{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Democrat\", state = \"FL\" and year = 2018 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["http://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398852", "U.S. Rep. Castor's statement on her appointment as Chair of the new Select Committee on the Climate Crisis", "2018-12-28", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Kathy Castor", "C001066", "castor.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Rep. Castor's statement on her appointment as Chair of the new Select Committee on the Climate Crisi \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 28, 2018\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 regarding her appointment as Chair of the new Select Committee on the Climate Crisis by Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi:\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) released the following statement regarding her appointment as Chair of the new Select Committee on the Climate Crisis by Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi:\r\n\"I am humbled by Speaker-designate Pelosi's confidence in me to leadthe Select Committee on the Climate Crisis. She is correct to reinstitute the Select Committee and urge action to address this dire crisis that impacts my neighbors in Florida, all Americans and future generations.\r\nWe must act with urgency to reduce carbon pollution and we can do so by unleashing American ingenuity and creating clean energy jobs to power our future. We cannot delay. The costs of the changing climate and extreme weather events pose greater risks every day to American families, businesses and our way of life.The Select Committee on the Climate Crisis and the new generation of leaders in Congress -- who understand the scientific imperative -- will tackle the crisis head on. Failure is not an option.\r\n\r\n###\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://demings.house.gov/media/press-releases/president-trump-s-shutdown", "President Trumps Shutdown", "2018-12-22", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Val Demings", "D000627", "demings.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "ORLANDO, FL  Congresswoman Val Demings (D-Orlando) today commented on the government shutdown which was forced on the country by President Trump.\nSaid Rep. Demings, President Trump said that he would be proud to shut down the government and now he has done it. After two years, this president and the GOP majority in Congress have proven utterly incapable of governing. This is an embarrassing manufactured crisis by the Republican majority in Congress, which has the votes to easily pass an existing bipartisan spending bill. This shutdown puts our security and our economy at risk.\nAs the party in charge of the Senate, House, and White House, the GOP has a responsibility to pass a budget that sustains critical services for the American people. Instead, they passed a $1.5 trillion tax giveaway for themselves and their donors while ignoring critical deadlines and pushing an anti-immigrant agenda.\nI will do everything in my power to reopen the government as soon as possible, but I will not compromise fundamental American values and vote to fund an ineffective wall that Mexico was supposed to pay for.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=847", "Rep. Frankel Statement on Trump Shutdown", "2018-12-22", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Lois Frankel", "F000462", "frankel.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Frankel Statement on Trump Shutdown \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, 2018\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  Today, Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-21) issued the following statement after the federal government shut down at midnight:\r\nTaking orders from conservative talk host pundits, Donald Trump has driven us into a reckless government shutdown as most Americans prepare for the holidays. The President said that he's proud to shut down the government, threatening our national security and the livelihood of hundreds of thousands of workers just to fund his immoral, ineffective, and expensive wall. I remain ready to vote for a bipartisan agreement that keeps government open and allows us to address the many real challenges facing our nation.\r\n\r\n### \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=848", "Women\u2019s Entrepreneurship and Economic Empowerment Act Heads to President\u2019s Desk", "2018-12-21", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Lois Frankel", "F000462", "frankel.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  The Women's Entrepreneurship and Economic Empowerment Act passed the House today, moving the bill to the White House. The bipartisan legislation, authored in the House by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA) and Rep. Lois Frankel (D-FL), Co-Chair of the bipartisan Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues, will help break down gender-related barriers to economic growth and supports women-led enterprises in developing countries.\r\nThe WEEE Act recognizes there is an undeniable link between women's economic success and global prosperity,\" Rep. Frankel said. \"When women and girls are educated, free from violence, and have access to tools to support their families, their communities are safer, stronger, and more peaceful.\r\nIn too many places, women are still barred from participating in their economies, Chairman Royce said. Millions of women in developing countries are shut out of the financial system. They don't have access to savings, credit, insurance or basic property rights. This legislation will help break down barriers, and empower more women to start their own businesses and take advantage of other opportunities. I thank all who've worked to get this bill into law.\" \r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressmen-darren-soto-warren-davidson-introduce-ico-fix-businesses-consumers", "Congressmen Darren Soto, Warren Davidson Introduce ICO Fix for Businesses, Consumers", "2018-12-21", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Darren Soto", "S001200", "soto.house.gov", "soto", "https://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC - Congressmen Warren Davidson (OH-08) and Darren Soto (FL-09) today introduced the long-awaited Token Taxonomy Act, H.R. 7356, to provide light-touch regulatory certainty for businesses, entrepreneurs, and regulators in the blockchain economy.\n\nThis bipartisan legislation draws a bright line for businesses and regulators by defining a \"digital token\" and clarifies that securities laws do not apply to companies that use blockchain once they reach their goal of becoming a functional network. Implementing this fix will stop fraud from spreading and provide the certainty innovation needs to flourish.\n\n\"This bill clarifies a 1946 court case that the SEC has been using to determine what a security is and effectively makes it clear that the finished product (or oranges as it relates to the Howey Test) is no longer a security.\n\n\"Providing this much needed certainty frees the SEC to perform its vital and much needed consumer protection duties of enforcement on those who have engaged in securities fraud by making false claims or simply attempting to engage in regulatory arbitrage to circumvent securities law.\n\n\"This bill provides the certainty American markets need to compete with Singapore, Switzerland, and others who are aggressively growing their blockchain economies. To be certain, there will be other regulatory initiatives at some point, but this legislation is an essential first step to keeping this market alive in the United States.\n\n\"In the early days of the internet, Congress passed legislation that provided certainty and resisted the temptation to over-regulate the market. Our intent is to achieve a similar win for America's economy and for American leadership in this innovative space,\" said Congressman Warren Davidson.\n\n\"While this legislation is a great first step, we are looking for feedback. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has a history of policing web services, while the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has authority over commodity derivatives. To what extent does the jurisdiction of the FTC apply to digital tokens? Can we address this issue in this legislation or will we need subsequent legislation to effectively regulate this emerging sector?\" said Congressman Darren Soto.\n\nH.R. 7356, The Token Taxonomy Act, is the product of months long collaboration following a bipartisan roundtable discussion hosted by Congressman Davidson with Members of Congress and nearly 50 stakeholders from Ohio and across the country to gather input on Congress' effort to clarify the \"sloppy\" regulatory framework in the cryptocurrency space.\n\nThere, Congressmen Darren Soto (D-FL), Ted Budd (R-NC), and Tom Emmer (R-MN) united in a commitment with other panel participants and stakeholders to provide the legislative certainty innovation needs to flourish in the U.S.\n\nBackground: Many entrepreneurs and businesses use distributed ledger or blockchain technology to launch initial coin offerings (ICOs) to raise the capital they need to innovate, grow their businesses, and create more jobs. A patchwork of judicial rulings and conflicting state initiatives have clouded certainty for these companies and is motivating market players to leave the U.S. for the certainty provided elsewhere.\n\nIn May, Congressman Davidson announced he would lead legislation in the cryptocurrency space in committee. He then followed up this announcement with a House floor speech saying he wants to preempt any type of heavy-handed regulatory approach that could stall innovation and kill the ICO market in the U.S. In September, Congressman Davidson led a bipartisan panel that attracted widespread participation by industry leaders and his colleagues in Congress. [Link]\n\nMarket participants have said that the Securities and Exchange Commission has been regulating by enforcement and market participants have struggled to discern a coherent application of their standards and public statements. SEC Chairman Jay Clayton and SEC Director Bill Hinman have both commented publicly in ways that have either alarmed or encouraged market participants.\n\nIn December, Congressman Davidson spoke to attendees at the Blockland Solutions Conference in Ohio about his plans to introduce legislation to address this issue.\n\nDavidson-Budd-Soto-Emmer Roundtable that was hosted in September.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:11:43Z"], ["http://alceehastings.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399079", "Hastings Statement on Withdrawal of U.S. Troops from Syria", "2018-12-20", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Alcee Hastings", "H000324", "alceehastings.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Hastings' Statement on Withdrawal of U.S. Troops from Syria \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 20, 2018\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 President Trump announced the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria:  \r\n  \r\nThe President's abrupt decision to withdraw troops from Syria despite a number of unresolved and pressing national security matters is extremely troubling. His assessment that the Islamic State has been defeated is shockingly divorced from reality, and has been contradicted by national security professionals within his own administration. By leaving before the job is done, the President is playing games with our national security and the security of Israel, and jeopardizing the hard-won progress against the Islamic State.  \r\n  \r\nWhen I was last in the region, I saw first-hand the horrors the Syrian people were, and are, suffering at the hands of the Assad regime. I also saw the effects of the refugee crisis on the stability of the region and the governments of Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey. The United States must hold Russia and Iran accountable for their support of the Assad regime and its reprehensible crimes against the people of Syria. Withdrawing American forces as the President intends would abdicate American leadership in this troubled region, leaving Russia and Iran to assert themselves uncontested. It's no wonder Russian President Vladimir Putin so quickly applauded President Trump's announcement.  \r\n  \r\nAmericans deserve a well-considered, strong, and strategic U.S. policy on Syria that puts national interest first, not a hurried and possibly political decision made by a President whose campaign and administration's possible ties to Russia are still under investigation by the Department of Justice. Rather than hastily withdraw and risk creating a power vacuum, the President should work with Congress to carefully craft and pass an Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) that defines our purpose and role in the region.  \r\n  \r\nCongressman Alcee L. Hastings represents Florida's 20th Congressional District and 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###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://teddeutch.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399458", "Deutch Statement on Passage of Criminal Justice Reform Legislation", "2018-12-20", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Ted Deutch", "D000610", "teddeutch.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-22), a senior member of the House Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement after Congress passed the First Step Act, a comprehensive bipartisan criminal justice reform bill:In May I voted against the House version of the First Step Act because I felt that it missed an opportunity to address the significant problems with our federal sentencing statutes. This legislation we passed today, which I supported, includes broader and much needed criminal justice reform provisions, including improvements to our prison system and sentencing laws. Our criminal justice system should seek to both punish appropriately, reduce recidivism, and rehabilitate effectively. This legislation will give judges more discretion in sentences for low-level nonviolent drug offenses while maintaining maximum potential sentences for violent criminals. It will also improve conditions in prisons and invest in education and treatment programs to help transition inmates to rejoin society. As a member of the House Judiciary Committee, I'm proud that Congress was able to work together to make our criminal justice system fairer and more effective.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://crist.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=617", "CRIST SEEKS FEDERAL FUNDING TO TACKLE HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS", "2018-12-20", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Charlie Crist", "C001111", "crist.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Representative Charlie Crist (D-St. Petersburg) joined a bipartisan call for robust funding to address the issues of algal blooms plaguing communities like Pinellas. Crist hosted multiple roundtable discussions this summer regarding the crisis in local waterways, with a key takeaway being the need for more funding to research and mitigate the impact of harmful algal blooms on the environment and economy. (Please find a copy of the letter attached and below).\"There is a clear need for all levels of government to invest in research to help prevent the kind of crisis we witnessed this past year with red tide,\" said Crist. \"Florida's economic health depends on our environmental health from tourism to the fishing industry. I will continue fighting in Congress for robust funding to support ongoing research and to impose common-sense environmental protections needed to keep our waters healthy.\"\r\n  \r\nThe Honorable Mick Mulvaney  \r\nDirector  \r\nOffice of Management and Budget  \r\n725 17th Street Northwest  \r\nWashington, DC 20503Dear Director Mulvaney: We write to respectfully request that you allocate robust funding in the President's Fiscal Year 2020 budget request for programs that address a widespread and ever-increasing problem: toxic algal blooms, also called harmful algal blooms (HABs). Toxic algae affect marine, coastal, estuarine, and freshwater systems in all 50 states and all U.S. territories. A strong investment in programs that address toxic algae will help protect economic activity, the health of millions of Americans, and our environment. Toxic blooms threaten human health and cause several billion dollars in economic losses each year. We have made significant advances in our understanding of where, when, and why blooms occur, but we must improve our ability to mitigate their impacts on our communities. We therefore strongly support investment in science, research, and management to increase our capacity to forecast, detect, prevent, and control HABs, as well as to lessen their effects on human health and economies across the country. The severity of HABs is reflected in recent notable events including: Toxic blue-green algae originating in Lake Okeechobee in Florida has fouled rivers and inland waterways leading to both coasts, wreaking havoc on the state's tourism industry and threatening public health. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection found that toxicity samples taken of the water discharged from Lake Okeechobee in 2018 had 495 parts per billion of microcystin50 times higher than the safe level of toxicity for human contact. This toxic bloom remains a continued threat to drinking water and commercial and recreational uses of waterways. Concurrently, the red tide that stretches along more than 200 miles of the Florida Gulf coast has lasted more than a year and caused the deaths of millions of fish and hundreds of sea turtles, dolphins, and the protected Florida Manatee. Drinking water advisories were issued due to two separate HAB toxins being detected above the EPA advisory levels in the Detroit Reservoir in Oregon this summer. The bloom affected the water distribution system for the City of Salem, City of Turner, Suburban East Salem Water District, and Orchard Heights Water Association, affecting more than 150,000 people and lasting several weeks. These events echoed the 2014 Toledo, Ohio, drinking water crisis that impacted more than 400,000 residents and lasted for three days after elevated concentrations of microcystin from the annually recurrent cyanobacterial bloom in Lake Erie were detected in the municipal water system. In 2016, Utah Lake experienced a toxic bloom. Utah Poison Control reported hundreds of calls about the bloom, including calls from at least 130 people reporting vomiting, diarrhea, headaches and rashes after coming in contact with the toxic water. New data from the Alaskan Arctic reveals the widespread presence of a toxic HAB species in waters from the Bering Strait to the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas, endangering food supplies for indigenous peoples as well as Arctic ecosystems that have had no prior exposure to these potent neurotoxins. During summer 2015, potent neurotoxins associated with the so-called warm water blob off the West Coast triggered a toxic algae bloom from Southern California to Alaska that closed hundreds of miles of shellfish and crab fisheries. Coastal communities lost tens of millions of dollars from the closure of the Dungeness crab fishery alone. The toxic substance that can accumulate in shellfish, domoic acid, can cause permanent brain damage in humans and a human poisoning syndrome called amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP). Several new toxic HAB species have emerged as regional threats in New England coastal waters. One species that produces domoic acid and ASP bloomed in the region for the first time in 2016, resulting in a major shellfish recall and harvesting closures across approximately half of Maine's coastline and large areas of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Subsequent blooms in 2017 and 2018 jeopardized or suspended shellfish harvesting in some of these same areas again. Two other new toxic or harmful HAB species have also been documented in the Gulf of Maine over the last two years, including an organism previously restricted to warm southern waters.  Alarmingly, coordinated studies released in 2017 from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) revealed that from a single sampling of all lakes nationwide, 39% contained toxic algae and toxins were present at some point during the year in 78% of the lakes. Furthermore, based on the tracking of news reports in 2018, reported HABs increased 40% above the reported incidences in 2017. This is a worrisome trend as HABs are already a national problem. To make the necessary progress toward understanding and addressing the significant and expanding threats that toxic algae pose to human health and our national economy, we ask that you prioritize a strong and coordinated federal response in this year's budget request by including robust funding to support multi-investigator research programs for HAB-related work. Areas of emphasis should include: furthering our understanding of the socioeconomic impacts of HABs on our coastal communities; developing and improving early warning, forecasting, and detection tools; enhancing our understanding of how changes in climate may affect HABs as well as new and emerging organisms and toxins of concern; expanding our understanding of the various drivers of HABs in different regions of the country and the mechanisms underlying those events; and improving awareness of how HABs interact with other environmental stressors like hypoxia. We look forward to your response and to working with you to better monitor and mitigate the damage caused by harmful algal blooms and to protect the health of Americans and our local economies. Sincerely, [click here to view full list of signers]", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://demings.house.gov/media/press-releases/alzheimer-s-bill-become-law", "Alzheimers Bill to Become Law", "2018-12-20", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Val Demings", "D000627", "demings.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "ORLANDO, FL  Congresswoman Val Demings (D-Orlando) last night cast her vote for The BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer's Act, which she cosponsored in the U.S. House of Representatives, and which will become law with President Trump's signature.\nSaid Rep. Demings, My family, like so many others, has been affected by Alzheimer's Disease. Alzheimer's afflicts millions of Americans and is a leading cause of death. Even worse, it is a profoundly cruel disease which begins to rob us of our loved ones even before they pass. It has been deeply important to me that our government, with all our resources, do more to fund the search for a cure to Alzheimer's, and I am gladdened that bipartisan Members of Congress have joined together to say that an end to Alzheimer's is a national goal.\nI am deeply grateful to the incredible advocates and activists whose tireless work helped to make this win happen. We will continue to fight for additional research and resources until we finally reach an end to Alzheimer's.\nBackground\nAccording to the Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer's is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States, and cases increased by 123% from 2000 to 2015. 5.7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's, and one in three seniors dies with Alzheimer's or another form of dementia. Early and accurate diagnosis could save up to $7.9 trillion in medical and care costs, and effective treatment would save and extend millions of lives.\nThe Building Our Largest Dementia (BOLD) Infrastructure for Alzheimer's Act is landmark legislation that will create a national public health infrastructure to promote early detection, increase intervention to reduce risks, and prevent avoidable hospitalizations for Alzheimer's disease and other memory disorders. As researchers gain greater understanding of the disease and work towards a way to prevent, cure, or slow the progression of Alzheimer's, the federal government must work with state, local, and tribal health authorities to increase the quality of life for those living with the disease and support caregivers.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://demings.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-demings-secretary-mattis-resignation", "Rep. Demings on Secretary Mattis Resignation", "2018-12-20", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Val Demings", "D000627", "demings.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "ORLANDO, FL  Congresswoman Val Demings (D-Orlando) today responded to the resignation of U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis.\nSaid Rep. Demings, We are entering a time of genuine danger to our country with the departure of Secretary Mattis, the last person in the White House to put the country before himself. We already know of situations in which reckless and illegal military actions were ordered by President Trump but ignored as cooler heads prevailed. Secretary Mattis was not a perfect man, but he was a force of experience, judgement, and stabilityeven though his experience has been ignored time and time again by our President.\nSecretary Mattis has said that when diplomacy fails, he has to buy more bullets. I worry that with his departure, there will be no voice left in the White House to resist the President's violent and destabilizing agenda.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://demings.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-demings-vote-first-step-act", "Rep. Demings to Vote for FIRST STEP Act", "2018-12-20", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Val Demings", "D000627", "demings.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "ORLANDO, FL  Congresswoman Val Demings (D-Orlando) will today vote for the FIRST STEP Acta criminal justice reform bill which will make our justice system fairer and more effective.\nSaid Rep. Demings, Anyone who breaks the law should be held accountable for their actions, but we must also prepare these Americans to re-enter society and not offend again. The FIRST STEP Act prioritizes dignity, respect, equality, and evidence-based strategies which will reduce the rate at which criminals re-offend. This bill will help individuals to serve their sentences while giving them the relationships and tools necessary to leave their punishment behind bars and return to their lives without returning to crime.\nIt is said that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,' and I strongly believe that this will be a first step towards a more equitable and effective justice system.\nBackground\nThe FIRST STEP Act will retroactively apply the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010, which fixed the sentencing disparity between crack cocaine and powder cocaine, long known to have a racially-biased effect. It will also ease mandatory minimum sentences and expand the safety valve which gives judges more latitude, and eliminate the stacking of gun and drug charges by prosecutors seeking longer sentences. The act will also assist inmates in their return to society by expanding good time credits which apply to well-behaved prisoners. Additionally, the bill will ban certain practices, including the shackling of pregnant women, and will put greater emphasis on de-escalation techniques and medical treatment of drug addicts. These reforms would apply to prisoners in federal prison.\nRep. Demings previously served as a 27-year law enforcement officer and Orlando's first female Chief of Police.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lawson.house.gov/media/press-releases/us-rep-al-lawson-today-released-following-statement-president-trump-signs-farm", "U.S. Rep.  Al Lawson Statement on the 2018 Farm Bill", "2018-12-20", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Al Lawson", "L000586", "lawson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The Farm Bill is a great example of common-sense bipartisanship that will improve the quality of life for millions of Americans, said Rep. Lawson, who serves on the House Agriculture Committee. This five-year bill will provide nutrition support to our nation's most vulnerable families and strengthen our agricultural and food economy. The bill gives access to SNAP benefits for millions of working families struggling to make ends meet and the nearly 39 million Americans who are food-insecure. It will also help our nation's farmers by increasing funding for agriculture research and extending federal crop insurance that will better protect farmers from natural disasters. The bill includes more than $400 million historically black colleges and universities, including $40 million for agricultural scholarships for students attending 1890-land grant institutions, such as Florida A&M University. This legislation meets the needs for all Americans.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lawson.house.gov/media/press-releases/us-rep-lawson-secures-funding-hbcus-farm-bill", "U.S. Rep. Lawson Secures Funding for HBCUs in Farm Bill", "2018-12-20", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Al Lawson", "L000586", "lawson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON DC U.S. Rep. Al Lawson (FL05) worked to ensure the $867 billion Farm Bill included funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities.The bipartisan legislation willincrease financial support and researchfor 1890-land grantuniversities, such as Florida A&M University, by more than $400 millionas well as provide much needed scholarship support for students.\nIt is critical for that ournation's HBCUs have the resources necessary to succeed, said Lawson who servesontheHouseAgriculture Committee and is a member of the HBCU Caucus. HBCUs are the backbone of our communities, cultivate a culture of excellence and set the foundation for our nation's best and brightest to make their marks on the world. This bill provides guaranteed funding for these schools and studentsby taking essential steps to create paritybetween the 1890 land grants and their 1862 counterparts.\nThe Farm Bill provides the following HBCU-exclusive funding over the next five years for research, education, extension and student scholarships:\n $80 million in newfunding to land-grant HBCUs for student scholarships -- approximately $2 million each year per school. (Includes $40 million in discretionary authorization and $40 million in mandatory funding).\n \n $10 million a year to support three new HBCU Centers of Excellence to address agricultural workforce development, nutrition and food security, economic development and emerging technologies.The location will be determined by a competitive grant process through the USDA.\n \n $15 million for HBCU cooperative extension and research\n \n The Farm Bill allows 1890s to carry over 100% of unused funds. Previously, HBCUs could only carry over 20 percent of their extension funding if it wasn't used in a calendar year. This funding helps to address public needs.\n \n Transparency Requirement:States are required to report to Congress how much funding they're providing both their 1890 land grants and their 1862 land grants. \n \n The bill also legalizes hemp growth and manufacturing, clearing the way for existing programs to expand research and development programs for medicinal and textile production.\n \n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://stephaniemurphy.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=947", "Seminole State College of Florida Receives Federal Grant as a Result of Rep. Murphys Displaced Student Initiative", "2018-12-20", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Stephanie Murphy", "M001202", "stephaniemurphy.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON U.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy today announced that Seminole State College, which has four campuses in Murphy's district, will receive nearly $110,000 in federal funding as a result of an initiative Murphy led to support K-12 schools and colleges that enrolled students from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands displaced by Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Earlier this year, Murphy announced that as a result of this initiative, K-12 schools in Florida received $95.8 million, with Orange County Public Schools receiving over $12 million and Seminole County Public Schools receiving nearly $1.7 million. Among the colleges and universities in Murphy's district, the University of Central Florida has already received almost $2 million, Seminole State has now received nearly $110,000, and Valencia College's application is pending with the U.S. Department of Education.\r\nK-12 schools and colleges in central Florida, like Seminole State and UCF, welcomed displaced students from Puerto Rico and other disaster-stricken areas, and I'm proud we've been able to secure funding so they have the resources to educate both new and existing students,said Murphy. I worked hard to secure this critical funding because I know investments in education create jobs, improve our overall quality of life, and make our community stronger for all.\r\nBeing able to help students continue their education when faced with life changing situations is a true honor for Seminole State College,said Seminole State President Dr. Georgia Lorenz. We are truly grateful for Congresswoman Murphy's leadership in securing funding for Seminole State and the other Central Florida educational institutions to help the displaced students from Puerto Rico.\r\nHurricane Maria hit my home and during the storm I understood what true fear felt like.The fear of not knowing if my family and I were going to be okay. There was no power, no water, no cars on the street, and nothing was working,said Sofia Acosta, a displacedstudent fromPuerto Rico who enrolledatSeminole State andspoke at the December 12 graduation ceremony.Weeks went by until we got our first sliver of communication to the outside of the Island. Through a battery-operated transistor radio, my mother and my father heard that Seminole State was honoring state residence fees to all displaced students. With the help of my aunts and uncle living in the states, airline tickets were purchased. And on October 10, I left Puerto Rico for the first time in my life,leaving my immediate family behind to continue my education. I am grateful that Seminole State helped me overcome a difficult time in my life.