url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at https://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases/soto-releases-report-highlighting-wins-central-florida-116th-congress,Soto Releases Report Highlighting Wins for Central Florida in the 116th Congress,2020-12-31,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,FL,Darren Soto,S001200,soto.house.gov,soto,https://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"KISSIMMEE, FL – Today, Congressman Darren Soto (FL-09) released a report highlighting his community and legislative accomplishments during the 116th Congress. ""It's been a busy two years fighting for the issues that matter most to Central Florida's families,"" said Congressman Soto. ""For many in Florida and across the country, 2020 has been an incredibly challenging year. We mourned the loss of over 21,000 Floridians who were taken by the deadly coronavirus. We prayed for the health and safety of our loved ones, neighbors and healthcare workers. We saw business after business forced to close for public safety concerns and suffer the devastating economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Through it all, we did our best to step up during this crisis and serve our constituents. Going forward, I will work with the Biden Administration to ensure everyone in Central Florida has access to the COVID-19 vaccine and that our community builds back better than before. We are honored to have served the constituents of Florida's 9th Congressional District during the 116th Congress, and we look forward to continuing our commitment to deliver results for Central Florida."" Over the course of 116th Congress, Congressman Soto held 100 town halls and roundtables, attended hundreds of community events, sent thousands of correspondence to constituents, helped over a thousand constituents with casework, secured billions of dollars for Central Florida, and passed numerous bills, policy amendments and appropriations requests into law. In the 117th Congress, Rep. Soto will continue to serve on the powerful Energy and Commerce Committee to fight for a strong pandemic response, higher-paying jobs and to protect our environment. He will also continue to serve on Natural Resources Committee to pursue his environmental efforts, work with Florida's tribes and bring Puerto Rico back to prosperity. In addition, he will serve as Chair of the Future Forum Caucus to assist the House Democratic Caucus to engage young people, and promote issues affecting Hispanics as Whip for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. The one-pager can be read here and below. The full report can be read here and below. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/el-senador-rick-scott-aplaude-la-distribucion-de-casi-20-millones-de-dosis-de-vacunas-los-estados,El Senador Rick Scott aplaude la distribución de casi 20 millones de dosis de vacunas a los estados,2020-12-31,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,FL,Rick Scott,S001217,www.rickscott.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. El Senador Rick Scott hizo hoy la siguiente declaracin aplaudiendo el esfuerzo del Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos de distribuir casi 20 millones de dosis de vacunas a los estados en solo cuatro semanas. A la Florida se le habrn asignado 1.28 millones de dosis de vacunas para la prxima semana. 175,000 floridanos recibieron la primera dosis de la vacuna al 30 de diciembre, segn inform el Departamento de Salud de la Florida. En noviembre, el Senador Scott escribi una carta al secretario del HHS, Alex Azar, solicitando informacin sobre los planes de los estados para asegurar una distribucin de vacunas rpida, confiable y equitativa. Una planificacin y coordinacin detallada en todos los niveles de gobierno es necesaria para asegurar que los estadounidenses reciban la vacuna de manera segura, eficiente y sin demoras. El Senador Rick Scott dijo: Estoy orgulloso del arduo trabajo de tantos en la Administracin para desarrollar y distribuir rpidamente esta vacuna a los estados. El HHS le ha enviado a nuestros estados millones de dosis de vacunas este mes. La prioridad ahora debe ser asegurarnos de que las personas mayores y las poblaciones en riesgo, as como nuestros trabajadores de la salud, tengan acceso a la vacuna primero. Es por eso que mi equipo y yo tomamos la decisin de esperar para recibir la vacuna en el momento apropiado, y he pedido que la asignacin de mi oficina se d a las poblaciones vulnerables que ms necesitan la vacuna. No tendremos xito hasta que todos los que quieran una vacuna puedan recibirla. Todos los estados necesitan un proceso ordenado y transparente para sacar estas vacunas, y deben hacerlo ya. No hay excusas. "" ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/sen-rick-scott-urges-ftc-investigation-zooms-relationship-communist-china,Sen. Rick Scott Urges FTC Investigation into Zoom’s Relationship with Communist China,2020-12-31,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,FL,Rick Scott,S001217,www.rickscott.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Senator Rick Scott sent a letter urging the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to further investigate Zoom's relationship to Communist China and the risks it poses to Americans' security. This letter follows the Department of Justice's recent announcement that a former Zoom executive had been charged for coordinating with the Communist Party of China to target U.S.-based dissidents and disrupt video meetings commemorating the June 4, 1989 Tiananmen Square Massacre. Read the Senator's letter HERE or below. December 30, 2020 Joseph J. Simons Chairman Federal Trade Commission 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20580 Dear Chairman Simons: As a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, I write today to urgently request a full investigation into Communist China's growing influence and interference in social telecommunications technology, including companies like Zoom, and what more can be done to protect Americans' personal identifying information. Earlier this month, the United States Department of Justice revealed that a former Zoom executive, Xinjiang Jin, had been charged for coordinating with the Communist Party of China (CCP) to target U.S.-based dissidents and disrupt video meetings commemorating the June 4, 1989 Tiananmen Square Massacre. This is just the latest example of how Communist China uses personal identifying data collected by tech companies with a significant presence in China against American citizens. Communist China's efforts to silence anyone who dares to oppose the CCP is shameful, and it's even more alarming that it happened right here in the United States. This cannot be tolerated. For years, the CCP has done everything possible to become the dominant world power. Communist China has long been accused of forced technology transfers, data localization, and spying on U.S. citizens using Chinese-based companies like TikTok and WeChat, which are obligated by law to hand over data to the CCP. The American people deserve to know exactly how an employee of Zoom, an American video service our citizens use daily, would have the ability to spy on behalf of the CCP. I commend the action earlier this year by the FTC to hold Zoom accountable for misleading users and failing to secure their platform. But more must be done. Today, I urge you to further investigate Zoom's relationship with Communist China, and the risks it poses to Americans' security. We cannot ignore the threat of Communist China and its latest attempt to surveil American citizens and steal our data. I look forward to hearing from you as we continue to work together on this important issue. Sincerely, Rick Scott United States Senator CC: Commissioner Noah Joshua Phillips Commissioner Rohit Chopra Commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter Commissioner Christine S. Wilson Eric S. Yuan, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Zoom Video Communications, Inc. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/senator-rick-scott-applauds-distribution-nearly-20-million-vaccine-doses-states,Senator Rick Scott Applauds the Distribution of Nearly 20 Million Vaccine Doses to States,2020-12-31,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,FL,Rick Scott,S001217,www.rickscott.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Senator Rick Scott released the below statement applauding the effort by Health and Human Services to get nearly 20 million doses of vaccines to states in four weeks. Florida will have been allocated 1.28 million doses of the vaccines by the end of next week. 175,000 Floridians received the first dose of the vaccine as of December 30, as reported by the Florida Department of Health. In November, Senator Scott wrote a letter to HHS Secretary Alex Azar requesting information on the states' plans for fast, reliable and equitable vaccine distribution. Detailed planning and coordination at every level of government will be required to get the vaccine to Americans safely and efficiently without unnecessary delays. Senator Rick Scottsaid, I'm proud of the hard work by so many in the Administration to develop and quickly distribute this vaccine to the states. HHS has sent our states millions of doses of vaccines this month. The priority now must be to make sure the elderly and at-risk populations, as well as our healthcare workers, have access to thevaccinefirst. That's why my staff and I made the decision to wait to get thevaccineat the appropriate time, and I've asked that my office's allotment be given to vulnerable populations that need thevaccinemost. We aren't successful until everyone who wants a vaccine can get one. Everystate needs an orderly, transparent process for getting these vaccines out, and they need to do it now. There is no excuse. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=403469,"Rep. Castor Announces $1.4M to Tampa Residents through 2020 Constituent Services, $1.5B Secured in Federal Grants, $2.7B in PPP Assistance",2020-12-30,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,FL,Kathy Castor,C001066,castor.house.gov,castor,https://castor.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) announced today her office worked to deliver nearly $1.6 million to veterans, seniors, small businesses and families in 2020; almost $1.5 billion in federal grants to create jobs, invest in education and infrastructure, mitigate impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and support the important work of local partners; and $2.7 billion in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans for Tampa businesses. “Every day, my Tampa constituent services team, Tery Sanchez, Steven Angotti, Tania Fernandez and Damaris Gonzalez – with the help of the entire Castor Team – work tirelessly to cut through red tape and bureaucracy on behalf of families and neighbors across the Tampa area. During the COVID-19 pandemic, their expertise has been critical to ensuring that veterans receive the benefits they have earned and to guarantee that survival stimulus payments, Social Security, Medicare are delivered on time. Due to the unprecedented challenge accessing Florida’s flawed unemployment system, I am especially grateful for their efforts in coordinating with local and state representatives to ensure that everyone who needs support is connected to every available resource. “My team tackles complex cases and works diligently with agencies and non-profit partners to serve all of our neighbors. This year we handled more than 1,800 individual cases and recovered nearly $1.6 million in federal benefits. Tampa families are facing unique and time-sensitive issues due to the coronavirus, and my team’s top priority remains serving our neighbors with respect and care.” Grants In FY2020, Florida’s 14th Congressional District in Tampa and Hillsborough County received 727 grant awards totaling $1,497,650,722. “2020 brought unprecedented challenges to our community as workers in vital industries such as tourism, travel and hospitality took a hit from the virus and our frontline medical workers worked overtime to serve those who contracted COVID-19. The $1.5 billion in grant monies that came to Tampa this year have been a lifeline for our hospitals, small businesses, schools, renters and more. Federal aid has a been a major shot in the arm to our local economic engines and will serve to bolster businesses and services that we all count on through tough times and also boost good-paying jobs in our region as we work towards a strong economic recovery. “Through passage of the CARES Act, which dedicated $150 billion to the Local Government Coronavirus Relief Fund, Hillsborough County received $257 million in federal aid. I worked alongside county commissioners and the county administrator while they developed the plan to ensure that the emergency aid was consistent with the needs our neighbors and the Congressional intent for use of these funds. “Much needed resources went to over 6,000 local businesses, rental assistance for over 5,500 Hillsborough families, workforce training, public health support for contact tracing, $30M to the City of Tampa, and funds to support the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, Feeding Tampa Bay, Metropolitan Ministries and other local organizations directly helping so many of our neighbors in need. With the passage of a fifth coronavirus aid package, I will continue to partner with our local frontline agencies as we work towards rebuilding a local economy that leaves nobody behind and also prioritizes the health and wellbeing of our neighbors.” See here for information from the county for a listing of detailed help from our partnership. The CARES Act is a $2 trillion coronavirus relief package for states and local communities passed by Congress and signed into law on March 27, 2020. Among the federal grants that U.S. Rep. Castor championed this year, nearly $50 million in Department of Transportation’s Better Utilizing Investment to Leverage Development (BUILD) grants will be used to lift our neighborhoods, increase connectivity, and improve our streets. The Tampa Bay Women’s Centre received a $420,000 Small Business Administration grant to help female entrepreneurs and business owners with training, education, and counseling as they navigate the impacts of COVID-19. In April, almost $10 million in Department of Housing and Urban Development grants were allocated to help the City of Tampa and Hillsborough county support nonprofit partners, housing and homeless prevention. Paycheck Protection Program “Established by the CARES Act, the Paycheck Protection Program has provided over 19,000 loans in our district totaling up to $2.7 billion. Of which, 16,681 were to the truly small businesses that received loans of less than $150,000 totaling $497,969,977. PPP has been a lifeline to workers in our community during the pandemic through speeding emergency resources to small businesses in Tampa Bay to keep them afloat during the pandemic, and keep employees paid and connected to health care coverage.” Residents in Florida Congressional District 14 can call U.S. Rep. Castor’s Tampa office at 813-871-2817 or visit www.castor.house.gov for assistance. ### *Updated 01/01/2021",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2555,"Wasserman Schultz on Reauthorization, Increased Funding of the EARLY Act",2020-12-30,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,FL,Debbie Wasserman Schultz,W000797,wassermanschultz.house.gov,wassermanschultz,https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"Washington DC – U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23) released the following statement after her legislation, the Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young Act, or EARLY Act Reauthorization of 2020, became law this week with the President’s signing of the larger government spending and COVID-19 relief package: “For young women and those of certain ethnic and racial populations, breast cancer can be even more deadly because it is often more aggressive and too frequently caught later than it should be. The EARLY Act of 2020, which reauthorizes the law that I sponsored and passed in 2010 after overcoming my own battle with breast cancer, increases funding and ensures that young women’s breast health awareness, education and grant programs are funded through the EARLY Act at an increased level of $9 million annually from 2022 through 2026. This vital funding will expand the effective Bring Your Brave and Health Care Provider education and awareness programs implemented by the Centers for Disease Control and fund additional grants to young women’s and higher risk women’s breast cancer organizations. By reauthorizing the EARLY Act, we continue the vital work of educating young and higher risk women about their breast health and help focus their attention to this deadly disease. Among other things, this legislation will fund grants and support initiatives educate and provide help to young and high-risk women, collect family histories and educate health care providers. I know first-hand this law and funding is needed, because I was a young woman who was unaware of my risk and after my breast cancer diagnosis at 41, was diagnosed with the BRCA2 gene mutation. Today, I am still cancer-free because my cancer and my genetic risk were caught early and I am committed to helping high risk and young women acquire the knowledge and resources they need to not just survive, but thrive. The earlier that cancer cases are identified, the better the chances of survival. That is just what the EARLY Act will continue to do: save women’s lives.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://lawson.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-lawson-returns-more-than-24-million-to-north-florida-families,Rep. Lawson Returns More than $2.4 Million to North Florida Families,2020-12-29,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,FL,Al Lawson,L000586,lawson.house.gov,,,legacy,"December 29, 2020 Rep. Lawson Returns More than $2.4 Million to North Florida Families WASHINGTON DC U.S. Rep. Al Lawson (FL-05) announced that this year, his office has helped to return more than $2.4 million owed to the citizens of Florida's Fifth Congressional from the federal government. Since January 2020, his office worked to close more than 200 cases and ensured that North Florida residents receive their long-awaited financial reimbursement from several federal agencies. A few of the top agencies include the Social Security Administration, Internal Revenue Service, FEMA and Veterans Affairs. There are many reasons as to why a person's case may become stagnant, but my team and I have worked hard to break the federal logjam and help citizens of our community get their cases reactivated, back on track or even expedited, Rep. Lawson said. Jacksonville native Brian Salter was involuntarily separated from his job with the Navy after 14 years of service. He reached out to Rep. Lawson's office because after a year without separation pay, he was still not being helped. His staff placed multiple inquiries to the Navy, to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS), and the Board of Corrections, and were able to get Salter's case reviewed and approved quickly. Salters was awarded 14 years' worth of back separation pay. Since I was involuntarily separated with an honorable discharge, I was entitled to Involuntary Separation Pay, Salter said. I was supposed to receive those funds immediately within a week or two after separation from active duty service. I turned to Congressman Al Lawson for help. Sherry, my caseworker, fought for me for 18 months. I don't think I would have been able to get this pay if it wasn't for her sheer tenacity and dedication to my case. I cannot express my gratitude enough. I am happy I turned to Congressman Lawson's office for help with my case. Individuals seeking help with a federal agency such as backlogged veterans' benefits, stalled tax refunds, issues with social security, the postal service or the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, should call my office at 904-354-1652 (Jacksonville), 850-558-9450 (Tallahassee)or visithttps://lawson.house.gov/services/help-with-a-federal-agency. Total Number of Cases: 200 Grand Total Amount Saved: $2,467,927 Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://crist.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2232,"Crist Votes to Increase Stimulus Checks to $2,000",2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,FL,Charlie Crist,C001111,crist.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC U.S. Representative Charlie Crist (D-St. Petersburg) released a statement following House passage of the CASH Act (H.R.9051), legislation to increase the Economic Impact Payments, also known as stimulus checks,' from $600 to $2000, which were included in the new COVID relief law signed yesterday by the President. Last week, Crist voted for the bipartisan $900 billion coronavirus relief package to support American families and businesses struggling at the hands of the pandemic. At the time, Crist said, while this compromise could certainly do more to help struggling families and small businesses, it remains one of the largest relief packages in American history second only to the CARES Act. Crist has been calling for more stimulus checks sinceApril. Today, the People's House put the People first. Increasing the stimulus checks to $2,000 will provide a huge boost to people struggling, and help the economy recover more quickly from the pandemic, saidCongressman Crist. I am honored to be able to travel back to Washington to cast my vote for the people of Pinellas. With the support of President Trump and a bipartisan vote in the House, I am hopeful that Senate Republicans will do the right thing in delivering real relief to families in need. Let's get this done!",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://crist.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2233,Crist Statement on House Veto Override of NDAA,2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,FL,Charlie Crist,C001111,crist.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC U.S. Representative Charlie Crist (D-St. Petersburg) released a statement following the House vote to override the President's veto of H.R. 6395, the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for FY 2021. The $732 billion national defense bill passed both the House and Senate earlier this month with an overwhelming veto-proof margin. The veto override vote passed today by a vote of 322-87. Trump's veto of the defense bill comes following reports of an unprecedented Russian cyberattack on the U.S. government and businesses, further endangering our national defense and readiness while simultaneously undermining the wellbeing of those serving our nation in uniform. America has passed a defense bill for 59 consecutive years, and this year will continue that streak as the House has spoken with an overwhelming, bipartisan voice, overriding the President's veto, said Congressman Crist. This strongly bipartisan defense bill puts our country, our national defense, and our troops, first. Congressman Crist has been a vocal supporter of this year's NDAA, fighting for inclusion of Crist-championed provisions putting local veterans, servicemembers and our military readiness first, such as: Protecting the hard-earned benefits of Coast Guard retirees from future government shutdowns through Crist's Coast Guard Retirement Parity Act; Helping veterans find jobs quicker after their service by studying the transferability of military certifications to civilian life; Exposing the unfair practice of using family medical records to deny enlistees from military families when they try to join the military as adults; Holding the pentagon accountable for delivering on the Crist effort to prepare and protect MacDill and other bases from sea level rise and climate change. The legislation also includes important policy to: Confront our adversaries like Russia and China by supporting our alliances, fully funding the European Deterrence Initiative, investigating Russian bounties on servicemembers being killed by terrorists, and authorizing a $2.2 billion Pacific Deterrence Initiative to contain China; Secure our free and fair elections by allowing the State Department to offer rewards for providing information on foreign election interference; Institute a 3% pay raise for servicemembers and increased Hazardous Duty Pay to $275 a month; Provide long-overdue benefits for Agent Orange-exposed veterans by adding Parkinsonism, bladder cancer, and hypothyroidism to the Agent Orange Presumptive List; Protect families in military housing, like those at MacDill AFB, by updating minimum health and safety standards for government-owned housing, repealing a law that allows the DOD to place families in substandard housing units, and requiring DOD to implement all Government Accountability Office recommendations for improvements.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://steube.house.gov/media/press-releases/steube-opposes-unnecessary-redistribution-wealth-covid-relief-legislation,Steube Opposes Unnecessary Redistribution of Wealth in COVID Relief Legislation,2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,FL,Greg Steube,S001214,steube.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) today voted against H.R. 9051, the Caring for Americans with Supplemental Help Act of 2020. We understand the economic hardship inflicted by COVID-19, but Americans don't need inadequate stimulus checks and forced government dependency to get them back on their feet, Steube said. Rather than prolonging economic suffering with failing, irresponsible legislation, our country needs to follow the lead of states like Florida and give Americans incentives and the opportunity to return to their jobs and normal lives. This legislation would raise the direct stimulus payments previously passed in COVID-19 relief legislation from $600 to $2,000. However, throughout the pandemic, Congress has already authorized $4.1 trillion in aid to offset the costly and non-scientific lockdown measures. This is coupled with the new debt all Americans have incurred due to historic fiscal irresponsibility. At current spending levels, Congress has already created $2.2 trillion in new debt, which means $18,000 in government debt per household. Stimulus checks have wastefully spent hard earned taxpayer dollars on nearly 150 million Americans who have been employed despite the COVID-19 pandemic. For those who are unemployed or have been forced to shut down their businesses, recent stimulus checks have been insufficient for living wages. