes Against GOP Tax Scam  \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, 2017\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, Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-21) issued the following statement after voting against the Republican tax scam:\r\n\r\nThis tax scam is a big Christmas gift to billionaires and corporations, while everyone else gets a lump of coal! Hardworking middle-class families will have to foot the bill for tax breaks for the wealthiest one percent. The tax scam will throw millions off healthcare and explode our deficit by almost $1.5 trillion, meaning major cuts to Medicare and Medicaid. Americans deserve a better deal, one that invests in education, biomedical research, clean energy, and healthcare.\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://soto.house.gov/media/in-the-news/bill-rename-kissimmee-post-office-borinqueneers-gets-marco-rubio-bill-nelson-push", "Bill to Rename Kissimmee Post Office for Borinqueneers Gets Marco Rubio, Bill Nelson Push", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Darren Soto", "S001200", "soto.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "A bill shepherded through the House of Representatives last week by U.S. Rep. Darren Soto to rename a Kissimmee post office for the Puerto Rican Borinqueneers U.S. Army regiment now is getting pushed in the U.S. Senate by Floridas U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio and Bill Nelson.\nThe bill, House Resolution 4042, intends to rename the Kissimmee post office to honor the U.S. Armys 65th Infantry Regiment, first established in Puerto Rico in 1898, and which was recognized for fighting with valor in World War II and the Korean War among others. The regiment was known as the Borinqueneers, named after the historic inhabitants of the island. In 2014 the Borinqueneers were honored with Congressional Gold Medals.\nSoto, an Orlando Democrat with Puerto Rican heritage whose district includes Kissimmee, introduced the bill in October and it was approved by unanimous consent in the U.S. House of Representatives last Thursday. On Monday Rubio and Nelson wrote to the chairman and ranking member of theSenate Committee on Homeland Securityand Government Affairs urging swift and full support.\n \n\tThats great, said Dennis Freytes, a Central Florida Puerto Rican activist who is a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel and professor of military science at the University of Puerto Rico, and whose father,Celio Freytes-Menendez, was a Borinqueneer who fought in both World War II and Korea. I think it is a great honor that the 65th U.S. Infantry receives of their glorious fight for our flag, for all of us, since 1898.\n \n\nFor the full article, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://soto.house.gov/media/in-the-news/puerto-rican-exodus-central-florida-begs-question-wheres-plan", "Puerto Rican Exodus to Central Florida Begs Question: Where's the Plan?", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Darren Soto", "S001200", "soto.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "According to the U.S. Census Bureaus latest American Community Surveyoutdated after post-Maria migrationaround 320,000 Puerto Ricans live in central Florida. A significant number have come recently, in the midst of the islands economic troubles. The post-Maria migration may bring an additional 114,000 to 213,000 each year for the next two years, according to the Center for Puerto Rican Studies in New York City, changing the demographic makeup, and politics of the region for decades.\nThis sudden influx will also put pressure on housing, social services, and the job market that have yet to be fully addressed by state, local, and federal officials. Take housing: Sanz says the some of the governments immediate solutions, such as extending vouchers and finding temporary space in area hotels, may only carry through the middle of January.\nIn a region that already has an affordable housing crisisthe National Low Income Housing Coalition ranked the greater Orlando region third-worst in the nation for its availability of housing for extremely low-income residentsthousands of new residents coming every week require a much larger effort to provide shelter. Local leaders wrote to Florida governor Rick Scott asking for a task force to tackle the issue.\nPerhaps the most vexing part of the challenge is how conditions on the island dictate conditions in Florida and elsewhere: Without rebuilding the islands infrastructure and economy, more Puerto Ricans will seek better opportunity elsewhere, increasing the long-term impact. Its challenging math for leaders in central Florida, San Juan, and Washington, D.C.\n \n\tWere in a precarious position, says Democratic Congressman Darren Soto, a Puerto Rican whose district in central Florida covers areas where many new arrivals are settling. We welcome everyone, but also understand that we need to support Puerto Rico and its long term recovery, so both regions can prosper.\n\t\n \nFor the full article, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://stephaniemurphy.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=554", "Murphy Votes Against GOP Tax Bill", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Stephanie Murphy", "M001202", "stephaniemurphy.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy of Winter Park, Fla., issued the following statement explaining her vote against H.R. 1, the Republican bill changing the tax code for individuals and businesses:\r\nFrom day one, my priorities for tax reform have been to simplify the federal tax code and to empower middle-class families and small businesses to the greatest extent possible, and to accomplish these goals in a bipartisan and fiscally-responsible way. The final tax bill fails to achieve these objectives.\r\n Earlier this year, I introduced a balanced budget amendment to address the excessive federal debt, which is a threat to our economic stability, our national security, and the Social Security and Medicare benefits that our seniors have earned through a lifetime of hard work. The Republican tax bill, even under optimistic economic growth estimates, will still add over a trillion dollars to our debt.\r\n I cannot in good conscience support legislation that compromises the long-term prosperity of our economy and safety of our nation, especially when millions of middle-class families and small businesses in Florida will see their tax bill increase or will receive no meaningful tax relief under this bill.\r\n ###\r\n\r\nU.S.\r\nCongresswoman Stephanie Murphy represents Floridas Seventh Congressional\r\nDistrict in the U.S. House of Representatives, where she serves on the House\r\nArmed Services Committee and Small Business Committee. The district includes\r\nall of Seminole County and much of northern Orange County, including downtown\r\nOrlando, Maitland, Winter Park, and the University of Central Florida.\r\nPreviously, Murphy was a businesswoman and college instructor who also served\r\nas a national security specialist in the Office of the Secretary of Defense\r\nwhere she received numerous awards for her distinguished service, including the\r\nSecretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Civilian Service. Murphy lives in\r\nWinter Park with her husband and two children.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://wilson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-frederica-wilson-statement-on-passage-of-the-gop-tax-scam", "Congresswoman Frederica Wilson Statement on Passage of the GOP Tax Scam Bill", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Frederica Wilson", "W000808", "wilson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "\"With the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which rewards the rich and penalizes the poor, President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans have pulled off one of the biggest heists in recent history. They are doing so despite the adverse impact it will have on low- and middle-income families and the overwhelming disapproval of a majority of Americans. It is very telling that most of the Republican lawmakers who support the legislation have little idea about whats actually in it. What that tells me is that they are prioritizing a desperately needed legislative win over the needs of our constituents. Mr. Trump is calling the bill a great Christmas gift to the middle class, but it is in reality a great big lump of coal that will burn through the nations economy for generations to come.\nAs in any good long con, Republicans have included in their plan lower tax rates that will go into effect early in the new year, which they hope will divert hard working Americans attention from whats to come. Taxpayers across the board will see more money in their paychecks, but the largest tax cuts will go to the top 1%, adding $1.7 trillion to the federal debt. The richest 1% of Floridians will enjoy a 40% tax cut, while the states poorest 20% will get a mere 1% reduction. In addition, while the lower rate for working and middle-income taxpayers will expire in 2025 when they will begin paying a higher rate, corporate tax cuts will remain permanent.\nThe GOP tax scam also is bad for Floridians health. With a repeal of the tax penalty charged to people without health insurance, premiums will go up, while the number of insured goes down. Congress still hasnt reauthorized the Childrens Health Insurance Program and if it is not refunded by the end of January, 340,000 children in our state may lose their health care.\nThose arent the only hits that low- and middle-income families will feel. Next up on the Republicans take from the poor to give to the rich agenda will be entitlements, including Medicaid and Medicare spending. Under the guise of reform, they will begin to shred the social safety net, to which millions of Americans are already desperately clinging, to pay for the fraud perpetrated today.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.billnelson.senate.gov/newsroom/news/bill-filed-to-rename-tallahassee-va-clinic-in-honor-of-sgt-ernest-boots-thomas", "Bill filed to rename Tallahassee VA clinic in honor of Sgt. Ernest \"Boots\" Thomas", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Bill Nelson", "N000032", "www.billnelson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) -- U.S. Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) filed legislation on Tuesday to rename the Veterans Affairs Health Care Center on Orange Avenue in Tallahassee, in honor of Marine Corps Sgt. Ernest Boots Thomas.\n\nThomas, who was posthumously presented the Navy Cross for his extraordinary heroism during action in World War II, was part of the original American flag raising atop Iwo Jimas Mount Suribachi in 1945.\n\nA Florida native, Thomas first joined the Marines in 1942 shortly after the U.S. was attacked at Pearl Harbor. He was killed in action March 3, 1945, just days after the now-famous flag raising on Iwo Jima.\n\nSergeant Thomas is an American hero, Nelson said. I can think of no more fitting tribute to his extraordinary service to our country than the renaming of this VA clinic in his honor.\n\nThomas was born in Tampa, Florida before moving with his family to Monticello at the age of eight. He graduated from Monticello High School in 1941.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.billnelson.senate.gov/newsroom/news/bill-nelson-says-gop-tax-bill-will-shift-jobs-overseas", "Bill Nelson says GOP tax bill will shift jobs overseas", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Bill Nelson", "N000032", "www.billnelson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "GOP passage of the tax bill could give Sen. Bill Nelson a campaign talking point next year and he's already forming the argument.\n\t\n\t\"It's going to give a few nuggets to the middle class, but that's to mask the true intent,\" Nelson said Monday on the Senate floor. \"The real purpose of the bill is to give huge tax cuts to multinational corporations and to make it easier for them to shift jobs overseas. That's the bottom line.\"\n\t\n\tHe explains in the video.\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\tSaid Nelson:\n\t\n\t\"It would be nice if our colleagues showed as much urgency for some of the other things that we should be doing in the Senate, such as providing millions of kids with health insurance through the CHIP program or helping folks recover from the massive hurricanes this year, including millions of people in Puerto Rico who are still without reliable electricity or drinking water or what about hundreds of thousands of kids in the U.S. that are here in a deportable status because they are the Dreamers. That's what we ought to be worrying about.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://teddeutch.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399220", "Reps. Deutch, Cicilline, Hill Lead 71 Members Pushing VP Pence to Address Human Rights in Egypt", "2017-12-18", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Ted Deutch", "D000610", "teddeutch.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Washington) Today, Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee Ranking Member Ted Deutch (FL-22), Congressman David N. Cicilline (RI-01), and Congressman French Hill (AR-02) led 71 of their House colleagues in asking Vice President Mike Pence to hold the Egyptian government accountable for systemic human rights violations during a scheduled meeting in Cairo this week.For decades American foreign policy has been based on promotion of our values of freedom, equality, and right to democratic representation. We have enjoyed a long and fruitful partnership with the government and people of Egypt and we very much support this continued relationship, they wrote in a letter signed by 71 Republican and Democratic colleagues, including House Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee Chairman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27). However, the close U.S-Egypt relationship is at risk as long as the Government of Egypt engages in widespread violations of internationally recognized civil and human rights. We respectfully ask that you do everything you can to ensure this message is delivered forcefully and regularly to the Egyptian government at all levels, particularly during your visit this month. Vice President Pence is visiting Cairo this week to meet with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. The Egyptian government has engaged in mass detentions, attacks on journalists, and efforts to restrict civil society. The full text of the letter sent to Vice President Pence is embedded below. A PDF version of the signed letter can be downloaded byclicking here. ---------------------------------------------------------- The Honorable Mike Pence\r\nVice President\r\nEisenhower Executive Office Building\r\nWashington, DC 20501 December 18, 2017 Dear Mr. Vice President: We write to you ahead of your upcoming visit to Egypt to raise concerns about recent actions taken by the Egyptian government that constitute a widespread crackdown against civil and human rights. Egypt and the United States have had a long and enduring partnership, predicated on strong military and counter-terrorism cooperation, shared security goals, and a shared vision for peace in the region. We value the benefits that the U.S-Egypt partnership has brought to both of our countries over the past four decades. In particular, our mutual interest in deterring and combatting the spread of terrorism is only underscored by the horrific attack perpetrated on the al-Rawda mosque in Sinai which killed over 300 worshippers. So while we urge you to extend our condolences and offer our continued support to Egypts fight against terrorism we also urge you to raise our concerns over Egypts domestic civil and political repression. In recent years, independent civil society groups have been the target of a concerted government effort to silence their voices and limit their ability to operate. Minority groups, including religious minorities and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community have been the targets of discrimination and violence. Independent media organizations have been shuttered, and dozens of journalists, bloggers, and citizens have been jailed for their speech. The Egyptian government has been engaged in a wide-ranging effort to crack down against public discourse, civil society activity, and independent media using a variety of methods and tools, including the use of legislation ostensibly designed to promote public safety or regulation, but practically used to stifle dissent. In particular, the NGO law ratified by President al-Sisi in May 2017 threatens to devastate the ability of independent organizations to operate within Egypt and calls into question the Egyptian Governments own commitments to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly. The government routinely pressures journalists and private citizens to suppress criticism of the government, and has used criminal prosecution, gag orders, arbitrary detention, and serious physical abuse in police custody to target free speech. The criminalization of legitimate NGO activity complicates the effectiveness of the foreign assistance package that the United States provides to Egypt annually. The usage of these funds, and their compliance with U.S. law under the Brownback Amendment, relies on the ability of implementing partners on the ground to function freely. Recently, the Egyptian government has participated in the disturbing global trend of government authorities targeting directly, as well as fostering an environment of discrimination and violence against, members of the LGBT community. The most recent wave of anti-LGBT persecution has been ongoing since September, when authorities in Cairo arrested seven people who had been photographed at a concert raising a rainbow flag. These arrests marked the beginning of a widespread crackdown on LGBT Egyptians with reports of 65 people being arrested. Most have been charged with sentences ranging from 6 months to 12 years in prison. Reports that the Egyptian Parliament will consider legislation that would criminalize same sex relations are further cause for concern. While the Egyptian government has demonstrated an interest in achieving greater parity for Coptic Christians, Copts continue to be the frequent target of systemic discrimination as well as violence carried out by non-state actors, including fellow Egyptians. Despite statements of support, the government has not taken sufficient steps to protect Copts from violence and ensure equal treatment under the law. Finally, the Egyptian government has repeatedly stated its intent to find a satisfactory resolution in the case against 43 NGO workers, including 19 Americans, who were unjustly convicted under the Morsi government in 2013. This issue has been an irritant in U.S.-Egyptian relations for too long and has set a troubling precedent with regard to Egypts treatment of democracy, human rights, and governance efforts, including programs funded by U.S. tax dollars. Given your stated commitment to the protection of free speech and human rights, we ask that you raise these issues during your meetings this month with the highest levels of Egyptian leadership. Specifically,we respectfully ask that you raise with your counterparts the following: 1. The case against the 43 NGO workers must be resolved as soon as possible and without a retrial, specifically by Egypts court of cassation swiftly allowing an appeal in the case to be heard, the court issuing a ruling, and then President Sisi pardoning every individual (not just the Americans) convicted in the case. 2. The repressive NGO law should be repealed and independent civil society organizations should be allowed to operate, free from government interference. 3. The arrest, harassment, and incitement against LGBT individuals inside Egypt must cease immediately, the individuals in detention must be released, and the government should oppose any laws that seek to criminalize the speech or activities of the LGBT community. 4. The Government of Egypt should take additional steps to end the culture of impunity for attacks on Coptic Christians and continue to undertake the arrest, prosecution, and conviction of individuals who carry out attacks on Copts and other Christians in Egypt. 5. The government must stop impinging on freedom of speech and release journalists, bloggers, and citizens who have been arrested on political charges. 6. The government should take steps to release any American citizens or Legal Permanent Residents who have been arbitrarily detained and comply with international human rights standards for detention of all prisoners.  \r\n\r\nFor decades American foreign policy has been based on promotion of our values of freedom, equality, and right to democratic representation. We have enjoyed a long and fruitful partnership with the government and people of Egypt andwe very much support this continued relationship. However, the close U.S-Egypt relationship is at risk as long as the Government of Egypt engages in widespread violations of internationally recognized civil and human rights. We respectfully ask that you do everything you can to ensure this message is delivered forcefully and regularly to the Egyptian government at all levels, particularly during your visit this month. Thank you for your attention. Sincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://teddeutch.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399221", "VIDEO: Rep. Deutch Joins MSNBC's Alex Witt to Slam Efforts to Undermine Special Counsel", "2017-12-18", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Ted Deutch", "D000610", "teddeutch.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "VIDEO: Rep. Deutch Joins MSNBC's Alex Witt to Slam Efforts to Undermine Special Counsel \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, 2017\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      On Sunday, Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-22) joined MSNBC's Alex Witt to condemn Republican efforts to discredit and undermine the special counsel's Russia investigation.\"When my colleagues refer to the special counsel's investigation as a 'coup d'etat,' it really undermines the rule of law in this country. They ought to be careful, they ought to stop it, and they ought to let this investigation proceed for the benefit of the American people.\" Congressman Deutch went on to discuss the decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and the harmful Republican tax legislation: \"The only piece of legislation more unpopular than this tax bill is the effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act, which was defeated, and I hope that my colleagues will think about that when they vote this week.\" Click the image below to watch the Congressman's interview.\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      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://teddeutch.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399222", "Rep. Deutch Slams Pres. Trump's Omission of Climate Change in Nat'l Security Strategy", "2017-12-18", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Ted Deutch", "D000610", "teddeutch.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Deutch Slams Pres. Trump's Omission of Climate Change in Nat'l Security Strategy \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, 2017\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 Ted Deutch (FL-22), founding co-chair of the bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus, issued the following statement after President Trump omitted climate change as a national security threat in his National Security Strategy report:Whether this President wants to accept the evidence or not, climate change is an urgent national security threat thats already having damaging effects across our country. Denying the facts and removing climate change from our national security strategy will make the United States less prepared to respond to threats to our local communities and military installations. Thats why a bipartisan majority in Congress directed the Defense Department to better understand how climate change threatens our military installations and preparedness. If the President is truly serious about keeping our country safe, he should put addressing the rising sea levels, oppressive droughts, and worsening storms over protecting the big corporate polluters.