{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Republican\", state = \"FL\" and year = 2014 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["http://ros-lehtinen.house.gov/press-release/all-us-funds-palestinian-authority-must-be-immediately-suspended-after-pa-signs-rome", "All U.S. Funds to the Palestinian Authority Must Be Immediately Suspended After the PA Signs Rome Treaty, Says Ros-Lehtinen", "2014-12-31", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Ileana Ros-Lehtinen", "R000435", "ros-lehtinen.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "All U.S. Funds to the Palestinian Authority Must Be Immediately Suspended After the PA Signs Rome Treaty, Says Ros-Lehtinen                                            \n              Dec 31, 2014      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n          \n  \n    \n    \n    All U.S. Funds to the Palestinian Authority Must Be Immediately Suspended After the PA Signs Rome Treaty, Says Ros-Lehtinen \n\u201cCongress must do everything in its power to block funds to the PA to make it clear to Abu Mazen that there will be consequences to his schemes at the United Nations and other international organizations like the International Criminal Court.\u201d\n(Washington, DC) \u2013 U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman of the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee, made the following statement after the Palestinian Authority signed the Rome Statue, the founding treaty to join the International Criminal Court. Statement by Ros-Lehtinen:\n\u201cThe latest destructive actions by Abu Mazen and the Palestinian Authority reaffirms, once again, that Abu Mazen is not a real partner for peace. By attempting to bring a flawed resolution to the UN Security Council and by signing the Rome Treaty, Abu Mazen only reiterates that he is not willing to return to direct peace negotiations with Israel without pre-conditions. It's time for the Obama administration to show Abu Mazen and the PA that there will be consequences for their irresponsible behavior and continued efforts to undermine the peace process. Congress must do everything in its power to block funds to the PA and to any UN entity that recognizes a non-existent State of Palestine to make it clear to Abu Mazen that there will be consequences to his schemes at the United Nations and other international organizations like the International Criminal Court.\u201d \u00a0\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.rubio.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=ba07fa5f-e344-47f4-9c56-c51235887893", "Rubio Comments On Castro Regime's Latest Wave Of Repression", "2014-12-30", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013\u00a0U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) issued the following statement today regarding\u00a0news reports\u00a0of the Castro regime's efforts to suppress Cuban activists and independent journalists attempting to attend a rally in Havana:\r\n   \r\n\"The Castro regime's latest acts of repression against political dissidents in Cuba make a mockery of President Obama's new U.S.-Cuba policy. The fact that the regime continues to violate the human rights of Cubans like this shows that it has even less incentive to change its ways since President Obama intends to give the Castros numerous unilateral concessions in exchange for zero steps towards more political freedom.\r\n   \r\n\"This is the real human tragedy of the President's new Cuba policy. President Obama should be ashamed of legitimizing and empowering the Castros while abandoning courageous Cuban dissidents like the ones who have been on the receiving end of the regime's repressive tactics in recent days.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.rubio.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=19e6b3ff-cdff-4e3c-8f1b-f805fab5fad1", "Rubio Comments On Police Officers Killed In Tarpon Springs And New York", "2014-12-21", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013\u00a0U.S. Senator Marco Rubio issued the following statement regarding the killing of police officers in Tarpon Springs, Florida and New York City:\r\n   \r\n\u201cEarlier today my wife and I were saddened to hear of the killing of Tarpon Springs police officer Charles Kondek, just hours after the nation was shocked by the horrific murder of two NYPD officers. These killings are stark and somber reminders of the risks our men and women in law enforcement take each and every day to keep us and our families safe.\r\n   \r\n\u201cOur thoughts and prayers are with the families of the fallen, the men and women of the Tarpon Springs and New York Police Departments, and with the brave men and women of law enforcement across the country who continue their work today undaunted and undeterred. As we should every day, I thank them for the courage and sacrifices they and their families make in the service of our communities.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://dennisross.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398242", "How Did You Achieve Your Goals?", "2014-12-19", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Dennis Ross", "R000593", "dennisross.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "There are a number of names that come to mind when we think of individuals with inspiring success stories. Many people came from modest means and turned difficult circumstances into extraordinary outcomes. Bill Gates, Sandra Day O\u2019Conner, Steve Jobs and Condoleezza Rice are amongst the most well-known, but there are many others across Central Florida and the Tampa Bay Region who have overcome significant roadblocks to create their own success. \r\nI\u2019d like to hear your story. How did you venture out and find success? There are a number of hardships you must have overcome and I\u2019d like to know how you, or someone you know, overcame an obstacle and achieved a goal despite the odds.\r\nEntrepreneurs, small startups, and those who managed their own success do not allow hurdles to keep them from achieving their goal; not a lack of education, immigrating to another country or even a lack of funds. \r\nRemember if your dream comes to a crossroad, it doesn\u2019t mean it\u2019s the end of the road. By working hard and taking action you will find you are on a road to success. \r\nPlease write to me and tell me about your success story at SuccessStoriesFL15@gmail.com. I\u2019d like to use your story to show others the American Dream is still achievable. Please include your first name, last name, and the county you currently live in. I would like to create an anthology of modern-day success stories that I hope will motivate others in achieving their own goals.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://ros-lehtinen.house.gov/press-release/french-palestinian-un-security-council-resolution-irresponsible-will-undermine-any", "French-Palestinian UN Security Council Resolution is Irresponsible, Will Undermine Any Prospect of Peace, Says Ros-Lehtinen", "2014-12-19", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Ileana Ros-Lehtinen", "R000435", "ros-lehtinen.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "French-Palestinian UN Security Council Resolution is Irresponsible, Will Undermine Any Prospect of Peace, Says Ros-Lehtinen\n\u201cIf the resolution comes up for a vote, the U.S. must veto this measure and it must make it painfully clear to Abu Mazen that there will be severe consequences if he continues to pursue his scheme\n\tto achieve unilateral recognition at the UN or join other UN bodies, like the International Criminal Court.\u201d\n(Washington, DC) \u2013 U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman of the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee, made the following statement regarding the joint French-Palestinian draft UN Security Council Resolution. Statement by Ros-Lehtinen:\n\u201cBy helping to draft this resolution for the Palestinians to introduce at the UN Security Council, France is now part of the problem and not the solution when it comes to achieving peace between Israelis and Palestinians. Being anti-Israel is now becoming the new anti-Semitism, and this latest effort by France and the Palestinians to delegitimize Israel comes on the heels of the French National Assembly vote to recognize the non-existent State of Palestine.\n\u201cAnti-Semitism is on the rise in France and across Europe, with a record number of Jews having fled France for the one place they can truly feel safe \u2013 Israel. This resolution also comes on the heels of the European Union court making a grave mistake and removing Hamas from their terrorism list at a time when reports indicate that Hamas, which is designated in the U.S. as a terrorist organization, is currently reconstructing tunnels in preparation to launch more indiscriminate rockets against Israel. \u00a0By introducing this resolution, France is adding fuel to the efforts to delegitimize Israel and is effectively undermining any prospects for peace and security in the region.\n\u201cIntroducing this resolution also reaffirms the epic failure of American leadership and diplomacy, as Secretary Kerry and the Obama administration have been unsuccessful in preventing the Palestinians from introducing this resolution at the UN Security Council. If the resolution comes up for a vote, the U.S. must veto this measure and it must make it painfully clear to Abu Mazen that there will be severe consequences if he continues to pursue his scheme to achieve unilateral recognition at the UN or join other UN bodies, like the International Criminal Court. If Abu Mazen was a real partner for peace, he would drop this charade and agree to negotiate without any preconditions through direct discussions with Israel.\u201d\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://ros-lehtinen.house.gov/press-release/ros-lehtinen-declara-que-firma-del-united-states-israel-strategic-partnership-act", "Ros-Lehtinen Declara que Firma del United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act Reafirma Fuerte Apoyo Bipartidista para Israel", "2014-12-19", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Ileana Ros-Lehtinen", "R000435", "ros-lehtinen.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Ros-Lehtinen Declara que Firma del United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act Reafirma Fuerte Apoyo Bipartidista para Israel                                           \n              Dec 19, 2014      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n          \n  \n    \n    \n    Ros-Lehtinen Declara que Firma del United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act Reafirma Fuerte Apoyo Bipartidista para Israel\n\u201cCon la promulgaci\u00f3n de esta ley, le entregamos al Estado de Israel un estatus \u00fanico como gran aliado estrat\u00e9gico\u201d\n(WASHINGTON) \u2013\u00a0 La Congresista Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Presidenta del Subcomit\u00e9 del Medio Oriente y \u00c1frica del Norte, hizo la siguiente declaraci\u00f3n referente a la promulgaci\u00f3n por parte del Presidente del United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act. Destac\u00f3 Ros-Lehtinen:\n\u201cCon la promulgaci\u00f3n de esta ley, le entregamos al Estado democr\u00e1tico Jud\u00edo de Israel un estatus \u00fanico como gran aliado estrat\u00e9gico y reafirmamos nuestro apoyo a aumentar la ventaja cualitativa militar de Israel. El Estado de Israel se enfrenta a implacable amenazas existenciales no solo de Ir\u00e1n, sino tambi\u00e9n de sus grupos asociados como Hamas y Hezbollah que continuamente han hecho llamados para erradicar de la tierra a nuestro m\u00e1s cercano aliado en el Medio Oriente. Me gustar\u00eda agradecer a mis colegas en ambas c\u00e1maras del Congreso por su apoyo bipartidista al derecho de Israel a defenderse a s\u00ed mismo y a sus ciudadanos y espero que esta ley sea implementada inmediatamente.\u201d\nNOTA: La Congresista Ileana Ros-Lehtinen y el Congresista Ted Deutch son autores del proyecto de ley HR \u2013 938 - Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2013. El proyecto fue aprobado por la C\u00e1mara de Representantes el 5 de Marzo de 2014, por un voto de 410-1. Los Senadores Barbara Boxer y Roy Blunt fueron los patrocinadores del proyecto de ley S. S.2673 que fue el 3 de Diciembre de 2014.\u00a0\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://ros-lehtinen.house.gov/press-release/ros-lehtinen-says-united-states-israel-strategic-partnership-act-becoming-law", "Ros-Lehtinen Says United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act Becoming Law Reaffirms Bipartisan Strong US Support for Israel.", "2014-12-19", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Ileana Ros-Lehtinen", "R000435", "ros-lehtinen.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Ros-Lehtinen Says United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act Becoming Law Reaffirms Bipartisan Strong US Support for Israel.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \n\u201cWith the signature of this bill into law, we afford the democratic Jewish State of Israel a unique status as a major strategic partner\u201d\n(Washington, DC) \u2013 U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman of the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee, made the following statement after the President signed into law the United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act. Statement by Ros-Lehtinen:\n\u201cWith the signature of this bill into law, we afford the democratic Jewish State of Israel a unique status as a major strategic partner, and reaffirm our support to enhance Israel\u2019s qualitative military edge. Israel faces relentless existential threats not only from Iran but also its proxy terror groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah, who continuously have called for our closest ally in the Middle East to be erased from the face of the earth. I would like to thank my colleagues in both houses of Congress for their bipartisan support of Israel\u2019s right to defend itself and its citizens and look forward to ensuring that this law gets implemented immediately.\"\nNOTE: Chairman Ros-Lehtinen and Ranking Member Deutch are the authors of HR \u2013 938, the United States \u2013 Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2013. The bill was passed by the House of Representatives on March 5, 2014 by a vote of 410-1. Senators Barbara Boxer and Roy Blount were the Senate sponsors of the bill S. 2673 which was passed on December 3, 2014.\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://yoho.house.gov//media-center/in-the-news/ted-yoho-bill-prevents-another-shutdown", "Ted Yoho: Bill prevents another shutdown", "2014-12-19", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Ted Yoho", "Y000065", "yoho.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "When I first ran for Congress, I promised the people who elected me that I would represent them, and that I would not vote on what was politically popular, but I would vote on principle. Ever since that day, I have committed myself to solving the problems facing America head on instead of kicking the can down the road.\nLast week, I voted to fund the government and keep discretionary spending at its lowest level since 2007. This funding bill, while not perfect, provides funding for 11 of the 12 regular appropriations bills through fiscal year 2015 and provides roughly $1.013 trillion in discretionary spending; this is below the Murray/Ryan Budget of $1.015 trillion, passed in October 2013. This bill puts the country on a path to save taxpayers $2.1 trillion over the next 10 years and it balances the budget.\nHad I voted for a Continuing Resolution (CR), it would have negated 60 percent of the work Congress had accomplished in the last year through the appropriations process. Voting for a CR is nothing more than kicking the can down the road and it is no way to govern.\nWith the passage of this funding bill, our troops have the assurance that they will receive their paychecks while in harm's way, veterans' services can continue to improve, and our seniors will have security knowing their checks won't stop. This bill also prevents the threat of another government shutdown, which ensures economic stability for our small businesses and allows them to plan for expansion and provide for job creation.\nMore importantly, this legislation contains no new funding for Obamacare. For President Obama to have to sign that provision into law is a huge win and the beginning to the dismantling of Obamacare. In addition, this bill does not fund the Race to the Top fund, which coerces cash-strapped states into adopting questionable Common Core federal standards.\nBy funding the government through Sept. 30, we have cleared the way for important legislative work to be done that concentrates our efforts on common-sense reforms, rather than fighting over short-term CR spending. The power of the purse is one of the most effective tools Congress has to rein in government waste and overreach. This bill cuts over $300 million from the IRS and reduces the EPA's spending to 1989 levels, thereby shrinking both agencies. This bill also prevents the EPA from overregulating \u201cnavigable waters,\u201d which will protect our farmers and business owners.\nA colossal spending bill like this is overwhelming to understand. However, when you break it down, it is actually made of the multiple bills the House appropriations committees approved during the past 18 months. Last week's vote made sure all the hard work done in the House wasn't done in vain. The House passed 11 of the 12 appropriations bills out of their respective subcommittees and sent seven of them to the Senate for a vote. Harry Reid did not act on those appropriations bills because they were conservative and went against Obama's policies.\nIt is no secret there are many of President Obama's policies I do not agree with. One in particular was the president's recent executive amnesty order. As soon as he announced what he was going to do, I introduced \u2014 and the House later passed \u2014 legislation to stop it (HR 5759 Preventing Executive Overreach On Immigration of 2014). This bill will be reintroduced in the next Congress, along with language that strips all funding from any government agency that processes any work visas or permits for people in this country illegally. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., has introduced the companion bill in the Senate. This will strengthen our message to the White House going into 2015.\nMy goal is to block Obama's executive amnesty and fix our broken immigration system. Fixing the broken immigration system begins with border security and enforcement of our current laws. The American people handed Republicans the torch of leadership. Being a leader means looking at the big picture and making tough decisions.\nWith a new Republican Senate being sworn in the first week of January, I look forward to working with them to place our country back on track fiscally, stopping this president's overreach, preserving our Constitution, and restoring the greatness of America.\nU.S. Rep. Ted Yoho is a Gainesville Republican representing part of Alachua County and 12 other counties.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.rubio.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=fd4526de-675d-4ab7-acd7-f2f6ac28ca24", "Rubio Comments On North Korea Cyber-Attack Against Sony", "2014-12-19", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), the Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs, today issued the following statement regarding North Korea\u2019s cyber-attack against Sony Pictures:\r\n   \r\n\u201cThe fact that North Korea was willing to conduct a flagrant cyber-attack against a major corporation and even threaten violence against Americans attending movie theaters across the country is another example of the devastating consequences that result when America projects weakness. I call on the President to respond swiftly to undo the damage to freedom of speech and expression caused by Sony\u2019s decision to not release \u2018The Interview.\u2019 I also look forward to hearing from administration officials what the United States\u2019 response to this blatant violation of America\u2019s sovereignty and security will be.\r\n   \r\n\u201cI have long argued that the Bush administration\u2019s decision to delist North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism was the wrong one. I urge the administration to relist North Korea immediately. North Korea continues to threaten its neighbors, develop its nuclear weapons program, and imprison thousands of its civilians in modern day gulags. It is also important to remember that just last year, Panama intercepted a North Korean ship that was involved in transferring weapons between North Korea and Cuba and that Cuba has been a staunch defender of Pyongyang at the United Nations.\r\n   \r\n\u201cWhen rogue regimes attack and threaten America and pay no consequences, it only makes us less safe. The events of the past week should serve as a reminder that, from East Asia to our own hemisphere, this President\u2019s foreign policy is a disaster. We need an immediate course correction before more damage is done to America\u2019s credibility as well as our security.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://ros-lehtinen.house.gov/press-release/aviso-de-prensa-rubio-ros-lehtinen-diaz-balart-convocan-conferencia-de-prensa-sobre-la", "AVISO DE PRENSA: Rubio, Ros-Lehtinen, Diaz-Balart Convocan Conferencia de Prensa Sobre la Liberacin de Alan Gross y Cambios a Poltica Entre Estados Unidos y Cuba", "2014-12-18", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Ileana Ros-Lehtinen", "R000435", "ros-lehtinen.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "AVISO DE PRENSA: Rubio, Ros-Lehtinen, Diaz-Balart Convocan Conferencia de Prensa Sobre la Liberaci\u00f3n de Alan Gross y Cambios a Pol\u00edtica Entre Estados Unidos y Cuba \nMiami, FL \u2013 El Senador Marco Rubio (FL), la Congresista Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27), y el Congresista Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25) van a convocar una conferencia de prensa sobre la liberaci\u00f3n de Alan Gross y cambios unilaterales a la pol\u00edtica entre Estados Unidos y Cuba.\nQUE: Una conferencia de prensa sobre la liberaci\u00f3n de Alan Gross y cambios unilaterales a la pol\u00edtica entre Estados Unidos y Cuba.\nQUIEN: El Senador Marco Rubio (FL), la Congresista Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27), y el Congresista Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25)\nDONDE: La Oficina de la Congresista Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, 4960 SW 72 Ave, Suite 208, Miami\nCUANDO: Jueves, Diciembre 18, 2014 a las 2:15pm\nPara confirmar su presencia: brooke_sammon@rubio.senate.gov (Rubio), keith.fernandez@mail.house.gov (Ros-Lehtinen), o katrina.valdes@mail.house.gov (Diaz-Balart).", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://ros-lehtinen.house.gov/press-release/declaraciones-de-ros-lehtinen-por-la-promulgaci%C3%B3n-de-ley-venezuela-defense-human", "Declaraciones de Ros-Lehtinen Por La Promulgacin de Ley Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act", "2014-12-18", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Ileana Ros-Lehtinen", "R000435", "ros-lehtinen.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Declaraciones de Ros-Lehtinen Por La Promulgaci\u00f3n de Ley Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act \n\u201cHago un llamado al Presidente, al Departamento de Estado y del Tesoro a hacer cumplir vigorosamente estas sanciones contra esos funcionarios acusados de violar los derechos humanos en Venezuela\u201d\n(WASHINGTON) \u2013\u00a0 La Congresista Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Presidenta del Subcomit\u00e9 del Medio Oriente y \u00c1frica del Norte, hizo la siguiente declaraci\u00f3n referente a la promulgaci\u00f3n, por parte del Presidente, de la ley Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act en la C\u00e1mara de Representantes. Destac\u00f3 Ros-Lehtinen:\n\u201cMe gustar\u00eda agradecer a mis colegas congresionales bipartidistas y a la activa comunidad venezolana en los Estados Unidos que ayudaron a que esta legislaci\u00f3n se convirtiera en ley. Hago un llamado al Presidente, al Departamento de Estado y del Tesoro a hacer cumplir vigorosa e inmediatamente estas sanciones contra esos funcionarios acusados de violar los derechos humanos en Venezuela. A todos estos violadores de derechos humanos \u00a0negarles visas, congelar sus activos y bloquear sus propiedades en los Estados Unidos. La firma en ley de esta legislaci\u00f3n ilustra que el Congreso de los Estados Unidos apoya solidariamente a quienes buscan libertad, justicia y democracia, a pesar de que la Administraci\u00f3n Obama busca acercarse con los opresores que pisotean a los derechos humanos y las libertades b\u00e1sicas fundamentales.\nNota: La Congresista Ileana Ros-Lehtinen es la autora del proyecto de ley H.R. 4587, Venezuelan Human Rights and Democracy Protection Act, que fue aprobado por la C\u00e1mara de Representantes el 28 de Mayo de 2014. Los Senadores Bob Men\u00e9ndez y Marco Rubio fueron los autores del S. 2142 que fue aprobado el lunes 8 de diciembre.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://ros-lehtinen.house.gov/press-release/press-advisory-rubio-ros-lehtinen-diaz-balart-hold-press-conference-alan-gross-release", "PRESS ADVISORY: Rubio, Ros-Lehtinen, Diaz-Balart To Hold Press Conference on Alan Gross' Release and Changes To US-Cuba Policy", "2014-12-18", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Ileana Ros-Lehtinen", "R000435", "ros-lehtinen.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "PRESS ADVISORY: Rubio, Ros-Lehtinen, Diaz-Balart To Hold Press Conference on Alan Gross' Release and Changes To US-Cuba Policy\nMiami, FL - Senator Marco Rubio (FL), Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27), and Congressman Diaz-Balart (FL-25) will host a press conference on Alan Gross' release and unilateral changes to US-Cuba policy by the Obama administration.\nWHAT: Press conference on Alan Gross' release and unilateral changes to US-Cuba policy by the Obama administration.\nWHO: U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio and U.S. Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Mario Diaz-Balart\nWHERE: Rep. Ros-Lehtinen's District Office, 4960 SW 72 Ave, Suite 208, Miami\nWHEN: Thursday, December 18 at 2:15pm\nPlease RSVP to brooke_sammon@rubio.senate.gov (Rubio), keith.fernandez@mail.house.gov (Ros-Lehtinen), or katrina.valdes@mail.house.gov (Diaz-Balart).\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://ros-lehtinen.house.gov/press-release/ros-lehtinen-statement-regarding-venezuela-defense-human-rights-and-civil-society-act", "Ros-Lehtinen Statement Regarding the Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act Becoming Law", "2014-12-18", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Ileana Ros-Lehtinen", "R000435", "ros-lehtinen.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Ros-Lehtinen Statement Regarding the Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act Becoming Law \n\u201cI call on the President, the State Department and Treasury to vigorously enforce these sanctions against those officials accused of violating human rights in Venezuela\u201d\n(Washington, DC) \u2013 U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman of the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee, made the following statement regarding the President\u2019s signature into law of the Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act. Statement by Ros-Lehtinen:\n\u201cI\u2019d like to thank my bipartisan congressional colleagues and the active Venezuelan community throughout the United States that helped this bill become law. I call on the President, the State Department and Treasury to vigorously enforce these sanctions immediately against those officials accused of violating human rights in Venezuela by denying visas of human rights violators, freezing their assets and blocking their property in the United States. This bill becoming law illustrates that the U.S. Congress will stand in solidarity with those who seek freedom, justice, and democracy even though the Obama administration wishes to canoodle with the oppressors who trample on human rights and basic fundamental freedoms.\u201d \nNOTE: Chairman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen is the author of H.R. 4587 \u2013 the Venezuelan Human Rights and Democracy Protection. The bill passed the House of Representatives on May 28, 2014. Senators Bob Menendez and Marco Rubio were the Senate authors of S. 2142, which passed Monday December 8th.\n\u00a0\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bilirakis.house.gov/media/press-releases/bilirakis-legislation-reauthorize-brand-usa-signed-law", "Bilirakis Legislation to Reauthorize Brand USA Signed Into Law", "2014-12-18", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Gus Bilirakis", "B001257", "bilirakis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) released the following statement following H.R. 83 being signed into law, which included H.R. 4450, the Travel Promotion, Enhancement, and Modernization Act, Bilirakis' legislation to reauthorize Brand USA:\nTourism is an integral part of our economy  especially in Florida. Increased tourism means more American and Floridian jobs. My bill means job growth without utilizing a cent of taxpayer money. In fact, it lowers the deficit. Millions of Americans across the country are still struggling, and Brand USA reauthorization is a jobs bill with a proven track record of success, Bilirakis declared.\nI am pleased my initiative has become law. It is a big win for all Americans in the service and tourism industries, and Floridians all across the state, including the Tampa Bay area. Common sense solutions like these to boost the economy and create jobs will spur our slow economic recovery, Bilirakis continued.              \nCongressman Welch, original cosponsor of the Travel Promotion, Enhancement, and Modernization Act, said of H.R. 4450's passage: Representative Bilirakis has been a tremendous partner in securing the reauthorization of Brand USA. This program has made a tremendous contribution to the tourism sector of the American economy, including in Vermont and I'm very pleased that it will continue for another 5 years under the bipartisan Bilirakis-Welch legislation. At no cost to the taxpayer, the marketing initiatives of this program are boosting international visits and supporting tourism jobs in Vermont and across the country.\nCongressman Farr, who Co-Chairs the Travel and Tourism Caucus with Congressman Bilirakis, said: Marketing our tourism industry globally creates jobs locally. Travel is our nation's number one export, supporting one in nine jobs here in the United States. Bringing in more visitors will not only help strengthen our national economy but it will help create jobs in every single community throughout the country.\nThe renewal of Brand USA is a huge victory not only for the Greater Tampa-Clearwater area, but for Florida and the entire country, said U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow. Congressman Bilirakis was instrumental in getting huge majorities in both the House and Senate to understand that international travel is an economic powerhouse for communities large and small in all 50 states. He and his constituents should be very proud of this achievement.\nI sincerely thank Congressman Bilirakis for his continued support of tourism to the US. Tourism is critical of the economy of the United States, Florida and the Tampa Bay region. One nonstop daily flight to a major European city has a $154 million economic impact on our region and creates 1,200 jobs. Brand USA is an excellent vehicle for marketing our great destination and bringing those benefits to our community, said Joseph Lopano, CEO of Tampa International Airport.\nWill Seccombe, President and CEO of VISIT FLORIDA, said: VISIT FLORIDA is a proud supporter of Brand USA's programs to increase international visitation, having been one of its original founding partners. In 2013, one in five international visitors to the U.S. came to Florida, with the Sunshine State welcoming nearly 15 million international travelers from 186 countries who spent more than $16 billion. Through our continued partnership with Brand USA, we look forward to building on this momentum to make Florida the No. 1 travel destination in the world.\nTo view Representative Bilirakis' recent editorial on the importance of Brand USA, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bilirakis.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-congressmen-community-converse-about-mental-health-care-reform", "ICYMI: Congressmen, community converse about mental health care reform", "2014-12-18", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Gus Bilirakis", "B001257", "bilirakis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Roy Gifford thought he would be this way for the rest of his life: weighed down by schizoaffective disorder, working his way down a long list of medications, all hope extinguished.\nHe grew up in foster care and institutions, only to graduate as an adult to assisted living facilities, jail and the streets. But, nearing 40, Gifford finally got help in Pasco County: counseling, medication compliance and an understanding of how to grow.\n\"I know it can be done. I am living proof,\" he said from his seat on a mental health panel hosted Tuesday by Rep. Gus Bilirakis of Florida's 12th Congressional District. \"There is hope and recovery.\"\nAbout 100 people attended the panel at Rasmussen College in Land O'Lakes, where Bilirakis and Rep. Tim Murphy of Pennsylvania discussed what they called a broken mental health system and fielded ideas from community panelists and audience members.\nMurphy, a clinical psychologist, wrote a bipartisan bill, the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act, that would overhaul much of the federal government's approach to mental health.