{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Democrat\", state = \"FL\" and year = 2025 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=405112", "U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor Year-End Report: Fighting to Lower the Cost of Living, Delivering Hurricane Recovery Aid,  Answering the Call for Immigration Assistance, Serving Tampa Bay Neighbors Directly", "2025-12-23", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Kathy Castor", "C001066", "castor.house.gov", "castor", "https://castor.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "TAMPA, Fla. \u2013 U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) announced today that her team worked to deliver over $24.4 million in aid, benefits and refunds to veterans, seniors, small businesses, and families in 2025. Additionally, $1,604,681,095 in federal grants were secured for disaster assistance, veterans' support services, early childhood learning through Tinker K-8 and Head Start, and public transportation. Castor credits her team, local partners, and nonprofits for helping win significant federal investments for the Tampa Bay area in a year when the Trump Administration significantly altered the federal grant landscape.\n\n\u201cThe success of the Tampa Bay area relies on strong collaboration with our local partners and nonprofits. From the University of South Florida to Moffitt Cancer Center to Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) to Hillsborough Transit Authority (HART), our community received 371 federal grants in 2025. In addition to securing these grants, we successfully contested the Trump Administration\u2019s closure of the Pinellas Job Corps Center for hardworking students and its illegal federal funding freezes on many local organizations so they could continue their critical work.\n\n\u201cIn the wake of Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton, our neighbors, small businesses, and local partners worked in tandem with the federal partners to recover and begin rebuilding across the Tampa Bay area. I am proud to have championed $965,630,000 in federal community development disaster recovery grants, including $158 million for the City of St. Petersburg and $709 million for Hillsborough County. Team Castor honored 30 Tampa Bay area Hurricane Heroes who selflessly served their neighbors after the hurricanes. The Tampa Bay area is resilient, and I am thankful for the generosity of our community as we continue our recovery.\n\n\u201cThis year, I was proud to advocate for passage of legislation to save the Affordable Care Act tax credits, lower flood insurance costs, protect constituents\u2019 personal identifiable information, lower electric bills, increase investments in lifesaving health research and protect our Florida coasts from offshore drilling. My 34 pieces of legislation introduced were informed by community needs and the best interests of Florida families.\n\n\"I am grateful for my incredible teams \u2013 in Tampa, St. Pete and in the Nation\u2019s Capital \u2013 for their work on behalf of Tampa Bay families. I am particularly proud of the casework assistance we provided to neighbors who continue to grapple with higher costs, unprecedented cruelty and illegal actions of the Trump Administration. My team assisted with over 700 immigration-related cases to ensure our neighbors have the guidance and assistance they need to navigate the Trump Administration\u2019s chaotic policy changes. My team is always available to take neighbors' calls and respond to their emails. We responded to over 110,000 constituent emails regarding food assistance, concerns about the cost of living, the Republican government shutdown, the Republican Health Care Crisis and the concerning actions of the Trump Administration. I also enjoyed hosting four telephone town halls, two in-person town halls, four virtual town halls and listening sessions.\n\n\u201cNeighbor engagement with my office is paramount to my work. I am grateful for their voices. Thank you to my team, my partners and our neighbors for illustrating why the 14th District of Florida is the best in the nation.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://wilson.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-wilson-s-statement-on-the-white-house-threats-to-withhold-smithsonian-funding", "Rep. Wilson\u2019s Statement on the White House Threats to Withhold Smithsonian Funding", "2025-12-23", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Frederica S. Wilson", "W000808", "wilson.house.gov", "wilson", "https://wilson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Congresswoman Frederica Wilson issued a statement regarding the White House\u2019s threats to withhold Smithsonian funding:\n\n\u201cThis White House is advancing a vision of America rooted in white supremacy and exclusion. This administration has shown nothing but contempt for immigrants, diversity, and Black people. And all these threats to withhold funding are just about whitewashing our history. But America was built on the backs of immigrants! Black immigrants were brought here in chains as slaves to build this nation. We can never forget that, and today, we\u2019re an immigrant-rich country. So, as this White House goes after all the museums, we must stand up and protect the truth. All Americans must unite to protect our history and protect the Smithsonian\u2019s independence to ensure unbiased content across its institutions. When we lose our history, we lose our democracy. And we must fight back and stand up for our history and democracy. The soul of our nation is on the line!\u201d", 1, "2026-04-16T05:48:36Z", "2026-04-16T05:50:08Z"], ["https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4943", "Rep. Frankel Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Combat Antisemitism on College Campuses", "2025-12-18", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Lois Frankel", "F000462", "frankel.house.gov", "frankel", "https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Today, Representative Lois Frankel (D-FL-22) led Representatives Don Bacon (R-NE-2), Lucy McBath (D-GA-6), Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ-6), and Haley Stevens (D-MI-11) in introducing the Protecting Students on Campus Act, bipartisan legislation to confront rising antisemitism and other forms of discrimination at colleges and universities.\n\nAt a time when hate is surging domestically and globally\u2014resulting in horrific antisemitic violence, including Sunday\u2019s deadly shooting in Bondi Beach, Australia\u2014this legislation provides meaningful protections to ensure students can learn in safe, inclusive environments.\n\n\u201cAntisemitism and hate are surging on college campuses and around the world, and the consequences are deadly\u2014as we saw in the vile attack in Bondi Beach,\u201d said Rep. Frankel. \u201cStudents cannot learn if they do not feel safe. The Protecting Students on Campus Act gives students clear pathways to report antisemitism and discrimination, strengthens accountability for colleges, and helps ensure campuses are places where hate is not tolerated.\u201d\n\nThe bill increases transparency, oversight, and accountability by enhancing the role of the Department of Education\u2019s Office for Civil Rights (OCR), helping schools identify discrimination early and take action to protect students.\n\nThe urgency is unmistakable. According to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), 83 percent of Jewish students report witnessing or experiencing antisemitism on campus since October 7. Nationwide, antisemitic incidents have increased nearly ninefold over the past decade.\n\n\"Jewish students deserve better than empty promises when antisemitism erupts on campus. The Protecting Students on Campus Act transforms rhetoric into action by requiring real transparency and giving students the tools to hold their universities accountable,\u201d said Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). \u201cIn this climate of rising antisemitic incidents on campus and in Jewish communities around the world, as we\u2019ve seen with the recent, horrific attack at Bondi Beach, this legislation couldn't come at a more urgent time. We thank Reps. Frankel, Bacon, McBath, Ciscomani, and Stevens for their leadership and urge the swift passage of this legislation so that our campuses remain places of learning, not fear.\"\n\n\"American Jewish Committee's (AJC) State of Antisemitism in America 2024 Report found that 35% of Jewish college students experienced antisemitism during their time on campus and 48% felt unsafe or avoided expressing their views or Jewish identity. These numbers reflect an alarming reality: Jewish students are being targeted and marginalized in unprecedented ways,\" said Ted Deutch, CEO of American Jewish Committee. \"AJC applauds Representatives Frankel (D-FL), Bacon (R-NJ), McBath (D-GA), Ciscomani (R-AZ), and Stevens (D-MI) for taking action by introducing the Protecting Students on Campus Act, legislation that empowers students to report discrimination under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, while providing critical accountability to ensure the U.S. Department of Education responds appropriately to federal complaints.\"\n\nThe Protecting Students on Campus Act:\n\nRequires colleges and universities to post clear, accessible information and conduct public awareness campaigns on how to file a Title VI discrimination complaint with OCR;\n\nRequires colleges and universities to report the number of civil rights complaints they receive and the actions taken to address them;\n\nRequires the Department of Education\u2019s Inspector General to audit institutions that report disproportionately high numbers of discrimination complaints relative to their student population; and\n\nRequires the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights to regularly brief Congress on complaints received by OCR and the number pending review.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=405109", "VIDEO: U.S. Rep. Castor Lambasts GOP Health Care Charade", "2025-12-17", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Kathy Castor", "C001066", "castor.house.gov", "castor", "https://castor.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) lambasted House Republicans\u2019 health care charade that would drive up premiums and reduce access to quality, affordable health care coverage, and instead called for the immediate consideration of House Democrats\u2019 discharge petition to force a vote on extending the critical Affordable Care Act (ACA) enhanced Premium Tax Credit (ePTC). Over 540,000 Tampa Bay residents and 4.7 million Floridians rely on the ACA for health coverage.\n\nTranscript:\n\nI rise to oppose this Republican charade and to stand up for my neighbors back home who deserve quality, affordable health coverage. That includes over half a million of my hard-working neighbors across the Tampa Bay area, 4.7 Floridians, or one in five who live in the Sunshine State, who are doing everything right.\n\nThey're entrepreneurs, they're caregivers, they're part-time workers and small business owners like Linda Meisner and her husband, whose premium will go from $288 per month to over $3,200 per month next year. They cannot afford $39,000 for their health care. They are terrified that they're going to lose everything. And David, who is being treated for pancreatic cancer, who is unsure how he will continue treatments and afford everything else.\n\nIt is unconscionable that Republicans are ripping away coverage to fund their tax breaks for billionaires and the wealthy and the well-connected. Americans deserve so much better.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-sheila-cherfilus-mccormick-issues-statement-ice-enforcement", "Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick Issues Statement on ICE Enforcement in South Florida", "2025-12-17", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick", "C001127", "cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov", "cherfilus-mccormick", "https://cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick released a statement on ICE enforcement actions in Broward and across South Florida that have targeted workers during routine traffic stops.\n\n\"Hardworking people who contribute to our economy, maintain our neighborhoods, and support their families should not be treated like threats.\n\nThese actions are spreading fear through our communities, disrupting local businesses, and harming South Florida\u2019s economy, which relies on immigrant labor in industries like landscaping, construction, agriculture, and hospitality. When workers are afraid to show up, projects stall, small businesses suffer, and costs rise for everyone.\n\nOur immigration policies must be guided by common sense and compassion. Enforcement should focus on serious criminal activity, not on workers trying to earn an honest living. I will continue to work with my colleagues from both sides to call for transparency, accountability, and real immigration reform that strengthens public safety while respecting families who are vital to our communities and our economy.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-22T05:46:42Z", "2026-04-22T05:48:06Z"], ["https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4941", "WPS Caucus Co-Chairs Frankel, Kiggans Urge Secretary Rubio to Include Women in Implementing Israel\u2013Hamas Peace Agreement", "2025-12-17", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Lois Frankel", "F000462", "frankel.house.gov", "frankel", "https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Representatives Lois Frankel (D-FL-22) and Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02), co-chairs of the bipartisan Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Caucus, urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a letter to ensure women are meaningfully included in post-war decision-making, reconstruction, and reconciliation as the United States works with international partners to implement the Israel\u2013Hamas peace agreement.\n\n\u201cThe Women, Peace, and Security Act of 2017\u2014signed into law by President Trump\u2014recognizes that the full participation of women is essential to lasting security and stability,\u201d the lawmakers wrote. \u201cWhen women participate in peacebuilding and are afforded tools to succeed, societies are safer, more secure, and more prosperous, and peace is more likely to last. \u201cWe look forward to working with you to advance our shared goal of a brighter future for Israelis, Palestinians, and the entire region.\u201d\n\nThe members emphasized that women in both Israeli and Palestinian communities have experienced profound disruptions to their safety, families, and daily lives, making their perspectives critical to effective recovery and rebuilding.\n\nIn their letter, Reps. Frankel and Kiggans called on the Department of State to:\n\nInclude women from diverse backgrounds in U.S.-facilitated dialogue on stabilization and recovery;\n\nEnsure humanitarian and reconstruction efforts reflect women\u2019s priorities, including family reunification, education, infrastructure, and support for children affected by the conflict;\n\nEncourage international partners to elevate women\u2019s representation in peacebuilding and reconstruction initiatives; and\n\nLeverage women-led grassroots initiatives, including through funds authorized under the Middle East Partnership for Peace Act (MEPPA), to support trauma recovery, coexistence programs, and community resilience.\n\nClick here for the full letter.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3445", "Florida Democrats Release Statement Following Vote to Invoke the War Powers Act", "2025-12-17", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Debbie Wasserman Schultz", "W000797", "wassermanschultz.house.gov", "wassermanschultz", "https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2013 Today, all of Florida\u2019s Congressional Democrats, including U.S. Representatives Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), Kathy Castor (FL-14), Frederica Wilson (FL-24), Lois Frankel (FL-22), Darren Soto (FL-09), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), and Jared Moskowitz (FL-23), released a joint statement after voting in favor of H.Con.Res.61 and H.Con.Res.64, resolutions to invoke the War Powers Act:\n\n\u201cAs Floridians, we have no illusions about the brutality of the Maduro dictatorship. Venezuelans voted for a peaceful, democratic transition, but Maduro has clung to power through repression and corruption.\n\n\u201cThat's why we have condemned President Trump's termination of legal protections for more than 600,000 Venezuelans while he designates Venezuela's de facto rulers as a terror organization. It is hypocritical to claim Venezuela is safe enough to send back innocent people, while also declaring it dangerous enough that we need to send in troops.\n\n\u201cThe President has failed to present a clear strategy to Congress or the American people. He has justified his strikes with baseless claims about \u2018Venezuelan fentanyl\u2019 while pardoning major drug traffickers. The President seems more concerned with maximizing oil profits and separating families than bringing the Maduro regime to justice.\n\n\u201cNo president can launch military action without the consent of Congress. Allowing this operation to continue without that consultation would set a dangerous precedent that is incompatible with our system of checks and balances.\n\n\u201cReestablishing the balance of power between Congress and the White House on a topic as serious as war is essential.\n\n\u201cWe will stand with the Venezuelan people as they seek a free and democratic Venezuela. We will fight to reverse President Trump\u2019s vicious assault on law-abiding Venezuelans with TPS.\n\n\u201cWe will not give the President a blank check to exploit their pain and hardship to usurp Congress's power to authorize the use of force.\u201d\n\n####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4939", "Bipartisan Florida Delegation Urges Implementation of Proposal to Strengthen HIV/AIDS Care", "2025-12-16", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Lois Frankel", "F000462", "frankel.house.gov", "frankel", "https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "A bipartisan group of Florida lawmakers is urging swift implementation of proposed updates to the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program funding formula\u2014changes that would significantly strengthen Florida\u2019s ability to provide lifesaving care to low-income people living with HIV/AIDS.\n\nThe Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, established by Congress in 1990, provides critical medical care and support services to approximately 500,000 low-income Americans each year. Florida has one of the largest HIV-positive populations in the nation, with more than 100,000 Floridians living with HIV.\n\nLast month, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)\u2014the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services agency that administers the program\u2014proposed updating the funding formula to reflect where people live today, rather than where they were originally diagnosed. The current formula disadvantages high-growth states like Florida, which experiences significant migration and population shifts each year.\n\nThe bipartisan Florida delegation urged HRSA to move forward with the update so federal resources better align with patient needs and current population realities.\n\n\u201cFlorida\u2019s HIV community has grown and changed, but the funding formula hasn\u2019t kept up,\u201d said Rep. Frankel (D-FL-22). \u201cThis is about making sure federal dollars follow patients so people can get tested, treated, and stay healthy. That\u2019s good public health and good stewardship of taxpayer dollars.\u201d\n\nThe letter was led by Rep. Lois Frankel (D-FL-22) and signed by Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) as well as Representatives Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL-26), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL-25), Vern Buchanan (R-FL-16), Kathy Castor (D-FL-14), Frederica Wilson (D-FL-24), John Rutherford (R-FL-05), Darren Soto (D-FL-09), Kat Cammack (R-FL-03), Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL-27), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL-20), Maxwell Alejandro Frost (D-FL-10), Laurel Lee (R-FL-15), Jared Moskowitz (D-FL-23), and Randy Fine (R-FL-06).\n\nTo read the full letter, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://frost.house.gov/media/press-releases/frost-alsobrooks-van-hollen-wyden-introduce-bill-to-reverse-gun-silencer-tax-cuts-and-use-it-to-pay-for-health-care", "Frost, Alsobrooks, Van Hollen, Wyden Introduce Bill to Reverse Gun Silencer Tax Cuts and Use it to Pay for Health Care", "2025-12-16", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Maxwell Frost", "F000476", "frost.house.gov", "frost", "https://frost.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 As reported in Politico\u2019s Morning Tax, Congressman Maxwell Frost (D-FL), Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) and Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR), alongside Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD.), Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), introduced the Medicare Investment and Gun Violence Prevention Act, which would repeal the horrific gun tax cuts, including on silencers and sawed-off shotguns included in the \u201cOne Big Beautiful Bill,\u201d and repurpose the funding to Medicare \u2013 which would equal $1.7 billion over the next decade.\n\nCongressman Joe Neguse (D-CO) has cosponsored the Medicare Investment and Gun Violence Prevention Act in the House of Representatives.\n\n\"Trump\u2019s so-called \u201cOne Big Beautiful Bill\u201d doesn\u2019t just slash life-saving programs like SNAP, Medicaid, and Medicare\u2014it also makes our communities less safe by subsidizing silencers and sawed-off shotguns, weapons that make mass shootings deadlier and harder to stop. At a time when our country has seen more mass shootings than days in the year, and as seniors and families face rising health care costs, this legislation reverses these tax cuts and puts people\u2019s health, safety, and well-being above the profits of the gun industry,\u201d said Congressman Frost.\n\n\u201cThis legislation is a 2-for-1 response to Republicans driving up health care costs and letting guns invade our communities. When Republicans snuck in tax cuts to the Big Ugly Bill on gun silencers and short-barreled rifles, they made their position clear: guns matter more than Americans\u2019 lives. At a time when health care costs are skyrocketing, and just days after yet another tragic school shooting, now is the time to act. Our bill will repeal the unnecessary tax cuts on deadly weapons and use the money saved for Americans\u2019 health care, which has been decimated by Republicans,\u201d said Senator Alsobrooks.\n\n\u201cWhile an endless cycle of gun violence continues to tear apart communities across our nation, Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress are gutting Americans\u2019 health care to pay for handouts for their billionaire buddies, including the gun industry. With this legislation, we\u2019re reversing a reckless gun industry tax giveaway and redirecting that funding towards strengthening Medicare and protecting public health,\u201d said Senator Van Hollen.\n\n\u201cIn a bill that was chock full of right-wing handouts, the tax break Republicans created for sawed-off shotguns and silencers might be the most ridiculous. Repealing it and plowing that money back into health care is a no brainer,\u201d Senator Wyden said.\n\n\u201cThis summer, Republicans passed a provision in the dead-of-night that eliminated excise taxes on firearm silencers. This change is devastating to public safety and greatly impedes law enforcement efforts to keep our communities safe,\u201d said Congressman Neguse. \u201cToday, alongside my colleagues Senator Alsobrooks and Representative Frost, we\u2019ve introduced a simple bill that reverses this policy and reinforces the long-maintained regulations for firearm silencers under the NFA \u2013 because the American people and our law enforcement deserve better.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis bill reverses a dangerous giveaway to the gun industry by restoring long-standing National Firearms Act taxes on silencers and sawed-off shotguns\u2014safeguards that have been in place since the NFA was enacted in 1934,\u201d said Po Murray, Chairwoman of Newtown Action Alliance. \u201cThe so-called \u2018One Big Beautiful Bill\u2019 erased these common-sense taxes, making the most dangerous weapons cheaper and easier to access. Senators Alsobrooks and Wyden are correcting that mistake by restoring the taxes and redirecting $1.7 billion to Medicare, prioritizing public safety and health care over special interests. Newtown Action Alliance implores Congress to urgently pass this legislation.\u201d\n\n\u201cFor nearly a century, this nation has sensibly and specially regulated silencers and certain firearms because they pose a severe threat to public safety if placed in the wrong hands. Trump\u2019s One Big Ugly Bill gave the gun industry a tax break on NFA weapons, including silencers, that allows them to categorically put profits over people\u2019s lives and while also forcing massive cuts to Medicaid and Medicare \u2013 further endangering survivors of gun violence and all others who rely on these programs. Brady thanks Senators Alsobrooks and Wyden for their leadership in introducing this legislation to repeal this dangerous tax cut for the gun industry and help ensure access to medical care for survivors of gun violence,\u201d said Mark Collins, Federal Policy Director, Brady.\n\n\u201cGun violence does not end in the emergency room; it often results in lifelong injuries and disabilities that place lasting demands on our health care system. Redirecting these funds to Medicare recognizes the real, long-term costs of violence and puts public dollars toward care, not weapons,\u201d said Karen Herren, Executive Director, Marylanders to Prevent Gun Violence.\n\nRead full text of the bill here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=405108", "U.S. Rep. Castor Announces 2025 Congressional App Challenge Winner", "2025-12-15", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Kathy Castor", "C001066", "castor.house.gov", "castor", "https://castor.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) announced that Sharan Santharam Srinivasan, Ammar Omar and Sujay Korada, 12th graders from Robinson High School, were awarded the top prize in her annual congressional app challenge with their app \u201cSunScreened.\u201d The app was created with JavaScript and AI image processing and aims to help Americans understand the harms of UV rays and the importance of sunscreen for overall skin health. The winner will be recognized at the U.S. Capitol during the House of Code celebration in the spring, alongside other winners of congressional app competitions from across the country.\n\n\u201cEncouraging students to explore STEM fields through the app challenge is a great way to help younger generations learn about science and technology in a creative manner and spark their interest in the STEM workforce. It is incredible to see students across the Tampa Bay area combine public good with technology. I am proud that this app will represent the 14th District, and I know it will help not only our neighbors in the Sunshine State but Americans across the country. I\u2019m grateful for Sharan, Ammar and Sujay\u2019s dedication to science, technology, and the well-being of their neighbors in the Tampa Bay area and look forward to them representing our community in the halls of the U.S. Capitol in the spring,\u201d said Rep. Castor.\n\n\u201cThe Florida sun is unforgettable. It presses down on you in strong heat waves. On the soccer field, the grass sticks to your legs, the sweat trickles down, and the sunlight burns itself into your memory. We loved that feeling: the energy, the adrenaline, and the brightness that defined every Floridian\u2019s afternoon. We got used to the heat and humidity, but never thought much about the sun itself. Everyone loves to tan since sunburns are a symbolic badge of summer, and something to laugh about, but what we didn\u2019t realize was that while we were chasing the glow, the sun was taking a quiet toll on our skin. That\u2019s when the realization sparked Sunscreened. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S and in Florida. We wanted to create something that would transform awareness into action. An app that helps people understand their relationship with the sun. Sunscreened employs real-time UV tracking, personalized SPF recommendations, burn-time calculations, and AI-powered skin analysis,\u201d said Sharan, Ammar and Sujay.\n\nA video demonstration of the app is available here.\n\nThe Congressional App Challenge has inspired tens of thousands of students nationwide to learn to code. With the support of their Member of Congress, these students have produced apps that address problems locally, nationally, and globally. The numbers don\u2019t lie: each year, they have more Congressional hosts and more diverse student participants from underrepresented communities. According to the National Science Foundation, in 2021, nearly a quarter (24%) of individuals in the U.S. workforce were employed in STEM occupations.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://wilson.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-wilson-secures-525-million-to-expand-mental-health-services-in-miami-dade-and-broward-schools", "Rep. Wilson Secures $5.25 Million to Expand Mental Health Services in Miami-Dade and Broward Schools", "2025-12-13", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Frederica S. Wilson", "W000808", "wilson.house.gov", "wilson", "https://wilson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 This week, Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, a senior member of the U.S. House of Representatives Education and Workforce Committee, helped secure $4,000,000 in federal funding for Miami-Dade County Public Schools and $1,250,000 in federal funding for Broward County Public Schools over the course of four years. This funding will help support partnerships to train school-based mental health service providers for employment in schools and local educational agencies.\n\n\u201cWe are in a mental health crisis in this country, and our children are carrying the weight of it. Over the past decade, suicide rates among young people have been rising, depression is rising, and too many of our children are hurting in ways we don\u2019t always see. When children spend the majority of their days in schools, we should have mental health professionals who can support them. And oftentimes, many children do not have access to mental health resources outside of school. No one asks, \u201cAre you okay?\u201d We don\u2019t always know what our children are walking into when they leave school or what happens when they are alone with their friends. We don\u2019t know the stress, the trauma, the fear they may be living with every single day. This crisis also doesn\u2019t affect every child equally. Low-income students, students of color, LGBTQ+ youth, and other marginalized communities face added stress from systemic barriers that compound mental health challenges. These inequities make access to care even more critical.\u201d Congresswoman Frederica Wilson said, \u201cAs a former principal, a former educator, and through my work with the 5000 Role Models of Excellence, I\u2019ve seen it up close. I\u2019ve seen children struggling because of chaos at home, pressure at school, or because they were misunderstood, mislabeled, or punished simply for being who they are. Too many of them suffer in silence because no one gave them the space to speak or told them that they are loved. That\u2019s why schools must be part of the solution, especially at a young age when emotional, social, and cognitive development is taking shape. When we prioritize the mental health of our youth, we set them up to be healthier adults. That\u2019s why I\u2019m proud to deliver funds to support the mental health and well-being of our students here in Miami-Dade and Broward County Schools because it\u2019s time we address this mental health crisis head-on.\u201d\n\nCongresswoman Frederica Wilson has held multiple hearings and forums discussing the mental health crisis among Black men and boys with the nation\u2019s top mental health leaders, including two events in Washington, D.C., and one in New York City.\n\nCongresswoman Frederica Wilson has previously delivered funds to support mental health initiatives in Miami-Dade County, including the Adrienne Arsht Center\u2019s \u201cI am Me,\u201d an Arts-Based Youth Mental Health Initiative.\n\nFor Broward County Public Schools, funding will go towards Broward\u2019s PATH Forward program. Broward\u2019s PATH Forward (Psychologist Advancement and Training Hub) expands the pipeline of credentialed school psychologists within Broward County Public Schools. Over 48 months, Broward\u2019s PATH Forward will support three Broward County Public School employees through graduate program completion and certification, fund 23 full-time school psychology interns, and provide certification exam support for all participants. The project will result in 26 total certifications, a 25 percent increase in schools served by trained school psychology personnel, more than 20,000 hours of student mental health services, and the employment of 15 to 20 new school psychologists within Broward County Public Schools by the end of the grant period. Primary activities include executing university partnerships, providing tuition support, funding intern stipends and supervision, supporting certification exams, and embedding sustainability within Broward County Public Schools\u2019 Human Resources. Broward County Public Schools will receive $306,472 for 2026 and will continue to receive funding for four years.\n\nFor Miami-Dade County Public Schools, funding will go towards their Project HOPE-SP. Miami-Dade County Public Schools\u2019 Project HOPE-SP (Holistic Opportunities for Preparation and Excellence in School Psychology) will increase the number of credentialed school psychologists through a school-based mental health partnership with a nationally accredited school psychology program. The program will provide coursework and training through collaborative projects and monthly workshops on evidence-based assessment and intervention practices. The collaborative partnership enables capacity building, specifically through the recruitment and retention of school psychologists, the enhancement of field experience using evidence-based practices, and the strengthening of access and delivery of mental health interventions in 257 high-need schools that serve 170,058 students. The project will support 34 graduate students in School Psychology who will receive mentorship, financial support, and specialized training in multi-tiered systems of support and implementation of mental health interventions. Miami-Dade County Public Schools will receive $1 million in 2026 for this program and will continue to receive funding for four years.\n\nThis funding for Miami-Dade County Public Schools and Broward County Public Schools is provided through the Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Grant Program. The Mental Health Service Professionals Demonstration Program provides competitive grants to test and evaluate innovative partnerships between institutions of higher education and States or high-need local education agencies to train school counselors, social workers, psychologists, or other mental health professionals qualified to provide school-based mental health services, with the goal of expanding the pipeline of these workers into low-income public elementary schools and secondary schools in order to address the shortages of mental health service professionals in such schools.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-09T05:39:42Z", "2026-04-09T05:40:59Z"], ["https://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=405107", "Reps. Castor, Salazar Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Lower Flood Insurance Costs", "2025-12-11", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Kathy Castor", "C001066", "castor.house.gov", "castor", "https://castor.