\r\nMurphy spearheaded theeffort to support students and schools over the course of nearly a year, working across party lines with the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB), her colleagues in the U.S. House and Senate, the U.S. Department of Education, and the State of Florida. In February 2018, Congress approved theBipartisan Budget Act, which converted Murphy's initiative into law.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://stephaniemurphy.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=948", "Murphy, Incoming Future Forum Leadership Call for Automatic Voter Registration Provision in H.R. 1", "2018-12-20", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Stephanie Murphy", "M001202", "stephaniemurphy.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  The incoming leaders of Future Forum, led by U.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla., today sent a letter to House Speaker-Designate Nancy Pelosi and Democratic Leader-Designate Steny Hoyer calling for the inclusion of a provision expanding automatic voter registration (AVR) in H.R. 1democracy reform legislation that is set to be a top priority in the 116th Congress. Future Forum is an influential group of young Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives who advocate for issues important to younger Americans. In the letter, Murphy and the group's vice-chairs and chair emeritus U.S. Representatives Antonio Delgado, D-N.Y., Abby Finkenauer, D-Iowa, Jimmy Gomez, D-Calif., and Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., respectively said automatic voter registration can empower young voters and increase voter participation rates among all age groups.\r\nIn the aftermath of events like the Parkland shooting and the #MeToo movement, the millennial and post-millennial generations mobilized to vote in record numbers, wrote the incoming Future Forum leaders. Nevertheless, young voters still had the lowest turnout rate of any age group in 2018, just as they have in every previous national election. Automatic voter registration is an innovative solution that can increase voter participation rates among all age groups, especially among young people.\r\nAVR is a simple, commonsense reform to our voter registration process that could meaningfully increase participation in our elections, stated the letter. On behalf of Future Forum, we thank you for your leadership on this critical issue and appreciate your continued support of our mission to bridge the divide between young Americans and their government.\r\nIn November, Democratic leaders announced H.R. 1, a legislative package of democracy reforms that will be prioritized for passage in the coming Congress. The sweeping legislation is slated to include provisions that improve voter access to the polls, ensure the security of our elections, and promote integrity in our democratic process.\r\nThe full text of the letter is below.\r\n****\r\nDecember 20, 2018\r\nDear Speaker-Designate Pelosi and Democratic Leader-Designate Hoyer:\r\nAs the incoming leadership slate for Future Forum, an organization comprised of the youngest Democratic members of the House, we thank you for your intention to advance comprehensive legislation in the 116th Congress that would make our democracy more secure, transparent, and accessible to the American people. We write to express our support for efforts to empower younger voters by creating a system enabling citizens in every U.S. state and territory to automatically register to vote, and we respectfully request that a provision to this effect be included in the comprehensive legislation.\r\nIn the aftermath of events like the Parkland shooting and the #MeToo movement, the millennial and post-millennial generations mobilized to vote in record numbers. According to estimates from the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement at Tufts University, 31 percent of citizens ages 18-29 voted in the 2018 midterm elections, a 10 percent increase from 2014. Nevertheless, young voters still had the lowest turnout rate of any age group in 2018, just as they have in every previous national election.\r\nAutomatic voter registration (AVR) is an innovative solution that can increase voter participation rates among all age groups, and especially among young people. AVR would streamline the voter registration process by making it opt-out rather than opt-in. This would allow eligible voters to conveniently register to vote when interacting with a government agency unless they take affirmative steps to decline. AVR would also ensure voter rolls remain up-to-date by enabling voters to easily amend their registration information. To date, AVR has shown positive outcomes in states where it has been implemented. For example, Oregon's AVR law led to a notable uptick in registration rates among young people ages 18-29 in 2016.\r\nAVR is a simple, commonsense reform to our voter registration process that could meaningfully increase participation in our elections. On behalf of Future Forum, we thank you for your leadership on this critical issue and appreciate your continued support of our mission to bridge the divide between young Americans and their government.\r\nSincerely, ***** To view a copy of the letter click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398847", "Castor Announces 2018 Federal Dollars for Tampa", "2018-12-19", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Kathy Castor", "C001066", "castor.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) announced today she and her office worked to deliver $2.6 million to veterans, seniors, small businesses and families across Tampa Bay.  She also worked to secure more than $340 million in federal grants this year to create jobs, invest in education and infrastructure, and bolster the important work of local partners.\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) announced today she and her office worked to deliver$2.6 millionto veterans, seniors,smallbusinesses and families across Tampa Bay. She also worked to secure more than$340 millionin federal grants this year to create jobs, invest in education and infrastructure, and bolster the important work of local partners. Every day, my Tampa constituent services team, Tery Sanchez, Dee Gonzalez and Tania Fernandez (with help from all of Team Castor) work hard to cut through red tape and bureaucracy on behalf of families and all of our neighbors. They use their experience and expertise to advocate for the benefits and services our neighbors have earned, whether it's for veterans, Social Security and Medicare for seniors and people with disabilities, and more, U.S. Rep. Castor said. In 2018, U.S. Rep. Castor's office assisted with more than 2,900 cases to help her neighbors get the assistance they have earned and deserve. More than half of the $2.6 millionin federal benefits recovered by U.S. Rep. Castor and Team Castor were for veterans/military and their families. With more than 98,000 veterans in Hillsborough County, the highest veteran population in Florida according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, every year U.S. Rep. Castor assists with cases related to benefit adjustments, disability claims and appeals, debt waivers, as well as expedited benefits decisions and record requests. My team tackles complex cases and works persistently with federal agencies to remove barriers. My neighbors often turn to us as a last resort or when they are on the brink and thedollars and benefits returned tothem can bea critical lifeline, U.S. Rep. Castor continued. Grants  $340 million Grants bolster vital education and job training resources for students and families who need it the most. They can grow our region's entrepreneurial ecosystem and lead to expanding small businesses and boosting jobs, U.S. Rep. Castor said, commenting on the large amount ofnew and continuedfederal grantsfor our community. Among thefederalgrants that U.S. Rep. Castor championed this year, most recently was$300,000to Tampa Bay Wave to help launch a regional investor collaborative. Bay Area Legal Services, the Spring of Tampa Bay and Sunrise of Pasco County also received a$600,000federal grant to provideseamless assistance  legal aid for our neighbors experiencing domestic violence, sexual assault, and other help that the individuals and families that turn to the Spring and Sunrise need. The University of South Florida (USF) received a$2.7 milliongrant to conduct trials on Alzheimer's disease prevention through cognitive training. Small and large grants make a meaningful impact  from a$5,365grant awarded to the Agency for Community Treatment Services (ACTS) by the Department of Veterans Affairs to a$2.7 milliongrant to H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute by the Department of Health and Human Services. Earlier this year, U.S. Rep. Castor met with researchers and scientists from the USF and Moffitt Cancer Center about how these grants are advancing their research and creating job.  USF, Moffitt Cancer Center, nonprofits and the many growing businesses in our Tampa Bay community have made our region a hotbed for economic growth and I am proud to team upwithmy neighbors to bring ourtaxdollars back to Tampato create high wage jobsfor us, U.S. Rep. Castor continued. We are concerned for these important community investments and focus every year on turning back President Trump's budget that proposes massive cuts to the resources of agencies like theNational Institutes of Health, NOAA and othersthat have a direct impact on research, economic expansion and high wage job growthhere in Tampa and across the country, U.S. Rep. Castor said. My colleagues and I in Congress have pushed back against Trump's preposterous cuts andI will continue standing upfor these importantfederal investments that boostinnovation and lift our Tampa Bay economy. Residents in Florida Congressional District 14 can call U.S. Rep. Castor's Tampa office at 813-871-2817or visitwww.castor.house.govfor assistance. Happy Holidays! ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398848", "U.S. Rep. Castor Applauds MLB, MLBPA Agreement with FCB to Help Cuban Baseball Players and Families", "2018-12-19", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Kathy Castor", "C001066", "castor.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) released the following statement regarding the announced agreement to provide Cuban baseball players with a safe and legal path to sign with a Major League Club:\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) released the following statement regarding the announced agreement to provide Cuban baseball players with a safe and legal path to sign with a Major League Club: I applaud Major League Baseball (MLB), Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) and the Cuban Baseball Federation (FCB) for coming to an agreement to help Cuban baseball players and their families. I have been appalled by the stories of baseball players being taken advantage of and subjected to the dangers of human trafficking to come to the United States because there was no safe, legal path available. Today's agreement means that Cuban ball players will be treated the same as other international players, and have the ability to pursue their dreams of playing baseball in the majors without having to put their lives in danger. Tampa and Cuba share a long history that is intertwined with the game of baseball. I saw firsthand the benefits of baseball diplomacy when I travelled to Cuba with President Obama in 2016 and watched the historic game that our hometown Rays played in Havana. President Trump has reversed historic progress for Cuban families and small businesses, but this agreement shows that outside of his administration, support continues in working towards improving the lives of Cubans and their families. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398849", "Castor: Florida Leads Country in ACA Open Enrollment, Shows Support for Affordable Quality Care Coverage", "2018-12-19", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Kathy Castor", "C001066", "castor.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today's report by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on the Affordable Care Act Open Enrollment period shows that Florida leads in the number of our neighbors who signed up for affordable, quality health coverage once again.  U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) issued the following statement:\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      Today's report by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on the Affordable Care Act Open Enrollment period shows that Florida leads in the number of our neighbors who signed up for affordable, quality health coverage once again. U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) issued the following statement: Today's report  1,786,679 signed up in Florida  clearly shows the support and need for affordable, quality health care coverage. Although the Trump Administration slashed the number of independent navigators and did all it could to sabotage the law, Floridians have spoken through these huge enrollment numbers. GOP officials like Gov. Scott, Attorney General Bondi and Attorney General-Elect Moody must take note of the harm their lawsuit to declare the ACA unconstitutional will cause to Floridians. U.S. Rep. Castor serves as Vice Ranking Member of the U.S. House Energy & Commerce Committee, and helped to draft the Affordable Care Act to ensure it works for families and small businesses. Since ACA enrollment started in 2013, Florida has led the nation in the number of sign-ups on healthcare.gov. Open enrollment took place Nov. 1  Dec. 15, 2018. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://teddeutch.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399454", "Deutch Statement on Reports that Trump Admin. Plans to Withdraw US Forces from Syria", "2018-12-19", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Ted Deutch", "D000610", "teddeutch.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-22), Ranking Member of the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, made the following statement in response to reports that the Trump Administration would withdraw U.S. forces from Syria:Today the Trump Administration announced it would begin pulling U.S. forces and personnel from Syria. I'm deeply concerned about this decision and the impact it will have on the ground and on our ability to influence a political resolution to the conflict. The decision to remove our forces contradicts the Administration's stated goals of ensuring the enduring defeat of ISIS and countering Iran's dangerous expansion in Syria. The removal of U.S. forces and the lack of stabilization efforts will only exacerbate the conditions that make a resurgence of radicalized actors more likely. \"This move directly contradicts public statements made by Trump Administration officials. Just last month, the U.S. Special Representative for Syria Engagement Ambassador James Jeffrey told the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee that 'such an untimely U.S. military departure from Syria would enable ISIS to return, allow Iran to fill the vacuum, place Iraq's stability at risk, and increase the threats to Syria's neighbors such as our key allies Israel, Jordan, and Turkey.' In addition, this move makes our partners on the ground, including the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), more vulnerable to aggression from Syrian regime forces backed by Iran and Russia and Turkish-backed opposition forces. The SDF has fearlessly and selflessly sacrificed to help our mission in combating ISIS. The Administration is yielding American leadership to powers likeRussia, Iran, and Turkey to decide the future of Syria. The removal of U.S. troops will not further our national security objectives in Syria or secure our allies in the region. In fact, this move plays into Iran's long-desired goal to establish a land bridge from Tehran to Beirut to extend its regime and terror proxies. \"This decision contravenes advice from both the State Department and the Pentagon, once again showing the Administration's lack of a cohesive and coherent strategy. Unfortunately, this haphazard decision may well further destabilize the region, threaten our key allies, and threaten U.S. security at home.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://crist.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=614", "CRIST TOUTS $1.2M FEDERAL GRANT FOR PINELLAS BUS RAPID TRANSIT (BRT) PROJECT", "2018-12-19", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Charlie Crist", "C001111", "crist.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "CRIST TOUTS $1.2M FEDERAL GRANT FOR PINELLAS BUS RAPID TRANSIT (BRT) PROJECT \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        St. Petersburg, FL,\r\n        December 19, 2018\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  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      U.S. Representative Charlie Crist (D-St. Petersburg) announced the award of $1.2 million in federal funding for the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) to kick-start the development of the county's Central Avenue Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project. The BRT project will create an 11-mile corridor connecting Pinellas beaches to downtown St. Petersburg to the benefit of residents, tourists, and workers. Crist has fought for full funding of the Federal Transit Administration, which awarded this $1.2 million grant and is responsible for allocating the full $16.5 million slated for the entire BRT project.\"Investing in our infrastructure is key to moving our community forward. The BRT will better connect our community, opening new opportunities to residents and tourists alike through more accessible and efficient transportation options,\" said Crist. \"I look forward to continuing to support the great work and innovative programs being led by PSTA, and will keep fighting in Washington for the smart spending needed toimproving our local transit systems.\"\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://stephaniemurphy.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=945", "Murphy-McMorris Rodgers Bill to Encourage Investment in Small Businesses Becomes Law", "2018-12-19", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Stephanie Murphy", "M001202", "stephaniemurphy.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Murphy-McMorris Rodgers Bill to Encourage Investment in Small Businesses Becomes Law \r\n   \r\n    \r\n      Legislation improves Small Business Administration program that provides job creators with capital \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, 2018\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      President Donald Trump today signed into law bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Congresswomen Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., and Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla., to spur job creation by helping more small businesses access growth capital.  The legislation, H.R. 4111, the Spurring Business in Communities Act, makes improvements to the federal Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) program, which facilitates the flow of private capital to small businesses.  This new law will help ensure SBICs are accessible to job creators in all parts of the country, not just those located in finance-heavy regions.  This is the 19th Murphy-led measure to become law this Congress.As a former businesswoman, I know how important growth capital is to starting and sustaining a successful small business, said Murphy, Ranking Member on the House Small Business Committee's Subcommittee on Contracting and Workforce.  Securing private capital remains a challenge for too many businesses.  I am incredibly proud that our bipartisan legislation to support small businesses and boost private sector job creation is now law.Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, providing two out of every three new jobs in America and serving as a foundation for our communities, said McMorris Rogers, Chair of the House Republican Conference.  Small Business Investment Companies serve an important function in providing capital and support to these job creators, however, there are currently none here in Washington state.  My bipartisan bill, which now heads to the president's desk to become law, will make it easier for them to form here in Eastern Washington and invest in our community and local small businesses.For 60 years, the Small Business Investor Alliance has championed policies that enhance domestic investment in growing small businesses, said Small Business Investor Alliance President Brett Palmer in a letter dated May 2018 in support of the legislation.  We are pleased to support H.R. 4111, the Spurring Business in Communities Act of 2017... With more small business investment, we can expand economic opportunity to more communities across the country.Under the SBIC program, the Small Business Administration partners with licensed, privately owned and managed investment companies to raise capital for small businesses.  In Fiscal Year 2017, SBICs provided about 200 financings totaling nearly $420 million in Florida alone, the third-highest of any state. The Murphy-McMorris Rogers legislation amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to require the Small Business Administration, in reviewing and processing an SBIC's application, to give first priority to SBIC applicants located in states with no or fewer SBICs.\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://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398844", "CASTOR, CRIST TO UN: BRING CLIMATE CHANGE CONFERENCE TO TAMPA BAY", "2018-12-18", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Kathy Castor", "C001066", "castor.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Leaders in the fight against climate change, U.S. Representatives Kathy Castor (FL-14) and Charlie Crist (FL-13) wrote to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change offering Tampa Bay as a host of the 2019 Conference of the Parties (COP 25). \r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      This news release was issued by U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist (FL-13)Washington, DC  Leaders in the fight against climate change, U.S. Representatives Kathy Castor (FL-14) and Charlie Crist (FL-13) wrote to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change offering Tampa Bay as a host of the 2019 Conference of the Parties (COP 25). Given the COP 25's focus on global efforts to combat climate change, and with the region not only one of the most impacted communities but also leading efforts in this fight, the members are echoing the invitation made by Pinellas County Commissioner Janet Long for Tampa Bay to host the conference in November of 2019. (Please find a copy of the letter attached and below). Patricia Espinosa  \r\nUnited Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Secretariat  \r\nP.O. Box 260124  \r\nD-53153 Bonn, Germany Re: Offer to Host Conference of the Parties in Tampa Bay Dear Ms. Espinosa, We are writing to propose that the Tampa Bay region of Florida host the United Nations Conference of the Parties (COP 25) in November of 2019. The Tampa Bay community is a leading force in the effort to combat climate change and prepare for the impacts of a warming planet. Earlier this year, 26 regional governments signed on to join the Tampa Bay Regional Resiliency Coalition, an initiative to address sea level rise and climate resiliency as well as coordinate climate adaption and mitigation activities. The coalition is an example, nationally and internationally, of how governments  especially local governments  can collaborate to better respond to global climate change. Additionally, the Tampa Bay region is one of the most vulnerable areas on Earth to the impacts of a changing climate. As temperatures increase, Floridians face sea level rise, extreme weather events, the spread of diseases, drought, and increased energy costs. Indeed, the region's economy, public health, and natural resources are in grave jeopardy in the face of increasingly warming climate. The Tampa Bay community is not only ready, willing, and able to host the COP 25, but it is representative of the local communities around the world that are both most effected by the impacts of a warming planet and are leading efforts to adapt to and mitigate global climate change. Sincerely, Kathy Castor  \r\nMEMBER OF CONGRESS Charlie Crist  \r\nMEMBER OF CONGRESS ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://crist.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=608", "CASTOR, CRIST TO UN: BRING CLIMATE CHANGE CONFERENCE TO TAMPA BAY", "2018-12-18", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Charlie Crist", "C001111", "crist.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Leaders in the fight against climate change, U.S. Representatives Kathy Castor (FL-14) and Charlie Crist (FL-13) wrote to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change offering Tampa Bay as a host of the 2019 Conference of the Parties (COP 25). Given the COP 25's focus on global efforts to combat climate change, and with the region not only one of the most impacted communities but also leading efforts in this fight, the members are echoing the invitation made by Pinellas County Commissioner Janet Long for Tampa Bay to host the conference in November of 2019. Please find a copy of the letter attached and below:\r\n  \r\nPatricia Espinosa  \r\nUnited Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Secretariat  \r\nP.O. Box 260124  \r\nD-53153 Bonn, Germany Re: Offer to Host Conference of the Parties in Tampa Bay Dear Ms. Espinosa, We are writing to propose that the Tampa Bay region of Florida host the United Nations Conference of the Parties (COP 25) in November of 2019.  The Tampa Bay community is a leading force in the effort to combat climate change and prepare for the impacts of a warming planet. Earlier this year, 26 regional governments signed on to join the Tampa Bay Regional Resiliency Coalition, an initiative to address sea level rise and climate resiliency as well as coordinate climate adaption and mitigation activities. The coalition is an example, nationally and internationally, of how governments  especially local governments  can collaborate to better respond to global climate change. Additionally, the Tampa Bay region is one of the most vulnerable areas on Earth to the impacts of a changing climate. As temperatures increase, Floridians face sea level rise, extreme weather events, the spread of diseases, drought, and increased energy costs. Indeed, the region's economy, public health, and natural resources are in grave jeopardy in the face of increasingly warming climate. The Tampa Bay community is not only ready, willing, and able to host the COP 25, but it is representative of the local communities around the world that are both most effected by the impacts of a warming planet and are leading efforts to adapt to and mitigate global climate change. Sincerely, Kathy Castor  \r\n MEMBER OF CONGRESS\r\n   \r\nCharlie Crist  \r\n MEMBER OF CONGRESS", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://alceehastings.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399078", "Hastings Statement on Affordable Care Act Ruling", "2018-12-17", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Alcee Hastings", "H000324", "alceehastings.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) released the following statement after a U.S. District Judge in Texas struck down the Affordable Care Act (ACA) as unconstitutional: Friday's absurd court ruling follows more than 70 failed attempts by Congressional Republicans to dismantle the ACA and two U.S. Supreme Court rulings upholding the law. The American people sent a strong signal to Republicans last November that their relentless attacks on the ACA will not be tolerated. Dismantling life-saving protections that will help children, seniors, and those with pre-existing conditions is not in our country's best interest. Having been defeated time and time again in Congress, President Trump and the Republican Party are now attempting to use the courts to overturn the law. I predict they will fail. I will continue to work with my colleagues in the 116th Congress to ensure that affordable healthcare is within reach for all. We owe it to all Americans to ensure that healthcare is affordable, accessible, and comprehensive. I call on my Republican colleagues to reverse their attacks on those who are most vulnerable and join the Democrats in strengthening healthcare all across our nation. Congressman Alcee L. Hastings serves as Senior Member of the House Rules Committee, Ranking Democratic Member of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, and Democratic Chairman of the Florida Delegation.  \r\n\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398842", "U.S. Rep. Castor: Legislation to Honor Fallen Tampa Hero USAF Maj. O'Keeffe Passes Congress", "2018-12-17", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Kathy Castor", "C001066", "castor.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The Town n Country post office is the busiest in the region and soon customers will be visiting a building named after a homegrown American hero.\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      The Town n Country post office is the busiest in the region and soon customers will be visiting a building named after a homegrown American hero. U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) announced today that her legislation honoring the life and service of Air Force Major Andreas Andy O'Keeffe passed both chambers of Congress and is on its way to the President's desk to be signed into law. U.S. Rep. Castor's bill will rename the Town n Country post office in honor of Maj. O'Keefe, an important step in honoring his life and service to our community and his ultimate sacrifice for our nation. In dedicating a cornerstone of the Town n Country community, I hope to honor Maj. O'Keeffe's life serving our country and rescuing people around the world, U.S. Rep. Castor said, joined by his parents, friends and even former teachers from Incarnation Catholic School. He was not just a community hero but an American hero  he chose to serve something bigger than himself and he gave the ultimate sacrifice for America. Members of Congress have the ability to pass legislation to rename certain federal buildings to commemorate and express public gratitude for distinguished individuals. Maj. O'Keeffe graduated from Tampa Bay Tech High School, attended USF, completed law school and answered the call to serve. He was deployed to Iraq three times, to Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa, and Texas during Hurricane Harvey. Maj. O'Keeffe was killed at age 37 on March 15, 2018, while serving during Operation Inherent Resolve, when his helicopter crashed in western Iraq. Tampa City Councilman Luis Viera also attended today's announcement: We're here today to honor a great American who gave it all. Actions like this here today makes us more aware of sacrifices  from the everyday sacrifices of the families to the larger sacrifice. Thank you U.S. Rep. Castor for working on this important issue. As a veteran, I know we hear thank you for your service' a lot to the veterans and military members  but to the family, I think our service is defined by their sacrifice as well, said Mark Fetterman from Mission United, which represents Tampa Bay's nonprofits that serve veterans. Maj. O'Keeffe and his family have given so much for this country, U.S. Rep. Castor continued. While we can never be able tofully honorwhat they have sacrificed, it is important that they know we recognize and appreciate the service of Maj. O'Keeffe and this post office will serve as testament to that. Our community and country will miss him. Tampa is a patriotic community and home to MacDill Air Force Base, the 6th Air Mobility Wing, U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM)  two of the Armed Forces' most important military command outposts  and the busiest VA Hospital in America, James A. Haley Veterans Hospital. U.S. Rep. Castor serves as Vice Ranking member of the powerful U.S. House Energy & Commerce Committee and earlier in her tenure served on the U.S. House Armed Services Committee. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lawson.house.gov/media/press-releases/us-rep-al-lawson-statement-court-ruling-affordable-care-act", "U.S. Rep. Al Lawson Statement on Court Ruling on the Affordable Care Act", "2018-12-15", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Al Lawson", "L000586", "lawson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC  U.S. Rep. Al Lawson (FL-05) released the following statement today after a federal judge in Texas struck down the Affordable Care Act:\nThe district court ruling in Texas is the latest shameful attempt to kill off the Affordable Care Act and eliminate coverage for those with pre-existing conditions. As someone who grew up without easy access to health care, I understand what a difference it can make and believe it should be available to as many Americans as possible. Since the ACA was implemented, the uninsured rate in my district has dropped to just under 4 percent. It is wrong to take away health care coverage from roughly 130 million Americans, including 7.8 million Floridians with pre-existing conditions. This consistent assault on the ACA is absurd, and I will continue to fight every step of the way to make sure that more Americans can access the affordable health care they need and deserve.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://stephaniemurphy.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=941", "Rep. Stephanie Murphy Delivers UCF Commencement Address", "2018-12-14", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Stephanie Murphy", "M001202", "stephaniemurphy.