\n\"Oftentimes, we throw a little bit of funding in programs and we'll dust off our hands and walk away and say, 'Well, we did something,' \" Murphy said. \"It hasn't made a difference.\"\nHe rattled off a list of statistics to illustrate the nation's failure to support the mentally ill, citing high unemployment rates, a shortage of hospital beds, tens of thousands of suicides and overwhelming incarceration rates.\n\"How is it that we think severe mental illness is best treated in jail?\" he asked. \"We make it the most difficult for the people most vulnerable to get the care most necessary, and we make it in the most expensive way. ... And no wonder they don't get care.\"\nPanelists highlighted helpful programs. Brian Anderson, a veteran advocate, said yoga can help veterans struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder, making up for sleep lost to nightmares.\nChristopher Wittmann of Trinity Pain Center said putting a mental health counselor in the same clinic as pain patients created a continuum of care.\n\"I always see mental health (mentioned in the news) after there's been a shooting at a school or after there have been a series of suicides and we're going to put out the fires,\" he said. \"I would really love to see mental health integrated early on so we can prevent the fires.\"\nSaybra Chapman, supervisor of the employee assistance program for the Pasco County School District, said getting students timely care can be a challenge. Other panelists talked about the intersection of law enforcement, the court system and substance abuse programs in addressing mental illness.\nThe next step, Bilirakis said, is rallying co-sponsors of the act in Congress.\n\"If we get the funding and the focus in the right area, ... I think we can make a real difference,\" he said. \"I don't just want a Band-Aid. I want a solution.\"\nAudience members thanked the congressman, though some left disappointed that they didn't get to speak. Pat Scimone-Almasy, a former board member for the National Alliance on Mental Illness in Pasco County, has lost two brothers to mental illness. She applauds the bill and hopes for continued discussion.\n\"It's wonderful that he's doing this to get as much information as possible,\" she said. \"His heart is there. But when you have a limited amount of time, it's challenging to get the whole picture.\"\nContact Claire McNeill at cmcneill@tampabay.com or (813) 909-4613.\nTo read the article online, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.rubio.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=89c1a552-fe17-4499-9a7a-d5fba957a58c", "Rubio Welcomes Signing Of Venezuela Sanctions Bill Into Law", "2014-12-18", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) welcomed today\u2019s signing of S. 2142, the Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act of 2014, into law by President Obama.\r\n   \r\nRubio, one of the bill\u2019s sponsors, issued the following statement:\r\n   \r\n\u201cAfter almost a year of trying to achieve this important measure as a response to Nicolas Maduro\u2019s violent crackdown on innocent Venezuelans, I'm glad these sanctions against corrupt human rights violators in Venezuela are finally the law. Now it\u2019s important that the sanctions be swiftly implemented to help send a message to the Venezuelan people that the American people are on their side as they seek democracy, freedom and respect for human rights.\u201d\r\n   \r\nBackground \r\n   \r\nS. 2142 directs the President to apply targeted visa and financial sanctions against individuals, including members of the government, public security forces, and armed civilian groups, who have perpetrated, ordered or directed acts of violence or human rights abuses against peaceful demonstrators in Venezuela, or have directed or ordered the arrest or prosecution of a person primarily because of the person\u2019s legitimate exercise of freedom of expression or assembly. S. 2142 also calls for a report on obstacles to access objective media content in Venezuela, current efforts by the U.S. government to address these challenges, and a strategy for expanding existing programs.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.rubio.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=d00f9def-e1f5-47f1-b993-3219551c7d31", "MEDIA ADVISORY: Rubio, Ros-Lehtinen, Diaz-Balart To Hold Press Conference On Alan Gross Release, Changes To U.S.-Cuba Policy", "2014-12-18", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, at 2:15pm EST, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27), and Congressman Diaz-Balart (FL-25) will host a press conference on Alan Gross\u2019 release and unilateral changes to U.S.-Cuba policy by the Obama administration.\u00a0\r\n   \r\nMedia wishing to attend the following event must RSVP to Brooke_Sammon@rubio.senate.gov.\r\n    Thursday, December 18, 2014     2:15pm EST     Rubio, Ros-Lehtinen, Diaz-Balart To Hold Press Conference     Rep. Ros-Lehtinen\u2019s District Office     4960 SW 72 Avenue     Suite 208     Miami, FL 33155", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.rubio.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=e51c85c1-a704-4983-b211-590cc053d60b", "ICYMI: Rubio: New Cuba Policy Is A Victory For Oppression", "2014-12-18", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "A Victory for Oppression     By Senator Marco Rubio     The Wall Street Journal      December 18, 2014     http://www.wsj.com/articles/marco-rubio-the-turning-point-in-relations-with-cuba-1418862936?KEYWORDS=rubio\u00a0  \r\nThe announcement by President Obama on Wednesday giving the Castro regime diplomatic legitimacy and access to American dollars isn\u2019t just bad for the oppressed Cuban people, or for the millions who live in exile and lost everything at the hands of the dictatorship. Mr. Obama\u2019s new Cuba policy is a victory for oppressive governments the world over and will have real, negative consequences for the American people.\r\n   \r\nSince the U.S. severed diplomatic relations in 1961, the Castro family has controlled the country and the economy with an iron fist that punishes Cubans who speak out in opposition and demand a better future. Under the Castros, Cuba has also been a central figure in terrorism, narco-trafficking and all manner of misery and mayhem in our hemisphere.\r\n \r\nAs a result, it has been the policy and law of the U.S. to make clear that re-establishing diplomatic and economic relations with Cuba is possible\u2014but only once the Cuban government stops jailing political opponents, protects free speech, and allows independent political parties to be formed and to participate in free and fair elections.\r\n   \r\nThe opportunity for Cuba to normalize relations with the U.S. has always been there, but the Castro regime has never been interested in changing its ways. Now, thanks to President Obama\u2019s concessions, the regime in Cuba won\u2019t have to change.\r\n \r\nThe entire policy shift is based on the illusion\u2014in fact, on the lie\u2014that more commerce and access to money and goods will translate to political freedom for the Cuban people. Cuba already enjoys access to commerce, money and goods from other nations, and yet the Cuban people are still not free. They are not free because the regime\u2014just as it does with every aspect of life\u2014manipulates and controls to its own advantage all currency that flows into the island. More economic engagement with the U.S. means that the regime\u2019s grip on power will be strengthened for decades to come\u2014dashing the Cuban people\u2019s hopes for freedom and democracy.\r\n   \r\nOf course, like all Americans, I am overjoyed for Alan Gross and his family after his release from captivity after five years. This American had been a hostage of the regime, and it was through his imprisonment that the Cuban regime again showed the world its cruel nature.\r\n   \r\nBut the policy changes announced by President Obama will have far-reaching consequences for the American people. President Obama made it clear that if you take an American hostage and are willing to hold him long enough, you may not only get your own prisoners released from U.S. jails\u2014as three Cuban spies were\u2014you may actually win lasting policy concessions from the U.S. as well. This precedent places a new price on the head of every American, and it gives rogue leaders around the world more clear-cut evidence of this president\u2019s na\u00efvet\u00e9 and his willingness to abandon fundamental principles in a desperate attempt to burnish his legacy. There can be no doubt that the regime in Tehran is watching closely, and it will try to exploit President Obama\u2019s na\u00efvet\u00e9 as the Iranian leaders pursue concessions from the U.S. in their quest to establish themselves as a nuclear power.\r\n   \r\n\u2026\r\n   \r\nKeep reading here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://dennisross.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398239", "Ross Statement on the Release of Alan Gross", "2014-12-17", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Dennis Ross", "R000593", "dennisross.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. --U.S. Rep. Dennis A. Ross (R-FL-15), Senior Deputy Majority Whip, today released the following statement after Alan Gross, an American contractor, was released from a Cuban prison where he had been held for five years.\r\n\u201cAfter five years of wrongful imprisonment in Cuba, I am pleased Alan Gross has been reunited with his family and returned home to the United States. While Alan\u2019s freedom is welcome, we must not forget about the lack of freedom today that exists for the 11 million citizens of Cuba.\r\n\u201cI am concerned about the commitments made by President Obama\u2019s administration during this negotiation, including his release of three convicted Cuban spies.\r\n\u201cAs we celebrate the release of this American, it is important to remember the Castro regime has oppressed, imprisoned, and murdered countless friends and relatives of Cuban-Americans across the State of Florida. We must not excuse or forget about the decades of human rights violations committed by this oppressive regime.\u201d \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://mariodiazbalart.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/declaraciones-de-d-az-balart-sobre-liberaci-n-de-alan-gross-y-las", "Declaraciones de Daz-Balart sobre liberacin de Alan Gross y las concesiones del presidente Obama", "2014-12-17", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Mario Diaz-Balart", "D000600", "mariodiazbalart.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON DC - El Congresista Mario D\u00edaz-Balart (R-FL) hizo la siguiente declaraci\u00f3n despu\u00e9s de que el r\u00e9gimen cubano liberara al estadounidense Alan Gross, que llevaba m\u00e1s de cinco a\u00f1os preso en Cuba. A cambio de la liberaci\u00f3n de Gross, el presidente Obama soltar\u00e1 a tres esp\u00edas cubanos condenados y har\u00e1 concesiones sin precedentes dentro de un marco de cambios radicales de la pol\u00edtica estadounidense hacia Cuba.\n\"Alan Gross nunca debi\u00f3 pasar ni un d\u00eda en prisi\u00f3n y me alegro que por fin se reunir\u00e1 con su familia. Sin embargo, la forma en que se logr\u00f3 su liberaci\u00f3n es indignante y demuestra que, una vez m\u00e1s, el presidente Obama no duda en apaciguar y ofrecer concesiones a una dictadura brutal que se opone a los intereses de los EEUU en cada oportunidad.\n\"Los tres esp\u00edas cubanos que soltar\u00e1 el presidente Obama fueron condenados por espionaje en instalaciones militares y uno fue condenado por su papel en el derribo de un avi\u00f3n civil estadounidense en el espacio a\u00e9reo internacional que asesin\u00f3 a tres estadounidenses inocentes y un residente de los EE.UU. Su puesta en libertad anticipada es algo atroz para la justicia. \u00a0Adem\u00e1s, reestablecer relaciones diplom\u00e1ticas y debilitar a\u00fan m\u00e1s las sanciones s\u00f3lo sirven para legitimar al peor violador de los derechos humanos en nuestro hemisferio y proporcionarle divisas. Las acciones del presidente Obama son una traici\u00f3n inconcebible de los valores fundamentales de Estados Unidos y un profundo insulto al pueblo oprimido de Cuba.\n\"El injusto encarcelamiento y trato inhumano de Alan Gross son muestras de la total depravaci\u00f3n del r\u00e9gimen de Castro, as\u00ed como de la fuerte represi\u00f3n que ha sufrido el pueblo cubano desde hace d\u00e9cadas. La decisi\u00f3n del presidente Obama de claudicar ante el chantaje castrista y abandonar nuestros principios democr\u00e1ticos es un ultraje. Estos cambios en la pol\u00edtica hacia Cuba envalentonar\u00e1n a\u00fan m\u00e1s a la dictadura cubana as\u00ed como a otros dictaduras y organizaciones terroristas antiamericanas.\"\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://mariodiazbalart.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/diaz-balart-on-release-of-alan-gross-and-concessions-by-president-obama", "Diaz-Balart on Release of Alan Gross and Concessions by President Obama", "2014-12-17", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Mario Diaz-Balart", "D000600", "mariodiazbalart.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON D.C. \u2013Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) offered the following statement after the Cuban regime released U.S. humanitarian aid worker Alan Gross from prison. In return for Gross\u2019 release, President Obama is releasing three convicted Cuban spies, and providing numerous concessions in the form of sweeping changes to U.S.-Cuba policy.\n\"Alan Gross should never have spent one day in prison and we are glad that he will finally be reunited with his family.\u00a0 However, the way that his release was achieved is outrageous and proves that once again, President Obama is the Appeaser-in-Chief who is willing to provide unprecedented concessions to a brutal dictatorship that opposes U.S. interests at every opportunity.\n\u201cThe three remaining Cuban spies who President Obama is releasing were convicted for spying on U.S. military installations, and one was convicted for his role in the shoot-down of an American civilian aircraft in international airspace, which murdered three innocent Americans and one U.S. resident.\u00a0 Their early release is an egregious miscarriage of justice.\u00a0 In addition, providing diplomatic relations and further weakening sanctions attempt to legitimize and provide hard currency to our hemisphere's worst human rights abuser.\u00a0 President Obama's actions are an unconscionable betrayal of America's fundamental values and a profound insult to the oppressed Cuban people.\n\u201cThe unjust imprisonment and inhumane treatment of Alan Gross demonstrates the utter depravity of the Castro regime, as well as the severe repression that has afflicted the Cuban people for decades.\u00a0 President Obama's decision to allow the Castro regime to blackmail the United States and abandon our pro-democracy principles is an outrage.\u00a0 These changes to policy will further embolden the Cuban dictatorship to continue brutalizing and oppressing its own people as well as other Anti-American dictatorship and terrorist organizations\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/declaraciones-de-d-az-balart-sobre-liberaci-n-de-alan-gross-y-las", "Declaraciones de Daz-Balart sobre liberacin de Alan Gross y las concesiones del presidente Obama", "2014-12-17", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Mario Diaz-Balart", "D000600", "mariodiazbalart.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON DC - El Congresista Mario Daz-Balart (R-FL) hizo la siguiente declaracin despus de que el rgimen cubano liberara al estadounidense Alan Gross, que llevaba ms de cinco aos preso en Cuba. A cambio de la liberacin de Gross, el presidente Obama soltar a tres espas cubanos condenados y har concesiones sin precedentes dentro de un marco de cambios radicales de la poltica estadounidense hacia Cuba.\n\"Alan Gross nunca debi pasar ni un da en prisin y me alegro que por fin se reunir con su familia. Sin embargo, la forma en que se logr su liberacin es indignante y demuestra que, una vez ms, el presidente Obama no duda en apaciguar y ofrecer concesiones a una dictadura brutal que se opone a los intereses de los EEUU en cada oportunidad.\n\"Los tres espas cubanos que soltar el presidente Obama fueron condenados por espionaje en instalaciones militares y uno fue condenado por su papel en el derribo de un avin civil estadounidense en el espacio areo internacional que asesin a tres estadounidenses inocentes y un residente de los EE.UU. Su puesta en libertad anticipada es algo atroz para la justicia. Adems, reestablecer relaciones diplomticas y debilitar an ms las sanciones slo sirven para legitimar al peor violador de los derechos humanos en nuestro hemisferio y proporcionarle divisas. Las acciones del presidente Obama son una traicin inconcebible de los valores fundamentales de Estados Unidos y un profundo insulto al pueblo oprimido de Cuba.\n\"El injusto encarcelamiento y trato inhumano de Alan Gross son muestras de la total depravacin del rgimen de Castro, as como de la fuerte represin que ha sufrido el pueblo cubano desde hace dcadas. La decisin del presidente Obama de claudicar ante el chantaje castrista y abandonar nuestros principios democrticos es un ultraje. Estos cambios en la poltica hacia Cuba envalentonarn an ms a la dictadura cubana as como a otros dictaduras y organizaciones terroristas antiamericanas.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://ros-lehtinen.house.gov/press-release/declaraciones-de-ros-lehtinen-sobre-la-liberaci%C3%B3n-de-alan-gross", "Declaraciones de Ros-Lehtinen Sobre la Liberacin de Alan Gross", "2014-12-17", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Ileana Ros-Lehtinen", "R000435", "ros-lehtinen.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Declaraciones de Ros-Lehtinen Sobre la Liberaci\u00f3n de Alan Gross\n(WASHINGTON, DC) \u2013\u00a0 La Congresista Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Presidenta del Subcomit\u00e9 del Medio Oriente y \u00c1frica del Norte, hizo la siguiente declaraci\u00f3n referente a la liberaci\u00f3n de Alan Gross. Destac\u00f3 Ros-Lehtinen:\u00a0\n\u201cAunque la liberaci\u00f3n de Alan Gross es buena noticia, es importante recordar en primer lugar que el Sr. Gross nunca debi\u00f3 ser encarcelado en Cuba por el r\u00e9gimen de Castro. La manera en que la Casa Blanca ha negociado este intercambio de prisioneros es una bofetada a las familias de Hermanos al Rescate y posa una amenaza a nuestra seguridad nacional. El Presidente Obama ha liberado de forma unilateral a tres esp\u00edas cubanos convictos, cuya responsabilidad por las muertes de tres ciudadanos americanos y un residente de los Estados Unidos: Carlos Costa, Armando Alejandre, Mario de la Pe\u00f1a y Pablo Morales, cuyos aviones fueron injustamente derribados sobre aguas internacionales bajo \u00f3rdenes directas de los hermanos Castro.\nDesde el encarcelamiento injusto de Gross, varios funcionarios de alto rango de la Administraci\u00f3n le han reiterado al Congreso y al pueblo americano que no exist\u00eda equivalencia entre los cinco esp\u00edas cubanos y Alan Gross, reafirmando que no pod\u00eda existir un intercambio. Este acuerdo entre Obama y Castro deja fuera un importante aspecto: El pueblo cubano. La realidad es que desde que la administraci\u00f3n Obama suaviz\u00f3 las restricciones, la situaci\u00f3n en la isla ha empeorado con un incremento en las detenciones arbitrarias. La dictadura de los Castro debe responder a su propio pueblo, a quien le ha negado los derechos b\u00e1sicos por m\u00e1s de cinco d\u00e9cadas.\n\u201cLa liberalizaci\u00f3n de pol\u00edticas destinadas a suavizar el comercio y remesas a Cuba es otro golpe de propaganda para los hermanos Castro que ahora llenar\u00e1n sus cofres con m\u00e1s dinero, a costas del pueblo cubano. Es muy posible que esta acci\u00f3n unilateral por el Presidente, sin consulta Congresional es una violaci\u00f3n de las siguientes leyes norteamericanas: El Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996, el Cuban Democracy Act of 1992, y el Trading with the Enemy Act. La Casa Blanca intenta normalizar las relaciones con Cuba, sin la aprobaci\u00f3n del Congreso puede ser una violaci\u00f3n directa de la ley Helms-Burton que espec\u00edficamente declara que todos los prisioneros pol\u00edticos deben ser liberados y que deben ser celebradas elecciones libres previo al establecimiento de una relaci\u00f3n diplom\u00e1tica. Esta acci\u00f3n descarriada del Presidente Obama animar\u00e1 al r\u00e9gimen de Castro a continuar sus actividades il\u00edcitas, pisotear las libertades fundamentales y desechar los principios democr\u00e1ticos.\u201d\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://ros-lehtinen.house.gov/press-release/ros-lehtinen-statement-release-alan-gross", "Ros-Lehtinen Statement on the Release of Alan Gross", "2014-12-17", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Ileana Ros-Lehtinen", "R000435", "ros-lehtinen.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Ros-Lehtinen Statement on the Release of Alan Gross\n(Washington, DC) \u2013 U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman of the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee, made the following statement regarding the release of Alan Gross. Statement by Ros-Lehtinen:\n\u201cAlthough the freedom of Alan Gross is welcome news, it\u2019s important to remember that Mr. Gross should have never been imprisoned in Cuba by the Castro regime in the first place. The manner in which the White House has negotiated this prisoner swap is a slap in the face to the families of the Brothers to the Rescue and poses a threat to our national security. President Obama has unilaterally released three convicted Cuban spies who were responsible for the deaths of three American citizens and one U.S. resident: Carlos Costa, Armando Alejandre, Mario de la Pe\u00f1a, and Pablo Morales, whose planes were unjustly shot down over international waters on direct orders of the Castro brothers.\n\u201cEver since Gross had been unjustly imprisoned, several high ranking Administration officials reiterated to Congress and to the American people that there was no equivalency between the Cuban Five and Alan Gross and reaffirmed that no swap would take place. Furthermore, this agreement between Obama and Castro leaves out one important aspect: the Cuban people. The reality is that since the Obama administration first eased restrictions, the situation on the island has gotten worse with an increased level of arbitrary detainments. The Castro dictatorship should be answering to its own people to whom it has denied basic rights for over five decades.\n\u201cThe liberalization policies aimed at easing trade and remittances to Cuba is another propaganda coup for the Castro brothers, who will now fill their coffers with more money at the expense of the Cuban people. It is quite possible that this unilateral action by the President without Congressional consultation is in violation of the following U.S. laws: Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996, Cuban Democracy Act of 1992, and the Trading with the Enemy Act. The White House attempts to normalize relationships with Cuba without the approval of Congress may be in direct violation of Helms-Burton that specifically states that all political prisoners must be released and free and fair elections must be held before establishing a diplomatic relationship. This misguided action by President Obama will embolden the Castro regime to continue its illicit activities, trample on fundamental freedoms, and disregard democratic principles.\u201d\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://yoho.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/rep-yoho-statement-on-cuba-prisoner-exchange-and-policy-changes", "Rep. Yoho Statement on Cuba Prisoner Exchange and Policy Changes", "2014-12-17", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Ted Yoho", "Y000065", "yoho.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Gainesville, FL\u2013 Congressman Ted S. Yoho (FL-03), a member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, issued the following statement in response to the release of Alan Gross and a United States intelligence agent for three Cuban spies, as well as the Obama Administration\u2019s reversal of 50 plus years of US-Cuban policies:\n\u201cWhile I am pleased Mr. Gross has been returned to his family, I do not support the Administration\u2019s actions in reaching this outcome. Unilaterally reversing 50 plus years of foreign policy needs to be debated and discussed in Congress \u2013 with input from the American people. Ignoring the concerns and ideas of both, is not the right course of action. The Administration should place the interest of America first while negotiating terms that seek to end the oppression of the Cuban people. \u201cPresident Obama has a history of unilaterally giving up the farm in exchange for nothing in foreign policy negotiations. This weakens our global stance when he should be doing everything he can to strengthen our country. The deal that was struck today benefits Cuba more than it benefits the United States. If relations between our two countries are going to be reestablished, the liberty and freedom of the Cuban people needs to be respected.\n\u00a0\u201cIn regards to the release of three Cuban spies, who were imprisoned for conspiring to harm Americans, this sends a dangerous precedent for any regime wanting leverage over the United States. That is unacceptable. I cannot stress this enough: the priority of this President should be to serve the best interest of America and the security of the American people.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://desantis.house.gov/press-releases?ID=A2DAD405-2769-4EB9-A8EB-2F6DB22C1B8E", "DeSantis Statement on Cuba Prisoner Exchange and Pro-Castro Policy Changes", "2014-12-17", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Ron DeSantis", "D000621", "desantis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "St. Augustine, FL \u2013 Rep. Ron DeSantis (FL-06), a member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, issued the following statement in response to the exchange of American Alan Gross for three Cuban spies as well as reports that the Obama administration will be implementing pro-Castro policy changes:\n\n\"Alan Gross was unjustly imprisoned by the Castro dictatorship and his return is long overdue. I am happy for him and his family. I am dismayed that, in exchange for the release of Gross, the Obama administration agreed to release imprisoned Cuban spies who conspired to kill Americans, as such an action legitimizes the Castro regime's coercive tactics. This prisoner swap sends a signal to rogue regimes and actors that taking an American hostage can be leveraged into scoring policy concessions. This makes America less safe and emboldens the dictatorship in Cuba.\n\nReports suggest that the Obama administration will also unilaterally relax sanctions on Cuba, even though 11 million Cubans still chafe under Castro's tyranny. The goal of U.S. policy should be to liberate these hostages from the oppressive Castro regime, not to reward the regime with relaxed sanctions.\u201d?", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.rubio.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=2891e1a5-2354-4ebe-abdd-f1ef69f368bf", "MEDIA ADVISORY: Rubio To Hold Press Conference On Changes In U.S. Policy Toward Cuba At 12:30 P.M.", "2014-12-17", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, at 12:30pm EST, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) will hold a press conference in the Senate Radio-Television Gallery Studio to discuss President Obama\u2019s announcement to initiate dramatic change in U.S. policy toward Cuba.\r\n    Wednesday, December 17, 2014     12:30pm EST     Rubio To Discuss Changes In U.S. Policy Toward Cuba     U.S. Capitol     Senate Radio-Television Gallery Studio, S-325     Washington, D.C.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.rubio.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=d6c39dd4-8d06-4de3-8065-5cb27d865f1f", "Rubio Comments On Reports Of Change In U.S. Policy Toward Cuba, Release Of Alan Gross", "2014-12-17", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) today issued the following statement regarding reports that President Obama is set to dramatically change U.S. policy toward Cuba following the release of Alan Gross, an American who was held hostage by the Castro regime in Cuba for five years:\r\n   \r\n\u201cToday\u2019s announcement initiating a dramatic change in U.S. policy toward Cuba is just the latest in a long line of failed attempts by President Obama to appease rogue regimes at all cost.\r\n   \r\n\u201cLike all Americans, I rejoice at the fact that Alan Gross will be able to return to his family after five years in captivity. Although he is supposedly being released on humanitarian grounds, his inclusion in a swap involving intelligence agents furthers the Cuban narrative about his work in Cuba.\u00a0In contrast, the Cuban Five were spies operating against our nation on American soil. They were indicted and prosecuted in a court of law for the crimes of espionage and were linked to the murder of the humanitarian pilots of Brothers to the Rescue. There should be no equivalence between the two, and Gross should have been released unconditionally.\r\n   \r\n\u201cThe President\u2019s decision to reward the Castro regime and begin the path toward the normalization of relations with Cuba is inexplicable. Cuba\u2019s record is clear. Just as when President Eisenhower severed diplomatic relations with Cuba, the Castro family still controls the country, the economy and all levers of power. This administration\u2019s attempts to loosen restrictions on travel in recent years have only served to benefit the regime. While business interests seeking to line their pockets, aided by the editorial page of The New York Times, have begun a significant campaign to paper over the facts about the regime in Havana, the reality is clear. Cuba, like Syria, Iran, and Sudan, remains a state sponsor of terrorism. It continues to actively work with regimes like North Korea to illegally traffic weapons in our hemisphere in violation of several United Nations Security Council Resolutions. It colludes with America\u2019s enemies, near and far, to threaten us and everything we hold dear. But most importantly, the regime\u2019s brutal treatment of the Cuban people has continued unabated. Dissidents are harassed, imprisoned and even killed. Access to information is restricted and controlled by the regime. That is why even more than just putting U.S. national security at risk, President Obama is letting down the Cuban people, who still yearn to be free.\r\n \r\n\u201cI intend to use my role as incoming Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee\u2019s Western Hemisphere subcommittee to make every effort to block this dangerous and desperate attempt by the President to burnish his legacy at the Cuban people\u2019s expense. Appeasing the Castro brothers will only cause other tyrants from Caracas to Tehran to Pyongyang to see that they can take advantage of President Obama\u2019s naivet\u00e9 during his final two years in office. As a result, America will be less safe as a result of the President\u2019s change in policy. When America is unwilling to advocate for individual liberty and freedom of political expression 90 miles from our shores, it represents a terrible setback for the hopes of all oppressed people around the globe.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://buchanan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/buchanan-calls-ssa-stop-harassment-innocent-taxpayers", "Buchanan Calls for SSA to Stop Harassment of Innocent Taxpayers", "2014-12-16", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Vern Buchanan", "B001260", "buchanan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "CONTACT: MAX GOODMAN  \n\t\t202.225.5015\n\tWASHINGTON U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, Floridas only member of the House Ways & Means Committee and its subcommittee on Social Security, sent a letter today to Commissioner Carolyn Colvin expressing deep concern over reports that the Social Security Administration is continuing to punish innocent taxpayers for their parents decades-old debt. Buchanan is the author of the Stop Punishing Innocent Taxpayers Act (H.R. 4491), legislation to bar the Social Security Administration from seizing tax refunds to settle debts that are more than 10 years old.\n\nLetter text below:\nDecember 16, 2014\nThe Honorable Carolyn Colvin  \n\tActing Commissioner  \n\tSocial Security Administration  \n\t6401 Security Boulevard  \n\tBaltimore, MD 21235-0001\nDear Commissioner Colvin:\nI am writing to express my deep concern regarding reports that the Social Security Administration is continuing to punish innocent taxpayers whose parents may have received overpayments of government benefits decades ago. Penalizing people for the governments failure to correctly calculate their parents benefits is outrageous.\nIn April of this year, press reports revealed that the Social Security Administration was targeting the tax refunds of more than 400,000 individuals for seizure due to overpayment of federal benefits. In some instances, the overpayment claims related to funds received long ago  in some cases 50 years earlier  by now-deceased individuals. To settle these debts, your administration seized tax refunds from the children of these individuals through a so-called administrative offset.\nDays after these reports were published, you stated that the Social Security Administration would cease this practice immediately. Yet just this week, the Washington Post revealed that your agency has continued to pursue the children of Social Security beneficiaries. I am shocked your agency has apparently continued this practice irrespective of your pledge to end it.