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Today, U.S. Reps. Kathy Castor (FL-14) and Maria Salazar (FL-27) reintroduced the Continuous Coverage for Flood Insurance Act, which would lower costs by ensuring that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) allows consumers to exercise their right to maintain flood insurance outside of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).\n\n\u201cFamilies, homeowners and small businesses across Florida \u2013 including across the recovering Tampa Bay area \u2013 deserve real financial stability, peace of mind and clarity when it comes to flood insurance,\u201d said Rep. Kathy Castor. \u201cOur bipartisan legislation empowers consumers with more options by allowing access to private flood insurance, without penalty. For coastal communities like Tampa Bay, healthy competition can lower costs, expand the insurance pool and help bring down flood insurance rates. I\u2019m pleased to work with my fellow Floridian, Rep. Maria Salazar, to ease cost burdens on hardworking Floridians and expand consumer choice in continuous flood insurance coverage.\u201d\n\n\"Now more than ever, Miami residents and Americans nationwide deserve real choice and affordable coverage in the flood-insurance market,\" said Rep. Maria Salazar. \"By opening the door to greater private-sector involvement, the Continuous Coverage for Flood Insurance Act will lower the burden on U.S. taxpayers and provide stronger, more reliable protection.\u201d\n\nView the full text of the legislation here.\n\nIn 2012, Congress enacted the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act to reform the NFIP. Among other reforms, the Biggert-Waters Act required federal lending institutions to accept certain non-NFIP insurance policies, reinforcing the fact that other non-NFIP insurance policies can be used to satisfy the NFIP\u2019s mandatory purchase requirement. As a result of this law, in February 2019, a final rule was issued regarding the acceptance of non-NFIP insurance, which took effect on July 1, 2019.\n\nMany consumers are unable to take advantage of these potentially beneficial and cost-effective non-NFIP insurance policies. Currently, the NFIP requires continuous coverage to be eligible for grandfathered rates, but only counts the time in an NFIP policy. If a policyholder chooses to leave the program and return later, the NFIP will charge the full, non-grandfathered rate \u2013 even if the policyholder decides to obtain a non-NFIP insurance policy that complies with the new rule. The prospect of higher insurance rates is not only a deterrent to the marketplace but also a barrier to more affordable flood insurance.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=405102", "Reps. Castor, Bacon, Schrier Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Combat HPV-Associated Cancers", "2025-12-10", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Kathy Castor", "C001066", "castor.house.gov", "castor", "https://castor.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Reps. Kathy Castor (D-FL), Don Bacon (R-NE) and Kim Schrier, M.D. (D-WA) reintroduced the bipartisan Promoting Resources to Expand Vaccination, Education and New Treatments for HPV Cancers Act (\u201cPREVENT HPV Cancers Act\u201d) to prevent cancer and save lives by raising awareness about HPV and HPV-associated cancers through a national education campaign for health care providers, parents, and the public on the life-saving HPV immunization. The bill also would strengthen efforts to expand access to timely cervical cancer screening and diagnostic services for uninsured and underserved individuals.\n\n\u201cHPV immunization can prevent six types of cancer, and boosting immunization rates and raising public awareness can save tens of thousands of lives from preventable cancer deaths each year,\u201d said Rep. Castor. \u201cI\u2019m proud to reintroduce the bipartisan PREVENT HPV Cancers Act with Reps. Bacon and Schrier to ensure Americans across the country have the information and access they need to protect themselves from HPV and HPV-associated cancers through immunizations and cancer screenings. I\u2019m grateful to my friends back home at the Moffitt Cancer Center for bringing health experts and advocates together around the shared goal of eliminating HPV-associated cancers once and for all.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs someone who lost their sister to breast cancer, and have known other women affected by HPV cancers, I can\u2019t stress more the need for education, awareness and testing to lower the rates of these cancers,\u201d said Rep. Bacon. \u201cThe loss for family and friends as they lose someone affected is devastating, and many times early detection may have prevented that loss. This bill will help spread the word and make sure more patients can be tested early. I am thankful to have been asked by Rep. Castor to join this bill.\"\n\n\u201cAs a pediatrician, I know that immunizations are one of our best tools for helping kids stay healthy,\u201d said Congresswoman Schrier, M.D. \u201cThey are safe and effective, and they work best when there is widespread use. This bill will help spread awareness about the HPV vaccine, and I\u2019m happy to co-lead it with my friend and colleague Representative Castor. The more people who know about this cancer-preventing shot, the more people we can protect from preventable cancers.\u201d\n\nFull text of the legislation is available here.\n\nThe human papillomavirus (HPV) causes six types of cancers, leading to approximately 39,000 cases of cancer each year in the United States, including cervical, anal, vaginal, vulvar, penile, and oropharynx cancers. Unfortunately, uptake rates are much lower than for other immunizations, with only 63% of adolescents aged 13-17 up to date with their HPV immunization.\n\n119th Endorsing Organizations: Alliance for Childhood Cancer; American Academy of Pediatrics; American Association for Cancer Research; American Association of Nurse Practitioners; American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network; American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; American Dental Association; Anal Cancer Foundation; Association for Clinical Oncology; Association of American Cancer Institutes; Alliance for Women\u2019s Health and Prevention; Cervivor, Inc.; Children\u2019s Hospital Association; City of Hope; Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; Florida Association of Community Health Centers; Friends of Cancer Research; Global Initiative Against HPV and Cervical Cancer; Head and Neck Cancer Alliance; HealthyWoman; Healthy Men Inc.; HPVANDME; HPV Cancers Alliance; Immunize Colorado; MA HPV Coalition; March of Dimes; Moffitt Cancer Center; National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners; National Comprehensive Cancer Network; National Consumers League; National League for Nursing; Oncology Nursing Society; Oregon HPV Prevention Alliance; Prevent Cancer Foundation; Society for Gynecologic Oncology; Team Maureen; The Susan Jolley Foundation; TogetHER for Health; Vaccinate Your Family; VAX 2 STOP CANCER.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=405104", "Castor Votes for Pay Raise for Service Members, Families & Investments in MacDill AFB", "2025-12-10", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Kathy Castor", "C001066", "castor.house.gov", "castor", "https://castor.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) released the following statement upon passage of the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA):\n\n\u201cI am proud to support the FY2026 NDAA, which delivers a hard-earned pay raise for military service members and their families while improving their quality of life and safeguarding America\u2019s national security.\n\n\u201cI am particularly proud to have championed parts of the defense bill that benefit the service members and families at MacDill Air Force Base, including pay raises and critical improvements to on-base housing and infrastructure, health care and childcare. The bill includes $74 million to support the construction of new KC-46 aircraft hangars and maintenance facilities.\n\n\u201cTo address the high cost of living, I am proud to have fought for and helped secure a 3.8 percent pay raise for all service members. This well-earned pay raise will provide meaningful relief to service members and their families.\n\n\u201cThis year\u2019s NDAA also includes important provisions intended to address mold issues plaguing base housing, including in privatized housing at MacDill AFB. The new provision strengthens mold reporting requirements, standardizes remediation guidelines across the military, and requires routine inspections of privatized and government-owned military housing by an independent, qualified home inspector.\n\n\u201cEducation and childcare are also fundamental for our military families and their children. This year\u2019s NDAA authorizes $50 million to support local school districts that serve military-dependent students and additional funding for the construction of child development centers.\n\n\u201cService members and their families deserve reliable access to high-quality health care. That\u2019s why I\u2019m thankful that the NDAA fully funds military medical treatment facilities and includes stricter requirements for downsizing or closing facilities, like Tampa\u2019s Sabal Park Clinic.\n\n\u201cAfter decades of the executive branch taking advantage of two broad Authorizations for Use of Military Force (AUMF), the FY2026 NDAA finally repeals the 1991 and 2002 AUMFs against Iraq, re-establishing the Constitutionally prescribed role of Congress in the use of military forces.\n\n\u201cCongressional Democrats also successfully opposed numerous policy riders and poison pills targeting LGBTQ+ service members.\n\n\"Tampa Bay is a vibrant hub for defense-sector companies and entrepreneurs. To continue strengthening business and relationships with these key partners, this year's NDAA delivers the most substantive reforms in decades to address the defense acquisition process. These updates will ensure both regulatory requirements and efficiency are met, while bolstering our nation's industrial base and commercial innovation, as well as the workforce that delivers them.\n\n\"Importantly, the NDAA includes provisions to ensure that the Trump Administration does not walk away from our partners and allies like Ukraine, and to provide oversight and accountability measures to restrain illegal actions by the Trump Administration, including strikes that have occurred in Venezuela and the Caribbean, removal of general officers, and the use of military aircraft, personnel, and installations for immigration enforcement.\"\n\nSupporting Military Service Members and their Families:\n\n3.8% pay raise for all service members\n\nIncreased investments in child development centers\n\nIncreased investments in base housing\n\nIncrease to the Family Separation Allowance (FSA)\n\nMilitary Housing:\n\nProvides funds to keep DoD facilities in good working order and reduce the maintenance backlog\n\nStrengthens military housing by creating new reporting requirements, establishing standardized remediation of mold across military branches and requiring inspections of privatized and government-owned military housing by an independent, qualified home inspector\n\nHealth Care:\n\nEstablishes additional requirements that changes to military medical treatment have no effect on operations at treatment facilities for service members and their families\n\nThe FY2026 NDAA Conference Report passed by a margin of 312-112 in the House. The bill now heads to the U.S. Senate.\n\nU.S. Rep. Castor is a member of the powerful U.S. House Energy & Commerce Committee and previously served on the U.S. House Armed Services Committee and as Chair of the former U.S. House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis. Her district includes MacDill Air Force Base and is home to U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), two of the Armed Forces\u2019 most important military commands. MacDill Air Force Base\u2019s 6th Air Refueling Wing is the centerpiece of the U.S. Air Force\u2019s Global Vigilance, Global Reach, Global Power mission, with its essential aerial refueling function. The base\u2019s mission is vital to keeping America safe and ready for any contingencies we may face as a nation.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3444", "Wasserman Schultz, Van Drew\u2019s PROTECT Our Children Act Passes the House, Part of NDAA", "2025-12-10", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Debbie Wasserman Schultz", "W000797", "wassermanschultz.house.gov", "wassermanschultz", "https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2013 Today, the PROTECT Our Children Act, led by U.S. Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), Jeff Van Drew (NJ-02), Jared Moskowitz (FL-23), Nathaniel Moran (TX-01), passed the U.S. House of Representatives as a part of the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act. The PROTECT Our Children Act would reauthorize and modernize the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force Program. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) introduced the companion bill in the Senate.\n\n\u201cOur lives are increasingly intertwined with the internet, and those who would commit crimes against our children know that all too well. With the PROTECT Our Children Act, the ICAC Task Force Program will get predators offline and help make the internet a safe space for all children,\u201d said Rep. Wasserman Schultz. \u201cI\u2019m proud that this bipartisan legislation to build on the original PROTECT Our Children Act that I authored over a decade ago passed the House. We all have a role to play in keeping our children safe.\u201d\n\n\u201cProtecting our kids is one of the most important things we do in Congress,\u201d said Rep. Van Drew. \u201cI\u2019m glad to see the PROTECT Our Children Act included in the NDAA the House passed today. It gives our Internet Crimes Against Children Task Forces some of the support they have needed for a long time. These men and women do tough work every day tracking down predators and helping rescue kids. This provision helps them do their jobs and helps keep more children safe.\u201d\n\nThe Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force Program helps state and local law enforcement agencies develop an effective response to technology-facilitated child sexual exploitation and internet crimes against children. This encompasses forensic and investigative components, training and technical assistance, victim services, and community education. This national network of 61 coordinated task forces represents more than 5,400 federal, state, and local law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies engaged in both proactive and reactive investigations, forensic investigations, and criminal prosecutions.\n\nSince 1998, ICAC Task Forces have trained more than 826,700 law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and other professionals on techniques to investigative and prosecute ICAC-related cases. They have also reviewed more than 1,452,040 reports of online child exploitation, resulting in the arrest of more than 123,790 suspects.\n\nThe PROTECT Our Children Act would:\n\n- Update and modernize the requirements for the National Strategy for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction, including requiring the U.S. Department of Justice to provide detailed, useful information on efforts to protect children nationwide;\n\n- Provide liability protection for ICAC Task Forces in the course of conducting criminal investigations of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and child abuse material;\n\n- Make needed technical improvements and clarifications to the statutory text of the program to match it to current technology and needs;\n\n- Focus the ICAC program on both proactive and reactive investigations;\n\n- And reauthorize the ICAC Program through 2028.\n\n\u201cRaven applauds Congress for reauthorizing the Protect Our Children Act, a critical lifeline for the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Forces nationwide. This bipartisan bill ensures that investigators have the tools, partnership, and legal framework needed to keep pace with rapidly evolving online threats,\u201d said Jennifer Dunton, Director of Legislative Affairs at Raven, a nonprofit that fights online child exploitation. \u201cWe are deeply grateful to the bill\u2019s sponsors for their leadership and unwavering commitment to protecting children. As implementation begins, we look forward to working with the appropriations committees to ensure ICACs receive the level of funding necessary to meet the urgency and scale of this mission.\u201d\n\nThe PROTECT Our Children Act is also endorsed by the National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE), the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN), National Children\u2019s Alliance, National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), Rights 4 Girls, National District Attorneys Association (NDAA), Fraternal Order of Police, Association of State Criminal Investigative Agencies (ASCIA), and the National Criminal Justice Training Center (NCJTC).\n\n####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-cherfilus-mccormick-issues-statement-recent-immigration-policies-0", "Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick Issues Statement on the Recent Immigration Policies", "2025-12-08", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick", "C001127", "cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov", "cherfilus-mccormick", "https://cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick released the following statement on the new immigration policies.\n\n\"The new immigration policies, restricting green-card holders, banning asylum seekers from 19 countries, cutting worker visas, and ending TPS will have serious economic consequences. We need strategic workforce driven policies, merit-based pathways, and continued TPS provisions.\n\nWithout immigrant labor, businesses close, projects stall, and communities suffer. Immigrants have powered America\u2019s economy for generations. They harvest our food, care for our families, build our homes, and support our hospitals, farms, and small businesses. In Florida alone, they are nearly 30% of the workforce and generate more than $170 billion in spending power.\n\nOur industries are already facing worker shortages. Ending TPS for nearly half a million Haitians will worsen those shortages. A blanket ban on 19 developing countries will block students, nurses, entrepreneurs, and scientists who drive innovation and strengthen our economy. These policies risk shutting out the next Einstein or Carnegie and only help our competitors abroad.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-22T05:46:42Z", "2026-04-22T05:48:06Z"], ["https://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=405098", "Castor Announces 2025 Nominations to Prestigious U.S. Service Academies", "2025-12-05", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Kathy Castor", "C001066", "castor.house.gov", "castor", "https://castor.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "TAMPA, Fla. \u2013 Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) announced 16 Tampa Bay area students who received nominations for admission into America\u2019s prestigious service academies: Air Force Academy (USAFA), Naval Academy (USNA), Military Academy (USMA) and the Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA). The outstanding student leaders hail from more than ten local high schools in Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties.\n\n\u201cThese talented students are America\u2019s future leaders. Their interest in serving our country is a point of pride for our patriotic Tampa Bay community,\u201d said Rep. Castor. \u201cI\u2019m grateful for the service of my Nomination Committee, which thoroughly reviews every application and interviews interested students. I am confident that this year's nominees will represent the Tampa Bay Area and our nation well.\u201d\n\nPhotos of the nominees can be found here.\n\nReceiving a nomination to one of our nation\u2019s service academies is an essential step towards receiving an appointment to the academies. Nominations are earned based on each student\u2019s interview with Castor\u2019s Nomination Committee, their academic record, participation in extracurricular activities and demonstrated leadership qualities. Because of the stringent application requirements, many students begin preparing for the application process as early as their first year of high school.\n\nUnder federal law, all U.S. military academies, except the Coast Guard Academy, require either a service-connected nomination or a congressional nomination (from a member of Congress in either the U.S. House or Senate or the Vice President of the United States). Parents and students interested in the nomination process can work with their school guidance counselors. You can learn more here: Service Academy Nominations | U.S. Representative Kathy Castor (house.gov).\n\nCastor will announce official appointments at a later date after being notified of appointments by the academies.\n\nToday\u2019s announcement is the conclusion of Castor\u2019s 2025 competitive nomination process. The nominees who receive an appointment from a U.S. military academy will attend their respective academies in the 2026-2027 school year.\n\nU.S. Rep. Castor granted her nomination to the following students for one or more of the U.S. military academies:\n\nMalik K. Robinson, Northeast High School - USAFA\n\nKatelynn R. McEntee, Walter L. Sickles High School - USMA and USAFA (not pictured)\n\nKaylee M. DeLory, Walter L. Sickles High School - USAFA\n\nNicholas C. Zamprogno, Robinson High School IB Program - USAFA and USNA\n\nKonrad J. Paradies, Steinbrenner High School - USAFA\n\nWilliam D. Baker, H.B. Plant High School - USAFA and USNA\n\nSimon Smith, Walter L. Sickles High School - USAFA, USMMA, USNA\n\nCade C. Holland, Jesuit High School - USAFA and USNA\n\nRobert K. Bossowski, Jesuit High School - USNA\n\nJohn D. Williams, Salisbury School - USMA and USNA\n\nJesse D. Cogburn, Jesuit High School - USNA\n\nRoman A. Neske, H.B. Plant High School - USNA\n\nSawyer J. Burns, Dr. Earl J Lennard High School - USNA and USMMA\n\nElijah R. Chames, US Military Academy Prep School - USMA\n\nDecker W. Deady, Berkeley Preparatory School - USNA\n\nAsher Koontz, Jesuit High School - USNA", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4935", "Frankel Celebrates Opening of Palm Beach State College\u2019s Expanded Respiratory Clinical Lab", "2025-12-05", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Lois Frankel", "F000462", "frankel.house.gov", "frankel", "https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-22) joined Palm Beach State College (PBSC) President Ava Parker and PBSC students to celebrate the opening of the college\u2019s renovated Respiratory Clinical Lab\u2014expanded through the $700,000 in federal funding secured by Rep. Frankel.\n\n\u201cWorking people build our community, and Palm Beach State College\u2019s students are training for some of the most essential jobs in our health care system,\u201d said Rep. Frankel. \u201cWith this federal investment, this new respiratory clinical lab provides the opportunity for students to access the tools and hands-on experience they need to work hard and earn good wages while delivering life-saving care to our neighbors. When working people do well, our entire economy and community grow stronger.\u201d\n\nPBSC President Ava L. Parker, J.D., added, \u201cThanks to Congresswoman Frankel\u2019s support, our students now have a state-of-the-art lab that gives them the real-world training that sets them apart in today\u2019s competitive job market.\u201d\n\nPBSC\u2019s 35-year-old Respiratory Care program\u2014accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care\u2014has had a 100 percent job placement rate for 25 years, preparing students for careers as Registered Respiratory Therapists. These workers operate ventilators, assess lung function, and provide critical treatments\u2014skills that became even more vital during the COVID-19 pandemic, when PBSC stepped in to help supply local hospitals with equipment and trained personnel.\n\nThe newly expanded lab provides upgraded access to medical gas lines, ventilators, and specialized equipment, allowing the college to train more students in essential skills such as intubation, ventilator management, pulmonary testing, and neonatal and cardiac resuscitation.\n\nTo learn more about PBSC\u2019s Respiratory Care program, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=405096", "House Passes Castor\u2019s Landmark Childhood Cancer Legislation", "2025-12-04", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Kathy Castor", "C001066", "castor.house.gov", "castor", "https://castor.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Fla.) applauded the unanimous passage of the Mikaela Naylon \u2018Give Kids A Chance Act,\u2019 which she introduced alongside Reps. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.), Kim Schrier (D-Wash.), Diana Harshbarger (R-Tenn.), Doris Matsui (D-Calif.), Mike Kelly (R-Pa.), Lori Trahan (D-Mass.), Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas) and Randy Weber (R-Texas). The Mikaela Naylon Give Kids A Chance Act will accelerate pediatric cancer treatments and expand access to life-saving therapies for children battling rare diseases.\n\nThis legislation combines two critical initiatives \u2014 the original Give Kids a Chance Act and the Creating Hope Reauthorization Act \u2014 to spur drug development for pediatric rare diseases, improve patient outcomes and close gaps in pediatric drug research.\n\n\u201cBy passing the bipartisan Give Kids a Chance Act, the House has taken a meaningful step forward in improving health outcomes for kids fighting cancer and rare diseases,\u201d said Rep. Castor. \u201cThis bipartisan legislation eliminates unnecessary red tape, prioritizes life-saving pediatric therapies and re-energizes pediatric drug research at no additional cost to taxpayers. As co-chair of the Childhood Cancer Caucus, I\u2019m pleased to see the House come together to remove barriers to care. Working together is how we strengthen families, expand opportunity and build a healthier, more hopeful future for our young neighbors in Florida and across the country.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs a founder of the childhood cancer caucus, I\u2019ve met with countless cancer patients and advocates who have asked me for one thing: to give kids their best chance of beating cancer. Today, the House of Representatives shined a beacon of hope for those children and their families by unanimously passing the Mikaela Naylon Give Kids A Chance Act,\u201d said Congressman McCaul. \u201cMikaela represents all the children who have advocated for this bill and suffered with this heartbreaking disease. Losing some of these kids has been the hardest part of my career, but today, I\u2019m encouraged because I know Mikaela\u2019s legacy \u2014 and all of their legacies \u2014 will live on in this bill forever and help save countless lives.\u201d\n\n\u201cToday, the House delivered long-overdue hope for the millions of Americans and their families struggling with a rare disease,\u201d said Congresswoman Matsui. \u201cI\u2019m proud my RARE Act is included in this bipartisan package. It will prevent pharmaceutical companies from abusing their orphan drug status to keep other innovative drugs from coming to market. As Co-Chair of the Rare Disease Caucus, I\u2019ve met far too many families who have been told there are no options for their child\u2019s care. This legislation brings them real hope by ensuring investment into pediatric therapies and getting promising treatments to patients faster. Now the Senate must act quickly, because for the rare disease community, every single day matters.\u201d\n\n\u201cToday, we celebrate the House passage of this critical, bipartisan effort to give children battling cancer and rare diseases a real chance at life. By strengthening incentives for pediatric drug development, restoring essential programs such as the FDA Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher, and ensuring that life-saving therapies reach the children who need them most, we are making meaningful progress. I am proud to have contributed to this important work and will continue fighting for children and families across our nation,\u201d said Congressman Bilirakis.\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s impossible to know the pain and devastation a family experiences when their child is diagnosed with cancer,\u201d said Rep. Dingell. \u201cChildren respond to cancer treatments differently than adults, but there is not enough research to fully understand how therapies impact them. These children and their families deserve better. This bill will expand pediatric cancer research, offering more children a fighting chance. Mikaela Naylon, for whom this bill is named, fought for this until the day she died. I\u2019m proud to pass this legislation in her honor, to show pediatric cancer patients and their families that they are not alone in their fight.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\nEach year, nearly 16,000 children in the United States are diagnosed with cancer. In fact, children comprise as many as half of those living with rare diseases, yet treatment options for children remain extremely limited compared to those for adults. The Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act would reauthorize the Food and Drug Administration priority review voucher (PRV) program, which allows pharmaceutical companies to expedite FDA review of more profitable drugs in return for developing treatments for rare pediatric diseases. Since the bill\u2019s passage in 2011, 63 PRVs have been awarded for at least 39 different rare pediatric diseases.\n\nAdditionally, thousands of successful drug combination therapies are now being studied and developed for adults, but not for children. The Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act also authorizes the FDA to direct companies to study combinations of cancer drugs and therapies in pediatric trials.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases/soto-hernandez-introduce-legislation-establish-affordable-care-act-exchange-0", "Soto, Hern\u00e1ndez Introduce Legislation to Establish an Affordable Care Act Exchange in Puerto Rico", "2025-12-04", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Darren Soto", "S001200", "soto.house.gov", "soto", "https://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, Congressman Darren Soto (FL-09) and Puerto Rico Resident Commissioner Pablo Jos\u00e9 Hern\u00e1ndez introduced H.R. 6479, the Puerto Rico Affordable Care Act (PRACA)\u2014legislation to establish an Affordable Care Act exchange, also known as an Obamacare exchange, in Puerto Rico and allow the island to receive the same treatment as the 50 states and Washington, D.C.\n\n\u201cFor far too long, Puerto Ricans have been treated as second-class citizens\u2014despite being part of the United States. I\u2019m proud to partner with Resident Commissioner Hern\u00e1ndez on this initiative to allow those on the island to receive equal treatment when it comes to healthcare access,\u201d said Rep. Soto. \u201cOur hope is that this bill will open the door to key reforms and lead to a system in which Puerto Ricans have access to tiered plans, tax premiums, and cost-sharing reductions.\"\n\n\u201cToo many families in Puerto Rico navigate a system without the cost-saving tools available elsewhere. Establishing an ACA exchange gives the island the federal support to expand coverage, lower costs, and strengthen our healthcare network. This bill brings Puerto Rico into the proven framework that serves millions of Americans,\u201d said Resident Commissioner Hern\u00e1ndez.\n\nCurrently, Puerto Rico\u2019s healthcare exchange is not ACA-equivalent and does not offer \u201cBronze, Silver, Gold\u201d plans or tax premiums and cost-sharing reductions. This bill would provide greater healthcare access, especially for small business owners, their employees, and young people. With approximately 43% of Puerto Ricans living under the poverty line\u2014the highest poverty rate in the United States\u2014it is critical for Congress to act in order for those on the island to have the same access to healthcare as those on the mainland.\n\nFor the full text of the bill, please click here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-06-15T06:52:46Z", "2026-06-15T06:54:33Z"], ["https://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=405095", "Rep. Castor Blasts House GOP\u2019s Loophole-Ridden Child Safety Bills", "2025-12-02", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Kathy Castor", "C001066", "castor.house.gov", "castor", "https://castor.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) released the following statement on House Republicans\u2019 weakened child online safety legislation:\n\n\u201cChildren and teenagers deserve safe online spaces that are free from manipulation and harm. Last Congress, I was proud to co-lead bipartisan KOSA and COPPA 2.0 bills in the House. I was encouraged by the Senate\u2019s reintroduction of the strong bipartisan versions of these bills this year as well. Unfortunately, House Republicans are offering weak, ineffectual versions of COPPA 2.0 and KOSA that would diminish protections for children online.\n\n\u201cKOSA is intended to give young people and parents meaningful content-neutral tools and transparency to keep young people safe online, while holding Big Tech accountable for addictive design features and predatory algorithms that push harmful and inappropriate content to our kids. The House version fails to do either. COPPA 2.0 should modernize and strengthen privacy protections for kids and teens in the digital age and not allow Big Tech companies and online predators to exploit America\u2019s children. The House version of COPPA 2.0 is also riddled with loopholes that fail to protect kids and allow tech companies to avoid accountability.\n\n\u201cHouse Republicans need to strengthen the bills to protect kids in the modern age and to gain bipartisan support. I encourage House Republicans to spend more time listening to families who support a strong federal law and less time meeting with Big Tech executives who value profits over kids' best interests.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4933", "Reps. Frankel, Bilirakis Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Boost Student Veteran Success", "2025-12-02", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Lois Frankel", "F000462", "frankel.house.gov", "frankel", "https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Today, Representatives Lois Frankel (D-FL-22) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL-12) reintroduced bipartisan legislation to authorize funding for Student Veteran Success Centers at colleges and universities nationwide, helping student Veterans transition from military to academic life.\n\n\u201cAs the mother of a U.S. Marine War Veteran, I know how demanding the transition from military to civilian life can be,\u201d said Rep. Frankel. \u201cOur Veterans are patriots who have served our country\u2014they deserve every tool to succeed in their next chapter. Student Veteran Success Centers provide the academic support, mentorship, and community that help them thrive.\u201d\n\n\u201cI have personally visited many schools that offer Student Veteran Centers and spoken with the Veterans who utilize them. The Veterans confirm that the enhanced services and specialized resources provided through the centers are invaluable as they seek to successfully reintegrate into civilian society,\u201d said Rep. Bilirakis. \u201cI hope my colleagues will join us in expediting passage of this important initiative.\u201d\n\nStudent Veterans face unique challenges, including long breaks from school, service-related disabilities, PTSD, and family responsibilities, which can lead to higher dropout rates and limited job opportunities.