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://stephaniemurphy.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=551", "House Democratic Caucus National Security Task Force Statement on President Trumps National Security Strategy", "2017-12-18", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Stephanie Murphy", "M001202", "stephaniemurphy.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON The co-chairs of the Democratic Caucus National Security Task ForceRep. Seth Moulton of Massachusetts, Rep. Stephanie Murphy of Florida, and Rep. Jimmy Panetta of Californiaissued a response to President Trumps long awaited National Security Strategy:\r\n\r\nThe Trump administration has finally released its legally-requiredNational Security Strategydocument, as wecalled forin June. As we have witnessed over the past 11 months, the administrations actions have not aligned with the language of this document. There is a fundamental disconnect between what the administration says, and what it is actually doing.\r\n\r\nFor example, the Task Force has urged the administration to use all elements of our national power, pairing a robust military posture with a forceful diplomatic presence. The document pays lip service to this notion, stating that diplomacy is indispensable. These words ring hollow in light of the fact that the administration has clearly sought to hollow out the State Department and marginalize diplomacy as a national security tool.\r\n\r\nLikewise, the Task Force has encouraged the administration to strengthen, not subvert, alliances. The document states that our 'allies and partners are a great strength of the United States.' Yet, as a result of the Presidents actions and rhetoric, our most important partners in Europe and Asia have cause to question the U.S. commitment to our shared security. It is no surprise that confidence in U.S. leadership hasfallen sharplyamong our closest allies.\r\n\r\nIn addition, the document says the U.S. will 'offer encouragement to those struggling for human dignity in their societies.' This restates a core American principle, promoted under both Republican and Democratic administrations. However, this statement rings hollow, given the Presidents praise for Russian President Vladmir Putin, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, and other authoritarian leaders.\r\n\r\nMore generally, the Task Force has expressed our dismay that the administration has yet to name or nominate personnel for numerous critical positions at the Departments of Defense and State. A strategy documenteven if soundis merely words on paper unless the administration has the men and women in place to execute that strategy around the globe.  The credibility and importance of the National Security Strategy rely entirely on the actions of the administration and alignment of these actions with the document's stated goals. To date, these actions have not reflected the goals in the strategy and represent a turn towards an undemocratic, inward-looking approach that stands as a poor excuse for American leadership.\r\n\r\n###\r\nTheDemocratic Caucus National Security Task Forcewas established in June 2017 by the House Democratic Caucus to support the creation, execution, and public messaging of national security policies that are smart, strategic, and strong.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.billnelson.senate.gov/newsroom/news/bill-to-rename-kissimmee-post-office-for-borinqueneers-gets-marco-rubio-bill-nelson", "Bill to rename Kissimmee post office for Borinqueneers gets Marco Rubio, Bill Nelson push", "2017-12-18", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Bill Nelson", "N000032", "www.billnelson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "A bill shepherded through the House of Representatives last week by U.S. Rep. Darren Soto to rename a Kissimmee post office for the Puerto Rican Borinqueneers U.S. Army regiment now is getting pushed in the U.S. Senate by Floridas U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio and Bill Nelson.\n\nThe bill, House Resolution 4042, intends to rename the Kissimmee post office to honor the U.S. Armys 65th Infantry Regiment, first established in Puerto Rico in 1898, and which was recognized for fighting with valor in World War II and the Korean War among others. The regiment was known as the Borinqueneers, named after the historic inhabitants of the island. In 2014 they Borinqueneers were honored with Congressional Gold Medals.\n\nSoto, an Orlando Democrat with Puerto Rican heritage whose district includes Kissimmee, introduced the bill in October and it was approved by unanimous consent in the U.S. House of Representatives last Thursday. On Monday Rubio and Nelson wrote to chairman and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs urging swift and full support.\n\nThats great, said Dennis Freytes, a Central Florida Puerto Rican activist who is a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel and professor of military science at the University of Puerto Rico, and whose father, Celio Freytes-Menendez, was a Borinqueneer who fought in both World War II and Korea. I think it is a great honor that the 65th U.S. Infantry receives of their glorious fight for our flag, for all of us, since 1898.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-soto-announces-steps-forward-development-high-speed-rail-service-orlando", "Rep. Soto Announces Steps Forward in Development of High Speed Rail Service from Orlando to Miami", "2017-12-15", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Darren Soto", "S001200", "soto.house.gov", "soto", "https://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Kissimmee, Florida \u2013 Congressman Darren Soto announced today that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has approved phase II of the All Aboard Florida (AAF)/Brightline project, a high-speed rail service that would run from Orlando to Miami, Florida's largest business and tourism hubs.\n\n\"I am ecstatic to see this project advance. We are one step closer to a historic high-speed rail service that would not only ease travel from Central to South Florida, but will also connect businesses and boost our tourism industry,\" stated Rep. Soto. \"As one of the fastest growing regions in the country, I am proud that Brightline has chosen to make Central Florida a model for cutting edge high-speed transportation technology.\"\n\nOn December 8, 2017, Congressman Soto sent a letter to Secretary Elaine Chao of the U.S. Department of Transportation expressing support for and detailing the importance of the AAF/Brightline project.\n\nThe new terminal for Brighline's trains is being constructed at the Orlando International Airport. According to the Federal Railroad Administration, trains will reach a speed of 110 mph between West Palm Beach and Cocoa, and up to 125 mph on the east-west route from Cocoa to Orlando International Airport. The traveling public will eventually be able to get from Miami to Orlando in 3 hours.\n\nClick here to view the full letter sent to the U.S. Department of Transportation.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T22:19:19Z"], ["http://alceehastings.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398914", "Hastings Statement on the 5th Anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting", "2017-12-14", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Alcee Hastings", "H000324", "alceehastings.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) released the following statement marking the 5th anniversary of the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut:\r\n\u201cThe massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School will forever be among the defining tragedies in our nation\u2019s history. Five years after this incomprehensible act of violence, my heart is still broken for the families that lost children, the teachers who gave their lives protecting their students, and the Newtown community. No words will ever replace the sense of loss or the emptiness that remains.\r\n\u201cThe sorrow that I feel when reflecting on this anniversary is amplified by the fact that more than 170,000 gun-related deaths have happened since Sandy Hook. Gun violence remains an everyday facet in America, and it seems as if no amount of grief, frustration, or anger can remove this seemingly indelible stain from our country. Another 30,000 Americans will lose their lives from guns in the coming year. I refuse to believe this is simply the cost we must pay for being American.\r\n\u201cFor too long, Members of Congress beholden to the gun lobby have hidden behind the second amendment, refusing to take any action to curb the gun violence epidemic. That we have not acted in any way whatsoever to protect our citizens is insanity personified. This is on Congress, and Congress must act. Today, I once again call on House Republican leadership to bring up reasonable gun control reforms to reduce the number of gun deaths in our country.\u201d\r\nCongressman Alcee L. Hastings serves as Senior Member of the House Rules Committee, Ranking Democratic Member 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://teddeutch.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399216", "VIDEO: Rep. Deutch Defends Mueller Investigation from Republican Attacks", "2017-12-14", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Ted Deutch", "D000610", "teddeutch.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "On Wednesday, December 13, during a House Judiciary Committee hearing with Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-22), a senior member of the committee,refuted Republican attacksto discredit and undermine special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation.Click the image to watch the Congressman's questions. A transcript of his remarks is below.  \r\nClickhereto watch Congressman Deutch's full statement on the Russia investigation.\r\n\r\n    \r\n        \r\n            \r\n        \r\n    \r\n\r\n\r\n  \r\nCongressman Ted Deutch: Id like to quote some of my colleagues from this committee. One of them said that the special counsels investigation into whether the Trump campaign assisted in its effort to interfere in the election is actually an attempt to overthrow the government of the United States. Do you believe that, Mr. Rosenstein?DAG Rod Rosenstein: No TD: He said, we are at risk of coup detat in this country if we allow an unaccountable person... Is the special counsel unaccountable here? RR: No, he is not unaccountable. TD: He went on to say, with no oversight... Is there no oversight at all with the special counsel? RR: There is oversight. TD: And then he went on to say that if we allow an unaccountable person with no oversight to undermine the duly-elected President of the United States. Is pursuing the rule of law undermining the duly-elected President of the United States, Mr. Rosenstein? RR: No, it is not. TD: One of my other colleagues said, weve got to clean this town up. He talked about firing Mueller. One of our former colleagues of this Committee accused Mueller of having a vendetta against President Trump because he fired James Comey. Mr. Rosenstein, do you believe that he has a vendetta against the President? RR: No, I do not. TD: I would just conclude that this little walk through, this one year in American history, makes it impossible to understand how it is that my colleagues on the other side continue to launch attacks not only against reporters, against the FBI, against the special counsel, but they do so to throw dirt on the story, to make it try to go away. They may want to bury their heads in the sand but Mr. Chairman, I want to make clear, that they will not bury the rule of law in the United States of America. I yield back.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://crist.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=299", "CRIST: FCC FAILED THE PEOPLE BY REPEALING NET NEUTRALITY", "2017-12-14", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Charlie Crist", "C001111", "crist.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "CRIST: FCC FAILED THE PEOPLE BY REPEALING NET NEUTRALITY \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 14, 2017\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 Charlie Crist (D-St. Petersburg) released the following statement blasting the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for voting to roll back net neutrality regulations, creating fast and slow lanes on the internet. This rule change could end up costing consumers more money, slowing down content delivery, and hurting small businesses. Crist has been an outspoken supporter of keeping net neutrality in place and is a cosponsor of H.R. 4585, the Save Net Neutrality Act, to block the FCC's roll back of net neutrality.\u00a0\"The members of the FCC are public servants \u2013 they are supposed to serve the public. By repealing net neutrality, they are failing the people, serving only the special interests. This entire process has been deeply flawed. Congress must respond by passing legislation putting the people first and preserving net neutrality.\"\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/rep-demings-rejects-net-neutrality-decision", "Rep. Demings Rejects Net Neutrality Decision", "2017-12-14", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Val Demings", "D000627", "demings.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "ORLANDO, FL  Congresswoman Val Demings (D-Orlando) today commented on the FCCs decision to change the rules which keep the internet open and free.\nSaid Rep. Demings, Freedom and competitiveness in the 21st century rely on an open internet. Were home to many of the worlds greatest artists, innovators, and entrepreneurs. Every individual and small business in America should have the ability to compete and share their ideas fairly and freely.\nFor all Americans, but particularly for the marginalized, the internet is a vital gateway to organizing and working collectively. The internet allows the voiceless to find a voice, allows the powerless to advocate for themselves and their communities, and allows independent artists and businesses to compete on their merits.\nTodays vote underscores that the current regulatory ping-pong is bad for everyone. Congress must provide a clear path forward by updating the Telecommunications Act to clarify the FCCs existing authority, mandate strong consumer protections and establish certainty for all parties.I will continue to work with businesses, activists, and regulators for a free internet that facilitates a fair and open American society and economy.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=663", "Democratic Womens Working Group Leadership Responds to Oversight Committee Chairmans Refusal to Investigate Trump", "2017-12-14", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Lois Frankel", "F000462", "frankel.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Oversight and Government Reform Chairman Trey Gowdy declined the Democratic Women\u2019s Working Group\u2019s request to investigate the sexual abuse allegations against President Trump. His response comes after the leadership of the Democratic Women\u2019s Working Group (DWWG), Reps. Lois Frankel (FL-21), Brenda Lawrence (MI-14), and Jackie Speier (CA-14) sent a letter, signed by 150 Members of Congress, requesting a Congressional investigation. A recent Quinnipiac poll found that 70 percent of Americans say the U.S. Congress should investigate accusations of sexual harassment against Donald Trump.\r\n\r\nUpon receiving Chairman Gowdy\u2019s refusal, Reps. Frankel, Lawrence, and Speier sent a letter in response, reading in part:\r\n\u201cYou declined to undertake our request and that of the overwhelming majority of the public with the rationale that, \u201cThis Committee, nor any other Committee of Congress, does not, and cannot, prosecute crimes.\u201d We appreciate that you recognize these allegations as potential crimes. That said, our request did not ask for a prosecution, but rather an investigation into serious allegations of sexual abuse by Donald Trump.\r\nIn fact, OGR has conducted a wide range of investigations that involved allegations of criminal activity, even when parallel prosecutions were underway by the Justice Department.\r\n\u2026While your referral to the Department of Justice (DOJ) recognizes these allegations as criminal, it does not deal with an issue important to the American people. We do not believe a referral to DOJ absolves Congress of its own responsibility to get to the truth and set a standard that victims of sexual crimes can come forward and have a platform to be heard, while at the same time allowing the President to present evidence in his defense.\r\nAt a time when women across the country are coming forward with their own harrowing stories of sexual harassment and assault at all levels of society, your reluctance to investigate sends the absolute wrong message. It tells women that powerful leaders are unwilling to investigate this serious misconduct and creates a chilling effect on victims coming forward. It protects the President instead of giving victims the right to be heard.\"\r\nThe full text of the letter is available here.\r\n\u00a0\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://soto.house.gov/media/in-the-news/dream-became-reality-valencia-colleges-new-poinciana-campus", "A Dream Became Reality - Valencia College's New Poinciana Campus", "2017-12-14", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Darren Soto", "S001200", "soto.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Sotojoined Valencia College leadership along with other Osceola officials and legislators to celebrate the opening ofValencia College's new campus in Poinciana  a dream made reality!\nThe opening of Valencia College Poinciana Campusribbon-cutting ceremony comes after years of state legislators and educators working together to obtain the necessary funding. Before the newPoinciana Campus, Valencia College students inPoinciana rode buses for over 2-hours each way to get to the East Osceola Campus. This new campus will now create greater access for our community and continue to increase our college enrollment rates.\n\nAs Florida's 9th District continues to grow, Representative Soto will continue to fight for greater collegeand resources for all constituents.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-soto-mast-urge-continued-funding-preserve-florida-s-waters", "Reps. Soto, Mast Urge Continued Funding to Preserve Florida\u2019s Waters", "2017-12-14", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Darren Soto", "S001200", "soto.house.gov", "soto", "https://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Darren Soto (D-FL-09) and Congressman Brian Mast (R-FL-18) sent a letter today to Speaker Paul Ryan, urging for continued full funding for the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) National Estuary Program and the South Florida Geographic Initiative.\n\n\"Florida's residents, and the millions of visitors to the state each year, depend on these programs to preserve and clean vulnerable watersheds. Investments in protecting these environments are critical to the health and economy of Florida,\" states the letter. \"Preserving our environment is not a partisan issue. These programs protect the health and prosperity of all Floridians.\"\n\nThe request comes on the heels of Congress deciding on government funding levels for fiscal year 2018. Reps. Soto and Mast encourage continued funding at the FY2017 levels for these programs, which are vital to Florida's way of life.\n\nThe National Estuary Program helps cleanup vulnerable watersheds, while the South Florida Geographic Initiative provides monitoring of potential hazardous substances that could damage the state's waters and marine life.\n\nClick here to access the full letter sent to Speaker Paul Ryan.\n\nThe Honorable Paul Ryan\n\nOffice of the Speaker\n\nH-232 The Capitol\n\nWashington, DC 20515\n\nDear Speaker Ryan:\n\nWe write in support of strong and robust funding for the National Estuary Program and the South Florida Geographic Initiative at the Environmental Protection Agency. Florida's residents, and the millions of visitors to the state each year, depend on these programs to preserve and clean vulnerable watersheds. Investments in protecting these environments are critical to the health and economy of Florida.\n\nOur beaches, estuaries, and countless waterways are an important part of life in Florida. When they are healthy they support thousands of jobs, protect real estate values, and preserve wildlife habitat. Florida's mangrove forests defend against sea level rise and mitigate hurricane damage. Their ecological health is threatened by pollution and hazardous waste; however, work can be done to save these ecosystems and help them thrive.\n\nThe National Estuary Program and the South Florida Geographic Initiative are both critical to protecting Florida's natural wonders. The National Estuary Program helps clean up vulnerable watersheds where Floridians work, swim, and fish. The four estuaries in Florida generate tens of billions of dollars annually for local economies. A recent report by the Inland River Lagoon Council found that for every dollar spent on clean up and protection, the Lagoon returns $33 in total economic value.\n\nLocal estuaries have suffered years of pollution, contributing to a layer of brown algae covering water surfaces. This algae impedes sunlight, preventing seagrass growth and contributing to the death of fish, dolphins, and manatees. Additionally, the South Florida Geographic Initiative provides critical monitoring of potentially hazardous substances that could damage seagrass, coral, and water quality. The health of our waters is critical to Florida's fishing and tourism industry. Each year, the Everglades attracts more than a million visitors who create over $100 million in economic benefits and more than 1,400 jobs. The Everglades also provides drinking water to millions of Central and South Floridians, making its well-being a critical part of our well-being.\n\nPreserving our environment is not a partisan issue. These programs protect the health and prosperity of all Floridians. As we move towards consideration of funding for the entire government, we encourage continued funding at FY 2017 levels for these critical programs that safeguard our local communities and economies. These programs in particular are essential to Florida's ability to clean up and prevent water pollution, leaks from hazardous waste sites, and monitor water and air quality.\n\nSincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T22:19:19Z"], ["https://www.billnelson.senate.gov/newsroom/news/nelson-calls-for-congress-to-preserve-net-neutrality", "Nelson calls for Congress to preserve net neutrality", "2017-12-14", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Bill Nelson", "N000032", "www.billnelson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sen. Bill Nelson, the top Democrat on the Senate Commerce Committee, is calling for Congress to preserve the net neutrality rules following today's FCC vote to repeal them.\n\nCongress needs to fix the mess the FCC has now created with a lasting solution that will fully protect consumers and preserve the FCCs authority,\" Nelson said in a statement. \"Securing these protections will be difficult and wont happen quickly given the current political climate in Congress. But, for the sake of consumers, we have to continue to try.