\nSeizing funds from people for decades-old overpayments to their parents is unacceptable, and I will work to stop it. I have introduced the Stop Punishing Innocent Taxpayers Act to permanently restore a 10-year statute of limitations on old debts. My bill would prevent the Social Security Administration from seizing tax refunds via administrative offset to settle overpayments that occurred more than a decade ago. As Floridas only member of the House Ways & Means Committee and its subcommittee on Social Security, I intend to reintroduce this bill when the new Congress convenes in January.\nSincerely,\nVern Buchanan  \n\tMember of Congress\nPleaseclick hereto download letter in PDF format.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://dennisross.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398244", "Ross Welcomes New Staff Members", "2014-12-16", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Dennis Ross", "R000593", "dennisross.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. --U.S. Rep. Dennis A. Ross (R-FL-15), Senior Deputy Majority Whip and member of the House Committee on Financial Services, today announced a staff change and welcomes two new staff members. Ross formally promotes Kyle Glenn to Deputy Chief of Staff, welcomes Stephen Gately as his Field Representative and Tim Cummings as a Legislative Analyst.\r\n\u201cKyle has done an outstanding job in his position as Legislative Director and I am proud to promote him to Deputy Chief of Staff. In his time as LD, Kyle has smoothly managed our legislative staff, and while he will continue to assist with our legislative goals and priorities, I look forward to his growth in this new position.\r\n\u201cI am thrilled Stephen is returning to my office as our Field Representative. He is dedicated to establishing and maintaining a strong professional relationship with constituents across Florida\u2019s 15th Congressional District.\r\n\u201cTim\u2019s breadth of experience will serve Central Florida and the Tampa Bay Region well. He has a great deal of legislative knowledge and is familiar with House rules. I am grateful he accepted this position.\u201d\r\nGately recently served as a District Aide to Fla. State Representative Mike La Rosa. He also previously served as Ross\u2019 Field Representative during the 112th Congress.\r\nCummings recently served for Majority Leader Eric Cantor as his Legislative Analyst. Cummings was also a Legislative Correspondent for Cantor.\u00a0\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://desantis.house.gov/press-releases?ID=BDAB57B5-B84A-4685-9273-4DD20ED04714", "DeSantis Named Chairman of National Security Subcommittee", "2014-12-16", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Ron DeSantis", "D000621", "desantis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "St. Augustine, FL \u2013 Chairman-elect of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Rep. Jason Chaffetz (UT-03), has named Rep. Ron DeSantis (FL-06) Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security for the 114th Congress.\n\n\"The federal government's core responsibility is to protect the security of our nation and the American people,\u201d? DeSantis said. \u201c Yet, from the release of terrorist detainees by the Defense Department to habitual failures of the Department of Homeland Security regarding border security, the bureaucracy has fallen short of what the American people expect. I am thankful to Chairman-elect Jason Chaffetz for tapping me to lead this subcommittee, and I look forward to working with him and the rest of the committee's members to hold our national security agencies accountable on behalf of the American people.\"\n\n\u201cCongressman DeSantis\u2013 military experience and leadership will help ensure effective oversight and accountability on some of the biggest issues facing national security,\u201d? Chaffetz said. \u201cI look forward to working with him in his new role.\u201d?", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://yoho.house.gov//media-center/in-the-news/rand-paul-pushes-against-obamas-immigration-executive-action", "Rand Paul pushes against Obama's immigration executive action", "2014-12-15", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Ted Yoho", "Y000065", "yoho.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sen. Rand Paul has introduced legislature to overturn President\u2019 Obama\u2019s immigration executive order.\nThe bill, called \u201cPreventing Executive Overreach on Immigration Act,\u201d points out that Obama has said at least 22 times before that he cannot ignore existing immigration law, nor can he create his own.\n\"I believe that the Constitution is clear that the legislative power resides in Congress. The President is not a king and he does not have the power to enact laws then execute his own laws. Our Constitution is being violated by this executive order and other actions by the Obama Administration to govern by executive fiat,\" the Kentucky Republican said in a statement Friday.\n\u201cPresident Obama\u2019s grant of deferred action [\u2026] is without any constitution or statutory basis,\" the bill says.\nObama announced in November \u2014 after months of hinting he would do so \u2014 an executive action that would protect up to five million undocumented immigrants from deportation.\nIn his prime-time speech announcing the major immigration system overhaul, Obama made sure to point out that his actions were lawful.\nPaul disputes Obama's claim.\n\u201cHis actions blatantly ignore the separations of powers and the principles our country was founded on. I will not sit idly by and let the president bypass Congress and our Constitution,\u201d he said after the speech.\nRep. Ted Yoho, R-Fla., also sponsored a companion bill in the House that passed by a vote of 219-197 on Dec. 4.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://yoho.house.gov//media-center/in-the-news/yoho-educators-business-leaders-talk-stem-growth", "Yoho, educators, business leaders talk STEM growth", "2014-12-15", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Ted Yoho", "Y000065", "yoho.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "If the United States wants its students to succeed in highly skilled careers, it needs to change the way it teaches them, an expert told a local education-minded group Monday.\nAbout 40 educators, business leaders and other professionals met at the Santa Fe College Perry Center for Emerging Technologies in Alachua to talk about education in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and why it\u2019s important.\nOther countries are fast outstripping the United States in STEM fields, said U.S. Rep. Ted Yoho, who coordinated the seminar with Cindy Moss, director of global STEM initiatives for Discovery Education.\n\u201cWe\u2019ve seen a decline in our competitiveness, and it\u2019s not acceptable,\u201d Yoho said.\nThe percentage of innovations produced by the U.S. has dipped significantly over the past several decades, due in part, Yoho said, to high corporate tax rates and federal regulations.\nBut it\u2019s also because we\u2019re not pushing STEM hard enough, he said.\nSTEM is different things to different people, Moss said, but it needs to be involved with every student at every level.\nAccording to a report by Change the Equation, a nonprofit organization focusing on improving STEM learning, students in every state in the country get less science instruction compared with 20 years ago.\nOnly 1 percent of college graduates earned science degrees, and 0.1 percent earned math degrees, Moss said, adding that 84 percent of students who drop out of high school say they quit because they couldn\u2019t pass Algebra 1.\n\u201cWe have to show kids the cool things you can do with math,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s not sitting down and solving problems all day.\u201d\nEngaging kids early with hands-on learning and problem-solving is key, she said, particularly for girls.\nIn the U.S., on average, women earn 77 cents for every dollar men earn at work.\nBut in STEM fields, Moss said women earn 95 cents on the dollar or more.\nThe reason STEM isn\u2019t attracting women and other underrepresented groups is lack of exposure, Moss said.\nTo fix the problem, the whole community needs to get on board with the STEM mission -- schools, science and technology companies and other stakeholders.\nThe school district already is using inquiry-based learning and participating in other STEM-centric events such as the Hour of Code and regional and international science fairs.\nRecently, Superintendent Owen Roberts announced a plan to incorporate robotics clubs into all of the public schools starting in the fall.\nKaren Clarke, assistant superintendent for curriculum, attended Monday\u2019s seminar and said while the district is already aware of many of the themes Moss spoke about, it was useful to see how local business leaders might be able to lend a hand financially.\nThe overhead for starting a robotics team could run the district $10,000 to $20,000 per school, Clarke said, so knowing where the allies are is valuable.\n\u201cIt does take all of us to make a program like that work,\u201d she said.\nYoho said he\u2019s planning another STEM seminar for the spring.\nContact Erin Jester at 338-3166 or erin.jester@gainesville.com.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://yoho.house.gov//media-center/in-the-news/sen-paul-introduces-bill-to-prevent-president-obama-s-executive-amnesty", "Sen. Paul Introduces Bill to Prevent President Obamas Executive Amnesty", "2014-12-12", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Ted Yoho", "Y000065", "yoho.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Senator Rand Paul today introduced the Preventing Executive Overreach on Immigration Act. This is companion legislation to Congressman Ted Yoho's bill (H.R. 5759) that passed the House of Representatives on December 4, 2014 on a 219-197 vote. This legislation would end President Obama's executive action on immigration and restore the Congress' constitutional role as the body to craft legislation. Article I of the Constitution places the legislative powers in Congress. The President does not have the power under the Constitution to rewrite immigration laws to exempt classes of people from a law that was passed by Congress and signed into law. \"I believe that the Constitution is clear that the legislative power resides in Congress. The President is not a king and he does not have the power to enact laws then execute his own laws. Our Constitution is being violated by this executive order and other actions by the Obama Administration to govern by executive fiat,\" Sen. Paul stated. A copy of the legislation can be found HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.rubio.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=cf0c779e-62dd-496d-9b70-186a9b50ace8", "ICYMI: Rubio: Congress Must Enable The President To Stop The Islamic State", "2014-12-12", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congress must enable the president to stop the Islamic State     By Senator Marco Rubio     The Washington Post     December 12, 2014     http://wapo.st/1shIl8w  \r\nIt is clear that our efforts to defeat the Islamic State have been inadequate. Half-measures will not work against a growing threat from radical Islamists that are uniting fractured terrorist groups around the world under one banner.\r\n \r\nOver the past six months, as the Obama administration has continued to develop its strategy for defeating the group, our enemies have not been standing still. The Islamic State now reaches from North Africa through the Middle East, Pakistan and South Asia and into Southeast Asia. Libya, with its absence of government control and its vast stocks of weapons, has become a particularly deadly terrorist haven that is allowing the Islamic State to broaden its map, gain strength and plot attacks against Europe and the United States.\r\nThis week, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee debated an authorization to use military force against the Islamic State. But instead of giving the president what he needs to win this struggle, many in the Senate seem more focused on telling him what he should not do. They argue that we need to place conditions on the types of force that can be used or impose a timeline by which victory must be achieved.\r\n \r\nYet the threat is growing by the day. Beyond the Americans who have already been brutally slaughtered at its members\u2019 hands, the Islamic State is actively developing its ability to target civilians in \u201clone wolf\u201d attacks in Europe and the United States. Its continued spread across the Middle East is alarming. It is imperative that the United States and our European and Arab partners join together to stop this threat before it advances farther.\r\n   \r\nWhile the current front lines are in Iraq and Syria, the Islamic State is exploiting vast, ungoverned spaces in Libya and elsewhere in North Africa to conduct training, add to its ranks and unite sympathetic, disparate terrorist groups under its flag. Once the Islamic State establishes control of a city or territory, such as in Darnah, Libya, it declares it part of its caliphate and then establishes an Islamic court, police force and governing administration. It frequently holds public forums at which the local populace is expected to pledge support for the group and volunteer to travel to Syria to fight. Local groups who align with the Islamic State soon adopt its savagery and begin beheadings and other barbaric acts to prove their allegiance.\r\n   \r\nDespite all of the coalition conferences and rhetoric from U.S. officials, significant gaps remain in the administration\u2019s strategy. For instance, any successful effort against the Islamic State must include a plan for removing Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad from power. We can no longer afford to allow the Syrian regime to benefit from U.S. strikes against the Islamic State. So far our actions in Syria have undermined our credibility with the very people we will need to empower in a post-Assad Syria.\r\n \r\nThe United States and coalition partners should move quickly to implement a safe zone along the border with Turkey and begin to enforce a no-fly zone for Assad\u2019s air force in parts of the country. We must also increase our efforts to tackle the unrest in Libya before a vacuum becomes entrenched there, as has happened in Syria, and the range of our options narrows.\r\n \r\n\u2026\r\n   \r\nKeep reading here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.rubio.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=f1647b19-f22a-4c79-8452-4bad72e1e528", "MEDIA ADVISORY: Rubios Office To Host Mobile Office Hours", "2014-12-12", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 The office of U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) today released a list of upcoming Mobile Office Hours throughout Florida. Each week, Rubio\u2019s staff offers a variety of constituent services, assisting people with a wide range of issues, including problems with Social Security, Medicare, Veterans Affairs, and more. Rubio\u2019s office recently published a \u201cConstituent Service Report\u201d highlighting the types of cases it has helped resolve.\r\n   \r\nA list of upcoming Mobile Office Hours is below:\r\n    Monday, December 15, 2014     Collier County     12:00pm \u2013 1:00pm     Everglades City Hall     102 Broadway Avenue East     Everglades City, FL 34139\r\nWakulla County     1:30pm \u2013 3:00pm     Sopchoppy City Hall     105 Municipal Avenue     Sopchoppy, FL 32358\r\nTuesday, December 16, 2014     Miami-Dade County     9:00am \u2013 11:00am     Stephen P. Clark Government Center     111 NW 1st Street     Miami, FL 33128     *Representatives from USCIS and the General Consulate of Mexico will be available to meet with constituents.\r\nWednesday, December 17, 2014     Orange County     10:00am \u2013 12:00pm     Renaissance Senior Community Center     Orange County Parks & Recreation     3800 S. Econlockhatchee Trail     Orlando, FL 32829\r\nVolusia County     10:00am \u2013 2:00pm     City of Daytona Beach     City Hall Lobby     301 S. Ridgewood Ave.     Daytona Beach, FL 32114\r\nDuval County     2:00pm \u2013 4:00pm     Five STAR Veterans Center     40 Acme Street     Jacksonville, FL 32211\r\nOsceola County     4:00pm \u2013 7:00pm     Poinciana Community Center     395 Marigold Ave.     Kissimmee, FL 34759\r\nThursday, December 18, 2014     Lee County     10:00am \u2013 11:00am     Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce     25 Homestead Road North     Lehigh Acres, FL 33936\r\nHendry County     11:30am \u2013 12:30pm     LaBelle City Hall     481 W. Hickpochee Avenue     LaBella, FL 33935\r\nMiami-Dade County     12:00pm \u2013 2:00pm     Miami-Dade Public Library     West Flagler Branch     5050 West Flagler Street     Miami, FL 33134     *Representatives from SSA and USCIS will be available to meet with constituents.\r\nGlades County     1:00pm \u2013 2:00pm     Glades County Courthouse     County Commission Chamber, 2nd Floor     500 Ave. J     Moore Haven, FL 33471\r\nLeon County     2:00pm \u2013 4:00pm     Dr. B. L. Perry, Jr., Branch Library     2817 S. Adams St.     Tallahassee, FL 32301\r\nFriday, December 19, 2014     Charlotte County     10:00am \u2013 11:00am     Punta Gorda City Hall, Mayor\u2019s Office     326 West Marion Ave.     Punta Gorda, FL 33950\r\nDeSoto County     12:00pm \u2013 1:00pm     DeSoto County Administration Building     201 East Oak Street, Room 103     Arcadia, FL 34266\r\nHighlands County     2:00pm \u2013 3:00pm     Greater Sebring Chamber of Commerce     Conference Room     227 U.S. Highway 27     Sebring, FL 33870", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://dennisross.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398231", "Ross Statement on the Passage of Omnibus", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Dennis Ross", "R000593", "dennisross.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. --U.S. Rep. Dennis A. Ross (R-FL-15), Senior Deputy Majority Whip and member of the House Committee on Financial Services, today released the following statement after voting in favor of H.R. 83, the Consideration and Further Continuing Appropriations Act of 2015.\n\u201cAs promised, my colleagues and I fulfilled our Constitutional duty by passing a budget and not allowing a government shutdown this year. This bill reflects conservative priorities with the lowest discretionary spending levels in nearly a decade. The result is an overall decrease of $176 billion in discretionary spending since FY 2010. When I ran for office, I made a promise I would cut spending. Among other priorities, it was vital we allow the continuation of funding to our troops. Also, the omnibus only funds the Department of Homeland Security until February 27, 2015. This will provide Republicans the best opportunity to challenge President Obama\u2019s executive order on immigration when we have a majority in both the House and the Senate. I welcome this fight to hold the president accountable, not only to the laws of our land, but also to the American people.\n\u201cThis package also includes provisions that will hold agencies accountable by putting the brakes on harmful federal regulations. It will also prioritize funding for important programs that will strengthen American innovation, bolster job creation, and allow our businesses to thrive.\u00a0\n\u201cThis legislation is crucial to our State\u2019s agricultural industries. It provides an additional $4.5 million to combat citrus greening \u2013 which is decimating the Florida citrus industry. It also includes a restriction on the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration from implementing regulations harmful to the livestock and poultry industry. This is important because Florida is home to four of the ten largest beef cow-calf operations in the U.S. In addition, there is language amending a Dodd-Frank requirement that will protect farmers from having to put down excessive collateral to get a loan and expand their business production.\u201d\n\u00a0\nHighlights of H.R. 83, the Consideration and Further Continuing Appropriations Act of 2015 include:\n \n    \u00a0$1.013 trillion for the operation of the federal government. \n    \u00a0$64 billion Emergency Overseas Contingency Operations funding to combat ISIL, train troops in the field, train and equip our Iraqi allies and reinforce European countries facing Russian aggression.\n     $5.4 billion in emergency funding to address the domestic and international Ebola crisis.\n     Prohibits the Export-Import Bank and OPIC from blocking coal and other power-generating projects.\n    $345.6 million cut and extensive oversight requirements for the Internal Revenue Service \u2013 lowest funding levels for the IRS since 2008.\n    $60 million cut and extensive oversight requirements for the Environmental Protection Agency.\n \n\u00a0\nJob Creation, Reining in Bureaucratic Overreach\n \n    Prohibits funds for the Army Corps of Engineers to change the definition of \u201cfill material,\u201d which could have harmful effects on many U.S. industries.\n    A restriction on the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) from implementing regulations harmful to the livestock and poultry industry\n    Florida is home to 4 of the 10 largest beef cow-calf ranches in the U.S.\n     Provisions restricting the application of the Clean Water Act in certain agricultural areas, including farm ponds and irrigation ditches.\n     Extends the Internet Tax Freedom Act, and will continue to prevent taxes on internet access.\n \n\u00a0\nObamaCare\n \n    Provides no new funding for ObamaCare and holds the line on funding the IRS and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.\n    Requires Health and Human Services and the Treasury to report to Congress on improper payments of ObamaCare tax subsidies.\n    Maintains all existing pro-life policy and funding provisions carried in Appropriations legislation in previous years. \n \n\u00a0\nOther Policy Provisions\n \n    Provisions to stop the transfer or release of Guantanamo detainees into the U.S.\n    A prohibition on funding for the IRS to target organizations for regulatory scrutiny based on their ideological beliefs or for exercising their First Amendment rights.\n    A pay freeze for the Vice President and senior political appointees.\n    Prohibits all agencies in the bill, including the IRS, from using funding for activities in contravention of the Federal Records Act, such as inappropriately destroying documents.\n    Prohibits a pay raise for Members of Congress in FY 2015.\n \nVeterans\n \n    Provides $2.5 billion for processing VA disability claims to end the backlog and rescinds $41 million in performance bonuses at the VA.\n \n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nAgriculture \n \n    Increases the Citrus Health Response Program by $4.5 million to address the damaging effects of citrus greening disease.\n    Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to report to Congress on actions taken to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).\n    Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) \u2013 The bill allows $81.8 billion in required mandatory spending \u2013 which is outside the discretionary funding jurisdiction of the Appropriations Committee \u2013 for SNAP. This is $332 million below the fiscal year 2014 enacted level and $2.4 billion below the President\u2019s request. This program provides food assistance to a monthly average of more than 46 million Americans.\n \n\u00a0\nPlease click here for a full summary of H.R. 83, the Consideration and Further Continuing Appropriations Act of 2015.\n ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://mariodiazbalart.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/fy15-appropriations-cuts-wasteful-irs-spending-to-prioritize-everglades", "FY15 Appropriations Cuts Wasteful IRS Spending to Prioritize Everglades Restoration, Support for Veterans and Troops", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Mario Diaz-Balart", "D000600", "mariodiazbalart.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2014Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) released the following statement after the passage of H.R. 83, the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act.\n\u201cThe legislation passed today continues House Republicans commitment to reign in wasteful spending and provides strong oversight over federal agencies. Washington\u2019s out of control spending needs to be addressed, and this legislation does just that. By reducing wasteful spending on programs and agencies like the problematic IRS we are able to fund the areas of government that matter most \u2013 like helping our veterans, combating citrus greening, and continuing the much needed restoration of the Everglades.\n\u201cI want to commend the full committee chairman, Mr. Rogers, and the subcommittee chairs and their staffs for their tireless work and commitment to finalizing this legislation.\u201d\nCongressman Diaz-Balart, member of the House Appropriations Committee and Vice Chair of its Subcommittee on Financial Services, was successful in getting the following items included in the Appropriations Package:\n Slashes funding for the problem-ridden IRS by $345.6 million to prohibit waste and abuse like expensive conferences, inappropriate videos, or political targeting of groups\n\t$3.1 billion to keep our commitment to Israel\n\tIncludes additional funding for democracy promotion in Venezuela, Nicaragua, Bolivia, and Ecuador\n\tProvides an additional $4.5 million for the Citrus Health Response Program to help address the damaging effects of citrus greening disease\n\tFunding for the ongoing South Florida Everglades restoration, including $65.5 million for construction projects and $19.5 million for operation and maintenance\n\t$75 million for continued improvements to the aging Herbert Hoover Dike\n\t$30 million towards spinal cord injury (SCI) research for competitive grant funding for institutions such as The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis\n \u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://posey.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=394151", "Posey: Omnibus Bill Product of Broken Budget Process", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Bill Posey", "P000599", "posey.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Posey: Omnibus Bill Product of Broken Budget Process\r\n                      \r\n                    \r\n                        \r\n                    \r\n                    \r\n                    \r\n                    \r\n                    \r\n                        \r\n                            Washington,\r\n                            December 11, 2014\u00a0-\r\n                        Congressman Bill Posey (R-Rockledge) released the following statement concerning today\u00e2\u0080\u0099s vote on H.R. 83, the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015:\r\n \u00e2\u0080\u009cWashington needs to get serious real fast about fixing our broken budget process,\u00e2\u0080\u009d said Congressman Posey. \u00e2\u0080\u009cLast week our national debt climbed past $18 trillion dollars, a major milestone that went virtually unnoticed and under-reported by the major media.\r\n \u00e2\u0080\u009cEvery year the Administration has submitted its budget late \u00e2\u0080\u0093 almost two months beyond the legal deadline. And every year for the past four years the House has passed a budget plan with a pathway to balance along with appropriations bills while the Senate has refused to act. So once again we are stuck here at the eleventh hour rushing to pass another \u00e2\u0080\u0098too big to read\u00e2\u0080\u0099 spending bill to keep the federal government funded. This is an irresponsible way to manage our nation\u00e2\u0080\u0099s finances and my hope is that the new Congress will return Washington to better fiscal ways.\r\n \u00e2\u0080\u009cAdditionally, the omnibus bill makes no attempt to address the President\u00e2\u0080\u0099s unilateral and unconstitutional action to grant amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants. Congress should not fund the President\u00e2\u0080\u0099s efforts to circumvent Congress and rewrite the law. I strongly believe that the first step in reforming our immigration system is to secure our borders and achieve operational control over them as called for by the 9-11 Commission. Anything else will continue to bring chaos to our borders and jeopardize the security of our nation.\u00e2\u0080\u009d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://yoho.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/rep-yoho-votes-to-keep-discretionary-spending-at-lowest-level-since-2005", "Rep. Yoho Votes To Keep Discretionary Spending at Lowest Level Since 2007", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Ted Yoho", "Y000065", "yoho.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Ted S. Yoho (R-FL-03) voted in favor of H.R. 83 \u2014 Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015. The bipartisan/bicameral year-end funding agreement provides full appropriations for Fiscal Year 2015 for 11 of the 12 regular appropriations bills. The agreement keeps discretionary spending at the lowest level since 2007 and puts the country on a path to save taxpayers $2.1 trillion over the next 10 years. \u00a0Funding for the Department of Homeland Security is limited until February 27, 2015, when the President\u2019s executive order will go into effect. Congressman Yoho gave the following statement after the vote:\n\u201cWhen I was elected, I told my constituents that I would vote not on what was politically popular, but on principle. The bill today is far from perfect. But as with any large spending bill, there are things that you want to fund and there are things that you don\u2019t. Funding our troops, veterans\u2019 services, social security, and ensuring economic stability for our small businesses is the right thing to do. \n\u201cI do not agree with the President\u2019s Executive Order, which is why I introduced \u2013 and the House passed \u2013 legislation to stop it. I also joined my colleagues in offering an amendment to this spending bill that would guarantee that no funds could be used for his illegal amnesty.\u00a0 I\u2019m disappointed that the amendment was not accepted, but I\u2019m happy that the bill only temporarily funds the Department of Homeland Security until February 27, 2015, when the President\u2019s executive order will go into effect. This will enable us to add the proper limits when we have control of the Senate in January.\u00a0Additionally, this legislation contains no new funding for Obamacare. For President Obama to have to sign that into law is a win in itself. \n\u201cThe House passed 11 of the 12 appropriations bills out of their respective committees and sent 7 of them to the Senate for a vote. The situation today is entirely a product of Harry Reid\u2019s do-nothing-Senate. Tonight\u2019s vote made sure all the hard work done in the House wasn\u2019t done in vain.\u00a0 \n\u201cI look forward to a Republican Senate that takes up and funds appropriations bills the way we are supposed to\u2014not waiting until the last minute and rolling everything into one bill like the one we see before us today. That way we can vote for the provisions we like\u2014and against those that we don\u2019t\u2014and not risk the well-being and welfare of our citizens, our economy, and our national security. \n\u201cThe American people handed us the torch of leadership. Being a leader means looking at the big picture and making tough decisions. With a Republican Senate, I look forward to bringing our country back on fiscal track, stopping this President\u2019s overreach, and restoring the greatness of America.\u201d \n\u00a0\nWhat was in the bill:\n$58.7 billion in advanced funding for VA medical programs\n$2.534 billion for operating expenses for reducing claims backlog\n$40 million above Administration\u2019s request\n$69 million above FY2014 levels\n$126 million for VAOIG to continue audits of VAMCs\n$209 million to address new costs associated with implementing the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act \u2013 i.e. hiring medical staff\n$75 million for 10,000 new veterans\u2019 housing vouchers (Section 8 & Public Housing)\n$270 million for Veterans Employment and Training Service\n$14 million for the Transition Assistance Program: veteran training for civilian employment/job search  \n\t\u00a0\n Obamacare Risk Corridors and Insurance Bailout:\u00a0 The bill includes a provision to prevent appropriations to be used to bail out insurance companies using Obamacare\u2019s risk corridors.\n\t\t\u00a0\n\tNo funding for the President\u2019s Green Climate Fund\n\tNo funding to Libya until it cooperates in the Benghazi investigation\n\tNo foreign assistance to Central American countries until they address migration of unaccompanied alien children \u2013 including increased border security and law enforcement.\n\tGuantanamo Detainees:\u00a0 The bill prohibits funding for transfers of Guantanamo detainees to the U.S. or its territories and denies funding to modify any facility in the U.S. to house detainees.\u00a0\n\tA $345.6 million cut and extensive oversight requirements for the Internal Revenue Service\n\tA $60 million cut and extensive oversight requirements for the Environmental Protection Agency\n\tA pay freeze for the Vice President and senior political appointees\n\tNo funding for the Administration\u2019s Race to the Top program\n\tPro-Life:\u00a0 The bill prohibits the use of funds to pay for an abortion, except in the case of rape or to preserve the life of the mother and a conscience protection clause that prohibits funds to require any person to perform or facilitate in any way the performance of any abortion.\u00a0\n\tSecond Amendment Protection:\u00a0 The bill prohibits funds to conduct a Fast and Furious-type gun walking operation, prohibits funding for the UN Arms Trade Treaty\n\tSurveillance of U.S. Citizens:\u00a0 The bill prohibits funding to \u201cacquire, monitor, or store the contents of any electronic communication of a United States person from a provider of electronic communication services to the public pursuant to section 501 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978.