\n\nThe Veteran Education Empowerment Act reauthorizes the Centers of Excellence for Veteran Student Success grant program through FY2033, supporting institutions in creating and operating Student Veteran Success Centers. Since its creation, the Department of Education has awarded nearly $50 million to more than 100 schools, including $4 million to eight institutions in Florida.\n\nEndorsements: Adjutants General Association of the United States, American Association of Community Colleges, American Council on Education, American Legion, AMVETS, Association of American Universities, Association of Public Land-grant Universities, Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Military-Veterans Advocacy, Minority Veterans of America, National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, Student Veterans of America, Veterans Education Project, and Veterans of Foreign Wars\n\nFor full text of the bill, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=405094", "Castor Thankful for Release of U.S. Teen Mohammed Ibrahim", "2025-12-01", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Kathy Castor", "C001066", "castor.house.gov", "castor", "https://castor.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) welcomed the release of Mohammed Ibrahim, a 16-year-old U.S. citizen held for more than 9 months in Israeli detention.\n\n\u201cMohammed\u2019s release is long overdue. His case underscores the need for fairness, due process and respect for human rights for every civilian \u2013 especially children \u2013 caught in conflict. I\u2019m thankful for the advocates, civil rights groups, Members of Congress and countless others who pressed for Mohammed\u2019s release. I pray for Mohammed\u2019s family \u2013 who never lost hope and fought hard to bring him home \u2013 and Mohammed as they are finally reunited.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://wilson.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-wilson-s-statement-on-the-termination-of-temporary-protected-status-for-haitians", "Rep. Wilson\u2019s Statement on the Termination of Temporary Protected Status for Haitians", "2025-11-26", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Frederica S. Wilson", "W000808", "wilson.house.gov", "wilson", "https://wilson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Congresswoman Frederica Wilson issued a statement regarding the U.S. Department of Homeland Security\u2019s termination of Temporary Protected Status for Haitians:\n\n\u201cHaiti continues to grapple with gang violence, humanitarian tragedies, and political instability. The healthcare ecosystem is in shambles, and Haiti is without any elected officials by the people, not even a President. Travel to and from Haiti varies depending on the gangs and access to the airport. Violence and gangs still control much of the Capitol, and kidnappings are still everyday occurrences.\n\n\u201cThe Haitian people who have been granted Temporary Protected Status are hardworking taxpayers who have blended into our communities and contribute so much to our economy, and are law-abiding neighbors and friends. It would be a travesty to snatch them away from the lives they have built and send them back to a country that cannot sustain those who are living there now.\n\n\u201cThere are no jobs, no housing, no food, no opportunities\u2014only famine and misery. Sending our neighbors back to Haiti is a kiss of death, and we must protect TPS for Haitians. FULL STOP! This is a cruel decision that we must fight to reverse!\u201d", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=405093", "Castor, Smith Reintroduce the Access to Genetic Counselor Services Act", "2025-11-25", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Kathy Castor", "C001066", "castor.house.gov", "castor", "https://castor.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Reps. Kathy Castor (FL-14) and Adrian Smith (R-NE) recently introduced the Access to Genetic Counselor Services Act, legislation that would allow Medicare to reimburse licensed genetic counselors for services that would otherwise be reimbursable if provided by a physician.\n\nGenetic counselors have extensive training in identifying which tests are most appropriate for a particular patient, and how to interpret test results to best inform the patient\u2019s plan of care. With a wide variety of tests available on the market, leveraging the knowledge and experience of a genetic counselor can save both patients and the taxpayer money by avoiding unnecessary testing and allowing physicians to focus their time on what they do best \u2013 treating patients.\n\n\u201cGenetic counselors guide and support patients and their families through some of the most difficult moments in their lives with expertise and compassion, and are an integral part of the care team,\u201d said Rep. Castor. \u201cI am proud that the University of South Florida is home to the first and only Genetic Counseling Graduate Program in the State, preparing students with the technical knowledge and clinical expertise to treat our neighbors. The common-sense, cost-effective Access to Genetic Counselor Services Act would help grow the genetic counseling profession and ensure our neighbors get the most accurate care.\u201d\n\n\u201cExpanded access to genetic counseling will improve the lives of seniors across the country,\u201d said Rep. Smith. \u201cRapidly advancing technology and ever-growing knowledge of the human genome and its relationship with our health means seniors will be able to identify risks and diseases even earlier, improving outcomes and lowering treatment costs.\u201d\n\n\u201cGenetic counselors are specifically trained to help patients understand complex test results, weigh options, and make informed decisions for themselves and their families,\u201d said Deborah Cragun, PhD, MS, CGC, Director of USF Genetic Counseling Graduate Program. \u201cAllowing Medicare to directly reimburse for services provided by genetic counselors is a practical step toward more equitable, person-centered genomic care. By supporting the Access to Genetic Counselor Services Act, Representative Castor is advancing a policy that improves access, supports high-quality care, and uses health-care dollars more wisely.\u201d\n\n\u201cRecognizing genetic counselors as Medicare providers would be tremendously valuable in ensuring patients receive timely, appropriate, and high-quality care. Many cancers have a genetic component, and it is genetic counselors who provide the critical expertise and reassurance families need to understand testing options and familial risk. That is why Cancer Partners of Nebraska proudly supports the Access to Genetic Counselor Services Act, led by Congressman Adrian Smith and Congresswoman Kathy Castor, which will benefit countless seniors, including those here in Nebraska,\u201d said Justin Rousek, PhD, MPH, MS, CEO at Cancer Partners of Nebraska.\n\n\u201cGenetic counselors serve as connectors to the personalized care that could make all the difference for Medicare patients and their families facing diseases like hereditary cancer and Alzheimer\u2019s disease,\u201d said Sara Pirzadeh-Miller, MS, CGC, President of the National Society of Genetic Counselors and Texas-based Cancer Genetic Counselor. \u201cWe\u2019re so grateful that Representatives Smith and Castor, plus many others in Congress, understand the tremendous value that genetic counselors offer for their constituents and America\u2019s healthcare system.\u201d\n\nRead the full text of the bill here.\n\nSupporting Organizations:", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=405076", "U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor Announces Over $38M in Funding for Public Transit Across Tampa Bay Area", "2025-11-20", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Kathy Castor", "C001066", "castor.house.gov", "castor", "https://castor.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) announced two grant awards totaling $38,617,390 from the U.S. Department of Transportation\u2019s (USDOT) Federal Transit Authority (FTA), with funds appropriated by Congress, to improve mobility and transit options throughout the Tampa Bay area.\n\n\u201cTampa Bay neighbors deserve affordable, accessible transit that helps riders get to work, school, doctors\u2019 appointments and the grocery store,\u201d said Rep. Kathy Castor. \u201cBy modernizing public transit and improving mobility across our growing community, we are opening doors to new job opportunities, strengthening local businesses and improving the quality of life for Tampa Bay area families. I\u2019m proud to help deliver these resources so that every neighbor\u2014no matter their zip code\u2014has the freedom to move, connect and thrive in our community.\u201d\n\n\u201cToday\u2019s announcement represents a major step forward for reliable transit in Hillsborough County,\u201d said HART CEO Scott Drainville. \u201cThis investment will help us improve service for riders, strengthen our workforce pipeline, and continue transitioning our fleet to cleaner, low-emission technology. We are deeply grateful for Congresswoman Castor\u2019s leadership and strong support for public transit in Hillsborough County. Her partnership has been essential in securing this investment for our community. We want to thank FTA Administrator Marc Molinaro and his team for their partnership. The Administration\u2019s priorities\u2014improving safety, advancing workforce development and strengthening reliability\u2014align directly with HART\u2019s mission and the work we are doing here in Hillsborough County.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe are incredibly grateful to the Federal Transit Administration, along with the continuing support from U.S. Representative Kathy Castor for her commitment to keeping the wheels turning in the event our transit facility loses power during a storm,\u201d said Brad Miller, Chief Executive Officer for PSTA. \u201cThese funds will ensure PSTA remains a resilient transit provider that can safely and continuously utilize its fleet to transport residents to jobs and families to opportunity, and even to assist with evacuations and transporting people with disabilities, even when the power is out.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis grant for HART is a huge leap forward thanks to our federal partners. HART provides such a pivotal lifeline for our working families \u2013 our seniors, those with disabilities, our veterans and so many others,\u201d said Councilman Luis Viera, Chairperson of the HART Board. \u201c I am so thankful for the work ethic, tenacity and determination of our Congresswoman Kathy Castor, who always champions transit. This grant allows us to move forward in a manner that is productive and is consistent with sustainability.\u201d\n\nFL-14 USDOT FTA\u2019s Low- or No-Emission Program Grants:\n\n$32,037,390 \u2013 HART\u2019s \u201cImproving HART\u2019s Service Through Reliable Fleet\u201d Project: To support the acquisition of 33 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to replace 33 outdated diesel-powered buses and to expand HART's vocational training program and establish a registered apprenticeship program.\n\n$6,580,000 \u2013 PSTA\u2019s \u201cPSTA Facility Emergency Power Resiliency Project\u201d: To support the replacement of the existing diesel-powered facility generator and the installation of a new generator to maintain charging power for electric buses and continue transit operations in the event of a power outage due to events like hurricanes.\n\nToday\u2019s announcement continues to build on the hundreds of millions in major infrastructure grants for Tampa Bay in recent years, including these in 2025: $23 million to HART for its maintenance facility and $62 million to Tampa International Airport and its new Airside D.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=405078", "Castor, Fitzpatrick, Wasserman Schultz, Lawler Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Increase Access to Lung Cancer Screenings", "2025-11-20", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Kathy Castor", "C001066", "castor.house.gov", "castor", "https://castor.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, during Lung Cancer Awareness Month, U.S. Reps. Kathy Castor (D-FL), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) and Mike Lawler (R-NY) reintroduced the bipartisan Increasing Access to Lung Cancer Screening Act, a bill that will help lower health care costs for families while expanding access to lifesaving cancer screenings and reducing barriers to preventive care in communities that have been overlooked.\n\n\u201cIn the United States, lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths, largely because too many cases are caught too late. Only 18% of eligible individuals are screened annually across the country, exposing how much work remains to save lives through early detection,\u201d said Rep. Castor. \u201cBy making lung cancer screenings easier to access and eliminating surprise bills and insurance red tape, this bipartisan bill will help neighbors catch cancer earlier, stay healthier and live longer. Together, with my bipartisan colleagues and with the help of premier cancer research institutions like Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, we can save tens of thousands of lives every year by expanding access to lung cancer screenings.\u201d\n\n\u201cFamilies lose loved ones to lung cancer every day because the disease is often found too late. We know early screening saves lives; we also know too many Americans can\u2019t get screened when they need to. The Increasing Access to Lung Cancer Screening Act changes that by removing prior authorization hurdles, ensuring no-cost annual screenings under Medicaid, expanding cessation support, and reaching high-risk communities before it\u2019s too late. As Co-Chair of the House Cancer Caucus, I\u2019ll continue driving bipartisan, evidence-based reforms that ensure every patient has a real chance at early detection and a fighting chance at survival,\u201dsaid Rep. Fitzpatrick.\n\n\u201cThe fight against lung cancer is very personal to me. I lost my mother and my grandmothers to the disease,\u201dsaid Rep. Wasserman Schultz. \u201cBut with real advancements in treatment and increased accessibility to annual screening, we can make this disease less deadly, more treatable, and less expensive to treat. I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing this legislation to remove barriers to lung cancer screenings as early detection is one of the best tools we have to beat this deadly disease.\u201d\n\n\u201cEarly detection saves lives, and expanding access to lung cancer screenings is a commonsense, bipartisan step that will help families across the country,\u201d said Rep. Lawler. Too many Americans are diagnosed only after the disease has progressed, limiting treatment options and outcomes. I\u2019m proud to join this bipartisan effort to ensure that more patients can get the screening and care they need, when they need it, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to move this lifesaving legislation forward.\u201d\n\nFull text of the bill is available here.\n\nLung cancer is the deadliest cancer in the nation, but early detection saves lives and reduces long-term health care costs. The Increasing Access to Lung Cancer Screening Act tackles the affordability crisis head-on by removing financial barriers and red tape that too often delay care.\n\nThe Increasing Access to Lung Cancer Screening would:\n\nProhibit prior authorization in Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance, ending delays and insurance hurdles that keep eligible patients from getting screened when they need it.\n\nRequire Medicaid to fully cover annual lung cancer screenings for all eligible beneficiaries\u2014with no co-pays or out-of-pocket costs.\n\nExpand coverage of tobacco cessation services and medications to all eligible Medicaid beneficiaries, helping people quit smoking and reducing long-term health risks and costs.\n\nCreate an education and outreach campaign to inform individuals and health care providers about the importance of lung cancer screenings for eligible individuals.\n\nThis bipartisan legislation ensures families aren\u2019t forced to choose between their health and their wallets\u2014and strengthens early detection and prevention efforts in communities that have been overlooked for far too long.\n\nCastor is a proven champion for cancer prevention, early detection and equitable access to lifesaving care. She has led bipartisan efforts to expand affordable cancer screenings and immunizations, strengthen Medicaid and Medicare coverage and remove barriers that keep families from getting the preventive services they need. Castor consistently fights to accelerate research through the National Institutes of Health, support innovative treatments and close gaps in care for communities facing higher cancer rates.\n\nCastor has co-led the introduction of the Increasing Access to Lung Cancer Screenings Act for the past 3 Congresses\u2014penning a 2023 op-ed titled \u201cTransforming lung cancer care: A call to increase access to life-saving screening,\u201d with bipartisan partners to underscore the life-saving potential of this critical legislation.\n\nThe Increasing Access to Lung Cancer Screening Act is endorsed by ALK Positive, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American College of Chest Physicians, American College of Radiology, American Lung Association, American Lung Cancer Screening Initiative (ALCSI), Association of American Cancer Institutes, Braf Bombers, Caring Ambassadors Program, Citizens for Radioactive Radon Reduction, EGFR Resisters, Free ME from Lung Cancer, GO2 for Lung Cancer, LiveLung, Lung Cancer Action Network (LungCAN), Lung Cancer Circle of Hope, Lung Cancer Foundation of America, Lung Cancer Initiative, Lung Cancer Research Foundation, LUNGevity Foundation, Mae's Breath Foundation, Moffitt Cancer Center, Mountain Foundation For Education & Research in Lung Cancer, National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Prevent Cancer Foundation, Rexanna's Foundation, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Small Cell Lung Cancer Advocacy, Streak For A Cure, Inc., and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons.\n\nOrganization Quotes in Support of the Increasing Access to Lung Cancer Screening Act\n\n\u201cThe Increasing Access to Lung Cancer Screening Act is a crucial piece of legislation. Advancements in lung cancer research have led to improved treatment over the past several years. However, these treatments are most effective when people are screened for lung cancer and it is detected early. This legislation removes prior authorization barriers and makes it easier for Moffitt and other providers to screen patients and get them into treatment faster, potentially saving their lives.\u201d - Dr. Karen Lu, Executive Vice President and Physician in Chief, Moffitt Cancer Center.\n\n\u201cEarly detection of lung cancer is critical for saving lives, and we need to do everything possible to eliminate barriers to screening,\u201d said Andrea Ferris, President and CEO of LUNGevity Foundation. \u201cWe are grateful to Representatives Castor, Fitzpatrick, and Wasserman Schultz for their leadership on this important legislation, which would improve awareness of and access to lung cancer screening.\u201d\n\n\"This legislation will remove financial barriers to screening, improve access for more people who need this care, and enable patients and providers to strike a major blow against the nation's leading cancer killer,\" said American College of Radiology CEO Dana H. Smetherman, MD, MPH, MBA, FACR. \u201cCoupled with education about the importance of screening, this expanded coverage will help ensure early detection for more people, address disparities in lung cancer outcomes, and save more lives from this terrible disease.\u201d\n\n\u201cLung cancer\u2019s burden on families, individuals and the healthcare system is far too great. Lung cancer screening is key to early diagnosis, and early diagnosis saves lives. Unfortunately, in 2022, only 18.2% of those eligible had this lifesaving screening, according to the 2025 \u2018State of Lung Cancer\u2019 report,\u201d said Harold Wimmer, National President and CEO of the American Lung Association. \u201cThank you to Congresswomen Kathy Castor and Debbie Wasserman Schultz, and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick for sponsoring this bill to improve access to and raise awareness of critical lung cancer screening for those at high risk. We are also grateful that this bill will expand access to quit smoking services to everyone enrolled in Medicaid. Quitting smoking will lower the risk of lung cancer and is the best thing a person can do for their lung health.\u201d\n\n\u201cEvery day, we hear from patients and families whose lives could have been changed, or saved, if lung cancer had been caught earlier. No one should be denied a lifesaving screening due to cost or bureaucratic hurdles. The Increasing Access to Lung Cancer Screening Act offers real hope by removing barriers and ensuring that those at highest risk can get the care they need. This is a long-overdue step that will save lives and bring us closer to a future where early detection is the norm, not the exception.\u201d \u2013 GO2 for Lung Cancer President and CEO Laurie Ambrose", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=405079", "Castor Blasts Trump Administration\u2019s Illegal Plan to Open Florida\u2019s Coast to Offshore Drilling", "2025-11-20", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Kathy Castor", "C001066", "castor.house.gov", "castor", "https://castor.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) today strongly condemned the Trump Administration\u2019s proposal to open areas off Florida\u2019s Gulf Coast to offshore oil and gas drilling.\n\n\u201cPresident Trump is selling out Floridians to boost the profits of Big Oil donors. Floridians banned oil and gas drilling in state waters with almost 70% support for 2018. Drilling in federal waters off Florida\u2019s Gulf Coast is far too risky after the economic and environmental damage from the BP Deepwater Horizon blowout and Hurricanes Ian, Helene and Milton.\n\n\u201cOur oceans and coasts are too unique and too critical to our way of life to encourage offshore drilling. Florida is a special but fragile place, and our economy depends on clean water, clean beaches and an affordable way for families to recreate and unwind. Drilling puts our national security at risk by disrupting critical military training conducted off Florida\u2019s coasts. That\u2019s why the Biden Administration acted to permanently protect the Eastern Gulf of Mexico under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. But today, the Trump Administration is proposing to lease areas off Florida\u2019s coast that have long been protected by Congress.\n\n\u201cTrump\u2019s Interior Department knows drilling in the Eastern Gulf is illegal, but they plan to hold lease sales anyway. That is why Congress must pass my bipartisan Florida Coastal Protection Act to enshrine permanent coastal protections in law and protect Florida\u2019s waters, our planet, our pocketbooks and our people from costly oil disasters.\n\n\u201cFifteen years after the BP spill, people are still struggling and communities are still using recovery funds to rebuild. Big Oil doesn\u2019t need more help; they already sit on thousands of unused leases and receive $14 billion in taxpayer subsidies each year.\n\n\u201cAfter shutting down the government for seven weeks, it\u2019s telling that President Trump\u2019s priority is pushing a pro-polluter agenda. While hardworking families face a crushing cost-of-living crisis, Republicans are doubling down to sell off America\u2019s oceans to their polluter friends. It\u2019s not needed, not wanted and it\u2019s another example of callous disregard for hardworking Americans.\u201d\n\nIn January, the Biden-Harris Administration used its authority to permanently protect the Eastern Gulf of Mexico\u2014including military training ranges, coastal ecosystems and the tourism and fishing industries central to Florida\u2019s economy.\n\nCastor\u2019s bipartisan Florida Coastal Protection Act would codify a permanent ban on oil and gas drilling off Florida\u2019s coast, safeguarding the state from the environmental and economic threats of offshore drilling.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-cherfilus-mccormick-releases-statement-recent-indictment", "Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick Releases Statement on Recent Indictment", "2025-11-20", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick", "C001127", "cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov", "cherfilus-mccormick", "https://cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick released the following statement on the recent indictment.\n\n\"This is an unjust, baseless, sham indictment \u2014 and I am innocent. The timing alone is curious and clearly meant to distract from far more pressing national issues. From day one, I have fully cooperated with every lawful request, and I will continue to do so until this matter is resolved.\n\nI am deeply grateful for the support of my district, and I remain confident that the truth will prevail. I look forward to my day in court. Until then, I will continue fighting for my constituents. \"\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-15T05:46:42Z", "2026-04-15T05:48:27Z"], ["https://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=405072", "Castor, DeGette, Huffman, Schakowsky, Clarke Reintroduce Frack Pack to Protect Communities from Fracking Pollution", "2025-11-19", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Kathy Castor", "C001066", "castor.house.gov", "castor", "https://castor.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 This week, Representatives Kathy Castor (FL-14), Diana DeGette (CO-01), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) and Yvette Clarke (NY-09) reintroduced the Frack Pack, a set of five bills aimed at closing loopholes that allow the oil and gas industry to skirt key environmental and public health protections. The legislative package would hold the industry accountable for pollution that threatens clean air, safe drinking water and community health across the country.\n\nThe Frack Pack includes the CLEANER Act, the FRAC Act, the FRESHER Act, the SHARED Act and the CLOSE Act.\n\n\u201cFamilies deserve clean air to breathe and clean water to drink, and the CLEANER Act is a practical step to make that a reality,\u201d said Rep. Kathy Castor. \u201cBy holding polluters accountable and closing loopholes that let dangerous toxins seep into our waterways and neighborhoods, we can make communities healthier. Encourage Congress to move this bill and build a healthier, safer future for every community.\u201d\n\n\u201cFor too long, oil and gas companies have enjoyed special exemptions from our nation\u2019s bedrock environmental laws that no other industry gets,\u201d said Rep. Diana DeGette. \u201cThe Frack Pack would finally put an end to that double standard. These commonsense reforms will protect our air, water, and communities while ensuring greater transparency and accountability in the fracking process. I\u2019m proud to work with leaders like Reps. Huffman, Castor, Schakowsky, and Clarke on these important bills.\u201d\n\n'\"The fossil fuel industry gets to dump their runoff into stormwater thanks to special exemptions for no good reason \u2013 polluting our water supply and putting communities at risk,\" said Rep. Jared Huffman. \"Why should Big Oil billionaires get to skirt the rules? They shouldn\u2019t. The FRESHER Act closes this loophole to even the playing field and stop them from destroying communities so we can get this public health and environmental crisis under control.\"\n\n\"Hydraulic fracking is a serious risk to our water, no matter how much Big Oil and Gas insist it is safe. The truth is, these companies are not even required to report when their fracking activity contaminates the local water supply,\" said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. \"The SHARED Act is commonsense legislation that would require oil and gas companies to regularly test nearby water sources and disclose the results. Families deserve to know that the water coming out of their tap is safe to drink and use. I am committed to holding the fossil fuel industry accountable. Protecting our clean water is not optional, it is essential.\"\n\n\"When a regulatory loophole within the Clean Air Act enables fracking and other environmentally harmful practices to bring dangerous toxins and climate-changing emissions into our communities unimpeded, it\u2019s clear legislative action is necessary to correct the shortcoming and protect the public health. The \u2018aggregation exemption\u2019 has, for too long, allowed for an unacceptable status quo in climate policy in America, and it is past time for that to change,\" said Rep. Yvette D. Clarke. \"I am proud to introduce my legislation, the CLOSE ACT, to address this destructive exemption, just as I am proud to support the Frack Pack as a comprehensive solution towards amending the loopholes that put polluters first and leave the American people last.\"\n\nThe CLEANER Act would make oil and gas companies responsible for cleaning up and disposing of hazardous waste generated by their operations under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Subtitle C, the country's hazardous waste management law.\n\nThe FRAC Act would eliminate the \"Halliburton Loophole,\" established under the Energy Policy Act of 2005, under which fracking fluids are exempted from regulation under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). The FRAC Act would require fracking companies to publicly disclose the chemicals they are pumping into the ground and give the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the authority to regulate the process under its Underground Injection Control initiative. The oil and gas industry remains the only economic sector exempt from this vital initiative.\n\nThe FRESHER Act closes a loophole for oil and gas companies in the Clean Water Act and establishes a study to better understand the effects of stormwater runoff from oil and gas operations.\n\nThe SHARED Act would require testing for water contamination near fracking sites.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=405073", "Castor, Bilirakis Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Boost International Tourism & Economic Growth", "2025-11-19", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Kathy Castor", "C001066", "castor.house.gov", "castor", "https://castor.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representatives Kathy Castor (D-FL) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) introduced legislation to fully fund Brand USA, the nation\u2019s public\u2013private destination marketing organization, restoring its capacity to attract international visitors and strengthen the U.S. economy. The bill, titled the VISIT USA Act, would reinstate support by fully allocating Visa Waiver Program Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) fees, ensuring that Brand USA can continue its proven mission of promoting the United States as a premier global travel destination. Brand USA operates through a public\u2013private partnership model, funded by nonfederal contributions from the travel and hospitality industry and matched by a portion of ESTA fees paid by international visitors\u2014not by general taxpayer dollars.\n\n\u201cInternational tourism generates billions of dollars in economic activity and supports tens of thousands of jobs for hardworking Americans. In Florida, our economy benefits when visitors from around the world visit our beautiful state,\u201d said Rep. Kathy Castor. \u201cAcross the Tampa Bay area, international travel sustains good-paying jobs, supports our small businesses and strengthens our ports and airports. From our world-class beaches and cultural institutions to our vibrant food, sports and natural areas, international tourism powers our economy. A strong Brand USA means keeping Florida competitive, attracting new markets, and ensuring that the Sunshine State continues to shine on the world stage. This bipartisan bill will help restore vital marketing capacity, expand economic opportunity, and keep Tampa Bay and communities across America open and welcoming to travelers who contribute to our shared success. I thank my partner Rep. Bilirakis for leading the effort.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs Co-Chair of the Travel and Tourism Caucus in the House, I understand that tourism is a powerful engine for communities large and small. It supports local businesses, fills hotels, and brings in tax dollars that fund schools, transportation, and public services,\u201d said Congressman Gus Bilirakis. \u201cFully funding Brand USA is not just smart policy, it\u2019s economic stewardship. Brand USA helps every corner of our country. When international travelers visit, they don\u2019t just go to major cities\u2014they travel to small towns, historic sites, and national parks. Fully funding Brand USA means supporting jobs and growth in communities across Florida and nationwide. Floridians understand that international tourism isn\u2019t a luxury\u2014it\u2019s an economic necessity. By restoring full funding to Brand USA, we ensure more visitors come, more businesses benefit, and more communities thrive.\u201d\n\nThe full bill text is available here.\n\nInternational travel generates billions of dollars in economic activity, and Brand USA\u2019s efforts deliver substantial returns. Its marketing campaigns attract visitors who spend heavily and support jobs not only in tourism, but across retail, hospitality, transportation, and other sectors. Independent research shows that Brand USA\u2019s initiatives have supported tens of thousands of U.S. jobs annually and have generated significant federal, state, and local tax revenue. As other countries increase investments in destination marketing, fully funding Brand USA is essential to maintaining the United States\u2019 competitive position in the global travel market. With major upcoming international events, this moment presents a critical opportunity to reignite international travel to the United States. Studies consistently demonstrate a strong return on investment, with Brand USA delivering multiple dollars in economic value for every dollar spent.\n\n\u201cThis legislation is an important step forward, and we are grateful for Representatives Gus Bilirakis and Kathy Castor leading this effort,\" said Geoff Freeman, President and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. \"With the World Cup, America 250 and the 2028 Olympics on the horizon, the U.S. has a pivotal chance to capture global attention. By restoring Brand USA\u2019s resources, Congress can help drive new visitors, support jobs nationwide and ensure the United States stands out on the world stage.\u201d\n\nRepresentatives Castor and Bilirakis are urging colleagues in both chambers of Congress to join them as co-sponsors. The legislation has the support of a wide coalition of travel, lodging, and hospitality industry stakeholders who view Brand USA as vital to sustaining international inbound travel. Fully restoring Brand USA\u2019s funding will enable the organization to expand its global marketing efforts, drive future travel demand, and fuel economic growth nationwide.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://frost.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-maxwell-frost-appointed-to-critical-transportation-and-infrastructure-subcommittees-to-advance-safer-more-connected-transit", "Congressman Maxwell Frost Appointed to Critical Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittees to Advance Safer, More Connected Transit", "2025-11-19", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Maxwell Frost", "F000476", "frost.house.gov", "frost", "https://frost.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Frost Will Serve on the Subcommittees on Highways & Transit and on Railroads, Pipelines, & Hazardous Materials\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost (FL-10) announced he was selected to serve on the critical subcommittee on Highways & Transit and on the subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, & Hazardous Materials housed within the powerful Transportation & Infrastructure Committee.