\n\nSen. Ed Markey, meanwhile, released the text of a resolution that would use the Congressional Review Act to reverse the FCC's net neutrality repeal. It has 15 co-sponsors so far including fellow Democratic Sens. Ron Wyden, Maria Cantwell, Brian Schatz, Richard Blumenthal, Sheldon Whitehouse, Jeff Merkley, Kirsten Gillibrand, Tammy Baldwin, Martin Heinrich, Maggie Hassan, Amy Klobuchar, Gary Peters, Debbie Stabenow, Patrick Leahy and independent Bernie Sanders.\n\nRep. Mike Doyle has said he intends to introduce a House counterpart.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://crist.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=298", "CRIST, JOHNSON ESTABLISH BIPARTISAN HONOR AND CIVILITY CAUCUS", "2017-12-13", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Charlie Crist", "C001111", "crist.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Representatives Charlie Crist (D-FL) and Mike Johnson (R-LA) established a new bipartisan Honor and Civility Caucus to uphold and promote the ideals of civility and statesmanship and to restore trust and confidence in America\u2019s political institutions. The caucus will work to foster more productive dialogue in Congress and to advance specific initiatives to improve the tone of the nation\u2019s politics and public discourse.An official caucus membership invitation is being sent to members of Congress this week, and many leaders on both sides of the aisle have already expressed an interest in joining. Earlier this year, more than 120 members signed on to the \u201cCommitment to Civility,\u201d which was authored by Johnson and has been attributed to making a significant impact on the Hill. Reps. Crist and Johnson released the following statement:\r\n\u201cAs the nation\u2019s leaders, members of Congress should aspire to the highest standards and set an example of personal integrity, decency and mutual respect for the generations of Americans that will follow. We can be stalwarts of our respective policy positions without tearing one another down. Although the members of this caucus will represent both political parties and a wide range of individual views across the political spectrum, our belief is that we can disagree in an agreeable manner and maintain collegiality and the honor of our office. Our aim is to help reverse the increasing divisions in and coarsening of our culture.\u201d Background\r\nJohnson authored the \u201cCommitment to Civility\u201d in January to memorialize the members\u2019 agreement to, among other things,\u00a0restore collegiality, trust and civility to the Congress,\u00a0encourage productive dialogue, and work to build consensus and the public's trust in America\u2019s institutions. In a continuation of this effort, Crist and Johnson introduced bipartisan legislation in June to designate a National Day of Civility to propose an annual observance on\u00a0July 12th, inspired in part by the language of\u00a0Matthew 7:12, which begins: \"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.\u201d\u00a0  The\u00a07th annual report on Civility in America\u00a0was released earlier this year, finding that incivility has reached \u201ccrisis levels\u201d in our country. Nine out of 10 Americans agree that incivility leads to intimidation, threats, harassment, discrimination, violence and cyberbullying. A majority of Americans believe that incivility in our politics encourages general incivility in society and deters citizens from engaging in public service.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.billnelson.senate.gov/newsroom/news/nelson-calls-on-senate-to-block-atlantic-coast-drilling", "Nelson Calls on Senate To Block Atlantic Coast Drilling", "2017-12-13", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Bill Nelson", "N000032", "www.billnelson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Florida U.S. Senator Bill Nelson urged his colleagues Tuesday to take up and pass legislation he and others filed earlier this year to block the Trump administration from opening up additional areas to offshore oil drilling until at least 2022.\n\u00a0\nThe move comes amid reports that the Trump administration is planning to unveil a new five-year oil and gas leasing plan that would open up the entire Atlantic coast to drilling.\n\u00a0\nThe new five-year plan, which would go into effect in 2019, would replace the current five-year plan not set to expire until 2022.\n\u00a0\nIn April, Trump signed an executive order directing Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke to open up new areas to offshore drilling by altering the current five-year oil and gas leasing plan that took effect earlier this year and doesn't expire until 2022.\n\u00a0\nIn response, Nelson and others filed legislation that would prohibit Zinke from making any changes to the current five-year plan before it expires.\n\u00a0\nNelson, a long-time opponent of having oil rigs too close to Florida\u2019s coast, often cites the state's unique environment, its multi-billion dollar, tourism-driven economy and the vital national military training areas in the Gulf of Mexico ... along with rocket booster staging zones in the Atlantic Ocean ... as reasons why drilling should not be allowed near Florida's coast.\n\u00a0\nIn 2006, Nelson and then-Senator Mel Martinez successfully brokered a deal to ban drilling off Florida\u2019s Gulf coast through the year 2022.\n\u00a0\nNelson filed legislation earlier this year to extend that ban an additional five years, to 2027.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.billnelson.senate.gov/newsroom/news/sen-bill-nelson-us-cant-walk-away-from-venezuela", "Sen. Bill Nelson: U.S. can't walk away from Venezuela", "2017-12-13", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Bill Nelson", "N000032", "www.billnelson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON - During a speech at the U.S. SouthCom's annual human rights conference Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson said the U.S. can't forget about the crisis in Venezuela.\n\u00a0\nNelson, a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said increasingly hostile states such as Russia, China and Iran want to influence the hemisphere.\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\"There are forces ready to take our place: Whether it\u2019s drug-traffickers or transnational criminal organizations, ... Their interests are not those of the people of the region,\" Nelson said. \"And their interests are certainly not ours.\"\nThe Florida Democrat said there is bipartisan support in Congress for continued U.S. leadership in the hemisphere and he counts on the support of Sen. Marco Rubio.\n\u00a0\nNelson wants the Treasury Department to sanction all of the members of Venezuela's new constituent assembly and to ban the import of Venezuelan crude oil into the U.S., a move that would affect Gulf Coast refineries.\n\u00a0\n\"Nelson led a group of nearly two dozen lawmakers in calling on the administration to grant Temporary Protected Status to all eligible Venezuelans,\" Nelson's spokesman Ryan Brown said in a statement.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://soto.house.gov/media/in-the-news/rep-soto-nyc-times-square-attack", "Rep. Soto on NYC Times Square Attack", "2017-12-12", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Darren Soto", "S001200", "soto.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Darren Soto (FL-09) said the attempted terrorist attack in New York on December 11 was a reminder of how important the nation's national security and defense are from preventing these attacks from happening:\n \n\t\"We are reminded of how important is it to have a strong foreign policy and\u00a0defense of our nation in our homeland.\"\u00a0\n\t\t\u00a0\n\t\t\"Thankfully there were no casualties which made it less devastating. But it still shows that we, as a country, are vulnerable to terrorists. We must remain vigilant. Thanks to the New York Police Department and all the First Responders for your brave work in keeping Americans safe!\u00a0\n \nRep. Soto also mentioned we should continue to support allies in the Middle East to defeat the terrorist groups.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases/soto-curbelo-s-foreign-spill-protection-act-signed-law", "Soto, Curbelo\u2019s Foreign Spill Protection Act Signed Into Law", "2017-12-12", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Darren Soto", "S001200", "soto.house.gov", "soto", "https://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, President Trump signed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2018, which includes the bipartisan Foreign Spill Protection Act, co-introduced by freshman Representative Darren Soto (FL-09) and Republican Representative Carlos Curbelo (FL-26). This legislation (H.R. 468), led by Rep. Curbelo, would ensure foreign entities that cause an oil spill into U.S. waters and shores are also responsible for all cleanup costs.\n\n\"The passage of this robust NDAA bill, including our Foreign Spill Protection Act, is a testament of Congress coming together to prioritize the safety and protection of America's coastal areas. I am proud to support this bill that would hold foreign oil drilling companies fully responsible for spills near our shores, including Florida's coasts,\" stated Rep. Soto. \"The reality is, we're allowing an increasing number of countries to drill into our shores, many who do not follow the same safety protocols or standards as we do in the United States \u2013they must be placed under higher scrutiny. My colleague Rep. Curbelo and I will continue working on protecting our beautiful beaches and coastal areas.\"\n\n\"I'm proud of the passage of the Foreign Spill Protection Act I introduced earlier this year. This forward-looking legislation anticipates the risks of a foreign-based oil spill impacting American waters and coastlines, ensuring foreign entities responsible for an oil spill affecting U.S. waters and our coastline are also responsible for all cleanup costs, regardless of where the spill took place,\" stated Rep.Curbelo. \"This will incentivize all foreign offshore producers to implement the safest technologies and practices to reduce the likelihood of a major spill \u2013 a win for coastal communities and the small businesses and families that depend on the sea.\"\n\nThe annual NDAA, which authorizes close to $700 billion for the Department of Defense and defense-related programs, including policies on how the money is spent, passed the House by a vote of 356-70 and passed the Senate by voice. Today, President Trump signed the legislation into law. The Foreign Spill Protection Act was offered as an amendment to the NDAA and it was included as Section 3508. It amends the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to provide additional resources for the Coast Guard's retirement account and exposes foreign owners and operators of oil production facilities to liability for cleanup costs and damages from oil spills that threaten or cause damage in the United States.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T22:19:19Z"], ["https://stephaniemurphy.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=550", "Murphy Provisions Become Law as Part of National Defense Authorization Act", "2017-12-12", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Stephanie Murphy", "M001202", "stephaniemurphy.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, the President signed into law the Fiscal Year 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which sets policy and authorizes funding for the U.S. military. U.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy of Winter Park, Fla., succeeded in including two provisions in the final bill that will bolster our national security and grow our economy. The provisions make it easier for small businesses to obtain contracts and grants from the Department of Defense and other federal agencies. Murphy\u2019s provisions will empower American small businesses to continue innovating and inventing cutting-edge technology that will help keep our military strong and ready to defend against threats to our nation. These are Murphy\u2019s first two legislative measures to become law.\u201cOur nation faces an unprecedented number of global threats, and the National Defense Authorization Act will provide our military with the resources it needs to take on those challenges and succeed in its vital mission,\u201d said Murphy, a member of the House Armed Services Committee. \u201cI\u2019m proud that two of my provisions to help central Florida and the country were signed into law by the President today. I will continue supporting our military and the brave servicemembers who keep our nation safe.\u201d The FY2018 NDAA includes a Murphy-authored amendment to help small businesses obtain federal contracts and grants to engage in research and development that is in the national interest and that has the potential to be commercialized. It also contains the text of a bill Murphy introduced with Rep. Dave Brat, R-Va., to help ensure that small businesses receive their fair and legally-required share of federal government contracts. Additionally, the bill includes several provisions written by Murphy to support Florida\u2019s $5 billion modeling, simulation, and training industry, which employs around 30,000 Floridians. The law also provides a 2.4% pay raise for military servicemembers, above the President\u2019s request for an increase of 2.1%. Among many other provisions, it also expresses that climate change is a direct threat to national security. During the Committee\u2019s consideration of the legislation, Murphy spoke about the serious impact of climate change on U.S. national security interests. A video of her remarks can be found here. While these are the first two legislative measures by Murphy to become law, seven other measures she authored or co-authored have passed the House, and two others have passed Committee. ###\r\nU.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy represents Florida\u2019s Seventh Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, where she serves on the House Armed Services Committee and Small Business Committee. The district includes all of Seminole County and much of northern Orange County, including downtown Orlando, Maitland, Winter Park, and the University of Central Florida. Previously, Murphy was a businesswoman and college instructor who also served as a national security specialist in the Office of the Secretary of Defense where she received numerous awards for her distinguished service, including the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Civilian Service. Murphy lives in Winter Park with her husband and two children.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.billnelson.senate.gov/newsroom/news/prospect-of-oil-drilling-off-atlantic-stirs-concern-from-opponents", "Prospect of oil drilling off Atlantic stirs concern from opponents", "2017-12-12", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Bill Nelson", "N000032", "www.billnelson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Florida Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson is urging his colleagues to pass legislation to block oil drilling off the East Coast through 2022 amid reports the Trump administration soon might open the door to energy exploration in the mid- and South Atlantic as early as 2019 \u2014 three years earlier than currently allowed.\n\"Why is the Department of Interior in such a rush,\" Nelson said on the Senate floor Tuesday. \"The answer is because the oil industry wants to start drilling in these areas now, and the Trump administration is going to let them do it.\"\nBloomberg News is reporting the administration could unveil as soon as this week \"an expansive offshore oil plan that would open the door to selling new drilling rights in Atlantic waters.\" Politico has a similar story about an impending change that would kick-start the five-year plan in 2019 rather than 2022.\nThere's also concern from environmentalists the plan could include leases for areas close to Florida's Gulf Coast though the Pentagon's need to conduct military exercises could make it difficult for the administration to allow drilling within the current buffer zone 125 miles off shore.\nHeather Swift, a spokeswoman for the Interior Department, said the agency has nothing to announce \"at this time.\"\nOpening up leases would be the next step in a directive Trump first unveiled in April that could eventually open up Arctic waters and millions of coastal acres off U.S. shores to oil and gas drilling.\n\"Our country is blessed with incredible natural resources including abundant offshore oil and natural gas resources, but the federal government has kept 94% of these offshore areas closed for exploration and production,\" the president said at the time. \"This deprives our country of potentially thousands and thousands of jobs and billions in wealth.\"\nHis order, known as the America First Offshore Energy Strategy, directs Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke to review the current five-year development plan on the Outer Continental Shelf for offshore oil and gas exploration as well as review the regulations and permitting process for development and seismic research.\nWhile cheered by energy-state Republicans, the prospect of drilling operations off the Atlantic coast has drawn bipartisan opposition from lawmakers worried about the impact on aquatic habitats and those representing tourism-dependent states fearful a spill could tar beach-side economies.\nRep. Mark Sanford, a Tea Party congressman from South Carolina, responded to Trump's order in the spring by introducing a bill to suspend offshore drilling and all related activities in the waters off the East Coast for the next decade.\n\"One of every ten jobs in South Carolina comes from tourism, and this means $13 billion in impact every year to our coastal counties alone,\" he said at the time. \"Drilling would put this economic driver at risk.\"\nFlorida GOP Rep. Francis Rooney recently rang alarm bells about drilling off the Gulf Coast, pointing to a key House committee\u2019s approval of a bill last month that failed to include an extension of the 125-mile moratorium when it expires June 30, 2022.\nThe Interior Department oversees 1.7 billion acres on the Outer Continental Shelf, which contain an estimated 90 billion barrels of undiscovered, recoverable oil and 327 trillion cubic feet of undiscovered, recoverable natural gas. The Outer Continental Shelf accounts for about 18% of the domestically produced crude oil and 4% of domestic natural gas supply overall.\nIn 2008, the year before Obama took office, leasing revenues for offshore energy were about $18 billion, Zinke said. By 2016, they had dropped to about $2.8 billion, though he said some of that decline was due to falling gasoline prices.\nThis order, Zinke said in April, \"puts us on track for American energy independence.\"\nOn Tuesday, Nelson urged the president not to follow through with the plan.\n\"It's not only a threat to the environment, but it's a threat to the multi-billion-dollar, tourism-driven economy,\" he said. \"The stakes are exceptionally high. We simply can't risk it.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.billnelson.senate.gov/newsroom/news/senators-call-on-pai-to-abandon-net-neutrality-plan", "Senators call on Pai to 'abandon' net neutrality plan", "2017-12-12", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Bill Nelson", "N000032", "www.billnelson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Thirty-nine senators including Commerce Committee ranking Democrat Bill Nelson and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer are urging FCC Chairman Ajit Pai to \"abandon your reckless plan to radically alter the free and open internet as we know it.\"\n\u00a0\n\"Underlying your plan is the false notion that your action will return the internet to the supposed halcyon days of 'light touch' regulation in the past,\" they wrote in a letter today to the agency chief ahead of Thursday's vote on net neutrality. \"This notion \u2014 that the way the agency approached internet access in the 1990s and early 2000s is the perfect approach today \u2014 ignores the very different role that the internet plays in 2017.\"\n\u00a0\nOf the senators who signed the letter, 37 are Democrats and two are independents.\n\u00a0\nThe FCC has said it has no plans to delay this week's vote. The House telecom subcommittee's top Democrat, Mike Doyle, and Sen. Ed Markey have both said they intend to introduce measures to undo the FCC's repeal by way of the Congressional Review Act if the vote goes through on Thursday as expected.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=657", "Members of the Democratic Womens Working Group Request Congressional Investigation into Sexual Misconduct Allegations Against President Trump", "2017-12-11", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Lois Frankel", "F000462", "frankel.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 The leadership of the Democratic Women\u2019s Working Group (DWWG), Reps. Lois Frankel (FL-21), Brenda Lawrence (MI-14), and Jackie Speier (CA-14), along with 56 members of DWWG sent a letter to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform requesting a Congressional investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct against President Trump.\r\nAt least 17 women have publicly accused the President of sexual misconduct, including forced kissing, and unwanted touching and groping. Mr. Trump has denied the allegations and called the women liars.\r\n\u201cThe American people deserve a full inquiry into the truth of these allegations,\u201d said Rep. Frankel.\r\n\u201cRegardless of the victim or alleged perpetrator, every voice deserves to be heard and justice demands transparency, accountability and respect of due process. A thorough investigation into these accusations of sexual misconduct by President Trump is long overdue,\u201d said Rep. Lawrence\r\n\r\n\u201cWhile the President\u2019s behavior certainly warrants a call for his resignation, the most important thing we in Congress can do right now is a comprehensive investigation,\u201d said Congresswoman Speier. \u201cWhat I find most disturbing is the fact that his victims were dismissed out of hand or, even worse, called liars. These women deserve to have us engage in a serious examination of the allegations and facts, as does the American public.\u201d\r\n\r\nThe letter goes on to say: \u201cIn the time of \u2018Me Too,\u2019 women across the country are coming forward with their own harrowing stories of sexual harassment and assault. Members of Congress have also come under scrutiny and investigation, with some resigning, for improper sexual conduct. We cannot ignore the multitude of women who have come forward with accusations against Mr. Trump. With that said, the President should be allowed to present evidence in his own defense.\u201d\r\nFull text of the letter here.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://soto.house.gov/media/blog-posts/soto-demands-house-takes-care-unfinished-business", "Soto Demands House Takes Care of Unfinished Business", "2017-12-08", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Darren Soto", "S001200", "soto.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Representative Darren Soto voted \"NO\" on a Continuing Budget Resolution in order to push Congress to work swiftly to\u00a0resolve unfinished legislative business. The measure ultimately passed the House by a vote of 235-193 and the Senate by\u00a081-14 on December 7, 2017. House Republicans have solely focused on passing a Tax Reform bill, at the expense of other important issues. Rep. Soto urges colleagues to come to the negotiating table and address six priorities:\u00a0\n \n\t\tSCHIP (State Children\u2019s Health Insurance Program) Florida KidCare\n\t\n\t\n\t\tDREAM Act\n\t\n\t\n\t\tHurricane Disaster Relief for Florida, Puerto Rico & Texas\n\t\n\t\n\t\tFlood Insurance Program\u00a0\n\t\n\t\n\t\tFAA (Federal Aviation Administration)\u00a0\n\t\n\t\n\t\tTemporary Protected Status (TPS) Extension for Haitians and Central Americans\u00a0\n\t\n  \n\t\"We must get the job done on these critical priorities!