\u201d\n\tClean Water Act:\u00a0 Similar to a request by Rep. Yoho, the bill requires the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers to withdraw the \u201cInterpretive Rule Regarding the Applicability of Clean Water Act Section 404(f)(1)(A) that would narrow the exemption for agricultural activities.\n\tTargeting of Conservatives:\u00a0 The bill prohibits the IRS from targeting U.S. citizens for exercising their First Amendment Rights, targeting groups based on ideological beliefs, or from contravening provisions of law regarding the confidentiality of tax returns, as passed by the House.\u00a0\n \u00a0\n###  \n\tCongressman Ted Yoho serves on the Foreign Affairs and Agriculture Committees. He represents North Florida\u2019s 3rd Congressional District", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bilirakis.house.gov/media/press-releases/participants-announced-bilirakis-hosts-conversation-about-mental", "PARTICIPANTS ANNOUNCED: Bilirakis Hosts Conversation about Mental Health/Substance Abuse Issues, Featuring Special Guest Rep. Tim Murphy", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Gus Bilirakis", "B001257", "bilirakis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), member of the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee, is honored to host a conversation about Mental Health and Substance Abuse issues, featuring Representative Tim Murphy, clinical psychologist and author of the bipartisan H.R. 3717, Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act. The goal of this event is to facilitate dialogue among health care professionals, policymakers, and family members of those struggling with these problems. We will discuss the needs that exist within our community, and the steps that can be taken to improve access to quality treatments.\nOur solution-oriented discussion will focus on how to fix a broken system and ensure better outcomes. One important aspect of this conversation are the treatment options available to our nation's Veterans as they grapple with Post Traumatic Stress and other invisible wounds. One size does not fit all, especially when it comes to an issue as sensitive as mental health, Bilirakis said. I am honored to have Representative Murphy joining me  he is the undisputed leader in Congress on this issue. The good work he is doing will undoubtedly offer substantial improvements in the way this important issue is viewed and the treatment options available to those with mental illness.\nI thank Representative Bilirakis for taking up this legislative cause and for standing shoulder-to-shoulder with me to help those who, for far too long, have been in the shadows of ignorance and despair. We will continue working to bring them into that bright light of hope, and it starts with the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act, Representative Murphy said.\nThe event is open to the public and the media.\nWhen:December 16, 2014, starting at 1:00 pm\nWhere:Rasmussen College, 18600 Fernview St. Land O' Lakes, FL 34638, Rooms 102 and 103.\nParticipants\n \nThe Honorable Chris Nocco, Pasco County Sheriff\n\tThe Honorable Bob Dillinger, Public Defender, Pasco/Pinellas Judicial Circuit\n\tNancy Hamilton, CEO of Operation PAR\n\tDoug Leonardo, LCSW, Executive Director of BayCare Behavioral Health\n\tLeigh Massengill, CEO of Medical Center of Trinity\n\tMonica Rousseau, Coordinator of Pasco County Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention\n\tRichard Durstein, President of Pinellas NAMI\n\tSaybra Chapman, LMHC, Clinical Coordinator, District School Board of Pasco County\n\tBrian Anderson, Veteran of United States Army and Veteran's Mental Health Advocate\n\tChristopher Wittmann, PA-C, Trinity Pain Center, LLC\n \nMedia RSVP:Ian Martorana (Representative Bilirakis):Ian.Martorana@mail.house.govor 202 225 5755\nBrad Grantz (Representative Murphy):Brad.Grantz@mail.house.govor 202 225 2301", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.rubio.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=4579b7f1-e991-4d01-9ea2-489c569b6d9f", "MEDIA ADVISORY: Rubios Office To Host Veterans Resource Expo At FIU", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Tomorrow, December 12, the office of U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) will host a Veterans Resource Expo at Florida International University (FIU) in Miami. Rubio\u2019s staff has partnered with State Representative Michael Bileca and Miami-Dade County Commissioners Esteban Bovo, Jr. and Jose \u201cPep\u00e9\u201d Diaz for the event.\r\n   \r\nOver 50 federal, state and local agencies will be on site to offer assistance to veterans and their families in areas such as education, financial services, housing, and legal services, among others.\r\n \r\nLast week, Rubio\u2019s staff hosted Veterans Resource Expos in Tampa and Orlando. Watch coverage from Orlando\u2019s News 13 here. \u00a0\r\n   \r\nMedia wishing to attend the following events must RSVP to Brooke_Sammon@rubio.senate.gov.\r\n    Friday, December 12, 2014     9:00am \u2013 4:00pm EST     Rubio\u2019s Office To Host Veterans Resource Expo     Florida International University - Stadium Club     11200 SW 8 Street     Miami, Florida 33199  \r\nNOTE: Due to Senate votes, Rubio will be unable to attend the event.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.rubio.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=5176fe19-948e-4d2b-9c01-a39d37551f08", "Rubio Comments On National Defense Authorization Act", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) issued the following statement regarding today\u2019s votes on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA):\r\n   \r\n\u201cOnce again the Senate was asked to vote on a conference report and final National Defense Authorization Act that was never considered by the full Senate. It is inexcusable that Senator Harry Reid and the Democratic leadership prohibits the Senate from having any input on the annual National Defense Authorization Act, which authorizes funding for our troops and Pentagon operations and is one of the most important pieces of legislation Congress considers each year.\u00a0\r\n   \r\n\u201cSenate Democrats refused to consider amendments that I offered to increase base pay for our servicemen and women, to direct lethal aid to Ukraine, to encourage greater utilization of modeling and simulation technology for training efficiencies and to study ways to improve the eastern range complex at Cape Canaveral. I will fight to pass all these important measures when Republicans take over the Senate in January.\r\n   \r\n\u201cWhile this legislation could be vastly improved, I supported final passage because it provides the Department of Defense the authorizations needed to continue the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) and other critical national security and military spending. This bill also contains important reforms to combat sexual assault in the military, an issue that requires our continued vigilance. It would be an understatement to say this take-it-or-leave-it bill is far from perfect, and the way in which it was handled is truly outrageous. Our men and women in uniform deserve better from congressional leaders, and I hope a new Congress means this is the last time something as important as the funding of our troops and security of our nation is developed in this manner.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.rubio.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=51e7c955-5ac2-4526-b529-05d6ad1d4ee8", "ICYMI: Miami Herald: Rubio Welcomes End Of Baseless U.S. Department Of Education Investigation Into Florida Bright Futures Scholarship", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Feds: Florida scholarship program does not violate anti-discrimination laws     By Kathleen McGrory     The Miami Herald     December 11, 2014     http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/education/article4430296.html  \r\nFlorida did not violate anti-discrimination laws by using standardized test scores to award Bright Futures scholarships, the U.S. Department of Education has found.\r\n \r\nThe department\u2019s Office for Civil Rights had been investigating the Bright Futures program, which awards college scholarships based on grade point average and SAT or ACT scores. The probe was based on allegations that the eligibility criteria had the effect of discriminating against Hispanic and African-American students.\r\n \r\nBut federal authorities found \u201cinsufficient evidence of a legal violation\u201d and concluded the investigation Wednesday, according to a memo addressed to Florida Education Commissioner Pam Stewart and obtained by the Herald/Times.\r\n   \r\nU.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, a Florida Republican who opposed the probe, said he was glad federal authorities had ended the \u201cbaseless investigation.\u201d\r\n   \r\n\u201cThe Bright Futures program has helped thousands of Florida\u2019s top students finance their college educations and given them the foundation for successful careers,\u201d Rubio said in a statement.\r\n   \r\n\u2026\r\n   \r\nDropping the requirement and funding scholarships for all eligible students would cost Florida too much money, federal authorities wrote in the report. And dropping the requirement and increasing other academic eligibility requirement, such as the minimum GPA, might also eliminate significant portions of black and Hispanic students.\r\n \r\nResponding to Wednesday\u2019s report, Rubio, a former speaker of the Florida House, stressed that every decision about Bright Futures had been made \u201centirely on setting priorities in the face of budgetary constraints, not with any regard to race or with any intent to include or exclude students of any particular background as this federal investigation suggested.\u201d\r\n   \r\nRubio said he hoped future decisions about the program would be handled at the state and local level.\r\n   \r\n\u2026 \r\n   \r\nRead the entire article here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.rubio.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=bdb2bde8-bfcc-4afd-8f23-7018718864a9", "Rubio Opposes Nominee To Be Deputy Secretary Of State For Failure To Answer Key Questions About Cuba Policy", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today announced his opposition to President Obama\u2019s nomination of Antony Blinken to be deputy secretary of state.\r\n   \r\nDuring Blinken\u2019s confirmation hearing in November, Rubio questioned Blinken about any future unilateral changes to U.S.-Cuba policy absent democratic reforms, as required by law, on the oppressed island nation. When given several opportunities \u2013 during the hearing and in follow-up written testimony \u2013 to categorically rule out the possibility of unilateral changes to Cuba policy, Blinken demurred.\r\n   \r\nIn making this announcement, Rubio issued the following statement:\r\n \r\n\u201cAs I said after Mr. Blinken\u2019s confirmation hearing, I am very concerned that President Obama\u2019s nominee to be John Kerry\u2019s deputy at the Department of State passed up several opportunities to categorically rule out the possibility of unilateral changes to U.S. policy towards Cuba. Unless Cuba begins an irreversible democratic transformation, the U.S. should not reward the Castro regime with unilateral concessions from us that enrich the regime and help it repress millions of Cubans.\r\n   \r\n\u201cOne can disagree with U.S. policy with respect to Cuba and believe that our laws must be changed, but if you\u2019re going to serve at the U.S. Department of State, especially in such a high ranking leadership position, you must faithfully execute existing laws. Mr. Blinken has been afforded numerous opportunities to make clear that he will abide by U.S.-Cuba policy that has been codified into law, and he declined to do so each time.\r\n \r\n\u201cUnless Mr. Blinken makes such assurances that he will faithfully execute the laws that currently exist with respect to U.S.-Cuba policy, I will continue to oppose his nomination.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://buchanan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/buchanan-votes-prevent-veteran-suicides", "Buchanan Votes to Prevent Veteran Suicides", "2014-12-10", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Vern Buchanan", "B001260", "buchanan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-FL, last night supported bipartisan legislation to help combat veteran suicide in the United States  a serious epidemic responsible for one out of every four suicides in the state of Florida. The measure passed the House and now goes to the Senate for consideration.\n\nThe Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act (H.R. 5059) was named in honor of Marine Cpl. Clay Hunt, a veteran who fell victim to suicide while awaiting PTSD treatment from the VA. Clay was a Purple Heart recipient who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.\n\nClays story details the urgency needed in addressing this issue, Clays mother recently said in testimony before Congress. Not one more veteran should have to go through what Clay went through with the VA after returning home from war.\n\nBuchanan, who represents more than 66,000 veterans in Southwest Florida, said passage of the House bill is a critical first step toward reversing an epidemic that has been ignored for far too long.\n\nThe growing prevalence of veteran suicide is a tragedy that must be stopped, said Buchanan, noting that 22 veterans commit suicide every day in the U.S. Every soldier returning from battle deserves access to the best mental health services our nation has to offer.\n\nSpecifically, the bill would improve the VAs suicide-prevention efforts by:\n\n- Increasing veterans access to mental health services by creating active duty transition networks that offer community oriented peer support and outreach\n- Requiring annual third-party evaluation of mental health care programs provided by the VA and Department of Defense\n- Providing readily available, regularly updated information on the VAs mental health care services to veterans online\n- Boosting recruitment of qualified doctors to treat veterans by offering repayment of loan debt for potential VA psychiatrists\n\nBuchanan served six years in the Air National Guard and four years on the House Veterans Affairs Committee.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://mariodiazbalart.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/diaz-balart-congress-reaffirms-solidarity-with-people-of-venezuela", "Diaz-Balart: Congress Reaffirms Solidarity with People of Venezuela", "2014-12-10", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Mario Diaz-Balart", "D000600", "mariodiazbalart.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u2014 Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) released the following statement after the House unanimously passed S. 2142, the Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act of 2014. The bill passed in the Senate earlier this week, is on its way to the President\u2019s desk.\n\u201cThe Venezuelan people continue to suffer through the escalating repression and rampant corruption of the Chavez-Maduro regime.\u00a0 As students and other activists peacefully protest against oppressive acts, food shortages, soaring crime rates, more than 4,000 people have been arrested, 1,000 injured, and dozens killed. The Maduro regime has attempted to silence courageous democracy leaders like the imprisoned opposition leader Leopoldo L\u00f3pez and Mar\u00eda Corina Machado, who was stripped of her elected position and intimidated with bogus charges.\n\u201cThe House voted in favor of supporting the Venezuelan people earlier this year with passage of H.R. 4587.\u00a0 Tonight, it continues to show solidarity by again voting in favor of strong sanctions and support of the Venezuelan people.\u00a0 Passage of S. 2142 reveals strong bicameral and bipartisan support for the democratic aspirations of the Venezuelan people, and is a powerful condemnation of the Maduro regime\u2019s oppression.\u00a0 I thank Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen and Senators Rubio and Menendez for their leadership and unwavering dedication to human rights and democracy in our hemisphere.\u00a0\u00a0 I urge President Obama to join in solidarity with the people of Venezuela by signing this critically important legislation.\u201d\u00a0\nOn May 28, 2014, the House unanimously passed H.R. 4587, the Venezuelan Human Rights and Democracy Protection Act, authored by Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen and sponsored by Congressman Diaz-Balart.\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://ros-lehtinen.house.gov/press-release/aviso-de-prensa-venezuela-defense-human-rights-and-civil-society-act-ser%C3%A1-debatido-y", "AVISO DE PRENSA: Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act Ser Debatido y Considerado en el Pleno de la Cmara de Representantes HOY, 10 de diciembre a las 6pm", "2014-12-10", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Ileana Ros-Lehtinen", "R000435", "ros-lehtinen.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "AVISO DE PRENSA: Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act Ser\u00e1 Debatido y Considerado en el Pleno de la C\u00e1mara de Representantes HOY, 10 de diciembre a las 6pm\n(Washington, DC) \u2013 La Congresista Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Presidenta del Subcomit\u00e9 del Medio Oriente y \u00c1frica del Norte, dio a conocer el siguiente aviso de prensa sobre el debate y consideraci\u00f3n de\u00a0 S. 2142 \u2013 the Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act of 2014 en la C\u00e1mara de Representantes.\nQUIEN: La Congresista Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Presidenta del Subcomit\u00e9 del Medio Oriente y \u00c1frica del Norte, y otros miembros del Congreso\nQUE: Debate y consideraci\u00f3n de S. 2142 \u2013 the Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act of 2014 en la C\u00e1mara de Representantes\nCUANDO: Mi\u00e9rcoles, 10 de diciembre a aproximadamente a las 6pm (por favor est\u00e9 al tanto de C-SPAN hasta una hora antes del planificado debate y consideraci\u00f3n debido a cambios en los horarios de la C\u00e1mara)\nNOTA: Nota: La Congresista Ileana Ros-Lehtinen es autora del H.R. 4587- the Venezuelan Human Rights and Democracy Protection Act, que sanciona a funcionarios del r\u00e9gimen de Nicol\u00e1s Maduro responsables por cometer abusos a los derechos humanos. Esa legislaci\u00f3n fue aprobada por la C\u00e1mara de Representantes por consenso un\u00e1nime el 28 de Mayo de 2014. Los Senadores Bob Men\u00e9ndez y Marco Rubio fueron los autores del S. 2142 que fue aprobado el lunes 8 de diciembre.\nPara ver el horario del pleno de la Camara de Representantes, por favor haga clic aqu\u00ed.\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://ros-lehtinen.house.gov/press-release/congress-approves-legislation-sanction-human-rights-violators-venezuela", "Congress Approves Legislation to Sanction Human Rights Violators in Venezuela", "2014-12-10", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Ileana Ros-Lehtinen", "R000435", "ros-lehtinen.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congress Approves Legislation to Sanction Human Rights Violators in Venezuela\n\u201cIt is fitting and appropriate that today, international human rights day, the House of Representatives sends President Obama this important legislation that sanctions officials of the Venezuelan regime accused of committing human rights abuse\u201d\n(Washington, DC) \u2013 U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman of the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee, made the following statement after the passage of S. 2142 \u2013 the Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act of 2014. Statement by Ros-Lehtinen:\n\u201cIt is fitting and appropriate that today, International Human Rights Day, the House of Representatives sends to President Obama this important legislation that sanctions officials of the Venezuelan regime accused of committing human rights abuses. I\u2019d like to thank Senators Menendez and Rubio for working with me to garner Congressional approval for legislation that seeks to deny visas of human right violators, freeze their assets and block their properties in the United States. Congress has acted in a unified and bipartisan manner to send\u00a0a clear and unequivocal message that the we will not continue tolerate impunity of violations of human rights in Venezuela and we support the calls of democracy and freedom by the people of Venezuela. I call on President Obama and the State Department to vigorously enforce the sanctions against Venezuelan officials swiftly.\u201d\nNOTE: Chairman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen is the author of H.R. 4587 \u2013 the Venezuelan Human Rights and Democracy Protection. The bill passed the House of Representatives on May 28, 2014. Senators Bob Menendez and Marco Rubio were the Senate authors of S. 2142, which passed Monday December 8th.\n\u00a0\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://ros-lehtinen.house.gov/press-release/congress-delivers-condemnation-hamas%E2%80%99-despicable-use-human-shields-stand-united", "Congress Delivers Condemnation of Hamas Despicable Use of Human Shields, Stand United in Support of Israels Right to Defend Itself With Passage of Ros-Lehtinen, Deutch Resolution", "2014-12-10", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Ileana Ros-Lehtinen", "R000435", "ros-lehtinen.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congress Delivers Condemnation of Hamas\u2019 Despicable Use of Human Shields, Stand United in Support of Israel\u2019s Right to Defend Itself With Passage of Ros-Lehtinen, Deutch Resolution                                           \n              Dec 10, 2014      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n          \n  \n    \n    \n    Congress Delivers Condemnation of Hamas\u2019 Despicable Use of Human Shields, Stand United in Support of Israel\u2019s Right to Defend Itself With Passage of Ros-Lehtinen, Deutch Resolution\n(WASHINGTON) \u2013 U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman of the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee, and Rep. Ted Deutch (D-FL), Ranking Member of the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee, made the following statement today upon the passage by Congress of their H.Con.Res. 107 - Denouncing the use of civilians as human shields by Hamas and other terrorist organizations in violation of international humanitarian law. Statement by Ros-Lehtinen and Deutch:\n\u201cToday, the United States Congress stood resolved in condemnation of the despicable actions of the terrorist group, Hamas, and its use of children, women and men as human shields. While Israel went to extraordinary lengths this summer in Gaza to protect innocent civilian lives, Hamas placed the Palestinian people directly in harm\u2019s way by using them as human shields and placing its rockets near densely populated areas and near schools, hospitals and mosques. We cannot allow the false moral equivalency between Israel and Hamas to be used by those who seek to delegitimize Israel. It is time for other responsible nations to join the U.S. in condemning Hamas\u2019 terror and urging the Palestinian leadership to get serious about negotiating peace with Israel.\u201d\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://ros-lehtinen.house.gov/press-release/el-congreso-aprueba-legislaci%C3%B3n-sancionando-violadores-de-derechos-humanos-en", "El Congreso Aprueba Legislacin Sancionando a Violadores de Derechos Humanos en Venezuela", "2014-12-10", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Ileana Ros-Lehtinen", "R000435", "ros-lehtinen.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "El Congreso Aprueba Legislaci\u00f3n Sancionando a Violadores de Derechos Humanos en Venezuela\n\u201cEs oportuno y apropiado que hoy, D\u00eda Internacional de los Derechos Humanos la C\u00e1mara de Representantes env\u00ede al Presidente Obama esta importante legislaci\u00f3n que sanciona a funcionarios del r\u00e9gimen venezolano acusados de cometer abusos a los derechos humanos.\u201d\n(WASHINGTON) \u2013\u00a0 La Congresista Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Presidenta del Subcomit\u00e9 del Medio Oriente y \u00c1frica del Norte, hizo la siguiente declaraci\u00f3n referente a la aprobaci\u00f3n del Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act en la C\u00e1mara de Representantes. Destac\u00f3 Ros-Lehtinen:\n\u201cEs oportuno y apropiado que hoy, D\u00eda Internacional de los Derechos Humanos, la C\u00e1mara de Representantes env\u00ede al Presidente Obama esta importante legislaci\u00f3n que sanciona a funcionarios del r\u00e9gimen venezolano acusados de cometer abusos a los derechos humanos. Me gustar\u00eda agradecer a los Senadores Men\u00e9ndez y Rubio por trabajar conmigo para conseguir apoyo Congresional para la legislaci\u00f3n que busca negar visas a los violadores de derechos humanos, congelar sus bienes y bloquear sus propiedades en los Estados Unidos. El Congreso ha actuado de manera unificada y bipartidista para enviar un mensaje inequ\u00edvoco de que no continuaremos tolerando la impunidad en violaciones de los derechos humanos en Venezuela y que apoyaremos los llamados de democracia y libertad por el pueblo de Venezuela. Urjo al Presidente Obama y al Departamento de Estado a cumplir vigorosamente y con rapidez las sanciones contra los funcionarios Venezolanos\u201d\nNota: La Congresista Ileana Ros-Lehtinen es la autora del proyecto de ley H.R. 4587, Venezuelan Human Rights and Democracy Protection Act, que fue aprobado por la C\u00e1mara de Representantes el 28 de Mayo de 2014. Los Senadores Bob Men\u00e9ndez y Marco Rubio fueron los autores del S. 2142 que fue aprobado el lunes 8 de diciembre.\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://ros-lehtinen.house.gov/press-release/press-advisory-venezuela-defense-human-rights-and-civil-society-act-be-debated-and", "PRESS ADVISORY: Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act To Be Debated and Voted on By House of Representatives at 6pm TODAY, December 10", "2014-12-10", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Ileana Ros-Lehtinen", "R000435", "ros-lehtinen.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "PRESS ADVISORY: Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act To Be Debated and Brought to the Floor for Consideration By House of Representatives at 6pm TODAY, December 10\n(Washington, DC) \u2013 U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman of the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee,\u00a0 issued the following advisory regarding the planned debate and consideration of S. 2142 \u2013 the Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act of 2014 in the House of Representatives.\nWHO: Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Chairman of the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee, and other Members of Congress\nWHAT: Debate and Consideration of S. 2142 \u2013 the Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act of 2014 in the U.S. House of Representatives\nWHEN: Wednesday, December 10, 2014 at approximately 6pm (please stay tuned to C-SPAN up to an hour before the planned debate and consideration due to shifting schedules in the House)\nNOTE: Chairman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen is the author of H.R. 4587 \u2013 the Venezuelan Human Rights and Democracy Protection Act, which sanctions officials in the regime of Nicolas Maduro who are responsible for committing human rights violations. The bill passed the House of Representatives by unanimous consent on May 28, 2014. Senators Bob Menendez and Marco Rubio were the Senate authors of S. 2142, which passed on Monday, December 8, 2014.\nTo view the House of Representatives Floor Schedule, please click here.\n\u00a0\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://ros-lehtinen.house.gov/press-release/stakes-are-even-higher-afghanistan-iraq-we-cannot-allow-taliban-reestablish-terrorist", "Stakes are Even Higher in Afghanistan than Iraq; We Cannot Allow Taliban to Reestablish a Terrorist Safe Haven in Afghanistan, Says Ros-Lehtinen", "2014-12-10", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Ileana Ros-Lehtinen", "R000435", "ros-lehtinen.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Stakes are Even Higher in Afghanistan than Iraq; We Cannot Allow Taliban to Reestablish a Terrorist Safe Haven in Afghanistan, Says Ros-Lehtinen\n(Washington, DC) \u2013 U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman of the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee, made the following statement at a joint subcommittee hearing entitled \u201cAfter the Withdrawal: The Way Forward in Afghanistan and Pakistan (Part III).\u201d Statement by Ros-Lehtinen (as prepared for delivery):\n\u201cThis is the third and final hearing this session in a series of hearings these two subcommittees have had aimed at examining the way forward in Afghanistan and Pakistan after the US withdrawal. In addition, the Middle East and North Africa subcommittee has held hearings on how our counternarcotics efforts will be impacted by the withdrawal, and on our relief and reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan and what needs to be done to address the waste, fraud and abuse that the Special Investigator General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) and the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) have found over the years.\nAs of Monday, the U.S. and NATO coalition has officially closed their Afghanistan combat command and we have transitioned from a military to a civilian led presence. A maximum 10,800 U.S. troops will remain in Afghanistan for the first three months of 2015, with that number dropping to 5,500 by the end of next year and down to just a few hundred by the end of 2016. But we must ponder: has the Administration made the decision to withdraw from Afghanistan by the end of 2016 based on a political decision or a strategic decision; and are we leaving the security of Afghanistan and our own national interests in the hands of a capable and trustworthy government and security forces?\nAs we take a back seat to the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) and leave in its hands the fate of Afghanistan\u2019s security, we have many reasons for concern. This past year, with the ANSF taking the lead and conducting many of its own operations, we witnessed the bloodiest year in Afghanistan since 2001, as the ANSF suffered over 5,000 casualties. U.S. military leaders in Afghanistan, including the outgoing top international commander Lieutenant General Joseph Anderson, have called this casualty rate and the rate of desertion in the ANSF unsustainable. As the U.S. began its transition out of the lead last year, the Taliban and an abundance of other terrorists groups and factions across the country have stepped up their attacks, and the rate of attacks are only likely to increase now that they know that the U.S. and our allies have ended our combat operations.\nBut terrorists inside Afghanistan\u2019s borders are not its only challenge. Pakistan continues to harbor and host insurgents and other extremists in the Afghan border regions. Making matters worse, Pakistan\u2019s intelligence service is known to cooperate with the Taliban as it works to undermine Afghanistan\u2019s stability. Even more concerning, Pakistan\u2019s nuclear weapons stockpile is reportedly growing faster than any other in the world and notoriously insecure. Security concerns with Pakistan are also not helped when the Afghan government cannot form a cabinet, including key positions like defense minister. A weak and corrupt government, combined with incapable security forces, does not indicate a positive path forward.\nAnother threat that gets constantly ignored is counter narcotics. Opium cultivation and production again increased sharply this year and Afghanistan is responsible for over 90% of the world\u2019s opium supply. This is an estimated $3 billion dollar industry that generates immense profits, finances terrorists in and outside of Afghanistan, and feeds the rampant corruption that continues to plague its government.\nAs we approach this new phase in Afghanistan, we must be honest with ourselves and the American people. Even though the U.S. has closed its combat command, President Obama has reportedly changed the rules of engagement so that all remaining U.S. troops will be allowed to carry out combat missions, instead of just training and advising. Combat aircraft and drones will now be allowed to provide air support. President Ghani is pleading with the administration for additional support, troops, and funds, desperate to ensure his country does not become another Iraq. The administration likes to pretend that Iraq and Afghanistan are different \u2013 or at least, as Secretary Hagel claimed yesterday, that the differences outweigh the similarities. But Secretary Hagel and the administration cannot hide from the facts. Since the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq in 2011, we have seen the brutal terrorist group ISIL take over large portions of both Iraq and Syria, displace millions of people, leave thousands dead, and threaten the interests of both the U.S. and every ally in the region. The fact is that U.S. troops have returned to Iraq, although we continue to lack a comprehensive or coherent strategy there.