\n\nCongressman Frost was appointed to serve on the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee in September.\n\n\u201cCentral Florida sent me to Washington D.C. to deliver for them, and right now, we\u2019re in a cost-of-living crisis that\u2019s impacting everyone, and investing in transit that actually meets the needs of our people is one of the fastest ways to lift people up by connecting them to housing, jobs, and opportunity. On these subcommittees, I\u2019ll be fighting to expand and modernize our transit systems, ease congestion, make our roads safer, and protect our planet for current and future generations,\" said Rep. Frost. \u201cI\u2019m grateful to Ranking Member Larsen and my colleagues for the opportunity to help reimagine how our transit and rail systems can better serve our growing communities.\u201d\n\nThe committee\u2019s selection of Frost to these subcommittees underscores the Congressman\u2019s status as a strong voice for public transit and people-centered infrastructure.\n\n\u201cRepresentative Maxwell Frost hit the ground running this Congress when he introduced his Transit Bus Affordability Act,\u201d said Ranking Member Larsen. \u201cI look forward to working with Representative Frost on the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit and the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials to continue improving and expanding access to public transportation and passenger rail from coast to coast, including in my home state of Washington and his of Florida.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4930", "Rep. Frankel Votes for Release of the Epstein Files", "2025-11-18", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Lois Frankel", "F000462", "frankel.house.gov", "frankel", "https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "\u201cFor far too long, the young girls abused by Jeffrey Epstein were failed at every turn\u2014by a justice system that minimized their suffering, and, shamefully, by Palm Beach County prosecutors who treated them as if they were the criminals,\u201d said Rep. Frankel. \u201cThat\u2019s why today I was proud to vote to force the release of the Epstein files. No more secrecy. No more excuses. The American people deserve to know why these survivors were treated so badly, who made those decisions, and who they were protecting.\u201d", 1, "2026-04-07T15:46:19Z", "2026-04-07T20:18:39Z"], ["https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3441", "Wasserman Schultz Meets with ACA Recipients, Floridians Impacted by GOP Healthcare Crisis", "2025-11-17", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Debbie Wasserman Schultz", "W000797", "wassermanschultz.house.gov", "wassermanschultz", "https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Sunrise, FL \u2013 Today, U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) held a roundtable discussion and press conference with Affordable Care Act recipients who face skyrocketing healthcare costs due to Republicans allowing ACA enhanced premium tax credits to lapse and the passage of Trump\u2019s Big Ugly Law.\n\nWatch the full press conference here.\n\n\u201cIf Republicans continue to cater to the billionaires and ignore our families, family budgets are going to be demolished. It\u2019s going to force families to drop healthcare coverage altogether. Our neighbors won\u2019t see their doctors. Chronic diseases will go undiagnosed,\u201d said Wasserman Schultz. \u201cPeople will end up sicker than they ever should be, and tragically, some people will needlessly die.\u201d\n\nFlorida, as much as any state in the nation, faces one of the worst impacts if the ACA tax credits at the heart of the shutdown dispute are allowed to expire. Of the top 15 congressional districts with the highest number of ACA enrollees, 12 of them are in Florida. On a yearly basis the State of Florida leads the nation in sign-ups for the Affordable Care Act.\n\nIn Florida\u2019s 25th Congressional District, 203,000 people will see their health care costs rise if ACA tax credits expire and 82,00 people will lose access to health coverage entirely due to the impacts of the Big Ugly Law and expiring ACA tax credits.\n\nWasserman Schultz was joined by Executive Director of Florida Decides Healthcare Mitch Emerson, ACA recipients Saskia Madison, Felicia Persaud, and Stephanie van Vark, family member of ACA recipient Jody Kaminsky, and Half Moon Empanadas HR Director George Zamora, who handles employee health planning for his company.\n\n####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://wilson.house.gov/media/press-releases/ranking-members-wilson-larsen-statement-on-the-trump-administration-s-latest-attack-on-clean-water", "Ranking Members Wilson, Larsen Statement on the Trump Administration\u2019s Latest Attack on Clean Water", "2025-11-17", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Frederica S. Wilson", "W000808", "wilson.house.gov", "wilson", "https://wilson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment Frederica Wilson (D-FL) and Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Rick Larsen (D-WA) released the following joint statement in response to the notice of proposed rulemaking to weaken Clean Water Act protections:\n\n\u201cAmericans overwhelmingly support the Clean Water Act\u2014one of the most successful pieces of environmental legislation in history. Congress should hold industries accountable for protecting our drinking water and our health,\u201d the Ranking Members said. \u201cThis latest Trump administration action will increase costs on families by making clean drinking water harder to obtain, and cause lasting damage to our rivers, streams, lakes and wetlands.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://wilson.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-wilson-s-statement-on-the-vote-to-release-the-epstein-files", "Rep. Wilson\u2019s Statement on the Vote to Release the Epstein Files", "2025-11-17", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Frederica S. Wilson", "W000808", "wilson.house.gov", "wilson", "https://wilson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Congresswoman Frederica Wilson issued a statement on the Epstein Files Transparency Act, to which she plans to vote \u201cyes\u201d:\n\n\u201cI\u2019ll be voting to release all the Epstein files. Americans deserve the truth. Survivors deserve peace. And the perpetrators must be brought to justice. I\u2019m not here to shield pedophiles or hide information from the American people. It\u2019s time to make the files public.\u201d", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=405071", "U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor Statement on Congressional Republicans\u2019 Unaffordable, Partisan Spending Bill", "2025-11-13", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Kathy Castor", "C001066", "castor.house.gov", "castor", "https://castor.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) released the following statement on Congressional Republicans\u2019 partisan spending bill that fails to address the affordability crisis:\n\n\u201cThe fight to lower costs and ensure Floridians have access to the health care they need is not over. To the four million Floridians who rely on the Affordable Care Act tax credits for affordable coverage, I pledge to keep standing up for you.\n\n\"President Trump and Republicans in Congress value tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy over the health of hardworking Americans. They have turned their Big Ugly bill into a crisis with the most significant Medicaid cut in history, outrageous threats to Medicare, and relentless targeting of the Affordable Care Act. Republicans have sabotaged affordable health coverage for years by making it more expensive and harder to enroll.\n\n\u201cAmericans are suffering an affordability squeeze, and the least Republicans can do is work in a bipartisan way to solve the health care crisis and not inflict more pain on our neighbors.\u201d\n\nFL ACA Enrollees by Congressional District (In order of highest number of enrollees)\n\n298,261 \u2013 Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R- FL-27)\n\n290,676 \u2013 Rep. Frederica Wilson (D- FL-24)\n\n287,091 \u2013 Rep. Carlos A. Giminez (R-FL-28)\n\n272,854 \u2013 Rep. Darren Soto (D-FL-09)\n\n258,529 \u2013 Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL-26)\n\n234,776 \u2013 Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-FL-10)\n\n223,300 \u2013 Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL-25)\n\n208, 538 \u2013 Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL-23)\n\n206,614 \u2013 Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL-20)\n\n168,911 \u2013 Rep. Daniel Webster (R-FL-11)\n\n168,495 \u2013 Rep. Lois Frankel (D-FL-22)\n\n152,745 \u2013 Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL-19)\n\n150,303 \u2013 Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL-21)\n\n141,151 \u2013 Rep. Laurel Lee (R-FL-15)\n\n136,624 \u2013 Rep. Scott Franklin (R-FL-18)\n\n136,535 \u2013 Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL-14)\n\n133,028 \u2013 Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL-16)\n\n127,936 \u2013 Rep. John Rutherford (R-FL-05)\n\n127,712 \u2013 Rep. Cory Mills (R-FL-07)\n\n126,983 \u2013 Rep. Randy Fine (R-FL-06)\n\n121,263 \u2013 Rep. Aaron Bean (R-FL-04)\n\n120,436 \u2013 Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL-17)\n\n112,852 \u2013 Rep. Kat Cammack (R-FL-03)\n\n112,261 \u2013 Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL-12)\n\n109,309 \u2013 Rep. Neal Dunn (R-FL-02)\n\n106,564 \u2013 Rep. Mike Haridopolos (R-FL-08)\n\n106,136 \u2013 Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL-13)\n\n95,589 \u2013 Rep. Jimmy Patronis (R-FL-01)\n\n4,735,472 \u2013 Total FL ACA Enrollees (most in the country)", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-cherfilus-mccormick-and-jackson-lead-letter-urging-strong-us-response", "Reps. Cherfilus-McCormick and Jackson Lead Letter Urging Strong U.S. Response to Post-Election Crisis in Cameroon", "2025-11-13", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick", "C001127", "cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov", "cherfilus-mccormick", "https://cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Representatives Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) and Jonathan Jackson (D-IL), alongside several of their colleagues, sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressing deep concern over the ongoing post-election crisis in the Republic of Cameroon following the October 12, 2025, presidential election.\n\nThe letter highlights widespread human rights violations, electoral irregularities, and ongoing political violence that threaten to destabilize not only Cameroon, but the broader Central African region. The lawmakers warn that this instability undermines both U.S. security and economic interests.\n\n\"The people of Cameroon have shown incredible courage and commitment to democracy,\" said Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL). \"Yet, their voices are being silenced through intimidation, violence, and the suppression of basic freedoms. The United States must stand firm in supporting democracy, human rights, and the rule of law in Cameroon and across Africa.\"\n\nThe letter documents several serious electoral and human rights concerns, including:\n\nThe disqualification of opposition leaders and the suppression of independent civil society;\n\nArbitrary arrests and detentions of political activists, journalists, and human rights defenders;\n\nBallot irregularities in major cities such as Douala, Bamenda, and Garoua; and\n\nPost-election violence, including the deaths of civilians and political figures.\n\nThe lawmakers urged the Department of State to take the following actions:\n\nPress the Cameroonian government to release political prisoners and respect fundamental freedoms;\n\nHold perpetrators of human rights abuses accountable;\n\nEncourage all parties to renounce violence and engage in peaceful dialogue; and\n\nSupport inclusive international mediation to facilitate a peaceful and democratic transition.\n\nRep. Cherfilus-McCormick emphasized that Cameroon\u2019s stability is vital to regional counterterrorism efforts against Boko Haram and ISIS\u2013West Africa, as well as to the security of the Gulf of Guinea, which is critical to global trade and energy supply.", 1, "2026-04-14T05:46:13Z", "2026-04-14T05:48:07Z"], ["https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4929", "Reps. Frankel and Salazar Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Recognizing National Caregiving Youth Week", "2025-11-13", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Lois Frankel", "F000462", "frankel.house.gov", "frankel", "https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Today, Representatives Lois Frankel (D-FL-22) and Mar\u00eda Elvira Salazar (R-FL-27) introduced a bipartisan resolution recognizing November 10 - 16, 2025, as National Caregiving Youth Week. The resolution honors the contributions and commitment of children and adolescents under 18 years who serve as primary or secondary caregivers for a loved one who is aging, has a chronic illness, disability, frailty, or other health condition requiring regular assistance. It is estimated that there are over six million caregiving youth nationwide.\n\n\u201cAll over the country, there are young people who set aside their own needs\u2014school work, extracurricular activities, and time with their friends\u2014to serve as caregivers for members of their family who may be elderly, ill, or disabled,\u201d said Rep. Frankel. \u201cNovember is National Family Caregivers Month, and we\u2019re proud to recognize the tremendous work and sacrifice of these young caregivers.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur country is home to millions of kindhearted youth who care for family members that need their help,\u201d said Rep. Salazar. \u201cI am honored to co-lead this resolution recognizing caregiving youth whose sacrifices humble and inspire all of us.\u201d\n\n\u201cMore than six million caregiving youth in the U.S. remain largely invisible, trying to balance school and life while providing essential care for a chronically ill, injured, elderly, and/or disabled family member,\u201d said Dr. Connie Siskowski, President and Founder of the American Association of Caregiving Youth (AACY). \u201cMost people don\u2019t realize the challenging, difficult, and otherwise adult roles these children must take on through no fault of their own, all while their brains and bodies are still developing. They deserve and need formal support and accommodations within systems of education and health care. As one boy said, \u2018Dr. Connie, where would our country be without caregiving youth?\u2019 No child should feel alone in this journey as they strive to succeed academically and personally.\u201d\n\nThe resolution:\n\nSupports the designation of National Caregiving Youth Week;\n\nRecognizes caregiving youth in the United States as an underserved and underrecognized population;\n\nEncourages educators, policymakers, health care professionals, and others to become more familiar with the work, needs, and contributions of caregiving youth; and\n\nSupports Federal initiatives to provide up-to-date nationwide research on caregiving youth.", 1, "2026-04-07T15:46:19Z", "2026-04-07T20:18:39Z"], ["https://cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-cherfilus-mccormick-votes-no-government-funding-bill-fails-working", "Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick Votes \u201cNo\u201d on Government Funding Bill That Fails Working Families", "2025-11-12", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick", "C001127", "cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov", "cherfilus-mccormick", "https://cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) released the following statement after voting \u201cno\u201d on a government funding bill that turns its back on working families and does nothing to protect South Floridians from skyrocketing healthcare costs.\n\n\u201cFor 43 long days, air traffic controllers, TSA agents, our troops, and public servants across this nation sacrificed their paychecks and well-being to keep our country safe and running. They showed up for America, even when America wasn\u2019t showing up for them.\n\n\u201cAnd after all that suffering and sacrifice, this bill still fails to deliver what our families desperately need: relief from crushing healthcare costs. It does nothing to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits or make health insurance more affordable for the people I represent in South Florida.\n\n\u201cI did not come to Washington to play politics. I came here to fight for the livelihoods and dignity of my constituents\u2014for the mother in Lauderdale Lakes choosing between groceries and insulin, for the retiree in West Palm Beach rationing medication to make it last, for the father who told me during the shutdown that he was terrified of what would happen if his child got sick without insurance. His fear stays with me. His story is why I cannot, and will not, vote for a bill that leaves people like him behind.\n\nOur communities deserve better than empty promises and political games.\n\n\u201cThey deserve leadership that listens to their pain and acts with compassion. In the meantime, I will keep fighting for a healthcare system that works for everyone: for affordable care, fair wages, and a government that truly serves the people who keep this country running.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4928", "Rep. Frankel Blasts Republican Spending Bill that Guts Health Care and Raises Costs", "2025-11-12", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Lois Frankel", "F000462", "frankel.house.gov", "frankel", "https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Today, Rep. Lois Frankel (FL-22) released the following statement after passage of the Republican spending bill.\n\n\u201cI voted no because this Republican spending bill leaves working families sicker and poorer while making health care more expensive for everyone,\u201d said Rep. Frankel. \u201cMillions of Americans\u2014their budgets already stretched to the limit\u2014will see their health insurance premiums skyrocket, forcing them to choose between seeing a doctor and paying the rent.\n\nI\u2019m not giving up. The fight is just beginning.\u201d\u00ad\n\nFrankel: Higher Costs and ICE Brutality Mark the Real State of the Union\n\nFebruary 24, 2026 | Posted in Press Releases\n\nRanking Member Frankel Speaks Out Against Trump\u2019s Expansion of the Deadly Global Gag Rule\n\nJanuary 30, 2026 | Posted in Press Releases\n\nRep. Frankel Votes to Stop Skyrocketing Health Care Costs\n\nJanuary 9, 2026 | Posted in Press Releases\n\nBipartisan Florida Delegation Urges Implementation of Proposal to Strengthen HIV/AIDS Care\n\nDecember 16, 2025 | Posted in Press Releases\n\nFrankel Celebrates Opening of Palm Beach State College\u2019s Expanded Respiratory Clinical Lab\n\nDecember 5, 2025 | Posted in Press Releases", 1, "2026-04-07T15:46:19Z", "2026-04-07T20:18:39Z"], ["https://frost.house.gov/media/press-releases/11/12/2025/congressman-maxwell-frost-statement-on-house-passage-of-stopgap-funding-bill", "Congressman Maxwell Frost Statement on House Passage of Stopgap Funding Bill", "2025-11-12", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Maxwell Frost", "F000476", "frost.house.gov", "frost", "https://frost.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost (FL-10) released a statement following House passage of a stopgap funding bill to temporarily keep the government funded through the end of January and reopen the government.\n\nIn a statement, Rep. Frost says:\n\n\u201cIn this funding bill Congressional Republicans and the White House are cruelly choosing to let health care premiums soar for 20 million working Americans families. It\u2019s a choice they\u2019ve made clear that they are comfortable with.\n\n\u201cRepublican inaction tonight on health care subsidies for working people will force more families to make the tough decision to go without any coverage at all.\n\n\u201cWhile Republicans have spent the last 43 days on a paid vacation, I\u2019ve been hearing from constituents who will pay the price for their inaction: a woman battling breast cancer who won\u2019t be able to afford her medication, a family of four now relying on food banks to put meals on the table in order to afford health care, a veteran currently in school one surprise medical bill away from being unable to pay their rent.\n\n\u201cAmericans deserve better. And I will do everything I can to fight back against the Republicans trying to strip away health coverage from hard working Americans. Health care should not be a privilege only for those who can afford it, it\u2019s a basic necessity in order to thrive, and it should be treated as a human right.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases/soto-statement-ahead-house-vote-republican-spending-bill", "Soto Statement Ahead of House Vote on Republican Spending Bill", "2025-11-12", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Darren Soto", "S001200", "soto.house.gov", "soto", "https://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Image\n\nNovember 12, 2025\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, Congressman Darren Soto (FL-09) issued the following statement ahead of the vote in the House of Representatives on the Republican spending bill:\n\n\"Today, I will stand up for Central Florida and vote NO. We have over 275,000 constituents enrolled in Obamacare, the second-most in the United States. Their healthcare costs are skyrocketing 200%-300% and higher. We could have worked together to fix the GOP Healthcare Crisis. Instead, Republicans chose to do NOTHING.\u201d\n\n###\n\nEN ESPA\u00d1OL: Declaraci\u00f3n de Soto Antes de la Votaci\u00f3n en la C\u00e1mara de Representantes Sobre el Proyecto de Ley de Financiaci\u00f3n de los Republicanos\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Hoy, el congresista Darren Soto (FL-09) public\u00f3 la siguiente declaraci\u00f3n antes de la votaci\u00f3n en la C\u00e1mara de Representantes sobre el proyecto de ley de financiaci\u00f3n de los republicanos:\n\n\"Hoy defender\u00e9 a Florida Central y votar\u00e9 NO. Tenemos m\u00e1s de 275.000 personas inscritas en Obamacare, la segunda cifra m\u00e1s alta en los Estados Unidos. Los costos de la atenci\u00f3n m\u00e9dica se han disparado entre 200 % y 300 %, o m\u00e1s. Podr\u00edamos haber trabajado juntos para solucionar la crisis de salud que crearon los republicanos. En cambio, los republicanos no hicieron NADA.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-06-11T06:38:38Z", "2026-06-11T06:41:07Z"], ["https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3440", "Van Hollen, Wasserman Schultz Lead Over 120 Members in Filing Amicus Brief Urging Court to Uphold Temporary Protected Status for Venezuela", "2025-11-12", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Debbie Wasserman Schultz", "W000797", "wassermanschultz.house.gov", "wassermanschultz", "https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and U.S. Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) were joined by 125 members of Congress in submitting an amicus brief to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in the case of National TPS Alliance et al. v. Noem, urging the reversal of the Trump Administration\u2019s baseless decision to vacate and terminate the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Venezuela. First granted for Venezuela in 2021, TPS has provided approximately 600,000 Venezuelans in the U.S. refuge from economic turmoil and humanitarian crisis in their home country, and authorization to live and work legally in America.\n\nA District Court ruled in September that the Trump Administration\u2019s decision to vacate and terminate Venezuela\u2019s TPS designation was unlawful. After the Trump Administration appealed the decision to the Supreme Court to request a stay of that ruling, Senator Van Hollen, Representative Wasserman Schultz, and their colleagues filed an amicus brief calling for the District Court decision to be upheld. The Supreme Court later sided with the Administration \u2013 allowing the Department of Homeland Security to continue stripping Venezuelans of their protections to remain lawfully in the U.S. while the case is fully considered in the Ninth Circuit.\n\nAs they argued in their amicus brief submitted to the Supreme Court, the lawmakers again stressed to the Ninth Circuit that the District Court correctly ruled in alignment with the intent of Congress \u2013 that the Executive Branch is to determine humanitarian protections such as TPS according to set criteria as opposed to political preferences. \u201cThe Northern District of California properly determined that the plain text of the TPS statute does not support the Secretary\u2019s argument that her actions are unreviewable. Nor does it support the Secretary\u2019s actions with respect to Venezuelan TPS. Instead, the Executive Branch\u2019s interpretation of the TPS statute essentially rewrites the statute to claim a power that Congress did not delegate to the Executive Branch,\u201d they wrote in the brief\u2019s introduction.\n\nThey also pointed to Congress\u2019 tradition of bipartisan support for TPS and for protecting law-abiding individuals from being sent into harm\u2019s way, writing, \u201cthe Secretary\u2019s actions not only violate the TPS statute but also contradict the bipartisan opposition to terminating Venezuela TPS. Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle have long supported temporary protected status for Venezuelans who fled dangerous conditions in their country \u2013 conditions that persist today.\u201d\n\nSenator Van Hollen and Representative Wasserman Schultz have been leaders in the fight to protect TPS as the Trump Administration and the right-wing Supreme Court push to undermine it. Senator Van Hollen has introduced the SECURE Act, legislation to provide qualified Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) recipients a path to legal permanent residency. Representative Wasserman Schultz co-authored the bipartisan Venezuela TPS Act of 2025, which would restore lawful status to Venezuelans deprived of protections by the Trump Administration, as well as the bipartisan Venezuelan Adjustment Act, which would allow Venezuelan TPS and parole recipients to become lawful permanent residents.\n\nJoining Senator Van Hollen and Representative Wasserman Schultz on this brief are Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.); and Representatives Gabe Amo (D-R.I.), Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.), Becca Balint (D-Vt.), Nanette Diaz Barrag\u00e1n (D-Calif.), Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), Wesley Bell (D-Mo.), Don Beyer (D-Va.), Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.), Shontel Brown (D-Ohio), Julia Brownley (D-Calif.), Janelle Bynum (D-Ore.), Andr\u00e9 Carson (D-Ind.), Troy Carter (D-La.), Greg Casar (D-Texas), Sean Casten (D-Ill.), Kathy Castor (D-Fla.), Joaquin Castro (D-Texas), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.), Judy Chu (D-Calif.), Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.), Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.), Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.), Herb Conaway (D-N.J.), Lou Correa (D-Calif.), Angie Craig (D-Minn.), Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas), Danny Davis (D-Ill.), Madeleine Dean (D-Pa.), Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.), Mark DeSaulnier (D-Calif.), Maxine Dexter (D-Ore.), Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas), Sarah Elfreth (D-Md.), Veronica Escobar (D-Texas), Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.), Lizzie Fletcher (D-Texas), Lois Frankel (D-Fla.), Laura Friedman (D-Calif.), Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.), Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), Sylvia Garcia (D-Texas), Chuy Garcia (D-Ill.), Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.), Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.), Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.), Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), Glenn Ivey (D-Md.), Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Hank Johnson (D-Ga.), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.), Bill Keating (D-Mass.), Robin Kelly (D-Ill.), Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), Greg Landsman (D-Ohio), John Larson (D-Conn.), Summer Lee (D-Pa.), Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.), Sarah McBride (D-Del.), Jennifer McClellan (D-Va.), Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), April McClain Delaney (D-Md.), Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.), Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), Rob Menendez (D-N.J.), Grace Meng (D-N.Y.), Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.), Dave Min (D-Calif.), Kelly Morrison (D-Minn.), Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.), Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.), Richard Neal (D-Mass.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), Stacey Plaskett (D-Virgin Islands), Nellie Pou (D-N.J.), Mike Quigley (D-Ill.), Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.), Emily Randall (D-Wash.), Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), Luz Rivas (D-Calif.), Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.), Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-Pa.), Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Brad Schneider (D-Ill.), Terri Sewell (D-Ala.), Brad Sherman (D-Calif.), Lateefah Simon (D-Calif.), Darren Soto (D-Fla.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), Marilyn Strickland (D-Wash.), Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.), Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.), Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), Dina Titus (D-Nev.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.), Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.), Lori Trahan (D-Mass.), Juan Vargas (D-Calif.), Nydia Velazquez (D-N.Y.), James Walkinshaw (D-Va.), Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.), Nikema Williams (D-Ga.), and Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://wilson.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-frederica-wilson-s-statement-on-the-partisan-republican-spending-bill", "Congresswoman Frederica Wilson\u2019s Statement on the Partisan Republican Spending Bill", "2025-11-12", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Frederica S. Wilson", "W000808", "wilson.house.gov", "wilson", "https://wilson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Frederica Wilson issued a statement on the partisan Republican Spending bill, to which she voted \u2018no\u2019 on:\n\n\u201cMiami-Dade County is ground zero for this nation\u2019s healthcare crisis, and this bill fails to do a damn thing to address this crisis. Hundreds of thousands of people in South Florida will lose healthcare coverage, many of whom will die. And I will not rubber-stamp the suffering that is bound to come.\n\n\u201cThe fight does not stop here though. I will continue to fight to extend the healthcare tax credits and save healthcare. And while this shutdown showed how hard Republicans fought to starve Americans and strip them of healthcare, Democrats will press on.\n\n\u201cThat is why House Democrats are introducing a discharge petition to force a vote on the House floor to extend the healthcare tax credits by three years. Every Democrat and Republican should sign the discharge petition to extend the healthcare tax credits because if we fail to act, we will have blood on our hands. My fight to protect healthcare will not stop until we cancel the cuts, lower the costs, and save healthcare.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-cherfilus-mccormick-and-van-drew-introduce-veterans-bill-rights-ensure", "Reps. Cherfilus-McCormick and Van Drew Introduce Veterans Bill of Rights to Ensure Every Veteran Receives the Care and Respect They Deserve", "2025-11-11", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick", "C001127", "cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov", "cherfilus-mccormick", "https://cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, Representatives Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) and Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) honored Veterans Day by introducing the Veterans Bill of Rights Act. The legislation would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide every veteran with a clear and straightforward Veterans Bill of Rights outlining the benefits and services they are entitled to.\n\n\"Our veterans fought for this country, and the least we can do is make sure the government fights for them,\" said Congressman Van Drew. \"Too many veterans still struggle to get the care and benefits they have earned because the system is so confusing. This bill makes sure that every veteran knows exactly what they are entitled to, and that the VA is required to deliver it. We are taking action to make sure our veterans receive the care they deserve.\"\n\n\"Our veterans fought for us\u2014now we fight for them,\" said Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick. \"We fight and we win when we honor our veterans not just with words, but with action\u2014ensuring every veteran has the care, dignity, and opportunity they've earned. That's what the bipartisan Veterans' Bill of Rights Act does.\"\n\nThe Veterans Bill of Rights Act would:\n\nRequire the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide every veteran with a comprehensive Veterans Bill of Rights, available both in print and online, in plain, easy-to-understand language\n\nCodify key rights to fair treatment, privacy, timely health care (including community care), mental health and family support, housing and job assistance, education benefits, and transparency in claims and appeals\n\nEstablish a complaint hotline and website for veterans to report issues directly, and require the VA to respond to all complaints within 30 days\n\nMandate annual compliance reports to Congress detailing performance, complaint response metrics, and corrective actions", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4925", "Rep. Frankel Statement on Republican Health Care Crisis", "2025-11-10", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Lois Frankel", "F000462", "frankel.house.gov", "frankel", "https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "\u201cLet me be clear. I do not support the legislation being pushed by the Republican-controlled Senate that would leave millions of Americans without access to affordable health care and pile even more pressure on already-stretched family budgets,\u201d said Rep. Frankel. \u201cI will continue to stand with like-minded colleagues in the House and Senate to fight for a health care system where no one has to choose between paying the rent and seeing a doctor.\u201d", 1, "2026-04-07T15:46:19Z", "2026-04-07T20:18:39Z"], ["https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4926", "Rep. Frankel Statement Urging Trump to Release Overdue WPS Report", "2025-11-10", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Lois Frankel", "F000462", "frankel.house.gov", "frankel", "https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "\"In 2017, President Trump signed the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Act into law with broad bipartisan support, reaffirming America\u2019s leadership in advancing women\u2019s participation, protection, and empowerment worldwide. The law requires the Administration to submit regular reports to Congress detailing how it is carrying out this national-security mandate. This year\u2019s report was due on October 31, and the Administration failed to submit it, leaving it out of compliance with the very law the President himself signed,\" said Rep. Frankel.\n\n\"These reports are essential for Congress to conduct oversight, evaluate progress, and ensure the United States is living up to its commitments to elevate women\u2019s leadership in preventing conflict, building peace, and strengthening global stability. The delay blocks transparency, undermines informed policymaking, and weakens our credibility with allies who look to the United States for leadership on Women, Peace, and Security.