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://steube.house.gov/press-releases/steube-opposes-unnecessary-redistribution-of-wealth-in-covid-relief-legislation/,Steube Opposes Unnecessary Redistribution of Wealth in COVID Relief Legislation,2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,FL,W. Gregory Steube,S001214,steube.house.gov,steube,https://steube.house.gov/category/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Steube Opposes Unnecessary Redistribution of Wealth in COVID Relief Legislation WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) today voted against H.R. 9051, the Caring for Americans with Supplemental Help Act of 2020. “We understand the economic hardship inflicted by COVID-19, but Americans don’t need inadequate stimulus checks and forced government dependency to get them back on their feet,” Steube said. “Rather than prolonging economic suffering with failing, irresponsible legislation, our country needs to follow the lead of states like Florida and give Americans incentives and the opportunity to return to their jobs and normal lives.” This legislation would raise the direct stimulus payments previously passed in COVID-19 relief legislation from $600 to $2,000. However, throughout the pandemic, Congress has already authorized $4.1 trillion in aid to offset the costly and non-scientific lockdown measures. This is coupled with the new debt all Americans have incurred due to historic fiscal irresponsibility. At current spending levels, Congress has already created $2.2 trillion in new debt, which means $18,000 in government debt per household. Stimulus checks have wastefully spent hard earned taxpayer dollars on nearly 150 million Americans who have been employed despite the COVID-19 pandemic. For those who are unemployed or have been forced to shut down their businesses, recent stimulus checks have been insufficient for living wages.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2554,"Wasserman Schultz on CASH Act Passage, Trump Veto Override",2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,FL,Debbie Wasserman Schultz,W000797,wassermanschultz.house.gov,wassermanschultz,https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"Washington DC – U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23) issues the following statement after this evening’s House vote to pass the CASH Act and to override President Trump’s veto of the National Defense Authorization Act: “Millions of struggling Americans are counting on Congress to deliver the level of assistance that this historic health and economic crisis demands, and I was proud to vote for the CASH Act, which would provide that vital, more robust $2,000 lifeline. There is so much more that needs to be done and Democrats will continue to champion the assistance that families and our states and local communities need, once a new Congress and President take office. I’m proud that the House did its job tonight. Now it’s up to Senators to finish the job and vote for the kind of real relief that families need at this dark, trying time in our history. I am also pleased that nearly every House Democrat banded together with a majority of Republicans to override President Trump’s irresponsible and cruel veto of the National Defense Authorization Act. For the President to prioritize honoring Confederate traitors over national security and a pay raise for our troops was reckless and repulsive. The improved housing, health and salary resources our servicemembers would receive in the NDAA should never have been endangered by Trump’s pathetic attempt to preserve the names on our military bases of those who fought to preserve slavery and betrayed America. It’s fitting this veto override honors those who would make the ultimate sacrifice to fashion a more perfect union today and tomorrow, and rejects the vestiges of those who once fought to destroy the United States of America.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://dunn.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=277,Congressman Dunn Supports the Military with Veto Override,2020-12-24,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,FL,Neal P. Dunn,D000628,dunn.house.gov,dunn,https://dunn.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"PANAMA CITY, FL – Today, Representative Neal Dunn, M.D. (FL-02) issued the following statement ahead of a House vote to override the executive veto of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). “On Monday, the House will vote to override the executive veto of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Following doctors’ advice, who are currently treating me for issues related to my existing asthma and a case of pneumonia, I will not be traveling to Washington for that vote as my recovery continues. I fully support the NDAA bill. It is one of the most critical pieces of legislation that Congress must pass each year, supporting our men and women in uniform and the defense of our nation. This year’s bill further cements the rebuild of Tyndall Air Force Base and secures its missions for decades to come while supporting the future growth of Naval Support Activity Panama City. For these reasons, I would vote to override the veto if conditions allowed me to be present.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z http://teddeutch.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=402901,"Deutch Bill Protecting Seniors with Alzheimer's, Dementia Signed into Law",2020-12-23,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,FL,Ted Deutch,D000610,teddeutch.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today, President Donald Trump signed into law the Promoting Alzheimer's Awareness to Prevent Elder Abuse Act introduced by U.S. Representatives Ted Deutch (FL-22) and Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14) and Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), and Chuck Grassley (R-IA). The legislation directs the U.S. Department of Justice to develop best practices and training materials for assisting professionals law enforcement, firefighters, emergency personnel, social workers, court officials, and medical professionals who encounter and support people living with Alzheimer's and other dementia. This population is particularly vulnerable to scams as their condition makes it more difficult for them to communicate the crimes to law enforcement or to seek life-saving assistance from first responders. Particularly amid the coronavirus pandemic, having best practices will help first responders and other professionals effectively interact with people living with Alzheimer's and other dementia targeted by fraud and in need. ""I'm proud that Congress acted to bring some assurance to the millions of Americans living with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia and their families,"" Rep. Deutch said. ""This Justice Department training program will help prepare first responders and other professionals in how to properly interact with this population. Whether a police officer is responding to an incident or mental health and medical professionals are treating patients, they will be better prepared with best practices for supporting people living with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia."" Too many of our seniors citizens, especially those with Alzheimer's and dementia, are at increased risk of falling victim to fraud and abuse, said Rep. Reschenthaler. I was proud to lead this bipartisan, bicameral effort to protect vulnerable members of our communities from exploitation by equipping first responders and caregivers with tools to prevent and respond to elder abuse. Thank you to President Trump for signing the Promoting Alzheimer's Awareness To Prevent Elder Abuse Act into law and for his commitment to protecting our nation's senior citizens. On behalf of the Alzheimer's Association, I would like to congratulate U.S. Representatives Ted Deutch and Guy Reschenthaler for their hard work and success in passing the bipartisan Elder Justice Improvement Act. Your efforts will protect the millions of Americans living with Alzheimer's and other dementias from elder abuse. This legislation will also equip first responders and caregivers with the tools they need to protect the health and safety of this particularly vulnerable population, said Robert Egge, Alzheimer's Association chiefpublic policy officer and Alzheiemr's Impact Movement executive director.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=403468,Rep. Castor Statement on President Trump Vetoing Bipartisan NDAA,2020-12-23,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,FL,Kathy Castor,C001066,castor.house.gov,castor,https://castor.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"In his latest callous, erratic decision, President Trump has vetoed the National Defense Authorization Act and nixed a 3 percent pay raise for military families at Christmas. Our military families at MacDill Air Force Base and around the world are the best and deserve the best. Vetoing these critical funds at the eleventh hour only hurts our troops and their families and endangers our national security. I will vote to override the president’s veto of this bipartisan legislation next week and remain committed to ensuring our service members and families at MacDill have the tools they need to carry out their missions and remain safe and healthy. Rep. Castor statement on NDAA passage (includes important priorities for MacDill Air Force Base and Tampa residents): https://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=403463",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://crist.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2228,Crist Calls on Congress to Overturn Presidential Veto of Defense Bill,2020-12-23,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,FL,Charlie Crist,C001111,crist.house.gov,,,legacy,"Crist Calls on Congress to Overturn Presidential Veto of Defense Bill f t # e Washington, DC, December 23, 2020 Washington, DC U.S. Representative Charlie Crist (D-St. Petersburg) released a statement calling on Congress to override President Trump's veto of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for FY 2021 as soon as possible. The $732 billion national defense bill which passed both the House and Senate earlier this month with an overwhelming veto-proof margin now requires one more 2/3 vote in both the House and Senate to make the bipartisan defense bill law. The United States Constitution was established in part to provide for the common defense. As the Representative from Florida's 13thCongressional District, I understand that my job is to do all I can to keep Pinellas families safe. That's why I was proud to join an overwhelming, bipartisan majority to pass this year's defense bill,said Rep. Crist. I struggle to make sense of why the Commander-in-Chief, in his final days in office, has taken this step which does not support our national defense or our troops during the holidays no less. It sends a dangerous message to our adversaries as our nation prepares for a presidential transition and grapples with the unprecedented Russian cyberattack on our government and our businesses. Congress must step up and override this veto for our troops, for our values, for our security, and for the people. The National Defense Authorization Act, which passed the House and the Senate earlier this month, includes: Confronting our adversaries like Russia and China by supporting our alliances, fully funding the European Deterrence Initiative, requiring reporting on Russian bounties on servicemembers being killed by terrorists, and authorizing a $2.2 billion Pacific Deterrence Initiative to contain China; Securing our free and fair elections by allowing the State Department to offer rewards for providing information on foreign election interference; A 3% pay raise for servicemembers and increased Hazardous Duty Pay to $275 a month; Crist's bill to protect Coast Guard retirement pay from future government shutdowns; Long-overdue benefits for Agent Orange-exposed veterans by adding Parkinsonism, bladder cancer, and hypothyroidism to the Agent Orange Presumptive List; Protections for families in military housing, like those at MacDill AFB, by updating minimum health and safety standards for government-owned housing, repealing a law that allows the DOD to place families in substandard housing units, and requiring DOD to implement all Government Accountability Office recommendations for improvements; A new Domestic Violence Task Force to actively work to stop domestic violence in the military; Allowing victims of sexual harassment to make confidential reports outside the chain of command; Report on the progress of restoring honor to veterans unjustly discharged under Don't Ask, Don't Tell, which has kept them from qualifying for the benefits they have earned; And inclusion of VA employees in the paid parental leave benefit for federal employees. f t # e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-diaz-balart-chabot-reschenthaler-spearhead-resolution-supporting,"Reps. Diaz-Balart, Chabot, Reschenthaler Spearhead Resolution Supporting Free Trade with Taiwan",2020-12-23,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,FL,Mario Diaz-Balart,D000600,mariodiazbalart.house.gov,mariodiazbalart,https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. ­­–– Congressmen Mario Diaz-Balart, Steve Chabot (OH-1), and Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14) introduced H. Res. 1268, which expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should initiate negotiations to enter into a free trade agreement with Taiwan. This legislation is a critical step toward building a stronger diplomatic partnership with Taiwan, expanding economic growth and job creation through increased access to markets in the Indo-Pacific region, and countering the Chinese Communist Party's hostilities towards Taiwan. Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA), the author of the legislation, and 25 Senate Republicans introduced this resolution in the Senate. ""Taiwan is a strong friend and democratic ally of the United States, and I support efforts to further strengthen that relationship with deepened economic ties,""said Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart.""While the PRC continues to bully and threaten its neighbors, Taiwan has nonetheless thrived as an economic powerhouse and responsible partner on a variety of key priorities including public health, democracy promotion, and trade. Working toward a free trade agreement with Taiwan will strengthen this crucial relationship and enable Taiwan to better withstand the barrage of threats and hostility from the PRC."" ""As a longtime proponent of a U.S.-Taiwan free trade agreement, I am pleased to support this important legislation put forward by Congressman Reschenthaler,""said Congressman Chabot.""Taiwan is one of our top trading partners, and consolidating our economic partnership will bring both economic and strategic benefits to both of our countries. Earlier this fall, President Tsai took bold action to address longstanding barriers to U.S. agricultural imports. It is critical that the United States Trade Representatives build on this gesture of goodwill before momentum is lost."" ""As a member of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus, I am proud to introduce this critical legislation that supports expanding economic ties between the United States and Taiwan by lowering trade barriers,""said Congressman Reschenthaler.""As an important trading partner for the United States and Pennsylvania, a free trade agreement with Taiwan will enhance our economic, diplomatic, and security partnership in the Indo-Pacific while also countering the Chinese Communist Party's aggression in the region. After visiting Taiwan in 2019, I saw firsthand Taiwan's shared economic values and commitment to freedom and democracy. It is past time our nation takes advantage of this opportunity to deepen trade ties with our friend and ally Taiwan. I thank Senator Toomey and Reps. Diaz-Balart and Chabot for joining me to strengthen this enduring partnership."" ""Building closer trade ties between the United States and Taiwan is a win-win for both countries,""said Senator Toomey. ""American workers and manufacturers would have more customers, American consumers would have access to more affordable goods, both economies would grow faster, and America would strengthen its relationship with a key regional ally and increase our economic engagement in the Indo-Pacific region. The Senate should pass this resolution and the incoming Biden administration should make a trade agreement with Taiwan a priority."" ""TECRO sincerely appreciates Senator Toomey and Congressman Reschenthaler for introducing this important resolution,""said Ambassador Bi-Khim Hsiao. ""As both Taiwan and the United States are making every endeavor to ensure supply chain security and trading relationships that will provide us with more resilience and restore our economic growth in the aftermath of the COVID pandemic, a bilateral trade agreement would be a sensible and necessary move to achieve those goals. Taiwan is ready to start the negotiations towards a high-standard trade agreement. We look forward to working with US Congress and the administration to deepen Taiwan-US trade and economic ties.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://stephaniemurphy.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1559,President Signs into Law Murphy Bill to Strengthen Criminal Penalties for Adults Who Stalk Children,2020-12-23,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,FL,Stephanie Murphy,M001202,stephaniemurphy.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTONPresident Donald J. Trump signed into law a bipartisanbillauthored by U.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla., alongside Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., and Senators Pat Toomey, R-Pa., and Bob Casey, D-Pa., to strengthen criminal penalties for adults who stalk or severely harass children, either online or in the community. TheCombat Online Predators Actpassed the Senate in October and the House passed it earlier this month. I'm proud to have worked with my colleagues to craft and pass legislation that will deter stalkers from harassing innocent children,said Murphy. As a mom, I know how important it is to protect our kids from dangerous criminals lurking online and in our communities. Now that the President has signed this bipartisan bill into law, those who commit this terrible crime should be prepared to face serious punishment for their actions. TheCombat Online PredatorsActwas inspired by the story of the Zezzo family of Bucks County, Pennsylvania whose teenage daughter was cyber-stalked by a friend's father on social media. Despite the stalking being sexual in nature, the then-51-year-old stalker pleaded guilty to only a misdemeanor stalking charge and was sentenced to probation and counseling. Three years later, the same stalker began making contact with the young girl again. This time, he was arrested in a sting by local police and sentenced to between 18 months and seven years in a state prison. Under current law, it is a federal crime for an individual to harass or intimidate another individual, in person or online, in a way that places them in fear of physical harm or causes them significant emotional distress. The maximum criminal penalty is 5 years in prison, and 10 years in prison if the defendant causes serious physical injury to the victim or uses a dangerous weapon. The Murphy-led bill will increase the maximum penalty by 5 years, to 10 years and 15 years respectively, when the defendant is an adult and the victim is under 18 years of age. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/sen-rick-scott-first-priority-get-vaccine-vulnerable-populations-healthcare-workers,"Sen. Rick Scott: First Priority is to Get Vaccine to Vulnerable Populations, Healthcare Workers",2020-12-23,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,FL,Rick Scott,S001217,www.rickscott.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Senator Rick Scott released the following statement after declining the offer by the Capitol Attending Physician to receive the vaccine for himself and select members of his staff. Senator Rick Scott said, I'm incredibly proud of the hard work by so many Americans that led to the development and distribution of the coronavirus vaccines this month. As we turn the corner on this pandemic, the priority must be to make sure the elderly and at-risk populations, as well as our healthcare workers, have access to the vaccine first. My staff and I will wait to get the vaccine at the appropriate time determined by our personal physicians. I've asked that my office's allotment be given to vulnerable populations that need the vaccine most. I served in the Navy and I learned that it's always important for leaders to put the troops first. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/sen-rick-scott-introduces-stop-covid-19-act,Sen. Rick Scott Introduces STOP COVID-19 Act,2020-12-23,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,FL,Rick Scott,S001217,www.rickscott.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Senator Rick Scott introduced the Set Testing and Objectives Plan (STOP) COVID-19 Act to create a program for cities and counties to increase testing, contact tracing and transparency efforts in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Senator Rick Scott said, The distribution of the coronavirus vaccine is great news, but we still haven't beaten the coronavirus and we can't let our guard down. As infections continue across the nation, all levels of government must work together on transparent, efficient and measurable ways to contain the spread. The STOP COVID-19 Act creates a program for cities and counties, using metrics-based incentives, to ensure communities are doing everything possible to keep residents safe. The program will be data-focused, so communities know what they are doing well and what they need to work on. We must keep working to end the coronavirus and give Americans as much information as possible, so we can get back to our new normal. The STOP COVID-19 Act would: Create a voluntary, data-driven COVID testing and contact tracing program for cities and counties to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Establish metrics, including positivity rate, contract tracing and test results, to measure the effectiveness of the program. Authorize an 100% federal share for the first two months, using unspent money in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund. That will continue after two months unless the city or county fails to attain the success metrics, then a 25% cost-share would apply. Increase transparency by requiring cities and counties to report testing metrics and community spread, as well as publish easily accessible information about testing locations and availability. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=403467,Rep. Castor Champions Wins for Tampa in FY21 Omnibus,2020-12-22,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,FL,Kathy Castor,C001066,castor.house.gov,castor,https://castor.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor released the following statement as the bipartisan FY21 omnibus and $900B in COVID-19 relief head to the president’s desk: “In addition to the immediate relief provided by the COVID-19 emergency aid in this package, the FY21 omnibus contains priorities that will support our economy and military, lower health care costs, strengthen our fight for clean energy and more. I’m pleased that we came to a bipartisan solution that meets the needs of our community and more. Several provisions that I championed were included in the final package will directly benefit Tampa. “The bill fully funds a 3 percent pay raise for the members of our military and shows a continued commitment to upgrade base housing for military families. It also provides $9.5B to fund SOCOM’s operations and ensures that the brave men and women who are the Tip of the Spear can continue to serve in the world’s most dangerous places to keep us all safe. “My language to direct the Department of Housing and Urban Development to survey public housing authorities to determine how many are known to be built on cemeteries or historical burial grounds was included in this bill and will hopefully provide clarity and peace of mind for families in Tampa and around the country. In identifying lost graves, we can show respect for the final resting place of countless individuals and provide long-awaited peace of mind for their families. The history of Tampa’s Zion Cemetery, the Black families buried there, and the imperative to do right by the families who live in Robles Park have brought us to a moment and this direction to HUD will help bring recognition and justice here in Tampa and across the nation at similar sites. ""Today's legislation also includes several key provisions that will help reduce pollution, protect public health, and invest in resilience to keep Americans safe. From phasing down the use of superpollutant hydrofluorocarbons to investing in research that will expand our use of renewable energy, this legislation moves us in the right direction. It takes important steps that we highlighted in our Climate Crisis Action Plan, including extending clean energy tax credits, promoting pipeline safety, and investing in crucial water infrastructure. “The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) was reauthorized and takes necessary steps to authorize and reform Army Corps of Engineers that will be essential, particularly for Port Tampa Bay, in creating good-paying jobs, upgrading infrastructure and sustaining critical natural resources that sustain and grow our local economies. Important to Tampa and Florida communities, it also includes vital provisions to support land, agriculture, and ocean climate solutions. “Looking ahead to the new year, serving the needs of Tampa families and businesses remains my top priority. I look forward to the stability that an entire year of funding brings to our local economy and initiatives.” Priorities for Tampa residents and MacDill Air Force Base in this omnibus package: Provides $1.3 billion to fund construction, operation, and maintenance of military family housing for fiscal year 2021, the same as the budget request, and provides an additional $60 million in an administrative provision. This includes my provision to provide $135 million to continue to address mold and shoddy construction. The additional funds above the request are provided to address family housing issues such as mold, vermin, and lead in military family housing. This funding will ensure quality housing for the 2 million military families currently served by the program. Provides full funding necessary to support a 3 percent military pay raise. Provides $9.5 billion to fund SOCOM’s operation and maintenance requirements. Provides $284 million above the request to address public school infrastructure requirements on DoD installations. Honors our responsibilities to veterans, providing $90 billion for VA medical care, including funding to provide homelessness assistance, suicide prevention and outreach, and gender-specific care. Ends surprise medical bills for emergency and scheduled care, so patients are only responsible for their usual cost-sharing amounts and deductibles. With patients protected, the legislation establishes a fair process for health care providers and health plans to sort out the out-of-network costs between themselves, without the patient stuck in the middle.