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Murphyof Winter Park, Fla. today delivered a commencement address at the University of Central Florida (UCF). Murphy, the first Vietnamese-American woman elected to Congress, spoke to students graduating from theCollege of Business Administration, the College of Engineering & Computer Science, and the College of Optics & Photonics. She discussed her personal journey and offered guidance to students as they prepare to begin the next phase of their lives.Murphy was introduced by UCF President Dale Whittaker and delivered her remarks to approximately 1,500 students, along with their friends and family.  \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n    \r\n        \r\n            \r\n        \r\n    \r\n\r\n\r\n  \r\nCongresswoman Murphy delivers a commencement address at UCF (Credit: UCF/Nicholas Leyva)\r\nClick here for high resolution photos\r\nAt big moments like this, it's only natural to look both backward and forward,Murphy said to the graduating students. When you look back, I hope you feel a sense of pride that your hard work is paying off. I hope you also feel a sense a gratitude for the people in your life who have helped you. I hope you feel a sense of humility, rooted in your appreciation that you didn't get here on your own. Today is also a day to look forward and to prepare for the challenges on the horizon,Murphy added. When you face adversity in life, you'll need to put on your armor and prepare for battle, like the Knights that you are. Your weapons in this fight will be the same ones you have wielded up to this point. Your inner strength and your external support system. Your fortitude and your family and friends. Your backbone and the people who always have your back. Murphy urged students, whenever theyfaced personal or professional hardship, to draw strength from their character and their community: Your character has been shaped by your experiences, including your time here at UCF. It's your core values and principles. It's the code you try to live by, even if you sometimes fall short, as we all do. It's what you do when nobody is watching. At its best, character is grace and grit. Kindness and compassion. A sense of humility, a sense of humor, and a sense of justice. A deep appreciation for life, and how precious it is, but also how fragile. The capacity for hard work. A sense of patriotism, but not one that blinds you to the common humanity we share with citizens of other nations. The courage to try, and the courage to fail. The willingness to fall down, again and again, and the willpower to get up every time. In life, your best defense against darkness, doubt, and despair will be your sense of purpose, your character, and your community. They will give you the strength to charge on,Murphyconcluded. During her speech,Murphy referenced the university's successful football program. Life isn't easy. And it isn't always fair. I mean, how is it fair that UCF went undefeated for two seasons in a row, and still didn't make the college football playoffs?Murphy quipped.Sorry, I just had to get that off my chest. Murphy delivered her remarks at the first offour UCF Fall 2018 commencement ceremonies, taking place Dec. 14-15. Approximately 5,700 degrees will be conferred during these ceremonies. To view the full text of Murphy's remarks, click here. To view the video, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://alceehastings.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399077", "Hastings Statement on Passage of the Farm Bill", "2018-12-13", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Alcee Hastings", "H000324", "alceehastings.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) released the following statement on the passage of the conference report to H.R. 2, the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, by a vote of 369-47: Yesterday, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a strong and bipartisan Farm Bill, which included much needed support for our nation's farmers, life-saving programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), conservation efforts, and important animal welfare provisions. I commend Chairman Mike Conaway, Ranking Member Collin Peterson and the Farm Bill Conferees on including these important provisions. The Farm Bill's inclusion of language prohibiting the cruel dog and cat meat trade domestically in addition to the passage of the Dog and Cat Meat Trade Prohibition Act in September 2018 represents a historic step forward to unify animal cruelty laws across the United States and generate momentum for the animal welfare movement. I am proud to have championed this effort in Congress, along with my colleagues Representatives Vern Buchanan, David Trott and Brendan Boyle, to explicitly ban the killing and consumption dogs and cats across the United States. BACKGROUND: The language included in the Farm Bill was based off of H.R. 6720, the Dog and Cat Meat Trade Prohibition Act, which passed the House in September 2018. H.R.6720, a modified version of H.R.1406, was originally introduced by Congressman Hastings (D-FL), as well as Representatives Vern Buchanan (R-FL), David Trott (R-MI) and Brendan Boyle (D-PA) on March 7, 2017. The legislation, which had broad bipartisan support in the House of Representatives, amends the Animal Welfare Act to prohibit people from knowingly slaughtering a dog or cat for human consumption. In addition, the bill prohibits people from knowingly transporting, possessing, buying, selling, or donating: (1) a dog or cat to be slaughtered for human consumption, or (2) dog or cat parts for human consumption, setting a maximum fine of $5,000 for violations. Congressman Alcee L. Hastings serves as Senior Member of the House Rules Committee, Ranking Democratic Member of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, and Democratic Chairman of the Florida Delegation.  \r\n\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398836", "U.S. Rep. Castor: Farm Bill Includes Fought-For Water Quality Provisions to Help Florida", "2018-12-12", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Kathy Castor", "C001066", "castor.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) announced the inclusion of several water quality provisions she fought for in the bipartisan 2018 Farm Bill that passed the Congress today in response to the devastating red tide and toxic green algae that is plaguing Florida:\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) announced the inclusion of several water quality provisions she fought for in the bipartisan 2018 Farm Bill that passed the Congress today in response to the devastating red tide and toxic green algae that is plaguing Florida: I promised to fight for solutions to red tide and harmful algal blooms and am pleased to report that a number of helpful water quality provisions are contained in the 2018 Farm Bill to clean up nutrients and wastes that pollute our waterways, U.S. Rep. Castor said. The bill encourages conservation and cleaner agricultural practices in the right places, prioritizing clean water investments and addressing obstacles that get in the way of continued improvements in water quality and algal bloom prevention, U.S. Rep. Castor continued. I am proud to say that my calls were heeded and these priorities were included in the Farm Bill that passed in the U.S. House today. Florida is a diverse agricultural state and the Farm Bill's inclusion of conservation initiatives can play an important role in addressing the water quality challenges in Florida. The State of Florida, farmers, ranchers and local communities should use every tool to clean up our rivers, bays and coastal communities to protect our quality of life. As we face an increasingly warming climate, the final Farm Bill also takes steps towards ensuring that farmers and ranchers reduce carbon pollution by providing incentives to producers who implement farming practices that capture carbon in soil, said U.S. Rep. Castor. Florida's farmers and ranchers are good stewards of the land and these provisions will be beneficial. U.S. Rep. Castor serves Florida's 14th Congressional District, which includes the greater Tampa area. She is Vice Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has oversight responsibilities for environmental policies. Earlier this year, U.S. Rep. Castor was joined by several of colleagues in the Florida Congressional Delegation to call for water quality priorities to be included in the 2018 Farm Bill. Read the letter here. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398843", "CASTOR, CRIST RENEW CALLS FOR FEDERAL INVESTIGATION OF ALL CHILDREN'S FOLLOWING RESIGNATIONS", "2018-12-12", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Kathy Castor", "C001066", "castor.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Representatives Kathy Castor (FL-14) and Charlie Crist (FL-13) released the following joint statement in the wake of resignations at All Children's Hospital following serious allegations of abuse and neglect reported by the Tampa Bay Times. \r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      This news release was issued by U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist (FL-13)Washington, DC  U.S. Representatives Kathy Castor (FL-14) and Charlie Crist (FL-13) released the following joint statement in the wake of resignations at All Children's Hospital following serious allegations of abuse and neglect reported by the Tampa Bay Times. Last week, the members called on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to account for inaction and lack of federal oversight of this troubling situation. (Please find a copy of the letter attached and below). \"While we welcome the change in leadership at All Children's as a prudent first step, this is no substitute for effective oversight by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. We continue to call for a federal investigation to provide the answers and accountability demanded by the seriousness of this situation. Major corrective actions must be taken to reestablish the high quality of care patients deserve and the preeminent reputation the institution held for decades.\" December 4, 2018 The Honorable Seema Verma, Administrator  \r\nCenters for Medicare & Medicaid Services  \r\n7500 Security Boulevard  \r\nBaltimore, Maryland 21244 Dear Administrator Verma: Since its founding in 1926, All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida has been guided by a simple phrase: There is only one child in all the world, and that child's name is All Children. As the Tampa region grew in the second half of the 20th century, so did All Children's, gaining national prominence and becoming a place where, when children required emergency care and treatment, their parents knew they would be in good hands. Given this legacy, we are deeply troubled by the allegations of abuse and neglect within All Children's Heart Institute's surgical unit, contained in the recent Tampa Bay Times article Heartbroken. Examples of allegations include:  \r\n Hospital staff and administrators were aware of high instances of complications and deaths in the Heart Institute's surgical unit over multiple years and did not take adequate steps to address it;  \r\n Employees voiced concerns to administrators and were ignored or forced out;  \r\n Physicians provided inaccurate medical advice to parents and misinformed parents of treatment options;  \r\n Physicians with high rates of complications and patient deaths, including from relatively routine procedures, were kept on surgical rotations;  \r\n Concerns from parents over post-surgical complications  including ruptured sutures, infections, instances of gross negligence, and never events  were ignored or denied by physicians and staff, resulting in permanent disabilities and deaths;  \r\n Many parents were unaware of the issues plaguing the Heart Institute, despite what appears to be wide spread knowledge of these issues in the medical community, indicating a lack of transparency, oversight, and/or publicly available information on outcomes;  \r\n The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) cited All Children's for not reporting two serious medical errors in May, 2018;  \r\n The Heart Institute continued to conduct surgical procedures until October, 2018.  \r\nWe understand that the AHCA notified the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in May, 2018 that the Heart Institute failed to report two serious medical errors. Given the seriousness of these allegations on the well-being of patients and CMS' notification by AHCA, we write to inquire the following:  \r\n Is CMS currently investigating All Children's Hospital, or has the possibility of an investigation or quality survey been discussed between CMS and AHCA?  \r\n If so, please provide an update, including whether the investigation is limited to the two instances of failed reporting or more broadly includes an investigation of the Heart Institute's reported failings, lack of oversight, and lack of transparency outlined by the Tampa Bay Times;  \r\n If not, please explain why, and if the decision was made following discussions with and recommendations from AHCA.  \r\nWe are particularly disappointed that inadequate regulatory oversight appears to have contributed to prolonging the pain and suffering for patients and their loved ones at All Children's Hospital. The families who have lost their children, the families whose children are still suffering, and the community that stands with them expects accountability and corrective action  with the goal of restoring the hospital to the gold standard reputation it held for many decades. We look forward to your prompt response. Sincerely, Charlie Crist  \r\nMEMBER OF CONGRESS Kathy Castor  \r\nMEMBER OF CONGRESS ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://teddeutch.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399451", "Deutch Statement on MSD Public Safety Commission Draft Report", "2018-12-12", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Ted Deutch", "D000610", "teddeutch.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-22), representing the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School community, issued this statement on the draft report prepared by the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission:The state commission has worked hard to evaluate what went wrong in the years, months, and days leading to the tragedy on February 14. I value their recommendations and look forward to working with the Parkland families, school administrators, and law enforcement officials to ensure that there is accountability for failures and changes to ensure that this does not happen again. Importantly, the commission recommends much-needed improvements to school security and procedures and law enforcement protocol to prevent and respond to attacks. I hope they will be seriously considered by local and state officials, as well as my colleagues in Congress. However, statements from commission members supporting arming teachers are concerning. Teachers want to teach, not be armed for combat in their classrooms. Law enforcement cannot push their responsibilities to make our communities safer on to civilians that should be focused on educating their students. Finally, we cannot ignore the role that easy access to the most dangerous firearms played in the worst school shooting in our state's history. The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act made important changes to our gun laws, including raising the minimum age for buying a gun and creating a red-flag law for law enforcement. But there is more we must do to strengthen our gun laws to make it harder for potential killers to access firearms, especially assault riflesthe weapon of choice of mass shooters. I have two requests of the Florida legislature in light of this report. First, seriously consider the commission's recommendations and work to implement new standards that will promote school safety. Second, lawmakers in Tallahassee must turn away from lobbyists for gun corporations. We cannot allow those who profit off of easy gun sales to keep a seat at the table. We must all commit to studying how stronger gun laws can make Floridians safer from gun violence.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://teddeutch.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399452", "Ranking Member Deutch Statement on Compromise Reached on Sexual Harassment Protections Legislation", "2018-12-12", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Ted Deutch", "D000610", "teddeutch.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-22), Ranking Member of the House Ethics Committee, issued this statement on reports that House and Senate negotiators reached a compromise on legislation to reform sexual harassment policies in Congress:As women end their silence to expose assault and harassment in the workplace, Congress must follow their lead and fix our broken system. As the top Democrat on the House Ethics Committee, I've worked with Republicans and Democrats to push for changes that will improve the independent process for reporting harassment and protecting employee rights. With this compromise legislation, we are making clear that we will not tolerate harassment, abuse, or discrimination in the halls of Congress. Employees who have faced harassment and other workplace misconduct have waited too long for fundamental change that finally brings equal footing to our workplaces. While this compromise may not go as far as I'd like, it includes important reforms to protect Congressional employees from abuse and harassment.This is an important next step  but it will not be the last.\" On February 6, 2018, the Houseunanimously passedthe Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 Reform Act (H.R. 4924) introduced by Ranking Member Deutch, Committee on Ethics Chairwoman Susan Brooks (R-IN), Committee on House Administration Chairman Gregg Harper (R-MS) and Ranking Member Bob Brady (D-PA), and Representatives Jackie Speier (D-CA), Bradley Byrne (R-AL), and others.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://crist.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=604", "CASTOR, CRIST RENEW CALLS FOR FEDERAL INVESTIGATION OF ALL CHILDREN'S FOLLOWING RESIGNATIONS", "2018-12-12", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Charlie Crist", "C001111", "crist.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Representatives Kathy Castor (FL-14) and Charlie Crist (FL-13) released the following joint statement in the wake of resignations at All Children's Hospital following serious allegations of abuse and neglect reported by the Tampa Bay Times. Last week, the members called on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to account for inaction and lack of federal oversight of this troubling situation. (Please find a copy of the letter attached and below).\"While we welcome the change in leadership at All Children's as a prudent first step, this is no substitute for effective oversight by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. We continue to call for a federal investigation to provide the answers and accountability demanded by the seriousness of this situation. Major corrective actions must be taken to reestablish the high quality of care patients deserve and the preeminent reputation the institution held for decades.\" December 4, 2018 The Honorable Seema Verma, Administrator   \r\nCenters for Medicare & Medicaid Services  \r\n7500 Security Boulevard  \r\nBaltimore, Maryland 21244 Dear Administrator Verma: Since its founding in 1926, All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida has been guided by a simple phrase: There is only one child in all the world, and that child's name is All Children. As the Tampa region grew in the second half of the 20th century, so did All Children's, gaining national prominence and becoming a place where, when children required emergency care and treatment, their parents knew they would be in good hands. Given this legacy, we are deeply troubled by the allegations of abuse and neglect within All Children's Heart Institute's surgical unit, contained in the recent Tampa Bay Times article Heartbroken. Examples of allegations include:\r\n \r\n    Hospital staff and administrators were aware of high instances of complications and deaths in the Heart Institute's surgical unit over multiple years and did not take adequate steps to address it;\r\n    Employees voiced concerns to administrators and were ignored or forced out; \r\n    Physicians provided inaccurate medical advice to parents and misinformed parents of treatment options; \r\n    Physicians with high rates of complications and patient deaths, including from relatively routine procedures, were kept on surgical rotations;\r\n    Concerns from parents over post-surgical complications  including ruptured sutures, infections, instances of gross negligence, and never events  were ignored or denied by physicians and staff, resulting in permanent disabilities and deaths; \r\n    Many parents were unaware of the issues plaguing the Heart Institute, despite what appears to be wide spread knowledge of these issues in the medical community, indicating a lack of transparency, oversight, and/or publicly available information on outcomes; \r\n    The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) cited All Children's for not reporting two serious medical errors in May, 2018; \r\n    The Heart Institute continued to conduct surgical procedures until October, 2018.\r\n \r\nWe understand that the AHCA notified the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in May, 2018 that the Heart Institute failed to report two serious medical errors. Given the seriousness of these allegations on the well-being of patients and CMS' notification by AHCA, we write to inquire the following:\r\n \r\n    Is CMS currently investigating All Children's Hospital, or has the possibility of an investigation or quality survey been discussed between CMS and AHCA?\r\n    If so, please provide an update, including whether the investigation is limited to the two instances of failed reporting or more broadly includes an investigation of the Heart Institute's reported failings, lack of oversight, and lack of transparency outlined by the Tampa Bay Times;\r\n    If not, please explain why,and if the decision was made following discussions with and recommendations from AHCA. \r\n \r\n We are particularly disappointed that inadequate regulatory oversight appears to have contributed to prolonging the pain and suffering for patients and their loved ones at All Children's Hospital. The families who have lost their children, the families whose children are still suffering, and the community that stands with them expects accountability and corrective action  with the goal of restoring the hospital to the gold standard reputation it held for many decades. We look forward to your prompt response.Sincerely,Charlie Crist\r\n MEMBER OF CONGRESS\r\n \r\nKathy Castor\r\n MEMBER OF CONGRESS", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-soto-passes-five-bills-final-farm-bill", "Rep. Soto Passes Five Bills in Final Farm Bill", "2018-12-12", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Darren Soto", "S001200", "soto.house.gov", "soto", "https://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed five bills introduced by Congressman Darren Soto (FL-09) in the Conference Report on H.R. 2, the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 (more commonly known as the Farm Bill), a bill to strengthen our nation's farm and food economy. In the Farm Bill, Rep. Soto helped secure $125 million to combat citrus greening, a key Florida industry; $300 million for the National Animal Health Vaccine Bank that will help the ranchers in Central Florida prepare for potential outbreak of disease; funding for priority conservation programs; and fully fund food assistance programs for Florida's families.\n\n\"Florida's economy, and in particular our district's economy, relies on the thriving farmers and ranchers in our community. With our constituents in mind, I am proud to have secured these vital provisions in the Farm Bill to support our agricultural industry in Central Florida, while nationally protecting SNAP benefits, supporting strong conservation programs, investing in research, increasing rural economic development, and ensuring families have the nutrition support they need,\" stated Rep. Soto. \"There was nearly two years of work put into this critical bipartisan legislation. This final bill is a win for farmers and conservationists, as well as Florida's families.\"\n\nRep. Soto's original bills that were included in the final bill are:\n\nH.R. 5169, Sensor Research: (section 7305), prioritizes specialty crop research on sensor and imager technology in agriculture.\n\nH.R. 2659, BARD Act: (section 7122), which codifies the appropriated U.S. \u2013 Israel Binational Agricultural Research and Development (BARD) Program, which is a cooperative research and development agriculture program between the United States and Israel.\n\nHR. 5234, Algae Research: (section 9010), removes algae from the list of excluded materials for biomass crop research.\n\nH.R. 5448, Agriculture Assistance for Disabled Veterans: (section 7214), provides for assistive technology for veterans with disabilities and makes behavioral therapy programs eligible for grants under this program.\n\nRep. Soto also co-led the following bill with Rep. Mark Pocan which passed in the Farm Bill:\n\nH.R. 5208, Seeds for the Future: (sections 7205 and 7206), which reinvests our public seed breeding and research programs, while improving coordination across the federal agencies that support these activities.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:11:43Z"], ["http://alceehastings.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399072", "Hastings Statement on Time Magazines Naming the Guardians and the War on Truth as the 2018 Person of the Year", "2018-12-11", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Alcee Hastings", "H000324", "alceehastings.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) released the following statement after Time Magazine recognized the Guardians and the War on Truth, including journalists Jamal Khashoggi, Maria Ressa, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, and news organization, the Capital Gazette of Annapolis, Maryland as the 2018 Person of the Year: Each year, Time Magazine announces the person who has most influenced the world. In recognizing four journalists and one news organization that exemplify the Guardians and the War on Truth, Time has acknowledged the extreme courage and great personal risk journalists take in the pursuit of uncovering and reporting the truth. The recognition of the late Jamal Khashoggi of the Washington Post, for which mounting evidence of whose death has implicated the Government of Saudi Arabia, marks the first time a deceased person has been given this honor. Khashoggi and the five journalists who were killed in the shooting at the Capitol Gazette this year paid the ultimate price for their dedication to reporting the truth. Journalists Jamal Khashoggi, Maria Ressa, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, and news organization, the Capital Gazette of Annapolis, Maryland should be honored for their dedication to the goal of informing the public and strengthening democracy. Indeed, they are deserving choices for this recognition. Undeniably, 2018 has been a tumultuous year fraught by worrisome attacks on freedom of the press and human rights in the United States and across the globe. From attempts to discredit reporting as fake news' for political gain to the jailing or murder of journalists  freedom of the press and human rights have disturbingly been under attack. As incoming Chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission and President Emeritus of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Parliamentary Assembly, I am committed to standing up for freedom of the press, human rights, equality, justice, and human dignity. Congressman 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###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398833", "U.S. House Passes ACE Kids Act, a New Health Home Model for Rapidly Growing Population of Children with Complex Medical Conditions", "2018-12-11", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Kathy Castor", "C001066", "castor.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) joined families of children with complex medical conditions across the nation to celebrate the passage of the bipartisan ACE Kids Act, included in HR 7217, the IMPROVE Act, which passed overwhelmingly through the U.S. House of Representatives.\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) joined families of children with complex medical conditions across the nation to celebrate the passage of the bipartisan ACE Kids Act, included in HR 7217, the IMPROVE Act, which passed overwhelmingly through the U.S. House of Representatives. After many years of advocacy, families of children with complex medical conditions can celebrate passage of the ACE Kids Act that authorizes the creation of new cost-saving and time-saving health homes where specialized care is coordinated in a high quality setting. I wrote the ACE Kids Act many years ago with the simple but important goal of putting children with complex medical conditions and their families first, U.S. Rep. Castor said.  By creating a health home that better coordinates care for children andfamilies, precious time, money and lives can be saved and children can access specialists who practice across state lines. My inspiration has been the children served at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital Chronic-Complex Clinic in Tampa, Fla. St. Joseph's is one of the nation's premiere health homes for children with complex medical conditions. U.S. Rep. Joe Barton (TX6) and the bipartisan group of cosponsors deserve kudos for advocating for our important legislation. Most children with complex medical conditions receive care from multiple specialized pediatric providers who often are located at different clinics and hospitals. Just take a glimpse at the care map for Caroline West, a Tampa, Fla., patient with a complex medical condition. Families access these specialized doctors through Medicaid, which is federally funded but administered by state governments. Families should be focused completely on their child's health rather than sorting through different Medicaid rules for coverage, including barriers to specialists in other states. Outside studies have found that, through care coordination, the ACE Kids Act will save families and states money while alleviating a fragmented and unnecessarily burdensome system of care for children and families. When Caroline was born we didn't have a diagnosis for her and we travelled five states to five children's hospitals at our own expense to try to find a diagnosis for her. It is very difficult and trying for a family. I feel like we were kind of out there alone. We had a fantastic pediatrician, but they did not know how to handle complex chronic children, said Tish West, mother of Caroline West, a patient with a complex medical condition. This bill will help the system provide the care coordination that families need to support their children and also to incentivize hospitals around the country to have a clinic such as the one we have here in Tampa, Fla. Tish West even shared her story and testified during a congressional hearing to help move the ACE Kids Act forward. The St. Joseph's Children's Chronic-Complex Clinic, which currently serves 700 families and children, was started 16 years ago by a passionate pediatric critical care doctor named Dr. Daniel Plasencia and serves as the model for the ACE Kids Act. Under Dr. Plasencia's direction, the Chronic-Complex Clinic has become a health home where children with medically complex conditions, including premature birth, congenital disorders, cerebral palsy, heart disease and more, receive the special attention they need. The families with children with complex medical challenges deserve credit for moving this bill toward becoming law. Thanks to their tireless work explaining to members of Congress the importance of coordinated care, my bipartisan ACE Kids Act is another step closer to the President's desk to be signed into law, U.S. Rep. Castor continued. As this Congress winds down, I urge my colleagues in the U.S. Senate to take up this important legislation and pass the ACE Kids Act so we can truly put children with complex medical conditions and their families first. What a wonderful holiday gift that would be for these children and families, U.S. Rep. Castor concluded. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=845", "Congressmembers Introduce Reproductive Rights Are Human Rights Act", "2018-12-10", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Lois Frankel", "F000462", "frankel.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC Today, on International Human Rights Day and the 70th anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Ranking Member Nita Lowey, Democratic Caucus Vice Chair Rep. Katherine Clark, Ranking Member Eliot Engel, Rep. Barbara Lee, and Rep. Lois Frankel introduced the Reproductive Rights are Human Rights Act. The bill would require the U.S. State Department to include reproductive rights in its annual human rights report after the State Department deleted all subsections without warning or justification in 2017.\r\nThe U.S. cannot turn its back on the countless women around the world who are deprived of basic reproductive rights, said Congresswoman Nita Lowey, Ranking Member on the House Appropriations Committee and its Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations. I'm proud to support legislation that would restore reproductive rights to the State Department's annual human rights report, maintaining U.S. leadership on behalf of the world's women across administrations.\r\nDocumenting and reporting human rights violations is a major part of eradicating their existence, said Congresswoman Katherine Clark. This bill would ensure that our State Department maintains its vital role as an international watchdog and protector of women's rights no matter the ideology of our White House.\r\nThe Trump Administration's censorship of key elements of the State Department's annual human rights report is outrageous, said Ranking Member Eliot L. Engel. The deletion of reproductive rights was a clear step back from the United States' obligation to address the full range of human rights violations around the globe. This bill will ensure Congress has a clear and complete picture of the challenges women and girls face. Without this information, we cannot hope to overcome those challenges.