\nThe stakes are even higher in Afghanistan. If we do not leave behind a stable, strong Afghan government, with capable security forces, the Taliban will not hesitate to reclaim its lost territory and quickly establish another safe haven for terrorists to thrive. The United States has paid too much in blood and treasure to allow this to happen. We owe it to our brave men and women who have sacrificed everything to protect our values and way of life and to whom we are forever indebted. We owe it to heroes like Christian Guzman Torres, a Marine Corporal from my Congressional District, who gave his life in the name of freedom and democracy, and whose memory and legacy will live on forever at the Post Office named in his honor in Princeton, Florida. We owe it to all those who made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure that we do not let the gains we have made slip away, and that we do not allow the Taliban reestablish itself and further destabilize the region.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.rubio.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/fighting-for-florida?ContentRecord_id=7730e629-9a20-4d9c-b6b9-6d74f048d4b4", "Commemorating International Human Rights Day", "2014-12-10", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today we commemorate International Human Rights Day. It\u2019s a day to be thankful for our God-given rights but also to remember that there are millions of people around the world who are denied their most basic human rights every day.\u00a0This includes Saeed Abedini, an Iranian-American pastor who has been imprisoned in Iran since September 2012 for being a Christian. Unfortunately the story of Pastor Abedini is an all too common occurrence around the world where governments frequently harass and unjustly imprison foreign nationals as well as their own citizens for their religious beliefs.\u00a0 \r\n   \r\nOne of the most egregious violations of human rights occurring across the globe and even in my home state of Florida is human trafficking. Just this past week, 61 people were charged with human trafficking in a sting operation in Polk County. I applaud the work of law enforcement that caught these perpetrators of modern day slavery and pray for the victims of this horrendous crime.\u00a0 We, however, must remain vigilant and continue to work to combat this terrible crime which plagues our society.\r\n   \r\nToday we honor Saeed Abedini, and all other prisoners of consciences who are struggling to exercise their human rights, as well as the millions of people who are trapped in modern day slavery.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.rubio.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=04578079-7586-42d3-b770-a84a14edfa2f", "Rubio Comments On Obamacare Bailout Provisions", "2014-12-10", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), the original sponsor of S.2214, the Obamacare Taxpayer Bailout Protection Act, today issued the following statement regarding the Obamacare bailout provisions in the omnibus spending bill released last night:\r\n   \r\n\u201cFor over a year, I\u2019ve fought to protect\u00a0Americans from having to fund massive bailouts to protect the profits of the insurance companies that helped write\u00a0Obamacare.\u00a0While there is much in this massive spending measure that is simply bad for America, at least the provisions protecting against a taxpayer-funded bailout of insurance companies\u00a0are\u00a0a step in the right direction. While the Obama administration can still administer the risk-corridor program,\u00a0for one year at least,\u00a0they\u00a0won\u2019t be able to\u00a0use taxpayer funds to bail out insurance companies. When Congress returns next year, I will fight to permanently repeal the risk corridor provisions to protect taxpayers after the current legislation expires.\u201d\r\n   \r\nIn October, Rubio and his colleagues sent a letter to Speaker Boehner urging him to protect Congress\u2019 power of the purse and prohibit the Obama administration from dispersing unlawful risk corridor payments that expose taxpayers to an Obamacare bailout.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.rubio.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=68099ab7-8375-4972-a2bf-eb20934032ec", "Rubio Comments On Senates Passage Of Coast Guard Reauthorization", "2014-12-10", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "2 major Rubio provisions on veterans, small commercial vessels included\r\n   \r\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), the Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and the Coast Guard, today welcomed the Senate\u2019s unanimous passage of legislation to reauthorize the U.S. Coast Guard through FY 2015.\r\n   \r\nAmong the legislation\u2019s measures are two provisions Rubio championed that would make it easier for veterans to be hired in the maritime industry, as well as a three year exemption for small commercial vessels from unnecessary regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).\r\n   \r\n\u201cFlorida's maritime industry is a national leader in economic opportunity and job creation, and we need to do all we can to eliminate unnecessary job obstacles that veterans face when transitioning back to civilian careers in this sector,\u201d said Rubio. \u201cIncluding this pro-veterans policy in this legislation is something that will make a real difference to our returning heroes.\r\n   \r\n\u201cWe should also act to make sure small commercial fishing vessels have some relief for the coming year that the EPA won\u2019t crush their businesses with burdensome regulations,\u201d added Rubio. \u201cI remain committed to passing broader legislation that addresses more of the problems the EPA is unnecessarily causing commercial vessel owners, but this at least provides some temporary relief until we can pass a permanent solution next year.\u201d\r\n \r\nMore specifically, the legislation includes a Rubio-championed provision that will streamline the mariner certification process for veterans by allowing for relevant military experience to count towards the certification. It also requires the Cabinet secretary overseeing the Coast Guard to maximize the extent to which U.S. Armed Forces service, training and qualifications are creditable toward meeting internal seafarer standards.\r\n   \r\nOn November 19, Rubio introduced legislation to provide one year regulatory relief to small commercial vessels and then worked to successfully include this three year exemption in the Coast Guard Reauthorization Act. In the new Congress, Rubio intends to introduce longer term relief based on The Vessel Incidental Discharge Act, which he introduced earlier this year. The Vessel Incidental Discharge Act includes a permanent exemption from EPA regulations for small commercial vessel owners and also provides regulatory relief for larger commercial vessel owners.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.rubio.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=cfd3b620-dea3-4ca7-875e-e9d647813163", "In Video Statements, Rubio Comments After House Passage Of Venezuela Sanctions Bill (English & Espaol)", "2014-12-10", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Bill now awaits President\u2019s signature to become law\r\n   \r\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) welcomed today\u2019s passage by the U.S. House of Representatives of S. 2142, The Venezuela Human Rights and Defense of Civil Society Act. Having also passed in the Senate on Monday evening, the bill now awaits the President\u2019s signature to become law.\r\n   \r\nView Rubio\u2019s remarks here in English and here in Spanish.\r\n   \r\nFor TV stations interested in airing a broadcast quality version of Rubio\u2019s statements, downloads are available here in English and here in Spanish. For radio stations interested in airing audio, mp3 downloads are available here in English and in Spanish.\r\n   \r\nRubio issued the following statement:\r\n   \r\n\u201cWith these sanctions, we can end the days of Venezuelan regime officials and thugs repressing innocent Venezuelans in their day jobs and then coming to Florida to live in the lap of luxury and splurge Venezuela\u2019s wealth. This is the first step to address human rights violations in Venezuela, and it will be a blow to the hypocrites in Nicol\u00e1s Maduro\u2019s regime who talk a lot about socialist sacrifice but who themselves are immune from its failures and live in a fantasy world of gold-plated iPads and fancy cars, even though most Venezuelans can\u2019t even find basic necessities like food and toilet paper.\r\n   \r\n\u201cAlthough passing this sanctions legislation is important, it\u2019s only the first step in our work supporting the human rights and democratic aspirations of the Venezuelan people. As Venezuela\u2019s economy and society further deteriorates under the weight of an incompetent, unaccountable and repressive government, failed socialist economic system and dropping oil prices, I believe we are going to see even more repression from Maduro\u2019s regime.\u201d\r\n   \r\nS. 2142 was sponsored by Rubio and Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez (D-NJ). The House effort to pass Venezuela sanctions legislation was led by Representatives Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Mario Diaz-Balart.\r\n   \r\nS. 2142 directs the President to apply targeted visas and financial sanctions against individuals, including members of the government, public security forces, and armed civilian groups, who have perpetrated, ordered or directed acts of violence or human rights abuses against peaceful demonstrators in Venezuela, or have directed or ordered the arrest or prosecution of a person primarily because of the person\u2019s legitimate exercise of freedom of expression or assembly. S. 2142 also calls for a report on obstacles to access objective media content in Venezuela, current efforts by the U.S. government to address these challenges, and a strategy for expanding existing programs.\r\n   \r\nSPANISH VERSION OF STATEMENT\r\n   \r\n\u201cCon estas sanciones, podemos poner fin a los d\u00edas en que individuos del r\u00e9gimen violan los derechos humanos del pueblo venezolano durante la semana y luego se pasan sus vacaciones en la Florida viviendo de lujo y malgastando la riqueza de Venezuela. Este primer paso lo sentir\u00e1n los hip\u00f3critas del r\u00e9gimen de Nicol\u00e1s Maduro que hablan tanto del sacrificio socialista, pero que viven exentos de los fracasos de este sistema, y dentro de un mundo de fantas\u00eda con iPads forradas en oro y carros de lujo, todo esto mientras que al pueblo venezolano le cuesta trabajo encontrar las necesidades b\u00e1sicas como comida y papel sanitario.\r\n   \r\n\u201cAunque estas sanciones son importantes, solo es el primer paso en nuestro trabajo apoyando los derechos humanos y las aspiraciones democr\u00e1ticas del pueblo venezolano. Vamos a seguir viendo el empeoramiento de la econom\u00eda y la sociedad venezolana bajo el peso de un gobierno incompetente, irresponsable y represivo \u2013 y tambi\u00e9n bajo el peso de un fracasado sistema socialista y la ca\u00edda de los precios de petr\u00f3leo. Debido a todo esto, tenemos que estar preparados para ver a\u00fan m\u00e1s represi\u00f3n en el futuro de parte del r\u00e9gimen de Maduro\u201d.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://ros-lehtinen.house.gov/press-release/c%C3%A1mara-de-representantes-votar%C3%A1-el-venezuela-defense-human-rights-and-civil-society", "Cmara de Representantes Votar el Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act Esta Semana; Ros-Lehtinen Pide Su Aprobacin", "2014-12-09", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Ileana Ros-Lehtinen", "R000435", "ros-lehtinen.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "C\u00e1mara de Representantes Votar\u00e1 el Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act Esta Semana; Ros-Lehtinen Pide Su Aprobaci\u00f3n                                           \n              Dec 9, 2014      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n          \n  \n    \n    \n    C\u00e1mara de Representantes Votar\u00e1 el Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act Esta Semana; Ros-Lehtinen Pide Su Aprobaci\u00f3n\n\u201cMe complace ver que la C\u00e1mara de Representantes someter\u00e1 a votaci\u00f3n esta semana la legislaci\u00f3n del Senado que busca sancionar al r\u00e9gimen de Maduro por sus violaciones de los derechos humanos contra el pueblo de Venezuela\u201d\n(Washington, DC) \u2013 La Congresista Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) Presidenta del Comit\u00e9 de Medio Oriente y \u00c1frica del Norte hizo las siguientes declaraciones tras conocer que el S 2142 \u2013 El Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act ser\u00e1 sometido a voto en la C\u00e1mara de Representantes esta semana. Destac\u00f3 Ros-Lehtinen:\n\u201cMe complace ver que la C\u00e1mara de Representantes someter\u00e1 a votaci\u00f3n esta semana la legislaci\u00f3n del Senado que busca sancionar al r\u00e9gimen de Maduro por sus violaciones de los derechos humanos contra el pueblo de Venezuela. De aprobarse esta legislaci\u00f3n, enviar\u00edamos un mensaje inequ\u00edvoco que nosotros no permitiremos que las acciones del r\u00e9gimen de Maduro queden impunes y reafirma que el Congreso apoya solidariamente al pueblo de Venezuela. \u00a0\nNota: La Congresista Ileana Ros-Lehtinen es autora del H.R. 4587- the Venezuelan Human Rights and Democracy Protection Act, que sanciona a funcionarios del r\u00e9gimen de Nicol\u00e1s Maduro responsables por cometer abusos a los derechos humanos. Esa legislaci\u00f3n fue aprobada por la C\u00e1mara de Representantes por consenso un\u00e1nime el 28 de Mayo de 2014. Los Senadores Bob Men\u00e9ndez y Marco Rubio fueron los autores del S. 2142 que fue aprobado el lunes 8 de diciembre. Por favor, haga click aqu\u00ed para ver los proyectos de ley considerados bajo suspensi\u00f3n de las reglas para la semana del 8 de Diciembre de 2014.\n\u00a0\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://ros-lehtinen.house.gov/press-release/house-representatives-vote-venezuela-defense-human-rights-and-civil-society-act-week", "House of Representatives to Vote on Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act This Week; Ros-Lehtinen Urges Passage", "2014-12-09", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Ileana Ros-Lehtinen", "R000435", "ros-lehtinen.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "House of Representatives to Vote on Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act This Week; Ros-Lehtinen Urges Passage\n\u201cI\u2019m pleased that the U.S. House of Representatives will vote on sanctions legislation to punish the Maduro regime for its violations of the Venezuelan people\u2019s human rights.\u201d\n(Washington, DC) \u2013 U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman of the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee, made the following statement after learning that\u00a0S. 2142 \u2013 the Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act of 2014 will come to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives this week. Statement by Ros-Lehtinen:\n\u201cI\u2019m pleased that the U.S. House of Representatives will bring to the floor this week the Senate legislation aimed at sanctioning the Maduro regime for its violations of human rights against the people of Venezuela. By passing this legislation, we send a unequivocal message that we will not allow the actions of the Maduro regime to go unpunished and reaffirms that Congress stands in solidarity with the Venezuelan people.\u201d\nNOTE: Chairman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen is the author of H.R. 4587 \u2013 the Venezuelan Human Rights and Democracy Protection Act, which sanctions officials in the regime of Nicolas Maduro who are responsible for committing human rights violations. The bill passed the House of Representatives by unanimous consent on May 28, 2014. Senators Bob Menendez and Marco Rubio were the Senate authors of S. 2142, which passed on Monday, December 8. Please click here to see bills that may be considered under suspension of the rules for the week of December 8, 2014.\n\u00a0\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://ros-lehtinen.house.gov/press-release/proyecto-de-ley-de-ros-lehtinen-que-honra-h%C3%A9roe-local-fallecido-en-combate-mientras", "Proyecto de Ley de Ros-Lehtinen Que Honra Hroe Local Fallecido En Combate Mientras Serva a Nuestra Nacin Lo Aprob el Senado y Pasa Al Escritorio Del Presidente Obama", "2014-12-09", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Ileana Ros-Lehtinen", "R000435", "ros-lehtinen.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Proyecto de Ley de Ros-Lehtinen Que Honra H\u00e9roe Local Fallecido En Combate Mientras Serv\u00eda a Nuestra Naci\u00f3n Lo Aprob\u00f3 el Senado y Pasa Al Escritorio Del Presidente Obama\n\u201cEs un orgullo para m\u00ed que el Congreso de los Estados Unidos reconoci\u00f3 servicio verdadero a nuestra naci\u00f3n y dedic\u00f3 una oficina de correos en nombre de nuestro h\u00e9roe local, Christian A. Guzman Rivera, quien hizo el mayor sacrificio por nosotros. La dedicaci\u00f3n de Christian a nuestro pa\u00eds, sin pensar en s\u00ed mismo, muestra el compromiso que \u00e9l ten\u00eda para asegurar que vivamos en libertad y siempre estaremos en deuda por su servicio.\u201d\n(WASHINGTON) \u2013 El proyecto de ley de la Congresista Ileana Ros-Lehtinen honrando a nuestro h\u00e9roe local el Cabo de la Marina Christian A. Guzman Rivera, quien valientemente sacrific\u00f3 su vida por nuestra naci\u00f3n, designando la oficina de correo de South Dade localizada en 13500 SW 250 Street en Princeton, Florida como Corporal Christian A. Guzman Rivera Post Office Building, fue aprobado hoy por el Senado por consenso un\u00e1nime despu\u00e9s que fuera aprobado por la C\u00e1mara de Representates gracias al liderazgo de Ros-Lehtinen el 8 de septiembre 2014. El proyecto ahora va al escritorio del Presidente Obama para su firma.\nGuzm\u00e1n Rivera, Cabo de\u00a0 la Marina, fue un residente del condado Miami-Dade, quien se present\u00f3 voluntariamente para el servicio de combate y muri\u00f3 en acci\u00f3n, mientras serv\u00eda a nuestro pa\u00eds en Afganist\u00e1n como Ingeniero de Combate en el 2do Batall\u00f3n, 3er Regimiento de la Marina. Durante su tiempo en Afganist\u00e1n, Guzm\u00e1n Rivera asumi\u00f3 el cargo de l\u00edder de equipo sin pensar en s\u00ed mismo cuando el l\u00edder de su equipo fue herido y hospitalizado. \u00c9l asisti\u00f3 a escuelas locales y particip\u00f3 en el programa de bomberos de Miami Dade College, porque su sue\u00f1o era ser bombero, antes de presentarse para el servicio en la Marina debido a su dedicaci\u00f3n a nuestra naci\u00f3n.\nGuzm\u00e1n Rivera recibi\u00f3 los premios Medalla de Honor de los Cuerpos Naval y de la Marina, Medalla Coraz\u00f3n P\u00farpura y List\u00f3n por Acci\u00f3n en Combate. Su querida madre Velma, una empleada dedicada del correo, y su hermano Jonathan han vivido en el Sur de la Florida desde 1989. Su padrastro, F\u00e9lix Torres, ha sido parte esencial de la familia desde 1997. Todos quedaron devastados por la muerte de Christian, pero est\u00e1n orgullosos de su honroso sacrificio por nuestras libertades.\nRos-Lehtinen tiene un largo historial trabajando para asegurar que nuestros soldados, quienes han hecho el m\u00e1ximo sacrificio sean honrados; adem\u00e1s ella lucha por las necesidades de nuestros veteranos. Ella entiende las necesidades de nuestros veteranos porque su esposo, Dexter, es un veterano de combate quien se present\u00f3 voluntariamente para el servicio y fue severamente herido mientras sirvi\u00f3 a nuestro pa\u00eds en Vietnam. Actualmente como oficiales de la Reserva de la Marina, su hijastro, Doug, y su nuera, Lindsay, \u00a0sirvieron a nuestro pa\u00eds en Irak y Lindsay tambi\u00e9n sirvi\u00f3 en Afganist\u00e1n.\nDestac\u00f3 Ros-Lehtinen:\n\u201cEs un orgullo para m\u00ed que el Congreso de los Estados Unidos reconoci\u00f3 este servicio verdadero a nuestra naci\u00f3n y dedic\u00f3 una oficina de correos en nombre de nuestro h\u00e9roe local, Christian A. Guzman Rivera, quien hizo el mayor sacrificio por nosotros. La dedicaci\u00f3n de Christian a nuestro pa\u00eds, sin pensar en s\u00ed mismo, muestra el compromiso que el ten\u00eda para asegurar que vivamos en libertad y siempre estaremos en deuda por su servicio. Su ejemplo de dedicaci\u00f3n a nuestra naci\u00f3n en uno de nuestros tiempos m\u00e1s dif\u00edciles es uno que todos los j\u00f3venes deben emular.\nAunque ser\u00eda m\u00e1s f\u00e1cil escoger una vida m\u00e1s cerca de su hogar, Christian quer\u00eda hacer una diferencia positiva en el mundo y servir a nuestro pa\u00eds con honor. Por sus intenciones y sacrificios, estaremos siempre agradecidos. Dedicar una oficina de correo no regresa este h\u00e9roe a nosotros; es s\u00f3lo una muestra peque\u00f1a de nuestra gratitud, de una comunidad agradecida por el m\u00e1ximo sacrificio que Christian hizo por nosotros.\u201d\nNOTA: El proyecto de ley de Ros-Lehtinen va a designar la oficina de correo en 13500 SW 250 Street en Princeton, Florida como Corporal Christian A. Guzman Rivera Post Office Building. La madre del Corporal Guzm\u00e1n Rivera, Velma, escogi\u00f3 el edificio que ser\u00e1 designado.\n######", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://ros-lehtinen.house.gov/press-release/ros-lehtinen-aplaude-aprobaci%C3%B3n-de-legislaci%C3%B3n-imponiendo-sanciones-venezuela-en-el", "Ros-Lehtinen Aplaude Aprobacin de Legislacin Imponiendo Sanciones a Venezuela en el Senado", "2014-12-09", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Ileana Ros-Lehtinen", "R000435", "ros-lehtinen.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Ros-Lehtinen Aplaude Aprobaci\u00f3n de Legislaci\u00f3n Imponiendo Sanciones a Venezuela en el Senado\n\u201cMe gustar\u00eda aplaudir al Senado por aprobar legislaci\u00f3n de sentido com\u00fan que castigara al r\u00e9gimen de Maduro y sus secuaces por los rampantes abusos a los derechos humanos que han sido cometidos en Venezuela\u201d\n(Washington, DC) \u2013 La Congresista Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) Presidenta del Comit\u00e9 de Medio Oriente y \u00c1frica del Norte hizo las siguientes declaraciones sobre la aprobaci\u00f3n del\nS 2142 \u2013 the Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act of 2014. Destac\u00f3 Ros-Lehtinen:\n\t\u201cMe gustar\u00eda aplaudir al Senado por aprobar legislaci\u00f3n de sentido com\u00fan que castigara al r\u00e9gimen de Maduro y sus secuaces por los rampantes abusos a los derechos humanos que han sido cometidos en Venezuela. De las protestas en las calles de Caracas, a las farsas judiciales contra Leopoldo L\u00f3pez y Mar\u00eda Corina Machado por las cortes sometidas de Maduro, el r\u00e9gimen s\u00f3lo ha demostrado inter\u00e9s en su auto preservaci\u00f3n, destruyendo los principios democr\u00e1ticos y socavando las libertades fundamentales de los venezolanos. Es mi aspiraci\u00f3n que la C\u00e1mara de Representantes tome y apruebe esta importante legislaci\u00f3n de inmediato de manera que cuente con la firma del Presidente Obama. Los opresores venezolanos ser\u00e1n negados visas para entrar a los Estados Unidos y sus propiedades junto con sus bienes ser\u00e1n congelados.\nNota: La Congresista Ileana Ros-Lehtinen es autora del H.R. 4587- the Venezuelan Human Rights and Democracy Protection Act, que sanciona funcionarios del r\u00e9gimen de Nicol\u00e1s Maduro responsables por cometer abusos a los derechos humanos. Esa legislaci\u00f3n fue aprobada por la C\u00e1mara de Representantes por consenso un\u00e1nime el 28 de Mayo de 2014. Los Senadores Bob Men\u00e9ndez y Marco Rubio fueron los autores del S. 2142 que fue aprobado hoy.\nPara ver el discurso hoy de la Congresista Ros-Lehtinen en el pleno de la C\u00e1mara de Representantes concerniendo la situaci\u00f3n en Venezuela y la legislaci\u00f3n sobre las sanciones, haga click aqu\u00ed.\n\u00a0\n#######", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://ros-lehtinen.house.gov/press-release/ros-lehtinen-applauds-senate-passage-venezuela-sanctions-bill", "Ros-Lehtinen Applauds Senate Passage of Venezuela Sanctions Bill", "2014-12-09", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Ileana Ros-Lehtinen", "R000435", "ros-lehtinen.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Ros-Lehtinen Applauds Senate Passage of Venezuela Sanctions Bill\n\u201cI would like to applaud the Senate for passing commonsense legislation which will punish the Maduro regime and its cronies for the rampant human rights abuses they have committed in Venezuela.\u201d\n(Washington, DC) \u2013 U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman of the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee, made the following statement regarding the passage of S. 2142 \u2013 the Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act of 2014. Statement by Ros-Lehtinen:\n\n\t\u201cI would like to applaud the Senate for passing commonsense legislation which will punish the Maduro regime and its cronies for the rampant human rights abuses they have committed in Venezuela. From the protests in the streets of Caracas to the farcical judicial proceedings against Leopoldo Lopez and Maria Corina Machado by Maduro\u2019s own kangaroo courts, we have seen that the regime is only interested in self-preservation, trampling on democratic principles, and undermining the fundamental freedoms of the Venezuelan people. It is my hope that the House will take up and pass this legislation immediately so that with President Obama\u2019s signature, Venezuela\u2019s oppressors will be denied visas to enter the United States and their properties along with their assets will be frozen.\u201d\nNOTE: Chairman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen is the author of H.R. 4587 \u2013 the Venezuelan Human Rights and Democracy Protection Act, which sanctions officials in the regime of Nicolas Maduro who are responsible for committing human rights violations. The bill passed the House of Representatives by unanimous consent on May 28, 2014. Senators Bob Menendez and Marco Rubio were the Senate authors of S. 2142, which passed today.\nTo view Rep. Ros-Lehtinen\u2019s remarks today on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives regarding the situation in Venezuela and the sanctions legislation, click here.\n\u00a0\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://ros-lehtinen.house.gov/press-release/ros-lehtinen-bill-honors-local-hero-killed-afghanistan-while-serving-our-country", "Ros-Lehtinen Bill That Honors Local Hero Killed in Afghanistan While Serving Our Country Passes U.S. Senate; Will Go to President Obamas Desk", "2014-12-09", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Ileana Ros-Lehtinen", "R000435", "ros-lehtinen.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Ros-Lehtinen Bill That Honors Local Hero Killed in Afghanistan While Serving Our Country Passes U.S. Senate; Will Go to President Obama\u2019s Desk\n\u201cI am proud that the United States Congress recognized true service to our nation and dedicated a post office for our local hero, Christian A. Guzman Rivera, who made the ultimate sacrifice for us all. Christian\u2019s selfless dedication to our country shows the commitment that he had to ensuring we live in freedom and we will forever be indebted to him for his service.\u201d\n(WASHINGTON) -- U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen\u2019s bill honoring our local hero Marine Corporal Christian A. Guzman Rivera, who valiantly sacrificed his life for our country, designating the South Dade post office at 13500 SW 250 Street in Princeton, Florida as the Corporal Christian A. Guzman Rivera Post Office Building passed the United States Senate today by unanimous consent following passage of the bill in the U.S. House of Representatives by Ros-Lehtinen on September 8, 2014. The bill will now go to President Obama\u2019s desk for signature.\nGuzman Rivera, a Marine Corporal, was a Miami-Dade County resident who volunteered for active duty service and was killed in action while serving our nation in Afghanistan as a combat engineer for the 2nd\u00a0Battalion, 3rd\u00a0Marine Regiment. During his time in Afghanistan, Guzman Rivera selflessly assumed his squad leader\u2019s leadership position when his squad leader was wounded and hospitalized. He attended Gulfstream Elementary School, Florida Centennial Middle School, and Homestead Senior High School. He went on to participate in Miami Dade College\u2019s firefighter program, as his dream had been to be a firefighter, before volunteering for duty in the Marine Corps due to his dedication to our country.\nGuzman Rivera was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Purple Heart Medal, and Combat Action Ribbon. His loving mother Velma, a dedicated postal worker, and his brother Jonathan have lived in South Florida since 1989. His step-father, Felix Torres, has been a strong support for the family since 1997. All were devastated by Christian\u2019s passing but are proud of his honorable sacrifice for our freedoms.\nRos-Lehtinen has a long record working to ensure soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice are honored, in addition to fighting for our veterans. She understands the needs of veterans because her husband, Dexter, is a combat veteran who volunteered for service and sustained serious injuries while serving our country in Vietnam. Currently Marine Reservists, her step-son, Doug, and daughter-in-law, Lindsay, served our nation as Marine officers in Iraq and Lindsay also served in Afghanistan.\nStatement by Ros-Lehtinen:\n\u201cI am proud that the United States Congress recognized true service to our nation and dedicated a post office for our local hero, Christian A. Guzman Rivera, who made the\u00a0ultimate\u00a0sacrifice for us all. It is my sincere hope that President Obama will sign the bill into law so we can properly honor this American patriot. Christian\u2019s selfless dedication to our country shows the commitment that he had to ensuring we live in freedom and we will forever be indebted to him for his service. His example of dedication to his country during one of our most trying times is one that every young person should seek to emulate.\u00a0\nWhile it would have been easier to choose a life closer to home, Christian sought to make a difference in this world and served his country honorably. For his intentions and sacrifices, we are forever grateful. Dedicating a Post Office for him will not bring this hero back; it is but a small measure of gratitude from a thankful community for the ultimate sacrifice Christian made for all of us.\u201d\nNOTE:\u00a0Ros-Lehtinen\u2019s bill will designate the Post Office at 13500 SW 250 Street in Princeton, Florida as the Corporal Christian A. Guzman Rivera Post Office Building. Cpl. Guzman Rivera\u2019s mother, Velma, chose the building that is being designated.\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://ros-lehtinen.house.gov/press-release/ros-lehtinen-deutch-poe-and-sherman-lead-bipartisan-letter-treasury-department-seeking", "Ros-Lehtinen, Deutch, Poe, and Sherman Lead Bipartisan Letter to Treasury Department Seeking Action Against Hamas Supporters In Turkey and Qatar", "2014-12-09", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Ileana Ros-Lehtinen", "R000435", "ros-lehtinen.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Ros-Lehtinen, Deutch, Poe, and Sherman Lead Bipartisan Letter to Treasury Department Seeking Action Against Hamas Supporters In Turkey and Qatar\n(WASHINGTON) \u2013 Today U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman of the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee, was joined by Rep. Ted Deutch (D-FL), Ranking Member of the Middle East and North Africa subcommittee, and Reps. Ted Poe (R-TX) and Brad Sherman (D-CA), Chairman and Ranking Member respectively of the Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade Subcommittee in sending a letter to the U.S. Department of Treasury urging it to do more to designate and sanction individuals and entities that provide financial, political or material support for Hamas - a U.S. designated foreign terrorist organization. The letter was cosigned by 20 additional Members of the two subcommittees. Statement by Ros-Lehtinen:\n\u201cIt\u2019s no secret that Turkey and Qatar provide refuge to many Hamas operatives, and that both of these supposed American allies have become major terror financial hubs. While the Treasury Department has taken significant action against Hamas and its supporters, more can be done to halt support for this terrorist group. Both Turkey and Qatar have thus far been extremely lax in enforcing their terror financing laws and taking action against U.S. designated individuals or entities. By going after those individuals and entities tied to support for Hamas, Treasury can send a strong message to both governments that they need to get on board and sanction entities that are supporting terrorism or risk further isolation from America and our financial sector.\u201d\n\u00a0\nNOTE: Cosigners are: Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ted Deutch (D-FL), Ted Poe (R-TX), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Steve Chabot (R-OH), Joseph Kennedy III (D-MA), Ron DeSantis (R-FL), Grace Meng (D-NY), Randy Weber (R-TX), Brian Higgins (D-NY), Scott Perry (R-PA), Lois Frankel (D-FL), Paul Cook (R-CA), Alan Lowenthal (D-CA), Joe Wilson (R-SC), Juan Vargas (D-CA), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Bradley Schneider (D-IL), Ted Yoho (R-FL), Alan Grayson (D-FL), Doug Collins (R-GA), David Cicilline (D-RI), Curt Clawson (R-FL), and Mark Meadows (R-NC).\nText of the letter is below. To see the final, signed letter, please click here.\n\u00a0\nDecember 9, 2014\n\u00a0The Honorable David S. Cohen  \nUnder Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence  \nDepartment of the Treasury\n\u00a0Dear Under Secretary Cohen:\n\u00a0We would like to take this opportunity to recognize and commend the efforts of the Department of Treasury to hamper the ability of Hamas \u2013 a U.S. designated Foreign Terrorist Organization \u2013 to raise and move money, as well as its efforts to sanction entities controlled by Hamas, and designate senior Hamas officials on the Specially Designated Nationals List (SDN). On September 9, 2014, the Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa and the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade convened a joint subcommittee hearing entitled \u201cHamas\u2019 Benefactors: A Network of Terror\u201d. While we recognize that Treasury\u2019s designations have taken a toll on the operations of this terrorist organization, we believe that more can be done, and we urge Treasury to take all necessary measures to sanction individuals or entities that are directly or indirectly financing or materially supporting Hamas.