\n\nAt a time of growing global conflict, WPS principles are more vital than ever. As Co-Chair of the bipartisan WPS Caucus, I am calling on the Administration to follow the law, release this overdue report, and reaffirm America\u2019s commitment to peace through women\u2019s leadership.\"", 1, "2026-04-07T15:46:19Z", "2026-04-07T20:18:39Z"], ["https://frost.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-maxwell-frost-statement-on-senate-passage-of-funding-deal", "Congressman Maxwell Frost Statement on Senate Passage of Funding Deal", "2025-11-10", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Maxwell Frost", "F000476", "frost.house.gov", "frost", "https://frost.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost (FL-10) released a statement following Senate passage of a funding bill to temporarily keep the government funded through the end of January.\n\nIn a statement, Rep. Frost says:\n\n\u201cThis funding fight was supposed to be about addressing the urgency of rising health care costs for 20 million Americans brought on by this administration\u2019s failed policies and Republican inaction. Instead, the Senate gave up in exchange for an empty promise for a vote on extending current health care subsidies. Americans don\u2019t need empty promises, they need to be able to afford their health care premiums.\n\n\u201cThe last seven weeks of this shutdown say it all: Republicans\u2019 refusal to negotiate proves they have no real interest in lowering health care costs.\n\n\u201cThis deal fails our communities who elected us to stand up for them, but the fight isn\u2019t over. I am a NO on any vote that raises premiums for nearly one in four people in my district. I believe that in the richest country on the face of the Earth, families deserve to get the care they need when they need it\u2014and I will fight like hell to make that a reality.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3438", "Wasserman Schultz: Democrats Will Not Give Up Our Fight", "2025-11-10", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Debbie Wasserman Schultz", "W000797", "wassermanschultz.house.gov", "wassermanschultz", "https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Today, U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schutlz (FL-25) released the following statement:\n\n\u201cHouse Democrats are fighting to secure bipartisan legislation to fund our government and prevent an unfolding health care coverage calamity that will financially crush tens of millions.\n\nThe Senate proposed bill critically fails to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits and leaves future healthcare funding in jeopardy for veterans exposed to deadly toxins. This proposal will not solve the healthcare mess Donald Trump and Republicans foisted on the American people. Costs will soar. Basic healthcare and access to doctors will be pushed out of reach for millions.\n\nHouse Democrats will not give up our fight to make life less expensive for families, seniors and veterans. And we will continue to oppose this economic trainwreck that Donald Trump and Republicans own. When it's finally debated in the House, we will hold Republicans accountable and go to the mat for a vote on legislation to prevent millions of Americans\u2019 health care costs from skyrocketing. We will demand Mike Johnson swear-in Congresswoman-elect Adelita Grijalva and explain why he allowed this healthcare and shutdown catastrophe to mushroom into a full-blown crisis, while Republicans enjoyed a two-month, taxpayer-funded vacation.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=405070", "CASTOR ANNOUNCES LOCAL VETERAN NONPROFITS GET A BOOST AHEAD OF VETERANS DAY", "2025-11-07", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Kathy Castor", "C001066", "castor.house.gov", "castor", "https://castor.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Ahead of Veterans Day, U.S. Representative Kathy Castor (FL-14) announced two St. Petersburg nonprofits were awarded federal grants to hire and retain veteran case managers. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul South received two awards totaling $1,699,928 for 4 case managers and Boley Centers, Inc. received $340,433.00 for 1 case manager.\n\n\u201cEvery day is Veterans Day in Tampa Bay, and I am proud to have championed over $2 million for organizations that better the lives of those who have served our country selflessly. Our veterans deserve access to high-quality resources to find safe, affordable housing and mental health services. Community partners at St. Vincent de Paul South and the Boley Centers will be able to expand their already wide reach in our veteran community to continue ensuring our service members and their families have the tools to thrive when they return home from serving our country. I applaud these nonprofits for effectively serving those, who have served us,\" said U.S. Representative Kathy Castor.\n\n\"This funding represents more than financial support, it is an investment in our community\u2019s shared commitment that homelessness is rare, brief, and nonrecurring. With these resources, Saint Vincent de Paul CARES will continue to provide safe housing, tailored case management, and long-term stability for those we serve,\" said Michael Raposa, CEO of The Society of St. Vincent de Paul South.\n\n\u201cWe are honored to receive this support, which will directly strengthen our work helping veterans secure housing and the individualized mental health services they need to thrive. Representative Castor\u2019s continued advocacy reflects the belief that no veteran should be without a home or support system. We look forward to working together to ensure that those who have served our country receive the care and stability they deserve,\" said Kevin Marrone, President & CEO of Boley Centers, Inc.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://wilson.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-wilson-superintendent-dr-jose-dotres-celebrate-the-groundbreaking-of-the-dr-frederica-s-wilsonskyway-elementary-school-as-the-first-net-zero-energy-school-in-miami-dade-county-public-schools", "Congresswoman Wilson, Superintendent Dr. Jose Dotres Celebrate the Groundbreaking of the Dr. Frederica S. Wilson/Skyway Elementary School as the First Net Zero Energy School in Miami-Dade County Public Schools", "2025-11-07", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Frederica S. Wilson", "W000808", "wilson.house.gov", "wilson", "https://wilson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24), Miami-Dade Superintendent Dr. Jos\u00e9 Dotres, and the staff of Dr. Frederica S. Wilson / Skyway Elementary celebrated the groundbreaking to transform the school into the first Net Zero Energy school in Miami-Dade County Public Schools. The project will replace old facilities with new, state-of-the-art, sustainable buildings and comprehensive renovations designed to meet Net Zero standards, along with the construction of new facilities such as a tennis court, science lab, and more.\n\nCongresswoman Frederica Wilson said, \u201cSkyway was not just a school when I was Principal; we were a family who took care of each other. To see today the abolishment of the old school, we have to make sure that we stay just as close with the building of a new school, because that love and that spirit doesn\u2019t go away. So, while the old building is gone, the spirit of Dr. Frederica S. Wilson/Skyway Elementary will remain forever.\u201d\n\nCongresswoman Frederica Wilson was formally the principal at the Dr. Frederica S. Wilson/Skyway Elementary School prior to running for public office. Former teachers, staff, and students of the Dr. Frederica S. Wilson/Skyway Elementary School were also in attendance.\n\n\u201cThis will be our first net-zero energy school that will provide energy on its own for this amazing site,\u201d Miami-Dade Superintendent Dr. Jose Dotres said. \u201cWe are all very excited that we are opening a new school in this amazing community, which will have a state-of-the-art facility for our students. What\u2019s really important is also the name the school carries, which is our Congresswoman, Frederica Wilson. She was a principal at this school, and now she gets to see the replacement of this school she was at with a brand-new facility.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur students will have access to a lot of things that a lot of elementary schools don\u2019t have, like tennis courts, putting greens, a different science center, native trees, just different areas of learning, both in and outside the classroom,\u201d Principal Tiffany James said. \u201cWe\u2019re really really excited to expose our boys and girls to this different initiative that Miami-Dade has put in place for the children here in Miami Gardens and that they can just, again, learn anywhere in any space.\u201d\n\nThe Dr. Frederica S. Wilson/Skyway Elementary School has received an \u2018A\u2019 School rating for three years in a row under the leadership of Principal Tiffany James.\n\nH.A. Contracting Corp was awarded $34.1 million for the comprehensive upgrade and renovation of Dr. Frederica Wilson/Skyway Elementary School. The new 36,000 square foot, high-performance building will house 400 student stations and feature modern art and music labs, administration offices, and a media center. The cafeteria building will undergo extensive renovations, including high performance HVAC systems, new LED lighting, electric cooking equipment, as well as new exterior paint. Further improvements include two new tennis courts, two new putting greens, and a new parking lot.\n\nMany sustainable design strategies were incorporated to achieve a Net Zero Energy and Green/Sustainable facility, which includes new solar panels, optimal building orientation, high-performance building envelope and HVAC systems, Low-E insulated glazing, water conserving fixtures, and other energy efficient features.\n\nFor a full video and audio of the ceremony, click here.\n\nFor photos and B-Roll, click here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://wilson.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-congresswoman-frederica-wilson-writes-op-ed-calling-out-republican-hypocrisy-and-describing-the-impacts-of-the-big-ugly-law", "ICYMI: Congresswoman Frederica Wilson Writes Op-ed Calling out Republican Hypocrisy and Describing the Impacts of the Big, Ugly Law", "2025-11-07", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Frederica S. Wilson", "W000808", "wilson.house.gov", "wilson", "https://wilson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Miami, Fla.\u2014 Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24) wrote an op-ed in the Miami Herald calling out the recent Republican hypocrisy during the government shutdown and describing the impacts of the \u2018Big, Ugly Law,\u2019 signed into law on July 4, 2025. Congresswoman Frederica Wilson voted 'No' on the \u2018Big, Ugly Law.\u2019 The op-ed is titled \u201cCuts that kill: Floridians will pay the price for the \u2018Big Ugly Law\u2019\u201d\n\nFull Op-ed Text Below:\n\n\u201cRight now, Republicans continue to keep the government shutdown while spewing out absolute nonsense about their position on healthcare and food assistance.\n\nThe truth is simple: this summer Republicans cheered and passed the One Big Beautiful Bill \u2014 or the \u201cBig Ugly Law\u201d \u2014 which rips apart the fabric of public welfare and our democracy.\n\nIt\u2019s a law whose impact is starting to take effect across the nation right now and will continue to cause havoc in the lives of Americans for years to come. It\u2019s so sweeping that the president said he doesn\u2019t \u201cneed anything more from Congress\u201d for the rest of his presidency.\n\nIn Florida alone, nearly 2 million people will lose health insurance because of the Big Ugly Law. With open enrollment underway right now, families are already seeing skyrocketing premiums for 2026 because this law fails to extend crucial healthcare tax credits.\n\nThese credits have been vital for Floridians, especially given the state\u2019s refusal to expand Medicaid. And Miami-Dade is at the epicenter of this crisis, with over 1 million Affordable Care Act enrollees.\n\nMany people will lose coverage and some could die. Hospitals will lose revenue and services may be cut. The law also targets Medicaid, with further cuts coming in 2027. When Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act are gutted, Medicare inevitably suffers and premiums rise for everyone, including those not relying on these programs.\n\nBut the law extends beyond healthcare. It also targets essential nutrition programs.\n\nIn Florida, 253,000 individuals will be cut off from some or all SNAP benefits. Just this year, eligibility for SNAP coverage will change and strip food aid from countless families, including veterans who benefit from some SNAP rule exemptions.\n\nThis year marks the first wave of people losing SNAP due to this law. A second wave will hit in 2027 when more cuts take effect. Let\u2019s not forget that Miami-Dade is the epicenter of food insecurity in Florida. This law will leave many in Miami-Dade going to sleep hungry.\n\nOur education system isn\u2019t spared either. This law creates the first national school voucher plan, a Trojan horse mechanism designed to leech funding away from underfunded public schools and divert it to overfinanced private schools.\n\nSchool vouchers will cost taxpayers $50 billion a year \u2014 nearly double what the federal government pays now to help poor children and children with disabilities. This is where our priorities are \u2014 all while the administration guts the Department of Education.\n\nHigher education is under attack as well. Federal student loan borrowers can expect their yearly payments to jump by nearly $200 within a year. The law also caps how much students can borrow: a $257,500-lifetime limit overall, $20,500 per year and $100,000 total for graduate students\n\nYou\u2019ll also see the effects of this law in your electric bill. By eliminating the clean energy tax credit at the end of this year, the law will trigger an expected $430 annual increase in electricity costs for Floridians over the next decade.\n\nAll for what? To give tax breaks to greedy billionaires who would still be rich even if they spent $10 million a day for the next 50 years. To throw more money at ICE so it can continue terrorizing immigrant communities.\n\nI\u2019m proud to represent an immigrant-rich community, one of the state\u2019s most culturally diverse districts that I like to call a \u201cLittle United Nations.\u201d Our community will be among the hardest hit.\n\nBottom line: many of these changes will not occur until after the 2026 midterms.\n\nThis is a thought-out tactic to get your vote before the nightmare in your life is ushered in. I\u2019m especially saddened because my county, Miami-Dade, seems to be ground zero for the barrage of pain and suffering that will hit us after 2026.\n\nI hope voters will remember this betrayal. While Democrats and the American people may not have won this battle, we will win the war.\u201d\n\nFor the link to the op-ed, click here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=405069", "CASTOR CELEBRATES THE POWERFUL LEGACY OF SPEAKER EMERITA PELOSI", "2025-11-06", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Kathy Castor", "C001066", "castor.house.gov", "castor", "https://castor.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "U.S. Representative Kathy Castor (FL-14) released the following statement regarding Speaker Emerita Pelosi\u2019s upcoming retirement:\n\n\u201cSpeaker Emerita Pelosi will go down in history as the most effective Speaker of the House in history. I know, because I had a front row seat to her leadership, service and accomplishments over the past eighteen years. When she was sworn in as the first woman Speaker of the House in 2007 and I was sworn in for the first time, my daughters stood with her on the dais as Pelosi took the gavel and announced her work would be \u2018For the Children\u2019. I have had the honor to work with Speaker Pelosi and watch her leadership progress our country forward and positively impact the lives of our neighbors.\u201d\n\n\u201cPelosi\u2019s leadership spanned seven presidents and she helped America make progress no matter the political party in power. Pelosi was a true health care champion, leading Democrats to pass the monumental Affordable Care Act into law with President Obama. She was dedicated to serving our service members and their families just as they have served us through passing the Post-911 GI-Bill and the Honoring Our Pact Act. As a steadfast defender of LGBTQ+ civil rights, she worked to secure federal funding for lifesaving AIDS research under President Bush. Pelosi\u2019s forward-looking legislative agenda made space to address the climate crisis. She tapped me to Chair the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis for two terms where we adopted the most detailed plan for climate action in American history. With the help of the Select Committee, Congress was able to strengthen our infrastructure and grow clean energy jobs across the country, paving the way for the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act with President Biden.\"\n\n\u201cPelosi's legacy will live on in veterans who can get a higher education or the health care they have earned. It will live on in equal rights, equal pay and equal opportunity. Children are healthier, life-saving cures and treatments are more available, and Americans enjoy greater civil rights due to Pelosi\u2019s leadership. Our country and our people are better because of her, and I am grateful for her service, leadership and friendship.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4924", "Rep. Frankel Statement on Speaker Emerita Pelosi\u2019s Retirement Announcement", "2025-11-06", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Lois Frankel", "F000462", "frankel.house.gov", "frankel", "https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Today, Rep. Lois Frankel released the following statement after Speaker Emerita Pelosi announced she will not seek re-election in 2026.\n\n\u201cI have had the honor and privilege to serve in Congress with Nancy Pelosi for the past 12 plus years. She has been a mentor, friend and role model for me,\" said Rep. Frankel. \u201cHer grace, courage, perseverance, and compassion have uplifted millions of lives. She will leave an unmatched legacy in public service\u2014one defined by historic leadership, tireless advocacy for working families, and an unwavering defense of our democracy. I congratulate her on more than 40 years of remarkable service to our country, and I look forward to continuing to work alongside her in her final year in Congress.\u201d", 1, "2026-04-07T15:46:19Z", "2026-04-07T20:18:39Z"], ["https://frost.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-maxwell-frost-statement-on-faa-flight-reductions-amid-gop-government-shutdown", "Congressman Maxwell Frost Statement on FAA Flight Reductions Amid GOP Government Shutdown", "2025-11-06", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Maxwell Frost", "F000476", "frost.house.gov", "frost", "https://frost.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Orlando International Airport Among 40 Airports Facing Daily Flight Reductions\n\nORLANDO, FL \u2014 Today, Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost (FL-10) released a statement following news that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will reduce an estimated 4,000 to 5,000 flights daily at 40 airports nationwide, including Orlando International Airport (MCO), due to the Republican government shutdown.\n\nIn a statement, Rep. Frost says:\n\n\u201cAmid the longest government shutdown in our nation\u2019s history, the FAA will now begin reducing daily flights at airports nationwide, including right here in Central Florida at Orlando International. Instead of returning to Washington to reopen the government, Republican politicians are inflicting chaos and pain on Americans, stranding flight crews, interrupting family and business travel, and crushing our local tourist economy. This is the direct consequence of a Republican government shutdown that is hurting working families, federal workers, and now making air travel dangerously unsafe across the United States.\n\n\u201cThis shutdown is no accident. It\u2019s part of this Administration's never-ending crusade to inflict the greatest amount of pain on our public servants and to privatize our federal agencies. This Administration\u2019s cruelty and chaos aren\u2019t just a strategy. They are precisely the point.\n\n\u201cWhile we work to help MCO and our city navigate Trump\u2019s latest mess, we\u2019re now entering week seven of this shutdown, and Republicans still haven\u2019t shown up to work. Meanwhile, Democrats in Congress stand ready to do our jobs\u2014to reopen the government so travelers can get where they need to go safely and efficiently, federal workers can put food on the table, and to lower healthcare costs so people can get the care they need. It is time the Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans stop the chaos and do their jobs.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3437", "Wasserman Schultz Sounds Alarm on Hunger Crisis as Trump Delays Food Help to Millions of Floridians", "2025-11-03", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Debbie Wasserman Schultz", "W000797", "wassermanschultz.house.gov", "wassermanschultz", "https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Sunrise, FL \u2013 Today, U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) joined nutrition assistance leaders and SNAP recipients to sound the alarm on how the Trump Administration\u2019s heartless, unlawful withholding of emergency SNAP funds amid a Republican shutdown needlessly harms millions of Floridians.\n\nWatch the full press conference here.\n\nInstead of sitting down with Democrats and negotiating to reopen the federal government and lower health care costs, President Trump has weaponized hunger and delayed SNAP benefits to 3 million Floridians, including children, seniors, and veterans \u2013 all despite Congressionally authorized contingency funds being specifically set aside and available to provide this assistance. Forty-two million Americans nationwide count on these food benefits.\n\n\u201cAmerica faces a dire Republican healthcare crisis, and now \u2013 despite having the power to avoid it \u2013 President Trump has plunged America into a potential hunger crisis,\u201d said Wasserman Schultz. \u201cRather than sit down with Democrats to negotiate a plan to get us out of this mess, Trump is intentionally making it as painful as possible.\u201d\n\n\u201cA large number of the people we serve are people who are working full-time jobs, but whose wages are out of balance with the cost of living in Broward County,\u201d said Denise Brown, CEO of LifeNet4Families. \u201cRecent reports suggest that 50% of Broward County\u2019s residents live paycheck to paycheck. This means that these families constantly live on the verge of financial collapse.\u201d\n\nThe LifeNet4Families CEO also announced that the Children Services Council, the Jim Moran Foundation, United Way of Broward County, Community Foundation, Feeding South Florida, and HANDY Inc. will partner with LifeNet4Families to keep their food pantry open six days a week to SNAP recipients and furloughed government workers, staying open from 7:30AM to 6:30PM Monday through Friday and 7:30AM until noon on Saturdays.\n\n\u201cWith the holidays coming up, you know that food costs go up, and food becomes more important for families,\u201d said Flordaliza Jimenez, a Broward County resident and SNAP recipient. \u201cI really want Republicans to sit down with Democrats and work this out. There\u2019s a lot of high costs right now, and there\u2019s a lot going up, not coming down. Rent, utilities, medical costs, it\u2019s all going up, and it\u2019s cutting into my food budget month-to-month.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s really a sad day that we have to be here to talk about eating and basic things that we sometimes normally take for granted,\u201d said Annete Chang, a Broward County resident and SNAP recipient. \u201cWhen I was approved for $100 \u2013 you know, it doesn\u2019t sound like a lot, but it really made a difference in my life. And I know that this pause will create a deficit in my ability to manage sustainably\u2026You know we live in the richest country in the world, why are we weaponizing hunger?\u201d\n\n\u201cI thought it was a joke, to be honest. I thought they were going to release the funds. They can\u2019t let us go without having the funds. But when I woke up on the first and checked, it wasn\u2019t there,\u201d said Sheba McKinon, a Broward County resident, SNAP recipient, and LifeNet4Families employee. \u201cMy rent was due on the first, but I have until the fifth to pay it, so I took partial payment from that to go to the grocery store and make sure me and the kids are okay.\u201d\n\nTwo federal courts ruled the Trump Administration is required to spend funding appropriated by Congress to sustain nutritional assistance benefits, yet it\u2019s still not clear how quickly the president will comply. The intentional delay leaves struggling families in doubt and further overwhelms food pantries who will now face even more demand. Withholding these funds comes after Congressional Republicans passed the largest ever cut to SNAP in the Big Ugly Law, slashing more than $186 billion in funding. Here\u2019s a list of local SNAP impacts around the state and nation, broken down by congressional districts.\n\n####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=405067", "U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor Statement on SNAP", "2025-10-31", "2025", "2025-10", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Kathy Castor", "C001066", "castor.house.gov", "castor", "https://castor.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "TAMPA, Fla. \u2013 U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor released the following statement:\n\nWith health insurance premiums surging and Republican Speaker Mike Johnson keeping the House on a paid vacation for six weeks, I urge the President and colleagues to return to work now to hammer out a bipartisan agreement. I also call on the President to release SNAP resources to states from the USDA SNAP contingency fund that a federal judge ruled today was unlawfully withheld. The SNAP contingency fund currently contains $5B that can be sent to states to ensure that children, seniors and families receive food assistance.\n\nOn his way to his Mar-a-Lago resort today, the President seemed to relish withholding food aid. While this is consistent with the massive cuts to food assistance passed last summer in the Big Ugly bill ($186B) to fund tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy, it stands out as one of the more callous and cruel actions of his presidency. Over 3 million Florida children, seniors and families rely on SNAP, and many are also bracing for huge health care cost increases.\n\nHealth insurance premiums are rising by 114 percent because of the Republican health care crisis. Public servants have been working without pay for nearly a month. But House Republicans have been on a paid vacation since mid-September.\n\nThe American people want to see the government reopened, critical lifelines like SNAP protected, and real action to end the health care crisis and lower the cost of health care for hardworking people. Republicans must get back to Washington so we can sit down and negotiate a bipartisan agreement\n\nInstead of extending the enhanced Affordable Care Act tax savings that help millions \u2014 including 4.7 million Floridians \u2014 afford care, extreme MAGA Republicans are letting them expire without a second thought. It\u2019s not a trick \u2014 it\u2019s a downright wicked move that will haunt family budgets, spike premiums and put lifesaving health care out of reach.\n\nNo family should face the terrifying choice between a doctor\u2019s visit and a stocked pantry. Yet Republicans are leaving families trapped in a financial purgatory \u2014 all while handing out treats to billionaires and corporate special interests.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-cherfilus-mccormick-confirms-major-win-federal-workers-utility-suspends", "Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick Confirms Major Win for Federal Workers: Utility Suspends Shutoffs Amid Government Shutdown", "2025-10-30", "2025", "2025-10", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick", "C001127", "cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov", "cherfilus-mccormick", "https://cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "TAMARAC, FL \u2500 Today, Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) received a letter confirming commitment from Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) to ensure that all federal workers receive a payment extension for the duration of the government shutdown. Last week, Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick wrote to FPL CEO Armando Pimentel, urging him to suspend utility shutoffs for federal workers.\n\n\u201cFederal workers are a critical component of communities across Florida, and it is imperative that these individuals and their families are taken care of during these difficult times,\u201d wrote Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) to FPL CEO Armando Pimentel. \u201cGiven your company\u2019s dedication to the people of Florida, I am respectfully requesting that your company suspend the collection of payments for utilities for Florida\u2019s federal workers for the duration of the government shutdown.\u201d\n\nIn response, FPL acknowledged it has already begun granting payment extensions to federal workers and connecting them with additional assistance services. \u201cRest assured, we are going to give federal employees time to pay their bills,\u201d wrote Mr. Pimentel. \u201cAt FPL, our priority is to keep the lights on for every customer, especially during such times.\u201d\n\nAny federal employee impacted by the shutdown should contact FPL for assistance and can visit www.FPL.com for more information\n\nThe full text of Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick\u2019s letter can be found here.\n\nThe full text of FPL\u2019s response can be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4923", "Rep. Frankel Leads Florida Democrats Urging State to Join Lawsuit Demanding Trump\u2019s Release of Emergency SNAP Funding", "2025-10-30", "2025", "2025-10", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Lois Frankel", "F000462", "frankel.house.gov", "frankel", "https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Today, Representative Lois Frankel, joined by all Florida House Democrats, sent a letter to Governor Ron DeSantis and Attorney General James Uthmeier urging them to join 26 states in a lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration\u2019s refusal to release $6 billion in contingency funds for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the ongoing government shutdown. The lawsuit also calls on the U.S. Department of Agriculture to reimburse states that cover SNAP benefits with their own funds once the government reopens.\n\nWithout immediate action, the Trump Administration\u2019s refusal to use these emergency funds could leave approximately 3 million Floridians, including 160,000 Palm Beach County residents, at immediate risk of going hungry when SNAP benefits run out on November 1.\n\n\u201cThe impact of a suspension of benefits would be immediate and severe, forcing Florida\u2019s children, seniors, Veterans, and working families to turn to already-strained food banks and local charities for help,\u201d the Members wrote. \u201cFlorida\u2019s most vulnerable residents should not pay the price for the Trump Administration\u2019s refusal to use funds Congress has already made available.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe urge you to put Florida\u2019s interests first by joining Commonwealth of Massachusetts et al. v. U.S. Department of Agriculture et al. and demanding that USDA release the funds needed to keep food assistance flowing to those who depend on it.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T15:10:06Z"], ["https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3436", "Wasserman Schultz Discusses Trump Caribbean Crisis with Venezuelan Community Leaders", "2025-10-30", "2025", "2025-10", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Debbie Wasserman Schultz", "W000797", "wassermanschultz.house.gov", "wassermanschultz", "https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Sunrise, FL \u2013 Today, U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) held a roundtable discussion to hear from leaders in South Florida\u2019s Venezuelan community about their concerns over Trump\u2019s assault on law-abiding immigrant families and failure to promote a peaceful, democratic transition of power in Venezuela.\n\nWatch the full press conference here.\n\n\u201cTrump\u2019s presidency has been an unending nightmare for Venezuelan Americans here and around the country. He has ripped away temporary protected status from law-abiding Venezuelans and thrown countless families into terror through raids conducted by agents in masks. He has characterized all Venezuelans as criminal dirtbags and alien enemies. And he has killed at least 57 people, most of whom were Venezuelan, with airstrikes on boats, with no evidence, due process, or Congressional authorization,\u201d said Wasserman Schultz. \u201cAnyone who believes that Trump will promote democracy in Venezuela should look at what he\u2019s done to democracy here.\u201d\n\nSouth Florida has the largest concentration of Venezuelans in the United States. Many Venezuelans in the U.S. fled violence and hardship at the hands of the Maduro regime, which continues to crush dissent, criminalize opposition, and engage in extrajudicial disappearances and murders.\n\nNow, many Venezuelans are horrified to see these tactics emulated by the Trump Administration. Trump has sent masked agents to arrest law-abiding TPS recipients, launched airstrikes on boats without any evidence or Congressional authorization, and allowed Maduro to fund his repression of Venezuelans by lifting oil sanctions.\n\nWasserman Schultz was joined by Venezuelan American Caucus co-founders Adelys Ferro and Luis Fernando Atencio, as well as several other Venezuelan local leaders.\n\nAs co-chair of the Congressional Venezuela Democracy Caucus, Rep. Wasserman Schultz has sponsored legislation to restore TPS for Venezuelans, provide a path to permanent status for law-abiding Venezuelan immigrants, and prohibit oil companies from funding Maduro\u2019s criminal dictatorship. She also recently led 137 House and Senate Democrats in an amicus brief urging the Supreme Court to stop Trump\u2019s illegal termination of TPS.\n\n####\n\nSunrise, FL \u2013 Hoy, la congresista Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) convoc\u00f3 una mesa redonda para escuchar a los l\u00edderes de la comunidad venezolana del sur de Florida sobre sus preocupaciones sobre el asalto de Trump a las familias inmigrantes que respetan la ley y el fracaso en promover una transici\u00f3n pac\u00edfica y democr\u00e1tica del poder en Venezuela.\n\n\"La presidencia de Trump ha sido una pesadilla interminable para los venezolanos estadounidenses aqu\u00ed y en todo el pa\u00eds. Ha arrebatado el estatus de protecci\u00f3n temporal a los venezolanos respetuosos de la ley y ha sumido en el terror a innumerables familias a trav\u00e9s de redadas realizadas por agentes enmascarados. Ha caracterizado a todos los venezolanos como criminales y enemigos extranjeros. Y ha matado al menos a 57 personas, la mayor\u00eda de las cuales eran venezolanas, con ataques a\u00e9reos contra barcos, sin pruebas, debido proceso o autorizaci\u00f3n del Congreso\", dijo Wasserman Schultz. \"Quien crea que Trump promover\u00e1 la democracia en Venezuela deber\u00eda mirar lo que le ha hecho a la democracia aqu\u00ed.\"\n\nEl sur de Florida alberga la mayor concentraci\u00f3n de venezolanos en Estados Unidos. Muchos venezolanos en EE. UU. huyeron de la violencia y las penurias a manos del r\u00e9gimen de Maduro, que contin\u00faa reprimiendo la disidencia, criminalizando a la oposici\u00f3n y perpetrando desapariciones y asesinatos extrajudiciales.