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://lawson.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-lawson-new-federal-budget-forgives-111-million-in-famu-federal-loans,Rep. Lawson: New Federal Budget Forgives $111 Million in FAMU Federal Loans,2020-12-22,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,FL,Al Lawson,L000586,lawson.house.gov,,,legacy,"December 22, 2020 Rep. Lawson: New Federal Budget Forgives $111 Million in FAMU Federal Loans WASHINGTON, DC- U.S. Rep. Al Lawson (FL-05), today announced that the FY 2020-21 federal spending deal that Congress passed on Monday includes good news for Florida A&M University, as it also cancels more than $111 million in FAMU federal debt held by the U.S. government. In 2019, FAMU borrowed $126 million from the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Capital Finance Program to construct new dorms, and refinance the debt on its residence halls.The HBCU Capital Finance Debt Relief Act, which discharges over $1.3 billion in debt held by HBCUs, was included in the omnibus spending deal. I'm proud to have worked with my colleagues in the House and the Senate to eliminate the federal debt, not only at FAMU, but all HBCUs that have been hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic, said Rep. Lawson. As COVID-19 has severely impacted the higher education community, particularly low-resourced HBCUs, we felt cancelling their debt would give them a fresh start and allow them to focus more resources on educating students. ""This will mean a brighter future for thousands of young people as our communities will also benefit from their knowledge, skills and expertise for years to come, Rep. Lawson added. Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://mast.house.gov/press-releases?ID=6B62A775-52AD-4DA2-934E-D813C775DFE4,"At Mast’s Urging, Congress Delivers Historic Funding For Everglades Restoration",2020-12-22,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,FL,Brian Mast,M001199,mast.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Congressman Brian Mast (FL-18) today released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed the FY2021 budget, which includes $250 million in funding for Everglades restoration: This is a historic vote for Everglades restoration and stopping harmful discharges, Rep. Mast said. This record-setting funding is exactly what we need to accelerate restoration projects and send more water south where Mother Nature intended it to go! In 2019, Rep. Mast convinced the White House and Congress to pass an appropriations package with $200 million in funding for Everglades restoration. Earlier this year, Rep. Mast sent a letter to President Trump urging his Administration to request $250 million for Everglades funding in his budget. This year's budget, which includes the additional $50 million, builds on Rep. Mast's track record of success and brings the total to a record-setting $250 million. A full timeline of Rep. Mast's efforts to secure Everglades funding during the 116th Congress is available here. This appropriations bill has also passed the Senate and is expected to be signed into law by President Donald Trump in the coming days. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://steube.house.gov/media/press-releases/steube-demands-investigation-swalwell-s-ties-chinese-spy,Steube Demands Investigation into Swalwell’s Ties with Chinese Spy,2020-12-22,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,FL,Greg Steube,S001214,steube.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) joined colleagues in sending a letter to Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Christopher Wray, inquiring if the Bureau has made any efforts to investigate the relationship between Representative Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) and suspected Chinese spy Fang Fang, or Christine Fang. We know that the threat from Communist China is dire as they attempt to infiltrate our universities, intelligence communities, and even our highest levels of government, Steube said. At a minimum, we need to remove Eric Swalwell from the Intelligence Committee and demand a thorough and immediate investigation into his ties with Fang Fang. Anything less would be a threat to our national security and complete failure on behalf of the American people. Swalwell currently serves on the House Intelligence Committee, and despite House Republicans'efforts, there have been no actions to suspend or remove him from the committee at this time. Ties between Swalwell and Fang date back to 2012, and she has a history of fundraising for his campaign. There are evenreportsof Fang having an intern hired to Swalwell's Congressional office after receiving her recommendation. The FBI alerted Swalwell of their investigation into Fang in 2015, shortly after she left the country. Strengthening our national security and countering the threat from Communist China has been a top priority for Steube. Earlier this Congress, he introduced theChinese Communist Party (CCP) Visa Disclosure Act of 2020,which would require aliens applying for certain United States visas to disclose if they receive funds from the Government of the People's Republic of China or the Chinese Communist Party. The full text of the letter can be found here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://steube.house.gov/press-releases/steube-demands-investigation-into-swalwell-s-ties-with-chinese-spy/,Steube Demands Investigation into Swalwell’s Ties with Chinese Spy,2020-12-22,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,FL,W. Gregory Steube,S001214,steube.house.gov,steube,https://steube.house.gov/category/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Steube Demands Investigation into Swalwell’s Ties with Chinese Spy WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) joined colleagues in sending a letter to Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Christopher Wray, inquiring if the Bureau has made any efforts to investigate the relationship between Representative Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) and suspected Chinese spy Fang Fang, or Christine Fang. “We know that the threat from Communist China is dire as they attempt to infiltrate our universities, intelligence communities, and even our highest levels of government,” Steube said. “At a minimum, we need to remove Eric Swalwell from the Intelligence Committee and demand a thorough and immediate investigation into his ties with Fang Fang. Anything less would be a threat to our national security and complete failure on behalf of the American people.” Swalwell currently serves on the House Intelligence Committee, and despite House Republicans’ efforts, there have been no actions to suspend or remove him from the committee at this time. Ties between Swalwell and Fang date back to 2012, and she has a history of fundraising for his campaign. There are even reports of Fang having an intern hired to Swalwell’s Congressional office after receiving her recommendation. The FBI alerted Swalwell of their investigation into Fang in 2015, shortly after she left the country. Strengthening our national security and countering the threat from Communist China has been a top priority for Steube. Earlier this Congress, he introduced the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Visa Disclosure Act of 2020, which would require aliens applying for certain United States visas to disclose if they receive funds from the Government of the People’s Republic of China or the Chinese Communist Party. The full text of the letter can be found here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://steube.house.gov/press-releases/steube-votes-against-trillion-dollar-politicized-spending-bill/,Steube Votes Against Trillion Dollar Politicized Spending Bill,2020-12-22,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,FL,W. Gregory Steube,S001214,steube.house.gov,steube,https://steube.house.gov/category/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Steube Votes Against Trillion Dollar Politicized Spending Bill WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Greg Steube today released the following statement after voting against this year’s Consolidated Appropriations Act: “This so-called relief bill fails to target the needs of citizens in our District and fails to bring much-needed relief to our fellow countrymen. Instead of addressing the economic suffering of Americans, Democrats have run the clock down so debate and meaningful compromise is impossible. Their solution is to manipulate this process to include their radical agenda of defunding ICE, elements of the Green New Deal and to skyrocket unnecessary federal spending. We are left with a choice – give in again or reject this misguided legislation as a signal that we demand targeted aid for our citizens.” Instead of providing relief to those in need, this legislation would defund critical agencies like ICE, continue to incentivize keeping people home from work and students home from school, and would raise the deficit to the highest levels in history. The legislation included a $1.4 trillion omnibus spending package, along with an additional $900 billion COVID relief package, totaling as much as $2.3 trillion of taxpayer money. With the United States already facing $27.4 trillion of debt, this legislation would add to the problem, all while: Encouraging Americans to rely on unemployment insurance instead of returning to the workforce; Increasing dependency on SNAP monthly benefits; Defunding critical security agencies, like ICE; Allowing schools to receive extra funding while they remain closed and hamper the development of America’s children; Bailing out the failing U.S. Postal Service and allowing them to not repay the prior $10 billion loan from the CARES Act; Lacking any liability protections for businesses, schools, universities and churches, thus further encouraging ongoing COVID-19 closures; Giving concessions to the radical progressive climate change agenda; Extending tax credits solely designed to benefit the wealthy; Further burdening future generations of taxpayers with reckless and irrelevant spending. The text of the bill reached 5,593 pages and Members of the U.S. House of Representatives only had roughly 7 hours to analyze the legislation, making it nearly impossible for each Member to be able to read the bill. Rather than supporting last minute, multi-thousand page legislation which fails to properly address the needs of the American people, Steube has taken a number of steps throughout the year to support Florida’s small businesses, families, farmers, and veterans. He has stood up for long-term care facilities and their residents by urging the Department of Health and Human Services to allocate unused Provider Relief Funds. He has fought for the inclusion of 501(c)(6)s in the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). He has cosponsored legislation to cap unemployment insurance and encourage businesses to reopen and people to go back to work. He has worked alongside U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue to support farmers in Florida and across the country. These are only several of Steube’s initiatives to put Floridians on the road to recovery from COVID-19. He has been a vocal supporter of Governor Ron DeSantis’ (R-Fla.) efforts to reopen businesses and schools and has participated in a swath of initiatives to hold China and the Chinese Communist Party accountable for their role in the pandemic. The full text of the legislation can be found here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/sen-rick-scott-applauds-senate-passage-his-buy-american-resolution,Sen. Rick Scott Applauds Senate Passage of His “Buy American” Resolution,2020-12-22,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,FL,Rick Scott,S001217,www.rickscott.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Senator Rick Scott applauded the Senate passage of his and Senator Tammy Baldwin's bipartisanresolution calling on Americans to buy products made in the U.S. whenever possible in order to support American jobs and manufacturing, and help build up the U.S. supply chain. Senator Rick Scott said, I'm glad my colleagues joined together to pass this resolution, which encourages all Americans to buy products made in the U.S. whenever possible. This outbreak has shown that we cannot continue to rely on our adversaries, like Communist China, who lied about the coronavirus and refused to be a partner in solving the crisis, for our critical supplies. I know it's not always easy, but buying American is an important step we can all take at home to support American jobs, American producers and American manufacturers, while helping build up the U.S. supply chain. I'm committed to supporting American businesses and jobs, and ensuring America remains strong as the undisputed leader of the global economy. Senator Tammy Baldwin said, I strongly believe that when we're using U.S. taxpayer dollars, we should be supporting American workers and American-made products. As our nation addresses supply chain shortages and works to keep our economy moving forward during this pandemic, we must boost our Made in America economy by prioritizing American manufacturers, workers and products over foreign workers and foreign-made goods. See more in Senator Scott's speech on the Senate floor HERE or below. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://teddeutch.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=402899,Rep. Ted Deutch Statement on COVID Relief Legislation,2020-12-21,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,FL,Ted Deutch,D000610,teddeutch.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Ted Deutch released the following statement after his vote in support of COVID relief and government funding legislation. Today I voted in favor of legislation to deliver desperately needed help to Americans struggling under the devastating COVID-19 pandemic. With the tragic number of infections, hospitalizations, and deaths rising across the nation, this legislation provides billions of dollars to help slow the spread of this virus and to accelerate equitable vaccine distribution that will finally bring this public health crisis to an end. The bill includes emergency economic relief to American families, including direct payments of $600 per adult and child, expanded federal unemployment benefits of $300 per week, a 15 percent boost to SNAP benefits and funding to restock food banks that have been heroically feeding our communities every day. The bill provides $25 billion in rental assistance for families struggling to stay in their homes and expands low income housing tax credits, strengthens the earned income tax credit and child tax credit, and provides a tax credit to support paid sick leave. The legislation will include billions in funding for colleges, schools, and child care providers. The legislation also funds billions of dollars in assistance for struggling small businesses and other employers. The bill expands relief programs to include nonprofits, restaurants, and dedicated funding for struggling live venues, independent movie theaters and cultural institutions that are the backbone of South Florida's hospitality and tourism economy. So many Americans are sick, and many more are struggling economically and worried about losing their jobs or their homes. While this bill provides important emergency relief, the final product is far from perfect. I am extremely disappointed that Republicans blocked additional unemployment benefit increases and refused to provide emergency funding for states and municipalities whose budgets have been drained responding to the pandemic. In addition, I am upset that the White House blocked dedicated funding through the RESTAURANTS Act that would have provided stability and certainty to these essential local enterprises. I also strongly support larger direct relief payments to struggling Americans, and wanted direct payments to young Americans and direct tuition assistance to college students. I will work toward these goals in the next round of congressional relief while understanding that when our government is divided, we must negotiate a compromise that has the support of both Democrats and Republicans. I also voted in favor of the year end appropriations bill to fund our government and ensure that critical priorities are funded including increased spending on education, housing, and nutrition programs. The funding bill devotes new funding to protecting our environment, reversing Trump Administration cuts to climate change programs, and provides $25 million in funding to the CDC and NIH for federal research into our nation's gun violence epidemic. The legislation also provides $50 million for the new Nita M. Lowey Partnership for Peace Fund which authorizes and encourages people-to-people exchanges and economic partnerships between Israelis and Palestinians. I am especially proud that my legislation, the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act"" was included in the spending bill.My legislation, would empower the President to impose sanctions on those who take American hostages, mandate the appointment of a Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, increase U.S. government engagement with families of hostages and those unlawfully or wrongfully detained, and mandate the creation of a Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell and interagency coordination to help free Americans unjustly held abroad. My constituent Bob Levinson was the longest held American hostage and his confinement and death was a devastating blow to his loving family. This new law will ensure that no other American family is left helpless when their loved one is held hostage abroad.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://teddeutch.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=402900,"Deutch, Bonamici, Young Bill to Strengthen Marine Energy Passes House",2020-12-21,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,FL,Ted Deutch,D000610,teddeutch.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today the House passed bipartisan legislation to increase federal investments in marine energy led by Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Congressman Don Young (R-AK), and Congressman Ted Deutch (D-FL). The Water Power Research and Development Act strengthens water power programs at the Department of Energy (DOE) and provides funding for research, development, demonstration, and commercialization of marine energy. The legislation passed the House as part of a funding and COVID relief package. It will authorize $186.6 million for the DOE Water Power Technologies Office over the next four years, including $137.4 million for federal investments in marine energy. Reducing the increasing impacts of climate change requires that our nation move toward renewable sources of energy, said Congressman Ted Deutch. Harnessing marine and hydrokinetic power from ocean currents, waves, tides, and other sources can reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and decrease carbon emissions.This bill will invest in research, development, and deployment of marine and hydrokinetic power that is currently being conducted by research centers, such as Florida Atlantic University.This is an investment in the energy of the future and one that I strongly support. ""Our ocean hols tremendous potential to mitigate the climate crisis, but for too long the power of waves, tides, and currents has been an untapped clean energy resource,"" saidCongresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. ""We must expedite our transition to a 100 percent clean energy economy, and scaling up the development of marine energy technologies can help sustainablu power our homes, buildings, and communities, and also create good-paying jobs. I am thrilled that our Water Power Research and Development Act will be signed into law because it will accelerate innovative research and development, including the efforts of Oregon State University and the Pacific Marine Energy Center. I appreciate the support and collaboration of Rep. Don Young and Rep. Ted Deutch in moving this bill forward. ""Hydropower is crucially important to Alaska, and I am very proud that the Water Power Research and Development Act has made it into the final omnibus package. I have long supported harnessing Alaska's vast hydropower capabilities. I was very proud to support projects such as the Terror Lake Hydroelectric Plant and the Swan Lake Hydroelectric Project. Both of these ventures are generating energy, and sustaining good-paying jobs in our communities,"" said Congressman Don Young. ""As a nation, we need to get serious about helping renewables compete on a level playing field. Hydropower represents enormous potential for the State of Alaska, and we should be empowered to pursue it. As we look to diversify America's energy portfolio, it is my great hope that our legislation will assist with the development of hydropower projects across our country. I want to thank my colleagues on both sides of their aisle for supporting this critical effort, and I am especially grateful to Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici and Congressman Ted Deutch for their partnership on this bill."" Importantly, the bill authorizes funding for existing and new National Marine Energy Centers, including the Pacific Marine Energy Center operated by Oregon State University, the University of Washington, and the University of Alaska Fairbanks and Florida Atlantic University's Southeast National Marine Renewable Energy Center. The Pacific Marine Energy Center at Oregon State University is working at the forefront to advance science, facilitate innovation, and develop the future workforce for what will become a multi-billion marine energy sector, said Bryson Robertson, Co-Director of the Pacific Marine Energy Center at Oregon State University. Enactment of the [Water Power Research and Development Act] sends an important and clear signal that the US remains committed to pursuing a commercially viable domestic marine energy sector that can reliably contribute toward a carbon-free energy portfolio. This is an exciting time for this emerging field. The Water Power Research and Development Act first passed the House in September.The Water Power Research and Development Act is also one of many recommendations included in the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis' comprehensive Climate Action Plan that outlines a science-based path to reach net-zero emissions no later than mid-century and net-negative thereafter.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=403466,Rep. Castor Statement on House Passage of COVID-19 Emergency Relief,2020-12-21,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,FL,Kathy Castor,C001066,castor.house.gov,castor,https://castor.