\n\u00a0As you know, Hamas traditionally relied on Iran for much of its financial and political support. However, others in the region have stepped up to provide support for Hamas. Qatar\u2019s $400 million donation for Gaza reconstruction in 2012 bolstered Hamas\u2019 credibility in Gaza and may have directly supported Hamas-backed entities. Qatar also allows Hamas\u2019 top leader, politburo chief Khalid Mishaal, to operate out of its territory knowingly and with impunity. It was even widely reported in the press that Qatar threatened to deport Mishaal if Hamas had accepted an Egypt-backed ceasefire agreement to end this summer\u2019s conflict in Gaza.\n\u00a0We are concerned about the ties between Qatar and Hamas, and we commend you on your speech before the Center for a New American Security, where you stated that, \u201cQatar, a longtime U.S. ally, has for many years openly financed Hamas,\u201d and that press reports indicate that the Qatari government is also \u201csupporting extremist groups operating in Syria,\u201d further adding to the instability of the region. As you noted in your speech, there are private fundraising networks in Qatar that solicit donations for terrorists. Qatar, in your words, is \u201ca permissive terrorist financing environment.\u201d\n\u00a0We are also concerned about Turkey\u2019s continued support for Hamas. Turkey serves as the headquarters for Saleh al-Arouri, who is believed to head Hamas\u2019 terrorist operations in the West Bank. In August, the media reported that he was behind an allegedly thwarted plot to topple, undermine, or replace the Palestinian Authority government in the West Bank. Also in August, al-Arouri stated that Hamas was behind the kidnapping and murder of three Israeli teens this June.\nIn addition to Hamas figures that knowingly and openly operate in Turkey, numerous charities, front companies and possibly even banks\u00a0 provide some form of support from Turkey for the terror group. One organization that has been reported to have had direct contact with Hamas is the Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) charity that planned the flotilla incident of 2010. We are aware that Treasury has expressed concerns about IHH\u2019s terrorism connections in the past.\nAny entity or nation that continues to back this U.S. designated Foreign Terrorist Organization and provide it material and financial support should be sanctioned. Therefore, as Members of the Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa and the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade, we are requesting that Treasury use every tool available to designate all individuals, institutions, entities, charities, front companies, banks, and government officials who clearly violate U.S. laws by assisting Hamas and its proxies. We also request specific public updates on Treasury\u2019s discussions with the Qatari government on previously designated, Qatar-based terrorist financiers that the Qataris have yet to act upon.\n\u00a0Thank you for your immediate attention in this matter.\n\u00a0\nSincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://ros-lehtinen.house.gov/press-release/ros-lehtinen-deutch-poe-y-sherman-dirigen-carta-al-departamento-del-tesoro-pidiendo", "Ros-Lehtinen, Deutch, Poe, y Sherman Dirigen Carta al Departamento del Tesoro Pidiendo Accin Contra Promotores de Hamas en Turqua y Qatar", "2014-12-09", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Ileana Ros-Lehtinen", "R000435", "ros-lehtinen.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Ros-Lehtinen, Deutch, Poe, y Sherman Dirigen Carta al Departamento del Tesoro Pidiendo Acci\u00f3n Contra Promotores de Hamas en Turqu\u00eda y Qatar \n(Washington, DC) \u2013 La Congresista Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Presidenta del Subcomit\u00e9 del Medio Oriente y \u00c1frica del Norte junto al Congresista Ted Deutch (R-FL) Miembro de Alto Rango del Subcomit\u00e9 del Medio Oriente y \u00c1frica del Norte y los Congresistas Ted Poe (R-TX) y Brad Sherman (D-CA) Presidente y Miembro de Alto Rango del Subcomit\u00e9 Contra el Terrorismo, No-Proliferaci\u00f3n y Comercio enviaron una carta al Departamento del Tesoro urgi\u00e9ndole que haga m\u00e1s para designar y sancionar a individuos y entidades que proveen apoyo financiero, pol\u00edtico o material a Hamas, una organizaci\u00f3n designada por los EEUU como organizaci\u00f3n de terrorismo internacional. La carta fue co-firmada por 20 miembros adicionales de los dos subcomit\u00e9s. Destac\u00f3 Ros-Lehtinen:\n\u201cNo es un secreto que Turqu\u00eda y Qatar proveen refugio a muchos operativos de Hamas y que ambos presuntos aliados de Estados Unidos se han convertido en importantes centros financieros del terror. Mientras el Departamento del Tesoro ha tomado acci\u00f3n significativa contra Hamas y sus patrocinadores, m\u00e1s puede hacerse para detener el apoyo a este grupo terrorista. Tanto Turqu\u00eda como Qatar han sido extremadamente leves en el cumplimiento de sus leyes contra el financiamiento del terrorismo y tomado acciones contra los individuos y las organizaciones designadas por los EEUU como patrocinadores del terrorismo internacional. Al atacar a estos individuos y entidades conectadas por su apoyo a Hamas, el Departamento del Tesoro enviar\u00eda un mensaje fuerte a estos gobiernos de que necesitan sancionar a las entidades que apoyan al terrorismo o se arriesgan a mayor aislaci\u00f3n por parte de los Estados Unidos y nuestro sector financiero. \n\u00a0\nNOTA: Los co-firmantes son: Congresistas Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ted Deutch (D-FL), Ted Poe (R-TX), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Steve Chabot (R-OH), Joseph Kennedy III (D-MA), Ron DeSantis (R-FL), Grace Meng (D-NY), Randy Weber (R-TX), Brian Higgins (D-NY), Scott Perry (R-PA), Lois Frankel (D-FL), Paul Cook (R-CA), Alan Lowenthal (D-CA), Joe Wilson (R-SC), Juan Vargas (D-CA), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Bradley Schneider (D-IL), Ted Yoho (R-FL), Alan Grayson (D-FL), Doug Collins (R-GA), David Cicilline (D-RI), Curt Clawson (R-FL), y Mark Meadows (R-NC).\nEl texto de la carta se encuentra reproducido abajo. Para ver la carta firmada, por favor haga click aqu\u00ed.\n\u00a0\nDecember 9, 2014\nThe Honorable David S. Cohen  \nUnder Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence  \nDepartment of the Treasury  \n1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW  \nWashington, D.C. 20220  \nDear Under Secretary Cohen:\nWe would like to take this opportunity to recognize and commend the efforts of the Department of Treasury to hamper the ability of Hamas \u2013 a U.S. designated Foreign Terrorist Organization \u2013 to raise and move money, as well as its efforts to sanction entities controlled by Hamas, and designate senior Hamas officials on the Specially Designated Nationals List (SDN). On September 9, 2014, the Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa and the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade convened a joint subcommittee hearing entitled \u201cHamas\u2019 Benefactors: A Network of Terror\u201d. While we recognize that Treasury\u2019s designations have taken a toll on the operations of this terrorist organization, we believe that more can be done, and we urge Treasury to take all necessary measures to sanction individuals or entities that are directly or indirectly financing or materially supporting Hamas.\nAs you know, Hamas traditionally relied on Iran for much of its financial and political support. However, others in the region have stepped up to provide support for Hamas. Qatar\u2019s $400 million donation for Gaza reconstruction in 2012 bolstered Hamas\u2019 credibility in Gaza and may have directly supported Hamas-backed entities. Qatar also allows Hamas\u2019 top leader, politburo chief Khalid Mishaal, to operate out of its territory knowingly and with impunity. It was even widely reported in the press that Qatar threatened to deport Mishaal if Hamas had accepted an Egypt-backed ceasefire agreement to end this summer\u2019s conflict in Gaza.\nWe are concerned about the ties between Qatar and Hamas, and we commend you on your speech before the Center for a New American Security, where you stated that, \u201cQatar, a longtime U.S. ally, has for many years openly financed Hamas,\u201d and that press reports indicate that the Qatari government is also \u201csupporting extremist groups operating in Syria,\u201d further adding to the instability of the region. As you noted in your speech, there are private fundraising networks in Qatar that solicit donations for terrorists. Qatar, in your words, is \u201ca permissive terrorist financing environment.\u201d\nWe are also concerned about Turkey\u2019s continued support for Hamas. Turkey serves as the headquarters for Saleh al-Arouri, who is believed to head Hamas\u2019 terrorist operations in the West Bank. In August, the media reported that he was behind an allegedly thwarted plot to topple, undermine, or replace the Palestinian Authority government in the West Bank. Also in August, al-Arouri stated that Hamas was behind the kidnapping and murder of three Israeli teens this June.\nIn addition to Hamas figures that knowingly and openly operate in Turkey, numerous charities, front companies and possibly even banks\u00a0 provide some form of support from Turkey for the terror group. One organization that has been reported to have had direct contact with Hamas is the Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) charity that planned the flotilla incident of 2010. We are aware that Treasury has expressed concerns about IHH\u2019s terrorism connections in the past.\nAny entity or nation that continues to back this U.S. designated Foreign Terrorist Organization and provide it material and financial support should be sanctioned. Therefore, as Members of the Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa and the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade, we are requesting that Treasury use every tool available to designate all individuals, institutions, entities, charities, front companies, banks, and government officials who clearly violate U.S. laws by assisting Hamas and its proxies. We also request specific public updates on Treasury\u2019s discussions with the Qatari government on previously designated, Qatar-based terrorist financiers that the Qataris have yet to act upon.\nThank you for your immediate attention in this matter.\nSincerely,\n\u00a0\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://ros-lehtinen.house.gov/press-release/working-improve-health-care-south-florida-ros-lehtinen-supports-two-important-bills", "Working to Improve Health Care in South Florida, Ros-Lehtinen Supports Two Important Bills", "2014-12-09", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Ileana Ros-Lehtinen", "R000435", "ros-lehtinen.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Working to Improve Health Care in South Florida, Ros-Lehtinen Supports Two Important Bills\n\u201cOur nation should work to ensure that those who have sacrificed so much are taken care of, and that we re-double our efforts to prevent breast cancer, which has already negatively impacted too many families.\u201d\n(WASHINGTON) \u2013 Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen announced her support of two important bills which will help improve health care in South Florida. The bills are:\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 the EARLY Act Reauthorization, which would support efforts to educate young women and health care professionals about breast cancer, and enhance research, patient support, and disease prevention programs; and\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act, which would evaluate Department of Defense mental health and suicide prevention programs to ensure they are effectively serving our veterans.\nRos-Lehtinen has a long record of working to ensure our veterans receive the care they deserve. She understands the needs of veterans because her husband, Dexter, is a combat veteran who volunteered for service and sustained serious injuries while serving our country in Vietnam. Currently Marine Reservists, her step-son, Doug, and daughter-in-law, Lindsay, served our nation as Marine officers in Iraq and Lindsay also served in Afghanistan.\nStatement by Ros-Lehtinen:\n\u201cOur nation should work to ensure that those who have sacrificed so much are taken care of, and that we re-double our efforts to prevent breast cancer, which has already negatively impacted too many families. Only with the proper programs in place can we make our country a healthier, happier, and more productive place to live for all Americans. \u201d\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bilirakis.house.gov/media/press-releases/bilirakis-announces-holiday-open-house", "Bilirakis Announces Holiday Open House", "2014-12-08", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Gus Bilirakis", "B001257", "bilirakis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), today announced a Holiday Open House in his Tarpon Springs District Office. To RSVP please call (727) 940-5860.\nI hope my constituents and their families will be able to attend and celebrate the Holiday season with us. There will be refreshments, and my staff and I look forward to greeting you, Bilirakis said.\nTarpon Springs Holiday Open House\nWhere:38500 U.S. Highway 19 North\n       Room BB-038 of the Michael & Evelyn Bilirakis Building\n       Tarpon Springs Campus of St. Petersburg College\nWhen:December 17, 2:00 P.M.  3:30 P.M.\nRSVP:(727) 940-5860", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bilirakis.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-gus-bilirakis-boosting-floridas-economy-through-brand-usa", "ICYMI: Gus Bilirakis: Boosting Florida's economy through Brand USA", "2014-12-08", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Gus Bilirakis", "B001257", "bilirakis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Florida  the Sunshine State  is one of America's best destinations for tourists. Florida's Twelfth Congressional District  which I have the distinct pleasure of representing  is no different. From the growing Sunwest Harbourtowne in Hudson and sponge diving in Tarpon Springs, to the Suncoast Primate Sanctuary in Palm Harbor and the famous BMX track in Oldsmar, my district and the Tampa Bay area at large boast significant tourism destinations.\nTourism and travel are vital to our economy, employing over 1 million Floridians. On Nov. 17, an editorial published in The Tampa Tribune underscored that fact (Boosts from record tourism, Our Views).\nVisit Tampa Bay is the promotion engine to draw visitors to the Tampa Bay area. Visit Tampa Bay reports that hotel revenues in Hillsborough County climbed to $524 million in fiscal year 2014, a 13 percent jump over the previous year.\nVisit Florida, Florida's version of Visit Tampa Bay, boasts similar successes. From January-July 2013 to January-July 2014, travel and tourism expenditures increased by over 7 percent, to the tune of $49.3 billion.\nThese programs are clearly working, on the state and local level.\nI am the only Florida member of Congress on the Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade, which oversees travel and tourism. I am in a unique position to boost travel and tourism to Florida. The national version of Visit Florida is the Corporation for Travel Promotion, better known as Brand USA.\nBrand USA is a public-private partnership that serves as the nation's first cooperative destination marketing organization. The organization is charged with growing America's share of the global travel market. Through a combination of voluntary private sector contributions and a nominal fee on foreign visitors, Brand USA's activities are aimed at influencing increased global visitation to and spending in the United States, without a cost to U.S. taxpayers. Additionally, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) expects this bill to cut the deficit by $264 million over 10 years.\nBrand USA's efforts were responsible for bringing over 1 million visitors to America last year  visitors who would not have traveled here without the marketing efforts of Brand USA. These tourists spent $3.4 billion.\nThe bottom line is that Brand USA works, just like Visit Tampa Bay and Visit Florida. That is why I introduced the Travel Promotion, Enhancement and Modernization Act. My legislation extends Brand USA through 2020, adding numerous accountability measures.\nFlorida heavily relies on tourism and travel, and the Sunshine State has much to offer visitors. Through public-private partnerships and international tourism, we can welcome visitors to our country and, more particularly, to our beautiful state. My legislation will help the U.S. economy flourish and will show the world why Florida is a special place to visit.\nU.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Palm Harbor, represents the 12th Congressional District, which includes all of Pasco County and northern parts of Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.\nTo read the article online,click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.rubio.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=3772740a-7848-4a63-b792-524692a1ac29", "Rubio, Risch Statement On Senate Intelligence Committee Release Of Interrogation Study", "2014-12-08", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Jim Risch (R-ID) issued the following statement regarding the impending declassification of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence release of a partisan report on CIA interrogation and detention programs:\r\n   \r\n\u201cThe one-sided report that will be released by Democrats on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence cost U.S. tax-payers over $40 million dollars to produce, and its authors never interviewed a single CIA official.\u00a0\r\n   \r\n\u201cIt is unconscionable that the Committee and the White House would support releasing this report despite warnings from our allies, the U.S. State Department, and a new coordinated Intelligence Community document assessing the increased risk to the United States the release of this report poses. We are concerned that this release could endanger the lives of Americans overseas, jeopardize U.S. relations with foreign partners, potentially incite violence, create political problems for our allies, and be used as a recruitment tool for our enemies. Simply put, this release is reckless and irresponsible. We have written to the administration reminding them of these concerns.\u00a0\r\n   \r\n\u201cCongress has a legitimate and necessary role to play in conducting serious and constructive oversight of our intelligence agencies and capabilities. This report does not qualify as either serious or constructive. This was a partisan effort that divided members of the committee, and the committee against the people of the CIA. We voted against this report because it is flawed, and voted against declassifying this report because we believed that its release could put American lives at risk, be used to contribute to propaganda against the United States by our enemies, and damage U.S. foreign policy and counterterrorism efforts.\u00a0\r\n \r\n\u201cThe American civilian and uniformed personnel who worked tirelessly in the days and months after the September 11, 2001 attacks on our nation to keep us safe and prevent another mass casualty event deserve our eternal gratitude, not politically\u2013motivated attacks. As a nation at war, we need a coherent detention and interrogation policy in order to extract valuable intelligence about terrorist networks from captured operatives. The Obama Administration has no detention policy, and it has hindered U.S. efforts to fight terrorism globally.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.rubio.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=3ba7250b-411b-47f9-a648-3ca42ef11ef1", "Rubio Delivers Remarks Honoring Floridas Pearl Harbor Veterans", "2014-12-08", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) today delivered remarks on the floor of the U.S. Senate to commemorate yesterday\u2019s 73rd anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Today marks the 73rd anniversary of the U.S. entering World War II.\r\n   \r\nAccording to official estimates, there are approximately 140 Pearl Harbor veterans currently residing in Florida. Rubio highlighted three of these Pearl Harbor veterans and their stories. They included:\r\n   \r\n \r\nSergeant Major William Braddock of Pensacola, who was honored on Friday at a World War II/Pearl Harbor commemoration event at the National Naval Aviation Museum Foundation in Pensacola.\r\n \r\n   \r\n \r\nChief Machinist\u2019s Mate Wayne Myrick of Palm Beach County, who will be featured in the Star Spangled Heroes exhibition at Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach through January 31.\r\n \r\n   \r\n \r\nCommander Hal Sullivan of Jacksonville, who was honored on Thursday at a Jacksonville Navy League Luncheon at the River Club Downtown.\r\n \r\n   \r\nVideo of the speech is available here, and the complete transcript is below:\r\n    U.S. Senator Marco Rubio     Rubio Delivers Remarks Honoring Florida\u2019s Pearl Harbor Veterans     U.S. Senate Floor     Washington, D.C.     December 8, 2014     VIDEO: \u00a0http://youtu.be/kHd_0qu5VVk  \r\nYesterday, at events all around Florida and across the country, America marked the 73rd anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor \u2013 a day known for its tragedy, but also for its role in shaping the destiny of what has come to be called The Greatest Generation.\r\n   \r\nIt\u2019s a generation that faced challenges unlike any seen before or since. It saw a decade of widespread prosperity crumble into the deepest depression in American history, and it saw the deepest depression in American history give way to the deadliest war in human history.\r\n   \r\nThe scope of hardship, destruction, and wickedness they faced was exceeded only by the strength and valor with which they responded. Theirs is a generation that truly saved the world. I don\u2019t think any other generation at any time can have that said of them with the same bluntness.\r\n   \r\nToday that generation passes its stories on to us. They are our parents and our grandparents; our ancestors and our heritage. Their stories are emblems of strength that inspire us as we meet our challenges in this new century.\r\n \r\nYesterday we honored the almost 2,500 Americans that were killed on that day of infamy 73 years ago \u2013 they were unsuspecting service members, innocent men and women. But today we have a chance to honor the sacrifices made in response to the attack.\r\n \r\nIt was on this very day 73 years ago that President Roosevelt famously came before Congress to ask for a declaration of war. He expressed his confidence that the American people would rally to defend their nation, saying, \u201cThe people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.\u201d\r\n   \r\nAnd he was right. In the days that followed, five million Americans dropped everything to volunteer for the Armed Forces. No one asked them to do it, they just did it. Tens of millions more entered the draft or assisted the war effort at home, and the American people became the arsenal of democracy almost overnight.\r\n   \r\nIn the latter years of his life, I had the honor of meeting and working with a man who was at Pearl Harbor. He was in Pearl Harbor that day, and who fought on foreign battlefields in the years that followed, even losing a limb. I\u2019m speaking, of course, of the legendary leader with whom we\u2019re all familiar, Senator Daniel Inouye.\r\n   \r\nHe was born and raised in Hawaii, and was 17 years old on December 7, 1941. When the attack on Pearl Harbor occurred, he rushed to the scene to help treat the wounded. He enlisted in the Army the first chance he got, and went on to receive the Medal of Honor for his valor.\r\n   \r\nAnd when the smoke of World War II had finally cleared, his legacy of service was just beginning. He would go on to serve Hawaii in both the United States Senate and the United States House. By the time of his death, Senator Inouye was the second longest serving Senator in United States history, and I was privileged to count him as my colleague, though for too brief a time.\r\n   \r\nLike Senator Inouye, I\u2019ve also had the privilege of representing many veterans of World War II, including some who survived the attack on Pearl Harbor \u2013 at last count, there were over 140 Pearl Harbor survivors living in Florida. I\u2019d like to tell you the stories of three of those men.\r\n   \r\n***\r\n   \r\nOne is Sergeant Major William Braddock of Pensacola. I recently had the privilege of hearing his account of what happened that Sunday morning in Hawaii.\r\n   \r\nMajor Braddock had joined the Marine Corps the year prior to the attack. That morning, he was in the mess hall preparing for duty when he heard the first explosion. He ran outside and he was met with pandemonium.\r\n   \r\nShips that had been stretched out peacefully in the sun moments before were now engulfed in flames, blanketing the harbor in black smoke. He watched a torpedo drop into the water and, seconds later, explode into the side of the USS Oklahoma.\r\n   \r\nHe described the stain of oil on the water, the way flames shot up from it, and the horror of watching sailors trapped in the fire. Amidst the confusion and the shouting of orders, he recalled how little he could do to save lives, and how helpless he felt.\r\n   \r\nFollowing the attack, Major Braddock went on to fight bravely in some of the key battles in World War II. He fought in the battle of Iwo Jima, and remembers vividly the day the iconic flag was raised above the island. He was in the occupational forces in Japan after the devastation of the atomic bombs.\r\n   \r\nBut despite all the horrors he witnessed, Major Braddock didn\u2019t retire from the armed services the first chance he got. On the contrary, he went on to 27 years of distinguished service in the Marine Corps.\r\n   \r\nI can\u2019t help but be humbled hearing such a story. Major Braddock is a man who fought out of duty and out of love for his country. He saw himself as a citizen soldier, even recalling the way his experience hunting rabbits in the fields around his house as a boy actually prepared him for Iwo Jima. He is humble regarding his role, and says he tries not to give too much thought to it when he doesn\u2019t have to.\r\n   \r\n***\r\n   \r\nThat same modesty is the hallmark of another story, the story of a Pearl Harbor survivor who lives in Palm Beach County today. His name is Wayne Myrick, and he was a Chief Machinist\u2019s Mate on the USS Blue at the time of the attack.\r\n   \r\nWithin seconds of the first explosion, Chief Petty Officer Myrick had rushed to gather ammunition and help operate the guns aboard that destroyer. But as a chief machinist, his attention soon turned to other matters. The captain of the USS Blue was eager to get the ship out on open water, but the boilers beneath deck were off-line.\r\n   \r\nSo under intense gun fire, Chief Petty Officer Myrick and his crewmembers scrambled to get the boilers working, and eventually managed to give the ship the maneuvering speed to move out. With his help, the USS Blue was one of the first vessels to make it to open water, and was able to down five enemy aircraft and at least one submarine.\r\n   \r\nChief Petty Officer Myrick recalled how important his oath was to him that day. He and every one of his shipmates took an oath when they enlisted that commanded them to follow their orders and defend their country from all enemies \u2013 and he viewed that oath as a solemn and sacred one, because it was a reminder that service to one\u2019s country is about more than just self.\r\n   \r\nHe had a simple but powerful message he wanted me to share today: \u201cBe very proud to serve your country.\u201d\r\n \r\n***\r\n   \r\nFinally I\u2019d like to share with you the story of Commander Hal Sullivan of Jacksonville.\r\n   \r\nCommander Sullivan joined the United States Navy when he was 23 years old. He was on the bridge of a destroyer that Sunday morning, tasked with operating the sonar equipment and helping sweep for mines.\r\n \r\nWhen the first explosion rocked the harbor, he looked up to see a Japanese plane bank sharply overhead, so close to him that he could see the expression on the face of the pilot. He even recalled wryly that he could have thrown a potato right into the cockpit if he\u2019d had one handy.\r\n   \r\nBefore he could process what was happening, gunfire swept over the deck and struck the sailor next to him in the jaw. Commander Sullivan hoisted the man up and helped him to a medic. He spoke of looking up and seeing the USS Arizona rolling over with its belly up as flames shot out of its sides. He saw sailors struggling in the water.\r\n \r\nCommander Sullivan insists that his job isn\u2019t worthy of fame, and that his contribution that day was simply the execution of duty. But through that humility, I can\u2019t help but see a hero \u2013 a man as selfless as he is brave, a man who put the lives of others above his own, not just that day, but for decades to come.\r\n   \r\nCommander Hal Sullivan went on to serve in both the Atlantic and the Pacific, and he didn\u2019t retire from the Navy until almost 30 years after the attack on Pearl Harbor, on the exact same week that his son entered West Point.\r\n \r\nEven now, at the age of 96, Hal says he\u2019d still be in in the Navy if they'd let him. I\u2019m touched by that. Because the truth is, Hal\u2019s country still needs him. Maybe not on the deck of a ship. Maybe not risking his life in the middle of the Pacific. But we need him all the same, because it\u2019s through hearing stories like his that our generation will find the courage to face its challenges, a courage that is uniquely American.\r\n   \r\n***\r\n   \r\nPearl Harbor wasn\u2019t just a day of infamy, it was also a day that revealed the greatness of our ancestors \u2013 people like Major Braddock, Chief Petty Officer Myrick, and Commander Sullivan. It\u2019s their blood that flows in the veins of this country, that serves as our heritage and reveals our destiny.\r\n   \r\nI believe it\u2019s true, as Shakespeare famously wrote, that \u201csome are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.\u201d But for the Greatest Generation, it was all three.\r\n   \r\nPearl Harbor was the day their greatness was thrust upon them, but it was over the years that followed that their greatness was achieved the only way greatness can be achieved \u2013 through blood, toil, tears and sweat.\r\n   \r\nAnd their toil did not stop after the war was won. The world still looked to America \u2013 to our industrial power, our political leadership, and our military might \u2013 to restore global balance and maintain order while the wounds of mankind healed.\r\n   \r\nAs Pope Pius the 12th said following the war, \u201cAmerica has a genius for great and unselfish deeds. Into the hands of America God has placed the destiny of an afflicted mankind.\u201d\r\n   \r\nI believe America still has that genius. I believe mankind remains afflicted, and that its destiny remains in our hands. All around the world, those who yearn for freedom still turn their eyes toward our shores. They wonder if we see their suffering. They wonder if we hear their cries.\r\n   \r\nI am confident that our own generation will achieve greatness in this century. We will do so by remaining the world\u2019s beacon for freedom. That means preserving and extending the promise of the American Dream here at home, and it means standing against evil and oppression when it rears its head around the world.\r\n   \r\nLike the Greatest Generation, our men and women in uniform today fight for a cause greater than themselves. Major Braddock said if he could tell today\u2019s troops one thing, it would be: Don't give up, do what's right, and above all else, be proud of the work you\u2019re tasked with carrying out.\r\n   \r\nI second that sentiment. Because our children and grandchildren will stand on the shoulders of our generation \u2013 they will live in the world we leave behind, the same way we live in the world that was left for us.\r\n   \r\nSo as we marked the 73rd anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, I was grateful for all the tributes that took place throughout Florida over the weekend. And it is my prayer that America will take a moment to reflect on the meaning of that day.\r\n   \r\nIts meaning is not a relic of the past \u2013 it doesn\u2019t belong just to the Greatest Generation \u2013 it belongs to all of us. It was America\u2019s solemn call to action, not for a generation, but for all time \u2013 a powerful reminder of our duty to our nation, to each other, to our children, and to an afflicted mankind.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.rubio.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=e25abb79-7a2b-4fb6-a840-899103159be2", "Rubio Comments After U.S. Senate Passes Venezuela Sanctions Legislation", "2014-12-08", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Marco Rubio tonight issued the following statement after the U.S. Senate passed by voice vote the Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act of 2014, which is sponsored by Rubio and Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez (D-NJ):\r\n   \r\n\u201cThe U.S. stands with the Venezuelan people and against their oppressors in the regime of Nicol\u00e1s \u00a0Maduro. This is a long overdue but important step to demonstrate America\u2019s commitment to the human rights and democratic aspirations of the Venezuelan people in both words and actions. These sanctions will go after Maduro regime officials and thugs who have spent all of 2014 authorizing and carrying out assassinations, beatings, unjustified incarcerations, kangaroo court trials and absurd indictments of its political opponents and innocent Venezuelans demanding a better future.