\" - Rep. Darren Soto", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://soto.house.gov/media/in-the-news/leadership-action-hills-newsmaker-series-0", "Leadership in Action: The Hill's Newsmaker Series", "2017-12-08", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Darren Soto", "S001200", "soto.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Darren Soto spoke at an event at American University, along with Reps. Mia Love (R-Utah) and Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.), as part of The Hill's Newsmaker Series: Leadership in Action. The\u00a0dialogue revolved around\u00a0the importance of bipartisanship in Congress and the need for Members to work together to pass crucial legislation this month.\nRep. Soto shared his optimism for a more bipartisan environment, specifically when Members tackle local legislative issues directly affecting constituents. He also highlighted his experience working across the aisle during his tenure\u00a0in the Florida legislature:\u00a0\n\"One of my most sobering moments was in my first town hall, at\u00a029 years of age, and I told everybody about what issues I fought for, but then was asked 'Okay but what did you do?' And since then I've tried to answer that questions to constituents and\u00a0get the job done for\u00a0Central Florida.\"\nAs reported on\u00a0The Hill: Soto a member of the equal-parts-Republican-and-Democratic Problem Solvers Caucus, said he wasn't surprised at the partisanship on big issues, but pointed out the relatively easy procedure to clear run-of-the-mill legislation through Congress.\n\"My expectation was on the big issues it was going to be very partisan because the nation is divided,\" he said, adding that \"bills are passing every day but they deal with commonsense things.\"\nSoto said the current partisan climate is, in part, something voters chose.\n\"I view it kind of as pendulum politics,\" he said. \"Right now it\u2019s nasty because before that we had a president who was very inspiring and talked about taking the high road and I think a lot of Americans were looking for, apparently, something else.\"\nBut Soto said the way candidates run their campaigns also leaves a mark on the way elected bodies ultimately behave.\n\"The strongest force in politics is a well knowledgeable, inspiring candidate and ultimately elected official. That Jedi position is the strongest in politics, but it\u2019s the hardest to do \u2014 you really need to know your stuff and you need to have a big vision,\" he said.\n  \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\nCongressman Darren Soto is committed to working with colleagues from both parties to get the work done for the people of Florida's 9th District.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://stephaniemurphy.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=544", "Lake Brantley High School Student Accepted to West Point", "2017-12-08", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Stephanie Murphy", "M001202", "stephaniemurphy.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Lake Brantley High School Student Accepted to West Point \r\n   \r\n    \r\n      Rep. Stephanie Murphy nominated senior Olivia Carter to the U.S. service academy \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 8, 2017\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. Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy of Winter Park, Fla., today announced that Lake Brantley High School senior Olivia Carter has been accepted to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Murphy nominated Carter to the prestigious service academy earlier this year. Carter will attend West Point starting in the summer of 2018. Upon graduation, she would be commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. West Point is one of the nation\u2019s five service academies\u2014along with the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy\u2014and ranks among the finest universities in the world.\u201cOlivia is a young woman of character and commitment, and I know she will be a terrific cadet and an excellent officer. I\u2019m proud to have nominated her, and I hope her acceptance will inspire other students from central Florida to consider applying to a service academy. Any interested student who lives in Florida\u2019s Seventh Congressional District should contact my office for more information,\u201d said Murphy, the only first-year Member of Congress who serves on West Point\u2019s Board of Visitors.  \r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n    \r\n        \r\n            \r\n        \r\n        \r\n            Olivia Carter (center) with her parents during a Signing Day ceremony at Lake Brantley High School, where she made a commitment to join the West Point women\u2019s lacrosse team.\r\n        \r\n    \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n  \r\nCarter has achieved academic and athletic excellence at Lake Brantley, where she maintains a 4.0 GPA, is a member of the National Honor Society, and helped lead the girls\u2019 varsity lacrosse team to three consecutive district championships.  She is expected to become a member of West Point\u2019s varsity lacrosse team.Admission to a U.S. service academy is highly competitive. All service academies, with the exception of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, generally require applicants to obtain a nomination from a Member of Congress or another authorized nominating source. The academies offer young men and women a tuition-free college education at a highly-ranked, nationally-recognized academic program, while preparing them for leadership roles in the U.S. Armed Forces or the Merchant Marines. To learn more about U.S. service academies or how to obtain a congressional nomination from Congresswoman Murphy, click here.   \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://wilson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-frederica-wilson-statement-on-president-donald-trump-s", "Congresswoman Frederica Wilson Statement on President Donald Trumps Jerusalem Declaration", "2017-12-08", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Frederica Wilson", "W000808", "wilson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Frederica Wilson issued the following statement in response to President Donald Trump's declaration that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel:\n\u201cPresident Trump\u2019s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel is troubling for a variety of reasons, but largely because of its almost immediate destabilizing effect in the Middle East. Violent clashes have erupted across the West Bank and Gaza, at least one death has been reported, and hundreds of people have been injured.\n\u201cLike many of the dubious decisions coming out of this White House, this one was made to fulfill a campaign promise. It\u2019s a promise that\u2019s been made by both Republican and Democratic presidential candidates, who once in office wisely realized it could not be kept. President Trump, however, made this declaration despite warnings from his own advisors that it was a bad idea. World leaders also have denounced the Jerusalem declaration.\n\u201cAlthough the move has created a significant setback, I very much hope that Israeli and Palestinian leaders will find their way back to the negotiating table and hash out the two-state solution that has for too long eluded them.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://soto.house.gov/media/in-the-news/chcis-nextgen-program-supports-young-emerging-leaders-puerto-rico", "CHCI's NextGen Program Supports Young, Emerging Leaders of Puerto Rico", "2017-12-07", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Darren Soto", "S001200", "soto.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) dedicated its 2017 Holiday Reception to raising awareness about the situation in Puerto Rico and to benefit students in their R2L NextGen Program. This program provides high school students from Puerto Rico the chance to spend time in Washington, D.C., explore\u00a0the city, learn\u00a0about politics and government, and engage with Members of Congress.\n \n\t\"I am happy to be here tonight in front of President Madison, one of the authors of the Bill of Rights. I believe he would be outraged today to see fundamental rights being violated in Puerto Rico,\" stated Rep. Soto.\u00a0\n \nCongressman Darren Soto, a member of the Congressional Hispanic\u00a0Caucus, delivered remarks thanking\u00a0CHCI for their work in providing professional opportunities and valuable life-long experiences\u00a0to young Latinos. Soto also provided an update on\u00a0the continued dire situation in Puerto Rico and reiterated the need for\u00a0Congress to work together and support rebuilding efforts on the island.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://wilson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-frederica-wilson-statement-on-the-concealed-carry", "Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson Statement on the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act", "2017-12-07", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Frederica Wilson", "W000808", "wilson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Frederica Wilson issued the following statement after the House passed the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act:\n\u201cToday the U.S. House of Representatives took a step toward making our country a more dangerous place. House Republicans, in a largely party line vote, passed the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, which will force every state in the nation to recognize concealed carry standards from every other state.\n\u201cTwenty-seven states and the District of Columbia currently prohibit individuals convicted of violent misdemeanors from obtaining concealed carry permits. But if H.R. 38 becomes law, someone from another state who would be ineligible to carry a concealed weapon in Florida will be able to do so.\n\u201cIt is as if they have forgotten that just two months ago in Las Vegas, 58 people were killed and 546 were injured in the deadliest mass shooting in recent history. A month later, 26 people were shot and killed in a rural Texas church. Last year, in my home state, 50 people were killed at an Orlando nightclub and next week will mark the fifth anniversary of the shooting at the Sandy Hook Elementary School that left 20 children dead.\n\u201cGiven the unprecedentedly high level of gun violence in this country, passing such a bill defies logic. Yet, instead of passing measures to keep Americans safer, such as banning bump stocks, House Republicans have chosen to undermine states\u2019 rights and put the lives of their constituents and mine at risk. And adding insult to injury, they tied their heinous bill to bipartisan legislation that aims to strengthen the nation\u2019s criminal background check system.\n\u201cI don\u2019t get it and hope and pray that Senate lawmakers don\u2019t either and overwhelmingly reject this bill.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://alceehastings.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398913", "Hastings Statement on Trump Administration Recognition of Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel", "2017-12-06", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Alcee Hastings", "H000324", "alceehastings.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) made the following statement after President Donald John Trump announced that the United States would recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and relocate its embassy to the city:\r\n\u201cI believe that Jerusalem is and should remain the undivided capital of Israel. To deny the Jewish connection to Jerusalem would be to deny world history. That being said, the manner in which the Trump Administration has announced its recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel is of great concern. \r\n\u201cIn the context of peace negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians, the sensitivity of the status of Jerusalem cannot be overstated. The ramifications of this decision could be profound, and I fear that the President made his decision based on political expediency rather than sound foreign policy. \r\n\u201cThe United States has long held that the final status of Jerusalem should be determined as part of an agreement negotiated between the State of Israel and the Palestinian leadership. The President\u2019s announcement undercuts this position, as well as the role of the United States as an honest mediator of the conflict. \r\n\u201cThis announcement puts the security of American embassies and consulates throughout the Arab world at risk. The United States should continue to support a two-state solution that provides for peace, security, and mutual recognition for both the Israeli and Palestinian people. \r\n\u201cEarlier this year, I introduced H.Res.393, a resolution supporting a concurrent track approach to the Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process and commending those Arab states that have courageously improved their relations with Israel. I believe this is the best approach to move this process forward, while recognizing the rights of both the Israeli and Palestinian people.\r\n\u201cIn light of the President\u2019s decision, I call on his administration and the international community to re-engage in a serious diplomatic effort with the Government of Israel and the Palestinian leadership to advance the peace process, including a negotiated agreement on the final status of Jerusalem.\u201d\r\nCongressman Alcee L. Hastings serves as Senior Member of the House Rules Committee, Ranking Democratic Member 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://teddeutch.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399211", "Reps. Deutch, Ros-Lehtinen Joint Statement on Recognizing Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel", "2017-12-06", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Ted Deutch", "D000610", "teddeutch.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Reps. Deutch, Ros-Lehtinen Joint Statement on Recognizing Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel \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 6, 2017\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 Ted Deutch (FL-22) and Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27), Ranking Member and Chairman respectively of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa, issued this joint statement following President Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel:\u201cThe President\u2019s decision today is a recognition of existing U.S. law that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel and that the U.S. embassy should ultimately be located in the capital. There is no debate that the Jewish people have a deep-rooted religious, cultural and historic tie to Jerusalem, and today\u2019s decision reaffirms that connection. The fact is that Jerusalem \u2013 an ancient and holy city to all three monotheistic faiths \u2013 will remain the capital of the Jewish state in any iteration of a negotiated two-state solution. Today\u2019s decision does not preclude our shared goal of two states for two peoples to be negotiated between the parties themselves. Now is the time for urgent progress towards the President\u2019s stated objective of achieving a real and lasting peace.\u201d\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://frankel.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=653", "Rep. Frankel Statement on President Trumps Recognition of Jerusalem as Israels Capital", "2017-12-06", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Lois Frankel", "F000462", "frankel.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Frankel Statement on President Trump\u2019s Recognition of Jerusalem as Israel\u2019s Capital \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 6, 2017\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 \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-21) issued the following statement after President Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel:\u201cThe President\u2019s announcement today is consistent with current U.S. law and reaffirms what we already know: Jerusalem is the eternal capital of the Jewish people and the State of Israel. The U.S. must recommit to our long-standing goal of a negotiated solution that leads to two states for two people. Only direct negotiations between the parties will allow Israelis and Palestinians to live side by side in peace, security and mutual recognition.\u201d\r\n   \r\n###\r\n  \r\n\u00a0\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://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-soto-s-statement-administration-recognizing-jerusalem-israel-s-capital", "Rep. Soto\u2019s Statement on Administration Recognizing Jerusalem as Israel\u2019s Capital", "2017-12-06", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Darren Soto", "S001200", "soto.house.gov", "soto", "https://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "\"The United States has traditionally located our embassies in nations' capitals. Accordingly, our U.S. Embassy should ultimately be in Jerusalem, the Capital of Israel. I do remain concerned, though, about the timing and abrupt manner of this announcement. Over the long term, we must continue to be deeply committed to the peace process and a two-state solution for the Jewish and Palestinian peoples.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T22:19:19Z"], ["https://www.billnelson.senate.gov/newsroom/news/bill-nelson-looks-to-expand-floridas-solar-industry-through-green-banking-act", "Bill Nelson looks to expand Florida's solar industry through 'Green Banking Act'", "2017-12-06", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Bill Nelson", "N000032", "www.billnelson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Senator Bill Nelson introduced legislation this week that could further expand the solar industry in Florida by allowing banks to invest heavily in the renewable energy sector, a financial move which is currently banned under Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation regulation.\n\u00a0\nUnder the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, bank holding companies (BHCs) may invest in businesses engaged in non-banking activities, but are limited in the amount of outstanding stock they can control. Currently, BHCs are only allowed to control up to 5 percent of any non-banking company.\n\u00a0\nFlorida's senior senator wants to increase that amount up to 20 percent for companies that engage solely in the production or storage of renewable energy, a stimulus for BHCs that could potentially flood the renewable energy sector with capital needed to expand.\n\u00a0\n\u201cFlorida is the nation\u2019s Sunshine State but ranks twelfth when it comes to solar production,\u201d Nelson said in a press release Monday. \u201cThat needs to change.\u201d\n\u00a0\nNelson\u2019s ranking of Florida\u2019s solar production is a generous one at that. The Portland-based commercial research company Solar Power Rocks ranked Florida No. 26 overall in its 2017 U.S. Solar Power Rankings.\n\u00a0\nA total of 11 policy and incentive factors are used in the ranking of each state. Some of the factors include electricity cost, net metering, rebates and performance payments. Florida scored low on all weighed factors except for net metering and tax exemptions.\n\u00a0\nAccording to Nelson, allowing BHCs to invest more freely in the relatively untapped marketplace would make it easier for those financial institutions to offer financing to homeowners for the instillation of rooftop solar power systems.\n\u00a0\nPricing for the instillation of a rooftop solar power system varies widely from state-to-state, but the average homeowner can expect to pay upwards of $21,000 before tax credits, according to HomeAdvisor. Banks have been hesitant to approve loans for such homestead modifications, giving rise to third-party financing via solar power purchase agreements.\n\u00a0\nNelson says his \u201cGreen Banking Act\u201d would direct the Federal House Finance Agency (FHFA) to create uniform underwriting standards that banks owned by BHCs could use in the offering of loans to homeowners looking to go green.\n\u00a0\nIf enacted, the bill would effectively add the following to the end of 12 U.S.C 4565(b)(4):\n\u00a0\n\u2026and develop appropriate and prudent underwriting guidelines relating to financing for residential solar energy systems, as defined in section 2(a) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C 17039(a)), to facilitate the secondary market for mortgages on housing with such systems for low- and moderate-in-come households, including systems not owned by the mortgagor but subject to lease, power purchase, or other contractual terms.\u201d\nThe legislation includes a provision which would require the director of the FDIC to conduct a review to help identify ways to increase the \u201cfinancing for residential solar energy system property improvements in underserved markets, including examining current obstacles to such financing.\u201d\n\u00a0\nThe renewable energy sector consisted of more than 650,000 workers in 2016, according to a U.S. Department of Energy report, more than both the coal and natural gas electric generation industries combined.\n\u00a0\nMoreover, approximately 373,800 Americans worked at least part-time to manufacture, install, distribute or provide professional services to solar (photovoltaic) technologies in the first quarter of 2016. Solar power employers reported in 2016 that they expected employment to increase by 7 percent over the next year, according to the DOE report.\n\u00a0\nWhile a large portion of the solar energy produced in the U.S. is considered utility-scale \u2013 either owned or operated by utility companies \u2013 over half of the nation\u2019s solar energy workforce was spending a majority of its time working on residential solar projects in 2016, according to the report.\n\u00a0\nHowever, most of those solar energy jobs exist outside of Florida, according to recent findings.\n\u00a0\nA BW Research Partnership report sponsored by the Florida Alliance for Renewable Energy (FARE) estimated that there were roughly 14,000 \"clean energy\" businesses in the State of Florida in 2014. Those businesses employed approximately 130,000 Floridians, of which only about 11,000 worked in the renewable energy sector.\n\u00a0\n\u201cThis bill will make it easier for homeowners to invest in their own solar installations while, at the same time, making it easier for larger renewable energy companies to access the capital they need to expand and create more jobs in Florida,\u201d Nelson said.\n\u00a0\nNelson\u2019s bill was read twice in the Senate on Monday and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs. The committee has yet to be announce a date when it will review the legislation.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://teddeutch.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399210", "Ranking Member Deutch Applauds House Passage of Taylor Force Act", "2017-12-05", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Ted Deutch", "D000610", "teddeutch.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Ranking Member Deutch Applauds House Passage of Taylor Force Act \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 5, 2017\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 Ted Deutch (FL-22), Ranking Member of the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee, issued this statement after the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed the Taylor Force Act (H.R. 1164):\u201cWe need trusted partners for peace in the Palestinian Authority. That starts by ending the subsidy program for acts of terrorism.