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"“Help is on the way for American families and small businesses as the House just passed a fifth Covid-19 emergency aid bill. The landmark package will provide relief to individuals, small businesses, schools and hospitals - and a bridge to a day when the coronavirus vaccine is widely administered. Workers and families have been hurting for months and the bill will provide assistance for day-to-day realities like paying rent, taking care of children, and putting food on the table. This bill will take immediate steps to help. “While our communities have been grappling with the ongoing health and economic crises tied to the COVID-19 pandemic, I pressed for swift action and voted in May for emergency aid in the Heroes Act. Nevertheless, despite the delay, this aid package will provide a vital lifeline for many. “House Democrats fought for the inclusion of a second direct cash payments of $600 to many adults and children, averted the sudden expiration of Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits for millions and added a $300 per week UI enhancement for Americans out of work. This legislation includes over $280 billion in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, including funds that will be targeted for underserved communities, nonprofits, and the mom and pops shops we know and love here in Tampa. Many have shared that PPP has been a critical lifeline throughout the pandemic, and I’m confident that this infusion of new funds will be a shot in the arm to additional small business owners here in our community in the days ahead. “We all have seen that hope is on the horizon with the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, and Democrats pushed to ensure over $73 billion in public health investments to keep the foot on the gas and support the free, safe and equitable vaccine distribution that is necessary to crush the virus. The virus has had a disproportionate impact on communities of color, and $2.5 billion is allocated to expand access to testing and contract tracing in high-risk and underserved populations in the days ahead. “While the bill meets many needs of working Americans, there is far more to be done to meet the ongoing health and economic crises facing our nation. President-elect Biden has made clear his commitment to crushing the virus, listening to public health experts, and getting money into the pockets of the American people, and I will work with his administration from day 1 to bring this crisis to an end.” The $900 billion in emergency coronavirus relief to protect the lives and livelihoods of the American people includes: Public Health Investments to Crush COVID-19 including: · Invests $22.4 billion in testing, contact tracing, surveillance, containment, and mitigation, with a targeted investment of no less than $2.5 billion for expanding access to testing and contact tracing in high-risk and underserved populations, including for communities of color and rural areas. · Dedicates over $19 billion in the nation’s supply of COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics, including the manufacture, production, and purchase of vaccines, therapeutics, and ancillary supplies. · Supplies $8.75 billion for vaccine distribution, administration, planning, preparation, promotion, monitoring, and tracking, with a targeted investment of $300 million for high-risk and underserved populations, including for communities of color and rural areas. Strong support for small business: Democrats secured critical funding to help small businesses, including minority-owned businesses, and nonprofits recover from the pandemic. The agreement includes over $284 billion for first and second forgivable PPP loans, expanded PPP eligibility for nonprofits and local newspapers, TV and radio broadcasters, key modifications to PPP to serve the smallest businesses including mom & pop shops and struggling non-profits and better assist independent restaurants $15 billion in dedicated funding for live venues, independent movie theaters, and cultural institutions. The agreement also includes $20 billion for targeted EIDL Grants which are critical to many smaller businesses on Main Street. Enhanced Unemployment Insurance benefits: Democrats averted the sudden expiration of Unemployment Insurance benefits for millions and added a $300 per week UI enhancement for Americans out of work. Education and child care: The agreement provides $82 billion in funding for colleges and schools, including support for HVAC repair and replacement to mitigate virus transmission and reopen classrooms, and $10 billion for child care assistance to help get parents back to work and keep child care providers open. Transparency in State Data Reporting: States must submit their testing and tracing plans any updates to the Department of Health and Human Services no later than 60 days after funds have been awarded, and every quarter they must report to HHS the use of funding and HHS shall make the plans publicly available. Rental assistance: Democrats secured $25 billion in critically needed rental assistance for families struggling to stay in their homes and an extension of the eviction moratorium until January 31, 2021. Direct payment checks: Democrats secured a new round of direct payments worth up to $600 per adult and child, also ensuring that mixed-status families receive payments. Community Development Financial Institutions and Minority Depository Institutions: The agreement includes dedicated PPP set-asides for very small businesses and lending through community-based lenders like Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs); $9 billion in emergency U.S. Treasury capital investments in CDFIs and MDIs to support lending in low-income and underserved communities, including persistent poverty counties, that may be disproportionately impacted by the economic effects of the COVID–19 pandemic; and $3 billion in emergency support for CDFIs through the CDFI Fund to respond to the economic impact of the pandemic on underserved low-income and minority communities. Strengthens the Low Income Housing Tax Credit: The package enhances the LIHTC to help increase affordable housing construction and provide greater certainty to new and ongoing affordable housing projects. Strengthened Earned Income Tax Credit & Child Tax Credit: The agreement helps ensure that families who faced unemployment or reduced wages during the pandemic are able to receive a strong tax credit based on their 2019 income, preserving these vital income supports for vulnerable families. Supports paid sick leave: The agreement provides a tax credit to support employers offering paid sick leave, based on the Families First framework. Employee Retention Tax Credit: The agreement extends and improves the Employee Retention Tax Credit to help keep workers in the jobs during coronavirus closures or reduced revenue. Nutrition assistance for hungry families: Democrats secured $13 billion in increased SNAP and child nutrition benefits to help relieve the historic hunger crisis that has left up to 17 million children food insecure. Global Health: Democrats secured an additional $3.36 billion for a total of $4 billion for GAVI, the international vaccine alliance, recognizing that we are not truly safe until the whole world is safe from the coronavirus. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://crist.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2225,Crist Statement as COVID Relief Bill Heads to House Floor,2020-12-21,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,FL,Charlie Crist,C001111,crist.house.gov,,,legacy,"Crist Statement as COVID Relief Bill Heads to House Floor f t # e Washington, DC, December 21, 2020 Washington, DC U.S. Representative Charlie Crist (D-St. Petersburg) released a statement ahead of House passage of H.R. 133, a $900 billion coronavirus relief legislative package to provide additional support to American families and businesses struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic, and secure the fast and efficient distribution of the novel vaccine to eradicate the virus. The legislation, which is expected to pass later today, comes following weeks of bicameral, bipartisan negotiations. The relief package will also include $1.4 trillion to keep the government open for fiscal year 2021, completing the fiscal work of the government and safeguarding the nation from the threat of a government shutdown. Notably featured in the COVID relief legislation are provisions: Providing another round of direct economic payments, $600 per individuals and dependents; Restoring federal unemployment assistance, with a $300 per week federal add-on and 11 additional weeks, through March 2021. Benefits for self-employed individuals, gig workers, and those who've exhausted state benefits have been extended; Providing a $325 billion lifeline for small businesses, including $284 billion for a second round of forgivable Paycheck Protection Program loans, $20 billion for Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Advance Grants, including the full $10,000 for small businesses in low-income communities; $15 billion in Save Our Stages relief for live venues, theaters, and museums; Extending the federal moratorium on evictions through end of January 2021 and including $25 billion in rental assistance for families who owe back rent; Getting students safely back to school with $82 billion for K-12 public schools, and colleges and universities, including ventilation and HVAC to keep kids in school and safe; Taking steps to eradicate COVID-19, with $20 billion for the purchase of vaccines so every person who wants a vaccine can to receive one for free, $9 billion for vaccine distribution, and $22 billion for states to fund COVID testing, contact tracing, and other mitigation programs. At the outbreak of this pandemic, I promised you, my bosses, the people of Florida's 13th District, that I would do what it took to help us get to the other side of this crisis, said Rep. Crist. Today I remain just as fervently committed to that promise. While this compromise could certainly do more to help struggling families and small businesses, it remains one of the largest relief packages in American history second only to the CARES Act. I will continue to do whatever it takes to lift our community and nation out of this pandemic, and I will never stop fighting for you. f t # e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://crist.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2227,Funds for Veteran Treatment Courts and Red Tide Prevention Among Crist Priorities Included in Massive Government Appropriations Bill,2020-12-21,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,FL,Charlie Crist,C001111,crist.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC U.S. Representative Charlie Crist (D-St. Petersburg) released the following statement after several Crist-championed priorities were included in H.R. 133, a $2.3 trillion legislative package consisting of all twelve FY' 2021 appropriations bills and additional measures. This completes the fiscal work of the 116th Congress, keeps the government working for you, and protects Pinellas residents from a government shutdown through September 30, 2021. The bill, which passed the House overwhelmingly tonight, also features $900 billion in bipartisan, bicameral COVID relief and is expected to pass the Senate later this evening. A member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, Congressman Crist has been working since the spring on this funding package, which included the following key provisions for Pinellas families, veterans, and servicemembers: $25 million for Veteran Treatment Courts to give veterans in need access to treatment instead of jail time, supporting Crist's Veteran Treatment Court Act, which was signed into law in August. $13 million to research red tide and other harmful algae blooms, an increase of 30% from last year; $1 million for a new program aimed at detecting and monitoring harmful algae blooms like red tide in the Gulf of Mexico so we can better prepare for and respond to algae outbreaks; Continued funding for Community Health Centers like those Clearwater, Largo, and St. Pete through 2023, to provide low- and no-cost healthcare for neighbors in need; $12.84 billion to fully fund the United States Coast Guard, including a 3% pay raise for Coasties and investments in Coast Guard infrastructure and equipment; $15 billion for Save Our Stages grants for live venue, theatrical, museum, and performing arts organization operators, providing much need relief for the local live music and art venues that make our community so unique; $270 million in base funding plus a historic $3 billion emergency COVID allocation for the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund, which provides affordable, accessible capital to low-income families, communities of color, and small businesses typically shut out by big banks. This includes $8.5 million for the Small Dollar Loan Program, a promising effort championed by Rep. Crist that aims to replace predatory lending. I've always believed a budget is a statement of our priorities as a nation, and for me there is no bigger priority than hearing from my neighbors in Pinellas on what matters most to them and delivering on those issues. While this bill brings home major wins to families, veterans, and servicemembers from Clearwater to Pinellas Point, we know we must bring an end to this pandemic and build back better for our country and our communities, said Rep. Crist. With this bill, we take steps to protect our natural environment by tackling red tide and safeguarding our shores. We provide funding for veteran treatment courts, and provide a 3% pay increase for servicemembers, including Coasties stationed right here in Pinellas. We provide historic investment in minority- and women-owned small businesses, and secure community health centers for years to come. This bill is not perfect, and I wish it went further for people struggling during the pandemic. But I'm proud that Congress set differences aside and came together on this bipartisan legislative package for the people. Additional Crist priorities included in the package: $7 million to Tampa International Airport as part of $30 million in reimbursements to airports like TPA that purchased explosive detection equipment after 9/11 to keep passengers safe; $50 million for shore protection projects to preserve coastal habitats and protect Floridians and local economies from storm surge; $3.45 billion for Community Development Block Grants with a focus on aging-friendly home modifications grants. Modifications like installing grab bars and ramps, widening doors, and making bathtubs walk-in empower seniors who wish to age in their own homes safely and affordably - policy is similar to Crist's Senior Accessible Housing Act; $167.5 million for the National Endowment of the Arts, funding that will help support the arts community in St. Pete and across Pinellas that have been particularly hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic; $5 million for veterans to access clinical trials at National Cancer Institutes, like Tampa's own Moffitt Cancer Center; $100 million for the Reintegration of Ex-Offenders Program to help returning citizens receive employment and training they would otherwise find difficult to obtain as they reenter society; $97 million for YouthBuild, to help mitigate the Pinellas car theft problem and provide training and employment to underserved, at-risk young adults; $87 billion for the Department of Transportation to tackle traffic congestion like 34th Street in Pinellas Park by including millions in grants for transportation planning and billions in investments for highway and transit construction and improvement; $2.5 million for Regional Ocean Partnerships, similar to legislation introduced by Congressman Crist to support ocean and coastal health; $31 million to fully fund the C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation program for folks in need of marrow or cord blood transplants; Extension of the solar tax credit for two additional years, consistent with the intent of Crist's Sunshine Forever Act, along with investments in solar energy research and development to accelerate the transition to a clean energy economy and keep Florida running on sunshine; Forcing a re-examination of Federal Aviation Administration lax oversight over the airline industry. Crist first rang alarm bells in 2018, successfully ordering a Government Accountability Office study over whether FAA's kinder, gentler Compliance Philosophy was putting passengers at risk.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3191,"Rep. Frankel Statement on Passage of Emergency Coronavirus Relief Package, Government Funding Agreement",2020-12-21,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,FL,Lois Frankel,F000462,frankel.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today, Rep. Lois Frankel (FL-21) issued the following statement after voting for the bipartisan, bicameral emergency coronavirus relief and government funding package, which passed the House this evening. Once it passes the Senate it will go to the President's desk for signature. The COVID-19 pandemic and economic crisis have made this year painful for so many: over 315,000 families have lost loved ones, millions of workers have lost their jobs, and countless households are unable to make ends meet, said Rep. Frankel. This emergency relief package is critical to helping us crush this deadly virus and put money in the pockets of struggling families. I look forward to working with the new Biden-Harris Administration to meet the remaining needs of the American people and our local governments during this historic health and financial crisis. The emergency coronavirus relief package includes $900 billion in urgently needed funds to help save the lives and livelihoods of the American people. Provisions include: Accelerating Free Vaccine Distribution: Provides billions in urgently needed funds to accelerate the free and equitable distribution of safe vaccines to as many Americans as possible as soon as possible, to implement a strong national testing and tracing strategy with billions reserved specifically for combating the disparities facing communities of color, and to support our heroic health care workers and providers. Enhanced Unemployment Insurance Benefits: Averts the expiration of Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits for millions and adds a $300 per week UI enhancement for Americans out of work. Direct Payments to Families: A new round of direct payments worth up to $600 per adult and child, up to $2,400 per family. Strong Support for Small Business: Includes over $284 billion for first and second forgivable PPP loans, expanded PPP eligibility for nonprofits and local newspapers, TV and radio broadcasters, key modifications to PPP to serve the smallest businesses and struggling non-profits and better assist independent restaurants,and includes $15 billion in dedicated funding for live venues, independent movie theaters, and cultural institutions. Rental Assistance: Secures $25 billion in critically needed rental assistance for families struggling to stay in their homes and an extension of the eviction moratorium. Supporting Paid Sick Leave: Provides a tax credit to support employers offering paid sick leave, based on the Families First framework. Nutrition Assistance for Hungry Families: Includes $13 billion in increased SNAP and child nutrition benefits to help relieve the historic hunger crisis that has left up to 17 million children food insecure. Education and Childcare: Provides $82 billion in funding for colleges and schools, including $7 billion to increase access to broadband for students, families, and unemployed workers. Global Health: Includes an additional $3.36 billion for a total of $4 billion for GAVI, the international vaccine alliance, recognizing that we are not truly safe until the whole world is safe from the coronavirus. With this compromise, Congress reached a $1.4 trillion agreement to fund the government for the remainder of the FY21 Fiscal Year. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, Rep. Frankel advocated for an array of programs, many of which will positively impact South Florida, including: Labor-Health and Human Services-Education $7million in fundingforVeterans Student Service Centers, which provide resources and give a boost to student veterans transitioning from military to civilian life. $42.9 billion for theNational Institutes of Health(NIH), a more than $1.25billion increase over FY20 to this agency that provides life-saving research and care, including: $3.69billionfor Alzheimer's disease research $195 million for theCancer Moonshot project $25million forfirearm injury and mortality prevention research, divided evenly between the NIH and the Center for Disease Control. $5.91billion for the Child Care and Development Block Grant, an increase of $85 million from FY20 that will help low-income families afford quality childcare. $10.75 billion forHead Start, an increase of $135 million from FY20 to provide comprehensive early childhood education for low-income families. $13 million for the National Domestic Violence Hotline. $5.1 million for the Violence Against Women health initiative, state partnerships. Energy and Water $250 million for Everglades Restoration, a $50 million increase from FY20 levels. $50 million for Beach Restoration, maintaining funding from FY20 levels. Language ensuring the best available science is used whendetermining Lake Okeechobee water levels. Transportation, HUD $1 billionfor infrastructure grants. $2 billionfor highway projects. $25.8 billionfor affordable housing assistance. $3 billionfor homelessness assistance grants. Homeland Security Continued funding toreimburse local law enforcementfor overtime when protecting the President. $90 millionfor physical security enhancementsto churches, synagogues, and other non-profit organizations that are at high risk of a terrorist attack. Financial, Services and General Government $425 million for Election Assistance Grants,to help states protect elections. Military Construction, Veterans Affairs $420 millionto supportive service programs for veterans' families. $815 millionfor medical and prosthetics support. State-Foreign Operations $3.3 billioncommitment forsecurity assistance to Israel. $$130 million for Women, Peace, and Security efforts to empower women as equal partners in conflict prevention, peace building, transition processes, and reconstruction efforts in countries affected by conflict or in political transition. $2 million for the US and Israel to jointly advance water, agriculture, and energy projects in developing nations. $165 million to combat gender-based violence. $15 million for combatting child marriage. $20 million for the Office of Global Women's Issues the Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues. Defense $500 millionfor Israeli missile defense programs, including theIron Dome. Agriculture $8.5 millionto fight citrus disease. Commerce, Justice, Science $513 million for Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) programs administered by the Department of Justice. Several important bills were also attached to the final agreement, including: Ending Surprise Billing: Includes bipartisan, bicameral legislation that will end surprise billing for emergency and scheduled care. Fighting the Climate Crisis: Contains sweeping clean energy reforms, research and development enhancements, efficiency incentives, and extends clean energy tax credits to create hundreds of thousands of jobs across the clean economy. Securing Florida's Water Resources: Includes the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act of 2020, which expedites Everglades restoration projects, seeks to reduce discharges from Lake Okeechobee into coastal estuaries, and will create good-paying jobs strengthening and improving the vital water infrastructure that Americans rely on. The bill package was split into two sections for voting. The first included Appropriations bills for Homeland Security, Defense, Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Subcommittees, and Financial Services, and passed by a vote of 327-85. The second bill combined both the emergency coronavirus relief package and the rest of the eight Appropriations subcommittee bills and passed by a vote of 359-53. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/covid-relief-bill-includes-diaz-balarts-fix-cares-act-discrepancy,COVID Relief Bill Includes Diaz-Balart’s Fix to a CARES Act Discrepancy,2020-12-21,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,FL,Mario Diaz-Balart,D000600,mariodiazbalart.house.gov,mariodiazbalart,https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. ­­–– Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25) issued the following statement regarding his provision included in the new COVID relief bill that allows U.S. Citizens and Legal Permanent Residents to receive stimulus checks even if they are married to an undocumented immigrant. Under current law, the CARES Act specifies that taxpayers who file with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), rather than a Social Security Number (SSN), are ineligible for the Economic Impact Payment. The IRS assigns an ITIN to nonresident and resident aliens who are ineligible to receive Social Security Numbers or are in the process of applying for legal status. This provision in the CARES Act also applies to ITIN holders who file jointly with a U.S. Citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse, but in this case, the U.S. Citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse is also ineligible to receive the Economic Impact Payment for themselves or their children. In June, Congressman Diaz-Balart introduced the Economic Impact Payment Fairness Act to address this discrepancy within the CARES Act by allowing all those with a valid SSN who meet the income requirements to receive the EIP and the child tax credit if their children meet the current criteria. ""As I have stated before, there is no reason to justify why a U.S. Citizen or Legal Permanent Resident should be excluded from receiving a benefit meant for Americans simply due to the legal status of a spouse. I am thrilled to see that this provision was taken into consideration in this new COVID relief bill, and I look forward to seeing the great impact this will make in helping the American people.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/diaz-balart-remarks-house-passage-critical-covid-relief,Diaz-Balart Remarks on the House Passage of Critical COVID Relief,2020-12-21,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,FL,Mario Diaz-Balart,D000600,mariodiazbalart.house.gov,mariodiazbalart,https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. ­­–– Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25) issued the following statement regarding the House passage of approximately $900 billion in critical COVID relief. ""This bill closely resembles proposals that Republicans tried to pass multiple times in the last few months to no avail or support from House Leadership. It is a shame that during all this time, the livelihoods of the American people were compromised because of Speaker Pelosi's partisan agenda. Every time a bipartisan proposal was shot down, a small business had to close its doors, an American worker was left unemployed, and thousands of families were left struggling. ""Although this legislation could have been signed into law months ago, I am pleased that we have reached a COVID relief bill thatprovides critical assistance for small businesses, enhances funding for vaccine distribution, and delivers aid for families that need it.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/diaz-balart-secures-critical-funding-fy2021-bill,Diaz-Balart Secures Critical Funding in FY2021 Bill,2020-12-21,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,FL,Mario Diaz-Balart,D000600,mariodiazbalart.house.gov,mariodiazbalart,https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. ­­–– Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25) issued the following statement after the House passage of the FY2021 funding bill. ""The FY2021 funding bill includes big wins for our nation and for Florida. This bill prioritizes funding to enhance our infrastructure, support our military and law enforcement, and strengthen our national security. In addition, school safety remains a top priority, Everglades Restoration receives a significant influx of funding, and programs that our farmers and growers rely on will continue. It also supports critical housing programs such as the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Homeless Assistance Grants. ""Attached to this bill are several legislative priorities, including an end to surprise billing— patients will now know the real cost of a scheduled procedure before it takes place. Additionally, this bill includes the final version of WRDA 2020, thereby ensuring the Moore Haven Lock and Dam is renamed in honor of fallen FWC Officer Julian Keen, Jr. ""We have already seen Florida capitalize on the programs these bills fund, and with its passage today, our state will continue to benefit from them moving forward.