\r\n   \r\n\u201cI congratulate my House colleagues, particularly Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Mario Diaz-Balart, for their work in passing Venezuela sanctions legislation earlier this year. Before this Congress adjourns, I am hopeful that, for all the challenges the Venezuelan people have faced this year, we can at least end it on a positive note by turning these sanctions into a law signed by the President and implemented by the administration.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://buchanan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/buchanan-named-social-security-subcommittee-ways-means", "Buchanan Named to Social Security Subcommittee on Ways & Means", "2014-12-05", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Vern Buchanan", "B001260", "buchanan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Protecting Seniors Retirement Security Top Priority \nWASHINGTON  U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-FL, has been named to the Social Security Subcommittee of Ways & Means, giving him a key role in preserving the vital retirement program for todays seniors and future generations. Buchanan, a senior member of the committee, also serves on the Trade and Health subcommittees.\nI am honored to be named to such an important subcommittee, Buchanan said after incoming Chairman Paul Ryan, R-WI, announced his selection. Protecting Social Security has always been one of my highest priorities. Seniors have worked their entire lives with the promise of a safe retirement. Thats a promise we must always keep.\nThe Subcommittee on Social Security has jurisdiction over Social Security retirement, survivors and disability programs and oversees the operations of the Social Security Administration.\nThe U.S. House passed legislation this week (H.R. 5739), co-sponsored by Buchanan, denying Social Security benefits to Nazi war criminals. The bill was originally introduced by Congressman Sam Johnson, a former POW in Vietnam and chairman of the Social Security Subcommittee.\nThe Ways and Means Committee is the chief tax-writing body in the House of Representatives. The U.S. Constitution give it sole power in Congress to initiate tax bills, making it even more powerful than its counterpart in the Senate, the Finance Committee. Buchanan is the only member from Florida to serve on the Committee.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://dennisross.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398227", "Ross Statement on the Lakeland World War II Memorial Dedication", "2014-12-05", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Dennis Ross", "R000593", "dennisross.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. --U.S. Rep. Dennis A. Ross (R-FL-15), Senior Deputy Majority Whip and member of the House Committee on Financial Services today released the following statement as phase one of the World War II Memorial Plaza is being dedicated in Veterans Park located in Lakeland, Florida.\r\n\u201cToday\u2019s dedication ceremony is very special to our community, our community service members and those who served throughout America. Phase one of the World War II Memorial unveils the Pearl Harbor is honorably being dedicated on the anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attacks on December 7th, 1941. It is fitting that the first portion of the memorial to be placed will honor the casualties of Pearl Harbor.\r\n\u201cDecember 7, 1941, is still a day that lives in infamy. The War in the Pacific was a hard-fought, slow, and deadly campaign that tested the very resolve of the American military. And yet, through the valor and heroism of our service men and women, we were victorious.\r\n\u201cMy own father served in the Navy in the Pacific theater, and the stories he told me growing up made me appreciate not only his patriotism and courage, but that of his brothers in arms. I am thankful that these brave heroes will be honored in Lakeland this weekend for their courage and sacrifice during one of the most important military campaigns in our nation\u2019s history\u201d\r\n ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://ros-lehtinen.house.gov/press-release/us-french-holocaust-agreement-step-right-direction-more-must-be-done-ensure-all", "US-French Holocaust Agreement A Step In The Right Direction; More Must Be Done To Ensure All Survivors Receive Their Justice", "2014-12-05", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Ileana Ros-Lehtinen", "R000435", "ros-lehtinen.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "US-French Holocaust Agreement A Step In The Right Direction; More Must Be Done To Ensure All Survivors Receive Their Justice                                           \n              Dec 5, 2014      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n          \n  \n    \n    \n    US-French Holocaust Agreement A Step In The Right Direction; More Must Be Done To Ensure All Survivors Receive Their Justice\n(WASHINGTON) \u2013 U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman of the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee, made the following statement regarding today\u2019s announcement that the U.S. and France have come to an agreement on compensation for victims of Holocaust-related deportation from France by the SNCF railway company. Statement by Ros-Lehtinen:\u00a0\n\u201cThis agreement is a step in the right direction toward getting many Holocaust victims, and their families, the justice that has evaded them for nearly seventy years. The fact that the French government has acknowledged its culpability in humanity\u2019s darkest period is a victory for those whose lives were torn asunder by the Nazi regime and its collaborators. This agreement serves as a grim reminder of the urgency with which we need to press to ensure that all Holocaust survivors receive their day of justice, including the recovery of billions of unpaid insurance policies and providing resources for all the needs of tens of thousands of survivors who are living in poverty across the world. I will continue to work in Congress with my colleagues in a bipartisan manner to ensure that the voices of all Holocaust survivors are heard and justice is served.\u201d\n#####\nNOTE: Ros-Lehtinen had joined Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) in introducing the Holocaust Rail Justice Act every Congress since 2009, which would have given survivors and their family members a forum to bring claims against the SNCF for its role in transporting tens of thousands of Jews and others to Nazi death camps. Ros-Lehtinen has championed the rights of Holocaust survivors to sue in court for justice through other initiatives as well, and has held several hearings on the plight of survivors with the hope of ensuring that all survivors get the justice that has been denied them for seven decades.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://desantis.house.gov/press-releases?ID=22747F42-3820-4025-B86D-2E2BC83F5FD4", "DeSantis Named Vice-Chairman of Constitution Subcommittee", "2014-12-05", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Ron DeSantis", "D000621", "desantis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "St. Augustine, FL \u2013 Chairman of the House Committee on the Judiciary, Rep. Bob Goodlatte (VA-06), has named Rep. Ron DeSantis (FL-06) Vice-Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice for the 114th Congress. DeSantis will be serving with Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Trent Franks (AZ-08).\n\n\u201cIt is an honor to have been named Vice- Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice, and I look forward to working with Subcommittee Chairman Franks and Chairman Goodlatte to continue to advance legislation that protects our Constitution,\u201d? DeSantis said. \u201cWe in Congress take an oath to support and defend the Constitution and we have a duty to discharge this important responsibility with great care. Having taken the oath to support the Constitution as an officer in the Navy, the preservation of our constitution order is something I have been committed to for quite some time.\"\n\n\u201cCongressman Ron DeSantis has been a tremendous asset to the House Judiciary Committee over the past two years,\u201d? Goodlatte said. \u201cHis expertise on many of the issues facing our nation and the Committee make him well-suited to serve as Vice Chairman of the Constitution and Civil Justice Subcommittee. I look forward to working with him as we seek to safeguard Americans\u2013 liberties, promote an efficient and just legal system, and fight against President Obama\u2013s pattern of executive overreach.\u201d?\n\n\u201cCongressman DeSantis will be an invaluable Vice-Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice,\u201d? Franks said. \u201cHe brings a rigorous intellectual understanding of civil justice issues and has substantial expertise in federal claims reform and Constitutional rights. This background will effectively complement our subcommittee\u2013s focus on President Obama\u2013s gross executive overreach. I look forward to serving with Congressman DeSantis as we protect the liberties enshrined in our Constitution for all U.S. citizens.\u201d?", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.rubio.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=1cf5b74d-9b02-4916-bb6b-376f237c4db5", "MEDIA ADVISORY: Rubios Office To Host Mobile Office Hours", "2014-12-05", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 The office of U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) today released a list of upcoming Mobile Office Hours throughout Florida. Each week, Rubio\u2019s staff offers a variety of constituent services, assisting people with a wide range of issues, including problems with Social Security, Medicare, Veterans Affairs, and more. Rubio\u2019s office recently published a \u201cConstituent Service Report\u201d highlighting the types of cases it has helped resolve.\r\n   \r\nA list of upcoming Mobile Office Hours is below:\r\n    Saturday, December 6, 2014     Orange County     10:00am \u2013 2:00pm     Veterans Resource Expo     Orlando VA Medical Center at Lake Baldwin     Auditorium A and B     5201 Raymond Street     Orlando, FL 32803     *This event is being held in partnership with FL Senator Andy Gardiner and Commissioner Ted Edwards. Representatives from area organizations that serve Veterans and their families will be on site to meet with visitors.\r\nTuesday, December 9, 2014     Osceola County     9:30am \u2013 12:00pm     Robert Guevara Community Center     501 Florida Parkway     Kissimmee, FL 34743\r\nPasco County     10:00am \u2013 12:00pm     New River Library     34043 State Road 54     Wesley Chapel, FL 33543\r\nNassau County     11:00am \u2013 1:00pm     James Page Governmental Complex     County Managers Conference Room     96135 Nassau Place, Suite 1     Yulee, FL 32097\r\nHernando County     2:00pm \u2013 4:00pm     Brooksville City Hall     201 Howell Avenue     Brooksville, FL 34601\r\nWednesday, December 10, 2014     Clay County     12:00pm \u2013 2:00pm     Middleburg \u2013 Clay Hill     Branch Library     Main Meeting Room\u00a0     2245 Aster Avenue     Middleburg, FL 32068\r\nThursday, December 11, 2014     Union County     10:00am \u2013 11:30am     Union County Courthouse     Board Room     55 W. Main Street     Lake Butler, FL\u00a0\r\nPinellas County     10:00am \u2013 12:00pm     Largo City Hall     201 Highland Avenue     Largo, FL 33770\r\nBaker County     12:30pm \u2013 2:00pm     Board of County Commissioners     Conference Room     55 North 3rd Street     Macclenny, FL\u00a0 32063\r\nBroward County     3:00pm \u2013 5:00pm     Northwest Regional Library     3151 N. University Drive     Coral Springs, FL 33065\r\nFriday, December 12, 2014     Miami-Dade County     9:00am \u2013 4:00pm     Florida International University - Stadium Club     11200 SW 8 Street     Miami, Florida 33199     *This event is being held in partnership with FL Representative Michael Bileca and Commissioner Esteban Bovo Jr. Representatives from area organizations that serve Veterans and their families will be on site to meet with visitors.\r\nMonday, December 15, 2014     Collier County     12:00pm \u2013 1:00pm     Everglades City Hall     102 Broadway Avenue East     Everglades City, FL 34139\r\nWakulla County     1:30pm \u2013 3:00pm     Sopchoppy City Hall     105 Municipal Avenue     Sopchoppy, FL 32358\r\nWednesday, December 17, 2014     Orange County     10:00am \u2013 12:00pm     Renaissance Senior Community Center     Orange County Parks & Recreation     3800 S. Econlockhatchee Trail     Orlando, FL 32829\r\nVolusia County     10:00am \u2013 2:00pm     City of Daytona Beach     City Hall Lobby     301 S. Ridgewood Ave.     Daytona Beach, FL 32114\r\nDuval County     2:00pm \u2013 4:00pm     Five STAR Veterans Center     40 Acme Street     Jacksonville, FL 32211\r\nOsceola County     4:00pm \u2013 7:00pm     Poinciana Community Center     395 Marigold Ave.     Kissimmee, FL 34759\r\nThursday, December 18, 2014     Lee County     10:00am \u2013 11:00am     Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce     25 Homestead Road North     Lehigh Acres, FL 33936\r\nHendry County     11:30am \u2013 12:30pm     LaBelle City Hall     481 W. Hickpochee Avenue     LaBella, FL 33935\r\nGlades County     1:00pm \u2013 2:00pm     Glades County Courthouse     County Commission Chamber, 2nd Floor     500 Ave. J     Moore Haven, FL 33471\r\nLeon County     2:00pm \u2013 4:00pm     Dr. B. L. Perry, Jr., Branch Library     2817 S. Adams St.     Tallahassee, FL 32301\r\nFriday, December 19, 2014     Charlotte County     10:00am \u2013 11:00am     Punta Gorda City Hall, Mayor\u2019s Office     326 West Marion Ave.     Punta Gorda, FL 33950\r\nDeSoto County     12:00pm \u2013 1:00pm     DeSoto County Administration Building     201 East Oak Street, Room 103     Arcadia, FL 34266\r\nHighlands County     2:00pm \u2013 3:00pm     Greater Sebring Chamber of Commerce     Conference Room     227 U.S. Highway 27     Sebring, FL 33870", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.rubio.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=fdeaccc2-7691-4367-8d5b-cc3db9978fc4", "Rubio Congratulates NASA On Success Of Orion Test Flight", "2014-12-05", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) today issued the following statement regarding the successful test flight of NASA\u2019s Orion spacecraft from Kennedy Space Center:\r\n   \r\n\u201cI\u2019d like to congratulate NASA, Florida\u2019s entire space community and all the dedicated Americans who worked to make Friday\u2019s test flight of the Orion spacecraft an overwhelming success. The Exploration Flight Test 1 mission was an important step forward in mankind\u2019s quest to discover and explore the solar system, and in our country\u2019s goal of one day leaving boot prints on Mars. It\u2019s a testament to American ingenuity and only the latest of many recent glimpses into what lies ahead for the American people in the 21st century.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://dennisross.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398226", "Ross Statement on the NDAA", "2014-12-04", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Dennis Ross", "R000593", "dennisross.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Ross Statement on the NDAA \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        WASHINGTON ,\r\n        December 4, 2014\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      WASHINGTON, D.C. --U.S. Rep. Dennis A. Ross (R-FL-15), Senior Deputy Majority Whip today released the following statement after voting against the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2015.\r\n\r\n\u201cAfter speaking with local veterans and military leaders in my community, I cannot vote for reduced benefits and a reduction in a pay raise for our service members. The FY 15 NDAA presents a troubling dilemma for me and my colleagues. There needs to be a proper balance of military compensation, training and equipment but this NDAA does not meet that requirement. Instead, it decreases the military pay raise I helped to pass earlier this year, and puts additional burdens on our service members and their families through increased prescription drug costs. We already ask our military to make incredible sacrifices for the security of our nation. We must look at other areas of the budget before we put more of a financial burden on our war heroes.\u00a0\r\n\u201cOur men and women in uniform courageously put their lives on the line for our country. Asking them to sacrifice anymore is unacceptable.\u201d\u00a0\r\n\r\n ###\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://mariodiazbalart.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/diaz-balart-and-ros-lehtinen-statement-on-hr-5759", "Diaz-Balart and Ros-Lehtinen Statement on H.R. 5759", "2014-12-04", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Mario Diaz-Balart", "D000600", "mariodiazbalart.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON D.C. \u2013 Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) and Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) released the following statement after the passage of H.R. 5759.\n\u201cThe President himself has stated that \u2018there\u2019s a limit on what [he] can do.\u2019 We continue to believe that the only legal and permanent solution is for Congress to pass legislation that will strengthen our borders, adhere to the rule of law, offer a humane solution to those living in the shadows, modernize our visa system, and bolster the economy.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://ros-lehtinen.house.gov/press-release/concerned-about-possible-fee-increases-minimal-public-input-everglades-national-park", "Concerned About Possible Fee Increases with Minimal Public Input at Everglades National Park, Ros-Lehtinen and Diaz-Balart Send Letter to Acting Superintendent Krumenaker", "2014-12-04", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Ileana Ros-Lehtinen", "R000435", "ros-lehtinen.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Concerned About Possible Fee Increases with Minimal Public Input at Everglades National Park, Ros-Lehtinen and Diaz-Balart Send Letter to Acting Superintendent Krumenaker\n\u201cIt is concerning that Everglades National Park wants to hike fees but fails to provide appropriate notice and opportunity for meaningful public comment that ensures all local park users\u2019 concerns are heard and genuinely reviewed.\u201d\n(Washington, DC) \u2013 U.S. Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27) and Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25) sent a letter to Everglades National Park\u2019s Acting Superintendent Bob Krumenaker about recently proposed fee increases for park visitors and users. The unexpected jump in fees for access to the park includes an increase from $10 to $25 for vehicle entrance,\u00a0$5 per person to $8 per person for cyclists or pedestrians, and a doubling of the cost of an annual pass from $25 to $50.\nMiami-Dade residents will have only one meeting, scheduled little more than a week after the proposed fees were publicly announced, to express their concerns with park staff. Two other meetings are set to take place later in the Keys.\nStatement by Ros-Lehtinen and Diaz-Balart:\n\u201cIt is concerning that Everglades National Park wants to hike fees but fails to provide appropriate notice and opportunity for meaningful public comment that ensures all local park users\u2019 concerns are heard and genuinely reviewed. Many of our constituents, and our own families, enjoy visiting the park and these rate hikes could make regular family outings to this South Florida treasure cost-prohibitive. We urge Acting Superintendent Krumenaker to ensure\u00a0local residents have ample opportunities to comment on any changes that affect access to their park.\u201d\nTo view the letter, please click here.\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://ros-lehtinen.house.gov/press-release/congresswoman-lee-and-congresswoman-ros-lehtinen-call-continued-coordination", "Congresswoman Lee and Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen Call for Continued Coordination with the Department of Defense to Update Military HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis B Policies", "2014-12-04", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Ileana Ros-Lehtinen", "R000435", "ros-lehtinen.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congresswoman Lee and Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen Call for Continued Coordination with the Department of Defense to Update Military HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis B Policies\nWashington, DC \u2013 Congresswomen Lee and Ros-Lehtinen released the following statement in response to the DoD\u2019s \u201cReport to Congressional Defense Committees on Department of Defense Personnel Policies Regarding Members of the Armed Forces with HIV or Hepatitis B\u201d:\n\u201cWe appreciate DoD\u2019s cooperation in ensuring that our Armed Forces operate under comprehensive, medically sound and scientifically accurate HIV and Hepatitis B (HBV) policies that support our national defense strategy and protect the rights of our brave servicemen and women.\nHowever, the recent report to the Congressional Defense Committees raised several concerns about the Department\u2019s personnel policies regarding members of the Armed Forces with HIV or HBV. In order to independently verify the conclusions of the DoD\u2019s report and the specific evidence and reasoning underlying the policies of each military branch, we request the Department\u2019s continued cooperation and support in working to collectively craft policies that protect the rights of our men and women in uniform.\nWe must continue to work to ensure all government policies governing HIV and HBV, especially those related to deployment, recruitment, retention and discharge, are based upon sound medical science and prevent discrimination and stigma. We look forward to working with the DoD to ensure medically sound and accurate \u00a0policies are in place for HIV and HBV-positive personnel and recruits.\u00a0 Additionally, we look forward to clarifying and standardizing, where appropriate, differing policies between military branches.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://ros-lehtinen.house.gov/press-release/diaz-balart-and-ros-lehtinen-statement-hr-5759", "Diaz-Balart and Ros-Lehtinen Statement on H.R. 5759", "2014-12-04", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Ileana Ros-Lehtinen", "R000435", "ros-lehtinen.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Diaz-Balart and Ros-Lehtinen Statement on H.R. 5759                                           \n              Dec 4, 2014      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n          \n  \n    \n    \n    Diaz-Balart and Ros-Lehtinen Statement on H.R. 5759\nWASHINGTON D.C. \u2013 Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) and Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) released the following statement after the passage of H.R. 5759.\n\u201cThe President himself has stated that \u2018there\u2019s a limit on what [he] can do.\u2019 We continue to believe that the only legal and permanent solution is for Congress to pass legislation that will strengthen our borders, adhere to the rule of law, offer a humane solution to those living in the shadows, modernize our visa system, and bolster the economy.\u201d\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://ros-lehtinen.house.gov/press-release/ros-lehtinen-applauds-house-passage-united-states-israel-strategic-partnership-act", "Ros-Lehtinen Applauds House Passage Of United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act; Bill Now Goes To President Obamas Desk To Be Signed Into Law", "2014-12-04", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Ileana Ros-Lehtinen", "R000435", "ros-lehtinen.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Ros-Lehtinen Applauds House Passage Of United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act; Bill Now Goes To President Obama\u2019s Desk To Be Signed Into Law\nWASHINGTON D.C. \u2013 (Washington, DC) \u2013 U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa, made the following statement on the passage of the United States \u2013 Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2013.\n\u201cAt a time when Israel is facing many external threats, the U.S. Congress today sends to the President\u2019s desk the U.S. \u2013 Israel Strategic Partnership Act seeking to bolster closer ties with our ally, the democratic Jewish State of Israel. At a time when the Iranian regime continues to advance its nuclear ambitions, Hamas unrelentlessly terrorizes Israeli citizens and the Palestinian Authority continues to incite violence and undermine the peace process at every turn, it is important for Congress to stand with Israel in a bipartisan effort. That is why in passing this bill, we will afford Israel the unique status as our major strategic partner and we reaffirm our support to enhance Israel\u2019s qualitative military edge so that it can continue to defend itself and its citizens from all threats.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\nTo view Ros-Lehtinen\u2019s Statement on the House Floor in support of the U.S.-Israel Strategic Partnership Act, click here.\nNOTE: Chairman Ros-Lehtinen and Ranking Member Deutch are the authors of HR \u2013 938, the United States \u2013 Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2013. The bill was passed by the House of Representatives on March 5, 2014 by a vote of 410-1. Senators Barbara Boxer and Roy Blount were the Senate sponsors of the bill S. 2673 which was passed today.\n\u00a0\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://ros-lehtinen.house.gov/press-release/ros-lehtinen-celebra-aprobaci%C3%B3n-en-la-c%C3%A1mara-del-proyecto-de-ley-united-states-israel", "Ros-Lehtinen Celebra Aprobacin en la Cmara del proyecto de ley, United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act, Que Fue Enviado Al Presidente Obama Para Ser Firmado y Convertirse en Ley", "2014-12-04", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Ileana Ros-Lehtinen", "R000435", "ros-lehtinen.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Ros-Lehtinen Celebra Aprobaci\u00f3n en la C\u00e1mara del proyecto de ley, United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act, Que Fue Enviado Al Presidente Obama Para Ser Firmado y Convertirse en Ley\nWASHINGTON D.C. \u2013 La Congresista Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Presidenta del Subcomit\u00e9 del Medio Oriente y \u00c1frica del Norte hizo las siguientes declaraciones tras la aprobaci\u00f3n del United States \u2013 Israel Strategic Partnership Act. Destac\u00f3 Ros-Lehtinen:\n\u201cEn un momento en que Israel se enfrenta a amenazas externas, el Congreso de los Estados Unidos env\u00eda al Presidente Obama el U.S.-Israel Strategic Partnership Act, buscando ampliar las relaciones con nuestro aliado, el democr\u00e1tico Estado Jud\u00edo de Israel. Actualmente, mientras el r\u00e9gimen iran\u00ed contin\u00faa avanzando sus ambiciones nucleares, Hamas aterroriza inclemente a los ciudadanos de Israel y la Autoridad Palestina contin\u00faa incitando a la violencia y socavando el proceso de paz a cada momento, es importante que el Congreso apoye a Israel en un esfuerzo bipartidista. La aprobaci\u00f3n de esta legislaci\u00f3n le conceder\u00e1 a Israel un estatus \u00fanico como nuestro mayor aliado estrat\u00e9gico y reafirmar\u00e1 nuestro apoyo para mejorar la ventaja cualitativa militar de Israel de manera que contin\u00fae defendi\u00e9ndose a s\u00ed mismo y a sus ciudadanos de todas las amenazas\u201d. \nPara ver las declaraciones de Ros-Lehtinen en el pleno de la C\u00e1mara de Representantes, haga click aqu\u00ed.\nNOTA: La Congresista Ileana Ros-Lehtinen y el Congresista Ted Deutch son autores del proyecto de ley HR \u2013 938 - Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2013. El proyecto fue aprobado por la C\u00e1mara de Representantes el 5 de Marzo de 2014, por un voto de 410-1. Los Senadores Barbara Boxer y Roy Blunt fueron los patrocinadores del proyecto de ley S. S.2673 que fue aprobado hoy.\n#######", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://yoho.house.gov//media-center/in-the-news/yoho", "Ted Yoho's YOLO moment", "2014-12-04", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Ted Yoho", "Y000065", "yoho.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "As Republicans searched for a way to demonstrate their outrage with President Barack Obama\u2019s unilateral move on immigration, the solution galloped in: a bill from Florida Rep. Ted Yoho, an obscure back-bencher and large-animal vet.\nYoho\u2019s quixotic bill, which nullifies Obama\u2019s immigration actions, might help avoid a government shutdown on Dec. 11. The House narrowly passed it Thursday, and while the Senate doesn\u2019t plan to act on it and Obama has vowed to veto it, Republican leadership hopes the vote defuses enough conservative anger at Obama that the conference can pass a funding bill next week without immigration language attached that could send the government into another shutdown.\nSo at the center of the immigration storm now stands a man who never held elective office before last year and ran his campaign out of a backyard shack, a tea party congressman who would almost certainly have found himself standing on the sidelines if he hadn\u2019t filed his bill when he did.\nYoho introduced his Executive Amnesty Prevention Act (the name was later changed to Preventing Executive Overreach on Immigration Act) the same November day that Obama issued his sweeping executive actions changing the enforcement of immigration laws to shield upwards of five million undocumented immigrants.\n(Also on POLITICO: House sends Obama message with immigration vote)\nAt the time, Majority Whip Steve Scalise\u2019s (R-La.) whip team was hard at work soliciting potential responses \u2014 and a lot of people had ideas. Conservatives were hungry to hit back. And Yoho already had a bill. His talk with the GOP leadership helped seal the deal.\nAfter Yoho, a reliable conservative with scant legislative achievements to his name, presented the bill to Scalise\u2019s whip team, and it ended up on a list of options in Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy\u2019s office. It made its way through leadership, eventually getting the stamp of approval from Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio).\nIt had to be tweaked before it hit the floor. There were unintended consequences in the original drafting, which were pointed out by Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Rep. Raul Labrador (R-Idaho), both immigration attorneys. The final version declares that presidential exemptions of categories of immigrants from deportations would be \u201cnull and void and without legal effect.\u201d\nAfter the bill snaked its way through leadership, it passed 219-197 with only seven Republicans opposed and three others voting present. Leaders hope this is the first step in an effort to keep the GOP from embracing another disastrous government shutdown. Conservatives got to vote against Obama, but without touching funding.\n(Also on POLITICO: Lawmakers iron out money details for a deal)\n\u201cWhen people said they had all these ideas,\u201d one senior House Republican involved in the process said, \u201cYoho was one of only a few who put it together. He had a good idea, and because it was a good idea, it got to the floor.\u201d\nYoho, for his part, wasn\u2019t looking for the spotlight. He says he was just investigating how Republicans could respond to Obama\u2019s looming executive action on deportations, which the president had vowed to take since early summer.\n\u201cI started working on this back in June and July,\u201d Yoho recalled Thursday. \u201cWe knew this was coming. We know he was gonna do this, so we wanted to be ready.\u201d\nThe simple, four-page bill became the gateway for Yoho \u2013 who rocketed into Congress as a virtual unknown and unexpectedly ousted a 12-term senior lawmaker \u2013 to reenter the national spotlight for the first time since his shocking primary victory in 2012.\n(Also on POLITICO: Boehner open to hearings on Garner's death)\nYoho won his seat by emphasizing his outsider credentials, drawing on his wide network as one of best-known large-animal veterinarians in Central Florida and filming an attention-grabbing ad of \u201ccareer politicians\u201d rolling in a pigpen and slinging mud. He regularly interrupted his campaign to tend to animals, in one case pausing between interviews to castrate several miniature horses. When he was done, he held up the lopped testicles and declared: \u201cWashington needs a few more of these.\u201d\nYet until Thursday\u2019s vote, Yoho kept a mostly low profile: hardline conservative and willing to buck leadership (he voted against John Boehner for speaker) but not a loud, media-garnering firebrand \u2014 save some eyebrow-raising comments, such as his insistence that hitting the debt limit wouldn\u2019t lead to a default.\nHe attributed the surprising success of his legislative effort to its resonance with \u201cthe sentiment of the American\u201d people , though he added, \u201cI think it\u2019s interesting that you see that many people interested in this.\u201d\nYoho defended his effort from charges that it was merely symbolic. Even a supporter of the bill\u2019s contents, Rep. Matt Salmon (R.-Ariz.), when asked if Republicans were taking the bill seriously, replied: \u201cI don\u2019t even know if Ted is.