\r\nRegardless of who sits in the Oval Office, the US government should serve as an advocate for women's fundamental reproductive rights. Protecting and advancing women's rights should remain front and center in our diplomacy, including documenting and reporting on violations against their human rights, said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. If Secretary Pompeo won't stand up for women around the world, then Congress must. I am proud to support the Reproductive Rights are Human Rights Act, on behalf of women and girls across the globe.\r\nWomen's rights are human rights, said Rep. Lois Frankel. There is no greater right for women than to be in charge of their own bodies.\r\nAs required by the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the Trade Act of 1974, the Secretary of State reports annually to Congress on the status of human rights in each country receiving U.S. foreign aid, as well as in each United Nations member state. Since 2011, these reports have included detailed information on deprivation of women's access to reproductive rights. Congress and the private sector rely upon them when considering appropriations requests and making advocacy, planning, and policy decisions.\r\nRemoving women's right from the annual report in 2017 was a dramatic and dangerous shift in U.S. efforts to protect the international rights of women and sent a message to abusive governments that the U.S. would no longer hold them account for violations. In October, Congressmembers Lowey, Clark, Lee, Engel, Frankel and 124 of their colleagues sent a letter to Secretary Pompeo calling on him to reverse this policy.\r\nI applaud Representatives Katherine Clark, Eliot Engel, Nita Lowey, Barbara Lee, and Lois Frankel for introducing the Reproductive Rights Are Human Rights Act of 2018 today. This bill will ensure that the U.S. State Department includes comprehensive reporting on reproductive rights in its annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. Access to reproductive healthcare has been recognized as a protected human right impacting women's right to life, health, equality, non-discrimination and freedom from cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment and governments do not get to pick and choose whose rights will be respected, said Nancy Northup, President and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights. When women's rights are limited and they are unable to access basic health care like contraception, safe abortion, and maternal health care, their ability to achieve economic, social, and political empowerment is fundamentally hindered. By requiring annual reporting on these critical issues, the House of Representatives is ensuring that the rights of women and girls will no longer be political spoils that can be erased from global discourse.\r\nThis erasure puts real lives in danger, said NARAL Pro-Choice America President Ilyse Hogue. Using backdoor tactics to erase all mention of reproductive rightsincluding abortion, contraception, and maternal mortalityfrom vital reports and resources in order to push an extreme, ideological agenda is a true testament to just how dangerous and corrupt this administration is. The Trump administration will stop at nothing to systematically dismantle and deny the fundamental freedoms of women in the U.S. and abroad, and this bill is an important step in fighting back against their attempts to deny that reproductive rights are a human right.\r\nReproductive health care is health care, and health care is a basic human right. The Trump-Pence administration's erasure of reproductive rights from the State Department's human rights report is an attack on women around the world, and the communities that depend on them. We applaud Rep. Clark and other champions of reproductive rights for recognizing that women around the world deserve access to comprehensive health care, which includes reproductive health care, and rely on it to lead healthy, successful lives. We are grateful to have leaders in Congress who stand up for the basic notion that reproductive rights are human rights, said Dr. Leana Wen, President, Planned Parenthood Federation of America.\r\nHuman Rights Day is observed every year on December 10th in recognition of the anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly adopting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a milestone document that proclaimed the inalienable rights of every human being, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.\r\nForty-five organizations have endorsed the Reproductive Rights are Human Rights Act including:\r\n1. Center for Reproductive Rights\r\n2. Advocates for Youth\r\n3. American Psychological Association\r\n4. Athlete Ally\r\n5. Bangladesh Model Youth Parliament\r\n6. CARE USA\r\n7. Center for Biological Diversity\r\n8. Center for Health and Gender Equity (CHANGE)\r\n9. Clearinghouse on Women's Issues\r\n10. Global Justice Institute, Metropolitan Community Churches\r\n11. Guttmacher Institute\r\n12. Human Rights Campaign\r\n13. Human Rights Project at the Urban Justice Center\r\n14. Ibis Reproductive Health\r\n15. International Action Network for Gender Equity & Law\r\n16. International Center for Research on Women (ICRW)\r\n17. International Federation of Business and Professional Women\r\n18. International Women's Health Coalition\r\n19. Ipas\r\n20. MADRE\r\n21. Milaan Foundation\r\n22. NARAL Pro-Choice America\r\n23. National Council of Jewish Women\r\n24. National Institute for Reproductive Health\r\n25. National Organization for Women\r\n26. National Women's Health Network\r\n27. Oxfam America\r\n28. PAI\r\n29. People For the American Way\r\n30. Planned Parenthood Federation of America\r\n31. Population Connection Action Fund\r\n32. Population Institute\r\n33. Promundo-US\r\n34. Reconstructionist Rabbinical Assembly\r\n35. Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights\r\n36. Sex Workers Project at the Urban Justice Center\r\n37. Too Young To Wed\r\n38. UPIC Health\r\n39. US National Committee for UN Women\r\n40. Women Graduates - USA\r\n41. Women for Afghan Women\r\n42. Women of Color Advancing Peace, Security and Conflict Transformation\r\n43. Woodhull Freedom Foundation\r\n44. ZanaAfrica Foundation\r\n45. Jewish Labor Committee", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://alceehastings.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399071", "Hastings Statement on UN Failure to Condemn Hamas", "2018-12-07", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Alcee Hastings", "H000324", "alceehastings.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) released the following statement after the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) failed to pass a resolution offered by U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley condemning the terrorist group Hamas:\r\nThe UNGA's rejection of the US-sponsored resolution condemning Hamas for proliferating terror and firing rockets into Israel is an abject failure of the international community. As stated by Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations (UN) Danny Dannon, silence in the face of evil reveals your true colors.' I could not agree more. \r\nThe indifference shown by so many at the UNGA for the lives of innocent Israeli and Palestinian victims of Hamas is both frustrating and heartbreaking. The failure of this resolution will likely be spun by the very forces it sought to reject to legitimize the continuation of terrorism and the cycle of violence that has already affected so many lives in Israel and Gaza. Such an outcome is, quite simply, disgusting. \r\nI am and have always been a supporter of human rights across the globe, just as I am and always have been a supporter of the UN. However, it becomes increasingly difficult to continue supporting the UN when the Arab block incessantly unites against resolutions like this one while supporting offensive resolutions disavowing Jewish ties to the most holy site in Judaism and rejecting Israel's right to exist. These unfair attacks only make peace more elusive.\r\nWhile this vote was a missed opportunity to unequivocally reject terror, I take heart knowing that this resolution failed because of a last minute rule-change requiring a two-thirds majority rather than a simple majority. The 87 nations that voted to support the resolution should be commended for standing up to terror. The United States will continue to stand with Israel.\r\nCongressman Alcee L. Hastings serves as Senior Member of the House Rules Committee, Ranking Democratic Member of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, and Democratic 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=930", "Murphy Announces $1.7 Million Federal Investment in Childrens Home Society of Florida", "2018-12-07", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Stephanie Murphy", "M001202", "stephaniemurphy.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy today announced that the Children's Home Society of Florida (CHSF), based in Orlando, has received a $1.7 million federal investment to support its mission of preparing children to succeed in life. The grant, provided under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Head Start Program, will fund CHSF's early childhood development initiatives. The Children's Home Society of Florida has been working to empower our children and families for over 116 years, and I'm pleased to see it is receiving this federal investment for its critical mission, Murphy said. The evidence is clear that smart and targeted investments in early childhood development boost opportunities for children, reduce crime, increase employment, and improve overall quality of life in the community. We must keep fighting to ensure that all children, regardless of their zip code or parents' income, have the support necessary to achieve their full potential. The Children's Home Society of Florida, established in 1902, is one of the oldest and largest statewide organization devoted to helping children and families. CHS annually serves more than 50,000 children and family members throughout the state.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://demings.house.gov/media/press-releases/three-edgewater-high-school-students-win-10th-district-congressional-app", "Three Edgewater High School Students Win 10th District Congressional App Challenge", "2018-12-06", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Val Demings", "D000627", "demings.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "ORLANDO, FL  Congresswoman Val Demings (D-Orlando) today announced the winner of the Congressional App Challenge for the 10th Congressional District: A New Life, made by Edgewater High School students David Kelly, Nigel Smith, and Michael Wang.\nWrote the team, we wanted to create an educational game, which would be entertaining for kids around elementary and middle school age. We believed that the topic of agriculture would be the perfect subject. We're trying to teach kids the steps farmers take to grow crops such as corn or carrots.\nThe competition was judged by a panel of technology and software experts from Orange County, assembled by Rep. Demings' staff in Orlando.\nThe Congressional App Challenge, conceived in 2013 and launched in 2014, is designed to inspire young peopleparticularly those from communities underrepresented in technology industriesto get involved and grow their skills. Rep. Demings is a strong advocate for youth involvement in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) fields.\nSaid Rep. Demings, I'm proud to announce that A New Life, made by Edgewater High School students David Kelly, Nigel Smith, and Michael Wang, is the winner of 2018's Congressional App Challenge in the 10th District. I hope that David, Nigel and Michael will choose to continue their work in STEAM, and I know that all have a bright future.\nI'm particularly glad that David, Nigel and Michael set out to design an educational app appropriate for young children. Young people have a bottomless spring of curiosity and creativity. They need only the slightest nudge to get involved.\nAs Central Florida grows as a leader in technology and innovation, it's up to us to cultivate a new generation of exceptional talent. Competitions like the Congressional App Challenge are a point of entry for young people to gain experience and new skills. Technology's impact on our lives will only continue to grow, and our children deserve the best possible chance to compete in the years ahead.\nBackground\nThe winning team will have their app displayed in the U.S. Capitol Building for 12 months, starting approximately in April, as well as on the House of Representatives' website. In addition, each member of the team will receive $250 in promotional credits from Amazon Web Services and a travel voucher from Southwest airlines.\nThe team of judges assembled by Rep. Demings' office have technical backgrounds in computer science, automation, and engineering from Boeing, Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, Lockheed Martin, and Orlando Utilities Commission.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-soto-members-introduce-bipartisan-bills-preventing-virtual-currency-price", "Rep. Soto, Members Introduce Bipartisan Bills Preventing Virtual Currency Price Manipulation", "2018-12-06", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Darren Soto", "S001200", "soto.house.gov", "soto", "https://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Darren Soto (D-FL-09) along with Ted Budd (R-NC-13), introduced two pieces of legislation to help prevent virtual currency price manipulation and position the United States to be a leader in the cryptocurrency industry. The Virtual Currency Consumer Protection Act of 2018 and the U.S. Virtual Currency Market and Regulatory Competitiveness Act of 2018, will analyze what can be done to protect consumers from price manipulation and to ensure America remains a global leader in fostering innovation in this evolving global marketplace. Reps. Soto and Budd released the following joint statement:\n\n\"Virtual currencies and the underlying blockchain technology has a profound potential to be a driver of economic growth. That's why we must ensure that the United States is at the forefront of protecting consumersand the financial well-being of virtual currency investors, while also promoting an environment of innovation to maximize the potential of these technological advances. This bill will provide data on how Congress can best mitigate these risks while propelling development that benefits our economy. \"\n\nThe two bills direct the CFTC and other financial regulators to make critical recommendations for how to improve the regulatory environment for both the consumer and business development side, especially in light of concerns raised in the New York Attorney General's recent report on virtual exchanges' risk of manipulation and the Wall Street Journal's description of potentially abusive software of bots manipulating the price of Bitcoin.\n\nThe Virtual Currency Consumer Protection Act, directs the CFTC to describe aspects of how price manipulation could happen in virtual markets and then to make recommendations for regulatory changes that can improve the CFTC's monitoring procedures in preventing price manipulation. Click here for the full text of the Virtual Currency Consumer Protection Act.\n\nThe U.S. Virtual Currency Market and Regulatory Competitiveness Act of 2018 directs the CFTC to conduct a comparative study of the regulation of virtual currency in other countries and then make recommendations for regulatory changes to promote competitiveness in the U.S. in the industry by providing regulatory clarity and examining alternatives for current burdensome regulations that may inhibit innovation. For examples, it asks the CFTC to clarify the virtual currencies that qualify as commodities and examine the costs and benefits of a new, optional regulatory structure that could replace the current state money transmission system. Click here for the full bill text.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:11:43Z"], ["https://stephaniemurphy.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=929", "Murphy Elected Chair of Future Forum for the 116th Congress", "2018-12-06", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Stephanie Murphy", "M001202", "stephaniemurphy.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Representative Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla., will chair Future Forum in the 116thCongress. Future Forum is an influential group of young Democratic Members of Congress in the U.S. House of Representativeswho advocate forissues and opportunities important to younger Americans. Founded in 2015 by U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., the organization's mission is to create and execute a federal policy agenda based on feedback received from young people at listening events across the country. The generational organization's membership will double in size toapproximately 50 membersin the new Congress and will continue to focus on issues like gun violence prevention, college affordability, andequality of opportunity. Murphy, unanimously elected by her colleagues, will lead Future Forum with support from its three newVice-Chairs: U.S. Representatives Antonio Delgado, D-N.Y.,Abby Finkenauer, D-Iowa, and Jimmy Gomez, D-Calif. Swalwell will serve asChairEmeritus. As we saw in Florida after the Parkland shooting,young Americans are demanding their voices be heard now more than ever  and Congress should listen, Murphy said. I'm proud to lead this group ofpassionate youngleaders in Congress who will amplify the voices of younger Americansand provide them with a platformto shapethe future of ourgreatcountry. With millennials making up the largest generation in the American workforce and post-millennials becoming more engaged in our democracy, Future Forum will have an important role in this new Democratic majorityto steer our country in the right direction. I founded Future Forum in 2015 to give millennials a voice in Congress, Swalwell said. Decisions made in Washington today will affect young people for generations to come, and they deserve a seat at the table in Congress. With Congresswoman Murphy's thoughtful, energetic leadership, Future Forum will continue its innovative work listening to and engaging with young people to create a better, brighter future for us all. I'm excited to serve as a vice-chair of Future Forum and intend to focus on issues most important to young people, like loan forgiveness so they can pursue opportunities without burdensome student debt and helping our young farmers access land and capital, Delgado said. I will also use this role to facilitate conversations with young Americans and make sure their voices are heard by the people elected to represent them. I'm honored to represent the Midwest as Vice Chair of Future Forum to further conversations about how Congress can do a better job making sure all Americans regardless of where they live, have access to the American dream that has been slipping away for so many, Finkenauer said. I'm excited for the work ahead bringing hope and opportunities for growth across generations. As the new Vice-Chair of the Future Forum, I'll be working with my colleagues to address the distinctive challenges young people face, empowering them to transform our country in the fight for justice, human rights, affordable education, and economic opportunity for all, Gomez said. Together, with Chair Stephanie Murphy, and Vice-Chairs Antonio Delgado and Abby Finkenauer, we can help amplify the voices of young Americans and ensure they have a substantive role to play in charting a prosperous and equitable course for our nation. Since its inception, Future Forum has visited47cities and met with thousands of young people wherethey live, work, and go to school. Murphy hosted Swalwell incentral Floridafor one such tour in 2017. As a result of these listening sessions,members of the group have introduced legislation to address issues such as student loan debt, health care affordability, and entrepreneurship. Pillars of Future Forum in the 116thCongress:\r\n \r\n    Bridge the Divide Between Young Americans and their Government:Studies have shown that young Americans generally do not believe Congress represents the interests of people like them, which has contributed to widespread disengagement in ourdemocraticsystem. Future Forum will combat this perception by continuing its outreach to young Americans to better understand the issues that affect them and advance a policy agendainformed bytheir feedback. \r\n \r\n \r\n    Engage and Empower Young Americans:Our democracy is not self-fulfilling, and its strength depends onengaged and informedcitizens. Future Forum will facilitate dialogues with young Americans about ways the federal government serves them on an individual and collective basis,and ways it can be improved. From basic services to sweeping federal programs, Future Forum will engage with young Americans to create awareness about what government can offer, why they should care, and how we can improve the relationship between elected officials and the younger constituents they represent.\r\n \r\n \r\n    Inspire the Next Generation of Public Servants:The voices and talents of young Americans enrich our democratic process and can make government work more effectively. Future Forum will encourage more young Americans to serve their country, including by pursuing careers in public service. Future Forum will play a leading role in restoring Americans' faith in our democracy and create optimism for a brighter future with civic-minded young leaders at the helm.\r\n \r\nMembers of Future Forum in the 116thCongress:\r\n \r\n    U.S. Representative Stephanie Murphy, FL-07 (Chair)\r\n    U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell, CA-15 (Chair Emeritus)\r\n    U.S. Representative-Elect Abby Finkenauer, IA-01 (Vice-Chair)\r\n    U.S. Representative-Elect Antonio Delgado, NY-22 (Vice-Chair)\r\n    U.S. Representative Jimmy Gomez, CA-34 (Vice-Chair)\r\n    U.S. Representative Pete Aguilar, CA-31\r\n    U.S. Representative-Elect Colin Allred, TX-32\r\n    U.S. Representative Nanette Diaz Barragn, CA-44\r\n    U.S. Representative Brendan Boyle, PA-13\r\n    U.S. Representative-Elect Anthony Brindisi, NY-22\r\n    U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro, TX-20\r\n    U.S. Representative-Elect Jason Crow, CO-06\r\n    U.S. Representative-Elect Joe Cunningham, SC-01\r\n    U.S. Representative-Elect Sharice Davids, KS-03\r\n    U.S. Representative-Elect Lizzie Fletcher, TX-07\r\n    U.S. Representative Tulsi Gabbard, HI-02\r\n    U.S. Representative Ruben Gallego, AZ-07\r\n    U.S. Representative-Elect Jared Golden, ME-02\r\n    U.S. Representative Josh Gottheimer, NJ-05\r\n    U.S. Representative-Elect Josh Harder, CA-10\r\n    U.S. Representative-Elect Katie Hill, CA-25\r\n    U.S. Representative-Elect Steven Horsford, NV-04\r\n    U.S. Representative Hakeem Jeffries, NY-08\r\n    U.S. Representative Joe Kennedy, MA-04\r\n    U.S. Representative Ro Khanna, CA-17\r\n    U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer, WA-06\r\n    U.S. Representative-Elect Andy Kim, NJ-03\r\n    U.S. Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi, IL-08\r\n    U.S. Representative-Elect Mike Levin, CA-49\r\n    U.S. Representative Ted Lieu, CA-33\r\n    U.S. Representative Ben Ray Lujn, NM-03\r\n    U.S. Representative-Elect Elaine Luria, VA-02\r\n    U.S. Representative-Elect Ben McAdams, UT-04\r\n    U.S. Representative Grace Meng, NY-06\r\n    U.S. Representative Seth Moulton, MA-06\r\n    U.S. Representative-Elect Joe Neguse, CO-02\r\n    U.S. Representative-Elect Ilhan Omar, MN-05\r\n    U.S. Representative Jimmy Panetta, CA-20\r\n    U.S. Representative-Elect Chris Pappas, NH-01\r\n    U.S. Representative Stacey Plaskett, VI-AL\r\n    U.S. Representative-Elect Katie Porter, CA-45\r\n    U.S. Representative-Elect Max Rose, NY-11\r\n    U.S. Representative Raul Ruiz, CA-20\r\n    U.S. Representative-Elect Elissa Slotkin, MI-08\r\n    U.S. Representative Darren Soto, FL-09\r\n    U.S. Representative-Elect Abigail Spanberger, VA-07\r\n    U.S. Representative-Elect Haley Stevens, MI-11\r\n    U.S. Representative-Elect Xochitl Torres Small, NM-02\r\n    U.S. Representative-Elect Lauren Underwood, IL-14\r\n    \r\n    U.S. Representative Marc Veasey, TX-33", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398827", "U.S. Rep. Castor Announces New Grant to Help Local Entrepreneurs Awarded to Tampa Bay Wave", "2018-12-05", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Kathy Castor", "C001066", "castor.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) today announced that Tampa Bay Wave, the leading technology accelerator in Tampa Bay, has been awarded a $300,000 grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration to help launch a regional investor collaborative. Tampa Bay Wave is growing our region's entrepreneurial ecosystem, expanding small businesses and boosting jobs, U.S. Rep. Castor said. They have won my confidence to fight for federal grants to lift wages across Tampa Bay through their seed efforts to grow the investor pool. While Tampa Bay holds a strong foundation of support for entrepreneurs, organizations such as Tampa Bay Wave are looking to continue momentum and success. With this important Seed Fund Support award, we can help the Central Florida region close the critical funding gap that has been hampering our ecosystem for years, said Linda Olson, CEO/President of Tampa Bay Wave. With a larger pool of investors and early stage capital, we will not only help the region better attract more capital and talent, but also give local entrepreneurs across the I-4 corridor more opportunities to grow and create breakout successes here. Alex Sink, former Florida Chief Financial Officer and former president of Florida operations for Bank of America, was recently named board chair of Tampa Bay Wave and added: \"This grant provides us the opportunity to renew our commitment and expand our collaboration to bring much needed capital to our region. These funds will amplify our efforts and will allow us to continue to make good on our promise of advocacy for our region's entrepreneurs. U.S. Rep. Castor has championed multiple federal grants to grow and support Tampa Bay Wave, and bring job creation, innovation and higher wages to Tampa Bay. In 2012, Tampa Bay Wave received the first i6 Challenge Grant of $1 million from the U.S. Economic Development Administration. Matching contributions from public and private community partners raised another $1 million. In 2015, our region received its second i6 Challenge grant of $500,000 issued to the University of South Florida, in partnership with Tampa Bay Wave. In addition, since 2015, Tampa Bay Wave has also been recipient of multiple Growth Accelerator Fund Grants of $50,000 from the Small Business Administration. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://alceehastings.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399070", "Hastings Leads Letter to USDA Secretary Purdue Urging Common Sense Reforms to Livestock Indemnity Program", "2018-12-04", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Alcee Hastings", "H000324", "alceehastings.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL), along with Representatives Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Brendan F. Boyle (D-PA), James P. McGovern (D-MA), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Donald S. Beyer Jr. (D-VA), and Salud Carbajal (D-CA) sent the following letter to the Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Sonny Perdue III, urging common sense reforms which promote the humane treatment of farm animals and the responsible use of taxpayer dollars in the Farm Service Agency's Livestock Indemnity Program. (Please find below and attacheda copy of the letter):  \r\n\r\nDecember 4, 2018\r\n\r\n\r\nThe Honorable Sonny Perdue III  \r\nSecretary of Agriculture  \r\nU.S. Department of Agriculture  \r\n1400 Independence Avenue S.W.  \r\nWashington, D.C. 20250 Dear Secretary Perdue: We believe the United States Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency's Livestock Indemnity Program should implement common sense changes to the information collected from farmers prior to providing reimbursement for animals that have died as a result of adverse weather events. The Humane Farming Association informed us that, from 2013 to 2017, USDA's LIP issued payments of approximately $199 million to farmers and ranchers for animal deaths due primarily to adverse weather events. The total animal deaths included a staggering 277,471 livestock and 6,686,168 poultry. Despite the large amount of taxpayer dollars and animal loss involved, the LIP does not currently ask farmers applying for reimbursement to answer any questions regarding the shelter, care, or treatment provided to animals that died due to adverse weather events. Furthermore, since the cap was removed in the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, there is now no limit on the amount of LIP compensation that a qualifying farmer can receive. Moreover, the Humane Farming Association informed us that many animals are provided little to no shelter and subjected to prolonged suffering and agonizing deaths that could be preventable if proper weather precautions and disaster management plans were encouraged by the FSA's LIP. For example, in the summer of 2017 in California's central valley, thousands of dairy cows died from heat stroke due to a lack of adequate protections from the heat such as sufficient shade, fans, and misters. In the aftermath, three counties in California declared states of emergency, because they were not able to render the dead fast enough. When no adequate protection is put in place during adverse weather events, producers are reimbursed for dead livestock at 75 percent of the animals' market value. We believe this represents a clear disincentive for farmers to take the necessary steps to have a disaster management plan and provide their animals with protections from adverse weather events. Without this compensation, we believe many producers would no doubt make an effort to provide for their animals. Instead, we believe massive numbers of neglected livestock are dying painfully and needlessly while taxpayers foot the bill. For these reasons, we believe that producers applying for compensation under LIP be required to provide detailed information regarding the precautionary measures that the producer took to avoid the death of livestock during adverse weather events. We believe LIP applicants should be required to provide direct proof, including but not limited to photos, videos, or records, of preparations made to provide for the well-being of animals in their care during adverse weather events. In addition to the Livestock Death Loss Documentation required by LIP, which requires applicants to document the number and kind of livestock that died, we believe the FSA should require that applicants answer specific questions regarding the preparations that were made to protect animals from death from adverse weather events. These questions could include:\r\n \r\n    \r\n    What was the producer's disaster management plan in the case of an adverse weather event?\r\n    What steps were taken by the producer to keep animals from suffering from or dying as a result of exposure to heat, cold, or other elements?\r\n    What type of shelter did the producer provide to animals prior to the eligible adverse weather event?\r\n    What percentage of a producer's animals did that shelter accommodate?\r\n    Were transport vehicles available to evacuate the animals out of harm's way?\r\n    Were emergency food/water supplies available to accommodate animals that did not have access to normal food/water sources?Was veterinary assistance available to treat or humanely euthanize animals?\r\n \r\n\r\nWe believe all farm animals deserve to be given an adequate level of humane treatment and care including proper food, water, and shelter. Furthermore, we believe farmers should not be rewarded with taxpayer dollars for not providing these most basic levels of humane treatment. For these reasons, we respectfully request that, if LIP compensation is made available, the FSA should only provide it to those producers who not only put in place adverse weather protections for their livestock, but also document those protections. Thank you for your attention to our request and we look forward to your response. Sincerely, Alcee L. Hastings     \r\nMember of Congress Debbie Wasserman Schultz  \r\nMember of Congress Brendan F. Boyle  \r\nMember of Congress James P. McGovern  \r\nMember of Congress Earl Blumenauer  \r\nMember of Congress Donald S. Beyer Jr.  \r\nMember of Congress Salud Carbajal  \r\nMember of Congress Congressman Alcee L. Hastings serves as Senior Member of the House Rules Committee, Ranking Democratic Member of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, and Democratic Chairman of the Florida Delegation.\r\n\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398823", "U.S. Rep. Castor Nominates 27 of Tomorrows Leaders to Our Nations Service Academies", "2018-12-04", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Kathy Castor", "C001066", "castor.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "I am proud to have so many students in Florida's 14th Congressional district who are interested in serving America, U.S. Rep. Castor said.  These impressive students are tomorrow's leaders and, by applying to a U.S. military academy, they are demonstrating their commitment to working hard for an excellent education and serving our country.\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) announced 27 high school students who received her official nomination for admission into the nation's military academies: Air Force (USAFA), Navy (USNA), Army (USMA) and Merchant Marine (USMMA).\r\nI am proud to have so many students in Florida's 14th Congressional district who are interested in serving America, U.S. Rep. Castor said. These impressive students are tomorrow's leaders and, by applying to a U.S. military academy, they are demonstrating their commitment to working hard for an excellent education and serving our country.