\n\nAhora, muchos venezolanos est\u00e1n horrorizados al ver que la Administraci\u00f3n Trump imita estas t\u00e1cticas. Trump envi\u00f3 agentes enmascarados de la migra para arrestar a beneficiarios del TPS que cumpl\u00edan la ley. Lanz\u00f3 ataques a\u00e9reos contra embarcaciones sin ninguna prueba ni autorizaci\u00f3n del Congreso. Y permiti\u00f3 que Maduro financiara la represi\u00f3n contra los venezolanos al levantar las sanciones petroleras.\n\nA Wasserman Schultz se unieron los cofundadores del Caucus Venezolano Americano, Adelys Ferro y Luis Fernando Atencio, as\u00ed como varios otros l\u00edderes locales venezolanos.\n\nComo copresidente del Caucus para la Democracia de Venezuela del Congreso, Wasserman Schultz ha es autora de legislaci\u00f3n para restaurar el TPS para los venezolanos, crear un camino hacia el estatus permanente para los inmigrantes venezolanos y prohibir que las compa\u00f1\u00edas petroleras financien la dictadura criminal de Maduro. Tambi\u00e9n lider\u00f3 recientemente a 137 dem\u00f3cratas de la C\u00e1mara de Representantes y el Senado en un escrito de amicus curiae instando a la Corte Suprema a detener la terminaci\u00f3n ilegal del TPS por parte de Trump.\n\n####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-cherfilus-mccormick-releases-statement-post-election-violence-cameroon", "Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick Releases Statement on Post-Election Violence in Cameroon", "2025-10-28", "2025", "2025-10", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick", "C001127", "cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov", "cherfilus-mccormick", "https://cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) issued the following statement regarding the recent presidential election and reports of post-election violence in Cameroon.\n\n\u201cI commend the people of Cameroon for their continued commitment to democracy, as shown by their participation in the recent presidential election. The U.S. partnership with Cameroon is rooted in shared values of democratic governance, the rule of law, and respect for human rights.\n\n\u201cHowever, I am deeply concerned by the deteriorating security situation and reports of human rights violations across Cameroon. There is no place for violence in democracy. I strongly condemn acts of violence, killings, destruction, and arbitrary arrests. The right to peaceful protest and free expression are fundamental and must be protected.\n\n\u201cCameroon\u2019s unity and stability depend on an inclusive, peaceful post-election environment that reflects the will of its people. I urge the government and all political actors to exercise restraint, respect human rights, and engage in dialogue to preserve peace.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-sheila-cherfilus-mccormick-and-afge-hold-joint-press-conference", "Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick and AFGE to Hold Joint Press Conference on Government Shutdown Impacts Following Federal Workforce Food Drive", "2025-10-27", "2025", "2025-10", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick", "C001127", "cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov", "cherfilus-mccormick", "https://cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "FORT LAUDERDALE, FL \u2014 Tomorrow, Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL), in partnership with AFGE Local 558, will hold a press conference immediately following the Federal Workforce Shutdown Assistance Food Drive in Dania Beach. She will discuss the ongoing impacts of the government shutdown on federal workers, their families, and Head Start staff.\n\nThe food drive, hosted in collaboration with AFGE Local 558, Feeding South Florida, and Bass Pro Shops, provides critical food and resources to federal employees who continue serving the nation despite the uncertainty of the shutdown.\n\n\"The federal workforce is the backbone of our public institutions,\" said Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick. \"From protecting our borders to supporting our veterans, these hardworking men and women keep our communities safe and running. During this shutdown, many families are struggling, and it\u2019s our responsibility to stand with them. This press conference will highlight both the challenges they face and the ways our community is stepping up to support them.\"\n\nMedia attending the press conference will have the opportunity to:\n\nHear directly from federal employees impacted by the shutdown\n\nSpeak with representatives from AFGE, Feeding South Florida, and Bass Pro Shops\n\nLearn about the shutdown\u2019s effects on families, workforce accessibility, and Head Start staff\n\nEvent Details:\n\nDate: Tuesday, October 28, 2025\n\nTime: 4:00 P.M. EST\n\nLocation: Broward County Government Center, Main Lobby\n\n115 S Andrews Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301\n\nThis initiative reflects the spirit of solidarity and compassion that defines South Florida, ensuring federal workers and their families know they are seen, valued, and supported.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-cherfilus-mccormick-urges-preparedness-hurricane-melissa-threatens-jamaica", "Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick Urges Preparedness as Hurricane Melissa Threatens Jamaica", "2025-10-27", "2025", "2025-10", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick", "C001127", "cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov", "cherfilus-mccormick", "https://cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "\u201cOur thoughts and prayers are with the people of Jamaica. This storm is expected to cause severe damage, and we urge everyone to follow the guidance of local officials. U.S. citizens and nationals in the region should enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program so the State Department can contact them quickly.\n\n\u201cThe United States will continue to stand with the people of Jamaica and the entire Caribbean in the aftermath of this devastating storm.\u201d", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4921", "Rep. Frankel Requests Briefing from Secret Service on New Year-Round Flight Restrictions", "2025-10-27", "2025", "2025-10", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Lois Frankel", "F000462", "frankel.house.gov", "frankel", "https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Today, Representative Lois Frankel (FL-22) announced that she has requested a briefing from the United States Secret Service on newly implemented year-round flight restrictions established for presidential safety concerns and to discuss ways to lessen their impact on local residents and travelers.\n\nUnder these new restrictions, aircraft taking off and landing at Palm Beach International Airport must now use only one direction, rather than the previous \u201cscatter\u201d approach that distributed flights along multiple paths. This change exposes neighborhoods north of the airport to increased noise and air pollution and may cause more frequent flight delays.\n\n\u201cI hope we can find solutions that are compatible with the safety of the President, neighborhood quality of life, and traveler efficiency,\u201d said Rep. Frankel. \u201cThat\u2019s why I\u2019ve requested a detailed briefing from the Secret Service to better understand these new restrictions and explore practical alternatives.\u201d\n\nThe Secret Service has informed Rep. Frankel that the briefing will be scheduled once the federal government shutdown has concluded. She will share updates with the community as soon as the meeting takes place.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T15:10:06Z"], ["https://cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-cherfilus-mccormick-and-pressley-introduce-resolution-recognizing", "Reps. Cherfilus-McCormick and Pressley Introduce Resolution Recognizing Disabled Women\u2019s Equal Pay Day", "2025-10-24", "2025", "2025-10", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick", "C001127", "cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov", "cherfilus-mccormick", "https://cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014Thursday, October 23, 2025, marks Disabled Women\u2019s Equal Pay Day. In recognition of this day, Representatives Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20) and Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) introduced the Disabled Women\u2019s Equal Pay Day Resolution. This resolutionunderscores the importance of equal pay and draws attention to the persistent wage gap between disabled women and both disabled and non-disabled men.\n\nMore than sixty years after the passage of the Equal Pay Act of 1963, disabled women continue to face significant economic hardship. The ongoing pay disparity harms women, families, and the nation as a whole. This resolution reaffirms members\u2019 commitment to closing the gender, disability, and racial wage gap.\n\n\u201cOur workforce deserves equity and respect. The fact that disabled women veterans earned, on average, just 62 cents for every dollar paid to non-disabled male veterans in 2022 is unacceptable,\u201d said Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick. \u201cEqual pay is not only a matter of fairness, but also a matter of dignity and justice. Disabled women contribute to every sector of our economy, and their work must be valued and compensated accordingly.\u201d\n\n\u201cFor disabled women to be paid just 56 cents for every dollar paid to nondisabled men is an insult and an injustice,\u201d said Rep. Ayanna Pressley. \u201cIt is long past time for disabled women to be paid fairly. Last year, I was honored to commemorate the first-ever Disabled Women\u2019s Equal Pay Day with Congresswoman Wexton. I am grateful to uphold this commemoration this year alongside Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick, continue our calls for change, and affirm that disabled women deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.\"\n\n\u201cDisabled women face one of the widest wage gaps in our economy due to policy failures that limit opportunity and fair pay,\u201d said Taryn Williams, senior fellow for disability at the National Partnership for Women & Families. \u201cYet instead of working to close this gap, the Trump Administration has weakened equal employment protections, and a Republican-led Congress has advanced devastating Medicaid cuts that threaten disabled women\u2019s health, independence, and economic security. On this Disabled Women\u2019s Equal Pay Day, we\u2019re calling on lawmakers to advance policy solutions that help disabled women survive and thrive \u2014 whether or not they are in the workforce.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe wage gap costs disabled women tens of thousands of dollars each year, and many disabled women of color stand to lose even more,\u201d said Gaylynn Burroughs, vice president for education and workplace justice at the National Women\u2019s Law Center. \u201cPay equity for disabled women is about justice \u2014 and this wage gap is the result of policy choices that must be changed. The Trump administration\u2019s attacks on civil rights and diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility are doing nothing to close the wage gap and will only close off avenues to economic security. We need public investments and policies that not only close the wage gap but allow all disabled women and their families to thrive.\u201d\n\n\"Medicaid Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) give disabled workers the essential supports they need to find and keep good jobs,\u201d said Nina Stoller, Policy Coordinator, Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN). \u201cIn honor of Disabled Women\u2019s Equal Pay Day 2025, The Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) encourages advocates to meet with their state governors and lawmakers about adequately funding HCBS in their state budgets.\u201d\n\n\"Unequal pay and inaccessible workplaces aren\u2019t just unfair, they\u2019re disabling,\u201d said Kenrya Rankin (she/her), Managing Director at Disability Culture Lab. \u201cBlack disabled women are in a particularly difficult place right now, as we face record job losses and juggle caregiving for our children, our parents, and ourselves. And capitalism \u2014 plus the current Administration \u2014 demand that we do it all without accommodations. We need to invest in Black women, but this Administration would rather implement policies that further disable us.\u201d\n\n\"While the Trump Administration attacks disabled people's most basic human rights, autonomy, livelihoods, and economic opportunities, Disabled Women's Equal Pay Day provides an important reminder of the power of building and cultivating community,\u201d said Marissa Ditkowsky, Executive Director of the National Disabled Legal Professionals Association. \u201cOur asks this Disabled Women's Equal Pay Day are the bare minimum: disabled women, particularly multiply marginalized disabled women, deserve joy. We deserve to thrive. And if we so choose, we deserve to find meaningful, competitive, and integrated employment that fulfills us and allows us to achieve economic prosperity.\u201d\n\n\u201cOn behalf of the Equal Pay Today Coalition, we are grateful to Representatives Cherfilus-McCormick and Pressley for introducing the Disabled Women\u2019s Equal Pay Day Resolution,\u201d said Deborah J. Vagins, National Campaign Director, Equal Rights Advocates & Director of Equal Pay Today. \u201cOn this day, we raise awareness about the ableism, institutionalization, and workplace discrimination that has created barriers, trapping disabled women in poverty and perpetuating their egregious wage gaps. We must end segregated workplaces and subminimum wages, prevent draconian rules for public benefits, stop dismantling healthcare protections, and end the Trump Administration\u2019s baseless attacks on disabled workers\u2019 equal opportunities. All of these policy choices have forced many disabled women into poverty and drive one of the widest wage gaps experienced by women. It is time to end this disgrace.\u201d\n\nThe resolution is endorsed by the Democratic Women\u2019s Caucus, National Partnership for Women & Families, American Association of University Women (AAUW), Association of People Supporting EmploymentFirst (APSE), Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network, Disability Culture Lab (DCL), Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund (DREDF), Equal Pay Today Coalition, Equal Rights Advocates, Institute for Women's Policy Research, Justice for Migrant Women, National Disability Rights Network (NDRN), National Disabled Legal Professionals Association, National Employment Law Project, National Women\u2019s Law Center Action Fund, and PowHer New York, A Better Balance, National Disability Institute.\n\nA copy of the resolution can be found here.", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://frost.house.gov/media/press-releases/as-government-shutdown-persists-frost-calls-on-state-leaders-to-prevent-disruption-of-food-benefits-for-nearly-3-million-floridians", "As Government Shutdown Persists, Frost Calls On State Leaders To Prevent Disruption of Food Benefits for Nearly 3 Million Floridians", "2025-10-24", "2025", "2025-10", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Maxwell Frost", "F000476", "frost.house.gov", "frost", "https://frost.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "ORLANDO, FL \u2014 Today, Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost (FL-10) sent a letter to Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida legislature demanding the state convene a special session and pass legislation that will fund SNAP for Florida families amid a potential lapse in federal funding during the ongoing Republican government shutdown.\n\nThe Florida Department of Children and Families has sent a notice that come November 1st, three million Floridians could be without vital food assistance in the month of November. This number includes over a million children, over 700,000 seniors, and over a quarter-million Floridians with disabilities.\n\nIn the letter, Frost cites that Floridians are already dealing with worsening unemployment and soaring grocery prices. Food banks in Central Florida have already been reporting a record number of community members in need and strained resources.\n\nFrost also cites President Trump\u2019s so-called \u201cOne Big Beautiful Bill,\u201d which is cutting off an estimated 180,000 Floridians from SNAP because of new work requirements that now include people over 60, young people leaving foster care, and veterans.\n\n\u201cPresident Trump and Congressional Republicans\u2019 refusal to make a bipartisan agreement that reopens the government, lowers health care costs, and saves America\u2019s health care should not cause Floridians to go without food. I am calling on the Trump Administration to continue to provide Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits during the government shutdown. But our residents deserve a plan in the case that President Trump lacks the willingness to deliver,\u201d wrote Rep. Frost. \u201cPlease respond to this letter, not in writing, but in action, by holding a special session and funding SNAP for Florida.\u201d\n\nFor the full text of the letter, please click here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3435", "Wasserman Schultz Calls to Protect Latinos in Action Program, Local Classroom Funding", "2025-10-24", "2025", "2025-10", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Debbie Wasserman Schultz", "W000797", "wassermanschultz.house.gov", "wassermanschultz", "https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) held a roundtable to discuss the impacts of the Trump Administration\u2019s push to cancel the highly successful Latinos in Action course in Broward County, with many students involved in the successful program sharing how it feels like \u201cfamilia.\u201d The Trump Administration\u2019s threat to withhold federal funds is based on inaccurate claims that the course excludes some students, and people connected to the popular class over the last decade described the reality of its access and achievements.\n\n\u201cThe bigger picture here is the war Trump has declared on any efforts we make to ensure everyone in this nation can be successful and included in the American dream,\u201d said Wasserman Schultz. \u201cAs part of that, just last month, the Trump Administration\u2019s Department of Education forced Broward schools to end their highly successful Latinos in Action program by threatening to withhold millions of dollars in magnet school funding from the district, which have no connection to Latinos in Action, and likely isn\u2019t even legal.\u201d\n\nDespite Trump Administration claims, the program is open to all students in 7th through 12th grade. Students shared their personal stories about how Latinos in Action helped them grow personally and professionally, learn about different cultures, develop leadership skills, but most importantly gave them a place where they felt like they belonged.\n\nBroward, Polk and Seminole counties all received threatening U.S. Department of Education letters related to cancelling the program, and several Florida districts suspended the program for fear of losing funding, including Lee, Osceola, Volusia, Orange and Hillsborough counties. Yesterday, Wasserman Schultz led Democrats in Florida in a call for the DOEd to halt the plan to terminate the program.\n\nWasserman Schultz was joined by Broward County School Board Chair Debbi Hixon, Latinos in Action Regional Program Manager Andrea Bruno, and students who participated in the program.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3434", "Wasserman Schultz Spotlights Trump\u2019s Cuts to Social Security Disability Benefits", "2025-10-23", "2025", "2025-10", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Debbie Wasserman Schultz", "W000797", "wassermanschultz.house.gov", "wassermanschultz", "https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Plantation, FL. \u2013 Today, U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) joined Social Security Disability recipients and advocates to sound the alarm about Trump\u2019s proposed cuts to Social Security and highlight what they mean for seniors, retirees, and people living with disabilities.\n\nWatch the full press conference here.\n\nPresident Trump\u2019s pro-billionaire agenda now includes targeting Social Security and his Administration recently announced plans to remove or sharply reduce age as a factor in disability determinations. President Trump\u2019s new restrictions would deny benefits to many people age 50 and older with severe, documented impairments. This means a 100% benefit cut for 400,000 low-income people. If successful, it would result in one of the largest cuts to Social Security disability benefits in history.\n\n\u201cThis betrayal is a step too far. He\u2019s abdicating one of the most sacred promises that our nation makes and abandoning the most vulnerable among us \u2013 all in service to billionaires,\u201d said Wasserman Schultz. \u201cIt\u2019s a backdoor cut to regular Social Security benefits. We know that Trump and Republicans don\u2019t care about protecting the vulnerable. They only care about consolidating power and giving more handouts to their billionaire friends.\u201d\n\nWasserman Schultz was joined by Osteogenesis Imperfecta patient Simone Rodriguez, Advocacy Network on Disabilities President and CEO Ire Diaz, and Florida Alliance for Retired Americans Advocate Ken Goodfriend.\n\nEarlier this week, Wasserman Schultz and Rep. John Larson led 165 House Democrats in a call for Social Security Administration (SSA) Commissioner Frank Bisignano to halt the plan.\n\nRead the full letter here.\n\n####\n\nPlantation, FL. \u2013 Hoy, la representante estadounidense Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) se uni\u00f3 con los beneficiarios y defensores de los programas de discapacidad del Seguro Social para amenazar sobre los recortes propuestos por Trump al Seguro Social y resaltar lo que significan para las personas mayores, los jubilados y las personas que viven con discapacidades.\n\nLa agenda pro-multimillonaria del presidente Trump ahora incluye atacar al Seguro Social y su Administraci\u00f3n anunci\u00f3 recientemente planes para eliminar o reducir dr\u00e1sticamente la edad como factor en las determinaciones de discapacidad. Las nuevas restricciones del presidente Trump negar\u00edan beneficios a muchas personas de 50 a\u00f1os o m\u00e1s con discapacidades graves y documentadas. Esto significa un recorte del 100% de los beneficios para 400.000 personas de bajos ingresos. Si tiene \u00e9xito, resultar\u00eda en uno de los recortes m\u00e1s grandes a los beneficios por discapacidad del Seguro Social en la historia.\n\n\u201cTrump est\u00e1 aprovechando el cierre del gobierno para atacar la integridad del Seguro Social. Los republicanos est\u00e1n recortando las prestaciones del Seguro Social para los estadounidenses mayores con discapacidad que ya est\u00e1n pasando apuros debido a la crisis del seguro m\u00e9dico republicano,\u201d dijo Wasserman Schultz. \u201cEl plan republicano implicar\u00eda un recorte del cien por cien en las prestaciones sociales para Cuatrocientos mil estadounidenses mayores de bajos ingresos con discapacidad. \u00bfPor qu\u00e9 Trump puede permitirse rescatar a Argentina y pagarse doscientos cincuenta millones de d\u00f3lares con fondos p\u00fablicos, pero no puede permitirse ayudar a las familias con dificultades?\u201d\n\nWasserman Schultz estuvo acompa\u00f1ado por Simone Rodr\u00edguez, paciente de Osteog\u00e9nesis Imperfecta, Presidente y CEO de Advocacy Network on Disabilities Ire D\u00edaz, y Ken Goodfriend, defensor de la Alianza de Florida para Estadounidenses Jubilados (FLARA).\n\nA principios de esta semana, Wasserman Schultz y el representante John Larson lideraron a 165 dem\u00f3cratas de la C\u00e1mara de Representantes al pedir al comisionado de la Administraci\u00f3n del Seguro Social (SSA), Frank Bisignano, que detuviera el plan.\n\nLea la carta completa aqui.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=405066", "Castor, Frost, Van Hollen & Merkley Lead Colleagues in Pressing Trump Administration on Detention of 16-year-old U.S. Citizen by Israel", "2025-10-22", "2025", "2025-10", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Kathy Castor", "C001066", "castor.house.gov", "castor", "https://castor.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Representatives Kathy Castor (FL-14) and Maxwell Frost (FL-10) and U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (MD) and Jeff Merkley (OR) are leading 10 members of the House and 13 Senators in pressing the Trump Administration on the detention of Mohammed Zaher Ibrahim, a 16-year-old American citizen who has been held in Israel\u2019s custody since February 16, 2025.\n\nThe lawmakers begin, \u201cWe write with grave concern regarding the detention without trial of Mohammed Zaher Ibrahim. Mohammed is a U.S. citizen from Florida who was reportedly blindfolded, handcuffed, and arrested on February 16th, 2025 when Israeli forces reportedly entered his family home in al-Mazra'a ash-Sharqiya at 3 a.m. He was detained when he was 15 years old and turned 16 in prison. He has been accused of throwing rocks at Israeli settlers, but no evidence has been publicly provided to support this allegation.\u201d\n\nThey continue, \u201cWhile U.S. embassy officials have been able to conduct visits, Mohammed has been denied all other contact with the outside world and his family has not been able to contact him since his detention. Senators Van Hollen and Merkley met with Mohammed\u2019s family in the West Bank, and Rep. Castor, Rep. Frost, and other members also met with his family separately. His family has received updates from U.S. embassy staff and former detainees who described his alarming weight loss, deteriorating health, and signs of torture as his court hearings continue to be routinely postponed. His family reports that Mohammed has lost nearly a quarter of his body weight and contracted scabies after being detained in Megiddo Prison and now in Ofer Prison.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe are concerned about reports of the mistreatment of Palestinians in Israeli detention facilities and prisons, including both of the prisons that have held Mohammed. The mistreatment of Palestinians in Israeli prisons was recently corroborated in Israel\u2019s September 7th Supreme Court ruling, which stated the Israeli government has deprived Palestinian detainees of even a minimum subsistence diet and ordered authorities to increase the amount and quality of food served to inmates,\u201d they go on to note.\n\n\u201cAs we have been told repeatedly, \u2018the Department of State has no higher priority than the safety and security of U.S. citizens abroad.\u2019 We share that view and urge you to fulfill this responsibility by engaging the Israeli government directly to secure the swift release of this American boy. We request a response to this letter by November 3rd, including what efforts you have made on Mohammed's case,\u201d the lawmakers conclude.\n\nRepresentatives Castor and Frost and Senators Van Hollen and Merkley were joined in sending the letter by Senators Schatz, Warnock, Sanders, Welch, Schiff, Wyden, Murray, Kaine, Warren, Markey, Luj\u00e1n, Heinrich, and Duckworth and Representatives Dexter, Casar, McGovern, Moore, Tlaib, Garc\u00eda, Jayapal, Nadler, Smith, and Ramirez.\n\nThe text of the letter is available here and below.\n\nDear Secretary Rubio and Ambassador Huckabee,\n\nWe write with grave concern regarding the detention without trial of Mohammed Zaher Ibrahim. Mohammed is a U.S. citizen from Florida who was reportedly blindfolded, handcuffed, and arrested on February 16th, 2025 when Israeli forces reportedly entered his family home in al-Mazra'a ash-Sharqiya at 3 a.m. He was detained when he was 15 years old and turned 16 in prison. He has been accused of throwing rocks at Israeli settlers, but no evidence has been publicly provided to support this allegation. As you know, Palestinians are subject to military law in the West Bank and are tried in military courts where there have been well-documented concerns about Palestinians not receiving fair due process. Mohammed is also the first cousin of Saifullah Kamel Musallet, the 20-year-old U.S. citizen who was reportedly beaten to death by Israeli settlers in July 2025. To date, no one has been arrested concerning his killing.\n\nWhile U.S. embassy officials have been able to conduct visits, Mohammed has been denied all other contact with the outside world and his family has not been able to contact him since his detention. Senators Van Hollen and Merkley met with Mohammed\u2019s family in the West Bank, and Rep. Castor, Rep. Frost, and other members also met with his family separately. His family has received updates from U.S. embassy staff and former detainees who described his alarming weight loss, deteriorating health, and signs of torture as his court hearings continue to be routinely postponed. His family reports that Mohammed has lost nearly a quarter of his body weight and contracted scabies after being detained in Megiddo Prison and now in Ofer Prison.\n\nWe are concerned about reports of the mistreatment of Palestinians in Israeli detention facilities and prisons, including both of the prisons that have held Mohammed. The mistreatment of Palestinians in Israeli prisons was recently corroborated in Israel\u2019s September 7th Supreme Court ruling, which stated the Israeli government has deprived Palestinian detainees of even a minimum subsistence diet and ordered authorities to increase the amount and quality of food served to inmates.\n\nIn a disturbingly similar case, and underscoring our urgency concerning Mohammed\u2019s continued pre-trial detention, 17-year-old Palestinian Walid Ahmad collapsed and died in Megiddo Prison on March 22nd, 2025 after also being detained for six months without charges or trial for allegedly throwing rocks. Walid\u2019s post-mortem examination indicates that he died from a combination of abuse and mistreatment that led to him collapsing and hitting his head, including extreme malnutrition, torture, scabies, and the denial of medical intervention. It is the responsibility of the U.S. government to ensure that this recent tragedy does not repeat itself with Mohammed.\n\nAs we have been told repeatedly, \u201cthe Department of State has no higher priority than the safety and security of U.S. citizens abroad.\u201d We share that view and urge you to fulfill this responsibility by engaging the Israeli government directly to secure the swift release of this American boy.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3433", "Wasserman Schultz Leads Congressional Florida Democrats\u2019 Call to Protect Latinos in Action Programs, Local Classroom Funding", "2025-10-22", "2025", "2025-10", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Debbie Wasserman Schultz", "W000797", "wassermanschultz.house.gov", "wassermanschultz", "https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) led every Congressional Florida Democrat to call on the Trump Administration\u2019s Department of Education (DOEd) to rescind its threat to withhold federal funds from local classrooms and give school districts a chance to prove that inaccurate claims against a long-time, successful Latinos In Action program should not be used to target funding and resources that local districts need.\n\nThe Latinos in Action program provides school districts with classroom curriculum resources to boost education and leadership skills, and it\u2019s open to all students in the more than 500 schools across 16 states that utilize it. However, the Trump Administration recently singled out the program as part of its nationwide attack on diversity efforts. Specifically, Trump\u2019s DOEd claimed that it was exclusionary to students and used this false assertion to threaten school districts with federal funding cuts unless they terminated the program. Broward, Polk and Seminole counties received threatening DOEd letters related to the program, and several other Florida districts opted to suspend the program for fear of losing funding, including those in Lee, Osceola, Volusia, Orange and Hillsborough counties.\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s clear the Trump Administration targeted this highly successful program based on inaccurate information as part of its drive to attack any effort aimed at giving all students a chance to excel and succeed,\u201d said Wasserman Schultz. \u201cThe Education Department, or what\u2019s left of it, clearly acted prematurely by threatening to withhold funding from our local schools, and it all appears to be based on erroneous information, an incomplete investigation, and a purely political agenda. Latinos in Action has for nearly a decade helped all our students grow as scholars and leaders. This baseless decision by the Department is an attack on our students\u2019 educational opportunities.\u201d\n\nThe Democratic Members who signed on to Wasserman Schultz\u2019s letter include Reps. Kathy Castor, (FL-14), Frederica Wilson (FL-24), Lois Frankel (FL-22), Darren Soto (FL-09), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), and Jared Moskowitz (FL-23). The letter to the DOEd from House Democratic lawmakers specifically requests the Education Department\u2019s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) to:\n\nRescind their decision to withhold Magnet Schools Assistance Program funding from Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) and other Florida school districts due to alleged violations of Title VI compliance in the Latinos in Action curriculum;\n\nGive BCPS the chance to prove compliance, and;\n\nAnswer how they came to the determination that the program was not in compliance.\n\nThe Magnet Schools Assistance Program provides school districts funding to establish and operate magnet schools with the goal of attracting a diverse group of students and to desegregate public schools. Given this goal, any school district receiving MSAP funding must have the Office for Civil Rights certify its compliance with Title VI.\n\n\u201cAs we are certain the Department agrees, the diligent protection of students\u2019 civil rights must follow fair, established rules, and should never result in an indiscriminate erosion of learning opportunities for students of all races,\u201d said the Members. \u201cAny failure to follow federal guidelines would ultimately hurt thousands of students of every race.\u201d\n\nRead the full Member letter here.\n\n####\n\nHoy, la congresista Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) lider\u00f3 a todos los dem\u00f3cratas del Congreso de Florida para pedir al Departamento de Educaci\u00f3n de la Administraci\u00f3n Trump (DOEd) que rescinda su amenaza de retener fondos federales de las aulas locales y dar a los distritos escolares la oportunidad de demostrar que las las mentiras sobre un programa exitoso y a largo plazo como \u2018Latinos In Action\u2019 no deben usarse para destinar fondos y recursos que necesitan los distritos locales.\n\nEl programa Latinos in Action proporciona a los distritos escolares recursos curriculares para impulsar la educaci\u00f3n y las habilidades de liderazgo, y est\u00e1 abierto a todos los estudiantes en las m\u00e1s de 500 escuelas en 16 estados que lo utilizan. Sin embargo, la Administraci\u00f3n Trump recientemente se\u00f1al\u00f3 el programa como parte de su ataque nacional a los esfuerzos de diversidad. Espec\u00edficamente, el DOEd de Trump afirm\u00f3 que era excluyente para los estudiantes y us\u00f3 esta afirmaci\u00f3n falsa para amenazar a los distritos escolares con recortes de fondos federales a menos que terminaran el programa. Los condados de Broward, Polk y Seminole recibieron cartas amenazantes del DOEd relacionadas con el programa, y varios otros distritos de Florida optaron por suspender el programa por temor a perder fondos, incluidos los de los condados de Lee, Osceola, Volusia, Orange y Hillsborough.