\u201d\n\u201cI had people say it was a symbolic gesture. We didn\u2019t put it in for symbolism, but if they want to use it for a symbolic gesture, okay, let\u2019s use it for that,\u201d Yoho said. \u201cAnd that symbolic gesture is, we\u2019re going to hold the president accountable to the rule of law, to the Constitution.\u201d\nDemocrats relentlessly criticized Yoho\u2019s bill Thursday, characterizing it as legislation that would subject millions to deportation and as counterproductive for a body that did not take up immigration reform this year. In a floor speech, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) called it \u201ccold-hearted\u201d \u2013 a comment that Yoho said offended him.\nBut Yoho found a compliment in an unlikely corner.  \n\t\u00a0\n\u201cWe\u2019ll agree or disagree with him on a number of different issues but I\u2019ve found him to be a really a straight shooter,\u201d said Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.), who voted against Yoho\u2019s bill on Thursday. \u201cTo me, he\u2019s been a breath of fresh air.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://yoho.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/yoho-immigration-bill-to-prevent-executive-amnesty-passes-house", "Yoho Immigration Bill To Prevent Executive Amnesty Passes House", "2014-12-04", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Ted Yoho", "Y000065", "yoho.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Ted S. Yoho\u2019s successful effort to restore Article I legislative powers to Congress and help stop President Obama\u2019s executive order - granting amnesty to roughly 5 million illegal aliens- was realized today.\u00a0 The Congressman\u2019s bill, the Preventing Executive Overreach on Immigration Act (H.R. 5759), passed in the House by a bipartisan vote of 219-197.\nH.R. 5759 was introduced on Nov 20, 2014 and clarifies that the Executive Branch does not have the authority to exempt categories of persons unlawfully present in the U.S. from removal.\nIt also makes clear that any executive action seeking to exempt these categories of persons is a violation of the law and thus has no legal effect. This legislation is a long term solution that will apply to executive actions that attempt to circumvent immigration law. Congressman Yoho released the following statement:\n\u201cI introduced this legislation to stop the president\u2019s executive amnesty. I could not stand idly by as the president trampled our constitution, our laws, and our sovereignty. I am glad that 219 of my colleagues joined me.\n\u201cI want to thank Chairman Goodlatte, Leadership, and the Members of this body for helping bring my bill to the floor. This is about the Administration overstepping its bounds and unilaterally changing the laws of this country. \n\u201cOur Founding Fathers established this separation of powers to prevent an overreaching executive. If we continue to surrender our legislative powers to the Executive Branch then we could easily be standing here in five or ten years discussing a Republican president who refuses to enforce the employer mandate of the Affordable Care Act or any other law he chooses.\n\u201cJust because one might agree with the outcome does not justify overlooking or violating the process to get to that outcome.\n\u201cCongress has the constitutional powers to create and write laws. The President has a duty to faithfully execute those laws, not pick and choose parts he likes or doesn\u2019t like. \n\u201cI\u2019m pleased that this legislation passed the House of Representatives on a bi-partisan basis and ask that Senator Reid take this legislation up, or explain to the American people why he is allowing this president\u2019s unconstitutionality to continue.\u201d\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n###\nCongressman Ted Yoho serves on the Foreign Affairs and Agriculture Committees. He represents North Florida\u2019s 3rd Congressional District", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bilirakis.house.gov/media/press-releases/bilirakis-hosts-conversation-about-mental-healthsubstance-abuse-issues", "Bilirakis Hosts Conversation about Mental Health/Substance Abuse Issues, Featuring Special Guest Rep. Tim Murphy", "2014-12-04", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Gus Bilirakis", "B001257", "bilirakis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), member of the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee, is honored to host a conversation about Mental Health and Substance Abuse issues, featuring Representative Tim Murphy, clinical psychologist and author of the bipartisan H.R. 3717, Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act. The goal of this event is to facilitate dialogue among health care professionals, policymakers, and family members of those struggling with these problems. We will discuss the needs that exist within our community, and the steps that can be taken to improve access to quality treatments.\nOur solution-oriented discussion will focus on how to fix a broken system and ensure better outcomes. One important aspect of this conversation is the treatment options available to our nation's Veterans as they grapple with Post Traumatic Stress and other invisible wounds. One size does not fit all, especially when it comes to an issue as sensitive as mental health, Bilirakis said. I am honored to have Representative Murphy joining me  he is the undisputed leader in Congress on this issue. The good work he is doing will undoubtedly offer substantial improvements in the way this important issue is viewed and the treatment options available to those with mental illness.\nI thank Representative Bilirakis for taking up this legislative cause and for standing shoulder-to-shoulder with me to help those who, for far too long, have been in the shadows of ignorance and despair. We will continue working to bring them into that bright light of hope, and it starts with the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act, Representative Murphy said.\nThe event is open to the public and the media.\nWhen:December 16, 2014, starting at 1:00 pm\nWhere:Rasmussen College, 18600 Fernview St. Land O' Lakes, FL 34638, Rooms 102 and 103.\nMedia RSVP:Ian Martorana (Representative Bilirakis):Ian.Martorana@mail.house.govor 202 225 5755\nBrad Grantz (Representative Murphy):Brad.Grantz@mail.house.govor 202 225 2301", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bilirakis.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-fda-pressed-act-biosimilar-drugs", "ICYMI: FDA pressed to act on biosimilar drugs", "2014-12-04", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Gus Bilirakis", "B001257", "bilirakis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The Food and Drug Administration admits it has been slow to issue guidance on biosimilar drugs that are expected to hit the U.S. market next year.\nBut Sally Howard, the agency's deputy commissioner for policy planning and legislation, said the FDA is incredibly supportive of the new market, which experts say could lower prices of prescription drugs by 30 to 50 percent.\nTwo companies have actually submitted applications and those are under review, she said. There's no additional guidance needed before an application can be approved.\nHowever, she said future guidance will be issued on labeling and interchangeable drugs.\nDuring an event Thursday hosted by The Hill and sponsored by Express Scripts, lawmakers called on the FDA and Congress to approve the use of biosimilars quickly.\nHealthcare reforms need to be patient-focused, said Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.). Too often the regulatory structure in place gets in the way of innovation.\nThough healthcare professionals are hailing biosimilars for their potential to cut patient costs, the head of the National Association of Medicaid Directors raised concerns about whether the nation's biggest healthcare provider will be able to afford the biological copycat drug.\nTo read the article it its entirety online,click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.rubio.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=24fc2a73-4966-4806-b6f0-b80359276cab", "MEDIA ADVISORY: Rubios Office To Host Veterans Resource Expo In Tampa, Orlando", "2014-12-04", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 This week, the office of U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) will host Veterans Resource Expos in Tampa and Orlando. On Friday, December 5, members of Rubio\u2019s staff will join Florida Senator Jeff Brandes and Hillsborough County Commissioner Sandy Murman in Tampa. Members of Rubio\u2019s staff have partnered with State Senator Andy Gardiner and Orange County Commissioner Ted Edwards for the Veterans Resource Expo on Saturday, December 6, in Orlando.\r\n   \r\nVarious federal, state and local agencies will be on site to offer assistance to veterans and their families in areas such as education, financial services, housing, and legal services, among others.\r\n   \r\nMedia wishing to attend the following events must RSVP to Brooke_Sammon@rubio.senate.gov.\r\n    Friday, December 5, 2014     10:00am \u2013 2:00pm EST     Rubio\u2019s Office To Host Veterans Resource Expo     Port Tampa Bay     Terminal 6     1101 Channelside Drive     Tampa, FL 33602\u00a0\r\nSaturday, December 6, 2014     10:00am \u2013 2:00pm EST     Rubio\u2019s Office To Host Veterans Resource Expo     Orlando VA Medical Center at Lake Baldwin     Auditorium A and B     5201 Raymond Street     Orlando, FL 32803", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://dennisross.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398224", "Ross Statement on Growing National Debt", "2014-12-03", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Dennis Ross", "R000593", "dennisross.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "\u201cIn just six years our national debt has nearly doubled to over $18,000,000,000,000.\u201d\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n\r\nWASHINGTON, D.C. --U.S. Rep. Dennis A. Ross (R-FL-15), Senior Deputy Majority Whip and member of the House Committee on Financial Services today released the following statement on our nation\u2019s growing debt.\r\n\u201cIt\u2019s tough to bring up the subject of debt around the holiday season. Many families around our country have financial concerns, and are forced to live within their means, while at the same time are being forced to watch this administration relentlessly spend their hard earned tax dollars. Unfortunately, this administration\u2019s spending habits are worsening. As of September of 2008, our national debt was $9.7 trillion. Today, the United States is over $18 trillion in debt meaning in six years our national debt has nearly doubled.\u00a0\r\n\u201cThis administration\u2019s relentless spending habits have gotten out of control and are leading America down an unsustainable spending path. We must begin to take control of our nation\u2019s debt by decreasing waste and fraudulent spending at every level of government. I have\u00a0introduced legislation like H.R. 239, the Zero-based Budgeting Ensures Responsible Oversight (ZERO) Act, which would require each agency and department to justify every line item on their budget each year. Debt reduction is crucial and my colleagues and I must work together to ensure tax dollars are better accounted for.\r\n\u201cCongress must responsibly budget tax dollars. My constituents agree that it\u2019s time for Congress to take control of our budget by decreasing spending before we plunge into a fiscal abyss.\u201d\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://dennisross.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398225", "Ross Helps to Pass Legislation for Tax Extenders and Savings Accounts for People with Disabilities", "2014-12-03", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Dennis Ross", "R000593", "dennisross.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. --U.S. Rep. Dennis A. Ross (R-FL-15), Senior Deputy Majority Whip, and member of the House Committee of Financial Services today released the following statement after voting to pass H.R. 647, the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act and H.R. 5771, the Tax Increase Prevention Act.\u00a0\r\n\r\n\u201cBoth pieces of legislation are important for individuals and businesses in Florida.\r\n\u201cMany families are able to receive tax incentives for college and retirement accounts but unfortunately, tax preferred accounts are not available to individuals with disabilities. People with disabilities deserve to have similar savings instruments so their families can plan for their future. The ABLE Act empowers disabled individuals and families to save money in an account so their children can maintain their health and independence throughout their lives. In the state of Florida, 15.6 percent of individuals are disabled and I am happy to help them and their families better plan for the future.\r\n\u201cIf the tax extenders package did not pass, millions of families and businesses in Florida would experience sharp and unexpected tax increases. This legislation will extend 55 tax provisions including one that helps small businesses utilize research and development opportunities. Another will provide teachers the opportunity to file for a deduction for supplies they purchased with their own funds to help their students in the classroom.\u201d\r\n\u00a0\r\nExamples of how H.R. 5771, the Tax Increase Prevention Act will benefit individuals and businesses are:\r\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Extend tax relief provisions that expired either at the end of calendar year 2013 or during 2014.\r\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Extension of deduction for certain expenses of elementary and secondary school teachers. \r\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Extension of exclusion from gross income of discharge of qualified principal residence indebtedness.\r\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Extension of mortgage insurance premiums treated as qualified residence interest.\r\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Extension of deduction of State and local general sales taxes.\r\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Extension of above-the-line deduction for qualified tuition and related expenses.\r\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Extension of tax-free distributions from individual retirement plans for charitable purposes.\r\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Extension of research credit.\r\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Extension of military housing allowance exclusion for determining whether a tenant in certain counties is low-income.\r\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Extension of new markets tax credit.\r\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Extension of railroad track maintenance credit.\r\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Extension of mine rescue team training credit.\r\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Extension of employer wage credit for employees who are active duty members of the uniformed services.\r\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Extension of work opportunity tax credit.\r\nYou may view H.R. 5771 by clicking here.\r\n\u00a0\r\nThe ABLE Act \u00a0amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish tax-exempt ABLE accounts to assist an individual with a disability in building an account to pay for qualified disability expenses. It also defines \"qualified disability expenses\" to include expenses for education, including higher education expenses, a primary residence, transportation, obtaining and maintaining employment, health and wellness, and other personal support expenses.\r\nYou may view H.R. 647, by clicking here.\r\n\u00a0\r\n ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://mariodiazbalart.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/d-az-balart-mar-a-corina-s-indictment-is-an-outrage-and-should-not-be", "Daz-Balart: Mara Corinas Indictment is an Outrage and Should Not be Upheld", "2014-12-03", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Mario Diaz-Balart", "D000600", "mariodiazbalart.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON D.C. \u2013 Congressman Mario D\u00edaz-Balart (R-FL) released the following statement after the announcement that Mar\u00eda Corina Machado, a Venezuelan opposition leader, has been indicted on unfounded charges. Mar\u00eda Corina joins other opposition leaders that have been criminally charged by the Maduro regime, including Leopoldo L\u00f3pez.\n\u201cOver the past year, Mar\u00eda Corina Machado has led peaceful protests against the Maduro regime, and has been a fierce critic of the increasing repression, inflation, and rampant corruption in Venezuela.\u00a0 As a result, the Maduro regime has attempted to discredit and silence her.\u00a0 She was unjustifiably stripped her of her right to travel internationally, and removed from her elected position in the National Assembly despite overwhelming support from her constituency at the ballot box.\u00a0 Now, Maduro and his cronies have decided to construe ridiculous charges on which to indict her. Maduro\u2019s controlled courts and judges are complete shams. With its actions, the Maduro regime demonstrates it is as corrupt and tyrannical as opposition leaders such as Mar\u00eda Corina Machado warn.\u00a0\n\u201cThe House has demonstrated strong bipartisan support to impose tough sanctions against the Maduro regime, and it\u2019s time for the Senate and the President to do the same. H.R. 4229, the Venezuelan Liberty and Democracy Solidarity Act, was passed in the House more than 8 months ago. I urge my colleagues to bring it to the floor for a vote.\n\u201cI stand with brave opposition leaders and activists like Mar\u00eda Corina Machado and Leopoldo L\u00f3pez who are struggling, at great personal risk, against tyranny on behalf of the Venezuelan people.\u00a0 This unjust ruling cannot be allowed to stand. We must continue to pressure Maduro to free opposition leaders like Mar\u00eda Corina and Leopoldo, and restore democracy in Venezuela.\"\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://mariodiazbalart.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/diaz-balart-condemns-the-unjust-imprisonment-of-alan-gross-on-the-fifth", "Diaz-Balart Condemns the Unjust Imprisonment of Alan Gross on the Fifth Anniversary of His Imprisonment", "2014-12-03", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Mario Diaz-Balart", "D000600", "mariodiazbalart.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON D.C. \u2013 Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) released the following statement on the 5th anniversary of American Alan Gross\u2019 imprisonment by the Cuban regime:\n\"Today marks five years that Alan Gross has been unjustifiably held in a Cuban prison for the so-called \u2018crime\u2019 of helping Cuba's Jewish community connect to the internet.\u00a0 Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights provides that everyone has the right to seek and receive information from any available source, yet the Castro regime sentenced Alan Gross to fifteen years in prison for his efforts to help the Cuban people access information. During Mr. Gross\u2019 unjust imprisonment, his family has been forced to confront many significant moments without their husband, father, and son by their side, like his daughter\u2019s marriage or her battle with breast cancer. The regime also deprived him of attending his mother's funeral when she passed away earlier this year.\n\u201cSadly, the Castro dictatorship has a long history of brutality, imprisoning the innocent, and tearing apart families during its unrelenting campaign to oppress the Cuban people.\u00a0 Alan Gross' unjustifiable imprisonment is a tragic reminder of the moral depravity of the Castro regime, which has no qualms about attempting to use an innocent American with ailing health as a pawn.\n\u201cMy prayers are with Alan Gross and his family as they endure this grim anniversary and begin another day of separation.\u00a0 I urge President Obama to stop appeasing the Castros\u2019 terrorist regime with countless concessions and instead strengthen sanctions against the brutal dictatorship in Cuba.\u201d\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://mariodiazbalart.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/diaz-balart-condena-la-detenci-n-injusta-de-alan-gross-en-el-quinto", "Diaz-Balart condena la detencin injusta de Alan Gross  en el quinto aniversario de su encarcelamiento", "2014-12-03", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Mario Diaz-Balart", "D000600", "mariodiazbalart.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON DC - El Congresista Mario D\u00edaz-Balart (R-FL) emiti\u00f3 la siguiente declaraci\u00f3n en el quinto aniversario del encarcelamiento del estadounidense, Alan Gross, por el r\u00e9gimen cubano:\n\"Desde hace cinco a\u00f1os, Alan Gross est\u00e1 injustamente detenido en una prisi\u00f3n cubana por el supuesto crimen de ayudar a la comunidad jud\u00eda de Cuba conectarse al Internet. El art\u00edculo 19 de la Declaraci\u00f3n Universal de los Derechos Humanos establece que toda persona tiene el derecho de buscar y recibir informaci\u00f3n de cualquier fuente disponible; sin embargo, la dictadura Castrista sentenci\u00f3 a Alan Gross a quince a\u00f1os de prisi\u00f3n por intentar ayudar al pueblo cubano tener acceso al Internet. Durante este injusto encarcelamiento, la familia del Sr. Gross ha sufrido su ausencia en momentos claves, como en el matrimonio de su hija o durante la batalla de su hija contra el c\u00e1ncer. El r\u00e9gimen tambi\u00e9n le priv\u00f3 de asistir al funeral de su madre cuando falleci\u00f3 a principios de a\u00f1o.\n\"Lamentablemente, la dictadura de Castro tiene una larga historia de brutalidad, encarcelando a inocentes y destrozando familias durante m\u00e1s de 55 a\u00f1os de dictadura. El encarcelamiento de Alan Gross es un tr\u00e1gico ejemplo de la depravaci\u00f3n moral del r\u00e9gimen de Castro, que no duda en secuestrar a un estadounidense inocente para intentar coaccionar a EEUU.\n\"Mis\u00a0oraciones est\u00e1n con\u00a0Alan\u00a0Gross y su\u00a0familia en este fat\u00eddica fecha.\u00a0Insto\u00a0al Presidente Obama que deje sus numerosos esfuerzos de apaciguar\u00a0al r\u00e9gimen con concesiones y que, por lo contrario, endurezca las sanciones contra\u00a0la dictadura\u00a0terrorista de los Castro\".\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://ros-lehtinen.house.gov/press-release/ayudando-proteger-familias-con-ni%C3%B1os-discapacitados-ros-lehtinen-apoya-proyecto-de-ley", "Ayudando a Proteger Familias Con Nios Discapacitados, Ros-Lehtinen Apoya Proyecto de Ley ABLE ACT", "2014-12-03", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Ileana Ros-Lehtinen", "R000435", "ros-lehtinen.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Ayudando a Proteger Familias Con Ni\u00f1os Discapacitados, Ros-Lehtinen Apoya Proyecto de Ley ABLE ACT                                           \n              Dec 3, 2014      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n          \n  \n    \n    \n    Ayudando a Proteger Familias Con Ni\u00f1os Discapacitados, Ros-Lehtinen Apoya Proyecto de Ley ABLE ACT\n\u201cAl ayudar a las familias a establecer cuentas bancarias ABLE, ellos podr\u00e1n sentirse m\u00e1s tranquilos sabiendo que sus hijos discapacitados recibir\u00e1n el cuidado que necesitan en el futuro.\u201d\n(WASHINGTON) \u2013 La Congresista Ileana Ros-Lehtinen anuncio su apoyo para el ABLE Act, un proyecto de ley que permite que familias establezcan cuentas bancarias para el futuro cuidado de sus ni\u00f1os discapacitados. Estas cuentas, que ser\u00e1n similares a las actuales cuentas de ahorro universitario 529, podr\u00e1n crecer sin impuestos y ser\u00e1n un suplemento para costos a largo plazo para los ni\u00f1os severamente discapacitados. Por mucho tiempo a las familias con ni\u00f1os discapacitados les ha faltado una manera para asegurar el cuidado adecuado de sus hijos en el futuro, despu\u00e9s que los padres y otros que han estado a cargo hayan fallecido o ya no puedan tomar decisiones relacionadas al cuidado del beneficiario.\u00a0\nDestac\u00f3 Ros-Lehtinen:\n\u201cMuchas familias con ni\u00f1os discapacitados descubren lo dif\u00edcil que es planificar para la mayor\u00eda de edad de sus hijos, especialmente cuando los padres y otros que est\u00e1n a cargo estar\u00e1n involucrados en sus propios problemas m\u00e9dicos de la tercera edad. Al ayudar a las familias a establecer cuentas bancarias ABLE, ellos podr\u00e1n sentirse m\u00e1s tranquilos sabiendo que sus hijos discapacitados recibir\u00e1n el cuidado que necesitan en el futuro.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://ros-lehtinen.house.gov/press-release/helping-protect-families-disabled-children-ros-lehtinen-supports-able-act", "Helping Protect Families with Disabled Children, Ros-Lehtinen Supports the ABLE Act", "2014-12-03", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Ileana Ros-Lehtinen", "R000435", "ros-lehtinen.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Helping Protect Families with Disabled Children, Ros-Lehtinen Supports the ABLE Act                                           \n              Dec 3, 2014      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n          \n  \n    \n    \n    Helping Protect Families with Disabled Children, Ros-Lehtinen Supports the ABLE Act\n\u201cAllowing families to establish ABLE accounts will lead to peace of mind for caregivers and allow disabled children to receive the care they need in later years.\u201d\n(WASHINGTON) \u2013 Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen announced her support of the ABLE Act, a bill to allow families to establish financial accounts for the future care of children who are disabled. These accounts, which would be similar to current 529 college savings accounts, would grow tax-free and are intended to supplement long-term disability expenses of severely disabled children. Families with disabled children have long needed a vehicle to ensure adequate care for their children in later years after parents and other direct decision makers have either passed on or are no longer able to make decisions related to the beneficiary\u2019s care.\nStatement by Ros-Lehtinen:\n\u201cMany families with disabled children discover how difficult it is to plan for their child\u2019s adult years, especially when parents and other decision makers are also grappling with their own health care needs later in life. Allowing families to establish ABLE accounts will lead to peace of mind for caregivers and allow disabled children to receive the care they need in later years.\u201d\n\u00a0\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bilirakis.house.gov/media/press-releases/bilirakis-announces-energy-and-commerce-subcommittee-assignments-114th-congress", "Bilirakis Announces Energy and Commerce Subcommittee Assignments for the 114th Congress", "2014-12-03", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Gus Bilirakis", "B001257", "bilirakis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), member of the Energy and Commerce Health Committee, was named to serve on the Subcommittee on Health, the Subcommittee on Communications & Technology, and the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, & Trade.\nI am honored to continue my work on the Energy and Commerce Committee in the 114th Congress. We have made tremendous strides the past two years. We have passed bills that will put Americans back to work, lower energy costs, put patients in charge of their health care, and generally help Americans across the nation thrive. It has truly been a bipartisan record of success, Bilirakis said.\nI am pleased I will be returning to the Health and Commerce, Manufacturing, & Trade Subcommittees  they have provided me with excellent opportunities to advocate for my constituents on a wide variety of issues. I am extremely grateful to be able to serve on the Communications & Technology Subcommittee in the coming Congress. Net neutrality, cybersecurity, and innovation in the technology sector are all pressing matters facing the nation, and I am looking forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle on these and other issues.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bilirakis.house.gov/media/press-releases/bilirakis-grills-key-executives-airbag-deaths", "Bilirakis Grills Key Executives on Airbag Deaths", "2014-12-03", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Gus Bilirakis", "B001257", "bilirakis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), member of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, today questioned witnesses regarding the failure of Takata airbags and the recall of millions of vehicles in the United States.\nThis is a fundamental issue of safety, Bilirakis said. Americans must be able to trust that the cars they drive are safe. Instead, millions of Americans have been driving cars with potentially deadly airbags because of humidity. After I questioned him, Honda's Executive Vice President, Rick Schostek, admitted we believe the risk is highest,' in Florida. Floridians should still have a reasonable amount of certainty that their airbags are safe and will not malfunction because of the weather, Bilirakis continued. I don't think there is any excuse for not solving this problem for over 10 years.\nTo date, approximately 8 million vehicles in the United States have been recalled. There have been four fatalities in the U.S., all in cars that were covered by or triggered national recalls tied to manufacturing issues. 17 incidents regarding Takata airbags have occurred in Florida. To view Representative Bilirakis' full remarks, click here.\nTo see if your vehicle is eligible for a partial or total recall, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bilirakis.house.gov/media/press-releases/bilirakis-speak-importance-biosimilars", "Bilirakis to Speak on the Importance of Biosimilars", "2014-12-03", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Gus Bilirakis", "B001257", "bilirakis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), member of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, tomorrow will be delivering a keynote speech for The Hill's A Discussion on Biosimilars, Patient Access & Affordability.\nBiosimilars have had remarkable international success. However, the pathway forward is still not fully formed in the United States. It is estimated that biosimilars have reduced treatment costs in Europe and Asia by 40%. Bilirakis said. It means real savings for thousands of patients. Competition lowers prices. It is the free market at work. Patient-centered health care reforms can increase access to affordable medications.\nTo view Representative Bilirakis' complete remarks as prepared, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.rubio.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=512d4311-b3d4-436f-9e9a-a6dadb699c98", "On 5th Anniversary Of Alan Gross Imprisonment, Rubio Calls For His Unconditional Release", "2014-12-03", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) issued the following statement regarding today\u2019s fifth anniversary of the unjust incarceration of Alan Gross, an American being held hostage by the Castro regime in Cuba:\r\n   \r\n\u201cFor five years, an American citizen has been held hostage by the Castro regime simply for helping the Jewish community in Cuba access the Internet. Alan Gross should never have been imprisoned by the Castro regime. All free people and free nations around the world have a moral duty to advocate for Alan Gross\u2019 immediate, unconditional freedom, and make clear that the freedom to access and communicate via an uncensored Internet is a fundamental human right.\r\n   \r\n\u201cThis anniversary of Alan Gross\u2019 imprisonment is the latest reminder that the Cuban regime remains as repressive as ever. Just last week, Castro regime thugs stabbed several Ladies In White, and beat or detained other peaceful dissidents. Unilateral concessions by the U.S. government to the Castro regime will help fund more human rights violations, and keep real freedom further out of reach for the Cuban people.\r\n   \r\n\u201cToday, I join people in the U.S. and around the world in praying for Alan Gross\u2019 physical and psychological well-being. And I urge the Obama Administration to step up its efforts against the Castro regime with the goal of securing Alan Gross\u2019 unconditional release.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 1709, "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": "Republican", "p1": "FL", "p2": "2014"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=FL&year=2014", "results": [{"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 1709, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=FL&year=2014", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=FL&year=2014", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 1709, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=FL&year=2014&chamber=House", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=FL&year=2014", "results": [{"value": "FL", "label": "FL", "count": 1709, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&year=2014", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=FL&year=2014", "results": [{"value": "2014", "label": "2014", "count": 1709, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=FL", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2014-12-03,https~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Erubio~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fpublic~2Findex~2Ecfm~2Fpress-releases~3FContentRecord_id~3D512d4311-b3d4-436f-9e9a-a6dadb699c98", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=FL&year=2014&_next=2014-12-03%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Erubio~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fpublic~2Findex~2Ecfm~2Fpress-releases~3FContentRecord_id~3D512d4311-b3d4-436f-9e9a-a6dadb699c98&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 401.09733515419066, "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"}