\r\nReceiving a nomination to our nation's military academies is a vital step towards being appointed and attending the academies. Nominations are earned based upon each student's interview with U.S. Rep. Castor's Nomination Committee, their individual academic record, extracurricular activities and leadership qualities. Because of the stringent application requirements, most students begin preparing for their application as early as their first years of high school.\r\nAll U.S. military academies, except the Coast Guard Academy, based upon U.S. law, require a nomination from their Congressional Representative, Senator or the Vice President of the United States as part of the application process. Parents and students interested in the nomination process will find more information at www.castor.house.gov.\r\nI am appreciative of the time and effort of the Nomination Committee  members thoroughly reviewed each nomination application and met with students individually, U.S. Rep. Castor continue. Every year, I am impressed with the high caliber of students who wish to attend a military academy and this year was no exception!\r\nU.S. Rep. Castor will announce official appointmentsat a later date after being notified by the academies. Today's announcement completes U.S. Rep. Castor's 2018 competitive nomination process and nominated students who receive an appointment from a U.S. military academy will attend beginning in the 2019-2020 school year.\r\nU.S. Rep. Castor granted her nomination to the following students for one or more of the U.S. military academies:\r\nRyan Hatoum, Berkley Preparatory School  USNA\r\nAbigail Walters, Berkley Preparatory School  USAFA, USNA\r\nCharles Owen, Carrollwood Day  USNA\r\nMalakie Milne, Greenbrier Evans, GA  USMMA \r\nBrinsley Hess, Hillsborough HS  USNA\r\nEthan Pham, Hillsborough HS  USNA\r\nArmando Flores IV, Jesuit HS  USMA\r\nJaden Pask, Jesuit HS  USMA\r\nSarah Yo, King HS  USAFA, USNA\r\nIssac Chang, Middleton HS  USNA\r\nJoseph Lubinski, Middleton HS  USNA\r\nThomas Wartenberg, Middleton HS  USNA\r\nTyler Whittlesley, Middleton HS  USNA\r\nElizabeth Barber, Plant HS  USMMA, USNA\r\nEva Damon, Plant HS  USAFA, USMA\r\nJordan Hacker, Plant HS  USMA\r\nAlyssa Nagle, Plant HS  USNA \r\nConner Nelson, Plant HS  USNA \r\nWilliam Rickles, Plant HS  USMA, USNA\r\nEverett Smalley, Plant HS  USAFA\r\nCarmen Botezan, Robinson HS  USAFA, USNA\r\nDaniel DeYoung, Robinson HS  USAFA, USNA\r\nJonathan Joyner, Robinson HS  USAFA, USNA\r\nKai Pedersen, Robinson HS  USNA \r\nAndrea Torres, Sickles HS  USAFA\r\nJosef Stooks, Steinbrenner HS  USMA\r\nChristian Thompson, Wharton HS  USNA\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://teddeutch.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399449", "Deutch, Ros-Lehtinen, Lowey, Poe Issue Statement Urging Governments to Pressure Iran to Return Political Hostages", "2018-12-04", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Ted Deutch", "D000610", "teddeutch.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "On Monday, families of individuals being held in Iran, including the family of Bob Levinson of Coral Springs, Florida,sent an open letterto government leaders, international non-governmental organizations, and media outlets urging \"all our governments, especially those who enjoy diplomatic relations with the country of Iran, to acknowledge this hostage taking crisis immediately and to take concrete steps that would help resolve these cases and end this horrific practice.\"As they write in the letter: \"The evidence is conclusive, and we should call this what it is: hostage taking. Since Mr. Levinson disappeared, over 50 people with some connection to a western power have been taken hostage by the Iranian authorities. According to a recent report by the Thomson Reuters Foundation, as many as 20 are still held hostage in Iran.\" Congressman Ted Deutch(FL-22),Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen(FL-27),Congresswoman Nita Lowey(NY-17), andCongressman Ted Poe(TX-02), the sponsors of a House-passed resolution(H.Res. 317) callingfor the release of all Americans held in Iran, issued this statement in support of the letter: \"The international community must join together in forcing Iran's leaders to end this practice of holding Americans and foreign nationals hostage. Too many families have been suffering with missing relatives in Iran for far too long. They deserve answers and swift action to bring their family members home. We strongly support this letter urging world leaders and global actors to apply pressure to the Iranian regime. All responsible governments should be prepared to use sustained and strategic diplomacy against Iran to reunite these families. We are committed in Congress to push the Administration to do all they can for the Levinsons, the Namazis, and the others unjustifiably held in Iran.\" Congressman Deutch has pressedPresident Trump's Administrationto prioritize Bob's return. Every Congress, Congressman Deutchintroduces legislationcalling for Iran to fulfill its promise to help bring Bob home. On April 26, the U.S. House of Representatives passed theIran Human Rights and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act(H.R. 4744), legislation introduced by Congressman Deutch and Congressman Michael McCaul (TX-10), Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee.This legislation states that Congress stands with the people of Iran, and it provides the Trump Administration with the tools necessary to hold Iranian government officials responsible for human rights violations, corruption, and censorship. Moreover, it holds the Iranian regime accountable for taking American citizens and permanent residents hostage by ensuring that those responsible pay an extreme price.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://stephaniemurphy.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=928", "Murphy Announces Winning Team in 2018 Congressional App Challenge", "2018-12-04", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Stephanie Murphy", "M001202", "stephaniemurphy.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy today announced the winners of the 2018 Congressional App Challenge for Florida's Seventh Congressional District. The winning team was led by Sakun Chitraacharige and Mika Sudhir, two students from Seminole High School in Sanford, Fla. Chitraacharige and Sudhir worked alongside two friends from Colorado and California to create Fulcra. Fulcra is an online micro-blogging software application designed to empower people suffering from mental illness or any form of abuseincluding substance, physical, and mental abuseto speak up by giving them a medium to discuss their experiences freely. The team will now have the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C. next spring to showcase their app to Members of Congress and the tech community. The Congressional App Challenge is part of a national effort tosupport and encourage education in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math).  I am so proud of these students for using their talents and passion to tackle issues as important as mental health and substanceabuse,Murphy said. Sakun, Mika, and their incredible team have bright futures ahead of them. I'm grateful to the teachers, parents, and mentors who inspire students like these to pursue their dreams, and I will continue to do my part to support STEAM development in our schools. Nearly 9,000 high school students have participated in the Congressional App Challenge since it launched in 2015. Through this nationwide competition, the Internet Education Foundation seeks to foster a youth appreciation for computer science and STEM.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://alceehastings.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399066", "Hastings Statement on the Passing of Former President George H.W. Bush", "2018-12-01", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Alcee Hastings", "H000324", "alceehastings.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) released the following statement on the passing of former President George H.W. Bush:\r\nThe United States has lost a dedicated public servant. President George H.W. Bush was the epitome of an American statesman: he served with distinction, championed diversity and freedom, and led our country with integrity, faith, and compassion. He was a frank leader, but a gentleman, nonetheless. Each of us could learn much from his example. \r\nDespite our political differences, I will always remember President Bush for his selfless, humble approach to public service that is all too rare in today's political atmosphere. His belief in a kinder, gentler America' full of light is a stark reminder of what each of us should stand for, and what America represents to the world. \r\nI am deeply saddened by President George H.W. Bush's passing. I extend my deepest sympathies to his children, President George W. Bush, former Governor Jeb Bush, Neil, Marvin, and Dorothy, and the entire Bush family. May they take consolation in knowing that our entire nation grieves with them, and that President Bush has been reunited with his beloved wife, Barbara, and their daughter, Robin.\" \r\nCongressman Alcee L. Hastings serves as Senior Member of the House Rules Committee, Ranking Democratic Member of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, and Democratic Chairman of the Florida Delegation.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://alceehastings.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399064", "Hastings Statement on Cohen Guilty Plea", "2018-11-29", "2018", "2018-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Alcee Hastings", "H000324", "alceehastings.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Hastings' Statement on Cohen 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        November 29, 2018\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      Today, Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) released the following statement after President Donald John Trump's former attorney Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to lying to Congress about Trump's business interests in Russia: Special Counsel Robert Mueller has brought 192 criminal charges against more than 30 defendants in his investigation into President Trump's involvement of Russian interference in the 2016 Presidential election. Today's guilty plea from President Trump's former attorney Michael Cohen makes it clear that the President repeatedly lied about his business interests in Russia and that his associates were willing to lie and deceive Congress to cover it up. Now, more than ever, the Special Counsel's investigation must be allowed to continue unimpeded. Congress must act to ensure that no one, be it the President or members of his administration, be allowed to interfere or stifle this investigation. Congressman Alcee L. Hastings serves as Senior Member of the House Rules Committee, Ranking Democratic Member of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, and Democratic Chairman of the Florida Delegation.\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://alceehastings.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399065", "Hastings Statement on Trump Administrations Failure to Provide Veterans with their Earned Benefits", "2018-11-29", "2018", "2018-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Alcee Hastings", "H000324", "alceehastings.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Hastings' Statement on Trump Administration's Failure to Provide Veterans with their Earned Benefits \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        November 29, 2018\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 the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) informed Congress that it would not repay underpaid GI benefits to thousands of veterans:\r\nThe VA's announcement that it will ignore federal law and cheat veterans out of their GI benefits is insulting and unacceptable. The VA has the responsibility to provide for our veterans, and failing to uphold these responsibilities is a betrayal of the public's trust. \r\nThe Trump Administration's leadership of the VA has been characterized by gross negligence and severe failures in oversight. The Administration continues to undercut the VA's mission to our veterans, and its leaders now appear to think that they can adopt Donald Trump's own approach to leadership by refusing to fulfil its obligations to those it owes. \r\nThe President claims to champion veterans, but today's announcement reiterates just how little he understands our nation's commitment to the veteran community. If the Administration will not provide our veterans with their earned benefits, Congress must step in to ensure that every veteran gets the benefits they are entitled to.\r\nCongressman Alcee L. Hastings serves as Senior Member of the House Rules Committee, Ranking Democratic Member of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, and Democratic 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://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398796", "U.S. Rep. Castor Calls For Action to Stem Florida's Troubling Rate of Uninsured Children", "2018-11-29", "2018", "2018-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Kathy Castor", "C001066", "castor.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Following the release of a Georgetown University Center for Children and Families report showing a rise in the number of uninsured children in Florida, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) released the following statement calling for action to stem the tide of this troubling trend: The progress our nation has made in covering our children is at risk. The rate of uninsured children in Florida is unfortunately on the rise due to actions by the Trump Administration and Republican policymakers in Florida and the U.S. Congress. Many of their actions have contributed to the jump in the number of uninsured children in the state from 288,000 in 2016 to 325,000 last year, a 13 percent rise. Florida children and families are in worse shape than most because Florida has refused to expand Medicaid while most other states have done so. I will not rest until Florida joins the rest of the country, expands Medicaid to serve Floridians, and brings our federal tax dollars home. Florida will never reach its full potential unless children and families are valued and policymakers act to ensure everyone has access to affordable health coverage. U.S. Rep. Castor serves as vice ranking member of the U.S. House Energy & Commerce Committee, which has oversight of health policy. She helped write and pass the Affordable Care Act and has pressed for even more expanded, quality health care coverage in her state and across the nation, and has fought to protect individuals with preexisting health conditions, Medicaid funding and Medicare for seniors. She has pressed for years for Gov. Scott and the Florida Legislature to expand Medicaid in Florida, which would provide health coverage for approximately 800,000 additional Floridians. You can read the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families report here. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://crist.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=595", "CRIST, PINELLAS OFFICIALS WEIGH IN ON UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA CONSOLIDATION", "2018-11-29", "2018", "2018-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Charlie Crist", "C001111", "crist.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Charlie Crist (D-St. Petersburg) was joined by Pinellas County's elected leaders in offering recommendations to the University of South Florida regarding the consolidation of the St. Petersburg campus, providing feedback on how the reconfiguration of the USFSP campus could best strengthen the university and community.Please find a copy of the letterbelow: Dr. Judy Genshaft  \r\nPresident, University of South Florida  \r\n4202 E. Fowler Avenue, CHS 401  \r\nTampa, FL 33620 Dear Dr. Genshaft, As the University of South Florida (USF) moves forward with its consolidation plans, we'd like to offer our thoughts and suggestions about the future of USF St. Petersburg (USFSP). We know this merger will take time, but the groundwork being laid now will dictate whether this effort will be a long-term success for USFSP students, faculty, and our community. While we have expressed our concerns with the way in which this decision came about, we recognize that it is in the best interests of the student body and the St. Petersburg community to reach consensus on the campus' future configuration. As local leaders and residents, we'd like to offer our thoughts on programs that would strengthen the institution, attract new talent to our city, and produce the workforce needed for Florida and our region's future. First, St. Petersburg is home to the largest marine and environmental science community in the Southeastern United States. USF's College of Marine Science anchors the community, but downtown St. Petersburg is also home to NOAA's Southeast Fisheries Regional Office, USGS's Coastal and Marine Science Center, the Florida Institute of Oceanography, Florida's Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, as well as private companies such as SRI International. Taken together, the marine sciences provide a total economic impact of more than $250 million in gross county product. In the vein of continuing St. Pete's preeminence in marine science, we believe USF's St. Pete Campus would be well suited to house both graduate and undergraduate programs in marine science, environment, and sustainability programs. Second, St. Pete is a thriving and widely-recognized center for the arts. Between our world-famous museums, scores of independent galleries, and well-established arts districts, it makes for an easy conclusion that an arts major should be added to the St. Petersburg Campus curriculum  be it digital, graphic, fine, or a combination of the three. Third, as you know, the jobs of the future are in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM).Students with a STEM degree go on to earn higher salaries and have higher rates of graduation and subsequent employment. To maintain USFSP's competitive edge, we strongly recommend offering STEM majors, broadening the campus' appeal and building off St. Petersburg's thriving Innovation District. Fourth, the Kate Tiedemann College of Business (KTCOB) has been an incredible addition to the curriculum and campus at USFSP. The new facility is an architectural jewel designed to equip students to become part of the booming business community in St. Pete and beyond. We strongly recommend that the KTCOB and its course offerings remain intact at USFSP, continuing the focus on entrepreneurship and finance.  Lastly, we want to express our hope that USFSP remains accessible for Pinellas County high school graduates. We share the desire to boost USF's standing, and the benefits those rankings bring, but would emphasize that USFSP remain attainable for the diverse array of students that call Pinellas County home. We appreciate your taking the time to hear our views on a topic of great importance to our community. We are hopeful that this next chapter in USF's history includes a thriving and successful campus at USFSP, furthering USF's status as a world-class institution. We look forward to continuing this discussion with you, as well as inviting Tampa, Sarasota, and the entire USF community to participate in the process. When all of us work together, the future truly is brighter. Sincerely, Charlie Crist, UNITED STATES CONGRESSMAN Darryl Rouson, FLORIDA STATE SENATOR Ben Diamond, REPRESENTATIVE, FLORIDA HOUSE Jennifer Webb, REPRESENTATIVE, FLORIDA HOUSE Kenneth T. Welch, CHAIR, PINELLAS COUNTY COMMISSION Karen Williams Seel, VICE CHAIR, PINELLAS COUNTY COMMISSION Janet C. Long, COMMISSIONER, PINELLAS COUNTY Pat Gerard, COMMISSIONER, PINELLAS COUNTY Charlie Justice, COMMISSIONER, PINELLAS COUNTY Dave Eggers, COMMISSIONER, PINELLAS COUNTY Kathleen Peters, COMMISSIONER, PINELLAS COUNTY Rick Kriseman, MAYOR, CITY OF ST. PETERSBURG Lisa Wheeler-Bowman, COUNCIL CHAIR, CITY OF ST. PETERSBURG Steve Kornell, COUNCIL VICE CHAIR, CITY OF ST. PETERSBURG Charlie Gerdes, COUNCIL MEMBER, CITY OF ST. PETERSBURG Brandi Gabbard, COUNCIL MEMBER, CITY OF ST. PETERSBURG Ed Montanari, COUNCIL MEMBER, CITY OF ST. PETERSBURG  Darden Rice,COUNCIL MEMBER, CITY OF ST. PETERSBURG  Gina Driscoll, COUNCIL MEMBER, CITY OF ST. PETERSBURG  Amy Foster, COUNCIL MEMBER, CITY OF ST. PETERSBURG", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=843", "Reps. Frankel, Speier, Lawrence, Kuster Call on Sec. DeVos to Rescind Title IX Proposed Rules", "2018-11-29", "2018", "2018-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Lois Frankel", "F000462", "frankel.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC  Today, the leadership of the Democratic Women's Working Group (DWWG), Representatives Jackie Speier (CA-14), Lois Frankel (FL-21), and Brenda Lawrence (MI-14), as well as Representative Annie Kuster (NH-02) and 76 of their House colleagues sent a letter to Department of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos condemning her recently proposed rule for Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 (Title IX). The letter urges Secretary DeVos to withdraw these dangerous proposed policy changes and arrange meetings with a broad range of survivors and survivor advocacy organizations to develop meaningful guidance on Title IX that protects all students.\r\nThis rule is a blatant attempt to silence survivors of sexual harassment and violence and force them back into the shadows. A year after the Me Too movement went viral, we will not tolerate a system that shames and blames victims, the Representatives said. The epidemic of sexual harassment and violence in our K-12 schools and on college campuses continues to be a threat to students' rights to pursue their education. We cannot condone proposals that will result in fewer survivors coming forward to report their assaults and make it harder for those who do to seek justice. You must do more, not less, to ensure the safety of students across the country.\r\nThe proposed rule is Secretary DeVos' latest attempt to roll back protections for survivors of sexual harassment and violence in our K-12 schools and on college campuses. In September of 2017, the Department of Education received over 16,000 formal comments during the public comment period on deregulation, which showed overwhelming support for the Obama Administration's 2011 and 2014 Title IX guidance documents. This guidance built upon previous policy precedent from the Clinton and G.W. Bush administrations. Despite this support Secretary DeVos chose to rescind these critical civil rights documents and released inadequate interim guidance that has left schools and survivors in limbo for over a year.\r\nThe Representatives asked Secretary DeVos to respond within two weeks of receipt of the letter. A copy of the letter is attached to this press release.\r\nThe complete list of cosigners are as follows: Reps. Jackie Speier (CA-14), Lois Frankel (FL-21), Brenda Lawrence (MI-14), Annie Kuster (NH-02), Alma Adams (NC-12), Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Salud O. Carbajal (CA-24 ), Kathy Castor (FL-14), Judy Chu (CA-27), David N. Cicilline (RI-01), Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), Emanuel Cleaver II (MO-05), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Jim Cooper (TN-05), Joe Courtney (CT-02), Susan Davis (CA-53), Peter DeFazio (OR-04), Diana DeGette (CO-01), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11), Debbie Dingell (MI-12), Anna Eshoo (CA-18), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02), Elizabeth H. Esty (CT-05), John Garamendi (CA-03), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Raul M. Grijalva (AZ-03), Colleen Hanabusa (HI-01), Alcee Hastings (FL-20), Denny Heck (WA-10), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Henry C. \"Hank\" Johnson (GA-04), Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Rick Larsen (WA-02), Al Lawson Jr. (FL-05), Barbara Lee (CA-13), Alan Lowenthal (CA-47), Nita Lowey (NY-17), Carolyn B. Maloney (NY-12), Doris Matsui (CA-06), Betty McCollum (MN-04), James P. McGovern (MA-02), Jerry McNerney (CA-09), Grace Meng (NY-06), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Jerrold Nadler (NY-10), Grace F. Napolitano (CA-32), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Bill Pascrell Jr. (NJ-09), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Kathleen Rice (NY-04), Jacky Rosen (NV-03), Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40), Tim Ryan (OH-13), Linda Sanchez (CA-38), Janice Schakowsky (IL-O9), Adam Schiff (CA-28), Carol Shea-Porter (NH-01), Albio Sires (NJ-08), Adam Smith (WA-09), Darren Soto (FL-09), Dina Titus (NV-01), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Norma Torres (CA-35), Juan Vargas (CA-51), Nydia Velazquez (NY-07), Peter J. Visclosky (IN-01), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23), Peter Welch (VT-AL), Fredrica S. Wilson (FL-24), and John Yarmuth (KY-03).\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://stephaniemurphy.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=927", "Murphy Helps Secure Break the Gridlock Deal with Leader Pelosi", "2018-11-28", "2018", "2018-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Stephanie Murphy", "M001202", "stephaniemurphy.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy of Winter Park, Fla., today helped secure House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi's (D-Calif.) support for the core components of a bipartisan rules change package designed to make it easier for bipartisan bills to get a vote.The Problem Solvers Caucus, onwhich Murphy is a leading voice, sought these reforms to the House rules as part of its Break the Gridlock proposal, first proposed in June. Since then, Murphy and other Problem Solvers have consistently said they would only support a nominee for House Speaker who embraced these reforms. Democratic Problem Solvers achieved this victoryfollowinga series of meetings with Pelosi and other senior House Democrats. After securing Pelosi's public commitment to adopt these commonsense reforms, Murphy voted to support Leader Pelosi's bid for Speaker in today's Democratic Caucus meeting, and said she will vote for Leader Pelosi for Speaker on the floor of the House on Jan. 3, 2019. I appreciate Leader Pelosi's willingness to work with the Problem Solvers Caucus to support concrete reforms that will facilitate bipartisan cooperation in what will be a divided Congress,Murphy said.The American people are tired of hyper-partisan gridlock and want to see Members of Congress working together to solve the major challenges we face today as a nation.Holding true to the promise I made to my constituents, I'm proud we secured these commonsense rules reforms that will increase transparency and consensus building in the U.S. Congress.As the first woman Speaker she has proven herself to be a force to be reckoned with and someone willing to listen to the diverse voices that make the Democratic Caucus great. I look forward to working with both parties in the 116thCongress to find solutions on critical issues important to central Florida families like health care, immigration, and infrastructure.\r\nRules and Reforms Agreement\r\n1. Every Member Gets a Voice: Adopt a rule creating a Consensus Calendar. Once a bill reaches 290 co-sponsors, a 25 legislative day clock will begin. If the primary committee of jurisdiction does not report the bill by the end of the 25 legislative days, the legislation will be placed on the new Consensus Calendar where it will remain until the bill is considered. For every in-session week, after February 28th of the First Session and before September 30th of the Second Session, majority leadership will be required to bring at least one bill on the Consensus Calendar to the Floor.\r\n\r\n2. Bipartisan Amendments: Create a Rules Committee Protocol that specifically adds a preference to amendments that comply with the rules, and have at least twenty Members of each party cosponsoring the amendment.  \r\n  \r\n3. Modernize the Discharge Petition: Allow discharge petitions to be considered under a 3-day notice process similar to privileged resolutions in order to facilitate their use and effectiveness, while still requiring 218 signatures. The current process only allows perfected petitions on certain Mondays and only if the House is in session on those days.  \r\n  \r\n4. Increase Committee Transparency: Require three business days' notice for committee markups, but preserve the entire good cause exception.  \r\n  \r\n5. Reform the Motion to Vacate the Chair: Adopt a rule stating that a resolution causing a vacancy in the Office of the Speaker will be privileged if offered by the direction of a major party caucus or conference.  \r\n  \r\n6. Legislative Committee Party Ratios: Commit to a more fair party ratio for committees. Since ratios change throughout the year due to resignations, special elections etc., ratios have never been and should not be set through the standing rules of the House. We are also aware of the Minority's need to negotiate for seats they need and how setting ratios in the standing rules could inadvertently restrict their needs. However, we agree that to the extent possible party ratios on legislative committees (including Intelligence and Joint and Select Committees, but excluding Rules and Ethics) should reflect the party ratio of the entire House.  \r\n  \r\n7. A More Inclusive Amendment Process: Commit to a more fair and inclusive legislative process where more ideas and amendments are debated, and there is less of a reliance on closed rules.  \r\n  \r\n8. Preserve Majority Markups: Ensure that a majority of the Members of a committee can request and schedule a markup of the committee they serve on.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://teddeutch.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399440", "Landmark Bipartisan Carbon Fee Legislation Introduced", "2018-11-27", "2018", "2018-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Ted Deutch", "D000610", "teddeutch.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, CongressmanTed Deutch(D-FL-22),CongressmanFrancis Rooney(R-FL-19), CongressmanJohn K. Delaney(D-MD-06), CongressmanBrian Fitzpatrick(R-PA-08), and CongressmanCharlie Crist(D-FL-13) introduced bipartisan legislation to price carbon and return 100% of the net revenue as a rebate to American families.The Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act (EICDA) will help reduce U.S. carbon pollution by 40% in 10 years, with 91% reduction target by 2050 (vs. 2015 levels). This would be achieved by pricing carbon at $15per metric ton of CO2e and increasing the price by $10 every year. The Treasury Department would return 100% of the net revenue back to the American people, a policy highlighted by a Treasury Department report as helping lower- and middle-income families. A one-pager on the legislation can befound here, and the text of the legislation can befound here. A wide range of groups support the legislation, including: Citizens Climate Lobby, Climate Leadership Council, The Nature Conservancy, Alliance for Market Solutions, Environmental Defense Fund, RepublicEn, Conservation Hawks, Niskanen Center, National Wildlife Federation, National Audobon Society, Conserve America, World Resources Institute, and Applied Ecology for Tropical Resources Program Inc. - ECOTROPICS. \"This aggressive carbon pricing scheme introduced by members from both parties marks an important opportunity to begin to seriously address the immediate threat of climate change,\" saidCongressman Deutch. \"The status quo is unsustainable; the time to act is right now.\" To let the free market price out coal we should consider value pricing carbon,\" Congressman Rooney said. \"A revenue-neutral carbon fee is an efficient, market- driven incentive to move toward natural gas and away from coal, and to support emerging alternate sources of energy. If we're ever going to really mitigate climate change and prevent this looming catastrophe, it's going to be with legislation like this  a big solution with bipartisan support. Incentives really matter and a carbon tax creates powerful market incentives in the private sector to reduce emissions in the short term and develop alternative energy sources in the long term. This is why I've authored my own carbon tax legislation and am proud to cosponsor this bill. The stakes are too high for us not to act and too high for us to be afraid to implement the solutions we know we need. This legislation is a blueprint for how we can combat climate change and bring people together around innovative policy solutions, saidCongressman Delaney. Since my first day in Congress, I have committed to finding solutions that mitigate the effects of climate change,\" Congressman Fitzpatrick said. \"We must take a bipartisan, market-driven approach to reduce carbon emissions, which are contributing to atmospheric change, rising sea levels, and more intense natural disasters. I am confident that bipartisan efforts to preserve our environment and protect our way of life for future generations will ultimately succeed. \"Since organizing Florida's first national climate change summit more than 10 years ago, it's clear that reducing our carbon dependency is the key to winning this fight. The devastating findings released in last week's report show that the clock is ticking and continued inaction would be catastrophic  for our environment, our economy, and peoples' health,\" saidCongressman Crist. \"We are taking an historic step with introduction of this bipartisan legislation; Congress must act with the urgency this crisis demands.\" \"This policy has the enthusiastic support of Citizens' Climate Lobby and our more than 100,000 supporters across the country,\" saidDanny Richter, CCL's VP for Government Affairs.\"Those supporters are everyday Americans who are concerned about climate change and want to see Congress work together on a bipartisan solution like this one. We will continue working in districts across America to build support for this policy in this Congress and the next.\" \"The introduction of the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act provides a clear proof of concept that a conservative-inspired carbon dividends framework can attract bipartisan support,\"Climate Leadership Council Chairman and CEOTed Halsteadsaid.