\u00a0I\u2019m proud that Congress came together to produce a strong bipartisan bill to finally pressure the Palestinian Authority to stop their \u2018pay for slay\u2019 practice. Rather than encouraging violence against Israelis, the Palestinian leadership should rally the Palestinian people toward peace with Israel by resuming direct negotiations.\u201d Click the image below to watch Congressman Deutch's floor statement:\r\n\r\n    \r\n        \r\n            \r\n        \r\n    \r\n\r\n\r\n  \r\nThe House Foreign Affairs Committee unanimously passed the Taylor Force Act on November 15. His statement following that vote can be found\u00a0here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://soto.house.gov/media/in-the-news/ucf-shabbat-visit", "UCF Shabbat Visit", "2017-12-05", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Darren Soto", "S001200", "soto.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Darren Soto visited the\u00a0University of Central Florida's Hillel to engage\u00a0students in a conversation at their final Shabbat of the semester. Rep. Soto\u00a0spoke about his recent AIPAC trip to Israel and\u00a0the importance of the US-Israel relationship. The students were then able to engage in a lively Q&A session on\u00a0issues ranging from\u00a0net neutrality to topics affecting their communities. The Congressman also provided insights for what is to come next in this\u00a0legislative session.\u00a0\n\u00a0 \u00a0\n\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\nThe students of the University of Central Florida are\u00a0civically engaged and Rep.\u00a0Soto hopes to continue\u00a0these conversations to\u00a0provide the federal resouces they need.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://stephaniemurphy.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=541", "Murphy Introduces Comprehensive Bill to Reauthorize CHIP, Community Health Centers, and Other Expired Public Health Programs", "2017-12-05", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Stephanie Murphy", "M001202", "stephaniemurphy.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy of Winter Park, Fla., today introduced comprehensive legislation (H.R. 4541) to reauthorize the Children\u2019s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Community Health Centers (CHCs), and other critical public health initiatives like the Special Diabetes program, the National Health Service Corps, and Family-to-Family Health Information Centers. Congress failed to renew funding for these programs by the Sept. 30 deadline, placing their future in peril. In addition, Murphy\u2019s bill provides robust funding to support the under-resourced Medicaid system in Puerto Rico and the other U.S. territories, and to support the Medicaid system in states like Florida that enroll displaced individuals from hurricane-stricken Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The cost of the bill is fully offset by modifying the timing, but not the amount, of federal payments to Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D plans, a move supported by numerous independent experts.     \u201cA healthy nation is a strong and resilient nation,\u201d said Murphy. \u201cMy fiscally-responsible bill provides support for children and families, invests in the prevention and treatment of serious diseases, helps our fellow U.S. citizens in Puerto Rico and other territories, and strengthens the health care systems in states like Florida that are welcoming Americans displaced by Hurricane Maria. It\u2019s vital that we work across party lines to help the tens of millions of Americans, including millions of children, who depend on these public health initiatives.\u201d CHIP provides health insurance to nearly nine million lower-income children in the U.S., including about 400,000 children in Florida, nearly 30,000 of whom reside in the central Florida region that Murphy represents.  Florida estimates that it will run out of funding to operate the state\u2019s CHIP program, known as KidCare, in January 2018 unless Congress acts. Other states are in a similar position. CHCs provide health services to 25 million Americans through more than 10,000 centers nationwide.  This includes 460 centers in Florida that serve 1.4 million patients a year. A recent academic study estimates that failure to renew the CHC program could compromise patient health and result in the loss of up to 160,000 American jobs. Murphy\u2019s legislation appropriates $1 billion to support the Medicaid system in Florida and other states that are receiving many displaced individuals from Puerto Rico, which will ensure these individuals receive high-quality care while protecting Florida\u2019s taxpayers. Murphy\u2019s bill also places special emphasis on assisting Puerto Rico and the other U.S. territories, whose Medicaid systems have been seriously underfunded by the federal government, leading to health and fiscal problems.  Her bill allocates $8 billion in Medicaid funding for Puerto Rico over the next five years, and reduces the amount of matching funding that Puerto Rico must provide.        For a summary of the bill's key provisions, click here. \u00a0\r\n\r\nU.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy represents Florida\u2019s Seventh Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, where she serves on the House Armed Services Committee and Small Business Committee. The district includes all of Seminole County and much of northern Orange County, including downtown Orlando, Maitland, Winter Park, and the University of Central Florida. Previously, Murphy was a businesswoman and college instructor who also served as a national security specialist in the Office of the Secretary of Defense where she received numerous awards for her distinguished service, including the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Civilian Service. Murphy lives in Winter Park with her husband and two children.\r\n\r\n\r\nU.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy represents Florida\u2019s Seventh Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, where she serves on the House Armed Services Committee and Small Business Committee. The district includes all of Seminole County and much of northern Orange County, including downtown Orlando, Maitland, Winter Park, and the University of Central Florida. Previously, Murphy was a businesswoman and college instructor who also served as a national security specialist in the Office of the Secretary of Defense where she received numerous awards for her distinguished service, including the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Civilian Service. Murphy lives in Winter Park with her husband and two children.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://wilson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-wilson-continues-fight-to-strengthen-nursing-home", "Congresswoman Wilson Continues Fight to Strengthen Nursing Home Emergency Preparedness", "2017-12-05", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Frederica Wilson", "W000808", "wilson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 In another initiative to prevent the kind of negligence that led to the deaths of 14 residents of the Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills, Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson has added important language to the Disaster Recovery Reform Act. The bipartisan legislation, which has been considered and approved by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, \u201cfocuses on improving pre-disaster planning and mitigation to reduce the future loss of life and the rising costs of disasters.\u201d\n\u201cThe measure requires FEMA to provide much-needed disaster response guidance and assistance to ensure that nursing homes and other long-term care facilities are better prioritized and can function or return to functioning status as soon as possible during and after power outages,\u201d the Florida lawmaker said. \u201cThis is a top priority for me.\u201d (Click here to watch a video of the congresswoman\u2019s hearing remarks.)\nThe Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills was unable to power its air conditioning system after Hurricane Irma swept across Florida. Instead of taking patients to the fully powered hospital across the street, the nursing home forced patients, many of them elderly, to endure extreme temperatures. Fourteen people died as a result of the facility\u2019s dereliction of duty to safeguard its patients.\nSince the tragedy, which is believed to have been preventable, Congresswoman Wilson has taken several steps to improve nursing home emergency preparedness in her state and across the nation, including a district town hall meeting at which she launched a long-term care emergency response task force to address first response efforts at long-term care facilities and a congressional field hearing in Miami on nursing homes\u2019 emergency preparedness and response to disasters.\nIn a letter to Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-Texas) and Ranking Member Richard Neal (D-Mass.), Congresswoman Wilson, joined by Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.), called on the committee to investigate the tragedy at Hollywood Hills so that lawmakers can \u201cunderstand what led to such a horrific incident and how we can prevent such a tragedy in the future.\u201d\nCongresswoman Wilson and 36 House members also have written to the heads of the Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to urge the agencies to \u201cconsider additional regulations requiring some nursing homes to possess alternate energy sources that can sustain heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems and to maintain a fuel supply that will last for at least seven days. The lawmakers also are calling on the agencies to consider regulations that would encourage state and local municipalities to warehouse additional alternate energy sources they can easily access in the event that their emergency plans fail.\nIn addition, the Florida Democrat plans to introduce legislation that will require nursing homes and other long-term care facilities that receive federal funding and resources to have a backup generator or other power source to protect residents, particularly senior citizens, from severe weather conditions.\n\u201cThe 14 Rehabilitation Center residents didn\u2019t have to die,\u201d she says. \u201cWe have to do all that we can to ensure that such a tragedy never happens again.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=652", "Rep. Frankel Votes Against Republican Tax Scam", "2017-12-04", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Lois Frankel", "F000462", "frankel.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-21) issued the following statement after voting against latest attempts by Republicans to pass a massive tax scam:\r\n\u201cThe Republicans moved forward tonight with a tax scam that will raise taxes on middle-class families across this country and lead to severe cuts in Medicare, Social Security, and Medicaid. If the Republicans get their way, the ultra-rich and big corporations will get massive tax cuts at the expense of everyone else. Democrats offer Americans a Better Deal, one to invest in education, infrastructure, and research and lower the cost of things like prescription drugs and family care.\u201d\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.billnelson.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/nelson-files-bill-to-expand-solar-industry-in-florida", "Nelson files bill to expand solar industry in Florida", "2017-12-04", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Bill Nelson", "N000032", "www.billnelson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013\u00a0U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) filed legislation today designed to drastically boost investment in renewable sources of energy, such as solar.\nIf approved, Nelson\u2019s legislation would make it easier for banks to invest in renewable energy companies by allowing them to own a larger share of such companies. It would also make it easier for banks to provide financing to homeowners looking to install solar panels on residential rooftops.\nUnder current law, banks are prohibited from owning more than five percent of a non-financial company \u2013 including those that produce renewable energy. Nelson\u2019s bill would encourage banks to invest more in renewable energy companies by allowing them to own up to 20 percent of a company that\u2019s engaged solely in producing or storing renewable energy.\n\u201cFlorida is the nation\u2019s Sunshine State but ranks twelfth when it comes to solar production,\u201d Nelson said. \u201cThat needs to change. This bill will make it easier for homeowners to invest in their own solar installations while, at the same time, making it easier for larger renewable energy companies to access the capital they need to expand and create more jobs in Florida.\u201d\nProponents of the plan argue that by allowing banks to invest more in renewable energy companies, Nelson\u2019s bill makes more capital available to renewable energy companies, which will make it easier for them to expand and create more jobs.\u00a0\nIn addition to increasing investment in renewable energy companies, Nelson\u2019s bill would also make it easier for banks to provide financing to homeowners looking to install solar panels on their own residential rooftops.\nOne of the greatest barriers currently preventing homeowners from installing solar panels on their own rooftops is the initial, upfront cost. A 2016 Pew Research Center study found that 40 percent of homeowners have given serious thought to adding solar panels to their own roofs.\u00a0\nDespite the potential demand, very few banks offer financing to homeowners seeking to add solar panels to their own roofs because they either don\u2019t know how to underwrite such a loan, or they are afraid of penalties if they get it wrong.\u00a0\nNelson\u2019s bill would make it easier for banks to offer consumers the financing they need for such projects by directing the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) to create uniform underwriting standards that banks can use to offer such loans to consumers.\nThe renewable energy industry employs more American workers than both the coal and natural gas industries combined. According to the U.S. Dept. of Energy, 547,000 Americans work in the renewable energy sector compared to 160,000 in the coal industry, and 362,000 in the natural gas industry.\nOf the more than half a million people who work in the renewable energy industry, fewer than 15,000 work in Florida. In fact, Florida currently ranks twelfth in the nation for solar energy production \u2013 trailing behind states such as California, Texas and North Carolina.\nAccording to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the average household in Florida spends $132.16 per month on electricity, almost 16 percent more than the national average. By helping to make financing more available, Nelson\u2019s legislation would make it easier for consumers to install their own solar rooftop installations to reduce their annual energy costs.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://teddeutch.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399208", "Rep. Deutch Statement on Passage of Senate GOP Tax Bill", "2017-12-02", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Ted Deutch", "D000610", "teddeutch.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-22) issued the following statement after Senate Republicans passed a partisan tax bill that will devastate hard-working American families while providing massive tax breaks for big corporations and top earners:\u201cThis is a shameful day for those Senate Republicans who put their party and their donors above the interests of their constituents.\u00a0 \u201cRepublicans\u2019 move to give permanent tax breaks for top earners and big corporations will blow a $1.5 trillion hole in our national deficit.\u00a0 \u201cThese gains won\u2019t go toward creating jobs and raising wages, as Republicans claim; just listen to the CEOs who\u2019ve already made clear their intention to give the tax windfall to their shareholders.\u00a0 \u201cThe American people should not be fooled: the Republican plan will trigger automatic $25 billion Medicare cuts at the end of the year and will set Republicans up for further cuts to hard-earned Medicare and Social Security benefits. \u201cI hope the American people will see through this Trump tax scam and keep it from ever getting to the President's desk.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://alceehastings.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398908", "Hastings Statement on Former Trump Official Michael Flynns Guilty Plea", "2017-12-01", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Alcee Hastings", "H000324", "alceehastings.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Hastings\u2019 Statement on Former Trump Official Michael Flynn\u2019s Guilty Plea \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, D.C.,\r\n        December 1, 2017\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) released the following statement after Michael Flynn, former National Security Advisor to President Donald John Trump, plead guilty to lying to the FBI about communications with the Russian government:  \r\n\u00a0  \r\n\u201cFormer National Security Advisor Michael Flynn has admitted to contacting the Russian Government, under instruction from President Trump\u2019s transition team, and then lying about it to the FBI. Even though today\u2019s guilty plea was not unexpected, it is still an outrageous and shameful admission of purposefully misleading the American people.   \r\n\u00a0  \r\n\u201cThis is just the latest step in uncovering the degree to which the Trump Administration colluded with the Russian government. The fact that Michael Flynn is the fourth Trump campaign official to be charged in connection with Special Counsel Robert Muller\u2019s investigation is profoundly telling.   \r\n\u00a0  \r\n\u201cCongress must take every step necessary to ensure that this independent investigation proceeds without interference from the Trump White House. We need answers, not misinformation.\u201d\r\n\r\nCongressman Alcee L. Hastings serves as Senior Member of the House Rules Committee, Ranking Democratic Member 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"], ["http://alceehastings.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398909", "Hastings Marks World AIDS Day", "2017-12-01", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Alcee Hastings", "H000324", "alceehastings.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) made the following statement commemorating World AIDS Day: \r\n\u201cThe AIDS epidemic is a public health crisis that affects every community. On World AIDS Day, we honor the memories of the victims of this terrible disease, and recommit ourselves to eradicating HIV/AIDS once and for all. \r\n\u201cDespite the tragic toll of HIV/AIDS, we continue to make progress in achieving an AIDS-free generation. With continued investment and research, we will halt this pandemic in its tracks. \r\n\u201cIn the United States, we must do more to increase access to voluntary screening for HIV/AIDS and reach people with intellectual disabilities and with mobility impairment. We need to continue supporting U.S. initiatives like the President\u2019s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and the Ryan White AIDS Program \u2013 programs that have saved millions of lives around the world and here at home. \r\n\u201cOn World AIDS Day, and every day, I am committed to these goals, to saving lives, and to protecting these critical public health programs.\u201d\r\nCongressman Alcee L. Hastings serves as Senior Member of the House Rules Committee, Ranking Democratic Member 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"], ["https://soto.house.gov/media/in-the-news/avon-park-air-force-range-visit", "Avon Park Air Force Range Visit", "2017-12-01", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Darren Soto", "S001200", "soto.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Darren Soto visited the\u00a0Avon Park Air Force Range Headquaters this week and met with Lieutenant Colonel Daniel A. Edgar. During his visit, Rep. Soto toured the Range and learned\u00a0how the officers\u00a0train\u00a0the warfighters and care\u00a0for the facilitiy's\u00a0106,000 acres. \n\u00a0\nAfter the tour, Rep. Soto awarded Mr. Jose Ortiz and Mr. Robert Tricando with\u00a0a Congressional Certificate of Special Recognition for their volunteer efforts in the island of Vieques,\u00a0Puerto Rico after Hurricane Irma.\n\u00a0\nThe Avon Park Air Force Range is vital to Polk County and our nation as a whole for the training they provide to our\u00a0troops. Congressman Soto will continue to engage in dialogue\u00a0with the men and women of these\u00a0facilities and help provide the services they need.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-soto-helps-secure-rural-development-federal-grant-polk-county", "Rep. Soto Helps Secure Rural Development Federal Grant for Polk County", "2017-12-01", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Darren Soto", "S001200", "soto.house.gov", "soto", "https://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Kissimmee, Florida \u2013 U.S. Representative Darren Soto (FL-09) announced that the Town of Lake Hamilton was awarded $139,600 in federal grants for its Police Department to purchase six new police vehicles and related operational equipment. The USDA Rural Development award, administered and granted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, funds essential services to and development of local communities in primarily rural areas.\n\n\"I am proud to announce the USDA Community Facilities Grant awarded to Polk County, which funds equipment for better public safety in Lake Hamilton,\" stated Rep. Soto. \"Earlier this year, my office worked with Lake Hamilton's city officials in developing a successful grant application. The award funded the purchase of six new police cruisers, replacing existing fleet due to the age and conditions of patrol cars. My office will continue working to make sure Central Florida has the federal resources necessary to keep our community safe.\"\n\nAccording to the Department of Agriculture, the Rural Community Development Initiative Grants, part of the Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program, is available to rural municipalities with populations of less than 20,000. Additional information about the program can be found on the USDA website at https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/community-facilities-direct-loan-grant-program.\n\nCongressman Soto will continue to support and encourage federal grant applications that improve the lives of Floridians. His office has a staffer dedicated to identifying grants and working with members of the community to navigate the federal grants process. For more information, please visit: soto.house.gov/services/grant-applicants.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T22:19:19Z"], ["https://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases/wall-street-having-party", "\"Wall Street is Having a Party\" - Rep. Soto Floor Speech on GOP Tax Scam", "2017-12-01", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Darren Soto", "S001200", "soto.house.gov", "soto", "https://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Representative Darren Soto (FL-09) delivered remarks on the House Floor yesterday evening expressing his opposition to the GOP Tax Scam bill. Rep. Soto voted no on the House version of the Republican tax bill, which would raise taxes on Florida's middle-class families.\n\nIn his remarks on the House Floor, Rep. Soto outlines the GOP Tax Scam:\n\n\"Step 1: Cut taxes for powerful billionaires and millionaires.