\n\n\"Es claro que la Administraci\u00f3n Trump apunt\u00f3 a este programa exitoso basado en informaci\u00f3n falsa como parte de su impulso para atacar cualquier esfuerzo destinado a dar a todos los estudiantes la oportunidad de sobresalir y tener \u00e9xito\", dijo Wasserman Schultz. \"El Departamento de Educaci\u00f3n, o lo que a\u00fan queda de ello, claramente actu\u00f3 prematuramente al amenazar con retener fondos de nuestras escuelas locales, y todo parece estar basado en informaci\u00f3n err\u00f3nea y una agenda puramente pol\u00edtica. Latinos in Action ha ayudado a todos nuestros estudiantes a crecer como acad\u00e9micos y l\u00edderes hace casi una d\u00e9cada. Esta decisi\u00f3n sin base del Departamento es un ataque a las oportunidades educativas de nuestros estudiantes\".\n\nLos miembros dem\u00f3cratas que se unieron para firmar la carta de Wasserman Schultz incluyen a los representantes Kathy Castor (FL-14), Frederica Wilson (FL-24), Lois Frankel (FL-22), Darren Soto (FL-09), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), Maxwell Frost (FL-10) y Jared Moskowitz (FL-23). La carta al Departamento de Educaci\u00f3n de los legisladores dem\u00f3cratas de la C\u00e1mara de Representantes solicita espec\u00edficamente a la Oficina de Derechos Civiles (OCR) del Departamento de Educaci\u00f3n que:\n\nRescindir su decisi\u00f3n de retener los fondos del Programa de Asistencia para Escuelas Magnet de las Escuelas P\u00fablicas del Condado de Broward (BCPS) y otros distritos escolares de Florida debido a presuntas violaciones del cumplimiento del T\u00edtulo VI en el plan de estudios de Latinos in Action;\n\nDar a BCPS la oportunidad de demostrar el cumplimiento, y;\n\nResponda c\u00f3mo llegaron a la determinaci\u00f3n de que el programa no cumpl\u00eda.\n\nEl \u2018Magnet Schools Assistance Program\u2019 (Programa de Asistencia para Escuelas Magnet) proporciona fondos a los distritos escolares para establecer y operar escuelas con el objetivo de atraer a un grupo diverso de estudiantes y eliminar la segregaci\u00f3n en las escuelas p\u00fablicas. Dado este objetivo, cualquier distrito escolar que reciba fondos de MSAP debe hacer que la Oficina de Derechos Civiles certifique su cumplimiento con el T\u00edtulo VI.\n\n\"Como estamos seguros de que el Departamento est\u00e1 de acuerdo, la protecci\u00f3n diligente de los derechos civiles de los estudiantes debe seguir reglas justas y establecidas, y nunca debe resultar en una indiscriminada erosi\u00f3n de las oportunidades de aprendizaje para estudiantes de todas las razas\", dijeron los miembros. \"Cualquier fracaso de cumplir con las pautas federales en \u00faltima instancia perjudicar\u00eda a miles de estudiantes de todas las razas\".\n\nLea la carta completa aqu\u00ed.\n\n####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3428", "Wasserman Schultz, Larson Lead 165 House Democrats to Condemn Trump Plan to Slash Social Security Benefits", "2025-10-20", "2025", "2025-10", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Debbie Wasserman Schultz", "W000797", "wassermanschultz.house.gov", "wassermanschultz", "https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) and John B. Larson (CT-1) led 165 House Democrats in a call for Social Security Administration (SSA) Commissioner Frank Bisignano to halt the Trump Administration\u2019s plan to remove or sharply reduce age as a factor in disability determinations, which would result in one of the largest cuts to Social Security disability benefits in history. President Trump plans to roll out new restrictions to deny benefits to many people age 50 and older with severe, documented impairments.\n\n\u201cSocial Security is an earned benefit and a solemn promise. Weakening age protections while shrinking agency capacity will drive more older Americans with disabilities into poverty and ill health,\u201d said the Members. \u201cOur constituents are already facing a healthcare affordability crisis, higher prices due to tariffs and economic uncertainty, and a higher net tax burden due to the Republican Big Ugly Law. We urge you to abandon unilateral changes to Social Security disability eligibility and refocus your attention on ensuring that all Americans can access their earned benefits.\u201d\n\nThe proposal would slash access to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits by weakening age protections that are required by statute, with independent analysis indicating large reductions in beneficiaries. The average age of an SSDI beneficiary is 56 years, with average annual benefits of less than $19,000. Many SSDI beneficiaries worked in physically demanding jobs, such as manufacturing and mining, and have been left even more vulnerable after Republicans slashed Medicaid, Medicare, SNAP, and WIC by over $1.5 trillion earlier this year. The letter warns that Trump\u2019s plan may result in \u201cone of the most sweeping and devastating cuts to Social Security ever made.\u201d\n\nThese changes come amid significant staffing reductions at SSA that are already lengthening waits and limiting constituent access to earned benefits. This letter strongly urges SSA to immediately halt any measure that reduces eligibility, including by ending or curtailing the consideration of age; to instead preserve statutory protections when modernizing occupational data and tools, and to present a plan to rebuild field and adjudicative capacity to eliminate backlogs.\n\nThe letter was signed by 165 Democratic Members of Congress, including Reps. Amo, Ansari, Balint, Barragan, Beatty, Bell, Bera, Beyer, Bishop, Bonamici, Boyle, Brown, Brownley, Budzinski, Carbajal, Carson, Carter (LA), Casten, Castor, Castro, Cherfilus-McCormick, Chu, Cisneros, Clark, Clarke (NY), Cleaver, Cohen, Courtney, Craig, Crockett, Davis (IL), Dean, DeGette, DeLauro, DelBene, DeSaulnier, Dexter, Dingell, Doggett, Elfreth, Escobar, Espaillat, Evans, Fields, Figures, Fletcher, Foster, Foushee, Frankel, Friedman, Frost, Garamendi, Garcia (TX), Gillen, Goldman, Gomez, Gonzalez, Gottheimer, Green (TX), Hayes, Himes, Horsford, Houlahan, Hoyer, Hoyle, Huffman, Ivey, Jackson (IL), Jacobs, Jayapal, Johnson (GA), Johnson (TX), Kaptur, Kelly (IL), Kennedy, Khanna, Krishnamoorthi, Landsman, Larsen, Lee (PA), Leger Fernandez, Levin, Lieu, Lynch, Magaziner, Mannion, Matsui, McBath, McBride, McClain Delaney, McCollum, McDonald Rivet, McGarvey, McGovern, McIver, Menendez, Meng, Moore, Morrison, Moskowitz, Moulton, Mrvan, Mullin, Nadler, Neal, Norton, Ocasio-Cortez, Olszewski, Pallone, Panetta, Pappas, Pettersen, Pingree, Plaskett, Pocan, Quigley, Ramirez, Randall, Raskin, Riley, Rivas, Ross, Ryan, Salinas, S\u00e1nchez, Scanlon, Schakowsky, Schneider, Scholten, Scott (VA), Sewell, Simon, Smith (WA), Sorensen, Soto, Stansbury, Stanton, Stevens, Strickland, Subramanyam, Suozzi, Swalwell, Takano, Thanedar, Thompson (MS), Thompson (CA), Titus, Tlaib, Tokuda, Tonko, Torres (CA), Torres (NY), Trahan, Underwood, Vargas, Vel\u00e1zquez, Vindman, Walkinshaw, Watson Coleman, Williams (GA), and Wilson (FL). Republican Members have been silent about these proposed Social Security cuts. These cuts would likely disproportionately harm people living in areas with higher shares of Social Security disability beneficiaries, including the South, Appalachia, Maine, and the Rust Belt states of Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-cherfilus-mccormick-releases-statement-redistricting-isnt-just-about-maps", "Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick Releases Statement on Redistricting   \u201cThis Isn\u2019t Just About Maps. It\u2019s About Our Future\u201d", "2025-10-16", "2025", "2025-10", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick", "C001127", "cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov", "cherfilus-mccormick", "https://cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) issued the following statement in response to the ongoing redistricting efforts across the country, emphasizing the deep implications these changes have for democracy, equity, and the future of communities like those in Florida\u2019s 20th Congressional District.\n\n\u201cThis attempt to pack, crack, and racially gerrymander districts are a blatant attack on the past 60 years of progress toward equity and accessibility for individuals to exercise the right to vote.\n\n\u201cI represent one of the most diverse districts in the nation, from Fort Lauderdale to West Palm Beach, home to vibrant Caucasian, Haitian, Caribbean, Latino, Asian, African Americans and immigrant communities. Redistricting must reflect every voice \u2014 not suppress or erase them.\n\n\u201cRight now, we are seeing maps that try to silence, divide, and erase. And I\u2019m here to say: we will not be erased.\n\n\u201cRedistricting is not just a racial or political issue. It is a fundamentally American issue, and I remain committed to defending the principle of fairness \u2014 the cornerstone of our democracy.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=405061", "Castor Statement on Pricey Cost of Trump\u2019s Targeted Energy Firings", "2025-10-15", "2025", "2025-10", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Kathy Castor", "C001066", "castor.house.gov", "castor", "https://castor.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) released the following statement following reports that President Trump\u2019s Department of Energy (DOE) issued illegal layoff notices to public servants in the Offices of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Clean Energy Demonstrations, State and Community Energy programs:\n\n\u201cAmerican families deserve lower electric bills. Instead, President Trump continues to reward polluters who keep electric rates high for families and small business owners.\n\n\u201cTrump\u2019s latest firings and the gutting of initiatives that lower energy costs for families add insult to injury. The American people will pay the price with higher utility bills.\n\n\u201cAt a time when Floridians and families across the country are demanding affordable, reliable energy \u2013 and grappling with a health care crisis - these reckless attacks on clean energy initiatives make our nation less competitive and more dependent on foreign energy. I will continue fighting in Congress for clean energy jobs and lower costs for working families.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3426", "Florida Congressmembers Sound the Alarm on Republicans\u2019 Unfolding Healthcare Crisis", "2025-10-14", "2025", "2025-10", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Debbie Wasserman Schultz", "W000797", "wassermanschultz.house.gov", "wassermanschultz", "https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2013 Today, U.S. Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), Darren Soto (FL-09), and Maxwell Frost (FL-10) shared how Florida residents face extreme impacts if Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits are allowed to expire. During a press conference this morning, the Democratic lawmakers stressed that it was urgent for Republicans to negotiate to lower healthcare costs, end the GOP shutdown, and avoid an unfolding insurance coverage crisis.\n\nWatch the full press conference here.\n\nFlorida, as much as any state in the nation, faces one of the worst impacts if the ACA tax credits at the heart of the shutdown dispute are allowed to expire. Of the top 15 congressional districts with the highest number of ACA enrollees, 12 of them are in Florida. On a yearly basis the State of Florida leads the nation in sign-ups for the Affordable Care Act.\n\n\u201cIf these credits expire, thousands of people we represent face double, triple or quadruple price hikes in their premiums,\u201d said Wasserman Schultz. \u201cBut you all know what that really means. Families will be forced to drop coverage. Chronic diseases will go undiagnosed. ERs will be flooded. People will needlessly die. Our communities will be ravaged. And it\u2019s not just ACA families who will be hit.\u201d\n\nGovernment funding ran out on September 30th, and Republicans have plunged the nation into a healthcare crisis. Yet GOP leaders refuse to negotiate with Democrats to end a government shutdown and prevent hundreds of thousands of Americans from losing coverage and millions more from seeing costs skyrocket.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4920", "Rep. Frankel Celebrates the Release of the Hostages from Gaza", "2025-10-13", "2025", "2025-10", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Lois Frankel", "F000462", "frankel.house.gov", "frankel", "https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Today, Rep. Lois Frankel (FL-22) released the following statement as the hostages in Hamas\u2019 captivity were released.\n\n\u201cAfter more than two years of devastating captivity, the twenty remaining living Israeli hostages were released from Gaza, bringing profound relief and joy for their families and so many,\u201d said Rep. Frankel. \u201cGratitude goes to the President and all whose cumulative efforts made this day possible. I give special thanks and recognition to the hostage families for their unrelenting advocacy to free their loved ones. Much work remains to secure a lasting peace and prosperity for the region. But today, our hearts must celebrate.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T15:10:06Z"], ["https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3425", "Wasserman Schultz on Machado Nobel Peace Prize", "2025-10-10", "2025", "2025-10", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Debbie Wasserman Schultz", "W000797", "wassermanschultz.house.gov", "wassermanschultz", "https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Washington DC \u2014 U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) released the following statement today after the Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded its 2025 Peace Prize to Mar\u00eda Corina Machado, the Venezuelan opposition leader whose democratic resistance against an authoritarian regime inspires the world:\n\n\"Without democracy, peace and prosperity are an impossibility. As authoritarianism rises all around us, Mar\u00eda Corina Machado's brave fight against tyranny shines a guiding light for all of us who challenge injustice, violence, and threats to democracy. For years, she has fearlessly confronted the murderous Maduro regime and given voice to the Venezuelan people\u2019s demands for the restoration of the rule of law, a free press, and fair and transparent elections. Her dedication to peace in the midst of Maduro\u2019s brutality is an inspiration to Venezuelans and all who fight these same threats, even here in America. I\u2019ve been honored to meet with Mar\u00eda Corina and work alongside her to protect human rights for all Venezuelans\u2014including Venezuelan Americans. The Nobel committee rightly recognized Machado's fight for peace. No one is more deserving.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=405060", "U.S. Rep. Castor Statement on Tentative Israel-Hamas Truce", "2025-10-09", "2025", "2025-10", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Kathy Castor", "C001066", "castor.house.gov", "castor", "https://castor.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) today issued the following statement on the first phase agreement between Israel and Hamas to end the ongoing hostilities and secure the return of all hostages:\n\n\u201cIt is past time to end the war, release the hostages, flood humanitarian aid to the region and build a durable peace for the Israeli and Palestinian people. The horrific Hamas terrorist attack of October 7 and the subsequent suffering of innocent people in Gaza and the region demand a lasting resolution to avoid such trauma and harm in the future.\n\n\u201cI commend the mediators and parties who have labored to bring all sides to the table. But let me be clear: this deal must not be just a temporary pause in violence \u2013 it must mark the end of violence across the region. Too often, ceasefires have stopped and started, hostages have suffered in captivity and innocent civilians have borne the heaviest consequences of war.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-cherfilus-mccormick-introduces-bill-stop-mass-federal-layoffs-you-dont", "Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick Introduces Bill to Stop Mass Federal Layoffs: \u201cYou Don\u2019t Balance Budgets by Destroying Families\u201d", "2025-10-09", "2025", "2025-10", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick", "C001127", "cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov", "cherfilus-mccormick", "https://cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Last week, Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) led a group of Democratic colleagues in introducing the Stop Stealing Our Jobs Act, to fight back against the Trump administration\u2019s plan to use a government shutdown as pretext to fire large numbers of federal employees. The legislation affirms that neither the president nor the Head of an Executive agency may remove any employee, including as part of a reduction in force.\n\n\u201cFederal employees are dedicated public servants who ensure seniors and veterans receive the benefits and healthcare they deserve, keep our communities safe and healthy, and manage programs that help lower costs for working families. \u201cThey\u2019re the heartbeat of our government and the backbone of our nation.\u201d said Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL). \u201cUsing a government shutdown to fire hardworking federal workers is unprecedented and cruel.\n\nMass layoffs would devastate the economy and drive-up costs for families in Florida and across the country. To the over 7,000 federal workers in Florida\u2019s 20th Congressional District, I will not let shutdown politics rip away your paycheck and food from your table. I will continue fighting tooth and nail for a government that puts hardworking Americans first.\u201d\n\nCongresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) was joined in introducing the bill by Representatives Wesley Bell (D-MO), Nanette Barrag\u00e1n (D-CA), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL), Greg Landsman (D-OH), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Shri Thanedar (D-MI), and Dina Titus (D-NV).\n\nThe full text of the Stop Stealing Our Jobs Act can be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4919", "Rep. Frankel Statement on Reported Peace Agreement Between Israel and Hamas", "2025-10-09", "2025", "2025-10", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Lois Frankel", "F000462", "frankel.house.gov", "frankel", "https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Today, Rep. Lois Frankel (FL-22) released the following statement following reports that Israel and Hamas have signed off on the \u201cfirst phase\u201d of a Gaza peace plan.\n\n\u201cMy heart is full of hope and joy that after more than two years of devastating war, the remaining hostages held by Hamas may finally return home and the fighting will end,\u201d said Rep. Frankel. \u201cMay this moment lead to lasting peace, security, and long-awaited relief to all innocent people who have suffered since October 7.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T15:10:06Z"], ["https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3424", "Abraham Accords Caucus Welcomes Middle East Peace Deal", "2025-10-09", "2025", "2025-10", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Debbie Wasserman Schultz", "W000797", "wassermanschultz.house.gov", "wassermanschultz", "https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Co-Chairs of the bipartisan Abraham Accords Caucus \u2013 Reps. Brad Schneider (IL-10), Ann Wagner (MO-02), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), and Craig Goldman (TX-12) \u2013 released the following statement welcoming the announcement of a Middle East peace deal:\n\n\u201cWe are elated by news that Israel and Hamas have come to an agreement to end the war in Gaza, release the hostages, and surge aid into Gaza. We thank President Donald Trump, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and negotiators in allied and partner nations for their tireless efforts in service of peace over these past two years. Once all the hostages still held by Hamas are released, the Abraham Accords Caucus looks forward to reconvening Israel and its Arab partners in support of lasting peace, the disarming of Hamas, and rebuilding on foundations of stability and tolerance so that our ally Israel will never again be threatened.\n\n\u201cThis devastating war began just over two years ago when Iranian-backed Hamas terrorists invaded Israel, brutally slaughtered nearly 1,200 people and took 251 hostages, including Americans. The past two years have seen tragic devastation and many false starts toward peace. We have also seen the welcome dismantling of much of Iran\u2019s proxy terror network across the region, and the decimation of Iran\u2019s nefarious nuclear and missile programs.\n\n\u201cWe are grateful for strong U.S. leadership across Democratic and Republican Administrations and staunch bipartisan support for Israel throughout the war, including by helping bring dozens of hostages home during the November 2023 ceasefire, as well as dozens more in early 2025. We are also appreciative of the efforts of the mediators who helped get the deal over the line. Our hearts are with the families of the hostages in Israel as they anxiously await reunification with their loved ones, and we share in the hope of Israelis and Palestinians alike as they look forward to a peaceful future and the end of Hamas\u2019s reign of terror.\n\n\u201cIn the 118th Congress, the Abraham Accords Caucus launched the Gaza Working Group to prepare for the \u2018day after\u2019 Hamas\u2019s defeat and breathe new life into the Accords. Building on the success of those efforts, we stand ready to work with the White House, Israel, our allies in the region, and the international community to kickstart these conversations in support of long-term peace and stability for both Israelis and Palestinians and a better future for the entire Middle East. We are particularly enthusiastic to work with the Kingdom of Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Kingdom of Morocco, and other Arab nations to deepen and expand the Accords to work towards a lasting peace in the region.\u201d\n\nThe Abraham Accords Caucus, established to expand and deepen the historic Abraham Accords, serves as a forum for identifying and advancing strategic partnerships between Israel and its friends and neighbors. In the 118th Congress, Reps. Brad Schneider, Ann Wagner, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, and David Trone launched the Gaza Working Group (GWG) within the Abraham Accords Caucus to guide regional efforts in rebuilding Gaza with a focus on thwarting extremism and ensuring lasting stability. Off-the-record, Member-level meetings allowed candid discussions with diplomats from Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Saudi Arabia, emphasizing regional contributions to Gaza\u2019s reconstruction and sustaining the momentum of normalization efforts to foster peace and mutual prosperity between Israel and partner nations. The GWG worked with diplomats from across the region, as well as with U.S. government agencies, think tanks, and development organizations to sharpen these ideas and assert the bipartisan role of Congress in promoting the Abraham Accords. We thank our counterparts in the U.S. government and partner nations for their engagement, as well as the many experts and practitioners who shared their insights.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-cherfilus-mccormick-marks-october-7-anniversary", "Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick Marks October 7 Anniversary", "2025-10-07", "2025", "2025-10", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick", "C001127", "cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov", "cherfilus-mccormick", "https://cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL), Ranking Member of the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee, issued the following statement on the two-year anniversary of the October 7th terrorist attack.\n\n\"Two years ago, Hamas terrorists carried out a brutal and senseless attack that claimed the lives of over 1,200 innocent civilians, marking the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust. Hamas' brutality included using rape as a weapon of war and kidnapping men, women, and children. These atrocities, driven by Hamas and backed by Iran, were not acts of resistance, but acts of pure terror that tore families apart and shook the world's conscience.\n\n\"Today, the suffering continues, both for the hostages who remain in captivity and for innocent Palestinian civilians enduring the devastating toll of war. With Israel, Hamas, the Palestinian Authority, and regional partners agreeing in principle to the 20-point peace plan, a final agreement to end the war is within reach. The plan's priorities are clear: return the hostages, surge humanitarian aid, remove Hamas from power, and rebuild Gaza.\n\n\"Hamas must now choose peace over terror and release the hostages so that healing and reconstruction can begin. Both parties must faithfully implement this deal in order to end the bloodshed. The world must stand united in supporting this path toward lasting peace, rooted in security for Israel, dignity and self-determination for the Palestinian people, and a future free from the tyranny of Hamas.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4918", "Rep. Frankel Marks Two Years Since October 7 Hamas Terrorist Attacks", "2025-10-07", "2025", "2025-10", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Lois Frankel", "F000462", "frankel.house.gov", "frankel", "https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "\u201cToday, we mark a solemn and heartbreaking anniversary\u2014two years since Hamas terrorists carried out the deadliest assault on the Jewish people since the Holocaust,\u201d said Rep. Frankel. \u201cOn October 7, 2023, the world watched in horror as Hamas murdered, raped, and maimed more than 1,200 innocent people, injured thousands more, and abducted 251 hostages. Today, 48 hostages remain in Hamas\u2019s dark tunnels, and only half are believed to be alive. On this day of remembrance, we must continue pressing for the release of every hostage, for lifesaving aid to reach civilians in Gaza, and for this devastating war to finally end.\u201d\n\nTo commemorate two years since the October 7 attacks, Reps. Lois Frankel (D-FL-22) and Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-5) introduced a resolution condemning Hamas\u2019s October 7, 2023, terrorist assault on Israel. The resolution denounces Hamas\u2019s horrific acts on and since that day, reaffirms the United States\u2019 unwavering commitment to Israel\u2019s security, and pledges to help secure the release of the forty-eight remaining hostages, address urgent humanitarian needs in Gaza, and pursue lasting peace in the region.\n\nFor the full text of the resolution, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T15:10:06Z"], ["https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3423", "Wasserman Schultz Hears from Healthcare Professionals on GOP Healthcare Crisis", "2025-10-03", "2025", "2025-10", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Debbie Wasserman Schultz", "W000797", "wassermanschultz.house.gov", "wassermanschultz", "https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2013 Today, U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) heard from healthcare professionals \u2013 including hospital CEOs, healthcare workers, and consumer advocates \u2013 about how massive Republican Medicaid cuts and the failure to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits would harm local health providers and families in our community.\n\nFollowing the roundtable discussion, she took questions from press to share the concerns that were relayed to her. Roundtable participants did not join her in talking to press afterward, in part out of fear of political retribution.\n\nWatch Wasserman Schultz\u2019s full remarks here.\n\n\u201cOver 200,000 people right here in my district will face a massive hit to their monthly budget or lose healthcare coverage entirely. Kaiser estimates that premiums will double for our families. Who can possibly afford that?\u201d said Wasserman Schultz. \u201cIn the conversations I just had with healthcare leaders in my district, they were very clear that there were thousands and thousands of people in our community that will cease being able to have affordable healthcare.\u201d\n\nIn 2024, Florida\u2019s 25th Congressional District had the 6th highest total ACA marketplace enrollees of any congressional district nationwide. Florida districts made up all of the top 10, and 12 of the top 15 in total ACA marketplace enrollees. Florida is also the number one state nationwide in ACA marketplace enrollees (source).\n\nGovernment funding ran out on September 30th, and Republicans have plunged the nation into a healthcare crisis. Yet GOP leaders refuse to negotiate with Democrats to end a government shutdown and prevent hundreds of thousands of Americans from losing coverage and millions more from seeing costs skyrocket.\n\nFL-25 Impacts if the GOP Healthcare Crisis Continues (sources here and here):\n\n203,000 people in FL-25 will see their healthcare costs rise if Republicans let critical tax credits expire.\n\nFor a 60-year-old couple earning $82,800 a year, annual premiums will rise by $18,217 or 259%.\n\nFor a family of four earning $64,000 a year, annual premiums will rise by $2,571 or 182%.\n\nFor a family of four earning $129,800 a year, annual premiums will rise by $9,839 or 89%.\n\n####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=405047", "U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor Statement on Republican Health Care Crisis", "2025-10-01", "2025", "2025-10", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Kathy Castor", "C001066", "castor.house.gov", "castor", "https://castor.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) released the following statement on the Republican Health Care Crisis:\n\n\u201cHouse Democrats are urging Republicans in Congress and President Trump to cancel the health care cuts, lower costs and address the burgeoning health care crisis. We must work together to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits that lower health care premiums and keep coverage within reach for millions of families. Over 4 million Floridians - and more than half a million Tampa Bay area residents - are facing astronomical cost increases unless Congress acts now.\n\n\u201cAs a result of Republican inaction, tens of millions of Americans - including 4.1 million Floridians - are beginning to receive notices that their premiums are about to skyrocket. While families are stretched thin, President Trump and Congressional Republicans have only made things worse - driving up costs with reckless health care and economic policies while handing massive tax breaks to the wealthy and well-connected. Our neighbors deserve better.\n\n\u201cI am committed to standing up for affordable health care and working families. Republicans must end their obstruction, join us in lowering costs and keep the government functioning for our people.\u201d\n\nIf Republicans don\u2019t act to extend the ACA premium tax credits:", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-cherfilus-mccormick-releases-statement-republican-shutdown", "Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick Releases Statement on Republican Shutdown", "2025-10-01", "2025", "2025-10", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick", "C001127", "cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov", "cherfilus-mccormick", "https://cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "\u201cAt midnight, government funding expired. This is deeply disheartening. While shutdowns are not new, each time it happens, it sends the same painful message: too often, leaders in Washington put ego and politics ahead of the people we are meant to serve.\n\n\u201cThe American people should never have to suffer because Republicans, who control Congress, cannot come together on the most basic priorities\u2014like ensuring affordable healthcare and protecting the jobs that sustain working families.\n\n\u201cI cannot stand by and support a short-term Republican continuing resolution that does not lower healthcare costs for Americans.\n\n\u201cMy district will feel the weight of this shutdown through cuts to healthcare and furloughs, and I will continue fighting to make sure their voices are heard. This is about dignity, security, and ensuring every family has the opportunity to live a better life.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://wilson.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-wilson-hosts-job-fair-with-miami-dade-college-and-careersource-south-florida", "Congresswoman Wilson Hosts Job Fair with Miami Dade College and CareerSource South Florida", "2025-10-01", "2025", "2025-10", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Frederica S. Wilson", "W000808", "wilson.house.gov", "wilson", "https://wilson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Miami, Fla.\u2014 Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24) hosted a job fair with Miami Dade College and CareerSource South Florida at Miami-Dade North Campus. This job fair included over 50 employers, including representation from the private sector and local, state, and federal government agencies.\n\nApproximately 2,000 people were in attendance throughout the entire job fair. Many employers were reviewing resumes and conducting interviews on the spot.\n\nCongresswoman Frederica Wilson said, \u201cJobs, jobs, jobs\u2014that has always been my mantra, and I\u2019m proud to partner with Miami Dade College and CareerSource South Florida to host a job fair here in South Florida. We\u2019re not just filling positions at this fair; we\u2019re building futures and strengthening our community.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs the workforce engine of the community, we are excited to host Congresswoman Wilson\u2019s Job Fair on our campus as it offers an opportunity for students and the community to explore career pathways. The fair connects employers with a talented pool of skilled professionals while strengthening partnerships between Miami Dade College and local businesses,\u201d said Fermin Vazquez, president of MDC North Campus.\n\nRick Beasley, Executive Director, CareerSource South Florida, said, \u201cCareerSource South Florida is proud to partner with Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson and Miami Dade College to connect our neighbors with real career opportunities. With more than 30 employers on site, jobseekers can meet decision-makers, explore immediate openings, and take the next step toward a family-sustaining career.\u201d\n\nThe event was open to the public. Each employer had a table for the job fair.\n\nThe full list of employers include:\n\nAccentCare Hospice and Palliative Care\n\nAlorica\n\nBroward Sheriff's Office - Department of Fire Rescue and Emergency Services\n\nBroward Sheriff's Office\n\nChildCare Careers\n\nCity of Coral Gables\n\nCity of Miami - 911 Emergency Division\n\nCity of Miami- Human Resources Department/ Police\n\nCity of Sunny Isles Beach\n\nContemporary Services Corporation\n\nDirect Helpers Research Center\n\nEducational Federal Credit Union\n\nEleventh Judicial Circuit\n\nFederal Bureau of Prisons\n\nFlorida Army National Guard\n\nFlorida Department of Children and Families\n\nFlorida Department of Corrections\n\nHealing Arts Institute of South Florida International\n\nHyatt Hotels & Resorts\n\nIGEL\n\nJennifer Fernandez PA\n\nMiami-Dade County\n\nMiami-Dade County Public Schools\n\nMiami Dade County Public School (Trades)\n\nMiami-Dade County Public Schools Police\n\nNorwegian Cruise Lines\n\nOzinga\n\nPanda Restaurant Group\n\nRandstad Inhouse Services- Florida\n\nRegions Security Services\n\nSeminole Tribe of Florida\n\nSouth Florida Autism Charter Schools\n\nTeacher Accelerator Program\n\nTECO Peoples Gas\n\nThe Palms Hotel & Spa\n\nTurner Construction Company\n\nU.S. Space Force\n\nU.S Active-Duty Air Force\n\nU.S. Air Force Reserves\n\nU.S. Air Force Special Warfare\n\nU.S. Army Recruiting Florida\n\nU.S. Coast Guard\n\nU.S. Customs and Border Protection\n\nU.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission\n\nU.S. Navy\n\nUSA Tax\n\nVizcaya Museum and Gardens\n\nWaffle House, Inc.