\"It is no coincidence that the first bipartisan climate bill in nearly a decade is based on carbon dividends. A carbon dividends plan that returns all revenues to the American people is uniquely capable of appealing to all sides of the climate debate. This is an ambitious, bipartisan proposal that will help kickstart an essential debate over America's response to climate change  a debate made all the more urgent by the stark findings of the National Climate Assessment, saidC2ES President Bob Perciasepe. We and many companies we work with believe strongly that a price on carbon is a critical element of any comprehensive effort to decarbonize the U.S. economy. C2ES applauds Reps. Deutch, Crist, Delaney, Fitzpatrick, and Rooney for their leadership on this vital issue.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-soto-statement-us-mexico-border-unrest", "Rep. Soto Statement on U.S.-Mexico Border Unrest", "2018-11-27", "2018", "2018-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Darren Soto", "S001200", "soto.house.gov", "soto", "https://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "\"We've seen horrific images over the past few days of U.S. authorities deploying tear gas on toddlers and their mothers as they seek legal asylum into the United States. The over-hyped migrant caravan is being used by the Trump Administration as a fear-mongering tactic for political advantage, rather than a chance to reform our customs processes while efficiently and effectively securing our borders. This immoral disregard for human rights undermines our border security and goes against American values.\n\n\"Permanently closing our southern borders is a bandage solution for the Trump Administration's grossly failed immigration policies. Under President Trump's leadership, we've witnessed children separated from their families, a disregard for international refugee laws, and an exacerbated humanitarian crisis in our region. Instead of tear gas and border closures, the Trump Administration should work with Congress to pass a desperately-needed immigration reform and to modernize our asylum process.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:10:16Z"], ["https://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-soto-trump-administration-threatening-census-confidentiality", "Rep. Soto on Trump Administration Threatening Census Confidentiality", "2018-11-27", "2018", "2018-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Darren Soto", "S001200", "soto.house.gov", "soto", "https://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "\"Suggesting personal census information could be shared with law enforcement agencies is yet another reprehensible fearmongering tactic by the Trump administration. Federal law protects the confidentiality of responses to the U.S. Census, and any attempt to threaten those safeguards would not only be against the law, it would also gravely jeopardize the accuracy of the count.\"\n\n\"Failure to abide by existing confidentially laws also reinforces fears that census responses regarding citizenship status could be used to the detriment of the immigrant community. Since reports first emerged about the plan to include an untested and politically motivated question in the 2020 Census regarding citizenship status, members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus have expressed strong concerns that it would harm the accuracy of the count due to underreporting and decreased participation. Confidentiality is crucial for the success of the constitutionally mandated census. We must ensure all communities, especially immigrants, feel safe to provide correct information to Census employees.\"\n\n\"An accurate census questionnaire is vital to ensure representation and allocation of resources in our communities for the next decade. In order for the public to maintain its trust in the U.S. Census Bureau, all efforts must be made to guarantee the confidentiality of personal information.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:10:16Z"], ["https://stephaniemurphy.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=926", "Rep. Stephanie Murphy Elected Leader of the Blue Dog Coalition", "2018-11-27", "2018", "2018-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Stephanie Murphy", "M001202", "stephaniemurphy.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Members of the Blue Dog Coalition today elected U.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy of Winter Park, Fla., as their leader for the 116th Congress. The 24-member coalition unanimously chose Murphy, who is a former businesswoman and national security specialist at the U.S. Department of Defense, to serve as Co-Chair of Administration, the coalition's most senior leadership position. Murphy is the first woman of color ever to lead the Blue Dog Coalition. The coalition's mission is to find commonsense, bipartisan solutions that will get our country's fiscal house in order and ensure a strong national defense. I'm proud to help lead this hardworking group of principled, pragmatic Democrats who will develop solutions that move this country forward, Murphy said. In this new era of divided government, we Democrats must introduce bold ideas and fight for our shared values, and we must also seek bipartisan cooperation that keeps our government functioning and improves the lives of our constituents; the alternative is a partisan stalemate that brings our country to a halt. The Blue Dog Coalition remains focused on bipartisan cooperation, fiscal responsibility, and national security, and we look forward to being active and constructive partners in the 116th Congress. Murphy will lead the Blue Dog Coalition alongside Congressmen Tom O'Halleran (D-Ariz.) and Lou Correa (D-Calif.), who were elected Co-Chair of Policy and Co-Chair of Communications, respectively. Murphy is well-suited to advance the Blue Dog Coalition's mission to foster a strong national defense and fiscal responsibility in Congress. She serves on the House Armed Services Committee and co-chairs the House Democratic Caucus' National Security Task Force, where she advocates for defense policies that are strong, smart, and strategic. Murphy authored legislation, approved by the U.S. House, to deter U.S. officials, including the President, from disclosing top-secret information outside of established intelligence channels to adversary nations like Russia, China, and North Korea. She also led a successful effort to prevent political advisors like Steve Bannon from serving on the National Security Council. In addition, Murphy currently serves as co-chair of the Blue Dog Coalition's Fiscal Responsibility Task Force, where she promotes policies designed to address our nation's growing deficits and debt. Murphy was the first Democrat to introduce a balanced budget amendment during the 115th Congress. Unlike other balanced budget amendments, Murphy's bill includes a provision to protect Social Security and Medicare benefits that seniors have earned though a lifetime of hard work. Her bill was endorsed by the Blue Dog Coalition. THE BLUE DOG COALITIONOFTHE 116THCONGRESS BY THE NUMBERS:\r\n24 membersofthe Blue Dog Coalition.\r\n54 percenthave previous experienceina state legislature.\r\n42 percentrepresent districts that went to President Trumpin2016.\r\n29 percentare peopleofcolor.\r\n21 percenthave previous national security experience.\r\n21 percenthave owned a small business.\r\n21 percentare military veterans.\r\n17 percentare women.\r\n13 percenthave experienceinlaw enforcement.\r\n13 percentare farmers.  \r\n\r\nBLUE DOG FRESHMAN CLASS BY THE NUMBERS:\r\n7incoming Blue Dog freshman members.  \r\n\r\n7represent districts that went to President Trumpin2016.\r\n4will hold an elected position for the first time at the startofthe 116thCongress. \r\n3are women.\r\n3have national security experience.\r\n2have been mayorofa city or township.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://alceehastings.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399063", "Hastings Statement on the Release of the Trump Administrations Climate Assessment Report", "2018-11-26", "2018", "2018-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Alcee Hastings", "H000324", "alceehastings.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) made the following statement on the release of the Fourth National Climate Assessment Report by the Trump administration: \r\nPresident Trump's attempt to bury his own administration's National Climate Assessment is as shameful as the report is shocking and makes clear that climate change is not a problem for the distant future, but a huge problem now. The message is loud and clear: The United States must urgently act on climate change.\r\nYear after year, we see higher temperatures, rising sea levels, deadly wildfires, and record-breaking hurricane seasons along our coasts. The report concludes that these climate-related impacts on U.S. agriculture, health, tourism, fisheries, energy, infrastructure, and businesses will only get worse, as well as more expensive and challenging. The assessment also points out that climate change will not affect all communities equally, with low-income communities and communities of color suffering the most. \r\nClimate change is not debatable, and no region of our country and no sector of our economy will be spared. While the Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans continue to deny that climate change exists, Democrats will use our new House Majority to take aggressive action to reduce climate pollution and help communities build their resilience to the impacts of climate change. \r\nCongressman Alcee L. Hastings serves as Senior Member of the House Rules Committee, Ranking Democratic Member of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, and Democratic Chairman of the Florida Delegation.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lawson.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-lawson-cosponsors-tax-bill-ease-financial-burden-hurricane-michael-victims", "Rep. Lawson Cosponsors Tax Bill to Ease Financial Burden  on Hurricane Michael Victims", "2018-11-22", "2018", "2018-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Al Lawson", "L000586", "lawson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Al Lawson (FL-05) recently co-lead H.R. 7166, the Hurricane Michael Tax Relief Act to provide individuals affected by Hurricane Michael penalty-free early access to their retirement savings and to help employers and businesses within the disaster area. \nThis legislation extends benefits based on counties that are currently approved for federal disaster assistance or in the major disaster area declared by the president, which includes Leon and Gadsden counties. \nThis bill would also make it easier for individuals to qualify for personal casualty loss deductions, provide tax relief to help businesses retain employees, suspend limitations on charitable contributions associated with hurricane relief, and grant taxpayers the option to refer to earned income from the previous year for determining the Earned Income Tax Credits and Child Tax Credits.\nCongressman Lawson was on the ground following Hurricane Michael, which ravaged through Florida's Panhandle in October. Earlier this month, the congressman urged FEMA to provide more vehicles, mobile homes, leases and group sites to the communities that were hit by Hurricane Michael.\nThe legislation mirrors the same tax relief that was extended to victims of the 2017 storms, as well as a bill pertaining to Hurricane Florence.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://teddeutch.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399441", "Deutch, Brooks Lead Call to Leadership to Pass Reforms to the Congressional Accountability Act", "2018-11-19", "2018", "2018-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Ted Deutch", "D000610", "teddeutch.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Deutch, Brooks Lead Call to Leadership to Pass Reforms to the Congressional Accountability 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        November 19, 2018\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, Chairwoman of the House Committee on EthicsSusan W. Brooks(R-IN-05) and Ranking MemberTed Deutch(D-FL-22), along with the entire Committee membershipsent a letterto leaders in the House of Representatives and Senate urging passage of legislation to reform the Congressional Accountability Act (CAA), which would strengthen workplace rights and protections for employees in the legislative branch and also hold Members and Senators accountable for their own personal conduct.The Committee wrote, Members and employees alike should be able to work free from sexual harassment or discrimination of any kind. The American public must also have confidence that we in Congress not only view these issues with the seriousness they demand  but that we are taking action. Reforms to the Congressional Accountability Act of 1994 are sorely needed to protect the integrity of and public confidence in Congress, to ensure that the legislative brand remains a place where men and women want to serve, and to improve accountability on these vital issues. The reforms we have advocated have overwhelming bipartisan support in the House To read the complete letter,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://crist.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=593", "CRIST CONTINUES FIGHTING TO PROTECT VETERANS ACCESS TO MEDICINAL CANNABIS", "2018-11-19", "2018", "2018-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Charlie Crist", "C001111", "crist.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "CRIST CONTINUES FIGHTING TO PROTECT VETERANS ACCESS TO MEDICINAL CANNABIS  \r\n   \r\n    \r\n      New Bipartisan Bills Seek Reforms to VA Marijuana Practices \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 19, 2018\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      Last week marking Veterans Day, Congressman Charlie Crist (D-St. Petersburg) joined U.S. Reps. Seth Moulton (D-MA), Matt Gaetz (R-FL), and Lou Correa (D-CA) in introducing legislation aimed at reforming VA medicinal cannabis practices. The Department of Veterans Affairs Policy for Medicinal Cannabis Use Act amends and codifies the VA's medicinal cannabis policy, protecting a veteran's benefits if they disclose medicinal cannabis use. A second bill, the VA Survey of Cannabis Use Act, requires the VA to conduct a nation-wide survey of all veterans and VA healthcare providers to learn about how veterans are using medicinal cannabis.Earlier this year, Crist introduced the Fairness in Federal Drug Testing Under State Laws Act, a bipartisan bill protecting veterans' federal employment opportunities if using cannabis in compliance with state laws.\"The VA's policies surrounding cannabis are in dire need of reform as more states allow use and veterans suffering from PTSD and chronic pain increasingly turn to this treatment option over opioids. No veteran should have their benefits or care impacted by their choice to seek the treatment options that work best for them,\" said Crist. \"Furthermore, the VA should research medicinal cannabis so providers can best advise patients. I hope to see swift action on these bipartisan bills to help provide veterans the clarity and care they have earned.\" The Department of Veterans Affairs Policy for Medicinal Cannabis Use Act of 2018:\r\nThis bill would amend and codify a medicinal cannabis policy the VA has but is not widely disbursed. As more veterans turn to medicinal cannabis to more effectively treat their various service- and non-service related injuries, the relationship with their healthcare providers is becoming ever more important. The VA has a policy protecting a veteran's benefits if they discuss their medicinal cannabis use with their health care provider; however, not all healthcare providers respond in a standard way and veterans still fear and experience repercussions of some kind. This bill clarifies and codifies patients' and healthcare providers' roles and responsibilities in incorporating medicinal cannabis into a patient's treatment plan and requires the policy to be prominently posted in all VA facilities. The VA Survey of Cannabis Use Act of 2018:\r\nThis bill would have the VA conduct a nation-wide survey of all veterans and VA healthcare providers to learn about how veterans are using medicinal cannabis. From the American Legion's survey on medicinal cannabis, 22 percent of veterans stated they are currently using cannabis to treat a medical condition and 40 percent of caregivers stated they know a veteran who is using medical cannabis to alleviate a medical condition. With the growing use of medicinal cannabis among veterans, the VA needs a better understanding of what veterans are doing to self-medicate various conditions.\r\n  \r\nBoth bills have been endorsed by the Drug Policy Alliance, National Cannabis Industry Association, and NORML.\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://crist.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=590", "CRIST REQUESTS FEDERAL REVIEW OF TROUBLING REPORTS LINKING CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING TO KEYLESS IGNITIONS", "2018-11-16", "2018", "2018-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Charlie Crist", "C001111", "crist.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Representative Charlie Crist (D-St. Petersburg) is calling on the Department of Transportation to initiate a study regarding carbon monoxide poisoning linked to keyless ignition technology in vehicles in an effort to improve consumer safety. This request follows reporting by Tampa Bay's 10 News that found Florida to have the highest rate of such incidents. Please find a copy of the letter attached and below:\r\n  \r\nNovember 15, 2018 Secretary Elaine Chao  \r\nU.S. Department of Transportation  \r\n1200 New Jersey Ave, SE  \r\nWashington, DC 20590 Dear Secretary Chao, I write to you following troubling reports by Tampa Bay's local CBS affiliate, WTSP 10 News, and the New York Times that links keyless ignitions in vehicles to more than two dozen carbon monoxide deaths. Particularly troubling were the findings by 10 News and the nonprofit KidsAndCars.org that my home state of Florida has a higher number of these incidents than any other state. Keyless ignitions are now standard in more than half of the 17 million new vehicles sold annually in the United States. But problems arise  sometimes with deadly consequences  when drivers unintentionally leave the car running parked in a closed garage attached to their residence. The ease of this technology can lead drivers to mistakenly leave the car running, thinking the vehicle is turned off when it is in fact filling their homes with carbon monoxide. While I appreciate the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's recognition of the dangers of keyless ignitions, I am concerned that there has been no progress on regulatory proposals to address this issue, including a lack of tracking of the number of carbon monoxide poisonings that occur as a result of the technology. Given the growing use of keyless ignition technology in vehicles, I ask that the you direct NHTSA to conduct a study on the frequency of carbon monoxide induced injury and death caused by vehicles with keyless ignitions to inform future policy enhancing consumer safety. Sincerely, Charlie Crist  \r\n UNITED STATES CONGRESSMAN", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://crist.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=592", "WITH DEADLINES LOOMING, CRIST KEEPS FOCUS ON FLOOD INSURANCE", "2018-11-16", "2018", "2018-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Charlie Crist", "C001111", "crist.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WITH DEADLINES LOOMING, CRIST KEEPS FOCUS ON FLOOD INSURANCE \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 16, 2018\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. Representative Charlie Crist (D-St. Petersburg), a member of the Financial Services Committee that oversees the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), took to the House floor to demand action on the program's reauthorization before its November 30th expiration. A lapse of the program would upend real estate markets in communities like Pinellas County and put millions of families at financial risk. Throughout his first term, Crist has kept the Financial Services Committee and Florida Delegation laser focused on flood insurance and its impact on Floridians  fighting for the people to reauthorize the vital program and working to address affordability issues.  \r\n\r\n  \r\nStatement of the Honorable Charlie Crist on NFIP Reauthorization\r\n   \r\nI rise today urging action to extend the National Flood Insurance Program. If Congress fails to reauthorize the NFIP by November 30th, millions of homeowners will be unable to obtain or renew their flood coverage. Housing markets will grind to a halt and families will be left at risk of financial ruin should a flood occur. Congress must put this uncertainty to rest. Policyholders need stability. Our housing market needs stability. American families also need stability. I urge my colleagues to bring to the floor  and to pass  the reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program as soon as possible.\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=833", "Frankel, Chair of Democratic Women\u2019s Working Group, Congratulates Newly Elected Women", "2018-11-16", "2018", "2018-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Lois Frankel", "F000462", "frankel.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Frankel, Chair of Democratic Women's Working Group, Congratulates Newly Elected Women \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 16, 2018\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  Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-21), Chair of the Democratic Women's Working Group (DWWG), made the following statement regarding the midterm election, where a record-breaking number of women were elected to the U.S. Congress.\r\nCongratulations and a warm welcome to at least 35 Democratic women newly elected to Congress. From veterans, medical professionals, attorneys, CIA officers, and teachers  our caucus is expanding to include an even more diverse and impressive group of women. With these fresh faces and the majority, I look forward to working together to fight for women and families on issues like affordable health care and child care, and equality in the workplace with equal pay, paid family and medical leave, and strong policies to combat workplace harassment.\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=399442", "Ranking Member Deutch Statement on Sanctions against Saudi Nationals for Khashoggi's Murder", "2018-11-15", "2018", "2018-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Ted Deutch", "D000610", "teddeutch.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Ranking Member Deutch Statement on Sanctions against Saudi Nationals for Khashoggi's Murder \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 15, 2018\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 Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa, issued this statement following the U.S. Department of the Treasury's imposition of sanctions pursuant to the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act against Saudi Arabian nationals connected to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi:The cold-blooded murder of a journalist was a direct offense on the values for which our country stands. Today's announced sanctions against Saudi nationals for their involvement in Khashoggi's murder is appropriate, but should in no way mean this incident is over. We still need to get to the bottom of what truly transpired and which Saudi leaders  from junior civil servants to the highest echelons of Saudi government  were aware or orchestrated this murder. I'll continue to push this Administration to see through the results of an independent investigation into Khashoggi's murder and send a clear message that we will not tolerate attacks on journalists and the institution of a free press. Congressman Deutchpenned an op-edon October 16 titled The World is Watching Our Response to Khashoggi's Murder.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=832", "House Dems Slam Proposed State Dept. Censorship on Women's Health", "2018-11-14", "2018", "2018-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Lois Frankel", "F000462", "frankel.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTONRepresentative Eliot L. Engel, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee; Rep. Nita M. Lowey, Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee and its Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations; Rep. Barbara Lee; Rep. Jan Schakowsky; and Rep. Lois Frankel today denounced new proposed policies at the State Department that would censor discussion of women's health. In a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, the Members expressed outrage at new reports that the Administration is considering banning American diplomats from using terms including sexual and reproductive health.\r\nWe urge you to reject any policy that censors American diplomats, undermines global health, and threatens the tremendous progress that has been shepherded by U.S. global health assistance, the Members wrote.\r\nFull text of the letter can be found here and below.\r\n  \r\nDear Secretary Pompeo,\r\nWe write to express our grave concerns regarding reports that the Department of State is considering barring United States diplomats from using the terms sexual and reproductive health and comprehensive sexuality education, while also adopting new and regressive positions concerning the health and wellbeing of women and families.\r\nWe strongly object to such censorship and, if these reports are true, urge you to reject such proposals.\r\nTo suppress such language is to signal to the world that the U.S. deems ideology more important than facts in determining America's foreign policy priorities. That is particularly alarming with respect to global health, as U.S. leadership and global health assistance have helped save millions of lives and protect Americans from infectious threats.\r\nFailure to promote evidence-based programming and policies in unambiguous language will threaten the progress that has been made. A prohibition of the phrase sexual and reproductive health, for example, would add significantly to the obstacles that many already face in accessing essential health services, including contraception and testing and treatment for HIV. It would further isolate the U.S. from other donor governments and hinder our ability to leverage investments from others to extend the reach and impact of our global health programs. Such a step would also jeopardize the efficient and effective use of American taxpayer dollars and, most importantly, the health and wellbeing of those served by U.S. foreign assistance  especially women and girls.\r\nProhibiting the terms sexual and reproductive health and comprehensive sexuality education would also contradict well-established science and standards of medical care. Sexual and reproductive health is clearly defined by the World Health Organization, which has long set standards of care for providers worldwide with the input of United Nations member states. Similarly, the 2016 Lancet Commission on Adolescent Health and Wellbeing referred to comprehensive sexuality education as essential knowledge for health,[1] while the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' Committee on Adolescent Health Care found that [studies] have demonstrated that comprehensive sexuality education programs reduce the rates of sexual activity, sexual risk behaviorssexually transmitted infections, and adolescent pregnancy.[2] To reject these findings is to reject the expertise and consensus of respected health care authorities.\r\nWe urge you to reject any policy that censors American diplomats, undermines global health, and threatens the tremendous progress that has been shepherded by U.S. global health assistance. We look forward to your response.\r\nSincerely,\r\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://alceehastings.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399062", "Hastings Statement Commemorating Veterans Day", "2018-11-11", "2018", "2018-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Alcee Hastings", "H000324", "alceehastings.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) made the following statement in recognition of Veterans Day: On this Veterans Day, we honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and remember those who have served our nation in the name of freedom and democracy. By answering the call to serve during our most trying times, they exemplify the very best of our country. As we pause to salute these heroes, let us not forget their families who have sacrificed alongside them. During a time when our nation is deeply divided, we should use their example of selflessness and humility to come together to make our country a better place for all. As we mark this year's Veterans Day, I pledge to continue working with my colleagues in Congress to ensure that our veterans are provided with the services they need and rightfully deserve. Congressman Alcee L. Hastings serves as Senior Member of the House Rules Committee, Ranking Democratic Member of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, and Democratic Chairman of the Florida Delegation.  \r\n\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://teddeutch.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399443", "Rep. Deutch Op-Ed: Every Vote Should Count", "2018-11-11", "2018", "2018-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Ted Deutch", "D000610", "teddeutch.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "On Sunday, November 11, Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-22) published the following op-ed in theSun Sentinelin which he pushes back on baseless accusations by Senator Marco Rubio, Governor Rick Scott, and President Donald Trump regarding certain close statewide elections and their legally-mandated recounts.The op-ed can beread hereand below.\r\n\r\n    \r\n        \r\n            \r\n        \r\n    \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nEvery Vote Should Count.\r\nCongressman Ted DeutchCount every vote. Why is that such a troubling goal for Governor Rick Scott, Senator Marco Rubio, and President Donald Trump?As the margins narrowed in the U.S. Senate, Florida Governor, and Florida Commissioner of Agriculture races, Republicans responded to a close election by trying to erode confidence in our democratic institutions and prevent Florida voters' voices from being heard. Since Election Day, Senator Marco Rubio and Governor Rick Scott have spouted conspiracy theories, requested law enforcement investigations to harass elections officials, and filed lawsuits to cloud the vote counting process in suspicion. These are acts of desperation and show that Republicans are afraid of what will happen if every Florida vote is counted. Marco Rubio should remember that he is our U.S. Senator and is supposed to be representing every Floridian. His post-election tweets were irresponsible and are intended to slowly erode confidence in the results. He baselessly claimed that Democrats are here to change the results of election, and that lawyers will try to steal a seat in the U.S. Senate and Florida Cabinet. Senator Rubio is not telling the truth and offered zero evidence for his conspiracy theories. He portrayed post-election night vote counting as a troubling anomaly. It wasn't. After the 2016 election, 10 million ballots were counted over the course of ten days after polls closed nationwide. This year, five million ballots across the country had yet to be counted by Friday. In many races, overseas, mail-in, and provisional ballots that are counted and verified after Election Day won't change the outcome. But in Florida, we have six very close races that deserve to have every vote counted without interference from our senator. Senator Rubio was joined by Governor Scott who claimed unethical liberals are trying to steal the election. He unsuccessfully ordered the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to investigate. In response, a FDLE spokesperson said that they would be willing to investigate credible allegations of fraud, but they hadn't seen any. That's because our own governor's allegations are a farce. As Senator Rubio and Governor Scott could have guessed, President Trump took the bait and joined the fray on Twitter. He tweeted about Election Fraud in #Broward and Palm Beach and claimed Florida already chose Rick Scott for Senate. He even closed a Friday afternoon twitter tirade by thanking Senator Rubio for exposing the potential corruption going on. But Senator Rubio hasn't exposed anything. He's made baseless conspiracy theories that he knew would be fodder for a president that has used similar false allegations in the past to attack election results. In 2018, Senator Rubio amplified a President Trump tactic from 2016. After he lost the popular vote by a historic margin of 3 million votes, President Trump used unfounded voter fraud claims to waste taxpayer resources on a so-called Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity. The commission was shut down after states refused to provide it with information that violated voters' privacy and could have been used in erroneous voter purges like we've seen multiple times in Florida. Senator Rubio often portrays himself as a responsible and reasonable actor in a political world that has gone mad. Friday afternoon, he tried to dial back his false allegations of fraud by claiming that he just wants information on the state-mandated schedule. But it's too late. Senator Rubio fueled the president's conspiracy engine this week in an effort to drive Florida's election off the rails. We can all hope that the damage he's caused won't stop the work Florida's elections officials are doing as three very close races proceed to automatic recounts that will ensure that every vote is counted. U.S Rep.Ted Deutch is a Democratic congressman representing Florida's District 22.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lawson.