\n\n\"Step 2: Grow a giant $2.5 trillion debt, part of that is also to grow the deficit, so we can get to:\n\n\"Step 3: use that to justify cuts to Medicare and social security for our seniors. Our ability to protect our environment for the future, education, infrastructure, research and development, our homeland security and our and military, will all see cuts if this goes through,\"\n\nThe full transcript of Rep. Soto's remarks available below:\n\nI'd like to take a moment to provide every American with a plot summary of the GOP tax scam.\n\nStep 1: Cut taxes for powerful billionaires and millionaires.\n\nStep 2: Grow a giant $2.5 trillion debt, part of that is also to grow the deficit, so we can get to:\n\nStep 3: use that to justify cuts to Medicare and social security for our seniors. Our ability to protect our environment for the future, education, infrastructure, research and development, our homeland security and our and military, will all see cuts if this goes through,\"\n\nAnd if you are worried about income inequality, this puts that disparity on steroids by charging the credit card and getting rid of popular deductions to boot and it will ship jobs overseas by lowering the abroad tax rate.\n\nBut don't take my word for it, will mainstream continues to suffer \u2013 Wall Street is throwing a party! With record stock increases, today. So, it's time to take a stand against the GOP Tax scam.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T22:19:19Z"], ["https://www.billnelson.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sen-bill-nelson-urges-epa-to-act-on-city-sludge-site", "Sen. Bill Nelson urges EPA to act on city sludge site", "2017-12-01", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Bill Nelson", "N000032", "www.billnelson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "A DEP letter slamming the City of Fort Myers for not making public unsafe arsenic levels at its South Street sludge dump provoked another letter Friday \u2013 this one from U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson.\nNelson, D-Florida, who asked the Environmental Protection Agency last August to investigate the city and DEP's handling of the decades-old dump site, again called on EPA chief Scott Pruitt to act on what he called an ongoing lack of transparency.\n\"The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has said the City of Fort Myers did not provide DEP with the preliminary report showing elevated levels of arsenic. This lack of coordination and communication between state and local officials gravely concerns me, which (is) why I am again encouraging EPA to intervene,\" the letter reads in part.\nTaking the EPA to task\nNelson first asked the EPA to step in because of a News-Press report in June revealing the dump's existence in a neighborhood where residents were unaware of the contamination, despite the city and DEP's knowledge of it.\nPruitt's office assured the senator the situation was in hand. Recent events have shown otherwise.\u00a0\nOver a week ago, The News-Press, not the city, made public the highest arsenic levels yet at the South Street site.\nThe DEP's regional head Jon Iglehart followed Wednesday with a letter raking City Manager Saeed Kazemi over the coals for not keeping the public or his agency informed.\nNelson's second letter gives the EPA chief an 'I told you so' reminder of an ongoing local problem responding to environmental concerns.\nResidents file intent to sue city under federal law\nThe senator's letter to the EPA coincides with another to the agency, the city and the DEP, putting them on notice that residents intend to sue Fort Myers for the open dumping of contaminated waste; a violation of the EPA's Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.\nIf successful, such a suit can force the cleanup of the South Street site at the federal level, taking it out of the city's hands.\nDunbar residents file Intent to sue city under federal open dumping law by The News-Press on Scribd\nIn response to the DEP's widely publicized scolding, the city on Friday posted long-awaited details of the South Street site assessment on its website \u2013 including a pointed reminder to the agency about who knew what, when.\nFind the city's update on its contaminated lime sludge site here.\n\u201cOn November 8, 2017, city staff and our consultants, GFA International Inc., met with FDEP staff at your Fort Myers office to discuss the preliminary results for the initial groundwater monitoring,\" Kazemi fired back at local DEP chief Jon Iglehart\u2019s Wednesday rebuke.\nThe letter raises anew questions about the motives and timing for when and what is made public about the controversial lime sludge dump.\nIt implies the DEP wasn't overly concerned about the city making its test results public when it met with the city on Nov. 8. The agency even agreed to a potentially controversial action plan without public input.\nThe plan involves four new monitoring wells placed upstream of the site that will be used to see if contaminants in the neighborhood affected the sludge \u2013 not the other way around.\nFort Myers sludge testing takes unexpected turn\nDEP spokeswoman Dee Ann Miller said her agency wasn't informed about the new arsenic readings.\n\"The city did not share results at that time (Nov. 8th),\" Miller told The News-Press. It \"simply provided the department an update on their intent to install additional monitoring wells.\"\nThe timing of the meeting also suggests the city knew about the unsafe arsenic levels before the Nov. 7 election, where the sludge site was an issue in some close-call races.\nKazemi didn't respond to The News-Press questions.\nFort Myers fires back at DEP about sludge site transparency by The News-Press on Scribd\nIn the wake of The News-Press' original report, State Rep. Matt Caldwell called for an inquiry into the way the DEP had handled the South Street site for the past 10 years.\nCaldwell, a Republican from North Fort Myers, chairs the Florida House Government Oversight Committee.\n\"The DEP responded to my inquiry, but it is clear this should have been prioritized sooner,\" Caldwell said Friday. \"The city has secured the site as a result of our action, and has taken measures to test the site. They should make the results of those tests public immediately.\"\nThree weeks later, it has.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.billnelson.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senate-republicans-defeat-nelson-s-effort-to-make-middle-class-tax-cuts", "Senate Republicans defeat Nelson\u2019s effort to make middle-class tax cuts permanent", "2017-12-01", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Bill Nelson", "N000032", "www.billnelson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 On a strictly party-line vote, Senate Republicans today voted down an amendment by U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) that would have made the modest middle-class tax cuts in the GOP\u2019s tax bill permanent, instead of ceasing after just a few years.\n\u201cThe modest middle-class tax breaks are not permanent, in seven or eight years they cease to exist, they sunset,\u201d Nelson said on the Senate floor prior to the vote on his amendment. \u201cNow, that's simply not fair. This little amendment simply says, go back to the Finance Committee and correct this inequity. Go back to the Finance Committee, make the middle-class tax cuts permanent.\u201d\nIf approved, the amendment Nelson filed late Thursday would have required that the Senate suspend its consideration of the current GOP tax bill and send it back to the Senate Finance Committee to work out a bipartisan compromise that provides permanent tax relief for the middle class.\nShortly after Nelson made his remarks, Senate Republicans voted to defeat the amendment by a vote of 52 to 48 \u2013 with all 48 Democrats voting for it, and all 52 Republicans voting against.\nAfter the vote, Nelson tweeted, \u201cSenate Republicans just voted down my amendment to make the modest middle-class tax cuts permanent, instead of a tax increase in a few years. Proof that this GOP tax bill was never about helping the middle class.\u201d\u00a0\nBelow is a rush transcript and here\u2019s a link to watch video of Nelson\u2019s remarks before the vote:\u00a0https://youtu.be/ZJr_APK78d8\nU.S. Sen. Bill Nelson\nRemarks on the Senate floor\nDecember 1, 2017\nSen. Nelson:\u00a0Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, the matter that is before the Senate is the amendment that I have offered, and it simply is that in this tax bill, since the corporate rate is reduced from 35% down to 20% -- and that is permanent -- but the modest middle-class tax breaks are not permanent, in seven or eight years, they cease to exist, they sunset.\nSo you want in this tax bill to give permanent, huge corporate cuts from 35% down to 20% -- which by the way if the American corporation is doing business overseas, it's basically a zero tax rate, which is an incentive to go overseas, send jobs overseas, American jobs lost -- while giving those huge corporate breaks, at the same time it is giving modest breaks to the very people who need the tax cuts, that is, hardworking American families, the middle class.\nAnd then, oh, by the way, in seven or eight years, vamoose, it's gone. It goes back up. It's a tax increase.\nNow, this little amendment simply says, go back to the Finance Committee and correct this inequity. Go back to the Finance Committee, make the middle class tax cuts permanent, and then get the Finance Committee to offset those with revenue from someplace.\u00a0\nAnd you know where that someplace should be? It ought to be the huge corporate tax cuts. That's where the revenue ought to be taken back from to give that revenue or tax cuts to the middle class. It's a simple issue of fairness.\nAnd, Madam President, I\u2019m delighted to be joined by my colleague from Minnesota.\nI yield the floor.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398548", "U.S. Rep. Castor Introduces Bipartisan Bill to End Taxpayer-Funded Harassment Settlements in Congress", "2017-11-30", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Kathy Castor", "C001066", "castor.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) introduced bipartisan legislation to end taxpayer-funded awards and settlements for workplace discrimination, including sexual harassment, in Congress:\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) introduced bipartisan legislation to end taxpayer-funded awards and settlements for workplace discrimination, including sexual harassment, in Congress: \u201cIt is outrageous that taxpayers foot the bill for secret, taxpayer-funded settlements for workplace harassment and discrimination by members of Congress,\u201d said U.S. Rep. Castor.\u00a0 \u201cInstead, members of Congress should be personally liable for such workplace harassment claims and I filed a bill today to make that happen. I am pleased to joined by my colleague, U.S. Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE), on this important bipartisan legislation.\" \u201cYesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives took an important step by voting to require annual sexual harassment training for members and staff,\u201d said U.S. Rep. Castor.\u00a0 \u201cNow Congress must act to end taxpayer-funded awards and settlements for sexual harassment in Congress.\u00a0 Congress also must completely reform the process for complaints and timely resolution of cases as is contemplated in the \u201cMe Too Act\u201d by Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA) that I have cosponsored.\u201d \u201cWith the recent revelation that taxpayer money has been used in sexual harassment claims against Members of Congress, I am reinforcing my commitment to supporting victims of sexual crimes by sponsoring this legislation with Rep. Castor,\u201d said U.S. Rep. Bacon. \u00a0\u201cTaxpayer money should not be used as a way for elected officials to hide behind any form of workplace misconduct. \u00a0Americans deserve better. \u00a0This legislation will hold elected officials accountable and ensure that taxpayers aren\u2019t responsible for the inappropriate actions of our elected officials.\u201d U.S. Rep. Castor intends to continue to press the U.S. House to increase anti-harassment safeguards and to make members, not taxpayers, liable for their personal actions.  Last year, U.S. Rep. Castor highlighted the problem of workplace harassment in Tampa Bay when the Centre for Women joined her to host a roundtable discussion with local small business owners and legal experts to discuss how to stop workplace harassment, and access to resources.\u00a0She has championed and secured significant grants for our community to assist victimized women, and with heightened attention in 2014 of NFL athletes who perpetrated domestic violence against women, she called on the organization to set a standard of zero tolerance. \u201cAll forms of harassment and discrimination are serious and our laws and policies that put employees at a disadvantage must be addressed, especially in the Congress,\u201d U.S. Rep. Castor continued. \u201cThis bill will ensure that, while Congress tackles this issue, the hard-earned taxpayer dollars of my neighbors and Americans across the country are not used to protect bad actors.\u201d ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://crist.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=297", "CRIST, BILIRAKIS BILL COUNTERS ILLICIT IRANIAN MILITARY BUILDUP", "2017-11-30", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Charlie Crist", "C001111", "crist.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "CRIST, BILIRAKIS BILL COUNTERS ILLICIT IRANIAN MILITARY BUILDUP \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        November 30, 2017\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      U.S. Representatives Charlie Crist (FL-13) and Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) introduced bipartisan legislation prohibiting U.S. military assistance to any country that sells restricted weapons or technology to Iran. The No Arms Sales to Iran Act aims to discourage others in the international community from engaging in arms sales that could undermine ongoing efforts to contain and curb Iran's aggressive actions.\"Iran's aggressive actions remain a threat to America, Israel, and the rest of the world. As the top state sponsor of terrorism, Iran's nefarious pursuit of restricted weapons further destabilizes the region,\" said Crist. \"Our bill sends a strong message to countries considering arms deals with Iran that supporting state sponsors of terrorism will not be tolerated.\" \"Despite the Iran Deal, Iran continues to demonstrate its commitment to tyranny through its continued support and spread of terror in an effort to destabilize the Middle East,\" said Bilirakis. \"As we work with allies to keep the pressure on Iran, we must ensure that our efforts are not being undermined by other nations and, if so, that they are exposed and held accountable.\"  \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://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-soto-announces-5-million-grant-hire-community-policing-officers-central", "Rep. Soto Announces $5 million Grant to Hire Community Policing Officers in Central Florida", "2017-11-30", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Darren Soto", "S001200", "soto.house.gov", "soto", "https://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Kissimmee, Florida \u2013 U.S. Representative Darren Soto (FL-09) announced that the City of Orlando and Orange County will receive a total of $5 million in federal grants to strengthen its policing operations by hiring 40 additional law enforcement officers. The COPS Hiring Program (CHP) awards, administered by the Department of Justice's Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office), aim to advance community policing by funding hiring, training, and providing technical assistance to all levels of law enforcement.\n\n\"This CHP grant is critically important to ensure Central Florida's public safety. The City of Orlando and the Orange County Police Departments have been selected to receive federal funding to hire 40 additional officers, helping our local municipalities be adequately staffed, well trained, and better equipped to serve our community,\" stated Rep. Soto. \"I'm proud to support federal grants benefiting our local agencies, and I'll continue working to make sure Central Florida has the federal resources necessary to thrive.\"\n\nThe City of Orlando received $1,875,000 in funding to hire 15 new officers while the Orange County Sheriff's Office will receive $3,125,000 to bring in 25 new officers.\n\nAccording to the Department of Justice, the COPS Office has invested more than $14 billion to help advance community policing since 1994. For the 2017 cycle, the Attorney General announced $98 million in funding awards to 179 law enforcement agencies across the nation, which allows those agencies to hire 802 additional full-time law enforcement officers. Additional information about the 2017 COPS Hiring Program can be found on the COPS website at cops.usdoj.gov.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T22:12:50Z"], ["https://www.billnelson.senate.gov/newsroom/news/tax-bill-would-send-another-hurricane-to-puerto-rico-says-bill-nelson", "Tax bill would send another hurricane to Puerto Rico, says Bill Nelson", "2017-11-30", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Bill Nelson", "N000032", "www.billnelson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Sen. Bill Nelson says Republicans are preparing to \"send another hurricane to Puerto Rico\" if the tax bill is approved, arguing it contains several measures that would hurt the heavily damaged U.S. territory.\nThe Florida Democrat noted the legislation, which could come up for a vote Friday, eliminates a manufacturing deduction for Puerto Rico, eliminates a rebate on rum taxes and \"fails to put Puerto Rico residents on an equal footing with those on the mainland by giving them the same treatment on earned income tax credit and the child tax credit.\"\n\"The bill is so out of balance to begin with, but then when you get down to the specifics in so many of the items, now in this particular item affecting Puerto Rico, this is not what we want to do,\" Nelson said Wednesday on the Senate floor.\n\"And yet we're just about to vote on this bill and that's what's going to happen and that's what's going to happen in Puerto Rico. Mr. President, I urge some of our members to reconsider their vote.\"\nSen. Marco Rubio's office did not respond to a question whether he shares Nelson's concern.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.billnelson.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/nelson-files-bill-requiring-prompt-disclosure-of-corporate-data-breaches", "Nelson files bill requiring prompt disclosure of corporate data breaches", "2017-11-30", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Bill Nelson", "N000032", "www.billnelson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL), the top Democrat on the Senate Commerce Committee, filed legislation today to require companies to quickly notify consumers of a data breach and impose new criminal penalties for executives who try to deliberately conceal such a breach.\u00a0\nThe move comes on the heels of Uber\u2019s disclosure last week that it concealed from drivers and customers a 2016 data breach affecting 57 million accounts.\nThe legislation would, among other things, require companies to notify consumers of a data breach within 30 days; and make it a crime \u2013 punishable by up to five years in prison \u2013 for knowingly concealing a breach.\u00a0\u00a0\n\u201cWe need a strong federal law in place to hold companies truly accountable for failing to safeguard data or inform consumers when that information has been stolen by hackers,\u201d said Nelson. \u201cCongress can either take action now to pass this long overdue bill or continue to kowtow to special interests who stand in the way of this commonsense proposal.\u00a0 When it comes to doing what\u2019s best for consumers, the choice is clear.\u201d\nIn addition to requiring that companies quickly notify consumers of a data breach and imposing lengthy jail time for those who try to cover them up, Nelson\u2019s legislation directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to develop strict security standards that businesses would be required to follow to better protect consumers' personal and financial data. It also provides incentives to businesses that adopt new technologies that make consumer data unusable or unreadable if stolen during a breach.\nNelson introduced similar legislation in the Senate last year.\nA copy of the bill filed today is available\u00a0here.\u00a0\nAnd here\u2019s a link to video of Nelson\u2019s remarks at a Senate Commerce Committee hearing on this issue earlier this month:\u00a0https://youtu.be/Vr-R_6KN9kQ", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://soto.house.gov/media/in-the-news/rep-darren-soto-and-senator-bernie-sanders-push-puerto-rico-and-virgin-islands", "Rep. Darren Soto and Senator Bernie Sanders Push Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands Rebuild Bill", "2017-11-29", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Darren Soto", "S001200", "soto.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Rep. Darren Soto\u00a0plans to help introduce a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives that would seek to provide comprehensive rebuilding money and resources for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands beyond what is needed to address just the devastated from Hurricanes Maria and Irma.\nSoto, an Orlando Democrat, announced he would be joining Democratic U.S.\u00a0Reps. Stacy Plaskett from the Virgin Islands, and Nydia Vel\u00e1zquez from New York in sponsoring the House version of a U.S. Senate bill announced late Tuesday by independent U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and cosponsored by several Democratic U.S. senators.\nThe Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands Equitable Rebuild Act, unveiled in Washington D.C. Tuesday by Sanders, Soto and the others, goes beyond just providing immediate humanitarian relief from the storms, which left the island U.S. territories in tatters, still largely without electricity and potable water more than two months later. The bill addresses longterm rebuilding of infrastructure including the schools and power systems, and equity in how the islanders are eligible for federal benefits, including Medicaid and Medicare.\nIt also calls for more equitable resolution of the Puerto Rico governments $75 billion debt, now being addressed in bankruptcy proceedings, and seeks seeks to provide the additional aid without forcing the territories to take on more debt.\nFirst, though, it calls for the federal government to immediately address the humanitarian crises by \u201cmobilizing all necessary resources and assets to restore power, provide clean drinking water and food, safe shelter and access to health care,\u201d according to a press release issued by his office.\n\u201cThe people of Puerto Rico have been living in a nightmare for far too long,\u201d Soto said. \u201cWe talk about power to the people. The people of Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands need power! I am proud to support this legislation that will help the islands get the lights back on and their economies going again. As we look to rebuild the islands, we have an opportunity to become an energy model for the 21st century if we invest right.\u201d\n\u201cWe will stand with the American citizens of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands,\u201d Sanders said in introducing his bill Tuesday. \u201cWe will rebuild those islands better than before the disasters devastated them.\u201d\nIn addition to stepped-up immediate relief, the bill calls for:\n\u2013 Puerto Rico\u2019s debt to be addressed in a way to ensure the territory can recover \u201cwith dignity\u201d and that the recovery effort should not add additional debt.