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/el-proyecto-de-ley-de-alivio-del-covid-19-incluye-la-solucion-de-diaz,El proyecto de ley de alivio del COVID-19 incluye la solución de Díaz-Balart a una discrepancia en la Ley CARES,2020-12-21,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,FL,Mario Diaz-Balart,D000600,mariodiazbalart.house.gov,mariodiazbalart,https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C.­­––El congresista Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-25) emitió la siguiente declaración con respecto a su provision la cual fue incluida en el nuevo proyecto de ley de alivio del COVID-19 que permite a los ciudadanos estadounidenses y residentes legales permanentes recibir cheques de estímulo incluso si están casados con un inmigrante indocumentado. La actual Ley CARES especifica que los contribuyentes que presenten un Número de Identificación Personal de Contribuyente (ITIN), en lugar de un Número de Seguro Social (SSN), no son elegibles para el Pago de Impacto Económico. El IRS asigna un ITIN a los extranjeros no residentes y residentes que no son elegibles para recibir Números de Seguro Social o están en proceso de solicitar estatus legal. Esta disposición de la Ley CARES también se aplica a los titulares de ITIN que presenten sus impuestos conjuntamente con un ciudadano estadounidense o un cónyuge residente permanente legal; pero en este caso el ciudadano estadounidense o un cónyuge residente permanente legal tampoco es elegible para recibir el pago de impacto económico, para ellos o sus hijos. En junio, el congresista Díaz-Balart presentó la Ley de Equidad de Pago por el Impacto Económicopara abordar esta discrepancia dentro de la Ley CARES al permitir que todos aquellos con un SSN válido y que cumplan con los requisitos de ingresos reciban el Pago de Impacto Económico y el crédito tributario por hijos, si sus hijos cumplen con los criterios actuales. ""Como he dicho antes, no hay razón para justificar por qué un ciudadano estadounidense o un residente legal permanente debe ser excluido de recibir un beneficio destinado a los estadounidenses simplemente por el estado legal de un cónyuge. Estoy encantado de ver que esta provision se tomó en consideración en este nuevo proyecto de ley de alivio del COVID-19, y espero ver el gran impacto que esto tendrá para ayudar al pueblo estadounidense"".",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases/soto-votes-pass-emergency-covid-relief-bill,Soto Votes to Pass Emergency COVID Relief Bill,2020-12-21,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,FL,Darren Soto,S001200,soto.house.gov,soto,https://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Accelerated Vaccine Distribution: Democrats secured billions in urgently needed funds to accelerate the free and equitable distribution of safe vaccines to as many Americans as possible. Stimulus Payments: Democrats secured another round of direct payments worth up to $600 per adult or child. Extended Unemployment Benefits: Democrats averted the sudden expiration of Unemployment Insurance benefits for millions and added a $300 per week UI and lengthened the number of weeks an unemployed worker can receive benefits by 11 weeks. Housing Assistance: Democrats secured emergency rental assistance and an eviction moratorium. Food Assistance: Democrats secured a 15 percent increase to SNAP and boosted child nutrition benefits to help relieve the historic hunger crisis that has left up to 17 million children food insecure. Relief for Small Businesses: Democrats secured critical funding and policy changes to help small businesses, including minority-owned businesses, and nonprofits recover from the pandemic. The agreement includes over $284 billion for first and second forgivable PPP loans, expanded PPP eligibility for nonprofits and local newspapers, TV and radio broadcasters, key modifications to PPP to serve the smallest businesses and struggling non-profits and better assist independent restaurants, and includes $15 billion in dedicated funding for live venues, independent movie theaters, and cultural institutions. The agreement also includes $20 billion for targeted EIDL Grantswhich are critical to many smaller businesses on Main Street. Key Tax Benefits for Struggling Families: The agreement helps ensure that families who faced unemployment or reduced wages during the pandemic are able to receive a strong tax credit based on their 2019 income, preserving these vital income supports for vulnerable families. Help for Education, Child Care & Students: The agreement provides $82 billion in funding for colleges and schools, including support for HVAC repair and replacement to mitigate virus transmission and reopen classrooms, and $10 billion for child care assistance to help get parents back to work and keep child care providers open. Strengthens the Low Income Housing Tax Credit: The package enhances the LIHTC to help increase affordable housing construction and provide greater certainty to new and ongoing affordable housing projects. Assistance for State/Local/Tribal/Territorial Governments:The agreement includes $22 billion for the health-related expenses of state, local, tribal and territorial government and an additional year of eligibility for costs under the CARES Coronavirus Relief Fund. Paid Sick Leave: The agreement provides a tax credit to support employers offering paid sick leave, based on the Families First framework. Community Development Financial Institutions and Minority Depository Institutions: The agreement includes dedicated PPPset-asides for very small businesses and lending through community-based lenders like Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs); $9 billion in emergency U.S. Treasury capital investments in CDFIs and MDIs to support lending in low-income and underserved communities, including persistent poverty counties, that may be disproportionately impacted by the economic effects of the COVID–19 pandemic; and $3 billion in emergency support for CDFIs through the CDFI Fund to respond to the economic impact of the pandemic on underserved low-income and minority communities. Affordable Broadband Access: The agreement invests $7 billion to increase broadband access. Global Health: Democrats secured an additional $3.36 billion for a total of $4 billion for GAVI, the international vaccine alliance, recognizing that we are not truly safe until the whole world is safe from the coronavirus.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://stephaniemurphy.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1558,House Passes COVID Relief Bill that Includes Major Murphy Initiative to Keep Businesses Open and Save Jobs,2020-12-21,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,FL,Stephanie Murphy,M001202,stephaniemurphy.house.gov,,,legacy,"House Passes COVID Relief Bill that Includes Major Murphy Initiative to Keep Businesses Open and Save Jobs Bipartisan bill also includes Murphy measures to help teachers, protect unemployed workers, and strengthen democracy and rule of law in Venezuela f t # e Washington, December 21, 2020 WASHINGTONThe U.S. House of Representatives today approved COVID-19 relief legislation that includes numerous bipartisan measures spearheaded by U.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy of Winter Park, Fla. Most notably, it includes the core of Murphy's bill to extend and enhance the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC), which helps businesses retain and rehire workers. Murphy spent the last eight months leading this legislative initiative and building a broad bipartisan coalition behind ERTC expansion. While it took far too long and it is far from perfect, this bipartisan bill ensures American families, workers, and businesses receive immediate assistance after months of partisan bickering and inaction in Congress. I'm proud to have successfully included my bipartisan initiative to expand the employee retention tax credit, which has been proven to help workers and businesses, said Murphy. I'll keep fighting to provide additional support to help our country get through this pandemic. Other Murphy-led measures in the COVID relief bill, which also funds the federal government for the rest of the fiscal year, include: Murphy's bipartisanbill to empower states like Florida to allow workers who received overpayments of federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) to retain those payments, if the worker was not at fault for the overpayment and if making the worker repay would cause them severe economic hardship. Murphy's bipartisan bill to enable K through 12 educators to take a federal tax deduction, of up to $250, if they purchaseout of their own fundspersonal protective equipment, disinfectants, air purifiers, and other supplies to keep their classrooms, their students, and themselves safe. Murphy's floor amendment to protect U.S. national security, combat the threat posed by the regime of Nicols Maduro, and support the people of Venezuela by increasing federal funding, from $30 million to $33 million, for State Department effortsundertaken with Venezuelan partnersto promote fair elections, uphold human rights, strengthen civil society, defend the rule of law, and support independent media in Venezuela. In addition, the COVID relief bill includes many other provisions important to Florida. For example: Unemployment Insurance: The bill provides an additional $300 per week for all workers receiving unemployment benefits, through March 14, 2021. It also extends the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program, which expanded coverage to the self-employed, gig workers, and others in nontraditional employment, and the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program, which provides additional weeks of federally-funded unemployment benefits to individuals who exhaust their regular state benefits. Economic Impact Payments: The bill provides an additional round of Economic Impact Payments of $600 for individuals making up to $75,000 per year and $1,200 for couples making up to $150,000 per year, as well as a $600 payment for each child dependent. This means a family of four will receive $2,400 in direct payments. Checks are expected to be sent starting next week. Paycheck Protection Program: The bill includes over $284 billion for first and second forgivable PPP loans, and expands eligibility for 501(c)(6) nonprofits, including destination marketing organizations, local newspapers, and TV and radio broadcasters. Of this amount, $15 billion is for dedicated funding to live venues, independent movie theaters, and cultural institutions like museums and zoos. Health: The bill provides $69 billion for vaccine procurement and distribution; testing, tracing and mitigation; mental health funding; support for health care providers; and NIH research on COVID-19. Education, Child Care, and Food Assistance: The bill provides $82 billion for K through 12 schools and colleges and universities, $10 billion for child care facilities, and $26 billion for nutrition and agriculture. Housing: The bill extends the existing CDC eviction moratorium through January 31, 2021. The bill also establishes the first-ever emergency federal rental assistance program ($25 billion) to be distributed by state and local governments. These funds will be targeted to families impacted by COVID that are struggling to make the rent and may have past due rent compounding on itself. These families will be able to utilize this assistance for past due rent, future rent payments, as well as to pay utility and energy bills and prevent shutoffs. The COVID relief bill will now head to the Senate for a vote and is expected to be signed into law by the President in the coming days.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://steube.house.gov/media/press-releases/steube-votes-against-trillion-dollar-politicized-spending-bill,Steube Votes Against Trillion Dollar Politicized Spending Bill,2020-12-21,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,FL,Greg Steube,S001214,steube.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Representative Greg Steube today released the following statement after voting against this year's Consolidated Appropriations Act: ""This so-called relief bill fails to target the needs of citizens in our District and fails to bring much-needed reliefto our fellow countrymen. Instead of addressing the economic suffering of Americans, Democrats have run the clock down so debate and meaningfulcompromiseis impossible. Their solution is to manipulate this process to include their radical agenda of defunding ICE, elements of the Green New Deal and to skyrocket unnecessary federal spending. We are left with a choice - give in again or reject this misguided legislation as a signal that we demand targeted aid for our citizens."" Instead of providing relief to those in need, this legislation would defund critical agencies like ICE, continue to incentivize keeping people home from work and students home from school, and would raise the deficit to the highest levels in history. The legislation included a $1.4 trillion omnibus spending package, along with an additional $900 billion COVID relief package, totaling as much as $2.3 trillion of taxpayer money. With the United States already facing $27.4 trillion of debt, this legislation would add to the problem, all while: Encouraging Americans to rely on unemployment insurance instead of returning to the workforce; Increasing dependency on SNAP monthly benefits; Defunding critical security agencies, like ICE; Allowing schools to receive extra funding while they remain closed and hamper the development of America's children; Bailing out the failing U.S. Postal Service and allowing them to not repay the prior $10 billion loan from the CARES Act; Lacking any liability protections for businesses, schools, universities and churches, thus further encouraging ongoing COVID-19 closures; Giving concessions to the radical progressive climate change agenda; Extending tax credits solely designed to benefit the wealthy; Further burdening future generations of taxpayers with reckless and irrelevant spending. The text of the bill reached 5,593 pages and Members of the U.S. House of Representatives only had roughly 7 hours to analyze the legislation, making it nearly impossible for each Member to be able to read the bill. Rather than supporting last minute, multi-thousand page legislation which fails to properly address the needs of the American people, Steube has taken a number of steps throughout the year to support Florida's small businesses, families, farmers, and veterans. He has stood up for long-term care facilities and their residents by urging the Department of Health and Human Services to allocate unused Provider Relief Funds. He has fought for the inclusion of 501(c)(6)s in the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). He has cosponsored legislation to cap unemployment insurance and encourage businesses to reopen and people to go back to work. He has worked alongside U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue to support farmers in Florida and across the country. These are only several of Steube's initiatives to put Floridians on the road to recovery from COVID-19. He has been a vocal supporter of Governor Ron DeSantis' (R-Fla.) efforts to reopen businesses and schools and has participated in a swath of initiatives to hold China and the Chinese Communist Party accountable for their role in the pandemic. The full text of the legislation can be found here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://webster.house.gov/press-releases?ID=023860C8-97E2-4CA9-9EB1-82F45E3D6268,Webster: Targeted Assistance Is Coming,2020-12-21,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,FL,Daniel Webster,W000806,webster.house.gov,webster,https://webster.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, DC – Today, after months of delay, Speaker Pelosi finally agreed to, and allowed a vote on a COVID aid package that has bipartisan support, along with a FY2021 appropriations bill. The COVID Relief package provides about $900 billion in assistance but will cost $325 billion thanks to Republicans insisting that Congress use existing, unused federal funds. This is a huge accomplishment and an all-around win for COVID-19 impacted Americans and all taxpayers. “After spending months playing political games and trying to use the Coronavirus pandemic to push through their socialist agenda, last night Democrats finally caved and agreed to a COVID-19 relief bill that is not much different than proposals Republicans offered starting last summer,” Rep. Webster said. “While I am disappointed by the process and timeline that it took to get to this point, I am pleased it extends the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and allows small business owners to deduct PPP expenses. PPP has been a lifeline for countless small businesses and under this bill those still experiencing severe revenue reductions can apply for a second loan. It also includes money to get students back into the classroom and to ensure that the COVID-19 vaccine is available as soon as possible – to all who want it. “As a result of these and many other good provisions, I support this critical legislation. In addition to providing targeted relief to those impacted most severely by COVID-19, the package includes robust funding for the Departments of Defense and Veterans’ Affairs to ensure our men and women in uniform have the resources they need to protect and defend our great nation and our Veterans receive the best care possible. “When government blocks an American’s ability to work and earn a living it government has a responsibility to provide assistance to these individuals. This targeted relief aids businesses and hardworking Americans still trying to recover from government required lockdowns. I remain frustrated that Congress continuously embraces the Washington presumption that nothing in the budget can be cut in order to fund priorities or critical assistance without increasing the deficit. I will continue to advocate for and work on behalf of Florida’s hardworking taxpayers and families to advance common-sense reforms and principled policy and budgets that get our fiscal house in order.” Thanks to Republicans in Congress, this bill delivers robust assistance at a much-reduced price tag. This is especially remarkable compared to the $3.3 trillion Heroes 1 Act and $2.4 trillion Heroes 2 Act bills proposed by Nancy Pelosi to pander to voters ahead of the November elections. Additional highlights of today’s bipartisan compromise: Includes provisions to ensure Democrats can’t leverage taxpayer dollars to bail-out poorly managed states. Provides funding for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, a program that serves over 700,000 older Americans monthly. Provides funding for broadband, including $300 million for rural broadband and $250 million for telehealth. $13 billion to support our farmers and agriculture sector. $4 billion for substance abuse – significant progress made over past several years on opioid addiction has been reversed because of impact of COVID lockdowns $82 billion in funding for schools and universities to assist with reopening for in-person learning that also includes $2.75 billion in designated funds for private K through 12 education. $25 billion in temporary and targeted rental assistance for individuals who lost their source of income during the pandemic. Prohibits illegal aliens from receiving $600 checks provided for adults and dependents struggling due to the coronavirus pandemic. $15 billion is also allocated for local entertainment venues, movie theaters, and museums that are experiencing significant revenue loss. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/sen-rick-scott-washington-broken,Sen. Rick Scott: Washington is Broken,2020-12-21,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,FL,Rick Scott,S001217,www.rickscott.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.Today, Senator Rick Scott released the below statement on today's multi-trillion-dollar spending package. Senator Rick Scottsaid, Early this afternoon, we were finally provided the text of the combined $1.4 trillion omnibus spending bill and $900 billion COVID relief bill. It is almost 5,600 pages long and we're expected to vote on it tonight. Who in their right mind thinks that this is a responsible way of governing? This crisis has devastated American small businesses and American workers and I support many of the COVID-related provisions to boost small businesses, prevent further layoffs and enhance unemployment assistance provisions that are necessary because of the recklessness of the Chinese Communist Party and the overzealous shutdowns by politicians here in America who do not know what it is like to struggle for money or for work.I'm also glad this package does not include state bailouts, which I've been fighting for months, and makes reforms to the Federal Reserve,which provides further protections to ensure taxpayer dollars are not wasted. But, in classic Washington style, vital programs are being attached to an omnibus spending bill that mortgages our children and grandchildren's futures without even giving members a chance to read it.We are not spending money we have in the bank or anticipate we will collect in taxes.Washington doesn't seem to understand that new spending todaywill be paid for by increased federal debt and result ina tax increase on families down the road. We have to stop operating this way; there is no excuse for the way Washington treats the American taxpayers.I've repeatedly voted against enormous and wasteful spending bills. The easy route is simply to go along as Congress continues to do harm to future generations of Americans, but I will not be a part of it. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://crist.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2224,"Crist Receives First Dose of COVID Vaccine, Thanks Healthcare Heroes",2020-12-18,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,FL,Charlie Crist,C001111,crist.house.gov,,,legacy,"Crist Receives First Dose of COVID Vaccine, Thanks Healthcare Heroes f t # e Washington, DC, December 18, 2020 Washington, DC U.S. Representative Charlie Crist (D-St. Petersburg) released a statement announcing that per the recommendation of Congress' Office of the Attending Physician, he received the COVID-19 vaccine this afternoon. As the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine begins across the country, I am grateful to be able to do my part to stop the spread of this terrible disease by receiving the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine today,said Rep. Crist. This vaccine is a true medical miracle that signals the light at the end of the tunnel we have all been desperately praying for since March. Part of my job as Representative involves flying back and forth from Tampa Bay and Washington D.C. and gathering on the Floor of the House to cast votes on your behalf. Getting vaccinated helps me perform this essential government duty. Even so I will continue to follow CDC guidelines to curb the spread of the virus and will continue wearing a mask and practicing social distancing, as I encourage all Americans to do. I am eternally grateful to our frontline doctors, nurses, and scientists who made this possible, and I remain as optimistic as ever as vaccine doses get rolled out across America. f t # e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://mast.house.gov/press-releases?ID=E1F1BAE7-C017-445C-B9C8-7E04BD91DADD,Mast Statement On Congress Receiving The COVID-19 Vaccine Before The American People,2020-12-18,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,FL,Brian Mast,M001199,mast.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Congressman Brian Mast (FL-18) released the following statement after Speaker Pelosi stated that she and the rest of Congress would receive the COVID-19 vaccine before the vast majority of the American people: Leaders eat last; it's one of the first lessons a soldier learns as early as basic training. Speaker Pelosi apparently never learned this lessonasking Americans to wait to get vaccinated while Congress cuts the line is the opposite of leadership. Congress needs to stop treating itself as a special political class, and the mere suggestion that Members of Congress are in any way more important than the very people who gave us the privilege of serving in Congress is appalling. Being for the people must always mean putting the people before ourselves, which is why every single American should be able to access the coronavirus vaccine before any Member of Congress. You can read the full announcement about the availability of the COVID-19 vaccine for Members of Congress here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases/soto-urges-committee-energy-and-commerce-investigate-florida-covid-reporting,Soto Urges Committee on Energy and Commerce to Investigate Florida COVID Reporting,2020-12-18,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,FL,Darren Soto,S001200,soto.house.gov,soto,https://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Darren Soto (FL-09) co-led a letter with Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23) to Chairman Frank Pallone requesting the House Committee on Energy and Commerce investigate possible irregularities in the State of Florida's daily COVID-19 death tally. The letter comes after it was reported that a possible inconsistent pattern in the calculation of deaths emerged before the general election. ""To maintain the highest level of safety, the residents of Florida must have complete transparency on the methodology and calculation of the daily COVID death tally,"" wrote the Members. ""As cases surge nationwide, Floridians must be assured of truthful reporting by their Department of Health."" Changes to the system came within three days of Governor DeSantis's announcement of audits of all COVID suspected deaths before inclusion in the daily numbers. It appears the State of Florida Health Department excluded the long-backlogged deaths in daily death counts during election season beginning October 24, only to resume inclusion of these deaths on November 17, 2020. The letter was signed by Reps. Alcee L. Hastings, Ted Deutch, Charlie Crist, Kathy Castor, Debbie Mucarsel-Powell and Al Lawson, Jr.. The full letter can be read here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://stephaniemurphy.