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-lawson-commemorates-veterans-day", "Congressman Lawson Commemorates Veterans Day", "2018-11-11", "2018", "2018-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Al Lawson", "L000586", "lawson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC  Congressman Al Lawson (FL-05) released the following statement in commemoration of Veterans Day:\n\"Today, we honor all our soldiers both past and present who have served with incredible courage and commitment for our freedom. As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.I will not tire and I will not falter in fighting to make sure that all of our veterans have the care they need and the benefits that they haveearned.Thank you for your service to the United States of America.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://stephaniemurphy.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=922", "Murphy Honors Florida WWI Veteran at American Military Cemetery in France During Veterans Day Weekend", "2018-11-11", "2018", "2018-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Stephanie Murphy", "M001202", "stephaniemurphy.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "SURESNES, FRANCE  To commemorate 100 years since the end of World War I, and to honor U.S. military veterans on Veterans Day weekend, U.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla., a member of the House Armed Services Committee, visited an American military cemetery outside of Paris and laid a wreath at the gravesite of a Florida native who lost his life in the \"Great War.\" The soldier,First LieutenantLouis Alexander Torres, servedin the U.S. Army'sQuartermaster Corpsand passed away on Sept. 1, 1918. In addition to laying the wreath, Murphy participated alongside Members of Congress in abipartisan ceremony to honor American servicemembers who died in World War I.\r\n\"Every day, and especially on Veterans Day weekend, we should honor the brave men and women in uniform who have fought for this nation, particularly those like Lieutenant Torres who lost their lives in service to our country,\" said Murphy, whose family was rescued by the U.S. Navy when she was a baby and who worked as a national security specialist at the Department of Defense. \"I am in awe of the sacrifice our veterans have made to keep us safe here at home and to defend liberty across the world. On behalf of a grateful nation and all freedom-loving people, thank you to America's veterans-and your families-for your service to this nation and may God bless you all.  \r\n\r\nMurphy and approximately 30 other Members of Congressare in Paris as part of the Franklin Center's and The Ripon Society's 34thAnnual Transatlantic Capital to Capital Exchange, where U.S. officials, French officials, and private sector leaders will discuss a wide variety of public policy issues, such as energy, trade, terrorism, and foreign policy. Murphy will appear on a panel alongside House Armed Services Committee Chair Mac Thornberry, R-Tex., to discuss the future of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the military alliance between the United States, Canada, and 27 European nations.\r\n###\r\nU.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy represents Florida's 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, 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://teddeutch.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399444", "Deutch Asks Sec. Detzner to Guarantee Fair & Impartial Count & Recount of 2018 Election Results", "2018-11-09", "2018", "2018-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Ted Deutch", "D000610", "teddeutch.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, as several statewide elections head into automatic recounts, CongressmanTed Deutch(FL-22), representing residents of Broward and Palm Beach Counties, joined with CongressmanAlcee L. Hastings(FL-20), CongresswomanDebbie Wasserman Schultz(FL-23), CongresswomanLois Frankel(FL-21), CongresswomanVal B. Demings(FL-10), and CongressmanAl Lawson Jr.(FL-05) in sending a letter to Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner urging him to \"ensure the accuracy of Florida's election results, preserve a process free from partisan bias, and maintain the transparency required for public confidence in this process.\"The Members of Congress asked Secretary Detzner to ensure that the State \"meet basic standards of accountability and allow the count, and any subsequent recount, to move forward without political interference.\" The text of the letter can be found below. Dear Secretary Detzner, We are writing to ask that you ensure that every vote in the 2018 midterm elections is counted. We strongly support a transparent and fair election procedure. Now, it appears that several statewide elections will be close enough to trigger an automatic recount. Throughout this process we ask that you work to respect all Florida voters and that all eligible votes are counted. We must remember that the voting rights afforded to all Americans by our laws and rooted in the values of our nation's founding documents should at all times be protected. While we have regularly disagreed about your partisan voter roll purges, we know that you share a commitment to ensuring recounts proceed in a nonpartisan manner with transparency, uniformity, and great care. The integrity of our democratic institutions demand that we diligently work to resist conspiracy theories and work carefully to ensure that every vote is counted. We hope we can trust that your office will work to ensure full protection of the constitutional and civil rights of every Floridian. To accomplish that, the State must meet basic standards of accountability and allow the count, and any subsequent recount, to move forward without political interference. Given your role as our state's chief elections officer, we urge you to take the necessary steps to ensure the accuracy of Florida's election results, preserve a process free from partisan bias, and maintain the transparency required for public confidence in this process. Sincerely, CongressmanTed Deutch(FL-22)  \r\nCongressmanAlcee L. Hastings(FL-20)  \r\nCongresswomanDebbie Wasserman Schultz(FL-23)  \r\nCongresswomanLois Frankel(FL-21)  \r\nCongresswomanVal B. Demings(FL-10)  \r\nCongressmanAl Lawson Jr.(FL-05)", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=830", "Rep. Frankel Statement on Continued Vote Counting in South Florida", "2018-11-09", "2018", "2018-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Lois Frankel", "F000462", "frankel.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Frankel Statement on Continued Vote Counting in South Florida \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 9, 2018\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  Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-21) issued the following statement on continued vote-counting in Palm Beach and Broward Counties:\r\nOur democracy is dependent on exercising our fundamental right to vote. The latest Twitter tirades by President Trump and Senator Rubio, along with Governor Rick Scott's lawsuits, threaten to distort the will of the people in Palm Beach and Broward Counties. Their actions are clearly politically motivated and desperate. Every vote in Florida must be counted.\r\n\r\n###\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lawson.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-lawson-urges-secretary-detzner-ensure-all-votes-2018-general-election-are", "Rep. Lawson Urges Secretary Detzner to Ensure All Votes in the 2018 General Election are Counted", "2018-11-09", "2018", "2018-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Al Lawson", "L000586", "lawson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "TALLAHASSEE, FL  U.S. Rep. Al Lawson (FL-05) sent a letter to Florida's Secretary of State Ken Detzner asking that he ensure that every vote in the 2018 general election be counted. This letter, which was also signed by Rep. Val Demings (FL-10), Alcee Hastings (FL-20), Rep. Ted Deutch (FL-), was drafted in response to ballots not being tallied properly during Florida's races for governor, U.S. Senate and commissioner of agriculture.\nLawson strongly supports a transparent and fair election procedure. He understands the need to have every eligible vote and ballot correctly counted. The goal is to ensure a fair and reasonable election for the candidates, the state of Florida, and most importantly, the citizens.\nIt is imperative that every vote be counted and that all procedures and policies are met, Rep. Lawson said. It is about having a fair election for not only the candidates, but the citizens who voted as well.\n\nBelow is the full text of the letter:\n\nNovember 9, 2018\nThe Honorable Ken Detzner, Florida Secretary of State\nR. A. Gray Building\n500 South Bronough Street\nTallahassee, Florida 32399\nDear Secretary Detzner,\nWe are writing to ask that you ensure that every vote in the 2018 midterm elections is counted.\nWe strongly support a transparent and fair election procedure. Now, it appears that several statewide elections will be close enough to trigger an automatic recount. Throughout this process we ask that you work to respect all Florida voters and that all eligible votes are counted. We must remember that the voting rights afforded to all Americans by our laws and rooted in the values of our nation's founding documents should at all times be protected. While we have regularly disagreed about your partisan voter roll purges, we know that you share a commitment to ensuring recounts proceed in a nonpartisan manner with transparency, uniformity, and great care.\nThe integrity of our democratic institutions demand that we diligently work to resist conspiracy theories and work carefully to ensure that every vote is counted. We hope we can trust that your office will work to ensure full protection of the constitutional and civil rights of every Floridian. To accomplish that, the State must meet basic standards of accountability and allow the count, and any subsequent recount, to move forward without political interference.\nGiven your role as our state's chief elections officer, we urge you to take the necessary steps to ensure the accuracy of Florida's election results, preserve a process free from partisan bias, and maintain the transparency required for public confidence in this process.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://wilson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-frederica-s-wilson-s-statement-on-election-recount", "Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilsons Statement on Election Recount Resistance by Rubio and Scott", "2018-11-09", "2018", "2018-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Frederica Wilson", "W000808", "wilson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. Congresswoman Wilson issued the following statement in response to opposition by Gov. Rick Scott and Marco Rubio to election recounts: I am profoundly disappointed by the efforts of Gov. Rick Scott and Sen. Marco Rubio to silence the voices of voters in our state. Rather than allow a fair process and pushing for every vote to be counted, they are making reckless and unfounded claims that Democrats are trying to steal the election.\nWho stole their integrity?\nAs statewide officeholders, Rubio and Scott should be working overtime to ensure that every single constituent's ballot is counted. Rubio has chosen instead to echo Donald Trump's conspiracy theories, while Scott has filed a lawsuit and called for an investigation into ongoing ballot counts. That sort of behavior may curry favor with Trumpbut also risks inviting the voters' contempt. The sad irony is that if the tables were turned, the two would be racing to court to fight for a recount. Shame on them.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://alceehastings.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399061", "Hastings Statement on Mass Shooting in Thousand Oaks", "2018-11-08", "2018", "2018-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Alcee Hastings", "H000324", "alceehastings.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) made the following statement on last night's shooting at the Borderline Bar and Grill Dance Hall in Thousand Oaks, California: My heart sank this morning when I learned of last night's shooting in Thousand Oaks, California. It is with profound grief that I offer my condolences to the families that lost loved ones and prayers for the injured. I also join in paying tribute to Sergeant Ron Helus, who died in the line of duty while responding to this horrific event. First responders put their lives in danger every day to keep our communities safe and for that we owe them our gratitude. This is the fourth mass shooting to affect our country in just two weeks. As I have said before, we needlessly endure heartbreak after heartbreak as our public places become targets of violence. The truth of the matter is that the current Republican Congress has done nothing to stop the epidemic of gun violence raging across our nation. This must end now! Again and again, there have been calls for reforming our lax gun control laws, but such efforts have been routinely blocked by those who have placed the needs of the gun lobby over the interests of the American people. I look forward to joining with my colleagues in the 116th Congress to change course and make addressing gun violence a top priority. Congressman Alcee L. Hastings serves as Senior Member of the House Rules Committee, Ranking Democratic Member of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, and Democratic Chairman of the Florida Delegation.  \r\n\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://demings.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-demings-calls-emergency-hearings-sessions-firing", "Rep. Demings Calls for Emergency Hearings into Sessions Firing", "2018-11-08", "2018", "2018-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Val Demings", "D000627", "demings.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "ORLANDO, FL  Today U.S. Rep. Val Demings (FL-10) joined the other Democratic members of the House Judiciary Committee in two letters regarding the firing of Attorney General Jeff Sessions by President Donald Trump, in what appears to be a clear effort to undermine Special Counsel Robert Mueller's ongoing criminal investigation. The letters were sent to Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker and House Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte.\nIn the letters, the Members wrote:The forced firing of Attorney General Sessions appears to be part of an ongoing pattern of behavior by the President seeking to undermine investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.These actions include, among other things:\n attempting to end the FBI's investigation of former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn;[1]\n\tfiring FBI Director James Comey because of this Russia thing;[2]\n\tdistorting the facts in the response to revelations that senior members of the Trump campaign met with Russian operatives at Trump Tower prior to the election;[3]\n\trepeatedly threatening to fire Special Counsel Mueller;[4]and\n\trecklessly threatening to selectively disclose classified information relating to the investigation.[5]\n In their letter to Acting Attorney General Whitaker, the Members demanded clarity on who had been given authority over the Special Counsel given the highly-suspect circumstances of Attorney General Sessions' removal, the President's continued pattern of threatening to end the Mueller investigation, and the need for Whitaker to recuse himself from supervising the Special Counsel given his well-documented bias against the investigation.\nThe Members also called on Chairman Goodlatte to hold emergency hearings in order to investigate the circumstances of Attorney General Sessions' firing and to ensure that Special Counsel Mueller's investigation was free to continue unhindered and without interference from the White House. A copy of the letter to Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker can be found here.  \n\t  \n\tA copy of the letter to House Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte can be found here.\n\n[1] Michael S. Schmidt, Comey Memo Says Trump Asked Him to End Flynn Investigation, N.Y. Times, May 16, 2017, available at https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/16/us/politics/james-comey-trump-flynn-russia-investigation.html.\n[2] Interview with President Donald Trump, NBC News, May 11, 2009.\n[3] Jo Becker, et al., Russian Dirt on Clinton? I Love It,' Donald Trump Jr. Said, N.Y. Times, July 11, 2017, available at https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/11/us/politics/trump-russia-email-clinton.html.\n[4] In addition to his near constant reference to the Mueller investigation as witch hunt, President Trump reportedly wanted to fire Mr. Mueller in December 2017 when he grew furious over news reports about a new round of subpoenas. In addition, he ordered Mr. Mueller to be fired in June 2017, relenting only when White House Counsel, Donald McGahn threatened to resign. See Michael S. Schmidt & Maggie Haberman, Trump Ordered Mueller Fired, But Backed Off When White House Counsel Threatened to Quit, N.Y. Times, Jan. 25, 2018, available at https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/25/us/politics/trump-mueller-special-counsel-russia.html.\n[5] On September 17, 2018, President Trump called for the immediate declassification of highly sensitive materials related to Robert Mueller's ongoing investigation, including portions of the FISA order to monitor former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page. On September 21, 2018, President Trump walked back the order, announcing over Twitter that he would ask the DOJ Inspector General to review these documents on an expedited basis. See Jeremy Herb and Laura Jarrett, Trump backs away from demand to declassify documents related to Russia investigation, CNN, Sept. 21, 2018, available at https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/21/politics/donald-trump-fisa-declassification-walk-back/index.html. President Trump maintained the threat of reckless declassification, however, tweeting in the end I can always declassify if it proves necessary. See President Donald Trump (@realDonaldTrump), Twitter, Sept. 21, 2018, 9:41 AM.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://alceehastings.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399060", "Hastings Statement on President Trump Firing of Attorney General Jeff Sessions", "2018-11-07", "2018", "2018-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Alcee Hastings", "H000324", "alceehastings.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Hastings' Statement on President Trump Firing of Attorney General Jeff Sessions \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Fort Lauderdale, FL,\r\n        November 7, 2018\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) made the following statement on President Donald John Trump's firing of Attorney General Jeff Sessions:\r\nPresident Trump's sudden dismissal of Attorney General Jeff Sessions is a thinly veiled attempt to undermine Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation. If the President fired Attorney General Sessions to in any way weaken the Mueller investigation, it would be an alarming abuse of power. No one in our country is above the law, and Congress must act swiftly to protect the Special Counsel, investigate the President's actions, and, if necessary, hold him accountable. Given his record objecting to the Mueller investigation, I call on Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker to immediately recuse himself from having any involvement in this investigation.\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"], ["https://wilson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-frederica-s-wilson-s-statement-on-midterm-election-results", "Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilsons Statement on Midterm Election Results", "2018-11-07", "2018", "2018-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Frederica Wilson", "W000808", "wilson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  Congresswoman Wilson issued the following statement in response to the midterm election results: It would be disingenuous to say that I am not disappointed by some of the election night results, but I also believe there is so much to celebrate, including the record number of women and veterans elected to serve in both chambers of Congress.\nRegaining control of the House is as much of a victory for the American public as it is for the Democratic Party. It is imperative, however, that we take seriously the clear message that voters sent us last night. They want congressional lawmakers to work for them and not against each other. I am hopeful that Democrats and Republicans can find common ground on key issues, such as repairing our nation's fragile infrastructure and access to quality education, health care and good jobs, and look forward to working with new and old members from both sides of the aisle. That is the best way to honor the faith that voters have placed in us.\nDemocrats will control the House for the very first time since my election to Congress. I am extremely excited about all of the opportunities that being in the majority will bring, which will enable me to deliver even more for District 24 and the nation.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.billnelson.senate.gov/media-center/newsroom/air-force-resume-tyndall-operations", "Air Force to resume Tyndall operations", "2018-11-02", "2018", "2018-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Bill Nelson", "N000032", "www.billnelson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Panama City, Fla. - The U.S. Air Force will resume operations for nine of the 14 missions at Tyndall AFB within the next one-to-three months, according to U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson's office. Three other missions will be temporarily relocated to Eglin AFB, with support from Tyndall. And Nelson will continue to press the Air Force to return the other missions as well, so that Tyndall will be at its pre-Hurricane Michael strength. Nelson spoke this morning with Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson, who briefed him on a timeline associated with the rebuilding process. \"Secretary Wilson assured me today that we will rebuild Tyndall,\" Nelson said. \"Tyndall is critical to our national security and will take a long-term commitment to fully restore the base.\" In the immediate wake of Hurricane Michael, Nelson pressed President Trump, Wilson and USAF General David Goldfein for assurances that Tyndall be rebuilt and return stronger than ever. He has also received assurances from colleagues on the Senate Armed Services Committee expressing support for rebuilding. It was on Oct. 14, four days after the storm, that Nelson assessed the demolished base and asked base commanders for their specific needs and recommendations for the rebuilding process.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398788", "Castor: Open enrollment for Affordable Care Act health policies starts Thursday; FL has led country in enrollment every year but Trump administration makes it more difficult this year; new legislation would aid consumers", "2018-10-30", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Kathy Castor", "C001066", "castor.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) and U.S. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE-AL) introduced the Expand Navigators' Resources for Outreach, Learning and Longevity (ENROLL) Act to secure the vital service that independent health care Navigators provide to our neighbors before, during and after Affordable Care Act (ACA) open enrollment  which begins November 1 and goes through December 15.\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) and U.S. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE-AL) introduced the Expand Navigators' Resources for Outreach, Learning and Longevity (ENROLL) Act to secure the vital service that independent health care Navigators provide to our neighbors before, during and after Affordable Care Act (ACA) open enrollment  which begins November 1 and goes through December 15. Families in Florida and across America have been aided every year by independent Navigators that help them find the best option for their health insurance. In Florida, over 1.7 million of our neighbors  more than any other state  signed up for a marketplace policy last year, often with the help of a Navigator. This year the President and Republicans in Congress have made it more difficult for hardworking families to sign up for affordable health care due to their sabotage, including massive cuts for national outreach and enrollment efforts. The Trump administration has slashed funding by 80 percent since 2016 for health care Navigators who help our neighbors find the best policy in the HealthCare.gov Marketplace, U.S. Rep. Castor said. That is why I am introducing the ENROLL Act to safeguard the vital service health care Navigators provide to our neighbors before, during and after open enrollment. The ENROLL Act guarantees funding for Navigator initiatives that provide critical assistance to help hardworking families pick the health plan that is right for them. The legislation would also boost outreach and educational activities to let our neighbors know about their coverage options and if financial support is available to help purchase coverage. Consumers want lower costs, quality choices and a healthy insurance market and our health care Navigators can help them gain the right coverage for their needs. Here in Florida, local hospitals, community health centers and independent veteran Navigators at the University of South Florida have helped us lead the nation in ACA enrollment in the HealthCare.gov Marketplace. The significant cuts by the Trump administration to enrollment advertising and outreach will leave too many families in the lurch, especially families in Florida. Over the past two years, funding cuts and burdensome requirements have prevented marketplace navigators from providing counsel to consumers looking to enroll in health insurance plans that work best for them, said Rep. Blunt Rochester. Choosing an insurance plan is a deeply personal decision, and marketplace navigators help people select a plan that meets their individualized needs. This bill gives navigators the tools and resources they need to assist and empower folks to make that decision, while also playing a vital role in ensuring people are aware and understand the financial assistance and coverage options available to them. Healthcare is one of our most essential rights, and I believe this bill will help make meaningful progress in our efforts to increase access to quality coverage. Several groups and organizations have come out in support of the ENROLL Act, including Young Invincibles, Community Catalyst, the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF) and Planned Parenthood Federation of America. \"Lack of awareness about coverage options, particularly financial help and deadlines, is one of the biggest barriers in reaching the remaining uninsured. If we want to help those hard to reach' populations get covered, we need to invest in making sure they know that coverage is available and accessible. The Navigator program has been a critical resource in this effort to educate and empower consumers,\" said Erin Hemlin, Young Invincibles' Director of Training and Consumer Education. \"For young people, who are often purchasing insurance for the first time, restoring this funding would mean that they would once again get the impartial, expert guidance that only Navigators can provide, and could help those who don't know about open enrollment and the ACA marketplace find coverage before it's too late. When first learning about their coverage options, young people need all the information they can get, and both in-person outreach and advertising make a difference in getting them covered. Fully funding Navigator and outreach programs will vastly improve consumers' ability to cut through the confusion and enroll in the coverage they need.\" In-person assistance to help people to get, keep and use their health insurance options remains essential, said Dara Taylor, director of consumer assistance with Community Catalyst. Our network of state and community-based partners were forced to do more with less last year and that continues into the sixth open enrollment period beginning on November 1. With the majority of Americans eligible for financial assistance and more insurers offering a wider array of plans this year, a bigger investment in funding for in-person assistance is critical as people find the best plan to meet their needs. Navigators provide an essential role to the community by providing culturally and linguistically tailored outreach for communities of color, immigrants and limited English proficient populations, said Kathy Ko Chin, president and CEO of the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum. Through their work, Navigators have helped to cut the uninsured rate of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in half under the Affordable Care Act. We applaud U.S. Reps. Castor and Blunt Rochester for introducing the ENROLL Act and for working to eliminate barriers to enrollment and ensuring that everyone has accurate information about their health insurance options. Florida could not have led the nation in enrollment in the federal health insurance marketplace last year and in previous years without investment in outreach and unbiased consumer assistance like our Navigators provide, U.S. Rep. Castor concluded. Through my ENROLL Act, we can ensure that our neighbors keep receiving help finding the right health insurance plan for them. We can also undo some of the sabotage the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress and at the state level have done to our affordable health care. Open enrollment in the HealthCare.gov Marketplace begins November 1 and goes through December 15. Neighbors in Florida and across the nation can preview the affordable plans available now on HealthCare.gov and can receive free advice from CoveringFlorida Navigators and other grassroots experts. Help is available and appointments can be made at CoveringFlorida.org. U.S. Rep. Castor serves as Vice Ranking Member of the U.S. House Energy & Commerce Committee, and helped to draft the Affordable Care Act to ensure it works for families and businesses. Since ACA open enrollment started in 2013, Florida has led the nation in the number of sign-ups on HealthCare.gov  last year 1.7 million Floridians enrolled in the Affordable Care Act. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://stephaniemurphy.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=920", "Murphy Announces $6.6 Million for Orange County Head Start", "2018-10-30", "2018", "2018-10", "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 United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is awarding $6.6 million to Orange County to support Head Start centers. Head Start promotes school readiness in children from low-income families up to age five by supporting their development in a comprehensive way. As a mother, I know how critical the early part of a child's life is to his or her long-term development and success, which is why I'm so proud to announce this funding for central Florida families, said Murphy. Studies show that strong investments in early childhood education ensure greater opportunities for children, reduce crime and incarceration rates, and strengthen the quality of life for all. I'll continue to protect Head Start so that all children, regardless of their socio-economic status, have an opportunity to achieve their dreams. The Orange County government operates multiple Head Start centers in the Orlando metropolitan area. They are typically based in schools, community centers, or child care centers. At these sites, families can access a wide range of services, including early learning, health care services, and parent-child counseling. Murphy has made federal support for early childhood development one of her top priorities in Congress. She introduced a bill with Congressman Kevin Yoder, R-Kan., to make child care more affordable for more working families. Their bill, the Promoting Affordable Childcare for Everyone (PACE) Act, would make much-needed improvements to the federal Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit. In addition, Murphy co-authored a bipartisan bill to help infants born addicted to opioids. This initiative, which recently became law as part of a larger legislative package to combat the opioid crisis, establishes a new federal grant program to help states develop effective plans to ensure that drug-addicted babies receive the proper medical care at the hospital and the proper family, community, and health care once they are discharged. ###  \r\n  \r\nU.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy represents Florida's 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, 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-articles/rubio-nelson-call-fema-bring-mobile-homes-michael-victims", "Rubio, Nelson Call On FEMA To Bring Mobile Homes To Michael Victims", "2018-10-30", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Bill Nelson", "N000032", "www.billnelson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Two U.S. senators and three congressmen are asking federal officials to bring recreational vehicles and mobile homes to the Florida Panhandle to help residents who lost their homes duringHurricane Michael. Republican U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio and Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson on Monday said in a letter to the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) director that the alternative housing must be deployed immediately to the Panhandle to alleviate suffering. They were joined in their request by three U.S. congressmen who represent the Panhandle  Republicans Neal Dunn and Matt Gaetz and Democrat Al Lawson. Hurricane Michael devastated parts of the Panhandle when it made landfall almost three weeks ago as a Category 4 hurricane with winds of 155 mph.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://alceehastings.