\n\u2013 Replacing the \u201cantiquated, centralized and inefficient\u201dpower systems with new grids incorporating renewable energies, including solar.\n\u2013 Parity with states in benefits from Medicaid and Medicare, and equity in the amount of money available.\n\u2013 Rebuilding and improving the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs hospital and clinics.\n\u2013 Improvements to public schools, colleges and childcare facilities, which the sponsors contend were \u201cinadequate before the storms hit,\u201d noting that hundreds of public schools were closed in Puerto Rico because of Austerity measures before the storms, and the Virgin Island schools struggled.\n\u2013 Investments in infrastructure to spur economic development.\n\u2013 And environmental cleanup, not just from the storms, but from prior pollution and military bombing exercises on the island of Vieques.\nRead Full Article HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases/rebuild-puerto-rico-and-us-virgin-islands", "Rebuild Puerto Rico and The U.S. Virgin Islands", "2017-11-29", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Darren Soto", "S001200", "soto.house.gov", "soto", "https://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "\"The people of Puerto Rico have been living in a nightmare for far too long,\" stated Soto. \"We talk about power to the people. The people of Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands need power! I am proud to co-introduce the Just Rebuild Puerto Rico & the U.S. Virgin Islands Act of 2017, legislation that will help them get the lights back on and their economies going again. As we look to rebuild the islands, we have an opportunity to become an energy model for the 21st century if we invest right.\"\n\nWASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), along with five cosponsors in the Senate, introduced a comprehensive plan Tuesday to address the immediate humanitarian needs in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and ensure that the islands not only recover, but are able to rebuild in a way that empowers them to thrive.\n\nThe Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands Equitable Rebuild Act is cosponsored in the Senate by Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.). Reps. Stacy Plaskett (D-V.I.), Nydia M. Vel\u00e1zquez (D-N.Y.) and Darren Soto (D-Fla.) will introduce a companion bill in the House. The bill is endorsed by 75 organizations.\n\nMore than two months after Hurricane Maria, much of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands remain devastated. More than half of Puerto Rico is still without power. In both territories, clean drinking water is difficult if not impossible to find in many areas and thousands of people are still living in temporary shelters.\n\nThe legislation introduced today would instruct the federal government to immediately address these humanitarian crises by mobilizing all necessary resources and assets to restore power, provide clean drinking water and food, safe shelter and access to health care. And, it would do so without forcing the territories to take on more debt.\n\nThe Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands Equitable Rebuild Act emphasizes local control and sustainable rebuilding of the territories and instructs Congress to address Puerto Rico's debt \u2013 a major impediment to a just and full recovery. And, it ensures that any federal disaster funding provided to the islands is protected from Wall Street vulture funds and acted upon with local input and local workers.\n\nSan Juan Mayor Carmen Yul\u00edn Cruz offered her support for the bill: \"The bill that Senator Sanders has introduced in the United States Congress is a comprehensive plan that provides the blueprint for the transformation of Puerto Rico. While dealing with all major areas of immediate concern: energy, health and education it also sets the foundation to make Puerto Rico a more equitable, just and fair society for all. Senator Sanders also shows a great deal of respect and faith in us when claiming that the recovery or Puerto Rico must be in Puerto Rican hands. The bill comes from Sanders' commitment of listening first hand to the hopes and aspirations of our people and must be given serious consideration by Congress.\"\n\n\"It is unconscionable that in the wealthiest nation in the world we have allowed our fellow citizens to suffer for so long. The full resources of the United States must be brought to bear on this crisis, for as long as is necessary,\" said Sanders, who visited Puerto Rico in October. \"But we cannot simply rebuild Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands the way they were. We must go forward to create a strong, sustainable economy and energy system in both territories and address inequities in federal law that have allowed the territories to fall behind in almost every measurable social and economic criteria.\"\n\nThe bill addresses seven components necessary to rebuild and move the islands forward:\n\n1)Debt and Privatization: Puerto Rico's debt must be addressed to ensure the territory can recover with dignity. Congress must also prevent the privatization of public institutions to benefit creditors in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Puerto Rico is struggling with an unsustainable $74.8 billion of debt, much of which is held by Wall Street creditors, with an additional $49 billion in unpaid pension obligations. The territories' recovery should not add to existing debt.\n\n2) Resilient and Renewable Energy: Instead of simply rebuilding an antiquated, centralized and inefficient system dependent on imported fossil fuels, the bill ensures the electric grids will be rebuilt to be more renewable and resilient, to provide less expensive electricity and create local jobs.\n\n3) Medicaid and Medicare Parity: The health care systems in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico were inadequate before the hurricanes made landfall, in large part because they receive far fewer federal dollars compared to states. The bill makes Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands eligible for the same Medicare and Medicaid benefits as the rest of America.\n\n4) Rebuild and Improve the VA Hospital and Clinics: Appropriates necessary funds to the VA for veterans in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.\n\n5) Improve Public Schools, Colleges, and Childcare Facilities: In addition to rebuilding damaged schools and childcare facilities, we must face the fact that many of these facilities were inadequate before the storms hit. Hundreds of public schools in Puerto Rico have been closed because of austerity policies and schools in the Virgin Islands are struggling to prepare students for college and future careers. The bill appropriates necessary funds for services and facilities for public Head Start, elementary, secondary and higher education.\n\n6) Invest in Infrastructure and Spur Economic Development: Underfunded infrastructure in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands contributed to the severity of the damage from Hurricanes Irma and Maria. In addition to rebuilding damaged facilities, the legislation would make significant investments in the islands' physical infrastructure to spur the local economy and create jobs.\n\n7) Environmental Cleanup: Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands have significant environmental contamination related to the hurricanes, prior pollution and a legacy of military bombing exercises on Vieques. The legislation would provide grants to the EPA, the Department of the Interior and the Department of Defense for environmental remediation.\n\nFor a summary of the bill, click here.\n\nFor the section by section, click here.\n\nFor a copy of the legislation, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T22:12:50Z"], ["https://www.billnelson.senate.gov/newsroom/news/new-air-force-drone-squadron-coming-to-panama-city", "New Air Force drone squadron coming to Panama City", "2017-11-28", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Bill Nelson", "N000032", "www.billnelson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The Air Force said they've chosen Tyndall Air Force Base in Panama City to base its new squadron of unmanned aerial drones.\n\u00a0\nSenator Bill Nelson, a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, received a phone call Tuesday afternoon from Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson, who gave him the news.\n\u00a0\n\u201cThis is a big win not only for Panama City, but for the entire state of Florida,\u201d Nelson said. \u201cThe 1,400 airmen and their families that will soon be heading to the area will provide a tremendous boost to the local economy.\u201d\n\u00a0\nTyndall AFB was chosen from four finalists the Air Force named in 2016.\n\u00a0\nThe other three finalists were Eglin AFB, Shaw AFB in South Carolina, and Vandenberg AFB in California.\n\u00a0\nThe Air Force\u2019s MQ-9 Reaper is a remotely piloted aircraft capable of loitering at high altitudes for extended periods of time, giving it a unique capability in surveilling and targeting high-value, fleeting, and time-sensitive targets. It\u2019s mostly used by the Air Force for strike operations and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.\n\u00a0\nIn addition to 24 MQ-9 Reaper drones, up to 1,400 airmen and their families will be stationed at Tyndall.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.billnelson.senate.gov/newsroom/news/sen-bill-nelson-seeks-upgrades-to-nation-s-911-systems", "Sen. Bill Nelson seeks upgrades to nations 911 systems", "2017-11-24", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Bill Nelson", "N000032", "www.billnelson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Sen.\u00a0Bill Nelson, D-Fla., has introduced a bill to modernize the nation\u2019s 911 systems.\u00a0Nelson\u00a0cites a Federal Communications Commission report showing 29 of Florida\u2019s emergency 911 centers including some in Northeast Florida suffered impaired service \u2014 as well as others nationwide \u2014 in the days following Hurricane Irma.\nThe Atlantic Beach Police Department dispatch center was moved into its new building in July. The center was among those impaired after Hurricane Irma. (Atlantic Beach Police Department Facebook/Public)\nThree Northeast Florida police departments were among 29 Florida emergency 911 call centers that suffered impaired service in the days following Hurricane Irma, which also affected many others, federal authorities say.\nThe Federal Communications Commission in a recent report details the outages in portions of Florida, Alabama and Georgia, as well as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.\nCiting the FCC findings, Sen.\u00a0Bill Nelson, D-Fla., introduced legislation to modernize the nation\u2019s 911 systems by accelerating federal efforts to upgrade that crucial public safety infrastructure.\nNelson\u2019s bill filed Nov. 2 specifically calls for expanding an existing federal grant program designed to help state and local governments deploy next generation 911 systems.\nHe said upgrades \u2014 such as allowing callers to text their local 911 center for help, or send audio, video and photos during an emergency \u2014 are needed to help move the country\u2019s largely analog 911 call centers into the digital age, which currently is dominated by the use of smartphones, tablets and other devices.\n\u201cUpgrading the nation\u2019s 911 system is literally a life and death matter that must become more of a national priority,\u201d\u00a0Nelson\u00a0said.\nGiven modern digital communications technology, \u201cAmericans must have more than one way to access the 911 assistance they need and expect when emergencies occur,\u201d\u00a0Nelson\u00a0said.\n\u201cNo plea for help should go unanswered because a call center doesn\u2019t have the technology to receive a text, video or picture,\u201d he said.\nIn addition to increasing federal support for next generation 911 deployment,\u00a0Nelson\u2019s legislation requires studies on how to better protect 911 systems from cyberattacks and make them more resilient to natural disasters or other catastrophes.\nThe FCC said the hurricane impaired, to some extent, the 911 systems of the Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach and St. Augustine police departments.\nNine-one-one calls to those three agencies were re-routed with Automatic Location Information, according to the Sept. 12 FCC Communications Status Report for areas impacted by Hurricane Irma.\nAtlantic Beach police officials say \u201cthere were no problems.\u201d But as a precaution, they evacuated to a backup \u201cPublic-Safety Access Point\u201d (PSAP) \u2014 a call center responsible for answering calls to an emergency telephone number for police, firefighting and ambulance services, said Cmdr. Tiffany Layson, police department spokeswoman.\nLayson said that backup center was located farther inland in the event the hurricane\u2019s impact was more severe than anticipated.\n\u201cThe backup facility has full 911 equipment, phones, radio, etc. Rerouting is a routine procedure, so all that was necessary was to reroute the 911 calls to an alternate location,\u201d Layson said.\nShe said it\u2019s kind of like a \u201cspare tire\u201d for the Public-Safety Access Point.\n\u201cThe same way we have a spare tire for our cars in case of emergency, we have a spare 911 site where we can handle calls without any interruption in service,\u201d Layson said.\nLayson also said any upgrades for the Atlantic Beach police 911 center resulting from\u00a0Nelson\u2019s bill would go through the Duval County 911 coordinator.\nOther Florida emergency 911 call centers \u2014 many in South Florida \u2014 were more severely impacted. At one point, 14 call centers statewide were completely offline in Irma\u2019s wake, according to the report.\nThe report also described the status of wireless communications services in the disaster area as of Sept. 12.\nIn Northeast Florida, the outage percentage for cellphone service by county was: Alachua, 15 percent; Baker, 9 percent; Bradford, 18 percent; Clay, 25 percent; Duval, 14 percent; Nassau, 22 percent; Putnam, 31 percent; and St. Johns, 14 percent, the report showed.\nThe statewide outage for cellphone service that day was about 25 percent, according to the report.\nPuerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands in the same area as Alabama, Florida and Georgia for the purposes of the FCC communications service status report following Hurricane Irma.\nSignificant 911 and cell phone service interuptions were documented for both Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands were documented as a result of the hurricane, according to the report.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://alceehastings.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398907", "Hastings Welcomes International Tribunal Judgement In Ratko Mladic Case", "2017-11-22", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Alcee Hastings", "H000324", "alceehastings.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) released the following statement following today\u2019s judgement of Bosnian Serb wartime commander Ratko Mladic at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in The Hague (Netherlands):  \r\n\u00a0  \r\n\u201cI welcome today\u2019s judgement by the international tribunal against Ratko Mladic. The absolutely monstrous nature of the crimes he was found guilty of committing \u2013 war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide \u2013 could not be ignored. Although it took a long time and a lot of effort, justice has, at long last, been served.  \r\n\u00a0  \r\n\u201cMy thoughts are now with the surviving victims.\u00a0Nothing can provide complete closure for the tremendous wrongs that have been committed against them and the losses they experienced, individually and as a people. Justice is more often too slow and far less than complete than it should be.\u00a0These unfortunate realities are not unique to Bosnia and Herzegovina.\u00a0   \r\n\u00a0  \r\n\u201cHowever, a big step has been taken today. Those that have suffered from Ratko Mladic\u2019s vicious acts know that he will pay a price for the crimes he committed.\u00a0They can further the cause of justice now by relegating him to history, by moving forward with their lives and those of their children and grandchildren, and by learning from\u00a0\u2013 rather than repeating\u00a0\u2013 the wrongs that come with hate.\u00a0As they do, I want Mladic\u2019s victims also to remember that they are not alone; the people of the United States and many other countries want them to persevere.\u201d\u00a0   \r\n\u00a0  \r\nBackground: On November 22, Ratko Mladic was judged guilty of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), which is based in The Hague. He was sentenced to life imprisonment.  \r\n\u00a0  \r\nMladic was a senior officer in the Yugoslav military based in Croatia during the conflict that followed Croatia\u2019s assertion of independent statehood in 1991.\u00a0When Bosnia and Herzegovina declared independence in 1992, he became commander of Bosnian Serb forces in that country, a position he held throughout the conflict that lasted until the signing of the Dayton Agreement in late 1995.\u00a0   \r\n\u00a0  \r\nMladic was held responsible for the siege of Sarajevo and the genocide at Srebrenica, each of which led to many thousands of deaths.\u00a0Indicted in 1995, he remained at large until his arrest in Serbia in 2011, when he was transferred to The Hague.\u00a0\u00a0   \r\n\u00a0  \r\nHis trial is the culmination of ICTY\u2019s two decades of work as the first ad hoc tribunal designed to hold individuals accountable for war-related crimes since the Nuremburg and Tokyo trials following World War II.\u00a0The Helsinki Commission and its leadership have strongly encouraged U.S. support for ICTY and the cooperation of the countries of the Western Balkans with the tribunal.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0   \r\n\r\nCongressman Alcee L. Hastings serves as Senior Member of the House Rules Committee, Ranking Democratic Member 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"], ["https://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases/soto-statement-fcc-repeal-net-neutrality-rules", "Soto Statement on FCC Repeal of Net Neutrality Rules", "2017-11-22", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Darren Soto", "S001200", "soto.house.gov", "soto", "https://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "\"Net neutrality is fundamental to protecting the first amendment in the internet age. Whether it is news content, individual blogs, e-commerce, or assuring innovation of small startups, net neutrality will be essential to safeguarding these politically and economically important online activities,\" stated Rep. Soto. \"The FCC's decision to repeal key regulations for equal and open access to the internet will ultimately only hurt consumers. I urge my colleagues to work in a bipartisan manner to protect American's internet freedom.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T22:12:50Z"], ["https://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases/soto-statement-trump-administration-decision-end-temporary-protected-status", "Soto Statement on Trump Administration Decision to End Temporary Protected Status for Haitians", "2017-11-22", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Darren Soto", "S001200", "soto.house.gov", "soto", "https://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Kissimmee, Florida \u2013 U.S. Representative Darren Soto released the following statement after the Trump Administration announced it is ending the designation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian nationals, with an 18-month deadline:\n\n\"It is beyond cruel that on Thanksgiving week the Trump Administration announces a heartless decision to break Haitian families apart. For over 7 years, Haitians have enriched our Central Florida community, contributed to our state's economy, and raised children that have only known Florida as their home. Forcing close to 50,000 Haitians immigrants back to the Western Hemisphere's most impoverished country is inhumane and not a reflection of our values as a nation,\" stated Rep. Soto.\n\n\"Haiti is still struggling to recover from a devastating earthquake and natural disasters that led to a cholera outbreak and killed thousands; the country is not equipped for thousands to return. As Florida is the second largest U.S. state with a TPS population from Haiti, I will continue to do everything in my power to help protect Haitians who are a big part of our state. I stand with my colleagues in urging the administration to reconsider this decision.\"\n\nTPS is designated to individuals from countries that have ongoing armed conflict, environmental disasters, epidemics or other extraordinary conditions that prevent the country's nationals from returning home safely. Haitians were granted TPS after a 2010 earthquake left the country in dire conditions and they have now become the second largest group of foreigners with temporary status in the United States.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T22:12:50Z"], ["https://wilson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-frederica-s-wilson-responds-to-reports-of-additional", "Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson Responds to Reports of Additional Remains of Sgt. La David Johnson Found in Niger", "2017-11-21", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Frederica Wilson", "W000808", "wilson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 \u201cIt is difficult to find the words to describe how dismaying it was to learn that some of Sgt. La David Johnson\u2019s remains were found in Niger weeks after his funeral. My heart breaks for his widow, Myeshia, and the rest of his family, who upon hearing this news must have felt like they were losing him all over again.\n\u201cI want the family to know, though, that I will continue to push and push and push for a thorough investigation of both the ambush and La David\u2019s final hours. As I wrote in a Washington Post opinion piece last week, \u2018learning definitively the cause of death and whether he died in combat or was executed by his captors is an important step in the family\u2019s healing process.\u2019\n\u201cI urge all Americans to join me in the push to find out when the government will be able to present a full explanation of the circumstances that led to his death and three other American soldiers. We owe it to their families and to every military family.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://wilson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-wilson-calls-for-house-investigation-into-nursing-home", "Congresswoman Wilson Calls for House Investigation into Nursing Home Deaths and Stronger HHS Regulations to Protect Seniors", "2017-11-21", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Frederica Wilson", "W000808", "wilson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 In keeping with her pledge to do all that she can to reduce the likelihood of tragedies like the 14 deaths that occurred because of the Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills\u2019 negligence from happening again, Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson is calling on the House Committee on Ways and Means to conduct a comprehensive investigation.\nAs was widely reported, the facility was unable to power its air conditioning system after Hurricane Irma swept across Florida. Instead of taking patients to the fully powered hospital across the street, the nursing home forced patients, many of them elderly, to endure extreme temperatures. Sadly, 14 people died as a result of that exposure.