\n\nYMCA of South Florida\n\nYouth Athletes United\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov/media/press-releases/statement-rep-cherfilus-mccormick-threats-violence-against-rep-pramila-jayapal", "Statement from Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick on Threats of Violence Against Rep. Pramila Jayapal", "2025-09-30", "2025", "2025-09", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick", "C001127", "cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov", "cherfilus-mccormick", "https://cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "\"There is no place in our democracy for rhetoric that incites harm-especially from those elected to serve the public and uphold our Constitution.\n\n\"Political violence, in any form and against anyone, is a direct threat to our democratic values.\n\n\"Violence from elected officials? Not today, not ever. Leaders who promote violence are a threat, not an example. We don't accept threats. We stand together, speak out, and protect our democracy.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:10:29Z"], ["https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4913", "Rep. Frankel Statement on the White House Proposal to End Hamas-Israel War", "2025-09-30", "2025", "2025-09", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Lois Frankel", "F000462", "frankel.house.gov", "frankel", "https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Today, Rep. Lois Frankel (FL-22) released the following statement in response to the proposal the White House released yesterday in an attempt to end the Hamas-Israel war:\n\n\u201cOn October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a war on Israel with a horrific attack. This has resulted in unimaginable violence and suffering for innocent Israelis and Palestinians alike. With that said, I welcome the President\u2019s proposal to finally bring this war to an end,\u201d said Rep. Frankel.\n\n\u201cIsrael has already accepted the deal. The decision now rests with Hamas. If Hamas agrees, this brutal war can end, the remaining hostages will be reunited with their families, Gazans will have a chance to have their communities rebuilt, and we will take an important step toward peace in the Middle East.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T15:07:37Z"], ["https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4914", "Rep. Frankel Blasts Republican Government Shutdown", "2025-09-30", "2025", "2025-09", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Lois Frankel", "F000462", "frankel.house.gov", "frankel", "https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Today, Rep. Lois Frankel (FL-22) released the following statement on the looming government shutdown:\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s reckless that Republicans would rather shut down the government than work with Democrats to keep our government open and keep health care affordable. The Republican funding bill would leave more than 4 million Floridians\u2014and millions more across the country\u2014facing skyrocketing health care costs, doubling insurance premiums, and forcing many families to lose coverage altogether. This would have a rippling effect on our entire community, causing severe strain on the delivery of health care services,\u201d said Rep. Frankel.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m standing strong with my Democratic colleagues to protect your health, lower costs, and keep our government working for you. And no matter what happens in Washington, my office will remain open and ready to serve.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T15:07:37Z"], ["https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4916", "Frankel, Magaziner, Ciscomani File Bipartisan Plan to Stop Deadly Senior Falls", "2025-09-30", "2025", "2025-09", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Lois Frankel", "F000462", "frankel.house.gov", "frankel", "https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "September is National Falls Prevention Awareness Month, and Reps. Lois Frankel (D-FL-22), Seth Magaziner (D-RI-02), and Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ-06) are marking it by introducing the bipartisan FASTER Act\u2014a bill to keep older adults safe at home by funding fire department safety visits, simple upgrades like grab bars, and connections to lifesaving community resources.\n\n\u201cFalls send 3 million older Americans to the ER every year, cause 41,000 preventable deaths, and drive $80 billion in health care costs\u2014most of it paid by Medicare and Medicaid,\u201d said Rep. Frankel. \u201cBehind every one of those numbers is a grandmother, grandfather, parent, or neighbor whose independence is shattered. The FASTER Act is about saving lives, protecting families, and cutting billions in preventable costs by making simple, commonsense changes to keep seniors safe in their homes.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs more Americans are able to stay in their own homes as they age, fire departments and EMS are frequently the first responders when their independence is threatened by a fall,\u201d said Ramsey Alwin, President and CEO of the National Council on Aging. \u201cCongresswoman Frankel should be commended for her continued leadership on falls prevention by proposing the FASTER Act to support firefighters\u2019 proactive approach to making homes safer and ensuring timely access in an emergency that could mean the difference between life and death.\u201d\n\nAlongside the FASTER Act, Rep. Frankel introduced a bipartisan resolution designating September 22\u201328, 2025 as National Falls Prevention Awareness Week. Earlier this year, she also cosponsored the SAFE STEPS for Veterans Act to help older Veterans avoid dangerous and costly falls. This effort follows Rep. Frankel's collaboration with the Palm Beach County Health District on a major fall prevention program.\n\nThe FASTER Act is cosponsored by Reps. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and Glenn Thompson (R-PA-15). It is endorsed by the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and the National Council on Aging (NCOA).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T15:07:37Z"], ["https://wilson.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-rep-wilson-s-video-statement-on-potential-government-shutdown", "ICYMI: Rep. Wilson\u2019s Video Statement on Potential Government Shutdown", "2025-09-30", "2025", "2025-09", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Frederica S. Wilson", "W000808", "wilson.house.gov", "wilson", "https://wilson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, September 30, 2025, Congresswoman Frederica Wilson issued the following video statement on a potential government shutdown.\n\nClick here for Video Link\n\nTranscript: \u201cHello, everybody. This is Congresswoman Frederica Wilson here in the nation's Capitol, trying to avert a shutdown. Republicans control every branch of government. They control the Senate, the House, and the White House. They even control the Supreme Court. And any time there is a shutdown, it's the President\u2014it's his fault. And the President could have averted this shutdown yesterday when he met with the leaders in the Oval Office. President Trump could have stopped this shutdown, but he chose not to. So, if the government shuts down tonight, it's a Trump shutdown. End of story.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3422", "Wasserman Schultz, Van Hollen Lead 137 Democrats in Supreme Court Brief to Defend TPS for Venezuela", "2025-09-29", "2025", "2025-09", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Debbie Wasserman Schultz", "W000797", "wassermanschultz.house.gov", "wassermanschultz", "https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) and Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) led 137 Democratic Members of Congress to support and defend Venezuelans from the Trump Administration\u2019s baseless termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) by filing an amicus brief with the United States Supreme Court in National TPS Alliance v. Noem.\n\nThis filing follows a federal district judge\u2019s ruling that the Administration acted unlawfully when it canceled TPS for Venezuelan and Haitian migrants. The court found that DHS Secretary Noem lacked the statutory authority to vacate and terminate TPS designations for those countries.\n\n\u201cSeparation of powers requires that the Executive Branch not usurp Congress\u2019s power to make laws; it mandates that the Executive Branch not override the Judiciary\u2019s power to declare what the law is; and it obligates the Judiciary to not shy from its duty to prevent Executive Branch overreach that upsets the carefully calibrated role each co-equal branch plays in our constitutional democracy,\u201d said the Members in the brief\u2019s introduction.\n\nThe brief continues, \u201cThe Secretary\u2019s actions not only violate the TPS statute but also contradict the bipartisan opposition to terminating Venezuela TPS. Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle have long supported temporary protected status for Venezuelans who fled dangerous conditions in their country\u2014conditions that persist today.\u201d\n\nThe brief asserts that legislative intent of the TPS statute was to (1) standardize the process of awarding humanitarian protection based on enumerated criteria to protect the decision from political pressures and (2) to provide relief to individuals facing serious but generalized forms of harm as opposed to targeted persecution necessary to qualify for asylum. If the government is inherently able to vacate previous designations or extensions due to shifting political winds, then the process is no longer standardized and free from domestic politics. The full amicus brief can be found here.\n\nIn addition to Wasserman Schultz and Van Hollen, the amicus was joined by Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).\n\nHouse signers included:\n\nRep. Jamie Raskin, Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee\n\nRep. Bennie Thompson, Ranking Member of the House Homeland Security Committee\n\nRep. Robert Garcia, Ranking Member of the House Oversight Committee\n\nRep. Gregory Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee\n\nRep. Richard Neal, Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Committee\n\nRep. Maxine Waters, Ranking Member of the House Financial Services Committee\n\nRep. Frank Pallone Jr., Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee\n\nRep. James McGovern, Ranking Member of the House Rules Committee\n\nRep. Nydia Vel\u00e1zquez, Ranking Member of the House Small Business Committee\n\nRep. Jared Huffman, Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee\n\nRep. Zoe Lofgren, Ranking Member of the House Science, Space & Technology Committee\n\nRep. Mark Takano, Ranking Member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee\n\nRep. Yvette Clarke, Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus\n\nRep. Adriano Espaillat, Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus\n\nRep. Grace Meng, Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus\n\nRep. Jerry Nadler, co-chair of the Congressional Jewish Caucus\n\nRep. Brad Schneider, Chair of the New Democrat Coalition\n\nRep. Greg Casar, Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus\n\nWasserman Schultz was also joined by fellow Reps. Gabe Amo, Yassamin Ansari, Becca Balint, Nanette Barrag\u00e1n, Wesley Bell, Don Beyer, Suzanne Bonamici, Shontel M. Brown, Julia Brownley, Janelle Bynum, Andre' Carson, Troy A. Carter, St., Sean Casten, Kathy Castor, Joaquin Castro, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Judy Chu, Emanuel Cleaver, Steve Cohen, Herb Conaway, J. Luis Correa, Jasmine Crockett, Danny Davis, Madeleine Dean, Diana DeGette, Suzan DelBene, Mark DeSaulnier, Maxine Dexter, Lloyd Doggett, Sarah Elfreth, Veronica Escobar, Dwight Evans, Cleo Fields, Lizzie Fletcher, Lois Frankel, Laura Friedman, Maxwell Alejandro Frost, Sylvia R. Garcia, Jes\u00fas G. \"Chuy\" Garc\u00eda, Daniel S Goldman, Jimmy Gomez, Josh Gottheimer, Al Green, Jahana Hayes, Glenn Ivey, Jonathan L. Jackson, Sara Jacobs, Pramila Jayapal, Henry C. (\"Hank\") Johnson, Jr., Julie Johnson, Sydney Kamlager-Dove, William Keating, Robin L. Kelly, Ro Khanna, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Greg Landsman, John B Larson, Summer L. Lee, Susie Lee, Sam Liccardo, Stephen F. Lynch, Sarah McBride, April McClain Delaney, Jennifer L McClellan, Betty McCollum, Kristen McDonald Rivet, LaMonica McIver, Rob Menendez, Kweisi Mfume, Dave Min, Kelly Morrison, Jared Moskowitz, Seth Moulton, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Brittany Pettersen, Chellie Pingree, Stacey Plaskett, Nellie Pou, Mike Quigley, Delia C. Ramirez, Emily Randall, Luz Rivas, Raul Ruiz, Andrea Salinas, Mary Gay Scanlon, Jan Schakowsky, Terri A. Sewell, Lateefah Simon, Darren Soto, Melanie Stansbury, Marilyn Strickland, Suhas Subramanyam, Tom Suozzi, Shri Thanedar, Dina Titus, Rashida Tlaib, Paul Tonko, Lori Trahan, Juan Vargas, James Walkinshaw, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Nikema Williams, and Frederica S. Wilson.\n\nWasserman Schultz, who co-chairs the Venezuela Democracy Caucus, led an amicus brief with the United States Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in the same case, as well as a similar brief to the Supreme Court in its original consideration of the case.\n\nWasserman Schultz also partnered with Reps. Darren Soto (FL-9) and Mar\u00eda Elvira Salazar (FL-27) to sponsor bipartisan legislation to reverse Trump\u2019s termination of TPS for Venezuelans and redesignate protections.\n\nVan Hollen has introduced the SECURE Act, legislation to provide qualified Temporary Protected Status and Deferred Enforced Departure recipients a path to legal permanent residency.\n\n####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:10:29Z"], ["https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3421", "Wasserman Schultz Sounds the Alarm on Republicans\u2019 Unfolding Healthcare Crisis", "2025-09-25", "2025", "2025-09", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Debbie Wasserman Schultz", "W000797", "wassermanschultz.house.gov", "wassermanschultz", "https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2013 Today,U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) held a press conference with a healthcare advocate, insurance expert, and Affordable Care Act recipient to address the Republican healthcare crisis unleashed by the Big Ugly Bill, attacks on vaccines, and the refusal to extend healthcare tax credits in partisan GOP spending bills.\n\nWatch Wasserman Schultz\u2019s full remarks here.\n\nWatch full remarks and Q&A from a healthcare advocate, insurance expert, and Affordable Care Act recipient here.\n\nGovernment funding runs out on September 30th and Republicans have plunged the nation into a healthcare crisis. But Republican leaders refuse to even meet with Democrats to discuss these critical issues and avoid a government shutdown and severe financial harm to millions of Americans.\n\n\u201cFor the average ACA customer in my district, costs will skyrocket and blow an average annual hole of $490 in their personal budgets \u2013 a 72% increase in premiums,\u201d said Wasserman Schultz. \u201cAlmost no family has that kind of extra money lying around. The cost of living is already too high. Families need relief.\u201d\n\nWasserman Schultz was joined by Catalyst Miami Senior Director of Policy and Advocacy Camilo Mej\u00eda, Managing Partner of Mustijay and Associates Joseph Mustipher, and Affordable Care Act beneficiary Carolina Zerpa.\n\n####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:10:29Z"], ["https://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=405029", "Castor Votes \u201cNo\u201d On GOP Health Care Cuts Florida Families Facing Double-Digit Increases in Health Care Premiums", "2025-09-19", "2025", "2025-09", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Kathy Castor", "C001066", "castor.house.gov", "castor", "https://castor.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "TAMPA, Fla. \u2013 U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) today voted \u201cno\u201d on the GOP budget bill as millions of Floridians face devastating health care cost increases due to Congressional Republicans\u2019 and President Trump\u2019s refusal to extend the Affordable Care Act\u2019s (ACA) enhanced Premium Tax Credits (ePTCs).\n\n\u201cIf the tax credit expires, millions of people with chronic diseases like cancer and diabetes will struggle to afford health care or lose coverage altogether. All Floridians will be saddled with higher costs due to uncompensated care at hospitals and crowded emergency rooms. Florida hospitals strongly support extension of the health care tax credits.\u201d\n\nFlorida is the epicenter of the fight:\n\n4.7 million Floridians have affordable marketplace coverage in 2025 through the ACA plan \u2013 nearly one-fifth of the nation\u2019s enrollees.\n\nNearly 4.1 million Floridians (9 out of 10) rely on enhanced tax credits, including thousands of small business owners and self-employed workers.\n\nState insurers are finalizing 18.7\u201340.8% premium hikes because of Republican inaction. Families will soon see a notice when they go to buy coverage for 2026.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:10:29Z"], ["https://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=405030", "Reps. Castor, Kim Lead Bipartisan SHINE for Autumn Act to Prevent Stillbirth and Support Healthy Pregnancies", "2025-09-19", "2025", "2025-09", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Kathy Castor", "C001066", "castor.house.gov", "castor", "https://castor.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representatives Kathy Castor (D-FL-14) and Young Kim (R-CA-40) introduced the bipartisan Stillbirth Health Improvement and Education (SHINE) for Autumn Act to improve stillbirth research and data collection and help prevent stillbirth in the United States.\n\nAccording to the CDC, stillbirth affects 1 in 175 pregnancies, with over 20,000 babies born still each year. In the United States, the annual number of stillbirths far exceeds the number of deaths among children aged 0-14 years from accidents, preterm birth, SIDS, drownings, fire, and flu combined.\n\n\u201cToo many families are suffering from the heartbreak of losing a baby to stillbirth, and it\u2019s past time for Congress to step up and provide tools to save mothers and babies,\u201d said Rep. Kathy Castor. \u201cThe maternal and infant health crisis is devastating to all, and there is still so much we don\u2019t know due to barriers in data collection. Estimates are that nearly one in four stillbirths could be prevented \u2013 that means lives saved and families spared enormous pain. That\u2019s why I am proud to work with bipartisan colleagues, Reps. Kim, Kelly and Joyce and Sens. Booker and Daines in reintroducing the SHINE for Autumn Act. Together, we can reduce stillbirths, close gaps in care and improve outcomes for moms and babies across the nation.\u201d\n\n\"As a mom and a grandma, I have experienced both the joys of pregnancy and pain of loss firsthand. Helping moms, moms-to-be, and their babies is personal to me,\u201d said Rep. Young Kim. \u201cFar too many families in our nation experience the heartbreak of stillbirth, yet this enduring crisis remains overlooked and underfunded. The SHINE for Autumn Act will give us the tools to better understand, prevent, and respond to stillbirths, while ensuring moms, babies, and families receive the support they deserve. I\u2019m proud to lead this bipartisan effort to bring hope and solutions to families across the country.\u201d\n\n\"Despite spending the most money on healthcare per capita in the world, the United States has failed to make significant improvements when it comes to understanding and preventing stillbirths,\" said Rep. Dave Joyce. \"Congress must step up to prevent this avoidable loss of life. This legislation marks a long-overdue step forward in addressing stillbirths, advancing maternal and infant health, and ensuring the United States catches up to where it should be in prioritizing this critical issue. I am proud to again co-lead this bipartisan bill that will help save lives across the country.\"\n\n\u201cStillbirth is a deeply painful experience for mothers and families,\u201d said Rep. Robin Kelly. \u201cI\u2019m incredibly thankful for Debbie\u2019s brave advocacy as she turns her pain into action so no other family will experience heartbreaking stillbirth. I\u2019m committed to delivering the healthy pregnancy and life every mother and baby deserves.\u201d\n\n\u201cNobody should have to experience the immense sorrow of losing a baby,\u201d said Sen. Cory Booker. \u201cWe must address the maternal and infant health crisis that continues to result in thousands of families grappling with the unthinkable every year in the United States. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation is aimed at increasing data collection, research, education, and public awareness around stillbirths so we can save lives and put an end to this crisis.\u201d\n\n\u201cStillbirth is a tragedy faced by thousands of moms and families every year, both in Montana and throughout the nation,\u201d said Sen. Steve Daines. \u201cI\u2019m glad to join my colleagues on this bipartisan bill to help expand research, education, and data collection surrounding stillbirths, so we can save lives and provide hope for stillbirth families.\u201d\n\nThe SHINE for Autumn Act aims to bridge gaps in stillbirth data, research, and education by:\n\nProviding grants to states to support consistent, secure data collection, assessment, and reporting on stillbirth and risk factors;\n\nStrengthening privacy protections to ensure sensitive health data is protected; and\n\nDirecting the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in coordination with health care providers, to develop best practices and educational materials for state health departments on stillbirth data collection and prevention strategies.\n\nThe SHINE for Autumn Act is named in honor of Autumn Joy, who was born still on July 8, 2011. Her mother, Debbie Haine Vijayvergiya, has spent more than a decade advocating for families and giving a voice to the stillbirth community.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:10:29Z"], ["https://cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-cherfilus-mccormick-releases-statement-vote-against-republicans", "Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick Releases Statement on Vote Against Republicans\u2019 Disastrous Government Funding Bill", "2025-09-19", "2025", "2025-09", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick", "C001127", "cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov", "cherfilus-mccormick", "https://cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) released the following statement after voting against the Republican-led continuing resolution.\n\n\u201cOnce again, House Republicans have abandoned their duty to govern and are now solely responsible for the looming government shutdown.\n\n\u201cSince the start of the funding process, Democrats have worked in good faith to pass a bipartisan bill that lowers everyday costs and safeguards access to healthcare.\n\n\u201cInstead, Republicans have chosen to advance a reckless, short-term funding bill without Democratic input\u2014knowing full well it lacks the support to keep the government open.\n\n\u201cIt's time for Republicans to return to the negotiating table and work with Democrats to keep the government running and preserve critical Affordable Care Act subsidies that make health insurance affordable for millions of Americans.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:10:29Z"], ["https://cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-cherfilus-mccormick-releases-statement-vote-against-resolution", "Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick Releases Statement on Vote Against Resolution Celebrating the Life of Charlie Kirk", "2025-09-19", "2025", "2025-09", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick", "C001127", "cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov", "cherfilus-mccormick", "https://cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) released the following statement after voting against the resolution honoring the life of Charlie Kirk.\n\n\u201cThe murder of Charlie Kirk was vile and horrific. This is not the America I know, where people are afraid to voice their political views. While there are many parts of Charlie\u2019s life that should be celebrated, he also demonized minorities and insulted Black women and men. His rhetoric was hateful, and I do not believe we should celebrate that kind of language.\n\n\u201cThe healing that this country needs must be rooted in principles of Godly love and peace. Civility and respect for all people must be paramount. This political culture of reality TV drama and public fights can only end if we all choose to reject it.\n\n\u201cUnfortunately, this resolution did not reflect those values.\n\n\u201cInstead, I am proud to cosponsor a bipartisan resolution that condemns all forms of political violence and calls for a rejection of rhetoric that dehumanizes people.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:10:29Z"], ["https://frost.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-maxwell-frost-statement-on-house-passage-of-stopgap-funding-bill", "Congressman Maxwell Frost Statement on House Passage of Stopgap Funding Bill", "2025-09-19", "2025", "2025-09", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Maxwell Frost", "F000476", "frost.house.gov", "frost", "https://frost.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost (FL-10) released a statement following House passage of a stopgap funding bill to temporarily keep the government funded through November 21 and potentially avoid a government shutdown.\n\nIn a statement, Rep. Frost says:\n\n\u201cHealthcare costs are crushing working families and forcing them to make an impossible choice between food, rent, groceries, and medicine. In the richest country in the world, no one should have to live like that.\n\n\u201cInstead of working to ease that burden, House Republicans are making it worse. In July, they passed Trump\u2019s Big Beautiful Bill for billionaires and mega corporations that strips 15 million people of their healthcare, cuts over half a trillion dollars from Medicare, and pushes hospitals to close. And today, House Republicans have doubled down on their recklessness by passing a temporary spending bill that ignores the expiring ACA tax credits that have helped working families afford their health insurance premiums. And when premiums go up, everyone pays the price.\n\n\u201cTime and time again, House Republicans have shown where their loyalties lie: not with working families or the people they serve, but with billionaires, corporations, and Donald Trump. Families deserve better.\n\n\u201cRepublicans control the House, Senate, and Presidency. If the government shuts down, Republicans own it.\n\n\u201cEvery single person deserves quality, affordable healthcare. House Democrats and I are going to fight like hell to make sure families get the care they need and deserve.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3419", "Wasserman Schultz, Burchett Introduce Bill to Protect Rights of Crime Victims, Prevent Repeat of Epstein Impunity", "2025-09-19", "2025", "2025-09", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Debbie Wasserman Schultz", "W000797", "wassermanschultz.house.gov", "wassermanschultz", "https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Washington DC \u2013 Today, U.S. Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) and Tim Burchett (TN-2) announced the introduction of the bipartisan Courtney Wild Reinforcing Crime Victims' Rights Act to close the legal loophole that kept survivors of notorious sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein in the dark about his secret, sweetheart deal in 2008. This legislation would ensure survivors retain their rights and avoid further victimization by the legal system, and it\u2019s being filed as the architect of Epstein\u2019s plea deal, former federal prosecutor Alex Acosta, is set to testify before the House Oversight Committee today, as part of its investigation into Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.\n\n\u201cCourtney Wild and other Epstein victims were wrongly denied legal standing to invoke their rights, because a secret plea deal was reached that basically slapped Epstein on the wrist. This bill would fulfill the original intent of the Crime Victims\u2019 Rights Act and prevent gross miscarriages of injustice like that from being repeated,\u201d said Rep. Wasserman Schultz. \u201cCrime victims deserve dignity and adequate support, not further victimization at the discretion of federal prosecutors. And serial sex offenders never deserve sweetheart deals where victims are kept in the dark and accomplices are shielded.\u201d\n\n\u201cAfter my recent visit to DC, I am hopeful for the first time, because we met with many Republicans and Democrats, all who assured me that they supported these changes to the Crime Victims\u2019 Rights Act,\u201d said Courtney Wild, survivor-advocate.\n\nThe Courtney Wild Reinforcing Crime Victims' Rights Act was spurred by Wild's lawsuit that asserted the rights of victims who fell prey to Jeffrey Epstein and were kept in the dark as federal prosecutors hashed out a secret and shockingly lenient plea deal that also protected his co-conspirators. Wild fought in court for over 10 years before a Federal District Court finally declared that her rights, and the rights of other victims were violated under the Crime Victims' Rights Act (CVRA). However, in April 2020, the Eleventh Circuit of Appeals rejected her lawsuit, and ruled that the CVRA was never triggered because the federal government never filed charges against Epstein. Because of this ambiguity in the law, justice for Courtney and other Epstein victims was blocked.\n\nWhile Courtney\u2019s case was high profile, many other victims in federal and DC court continue to lack the right to notice and participation at the pre-trial stage because of these ambiguities in the law. This legislation would empower the Attorney General to implement the necessary reforms to ensure that all crime victims are afforded their rights under the CRVA. These reforms include the clarification that victims have the right to be informed by federal prosecutors of any plea or pretrial agreement that could impact their ability to secure justice and requiring the court to order a remedy if a victim\u2019s rights have been violated, among other important reforms.\n\nThe legislation has been endorsed by Wild (survivor-advocate); Brad Edwards, and Paul Cassell (Wild\u2019s Lawyers); Volare; National Organization for Victim Advocacy (NOVA); National Crime Victim Law Institute (NCVLI); National Alliance to End Sexual Violence (NAESV); National Center for the Victims of Crime (NCVC); Victims\u2019 Rights Law Center.\n\n\u201cThe Courtney Wild Reinforcing Crime Victims' Rights Act represents a critical step toward ensuring that the Crime Victims' Rights Act truly provides equitable and meaningful rights to survivors of crime,\u201d said Bridgette Stumpf, co-founder and CEO of Volare. \u201cThis reform would bring greater consistency to how victims experience the criminal legal system and strengthen access to independent crime victims' counsel\u2014creating an environment of accountability within the criminal process.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe National Center for Victims of Crime has fought side by side with victims for over 40 years. It is now our privilege and honor to stand with two incredible representatives, Rep. Wasserman Schultz and Rep. Burchett, as they take up the battle for victims through the Courtney Wild Reinforcing Crime Victims\u2019 Rights Act,\u201d said Renee E. Williams, Esq., Chief Executive Office of National Center for Victims of Crime. \u201cThis crucial act expands VAWA and VOCA in protecting victims\u2019 dignity, not only by ensuring that crime victims\u2019 rights are enforced, but also by providing accountability and remedies when those rights are violated. We thank Rep. Wasserman Schultz for her work on this crucial bill, and we commit to advocating for and serving victims across the nation. Only when victims\u2019 rights are automatic and unquestioned will our victory be achieved.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Courtney Wild Crime Victims\u2019 Rights Act is a step toward a more equitable and transparent criminal justice system. Too often, victims have been excluded from critical updates about their cases, despite their central role in ensuring accountability,\u201d said Stacy Malone, Victim Rights Law Center Executive Director. \u201cThis legislation reinforces the principle that justice requires not only prosecuting crimes, but also upholding the rights of those harmed.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Courtney Wild Reinforcing Crime Victims\u2019 Rights Act is an incredible step forward in protecting the rights of federal victims of crime,\u201d said Claire Ponder Selib, Executive Director, National Organization for Victim Advocacy. \u201cThis landmark bill is critical for ensuring all victims of crime are treated fairly, respectfully and with dignity as they navigate the criminal justice process.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe National Crime Victim Law Institute supports the Courtney Wild Reinforcing Crime Victims' Rights Act. Since it was first passed in 2004, the CVRA has intended to ensure that victims could independently and meaningfully participate in our justice system,\u201d said Meg Garvin, Executive Director of the National Crime Victim Law Institute. \u201cWe are excited to see that the Act includes many critical elements that will make this original promise a reality. Among these, critical clarification that a victims' rights to confer with the government and to be informed must happen prior to any agreement that could resolve a case. In addition, recognizing the victims often need counsel to help them protect their rights, the Act includes provisions that should increase referrals to counsel and also ease the ability of those attorneys to effectively represent victims in court.\u201d\n\n\u201cAll survivors of sexual assault deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. We appreciate the bipartisan commitment of Representatives Wasserman Schultz and Burchett to support survivor access to their basic rights as they engage in all aspects of the criminal legal system.\u201d Monika Johnson Hostler, CEO & President of the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence.\n\nRead the entire bill here.\n\n####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:10:29Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 462, "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": "2025"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=FL&year=2025", "results": [{"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 462, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=FL&year=2025", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=FL&year=2025", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 462, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=FL&year=2025&chamber=House", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=FL&year=2025", "results": [{"value": "FL", "label": "FL", "count": 462, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&year=2025", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=FL&year=2025", "results": [{"value": "2025", "label": "2025", "count": 462, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=FL", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2025-09-19,https~3A~2F~2Fwassermanschultz~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fnews~2Fdocumentsingle~2Easpx~3FDocumentID~3D3419", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=FL&year=2025&_next=2025-09-19%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fwassermanschultz~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fnews~2Fdocumentsingle~2Easpx~3FDocumentID~3D3419&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 490.3212827630341, "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"}