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399058", "Hastings Statement on Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting", "2018-10-27", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Alcee Hastings", "H000324", "alceehastings.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) released the following statement on the shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh:\r\nThe shooting at The Tree of Life Synagogue is a vile act of hatred. As the details continue to emerge, I offer my prayers and support to all those affected by this despicable act. Today is a day of great sadness, of mourning, and of reflection.\r\nWe know members of law enforcement were shot while responding to this event, and that the extent of their injuries are not yet known. These brave men and women deserve our gratitude for all that they do to keep us safe. I commend all of the first responders who rushed to the scene in service to their community. \r\nWe endure heartbreak after heartbreak in this country, and have allowed our places of worship, our schools, and our public spaces to become targets of hate and violence. This is beyond condemnation. \r\nWhile some may choose to hide behind political expediency and say that, now is not the time' to talk about racism and gun violence, I say that now is exactly the time. Over the past two years, our country has witnessed a resurgence of openly aired racism and hate, including a dramatic increase in acts of Anti-Semitism. I, like so many others, have called on the President to tone down his rhetoric and take positive action, only to watch in dismay as he strokes the egos of American neo-Nazis, white supremacists, nationalists, and hate groups.\r\nAgain and again, there have been calls for reforming our lax gun control laws, and again and again these efforts have been blocked by those beholden to the gun lobby. This madness must end! For those who continue to stand in the way of even the most modest reforms, I am only left wondering when enough will finally be enough.\r\nCongressman Alcee L. Hastings serves as Senior Member of the House Rules Committee, Ranking Democratic Member of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, and Democratic Chairman of the Florida Delegation.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://alceehastings.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399057", "Hastings Statement on Apprehension of Attempted Bombing Suspect", "2018-10-26", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Alcee Hastings", "H000324", "alceehastings.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) released the following statement after the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) apprehended a suspect in the bombing attempts of critics of the Trump Administration: \r\nI join in thanking the members of law enforcement who worked diligently to locate and arrest a suspect in the string of bombing attempts throughout our country. I again condemn these cowardly attempts to incite fear and promote violence in the strongest terms. \r\nCesar Sayoc stands accused of deliberately targeting critics of the Trump Administration who express political views different from the President. I know that those targeted by these cowardly acts will not give in to intimidation and will continue to stand-up for their beliefs and their constitutionally protected rights. Mr. Sayoc's culpability will be assessed, and if he is found guilty, will be held accountable for his actions. \r\nIt is a profound relief that a suspect has been apprehended, and that none of the explosives mailed to high-profile Democrats detonated. Many lives and unknown heartbreak has been spared by this miracle. We may learn of more packages in the days ahead, and I am confident that members of law enforcement will continue to respond as they have so professionally over the past week. \r\nThere is a sickness pervading in our country, and I have no doubt that in the coming days we will hear renewed calls for civility in our national rhetoric. If we are to treat this moment with the seriousness it deserves, we cannot shy away from addressing this disturbing trend head on. Each of us  from the President down  needs to play his or her part to restore respect within the political atmosphere. \r\nThe President's castigation of the media as illegitimate and incitement against those who disagree with him has emerged as an enduring abuse of power. For too long, Republican leaders have stood idly by as their followers called for imprisoning their opponents, advanced racist or Anti-Semitic conspiracy theories, or even celebrated acts of violence. \r\nWe are better than this, and we must intervene before this disturbing trend begins to define us. We each have a responsibility to our neighbors, and I intend to continue working to make our country a better, safer, and more tolerant place for everybody.\r\nCongressman Alcee L. Hastings serves as Senior Member of the House Rules Committee, Ranking Democratic Member of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, and Democratic Chairman of the Florida Delegation.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=828", "Rep. Frankel Statement on Bomb Threats to Democrats", "2018-10-26", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Lois Frankel", "F000462", "frankel.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Frankel Statement on Bomb Threats to Democrats \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington,\r\n        October 26, 2018\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  Today, Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-21) issued the following statement in response to the bomb threats to high profile Democrats, Trump critics and CNN:\r\n\r\nFirst of all, I thank the brave law enforcement agencies and postal workers for saving lives by intercepting the bomb packages and making an arrest of a suspect. This type of political violence is not who we are as a nation. I call on the Presidentand all Americans to condemn these despicable acts and reject hateful rhetoric of all kinds. While we may have differing political opinions, Americans don't solve our disputes with bombs, we solve them with words and at the ballot box.\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=399055", "Hastings Statement on the Passing of Coral Springs Mayor Walter Skip Campbell", "2018-10-25", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Alcee Hastings", "H000324", "alceehastings.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Hastings' Statement on the Passing of Coral Springs Mayor Walter Skip Campbell \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Fort Lauderdale, FL,\r\n        October 25, 2018\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) made the following statement on the passing of Coral Springs Mayor Walter Skip Campbell: I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Mayor Walter Skip Campbell Tuesday evening. Skip spent a lifetime working for our community, as a member of the Florida Senate and Mayor of Coral Springs. He leaves behind a legacy of dedicated public service. Skip was known to be an astute problem-solver. He championed compromise for the good of our community and always had his sights set on pursuing justice. Coral Springs and all of South Florida is better because of his leadership. I offer my sincerest condolences to Skip's wife, Lynn, his two children, son Daniel and daughter Christina, and his three grandchildren, Alex, Aaron and Leo, during this time of great sadness. Congressman Alcee L. Hastings serves as Senior Member of the House Rules Committee, Ranking Democratic Member of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, and Democratic Chairman of the Florida Delegation.  \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://alceehastings.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399056", "Hastings Statement on the Passing of Former Palm Beach County Commissioner Burt Aaronson", "2018-10-25", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Alcee Hastings", "H000324", "alceehastings.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) made the following statement on the passing of former Palm Beach County Commissioner Burt Aaronson:\r\nBurt Aaronson served the people of Palm Beach County for two decades, distinguishing himself as an independent thinker who did what was right for the people he represented. It was with great sadness that I learned of his passing. \r\nBurt always put the people of Palm Beach County first. He expanded public safety facilities and parks, and established attractions like the Palm Beach International Film Festival. He was known as person willing to work with anyone who could help make our community better, and will undoubtedly be remembered for his larger-than-life character, his unwavering commitment to his family, and his devout commitment to Palm Beach County.\r\nI offer my deepest sympathies to Burt's wife, Sheila, his two children, Rick and Dan, and his five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren during this very sad time.\r\nCongressman Alcee L. Hastings serves as Senior Member of the House Rules Committee, Ranking Democratic Member of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, and Democratic Chairman of the Florida Delegation.\r\n  \r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://demings.house.gov/media/press-releases/statement-attempted-bombings-0", "Statement on Attempted Bombings", "2018-10-25", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Val Demings", "D000627", "demings.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "ORLANDO, FL  Today, Rep. Val Demings (FL-10) commented on the attempted bombings of prominent political opponents of President Trump.\nSaid Rep. Demings, Bombings and violence of any kind are unacceptable. We all know this. Whomever sent these bombs will be found and brought to justice.\nThe ultimate guilt lies with the bomber. But there is a sickness in our politics that goes beyond this string of attacks. President Trump has encouraged, excused, and alluded to violence repeatedly, including against the specific people targeted this week. Trump's refusal to take responsibility or stop the use of violent rhetoric is inexcusable and dangerous.\nMore than anything, we need a return to unity around shared values, responsible leadership, and ethical politics which discourages violence as a means to resolve our differences. In troubled times Americans look to the Oval Office for leadership, but sadly, the President is missing.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://alceehastings.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399053", "Hastings Statement on the Passing of Judge Edward Rodgers", "2018-10-20", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Alcee Hastings", "H000324", "alceehastings.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Hastings' Statement on the Passing of Judge Edward Rodgers  \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Fort Lauderdale, FL,\r\n        October 20, 2018\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) issued the following statement on the passing of Judge Edward Rodgers:   \r\n  \r\nMy condolences go out to Eddie's family. Our community has lost a man who was the manifestation of all that is good about a human being. He did so much good for so many of us. Borrowing from the spiritual, The deeds he has done will speak for him.' His legacy is iconic and will live on.\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      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398784", "U.S. Rep. Castor: USF Florida Center for Community Design and Research to Tackle Climate Change with Community Partners", "2018-10-19", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Kathy Castor", "C001066", "castor.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) announced today that the University of South Florida (USF) School of Architecture and Community Design's Florida Center for Community Design and Research (FCCDR) is teaming up with community partners to tackle how we build and design Florida communities following the dire Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report and the cluster of ominous climate-related impacts to Florida, including Hurricane Michael, extended red tide and toxic algae. Hurricane Michael has shown us with its devastation to Mexico Beach, Panama City and other areas that  no matter how large or small  our communities are not immune to the effects of climate change and the extreme weather events these global changes bring, U.S. Rep. Castor said. As I continue my push in the U.S. Congress for legislation dedicated to reducing carbon pollution and building more resilient communities, we must also work together in our local communities to overcome fragmented approaches to climate change and create a more resilient economic and environmental foundation to mitigate and adapt to this global issue. The FCCDR at USF understands this need for action and is working with leaders in our community, including Hillsborough County Government and the Tampa Bay Regional Resiliency Planning Council, to help our neighborhoods plan comprehensive ways to overcome the impacts of our changing climate, rising sea levels and extreme weather. The FCCDR was establish in 1986 by the Florida Legislature with the mission of assisting Floridians create more livable and sustainable communities for our future. They have partnered with Hillsborough County to conduct an inventory and analysis of community vulnerabilities related to sea level rise, flooding, and storm event hazards. As part of their analysis, the center will assess public health factors including vulnerable populations and investigate design strategies to reduce the risk from anticipated flood scenarios. Their goal is to create a matrix and toolkit that will assist counties around the state in reducing risk equitably and preparing for future flood events. The Tampa Bay region is home to 4 million residents and our coastal infrastructure is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and extreme weather events, U.S. Rep. Castor continued. We must move past the politicization of climate change and come up with comprehensive answers to this global issue, and I look forward to working with the FCCDR and others dedicated to building a resilient future, instead of turning a blind eye to this crisis we are all facing. U.S. Rep. Castor is the Vice Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee which has oversight responsibilities for environmental policies and is a leader in Congress on our environment. She is the author of the bipartisan and bicameral Florida Coastal Protection Act to ban oil drilling off the coast of Florida and has teamed up with U.S. Rep. Francis Rooney (R-FL-19) on amendments to accomplish this necessary goal. Following the destruction caused by Hurricane Maria, U.S. Rep. Castor fought for the necessary resources Puerto Rico needs to rebuild for resiliency, especially as weather events become more extreme with our changing climate. She has also teamed up with U.S. Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY-2) on legislation included in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 that would enable the concrete masonry industry to research and advertise materials that will better withstand volatile weather conditions caused by climate change. Climate change and more severe weather events demand action at all levels of government, U.S. Rep. Castor concluded. I will continue to press forward to reduce carbon pollution and build more resilient communities. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://crist.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=580", "AT CRISTS BEHEST, CONSUMER AGENCY REVIEWS MARLIN FINANCIAL", "2018-10-19", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Charlie Crist", "C001111", "crist.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "AT CRIST'S BEHEST, CONSUMER AGENCY REVIEWS MARLIN FINANCIAL \r\n   \r\n    \r\n      Acting Director Finds Tampa Bay Times Reporting Troubling \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        St. Petersburg, FL,\r\n        October 19, 2018\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  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      U.S. Representative Charlie Crist (D-St. Petersburg), a member of the powerful House Financial Services Committee, released a response letter from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), indicating that the Bureau is reviewing allegations against Marlin Financial. The letter is a response to Crist's September 25th letter calling for an investigation into unfair, deceptive, and abusive behavior by the company. In the response, CFPB Acting Director Mick Mulvaney describes the allegations troubling. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau was created by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act to go after bad actors like Marlin Financial. As CFPB reviews and verifies their deceptive practices, I encourage any Floridians who have been abused by this company to make their voices heard, urged Crist. Let this be a flashing red warning sign to all who would take advantage of the people. Your days of financial abuse are numbered. \r\nAccording to reporting by the Tampa Bay Times, Marlin Financial has engaged in unscrupulous business practices including requiring the purchase of unnecessary debt cancellation insurance, charging consumers usurious interest rates, seizing consumers' personal items within repossessed vehicles, and failing to respond to customer complaints.Victims of Marlin Financial may submit complaints directly to the CFPB at http://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaints.\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=399052", "Hastings Receives 100 on Human Rights Campaign Scorecard for Support of LGBTQ Equality", "2018-10-18", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Alcee Hastings", "H000324", "alceehastings.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) released the following statement after earning a 100 percent scorecard from the Human Rights Campaign in the 115th Congress: I am truly honored to receive this recognition from the Human Rights Campaign, our country's largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for the LGBTQ community. Throughout my entire career, I have always proudly advocated for equal rights for all Americans, and will continue to fight for our LGBTQ friends. Under the Trump administration, LGBTQ equality remains under attack. While we still face many challenges, I will always be an advocate for equality and justice. I am proud to stand on the right side of history in my support of LGBTQ equality. We must continue to support all efforts to end bigotry and prejudice towards gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered Americans to ensure a brighter future for all of our fellow citizens. Background: The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. In addition to votes on LGBTQ-specific legislation, the HRC Scorecard also includes a number of votes that profoundly impact LGBTQ people and their families. The HRC Scorecard for the 115th Congress is available online at www.hrc.org/scorecard. Congressman 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###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.billnelson.senate.gov/newsroom/news-articles/florida-senator-urges-verizon-promptly-restore-services", "Florida senator urges Verizon to promptly restore services", "2018-10-18", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Bill Nelson", "N000032", "www.billnelson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "PENSACOLA, FLA. (WEAR-TV)  Florida U.S. Senator Bill Nelson issued a strong suggestion to a major communication service provider on Tuesday- \"restore communications service to the citizens of my state.\" Sen. Nelson sent a letter to Verizon Wireless Chairman and CEO, Hans Vestberg urging him to promptly restore services to residents in the state of Florida after Hurricane Michael ravaged through multiple counties in the panhandle area. Nelson stated in the letter \" It's important that consumers in Florida who are being the recovery process from Hurricane Michael not be saddled with late fee and other unnecessary costs-particularly those without the means to deal with such costs.\" The Senator requested Verizon to provide 60-day moratorium on late fee, interest accrual, penalties and any other unnecessary costs to give customers time to recover from the hurricane aftermath. Nelson doesn't fail to mention in the letter to the CEO that many of his constituents in the Panhandle area are still not able to use the network and expressed his displeasure in Verizon's lack of response time of restoring services to its hurricane impacted customers. Nelson stated \" This is not acceptable, especially when your competitors have been restoring service much faster.\" Senator Bill said\"Verizon must do better.\" Verizon quickly responded to Sen. Nelson's strongly suggested letter by releasing a statement on Tuesday stating \"Verizon is 100% focused on repairing our network in the Florida Panhandle. We are making progress every hour, and we expect that trend to continue at a rapid pace. We won't rest until service is completely restored.\" Verizon stated each customer in Bay and Gulf counties will be automatically credited for three months of mobile service for each line and this free service will include both customer and business accounts.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.billnelson.senate.gov/newsroom/news-articles/sen-nelson-hears-red-tide-concerns-pinellas-business-owners", "Sen. Nelson hears red tide concerns from Pinellas business owners", "2018-10-18", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Bill Nelson", "N000032", "www.billnelson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "INDIAN ROCKS BEACH (FOX 13) - Owners of small businesses, hurt most by the effects of red tide, had their chance to voice concerns to Washington, D.C. Wednesday. Business leaders from Pinellas County sat down with U.S. Senator Bill Nelson and representatives Charlie Crist and Kathy Castor for a roundtable discussion about where they go from here and what's being done for next time. Local scientists were also at the table, pushing for more funding to understand and prevent the problem that is killing wildlife and tourism. Anne Lopez, owner of Nekton's Surf Shop on Indian Rocks Beach says when the fish are floating in the water her small business is sinking. \"Who wants to skim over dead fish? Lopez asked. We've noticed a huge decrease especially in our rental business. Sen. Nelson touted a bipartisan effort to add more wetlands in Florida, which acts as a filter, removing nutrients from pollutants that can make red tide worse. Local scientists from at least two institutions pushed for more wetlands, saying at least 100,000 more acres need to be added. Lopez says she's confident the local voices will be heard and is hoping for more funding to stop red tide and clean up its mess.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.billnelson.senate.gov/newsroom/news-articles/sen-nelson-meets-fau-harbor-branch-scientists", "Sen. Nelson meets with FAU Harbor Branch scientists", "2018-10-18", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Bill Nelson", "N000032", "www.billnelson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "VERO BEACH, Fla. (CBS12)  Red tide is thriving on the East Coast. The highest toxicity levels are off the coast of Vero Beach, according to Malcolm McFarland with FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute. McFarland said their research shows nine million cells per liter. McFarland, Dr. Jim Sullivan and Adam Schaefer met with U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson on Wednesday to discuss the growing problem with algal blooms. McFarland said typically these blooms die after taking in all the nutrients in the water. However, the red tide is multiplying. McFarland explained to Nelson that for the toxins to continue to thrive, there has to be added nutrients into the water. Nelson asked if there was science to back up that theory. However, McFarland said that is hard to prove. Sullivan explained the red tide in Indian River County is continuing to move north and will soon be out of the area. However, he said this toxin is in the Florida Keys and with the current moving North, \"we could see a repeat of this.\" \"Even though we may see it disappear in the next few days, we could see another repeat of this exact same thing,\" Sullivan said. Schaefer explained to Nelson his role in this project, testing people on both the east and west coast to see how the toxins are absorbed in the body and how they can be potentially harmful to human health. He added this is something we know very little about and need funding to understand this further, especially the long term health effects. These three scientists appreciated Nelson took the time to understand what is happening on the east coast with these algal blooms. Before meeting them in Fort Pierce on Wednesday, Nelson met with people on the west coast to discuss the issues there.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://alceehastings.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399051", "Hastings Statement on Senator McConnells Plan to Cut Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security Due to GOP Budget Deficits", "2018-10-17", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Alcee Hastings", "H000324", "alceehastings.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) released the following statement in response to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's suggestion of gutting Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security entitlements to make up for record-breaking GOP budget deficits:  \r\n  \r\nRepublicans are at it again, suggesting that seniors, the disabled, and low-income Americans cover the costs of their out of control spending. Suggesting cuts to entitlements to cover record-breaking deficits is a gut-punch to those who rely on these critical programs, and it comes just months after Republicans exploded the deficit with their $2 trillion give away to corporations and the wealthiest people in our country.  \r\n  \r\nMedicare, Medicaid, and Social Security provide life-saving care for millions of Americans every year. These programs cover hospital care, home health care, and skilled nursing, and provide workers with protections, so that they do not need to retire into poverty. These benefits are earned by a lifetime of hard work and playing by the rules. It is ridiculous to suggest that they would be used so that millionaires and corporations that outsource American jobs can get richer.  \r\n  \r\nThe people of South Florida need these benefits. I will never vote to weaken them, and will continue to push back against any irresponsible and misguided effort to do so. Congressman Alcee L. Hastings serves as Senior Member of the House Rules Committee, Ranking Democratic Member of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, and Democratic Chairman of the Florida Delegation.  \r\n\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://crist.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=578", "NEW CRIST BILL BOOSTS MITIGATION, HELPS LOWER FLOOD INSURANCE PREMIUMS", "2018-10-17", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Charlie Crist", "C001111", "crist.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Representative Charlie Crist (D-St. Petersburg) introduced theState Flood Mitigation Revolving Fund Act(H.R. 7037) to drive down flood insurance premiums by creating a low-interest loan program to help property owners better protect their homes and businesses from storm damage, ultimately reducing post-disaster claims. Crist is a member of the House Financial Services Committee that oversees the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). He was joined by U.S. Representative Roger Williams (R-TX) in introducing this bipartisan bill, which has thesupportof Pew Charitable Trusts, Association of State Floodplain Managers, Association of State Wetland Managers, Enterprise Community Partners, Consumer Mortgage Coalition, and Union of Concerned Scientists. \"Bringing down flood insurance premiums while helping folks better protect their homes from storm damage is a win-win for Pinellas families and businesses,\"said Rep. Crist.\"Mitigation is key to reducing post-disaster relief costs, saving taxpayer dollars, and building more resilient communities in the face of more extreme weather and rising sea levels. The devastating storms we've seen within the last year speak to the urgent need for federal action on flood mitigation programs, protecting public safety and our economy.\" \"Flooding is the most common and costliest natural disaster in the United States and it was pastime to address the need for mitigation,\"said Rep. Williams.\"This legislation will prevent federal post-disaster spending and minimize the unforeseen burdens on American families, as well as the economy.\" State Flood Mitigation Revolving Fund Act Background:\r\nModeled after the successful Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Funds, H.R. 7037 would establish a state revolving loan program to help fund flood mitigation projects for homeowners, businesses, nonprofits, and communities. The program would help states offer low-interest loans to NFIP participants for flood mitigation projects to better protect their properties, reducing post-disaster claims. For those participating in the program, FEMA would offer NFIP premium reductions in line with mitigation efforts taken.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://teddeutch.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399445", "Rep. Deutch: The World is Watching Our Response to Khashoggis Murder", "2018-10-16", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Ted Deutch", "D000610", "teddeutch.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Deutch: The World is Watching Our Response to Khashoggi's Murder \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        October 16, 2018\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      Today, Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-22)published a post on Mediumtitled\"The World is Watching Our Response to Khashoggi's Murder,\"in which he calls on President Trump to investigate the disappearance ofSaudi journalist and Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi\"America has historically been the leader and the moral authority on basic freedoms and rights for the rest of the world. We are ceding that leadership every day that we don't forcefully denounce abuses occurring around the world, even if they occur at the hands of countries that we call allies. The President does not seem to understand that being an ally does not provide a license to act with impunity against our most basic American values.\" You can read the Medium post byclicking here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://wilson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-wilson-welcomes-stateless-teen-taranique-thurston-to-miami", "Congresswoman Wilson Welcomes Stateless Teen Taranique Thurston to Miami for Treatment at Jackson Memorial", "2018-10-16", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Frederica Wilson", "W000808", "wilson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson welcomed Taranique Thurston at her first medical appointment at Jackson Memorial Hospital, where she will receive treatment for a potentially life-threatening brain cyst. Taranique, 16, faced a major challenge before she was able to travel to Miami from the Bahamas, due to her immigration status. She is considered stateless because her parents were not married and her mother, who is of Haitian descent, had not yet received Bahamian citizenship at the time of her birth. As a result, Bahamian law does not recognize Taranique as a citizen. We talk about immigration in Congress and about people immigrating to the United States, but immigration is an issue that affects people across the globe, said Congresswoman Wilson. I want to thank Jackson Memorial for being a beacon of hope for thousands of people around the world who find themselves in a situation like this.\nAfter learning about Taranique's visa difficulty, Congresswoman Wilson reached out to officials in the State Department and the Bahamian government to secure an emergency medical visa for the teen. She also worked with Jackson Memorial to secure an expedited appointment.\nWe will be asking CARICOM to look into this issue so that others will not find themselves in the same situation. Problematic laws in one form or another related to citizenship through parents are not germane to only the Bahamas or even the Caribbean. We need to have more conversations about how antiquated laws can catch up with today's society, where people cross borders and have children, the Florida lawmaker said.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 942, "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": "2018"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=FL&year=2018", "results": [{"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 942, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=FL&year=2018", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=FL&year=2018", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 942, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=FL&year=2018&chamber=House", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=FL&year=2018", "results": [{"value": "FL", "label": "FL", "count": 942, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&year=2018", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=FL&year=2018", "results": [{"value": "2018", "label": "2018", "count": 942, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=FL", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2018-10-16,https~3A~2F~2Fwilson~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia-center~2Fpress-releases~2Fcongresswoman-wilson-welcomes-stateless-teen-taranique-thurston-to-miami", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=FL&year=2018&_next=2018-10-16%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fwilson~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia-center~2Fpress-releases~2Fcongresswoman-wilson-welcomes-stateless-teen-taranique-thurston-to-miami&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 365.8116329461336, "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"}