\nIn a letter to Congressmen Keven Brady (R-Texas) and Richard Neal (D-Mass.), the committee\u2019s chairman and ranking Democrat, respectively, Congresswoman Wilson, joined by Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.), cite a pattern of failed inspections at the nursing home that likely contributed to its inability to properly care for patients.\n\u201cWe believe that the pattern of failures at this facility also highlights the need to reexamine emergency preparedness parameters and requirements for nursing facilities during natural disasters,\u201d the lawmakers wrote. \u201cThe tragedy in Hollywood Hills has shocked our community and our nation and we must take steps to ensure it never happens again. It is critical that we take steps to protect our most vulnerable citizens. We hope to have your committee\u2019s assistance in order to understand what led to such a horrific incident and how we can prevent such a tragedy in the future.\u201d\nIn a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services acting secretary and the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Congresswoman Wilson, joined by 36 House members, urged the agencies to \u201cconsider additional regulations requiring some nursing homes to possess alternate energy sources capable of sustaining heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems and to maintain a fuel supply to run\u201d the energy sources for at least seven days. The lawmakers also are calling on the agencies to \u201cconsider regulations to encourage state and local municipalities to warehouse additional alternate energy sources to sustain HVAC systems at strategic locations\u201d across each state that facilities can easily access in the event that their emergency plans fail.\nLast month, Congresswoman Wilson held a town hall meeting at which she launched a long-term care emergency response honorary task force to address first response efforts at long-term care facilities in her district. In addition, she hosted a congressional field hearing in Miami on nursing homes\u2019 emergency preparedness and response to disasters.\n\u201cI also plan to introduce legislation to require nursing homes and other long-term care facilities that receive federal funding and resources to have a backup generator or other power source to protect residents, particularly senior citizens, during severe weather conditions. Other measures include a bill to create a grant program to fund generators and backup power source equipment for certain nursing homes and long-term care facilities and a bill that would prioritize assistance to nursing homes and long-term care facilities in the aftermath of a major disaster or emergency,\u201d the congresswoman adds. \u201cThe most heartbreaking aspect of the Hollywood Hills disaster is that it didn\u2019t have to happen. It is incumbent upon every lawmaker to adopt the maxim \u2018Never Again\u2019.\u201d\u00a0\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.billnelson.senate.gov/newsroom/news/bill-nelson-gop-tax-plan-would-burden-florida-small-biz", "Bill Nelson: GOP tax plan would burden Florida small biz", "2017-11-21", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Bill Nelson", "N000032", "www.billnelson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Senator Bill Nelson brought his campaign against the GOP tax cut plans Tuesday to Orlando, where some local business people also sounded off in opposition to much of the plan.\n\u00a0\nNelson has toured several Florida cities to meet with business people about tax reform. His message is focused on the impact of the proposed tax packages on Florida, where the economy has a high percentage of small businesses.\n\u00a0\nThe House of Representatives plan offers a permanent tax cut to large multinationals, down to 20 percent. But small businesses generally are cut to 25 percent. That would be much lower than current tax rates, which range as high as 39 percent. However, for many small businesses, the lowered rate would only apply to 30 percent of their income. After that, the income would be taxed at their individual tax rate.\n\u00a0\n\u201cPeople don\u2019t realize \u2026 when they\u2019re cutting the turkey or reaching for the cranberry sauce Thursday \u2026 the U.S. Senate is about to sock them in their wallet,\u201d Nelson said.\n\u00a0\nDawn Kallio, who runs a local marketing and promotions firm with her wife, told Nelson she has to compete with large corporations.\n\u00a0\n\u201cIf the playing field benefits big corporations like this, I will go out of business,\u201d said Kallio, co-owner of Bowled Over Promotions.\n\u00a0\nMichael Minton, a Fort Pierce tax attorney with Dean Mead, said he was at the roundtable partly as a representative of Orlando Economic Partnership (which includes the Orlando Regional Chamber) and for Florida TaxWatch. Neither of those groups has taken an official stand regarding the specific tax package bills in Congress. Minton said the OEP hasn\u2019t had a meeting since the bills were introduced.\n\u00a0\nAnother tax attorney from Dean Mead, Stephen Looney, said he opposes the GOP tax plans because they shift the tax burden to small businesses, and many of the provisions that cut taxes for small business and individuals would expire, whereas the corporate tax cuts are permanent.\n\u00a0\nNelson also believes the tax cuts won\u2019t help the national debt, which is currently $20 trillion. \u201cWhere are the deficit hawks?\u201d he said. Nelson said the tax reform bill passed in the House and a similar bill pending a vote in the Senate were rushed to a vote during the holiday season, to avoid public scrutiny.\n\u00a0\nLinda McMahon, the Small Business Administration chief appointed by Trump, has praised the House for passing its tax cut bill, and called for \u201creal tax reform\u201d after the Senate bill is debated.\n\u00a0\n\u201cReal tax-reform means tax cuts for middle-class families; simplifying the code; and cutting taxes for businesses of all sizes so they can grow, create new jobs, raise wages for workers, and increase their competitiveness in the global marketplace \u2026 just as the President promised during the campaign,\u201d McMahon said in her statement.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://alceehastings.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398906", "Hastings Statement on Haiti TPS Decision", "2017-11-20", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Alcee Hastings", "H000324", "alceehastings.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) issued the following statement regarding Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Elaine Duke\u2019s decision to terminate the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Haiti with a delayed effective date of 18 month, which will expire on July 22, 2019:   \r\n\u00a0  \r\n\u201cTemporary Protected Status (TPS) is central to the United States\u2019 commitment in providing a safe haven to individuals unable to securely return to their home country due to ongoing violence, environmental disasters, or other extraordinary conditions.\u00a0Haiti still continues to face such conditions, and we must do more to help our Haitian friends.\u00a0 We must help them rebuild their economy, promote the rule of law and human rights, restore clean water, proper sanitation, and reliable power grids. \r\n\u201cMy passion and commitment to the people of Haiti remains unbreakable.\u00a0 I stand with the Haitian people as we work to help them in their ongoing recovery efforts.\u00a0 As such, it is time that Congress take action and implement a permanent fix.\u00a0 \r\n\u201cI am proud to have joined my colleagues Reps. Carlos Curbelo, Frederica Wilson, and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen in introducing the Extending Status Protection for Eligible Refugees with Established Residency (ESPERER) Act of 2017.\u00a0 This critically important bill will provide a pathway to legal permanent residency in our country for those living here under TPS.\u00a0 The clock is ticking, and legislative action must be taken now.\u201d \r\nCongressman Alcee L. Hastings serves as Senior Member of the House Rules Committee, Ranking Democratic Member 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"], ["https://stephaniemurphy.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=513", "Murphy Announces $6.2 Million in Federal Funding to Hire Law Enforcement Officers in Central Florida", "2017-11-20", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Stephanie Murphy", "M001202", "stephaniemurphy.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy of Winter Park, Fla., announced today that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has awarded over $6.2 million to law enforcement agencies in central Florida to help keep families safe. The funding is provided through the DOJ\u2019s Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant, and will provide funding to the Orange County Sheriff's Office, the city of Orlando, the city of Sanford, and the city of Casselberry. The funding will enable these local law enforcement agencies to hire a total of 50 law enforcement officers.\u201cMore officers on the streets will help make our families safer and our communities stronger, which is why this funding is an important boost to our local law enforcement agencies,\u201dsaid Murphy.\u00a0\u201cIn Congress, I\u2019ve pushed for robust funding for the COPS grant program overall to support our law enforcement community. I\u2019m particularly proud that I was able to help the city of Sanford in its successful grant application so they can secure seven new officers. We owe our law enforcement community a debt of gratitude as they put their lives on the line to keep us safe, and I\u2019m proud to have their backs. I\u2019ll keep working in Congress to support central Florida and the brave men and women who protect and serve it.  The COPS grant helps state and local law enforcement agencies reduce crime by supporting community policing strategies and allowing them to hire more uniformed officers. Of the $6.2 million being allocated in Murphy\u2019s district, the awards are as follows:  \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Orange County Sheriff\u2019s office will receive $3,125,000 million to hire 25 officers;\r\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The city of Orlando will receive $1,875,000 million to hire 15 officers;\r\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The Sanford Police Department will receive $875,000 to hire 7 officers; and,\r\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The Casselberry Police Department will receive $325,967 to hire 3 officers.\r\nMurphy has made federal support for local law enforcement one of her top priorities in Congress. In April, she signed a bipartisan letter to the House Appropriations Committee urging them to provide sufficient funding for the COPS grant program. In addition, she wrote a letter in June to the Department of Justice in support of the Sanford Police Department\u2019s application for a COPS grant.\r\n###\r\nU.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy represents Florida\u2019s Seventh Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, where she serves on the House Armed Services Committee and Small Business Committee. The district includes all of Seminole County and much of northern Orange County, including downtown Orlando, Maitland, Winter Park, and the University of Central Florida. Previously, Murphy was a businesswoman and college instructor who also served as a national security specialist in the Office of the Secretary of Defense where she received numerous awards for her distinguished service, including the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Civilian Service. Murphy lives in Winter Park with her husband and two children.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.billnelson.senate.gov/newsroom/news/bill-nelson-brings-top-democrat-on-senate-finance-committee-to-tampa-for-tax-bill", "Bill Nelson brings top Democrat on Senate Finance Committee to Tampa for tax bill discussion", "2017-11-19", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Bill Nelson", "N000032", "www.billnelson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sen. Bill Nelson and the top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, Ron Wyden of Oregon, will hold a discussion on the GOP tax bill in Tampa on Monday.\nThey will meet with local business leaders including Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn and representatives from six area chamber of commerce organizations.\nDemocrats have assaulted the tax plan as rushed and favoring corporations and the wealthy. On Thursday, Finance Committee members Nelson and Wyden voted against advancing the plan.\nThe 3:15 p.m. event will be held at the Children's Board of Hillsborough County, 1002 East Palm Avenue.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.billnelson.senate.gov/newsroom/news/sen-bill-nelson-calls-on-dhs-to-extent-tps-for-haitian", "Sen. Bill Nelson calls on DHS to Extent TPS for Haitian", "2017-11-18", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Bill Nelson", "N000032", "www.billnelson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "MIAMI\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Sens. Bill Nelson (D-FL) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) today led a group of Florida lawmakers urging Dept. of Homeland Security Acting Secretary Elaine Duke to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians living in the United States for a full 18 months.\nIn addition to Sens. Nelson and Rubio, the letter was signed by Reps. Ted Deutch (D-FL), Mario Diaz Balart (R-FL), Carlos Curbelo (R-FL), Lois Frankel (D-FL), Alcee Hastings (D-FL), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) and Frederica Wilson (D-FL).\n\u00a0\nFollowing is text of the lawmakers\u2019 letter sent to DHS Acting Secretary Elaine Duke\nNovember 17, 2017\nThe Honorable Elaine C. Duke\nActing Secretary of Homeland Security\nU.S. Department of Homeland Security\n3801 Nebraska Avenue NW\nWashington, DC 20528\nDear Acting Secretary Duke:\nWe write again to urge you to extend for a full 18 months Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians currently living in the United States. We appreciated the opportunity to meet with you and discuss the need for an extension. As you prepare to make a determination on extension, we encourage you to consider the full range of factors permitted under the law.\nThe need for a full extension is clear. Haiti\u2014the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere\u2014continues to recover from the devastating 2010 earthquake which killed more than 200,000 people and displaced more than a million. To this day, Haiti struggles to combat an outbreak of cholera introduced by United Nations relief workers following the earthquake that has already killed more than 10,000 people.\nThe extensive damage caused by Hurricane Matthew in 2016 only made Haiti\u2019s recovery more difficult. For example, Matthew, a major hurricane, destroyed much of Haiti\u2019s food crops, leaving millions of Haitians food insecure, according to some estimates. We believe that these persistent, difficult conditions in Haiti warrant a full extension, and that the law allows you to consider these factors among others in making a determination.\nFurthermore, the Government of Haiti has requested an extension as it works to fully recover and rebuild for the benefit of all its people. We owe it to the Haitian people to assist them in their efforts, especially as they begin to make limited progress. Haiti simply cannot absorb the premature return of 60,000 people at once.\nWe share your concern for the welfare of the Haitian people. They are valuable members of our communities and families. Thank you for your consideration of this important matter.\nSincerely,\nSens. Bill Nelson (D-FL), Marco Rubio (R-FL) Reps. Ted Deutch (D-FL), Mario Diaz Balart (R-FL), Carlos Curbelo (R-FL), Lois Frankel (D-FL), Alcee Hastings (D-FL), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) and Frederica Wilson (D-FL)", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://stephaniemurphy.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=508", "Murphy Initiative to Help Students Displaced by Hurricanes Included in White House Emergency Funding Request", "2017-11-17", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Stephanie Murphy", "M001202", "stephaniemurphy.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy of Winter Park, Fla., announced today that her initiative to help school districts in Florida and other states that enroll students from areas displaced by recent hurricanes has been included in the emergency funding request that the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) submitted to Congress. The total request of $44 billion includes $1.24 billion in funding to support elementary schools, high schools, and colleges and universities that enroll displaced students.\u201cWhen disaster strikes anywhere in our nation, Congress has a duty to act swiftly to help those families affected,\u201d said Murphy. \u201cI have been working with members of both parties to ensure that Florida and Puerto Rico receive the federal funding they need to recover and rebuild in the aftermath of hurricanes Irma and Maria. In particular, I\u2019ve led the bipartisan effort to ensure schools in Florida who enroll students from Puerto Rico have sufficient resources to provide a great education to both their new and current students. Although I am concerned that the overall request of $44 billion is insufficient and I do not support OMB\u2019s proposed offsets, I am pleased that the request includes this critical funding for students and families in central Florida.\u201d On Oct. 5, 2017, Murphy authored a letter to the House Appropriations Committee and OMB urging them to allocate funding to elementary schools, high schools, and colleges that enroll displaced students. The letter was signed by 30 Members of Congress, including both Democrats and Republicans, representing Florida, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts. Each of these states has a large Puerto Rican population and will be a likely destination for island families moving to the mainland in the wake of Hurricane Maria. Since the letter, Murphy has worked closely with OMB, her colleagues on the Appropriations Committee, and school districts in Florida in support of her bipartisan effort. According to the latest estimates, 156,000 U.S. citizens from Puerto Rico have relocated to Florida in the last two months, and many of these families have school-age children.  In Orange County alone, the public schools have already enrolled over 2,450 displaced students since Hurricane Maria. The next step is for Congress to consider OMB\u2019s request, and Congress can\u2014and likely will\u2014provide funding beyond that requested by OMB.  This will be the third emergency appropriations bill that Congress approves, having already approved two bills in September and October.  OMB has made clear there will be a fourth request for funding, intended to meet the significant long-term needs of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.  \r\n ###\r\n\u00a0\r\nU.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy represents Florida\u2019s Seventh Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, where she serves on the House Armed Services Committee and Small Business Committee. The district includes all of Seminole County and much of northern Orange County, including downtown Orlando, Maitland, Winter Park, and the University of Central Florida. Previously, Murphy was a businesswoman and college instructor who also served as a national security specialist in the Office of the Secretary of Defense where she received numerous awards for her distinguished service, including the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Civilian Service. Murphy lives in Winter Park with her husband and two children.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.billnelson.senate.gov/newsroom/news/defense-budget-bill-includes-much-for-florida-cape-canaveral-bill-nelson-says", "Defense budget bill includes much for Florida, Cape Canaveral, Bill Nelson says", "2017-11-17", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Bill Nelson", "N000032", "www.billnelson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The U.S. Senate\u2019s $692.2 billion defense budget includes includes provisions that would allow far more frequent private rocket launches from Cape Canaveral and other provisions that should help Florida, U.S. Sen.\u00a0Bill Nelson\u00a0declared.\nThe bill, approved by the U.S. Senate late Thursday and by the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday, includes provisions to upgrade the launch infrastructure at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, which could lead to as many as two launches a day from the Cape, a boon to the rapidly-growing commercial space industry, Nelson, a senior member on the Senate Armed Services Committee, stated in a news release. The bill heads for President\u00a0Donald Trump\u2018s desk.\nThe bill also includes funding to support automated launch safety systems and reusable launch vehicles.\nThe bill also includes $299 million for improvements to Florida\u2019s military bases, including a special operations simulation center at Elgin Air Force Base near Pensacola, a special operations simulator and fuselage training center at Hurlburt Field, also near Pensacola, a fire station at \u00a0Tyndall Air Force Base near Panama City, a \u201cGuardian Angel\u201d facility at Patrick Air Force Base near Cape Canaveral, and a wastewater treatment plant at Naval Station Mayport in Jacksonville.\nIt also includes improvements to testing and training ranges, including at the Eastern Gulf Test and Training Range off Elgin AFB.\nThere also is a provision that should make Mayport a more desirable port for the Navy. A news release from Nelson\u2019s office said a provision would require the Navy to consider a port\u2019s ability to mitigate risks associated with natural disasters and improve fleet response times when deciding where to homeport future ships. These considerations, the release offered, would help make Mayport a natural choice for future home-porting of a nuclear aircraft carrier and additional amphibious ships.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 1254, "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 \"party\" = :p0 and \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "Democrat", "p1": "FL", "p2": "2017"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=FL&year=2017", "results": [{"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 1254, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=FL&year=2017", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=FL&year=2017", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 1254, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=FL&year=2017&chamber=House", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=FL&year=2017", "results": [{"value": "FL", "label": "FL", "count": 1254, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&year=2017", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=FL&year=2017", "results": [{"value": "2017", "label": "2017", "count": 1254, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=FL", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2017-11-17,https~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Ebillnelson~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fnewsroom~2Fnews~2Fdefense-budget-bill-includes-much-for-florida-cape-canaveral-bill-nelson-says", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=FL&year=2017&_next=2017-11-17%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Ebillnelson~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fnewsroom~2Fnews~2Fdefense-budget-bill-includes-much-for-florida-cape-canaveral-bill-nelson-says&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 389.9928801693022, "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"}