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1553,Murphy Urges House Leadership to Request House-wide Intelligence Briefing on Suspected Russian Hack,2020-12-18,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,FL,Stephanie Murphy,M001202,stephaniemurphy.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTONToday, U.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy, a former national security specialist at the Pentagon, sent a letter urging House leadership to schedule a classified, bipartisan briefing for Members of Congress regarding the recently-revealed cyberattack on the networks of the federal government and much of corporate America. The attack is widely believed to have been the work of a Russian intelligence agency. Public reports about the consequences of this attack for U.S. national security paint a very grim picture, wrote Murphy in her letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer. A classified briefing by the relevant federal agencies would enable Members to better understand the nature and extent of the attack, the precise parties responsible, whether more could have been done to prevent this attack and can be done to prevent future attacks, and the range of options that are available to the United States to appropriately respond to the attack."" Murphyhas called for increased transparency in the event of election interferenceby a foreign adversary and is the author ofbipartisan legislation, theALERTS Act, that would require notification to appropriate members of Congress, relevant state and local officials, and potentially affected voters when an election system is breached and voter information may have been compromised. Full text of the letter can be found here and below. Dear Speaker Pelosi, Leader McCarthy, and Leader Hoyer: I write to respectfully request that you schedule a classified, bipartisan briefing for Members of Congress regarding the recently-revealed cyberattack on the networks of the federal government and much of corporate America, an attack that is widely believed to have been the work of a Russian intelligence agency. Public reports about the consequences of this attack for U.S. national security paint a very grim picture. A classified briefing by the relevant federal agencies would enable Members to better understand the nature and extent of the attack, the precise parties responsible, whether more could have been done to prevent this attack and can be done to prevent future attacks, and the range of options that are available to the United States to appropriately respond to the attack. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Sincerely, Stephanie Murphy Member of Congress ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://steube.house.gov/media/press-releases/steube-resume-fl-17-mvp-program-honor-outstanding-service-community,Steube to Resume FL-17 “MVP” Program to Honor Outstanding Service in the Community,2020-12-18,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,FL,Greg Steube,S001214,steube.house.gov,,,legacy,"OKEECHOBEE, FLA. U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) today announced that he will resume the FL-17 MVP program to recognize and honor outstanding service around the community. The volunteers and community heroes here in the 17th District are what makes our community and the state of Florida so special, Steube said. As we begin to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to bring our neighbors together and recognize the heroes who dedicate themselves to bettering our community. The purpose of this award is to recognize the unsung heroes across our district as they display extraordinary dedication to make a difference in our community. To thank them for their work, MVPs will be presented with a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol and publicly recognized in Steube's weekly newsletter. To be eligible for the award, the recipient must have engaged in an outstanding act of service and be a resident of the 17th Congressional District. Those wishing to submit a nomination can do so at Steube.House.gov/FL17MVP. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://steube.house.gov/press-releases/steube-to-resume-fl-17-mvp-program-to-honor-outstanding-service-in-the-community/,Steube to Resume FL-17 “MVP” Program to Honor Outstanding Service in the Community,2020-12-18,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,FL,W. Gregory Steube,S001214,steube.house.gov,steube,https://steube.house.gov/category/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Steube to Resume FL-17 “MVP” Program to Honor Outstanding Service in the Community OKEECHOBEE, FLA. – U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) today announced that he will resume the FL-17 MVP program to recognize and honor outstanding service around the community. “The volunteers and community heroes here in the 17th District are what makes our community and the state of Florida so special,” Steube said. “As we begin to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to bring our neighbors together and recognize the heroes who dedicate themselves to bettering our community.” The purpose of this award is to recognize the unsung heroes across our district as they display extraordinary dedication to make a difference in our community. To thank them for their work, MVPs will be presented with a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol and publicly recognized in Steube’s weekly newsletter. To be eligible for the award, the recipient must have engaged in an outstanding act of service and be a resident of the 17th Congressional District. Those wishing to submit a nomination can do so at Steube.House.gov/FL17MVP. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2552,"Fla. Cong. Democrats Demand DeSantis Disclose COVID Task Force Reports, Stop Suppressing Public Health Info",2020-12-18,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,FL,Debbie Wasserman Schultz,W000797,wassermanschultz.house.gov,wassermanschultz,https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"Washington DC – Florida Congressional Democrats today called on Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to release undisclosed weekly White House Coronavirus Task Force Reports and quit ignoring the urgent health recommendations they call for, and once again, they demanded that the governor stop manipulating COVID-19 health data – all of which compromises public safety and undermines the vital credibility needed to aggressively confront this deadly pandemic. Florida media have continued to uncover a long-running pattern by DeSantis of withholding and manipulating COVID-19 data. The Orlando Sentinel recently sued DeSantis to release all the weekly reports, and after relenting to make two of them public, the Orlando newspaper reported that the governor had largely ignored the report’s recommendations. In an equally troubling report, the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported that the state suddenly and temporarily paused reporting data concerning backlogged COVID-related death totals around the presidential election. “By failing to publicly disclose the Task Force reports in a timely manner, and purposefully creating a reporting gap in Florida's coronavirus death data, your Administration continues to demonstrate a lack of transparency without reason or justification,” the Florida Democratic Members of Congress wrote in a letter co-led by Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23) and Congressman Darren Soto (FL-09). “These actions continue to erode the public’s trust in your ability to ensure the health and safety of Floridians.” Signers on the letter also include Reps.: Reps. Alcee Hastings, FL-20, Kathy Castor (FL-14), Ted Deutch (FL-22), Frederica Wilson (FL-24), Lois Frankel (FL-21), Charlie Crist (FL-13), Al Lawson (FL-05), Stephanie Murphy (FL-07) and Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (FL-26). See the entire letter below: The Honorable Ron DeSantis Office of Governor State of Florida, The Capitol 400 S. Monroe St. Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001 Governor DeSantis: We write out of concern with the ongoing and purposeful lack of transparency regarding COVID-19 by your Administration. Reports indicate that your Administration has chosen to withhold from the public the weekly White House Coronavirus Task Force Reports, and ignore the recommendations contained therein. In addition, an investigation revealed that the State abruptly and temporarily paused reporting data concerning backlogged COVID-related death totals during the timeframe of the presidential election. As such, we urge you to publicly and promptly release future reports to the public and require an explanation for your Administration’s decision to suppress factual data in these separate matters. During a public health emergency, it is imperative that your Administration provide Floridians with timely information and guidance that ensures their health and safety. The Task Force’s weekly reports provide states with recommendations necessary to control the spread of the virus and protect their constituents, and advocates for these reports to be widely shared with the general public. The latest report from December 6, urges the escalation of mitigation efforts, such as no indoor gatherings outside of immediate households, aggressive testing to identify asymptomatic cases, and increased mask usage. In contravention, your Administration has ordered a full reopening of bars and restaurants, encouraged indoor dining, and sought to stop local governments from enforcing mask mandates. Instead of adhering to medical and scientific expertise, you made the decision to conceal these reports from the public since Nov. 1 without reason or justification, which is counterintuitive to reduction of community spread. In addition, an analysis of Florida’s data reporting demonstrates that the State stopped including backlogged COVID-related fatalities – specifically, deaths that occurred more than one month earlier – in its daily counts from October 24 through November 17. Outside of this timeframe, the State consistently included this information in its daily reports. Without explanation of purpose for this reporting gap, the timing of this action is unusual given this temporarily altered data exhibited favorable mortality rates ten days before the presidential election until two weeks thereafter. This investigation especially is troubling considering allegations that health officials in the state were told not to speak about COVID until after the election, and that health experts in Florida have repeatedly alleged that COVID-related deaths are being underreported. By failing to publicly disclose the Task Force reports in a timely manner, and purposefully creating a reporting gap in Florida's coronavirus death data, your Administration continues to demonstrate a lack of transparency without reason or justification. These actions continue to erode the public’s trust in your ability to ensure the health and safety of Floridians.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/sen-menendez-senate-dems-block-sen-rick-scotts-resolution-reaffirming-commitment-first-amendment,"Sen. Menendez, Senate Dems Block Sen. Rick Scott’s Resolution Reaffirming Commitment to the First Amendment and Religious Freedom",2020-12-18,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,FL,Rick Scott,S001217,www.rickscott.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Senator Rick Scott spoke on the Senate floor to ask unanimous consent for hisresolution defending the First Amendment to the United States Constitution the right to freely exercise one's religion. This resolution, also sponsored by Senators Tillis, Wicker, Boozman, Cramer, Perdue, Rounds, Rubio, Blackburn, Cotton, Hoeven, Braun, Loeffler, Cruz, Hyde-Smith, Lankford, Barrasso, Paul, and Daines, was blocked by Senator Menendez. Senator Rick Scottsaid, Religious liberty is our first freedom under the Constitution of the United States. Every elected official takes an oath to support and defend our Constitution and the rights enshrined within it. We've seen liberal governors and mayors across the nation go after religious institutions throughout the pandemic, so my resolution simply reaffirms the right to freely practice religion. It is absolutely shameful that Senator Menendez would not only lie about what is happening in his state, but also refuse to stand with houses of worship, who are entitled to the Constitutional right to freely exercise their religion, by blocking my resolution today. I take my oath of office seriously, and I urge each of my colleagues to do the same. We know many Democrats don't respect the religious freedoms of Americans, but this is a new low. We won't let them chip away at our rights, and we will never stop fighting for the liberties of all Americans. FACT CHECK: Senator Menendez claimed the part of Senator Scott's resolution that states New Jersey prohibited or severely restricted indoor services by houses of worship because they were not deemed essential,' but commercial establishments like marijuana dispensaries and liquor stores were permitted to remain open was inaccurate. That's a lie. Watch the exchange HERE or below. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/sen-rick-scott-applauds-commerce-department-decision-add-chinese-drone-company-entity-list,Sen. Rick Scott Applauds Commerce Department Decision to Add Chinese Drone Company to Entity List,2020-12-18,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,FL,Rick Scott,S001217,www.rickscott.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Senator Rick Scott released the following statement applauding the decision by the U.S. Department of Commerce to add 77 entities, including Chinese-made drone company DJI, to the Entity List for actions deemed contrary to the national security or foreign policy interest of the United States. These include entities in China involved in military-civil fusion and destabilizing military modernization activities, including entities that supported the militarization and unlawful maritime claims in the South China Sea, entities that enable human rights abuses, and entities that engaged in the theft of U.S. trade secrets. For more than a year, Senator Scott has been warning about the threat Chinese-made drones may have on national security. Senator Scott and colleagues introduced the American Security Drone Act to prohibit the U.S. Government from purchasing drones manufactured in countries identified as national security threats, like Iran and China. Senator Rick Scott said, For more than a year, I've fought to prevent the U.S. Government from purchasing technology, like drones, with American tax dollars from Chinese companies backed by their government. I've had countless discussions with the Administration and my colleagues on the risks of buying drones from DJI and other Chinese-backed companies, and the threat these drones pose to our national security. I'm glad the Commerce Department made the decision today to include DJI in its Entity List. We can no longer turn a blind eye to Communist China and allow their technology into some of the most critical operations of the U.S. Government. Now more than ever, we must pass my American Security Drone Act to protect our national security. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/sen-rick-scott-australian-prime-minister-us-and-australia-must-work-together-combat-communist,Sen. Rick Scott to Australian Prime Minister: U.S. and Australia Must Work Together to Combat Communist China’s Aggression,2020-12-18,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,FL,Rick Scott,S001217,www.rickscott.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Senator Rick Scott sent a letter to Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison thanking him for Australia's efforts to fight against Communist China's quest for world domination, and affirming the United States' support as the two nations continue to stand strong against Communist China. Read the Senator's letter HERE or below. December 18, 2020 The Honorable Scott Morrison Prime Minister of Australia Parliament House Canberra ACT 2600 Dear Prime Minister Morrison: I want to thank you for your strong, ongoing efforts to stand against Communist China and General Secretary Xi. I support your decision to fight against their unfair and manipulative trade practices, and to condemn the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) vile, online attacks against Australians. The United States stands with Australia as you continue to fight against Communist China's aggression. We must work together to curb the threat Beijing poses regionally and globally. We know the CCP is committing a genocide against the Uyghurs, harvesting organs of the Falun Gong, and forcing hundreds of thousands into mass labor camps in Tibet. They steal technology and refuse to open their markets to foreign goods as required by their agreement with the World Trade Organization. We've seen them imprison peaceful protestors in Hong Kong and label Hong Kongers who advocate for basic civil liberties as national security threats. The CCP continues to militarize the South China Sea and is eager to expand its territorial claims in the region. I appreciate your support of an international inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic. Beijing must be held accountable for the lies and misinformation that led to the spread of the coronavirus, which devastated the world economy and killed millions of people. I also appreciate your decision to ban the rollout of Huawei's 5G networks into Australia, as well as your continued condemnation of human rights abuses in Xinjiang and Hong Kong, and the CCP's threatening behavior toward Taiwan. I hope you consider joining me in urging the International Olympic Committee to move the 2022 Olympics out of Beijing and to a country that actually respects human rights. As you continue to stand strong against Communist China, I want to offer help in any way I can. The United States will always defend our allies and those standing for freedom. Sincerely, Rick Scott United States Senator ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://teddeutch.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=402896,"Rep. Deutch, Sen. Cardin Introduce Bill Directing Sec. of State to Address Global Climate Change Crisis",2020-12-17,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,FL,Ted Deutch,D000610,teddeutch.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today, U.S. Representative Ted Deutch (FL-22) and U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) introduced legislation requiring the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), to report to Congress on efforts to address the global climate change crisis and improve the agency's energy and resource efficiency. Specifically, the legislation will require the Secretary to report to Congress on the Department's plan underlining the strategic use of the full power of U.S. diplomacy and development tools to address the global climate crisis. This would include an assessment of the global threat of climate change; articulation of the guidelines for international finance flows via public and private sector to promote sustainable development; and the integration of adaption, mitigation, and resiliency activities into climate security, conflict mitigation, economic policy, and geographic policy parameters with a particular focus on the countries and communities most vulnerable to climate change, including women and girls. ""Climate change is a global crisis that demands a united global response,"" saidCongressman Deutch. ""The United States must use all of our foreign policy and diplomatic tools, from the State Department to USAID, to confront the global challenges of climate change. This will help ensure President-elect Biden's success in executing foreign policy that leads the global effort to protect our planet. Congress must play an active role in helping to advance these efforts."" ""As President-elect Biden Prepares to restore U.S. leadership in the fight against climate change, we must ensure that the State Department and USAID implement a coordinated campaign. Developing and implementing a joint strategy, as required by this legislation, will ensure that America's diplomatic corps has a clear game plan to respond to the grave national security threat of climate change,"" saidSenator Cardin. Text of the legislation can beaccessed here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3189,"Democratic Women’s Caucus, Equality Caucus Lead Letter Denouncing Proposed EEOC Title VII Exemption",2020-12-17,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,FL,Lois Frankel,F000462,frankel.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today, Democratic Women's Caucus (DWC) Co-Chairs Representatives Jackie Speier (CA-14), Lois Frankel (FL-21), and Brenda Lawrence (MI-14), and Vice Chairs Congresswomen Veronica Escobar (TX-16) and Deb Haaland (NM-01), were joined by Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus Co-Chairs Representatives David Cicilline (RI-01), Angie Craig (MN-02), Sharice Davids (KS-03), Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18), Chris Pappas (NH-01), Mark Pocan (WI-02), and Mark Takano (CA-41) in leading 24 members and 2 members-elect on a letter to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Chair Janet Dhillon opposing the recently proposed Updated Compliance Manual on Religious Discrimination and demanding its withdrawal. The letter states in part, The proposed changes would embolden discrimination against women and LGBTQ+ individuals by allowing for-profit entities to ambiguously claim the religious organization exemption to Title VII protections. Specifically, we have strong concerns that these changes will open the doors for employment discrimination based on sex, reproductive health and marital choices, sexual orientation, and gender identity. The letter continues, We are alarmed at this apparent attempt to rush through complex, dangerous changes in the final days of an administration that has spent four years attacking protections for women and the LGBTQ+ community. The EEOC has released a 114-page document with 320 footnotes, governing a very complex area of the law with merely 30 days to comment. In drafting the updated manual, the EEOC failed to engage with minority faith leaders, civil rights organizations, and many other relevant stakeholders. Given the immense harm this update will cause, we urge the EEOC and this administration to immediately withdraw the proposed change in its entirety. The administration should be working to end discrimination in employment, not embolden it. The full text of the letter is available here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3190,"Hastings, Lee, McGovern, Frankel, and Deutch Call for an Immediate Boost to Hunger Relief for Struggling Families in COVID Relief Package",2020-12-17,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,FL,Lois Frankel,F000462,frankel.house.gov,,,legacy,"Hastings, Lee, McGovern, Frankel, and Deutch Call for an Immediate Boost to Hunger Relief for Struggling Families in COVID Relief Package f t # e Washington, December 17, 2020 Representative Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL), along with Representatives Barbara Lee (D-CA), James P. McGovern (D-MA), Lois Frankel (D-FL), and Ted Deutch (D-FL), led 62 of their colleagues in sending a letter urging House and Senate Leadership to include a funding increase for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other nutritional programs in the upcoming COVID-19 relief package under negotiation. As our nation faces a hunger crisis worsened by the growing toll this pandemic has taken, $5.5 billion in emergency food aid is dwindling despite the increasing number of families struggling to put food on the table. Bolstering federal nutrition programs like SNAP will provide short-term hunger relief, while preventing long-term health and economic harm to our most vulnerable. (Please find the letter below and attached). The letter was endorsed by: Feeding America, Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, Feeding South Florida, California Association of Food Banks, United Way of Palm Beach County, Alameda County Community Food Banks. ### f t # e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/diaz-balart-welcomes-floridas-approval-implement-clean-water-act-cwa,Diaz-Balart Welcomes Florida’s Approval to Implement Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 404 program,2020-12-17,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,FL,Mario Diaz-Balart,D000600,mariodiazbalart.house.gov,mariodiazbalart,https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. ­­–– Today, Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25) joined Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler, EPARegion 4 Administrator Mary S. Walker, Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Secretary Noah Valenstein, and members of the Florida delegation as theyannounced that Florida is the first state in more than 25 years to apply for and receive approval to implement a Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 404 program—formally transferring permitting authority from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to the State of Florida for a broad range of water resources within the State. ""Today's announcement is a tremendous accomplishment for Florida, especially as we continue our Everglades restoration efforts,""said U.S. Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25). ""Allowing the state to take over the 404 permitting process will significantly streamline restoration projects, while still protecting the greater environment. I thank Administrator Wheeler and Regional Administrator Walker, as well as all the other key players who worked diligently to make this happen. I have no doubt that we will see the benefits of this decision for years to come."" ""A considerable amount of effort has gone into Florida's assumption of the Clean Water Act 404 program,""said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler.""Federal authorities don't delegate this type of permit often, but Florida has, beyond question one of the greatest environmental records of any state, and I couldn't be happier that Florida has shown it can meet the strict national standards EPA sets to protect human health and the environment."" ""After a rigorous review, analysis and coordination process, EPA is pleased that the state of Florida will assume responsibility of its Clean Water Act Section 404 program,""saidEPARegion 4 Administrator Mary S. Walker.""This approval is truly a reflection of the high-level scientific and regulatory expertise of the environmental professionals at the state, federal and tribal levels who ensured a legally and technically sound program. This monumental milestone will allow Florida to administer this program to best fit enhanced protection of its natural resources.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://stephaniemurphy.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1551,Murphy Announces 2020 Congressional App Challenge Winner,2020-12-17,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,FL,Stephanie Murphy,M001202,stephaniemurphy.house.gov,,,legacy,"ORLANDOU.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy of Winter Park, Fla., announced the winner of the 2020 Congressional App Challenge for Florida's Seventh Congressional District. Dylan Harte, a senior at Lake Mary Preparatory School in Seminole County, created the winning app, Pre-Calculus Buddy, to help students study the various topics covered in their pre-calculus curriculum. The Congressional App Challenge is part of a national effort tosupport and encourage education in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math). Dylan's app uses formulas to help students calculate solutions or check answers on a given problem. Dylan will now have the opportunity to attend a virtual coding academy, referred to as #HouseofCode, this spring to connect with other app challenge winners and the broader tech community. I am so excited that I am able to blend my love of math and programming in the 2020 Congressional App Challenge with Pre-Calculus Buddy, Dylan said. My app brings innovation in the precalculus learning process that will help students learn from their errors and offer them a better overall learning experience. I am very proud of Dylan for creating an app that is focused on helping his peers. As Chair Emeritus of Future Forum, I'm excited to see young people utilizing their talents to improve the lives of others, said Murphy. I also want to thank all the parents, teachers, and mentors who encourage students like Dylan to use their skills to make a difference. I will continue to support STEAM development in our schools so that more students have the opportunity to contribute to their communities. Since it launched in 2015, nearly 9,000 high school students have participated in the Congressional App Challenge.Through this nationwide competition, the Internet Education Foundation seeks to foster a youth appreciation for computer science and STEAM-based education. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://steube.house.gov/media/press-releases/steube-celebrates-florida-clean-water-act-404-program-approval-epa,Steube Celebrates Florida Clean Water Act Section 404 Approval with EPA Administrator Wheeler,2020-12-17,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,FL,Greg Steube,S001214,steube.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) today delivered remarks at the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) event celebrating the initiation of the Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 404 program in Florida. It was an honor to celebrate this tremendous victory for Florida's environment and infrastructure, Steube said. As the first state to receive approval to administer the CWA 404 program in over 25 years and only the third state in 43 years, this is a historic accomplishment. With this increased flexibility for permitting, Florida will now have new capabilities to build and maintain our infrastructure while protecting Florida's water quality and environmental interests. Currently, Section 404of the CWA requires a permit before dredged or fill material can be discharged into waters of the United States. However, this has been loosely defined and caused problems for decades which have not only affected Florida's water quality, but also progress on infrastructure projects. This rule change and program will allow projects of all sizes to be approved to begin faster without delays caused by the duplicative permitting processes from federal and state levels. This is a major accomplishment as 85% of review requests already overlap between state and federal requirements. Streamlined permitting processes will promote efficiency and benefit all sectors of Florida's vibrant economy, namely infrastructure and agriculture, all while protecting the state's environmental interests. Steube has taken many initiatives to protect Florida's environment in Congress. Recently, Steube's request formechanical harvesting languagewas included in this year's appropriations package. This includes the use of safe alternatives to spraying chemicals into Florida's lakes and waterways and will help Florida control invasive species without sacrificing the water quality of Lake Okeechobee and surrounding watersheds. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://steube.house.gov/press-releases/steube-celebrates-florida-clean-water-act-section-404-approval-with-epa-administrator-wheeler/,Steube Celebrates Florida Clean Water Act Section 404 Approval with EPA Administrator Wheeler,2020-12-17,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,FL,W. Gregory Steube,S001214,steube.house.gov,steube,https://steube.house.gov/category/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Steube Celebrates Florida Clean Water Act Section 404 Approval with EPA Administrator Wheeler WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) today delivered remarks at the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) event celebrating the initiation of the Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 404 program in Florida. “It was an honor to celebrate this tremendous victory for Florida’s environment and infrastructure,” Steube said. “As the first state to receive approval to administer the CWA 404 program in over 25 years and only the third state in 43 years, this is a historic accomplishment. With this increased flexibility for permitting, Florida will now have new capabilities to build and maintain our infrastructure while protecting Florida’s water quality and environmental interests.” Currently, Section 404 of the CWA requires a permit before dredged or fill material can be discharged into waters of the United States. However, this has been loosely defined and caused problems for decades which have not only affected Florida’s water quality, but also progress on infrastructure projects. This rule change and program will allow projects of all sizes to be approved to begin faster without delays caused by the duplicative permitting processes from federal and state levels. This is a major accomplishment as 85% of review requests already overlap between state and federal requirements. Streamlined permitting processes will promote efficiency and benefit all sectors of Florida’s vibrant economy, namely infrastructure and agriculture, all while protecting the state’s environmental interests.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://webster.house.gov/press-releases?ID=C731EDC3-0EDB-4AC5-8587-9ADCABD0FA75,Webster Applauds EPA Historic Approval of Florida’s Request to Administer the Clean Water Act Section 404 Program,2020-12-17,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,FL,Daniel Webster,W000806,webster.house.gov,webster,https://webster.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Daniel Webster, R-Clermont, joined U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler, U.S. Department of Interior Secretary David Bernhardt, Florida Congressional Colleagues, FL DEP Secretary Noah Valenstein and others as EPA announced that Florida would assume administration of the Clean Water Act 404 program. “Today is a great day for Florida and everyone who cares about protecting our wetlands and clean water and streamlining government regulations. The Sunshine State has a strong track record of protecting our unique environment and Floridians care deeply about their environment and natural resources. Everglades restoration, key infrastructure projects, sustaining protections on wetlands and endangered species, and taxpayer dollars – are all beneficiaries of today’s announcement. I thank Administrator Wheeler and look forward to continuing to work with him, Secretary Bernhardt and Secretary Valenstein to protect and support Florida’s water, Floridians and our economy,” said Congressman Dan Webster (FL-11). Last month, Rep. Webster led a Congressional letter in support of Florida’s request to administer the Clean Water Section 404 program. Approximately 85% of current state and federal review requirements are duplicative. These duplicative requirements will be removed under Florida’s administration of the 404 program. Additional quotes from state and federal leaders and stakeholders “A considerable amount of effort has gone into Florida’s assumption of the Clean Water Act 404 program,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “Federal authorities don’t delegate this type of permit often, but Florida has, beyond question one of the greatest environmental records of any state, and I couldn’t be happier that Florida has shown it can meet the strict national standards EPA sets to protect human health and the environment.” “After a rigorous review, analysis and coordination process, EPA is pleased that the state of Florida will assume responsibility of its Clean Water Act Section 404 program,” said EPA Region 4 Administrator Mary S. Walker. “This approval is truly a reflection of the high-level scientific and regulatory expertise of the environmental professionals at the state, federal and tribal levels who ensured a legally and technically sound program. This monumental milestone will allow Florida to administer this program to best fit enhanced protection of its natural resources.” “Florida continues to be a pioneer of environmental protection. This is a historic moment for our agency and our state,” said FDEP Secretary Noah Valenstein. “We appreciate EPA’s stringent, public review and approval of DEP’s assumption of this program. Our waters and wetlands are critical to our economy and way of life in Florida. As such, it is important for the state to be in charge and take the lead in their protection. We are pleased that with the assumption, Florida scientists and permitters will now be accountable for state and federal wetlands permits. DEP staff know the state’s resources best and have the expertise to ensure their protection.” “Today’s action is a great milestone for cooperative federalism,” said Secretary of the Interior David L. Bernhardt. “I commend Administrator Wheeler who led this effort, and all who worked so hard to get to this point.” “This designation is great news for the State of Florida – it gives our state the ability to make the best decisions for our unique environment, with input from the public and environmental stakeholders. The duplicative rules on the state and federal levels were a waste of taxpayer dollars, and created confusion for everyone involved, which is why I fought to streamline this process. I will keep working to cut unnecessary government red tape and improve efficiency on every level of government, while also making sure our environment is protected for generations to come,” said U.S. Senator Rick Scott. “Today’s announcement is a tremendous accomplishment for Florida, especially as we continue our Everglades restoration efforts,” said U.S. Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25). “Allowing the state to take over the 404 permitting process will significantly streamline restoration projects, while still protecting the greater environment. I thank Administrator Wheeler and Regional Administrator Walker, as well as all the other key players who worked diligently to make this happen. I have no doubt that we will see the benefits of this decision for years to come.” “As Floridians, we understand the important role the environment plays in our economy and our way of life,” said Congressman John Rutherford (FL-04). “Today’s announcement by Secretary Bernhardt and Administrator Wheeler is a big win for Florida, allowing our state to streamline permitting for water projects while continuing to uphold the highest level of environmental standards. This is just another example of President Trump and Governor DeSantis’s dedication to protecting Florida waters while reducing bureaucracy and making government run more efficiently.” “This Administration has done more for clean water in Florida than any other in modern history. Water quality has improved in the Everglades, across Florida’s National Estuary Program network, and Harmful Algal Blooms are being targeted in Florida’s springs and salt water ecosystems. Florida will do a better job at efficiently and effectively issuing permits for necessary infrastructure than the federal government has. State assumption of the permitting program will reduce project costs and save taxpayer dollars. As a next step, I’m looking forward to working with EPA on modernizing the Clean Water State Revolving Fund allocation which disadvantages states like Florida that have growing water infrastructure needs,” said U.S. Congressman Mike Waltz (FL-06). “I thank Administrator Wheeler for his diligence on this historic accomplishment for Florida’s infrastructure and water quality priorities. Without these unnecessary and duplicative permitting processes, projects of all sizes will be streamlined to maximize efficiency and our state will be given the flexibility to make our own decisions that are best suited for our environmental and economic interests,” said U.S. Congressman Greg Steube (FL-17). “President Trump has made it a priority of his Administration to pursue balanced water policies that protect our environment and meet the needs of the American people,” said CEQ Chairman Mary Neumayr. “Today’s historic announcement is a testament to what can be accomplished through efficient coordination across all levels of government, and I applaud EPA, the State of Florida, the Department of the Interior, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on this achievement.” “The Army is pleased to support the State of Florida in its effort to balance environmental protection with economic development,” said Ryan Fisher, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works. “The citizens of Florida will have continued protections under the Clean Water Act with the benefit of infrastructure permitting decisions being made at the state level.” “Our staff possesses the technical expertise necessary to run the 404 program effectively, offering increased consistency and efficiency to our stakeholders, and increased protections for Florida’s environment,” said Deputy Secretary of Regulatory Programs John Truitt. “None of these efforts were undertaken in a vacuum – we have weighed public and internal feedback and have worked closely with the EPA and our stakeholders to get us to this point. It has been a team effort from the start.” Temperince Morgan, executive director of the The Nature Conservancy in Florida, said, “The expeditious restoration of our natural systems is a top priority for the state and The Nature Conservancy. The state’s assumption of the federal dredge and fill permitting program under section 404 of the Federal Clean Water Act is a positive development that we hope will result in more timely decisions by staff with specific expertise in evaluating Florida’s unique wetland systems. Considering most environmental restoration projects require a 404 permit, adoption of the permitting program should provide much needed benefits to Florida’s natural systems and its residents.” ""This is great news for our state. Florida engineers work closely with the scientists at DEP, and we believe they possess the technical expertise and local knowledge of Florida's water resources and needs. In addition to the benefits of this expertise, a comprehensive state-run program will provide regulatory efficiencies and reduce delays for critical restoration and infrastructure projects while providing stringent protection of Florida’s natural resources,"" said Steven Folsom, PE, chair, Conservation and Environmental Quality Committee, Florida Engineering Society. ""The state of Florida’s assumption of Section 404 permitting should enable Everglades restoration to proceed with the sense of urgency it deserves while maintaining the high level of review and protection required by the Clean Water Act,"" said Eric Eikenberg, CEO, Everglades Foundation. ""We expect the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to exercise its new authority in a manner that protects Florida’s precious and diminishing wetland resources. Wetlands safeguard Florida communities from the effects of climate change, provide tremendous water quality benefits, support fish and wildlife habitat, and mitigate against flooding."" Jeff Beal, regional biologist with Ducks Unlimited in Florida said, “The restoration of our freshwater and brackish wetlands and associated habitats is paramount to continuing Florida’s legacy of promoting good stewardship of these key habitats for the benefit of fish, wildlife and people. Ducks Unlimited works across the nation with state and federal partners to conserve and restore wetlands and is supportive of this effort in Florida because it could help expedite restoration projects by allowing us to work more closely with state agencies such as DEP that have demonstrated the ability to handle streamlined administration for specific purposes.” “Florida’s environment, our waterways and our wetlands are what make the state unique. DEP and our partners have worked diligently to develop science-based solutions to key environmental issues, and it’s crucial that these solutions are implemented in a timely and efficient fashion,” said DEP Chief Science Officer Dr. Tom Frazer. “The State 404 program will ensure the prioritization of critical environmental infrastructure projects and guarantee that local environmental experts with a vested interest in and intimate knowledge of Florida’s natural resources are at the helm.” Background from EPA Section 404 of the CWA requires a permit before dredged or fill material may be discharged into waters of the United States. Section 404(g) of the CWA gives states and tribes the option of assuming, or taking over, the permitting responsibility and administration of the Section 404 permit program for certain waters. Section 404 permits for those assumed waters would be issued by the state or tribe instead of the Corps. The CWA provides that the Corps retains permitting authority in certain tidal waters and other specified waters that are currently used or may be used in the future to transport interstate or foreign commerce. State and tribal Section 404 programs must be at least as stringent as federal permitting. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://mast.house.gov/press-releases?ID=C6112916-1EC8-4298-B593-1836578C3B17,"Mast Provisions To Extend Benefits, Assist Veterans Passed by the House",2020-12-16,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,FL,Brian Mast,M001199,mast.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. The U.S. House of Representatives today passed the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020, which included a number of provisions Congressman Brian Mast (FL-18) helped write to extend benefits and provide additional assistance for veterans. The men and women who put on the uniform to defend our nation made the decision to put country before self. We will never be able to repay them for their sacrifice, but ensuring those who served have access to the benefits they earned is the least we can do, Rep. Mast said. That's what these provisions are all about, and I'm glad we were able to come together and get the job done. Specifically, Rep. Mast helped write and secure the following provisions in the bill: Extending wartime veterans benefits, including the Veterans Pension and health care, to the U.S. Military Assistance Advisory Group (MAAG). The U.S. MAAG included more than 3,000 officers and enlisted individuals who served during the Vietnam War but are currently ineligible for many veterans benefits. This provision would fix this by changing the recognized start of the Vietnam War era from 1961 to 1955, covering the U.S. MAAG as Vietnam War veterans and making them eligible to begin receiving benefits. Helping veterans rebuild and recover in the wake of natural disasters. Veterans and servicemembers are currently eligible for VA home loans that are backed by the federal government and subject to lower interest rates than traditional mortgages. This provision would reduce loan fees for veterans who have been affected by presidentially-declared natural disasters by enabling them to qualify for a second home loan using the initial VA funding fee, instead of the higher subsequent-use fee. Assisting with the legal services of homeless veterans and veterans at risk for homelessness. This provision directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide grants to organizations that provide legal services to homeless veterans and veterans at risk for homelessness. Ensuring that the widows and widowers of Medal of Honor recipients receive the same support that was given to the veteran. This provision will enable the surviving spouses of the Medal of Honor recipients to be eligible to receive the pension that their spouse was awarded. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://buchanan.house.gov/2020/12/buchanan-applauds-deal-end-surprise-medical-billing,Buchanan Applauds Deal to End Surprise Medical Billing,2020-12-15,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,FL,Vern Buchanan,B001260,buchanan.house.gov,buchanan,https://buchanan.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Congressman Vern Buchanan today applauded a bipartisan agreement reached by congressional leaders on legislation to protect patients from receiving surprise medical bills. He called for the measure to be included in an end-of-the-year spending package. Every year millions of Americans are socked with exorbitant bills for services they discover their insurance doesn’t cover. This is an all-too-common practice known as surprise medical billing, often stemming from emergency room visits. The bill would prohibit out-of-network providers from billing patients without receiving consent 72 hours prior to any appointments or procedures. “No patient should ever walk out of a hospital and get blindsided by medical bills they never authorized,” Buchanan said. The bill also sets up a process for doctors and hospitals to go to arbitration to resolve billing disputes, removing patients from the billing process. A study conducted earlier this year found that more than 20 percent of patients had received a surprise medical bill averaging $2,000 each. The newly-announced No Surprises Act would ensure for the first time that patients receive a true and honest cost estimate in advance of any scheduled procedures, strengthen transparency requirements for emergency room procedures and reduce patients’ health care costs. Specifically, the legislation will protect patients from surprise bills by ensuring they are only responsible for their health insurance plan’s in-network costs. This includes preventing patients from being hit with a surprise bill for care from an out-of-network doctor at an in-network hospital, another common cause of surprise medical bills. The Kaiser Family Foundation found that 18 percent of emergency room visits and 16 percent of in-network hospital stays resulted in a surprise bill. The No Surprises Act is similar to the Consumer Protections Against Surprise Medical Bills Act which Buchanan co-sponsored and supported when it passed the House Ways and Means Committee in February of this year. “This bipartisan proposal should be included in any must-pass government funding bill by the end of the year,” Buchanan said. “Patients and their families need to be protected from these unauthorized and unanticipated costs.” Earlier this Congress, Buchanan’s bill to provide greater transparency in drug pricing passed the Ways and Means Committee and awaits action before the full House. The Reporting Accurate Drug Prices Act would require all drug manufactures to submit information to the Health and Human Services Department (HHS) on the average sales price of drugs administered under Medicare Part B. In 2016, the president signed into law Buchanan’s proposal to preserve Medicare Advantage plans.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://lawson.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-lawson-calls-on-congress-to-pass-additional-stimulus-relief-now,Rep. Lawson Calls on Congress to Pass Additional Stimulus Relief Now,2020-12-15,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,FL,Al Lawson,L000586,lawson.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC. U.S. Rep. Al Lawson (FL-05), today, called on his colleagues in Congress to pass an additional stimulus bill to support the American people: I'm encouraged by the recent success by the group of bipartisan senators who have reached an agreement on a long delayed second round of coronavirus relief package for the American people. While this bill is far from perfect, it is progress. As I traveled around Florida's 5th Congressional District these past few months, I have had the opportunity to talk to many of our friends and neighbors who are suffering and crying out for additional help. I have seen them in the much longer food lines depending on the assistance and kindness of others. I have heard the concerns of many worried about impending evictions or having their utilities cut off, and I heard from restaurants and small business owners faced with the possibility of closure. And, I have taken those concerns to Washington. The latest relief package does not include all that I would have wanted, but it does include, a 16 week extension of federal pandemic unemployment benefits at $300 per week, an extension of eviction moratorium, a 15-percent increase in SNAP benefits for four months, additional funding for The Emergency Food Assistance Program (that funds food banks), increased funding for school and childcare meal programs, $25 billion to state and local governments to provide rental assistance, and extension of federal student loan forbearance through April 1, 2021. As many families in our North Florida communities and across America are hurting, I implore my colleagues to immediately pass this additional package of pandemic relief now. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3186,Democratic Women’s Caucus Leadership Calls on VA Secretary Wilkie to Resign,2020-12-13,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,FL,Lois Frankel,F000462,frankel.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today, Democratic Women's Caucus (DWC) Co-Chairs Congresswomen Jackie Speier (CA-14), Lois Frankel (FL-21), and Brenda Lawrence (MI-14), and Vice Chairs Congresswomen Veronica Escobar (TX-16) and Deb Haaland (NM-01) issued the following statement calling on Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert Wilkie to resign following an Office of Inspector General report entitled, Senior VA Officials' Response to a Veteran's Sexual Assault Allegations. The VA Inspector General report makes clear Secretary Wilkie and senior leadership, instead of facilitating a full and fair investigation, perpetrated a denigrating character assassination against a woman veteran who had taken the brave step of reporting a sexual assault at a D.C. VA Medical Center. As the VA struggles with issues of sexual and gender-based harassment, this behavior sends exactly the wrong message to veterans and survivors. In doing so, Secretary Wilkie abdicated his duty to combat sexual harassment and sexual assault. Secretary Wilkie, and his senior staff named in the report, should issue an apology and resign immediately. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3187,Democratic Women’s Caucus Leadership Condemns the Misogynistic Wall Street Journal Op-Ed Targeting Dr. Jill Biden,2020-12-13,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,FL,Lois Frankel,F000462,frankel.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today, Democratic Women's Caucus (DWC) Co-Chairs Congresswomen Brenda L. Lawrence (MI-14), Jackie Speier (CA-14) and Lois Frankel (FL-21), and Vice Chairs Congresswomen Veronica Escobar (TX-16) and Deb Haaland (NM-01) issued the following statement condemning the misogynistic Wall Street Journal Op-Ed targeting Dr. Jill Biden. Unfortunately, the constant stream of misogynistic attacks leveled against accomplished women has no bounds. As leaders of the DWC we give no credence to the idea that Dr. Jill Biden shouldn't be allowed to use a title she earned through merit and tireless work because it does not fit the author's unfounded conception of the work that merits recognition, said the Democratic Women's Caucus leadership. Dr. Biden, like the countless accomplished Ph.Ds. in our country, deserves and should proudly display her hard-earned degree. Belittling the intellect, passion, and dedication of our nation's educators is not only reprehensible on its face, but also reveals a dangerous lack of respect for the power a quality education and compassionate teachers have to change lives. The suggestion that Dr. Biden should settle for the larger thrill of living for the next four years in the best public housing in the world as First Lady Jill Biden,' misses the reality that the future First Lady Dr. Jill Biden alongside Vice President-elect Harris and the other talented women in the incoming Administration will continue to demonstrate that there are no limits to what women can achieve, especially after being given the opportunity of an education. We look forward to working together. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://bilirakis.house.gov/media/press-releases/five-more-bilirakis-authored-provisions-pass-house,Five More Bilirakis-Authored Provisions Pass the House,2020-12-11,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,FL,Gus M. Bilirakis,B001257,bilirakis.house.gov,bilirakis,https://bilirakis.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Florida's Most Effective Lawmaker keeps adding to his legislative successes, with five more provisions co-authored by Congressman Bilirakis passing the House this week. This now means that Bilirakis has 14 bills that have the passed the House this Congress and await final approval in the Senate. A total of eleven Bilirakis-authored bills have already been signed into law this since 2019, while he served as a Member of the minority party. This is a testament to Bilirakis's ability to work across party lines and is a contributing factor to Bilirakis recently being ranked as Florida's Most Bipartisan Member in the U.S. House of Representatives. ""I look forward to getting these initiatives across the finish line before the end of the year,"" said Bilirakis. ""They will help seniors, our military, their families and Veterans. I urge my Senate colleagues to expedite their passage so they can be signed into law."" The Beneficiary Enrollment Notification and Eligibility Act of 2019 or the BENES Act, which Bilirakis co-authored, passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support earlier this week. Complex and confusing Medicare enrollment rules combined with a lack of sufficient notification cause tens of thousands of seniors and people with disabilities to incur lifetime fines, coverage gaps, and other harmful consequences. The BENES Act will provide advance notification to individuals approaching Medicare eligibility about basic enrollment rules while directing HHS to provide guidance to Congress on how best to align Medicare enrollment periods to help seniors avoid adverse consequences. A second bill co-authored by Bilirakis, the Provide Accurate Information Directly Act or PAID Act, also garnered bipartisan support when passing the House this week. The PAID Act addresses a problem with Medicare billing. Medicare secondary payer laws enacted in the 1980s have failed to stay current with the needs of today's beneficiaries, and the PAID Act requires improved information sharing and coordination by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The three additional Bilirakis co-authored provisions passed the House as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and are listed below:",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://dunn.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=208,Congressman Dunn Credits Operation Warp Speed with Rapid Vaccine Development,2020-12-11,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,FL,Neal P. Dunn,D000628,dunn.house.gov,dunn,https://dunn.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Today, Representative Neal Dunn, M.D. (FL-02) made the following statement following the Food & Drug Administration (FDA)’s emergency use authorization approval of the COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer Inc. and partner BioNTech SE. “This is a monumental step in our fight against COVID-19. The Trump Administration’s Operation Warp Speed played an instrumental role in supporting the development of this safe and effective vaccine. Pfizer and BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine has a 95% efficacy rate and will entail two doses that are administered 21 days apart. The company plans to distribute about 25 million doses in the U.S. by the end of the year – if you do not receive a vaccine immediately following its release, there are more on the way. I’ve been in close communication with the Governor’s Office regarding distribution and will continue working with the state and my district to ensure my constituents receive the most updated information on the vaccines.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/diaz-balart-applauds-pfizer-vaccine-approval,Diaz-Balart Applauds Pfizer Vaccine Approval,2020-12-11,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,FL,Mario Diaz-Balart,D000600,mariodiazbalart.house.gov,mariodiazbalart,https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. ­­–– Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25) issued the following statement following the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) announcement approving the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. ""This year, we have witnessed the largest scientific, government, and private sector mobilization in recent history. In just a few months, we have made historic progress with the development of COVID-19 treatments and even developed multiple vaccines with proven effectiveness. The Trump Administration has worked hand in hand with our military,medical experts, and the private sector to develop and manufacture a safe and effectivevaccinein record time, and now, thanks to Operation Warp Speed, we can begin distributing this vaccine as quickly and reliably as possible. I am proud of our nation's unprecedented efforts to treat this virus, and I commend this Administration's diligent work in prioritizing the health and safety of the American people.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://mast.house.gov/press-releases?ID=13C87504-E7F1-48A1-8E3D-055285B90AA9,Mast Bill To Honor Fallen Florida Trooper Joseph Bullock Passes House,2020-12-11,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,FL,Brian Mast,M001199,mast.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Congressman Brian Mast (FL-18)'s legislation to designate the United States Post Office in Port Salerno, Fla. as the Joseph Bullock Post Office Building passed the House of Representatives today. This legislation would change the name of this facility to honor the life and sacrifice of Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Joseph Bullock, who was fatally shot in the line of duty on February 5, 2020. There are no words or actions that can pay the debt we each owe heroes like Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Joseph Bullock, Rep. Mast said. But today, the House of Representatives helped me honor a hero by passing this legislation, preserving his legacy in our community for generations to come. Trooper Bullock was fatally shot on February 5, 2020 while assisting a disabled vehicle in Martin County, Fla. Trooper Bullock spent his career protecting the people of Florida, serving as a member of the Florida Highway Patrol for 19 years. Prior to serving on the Florida Highway Patrol, Trooper Bullock served our nation in the United States Air Force. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://stephaniemurphy.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1549,U.S. House Passes Murphy Measure That Creates Path Forward to Improve Water Quality in Lake Jesup,2020-12-11,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,FL,Stephanie Murphy,M001202,stephaniemurphy.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTONThe U.S. House of Representatives has unanimously passed the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2020, which includes a provision authored by U.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla., that authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to conduct a study to determine whether to fund an ecosystem restoration project in Central Florida. The project, if funded, would restore the natural flow of the St. Johns River and lead to improved water quality in Lake Jesup, located in Seminole County. The Senate is expected to approve the legislation soon, and it will then be transmitted to the President's desk for his consideration. Murphy's effort will help restore the natural flow of water between the St. Johns River channel and Lake Jesup, one of the largest lakes in Central Florida, which has long struggled with pollution.The construction of State Road 46 and dredging by the Corps of Engineers cut off the original channel between the St. Johns River and Lake Jesup, resulting in the excessive growth of algae in the lake. Now that Congress has authorized the study to proceed, the Corps of Engineers can include the study in its annual work plan, which Murphy will urge the Corps to do. Florida's waterways are a treasured natural resource critical to protecting our quality of life and our economy. I'm proud of this successful effort to hopefully move us closer to restoring the natural flow of the St. Johns River, said Murphy. I'll keep working to improve water quality at Lake Jesup and ensuring we preserve this area for future generations of Central Floridians to enjoy. Murphy's efforts are consistent with longstanding efforts by the Friends of Lake Jesup, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the St. Johns River Water Management District, the Florida Department of Transportation, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and state and local elected officials to develop a plan for restoring the ecological balance of the lake. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://steube.house.gov/media/press-releases/steube-joins-colleagues-letter-president-trump-urging-doj-investigation,Steube Joins Colleagues in Letter to President Trump Urging a DOJ Investigation into Irregularities in the 2020 Election,2020-12-11,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,FL,Greg Steube,S001214,steube.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) joined colleagues in sending a letter to President Trump urging him to direct Attorney General Barr to appoint a Special Counsel to investigate irregularities in the 2020 election. Every single allegation of fraud should be thoroughly investigated, and anyone found unlawfully interfering in our electoral process should be held criminally accountable. Steube said. From potentially thousands of uncounted ballots being found in Georgia, to instances of deceased people voting in New York City, it is clear that the integrity of our elections and even our system of government is at stake. Despite dozens of accounts of voter fraud, an investigation has not yet been opened at the Department of Justice. Many instances of suspicious activity have been reported, including almost 2,600 that were not tallied on election night in Floyd County, Georgia, and reports showing that ballots were mailed into the New York City Board of Elections in the name of dead voters. You can read the full text of the letter here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://steube.house.gov/press-releases/steube-joins-colleagues-in-letter-to-president-trump-urging-a-doj-investigation-into-irregularities-in-the-2020-election/,Steube Joins Colleagues in Letter to President Trump Urging a DOJ Investigation into Irregularities in the 2020 Election,2020-12-11,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,FL,W. Gregory Steube,S001214,steube.house.gov,steube,https://steube.house.gov/category/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Steube Joins Colleagues in Letter to President Trump Urging a DOJ Investigation into Irregularities in the 2020 Election WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) joined colleagues in sending a letter to President Trump urging him to direct Attorney General Barr to appoint a Special Counsel to investigate irregularities in the 2020 election. “Every single allegation of fraud should be thoroughly investigated, and anyone found unlawfully interfering in our electoral process should be held criminally accountable.” Steube said. “From potentially thousands of uncounted ballots being found in Georgia, to instances of deceased people voting in New York City, it is clear that the integrity of our elections and even our system of government is at stake.” Despite dozens of accounts of voter fraud, an investigation has not yet been opened at the Department of Justice. Many instances of suspicious activity have been reported, including almost 2,600 that were not tallied on election night in Floyd County, Georgia, and reports showing that ballots were mailed into the New York City Board of Elections in the name of dead voters. You can read the full text of the letter here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://buchanan.house.gov/2020/12/buchanan-measure-headed-president-s-desk,Buchanan Measure Headed to President’s Desk,2020-12-10,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,FL,Vern Buchanan,B001260,buchanan.house.gov,buchanan,https://buchanan.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate today passed the final version of a sweeping defense bill that includes Congressman Vern Buchanan’s measure to reduce training accidents following the death of a Bradenton soldier The bill cleared the U.S. House Tuesday and is now on its way to President Trump’s desk. Buchanan filed the measure to this year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in July as a part of his push for military training reforms after Army Specialist Nicholas Panipinto of Bradenton died in a vehicle training accident in South Korea last year. A lack of emergency services on base and delays in medical response was cited in his death. “The highest tribute that can be paid to the life of Specialist Panipinto is for the Defense Department to ensure that future military personnel who are injured during training exercises can quickly receive high-quality medical treatment that might help save their lives,” Buchanan said. “I am deeply humbled that Nick’s mother came to me with their tragic story and has allowed me to help. I know that these reforms will save lives and prevent future heartache felt by families like hers across the country.” Buchanan’s amendment requires the Department of Defense to examine emergency response capabilities and services currently available at U.S. military bases around the world and to report to Congress on the potential benefits and feasibility of requiring bases to have properly functioning MedEvac helicopters and fully-stocked military ambulances. The U.S. House initially passed its version of the NDAA in July, with Buchanan’s amendment included, and the Senate later followed suit passing its own separate version. The U.S. House and Senate then had to reconcile their competing versions and produce a final conference report. Specialist Panipinto’s mother, Kimberly Weaver, praised Buchanan saying, “This isn’t just a win for our family, but for every military family. We are so thankful to Congressman Buchanan for all of his help in getting these necessary changes one step closer to being signed into law.” Deaths during training exercises have risen dramatically in recent years. In 2017 alone, nearly four times as many service members died in training accidents than were killed in action.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://crist.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2222,Crist Calls for RESTAURANTS Act Before End of Year,2020-12-10,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,FL,Charlie Crist,C001111,crist.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC U.S. Representative Charlie Crist (D-St. Petersburg) joined 163 Members of Congress, sending aletterurging Congressional leadership to include a $120 billion revitalization fund for small and independent restaurants in any future COVID-19 relief package or year-end spending bill. The proposal, which was introduced earlier this year as the RESTAURANTS Act of 2020, has earned the support of 50 senators and passed the House as part of a larger COVID relief package, The Heroes Act. The bipartisan, bicameral effort comes as restaurants across the Tampa Bay area are grappling with the growing daily challenges of safely operating during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thousands of local restaurant owners are struggling to stay open and retain staff while some have sadly been forced to close their doors and lay off employees. In the letter, Crist joins his colleagues in highlighting the challenges new restrictions present for restaurants as coronavirus cases continue to surge across the nation. Saying in part, These businesses are the beating heart of communities across America, but the pandemic puts their survival in jeopardy. The restaurants and bars that call Pinellas home are doing their best to navigate the unpredictable and keep their doors open during the pandemic,said Rep. Crist. Unfortunately, as COVID-19 cases continue to rise, it's clear many of our beloved neighborhood establishments won't survive without much needed relief. Pinellas restaurant owners and employees are calling out for help Congress needs to pass the RESTAURANTS Act before the end of year to protect the future of our local economy and workforce. The letter to Congressional leadership has been signed by 138 members of the House and 25 members of the Senate. A pdf of the letter can be foundherewith text appearing below. Dear Majority Leader McConnell, Minority Leader Schumer, Speaker Pelosi, and Leader McCarthy: America faces its most difficult phase in the fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). COVID-19 case numbers are spiking across the nation, with more than one in 400 Americans testing positive in the last week alone. This unprecedented increase has prompted a wave of new restrictions ranging from nighttime closures and restrictions on indoor dining in New York, North Dakota, and Maryland to takeout-only in Oregon and stay-at-home orders in New Mexico. For the second time this year, restaurants and bars are having to limit operations or close their doors completely, raising concerns about their ability to survive the long winter ahead. They need quick relief to keep their workers employed and hold onto their businesses. Congress needs to act speedily and pass the RESTAURANTS Act to help save local restaurants across the country and the millions of workers they employ. The restaurant industry has been uniquely devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearly one in four jobs lost from the pandemic were those of restaurant and bar workers. The food and beverage industry is still down 2.3 million jobs since the pandemic began, a number that is sure to rise with increasing infection rates and new restrictions. Despite bearing the brunt of this economic crisis, independent restaurants have received no directly tailored federal aid. Many independent restaurant owners did not benefit from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) because the program did not match their business model or needs. The restaurant sector is the second-largest private employer after health care, and for countless Americans they provide the first opportunity for a job. These businesses are the beating heart of communities across America, but the pandemic puts their survival in jeopardy. This threat affects restaurants and their employees and every other link in the $1 trillion restaurant supply chain. The food supply chain touches every corner of the country and supports tens of millions of livelihoods, including farm workers, fishermen, and truck drivers. A new round of restaurant closures is likely to have dire effects on the entire food supply chain. The RESTAURANTS Act would create a restaurant revitalization fund that can be used for a wide range of expenses, including payroll and benefits, food, utilities, rent, maintenance, and supplies. This legislation has gained bipartisan support in Congress, as well as backing from restauranteurs and a large coalition of industries that rely on restaurants. It passed the House of Representatives on October 1, 2020, in H.R. 925 (Section 607, Division O). A June 2020 study on the legislation found it would generate at least $183 billion in primary benefits and $65 billion in secondary benefits more than double the amount of the fund itself. This type of economic multiplier is needed now more than ever. We urge you to pass the RESTAURANTS Act quickly as part of a COVID-19 relief bill or a year-end spending bill. We look forward to partnering with you to save local restaurants across America.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://lawson.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-lawson-announces-district-winners-of-congressional-app-competition,Rep. Lawson Announces District Winners of Congressional App Competition,2020-12-10,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,FL,Al Lawson,L000586,lawson.house.gov,,,legacy,"December 10, 2020 Rep. Lawson Announces District Winners of Congressional App Competition U.S. Rep. Al Lawson (Fl-05) is proud to announce Florida's 5th Congressional District App Challenge winners are Tallahassee School of Math and Science students Liam Tolia, Issa Allison, Jackson Flowers and Gabriel Campbell. The Congressional App Challenge's mission is to inspire, include and innovate efforts around STEM and computer science education. The app, Escape the CoronaVirus, was created to entertain all who play the game, and to relieve some of the stress caused by the pandemic. The game is a way to make some fun out of what can be a very scary and stressful situation. Liam, Issa, Allison, and Jackson are a fine example of what the students of Florida's 5thCongressional District can accomplish, Rep. Lawson said. I am excited to recognize these students for their hard work on creating this fun and engaging app. It is so great to see students flourishing even with the challenges they have faced due to the Corona Virus In spring 2021, Tolia, Allison, Flowers and Campbell will showcase their apps to members of Congress and members of the tech community during the virtual House of Code. Since 2015, more than 4,000 functional apps have been created by over 14,000 students. The Congressional App Challenge spans 48 states and aims to engage students in computer science. Winners: 1stplace:Escape the CoronaVirus Liam Tolia, Issa Allison, Jackson Flowers, Gabriel Campbell (Tallahassee School of Math And Science) 2ndplace:Student Attendance and Management Service Eric Lee (Stanton College Preparatory School) 3rdplace:Super Smash Homies Tallahassee school of Math and Science; andCalmverse Janiya Richardson (Amos P. Godby High School) Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://mast.house.gov/press-releases?ID=1F5471FB-DD19-4B34-A9A1-FA7FB1D79F6C,Port St. Lucie Rape Survivor Harmony Allen Wins Supreme Court Case With Mast’s Help,2020-12-10,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,FL,Brian Mast,M001199,mast.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. The Supreme Court of the United States today ruled 8-0 in favor of Port. St. Lucie resident and rape survivor Harmony Allen. This unanimous ruling overturns a previous decision that allowed convicted military rapists to be set free on a misconstrued technicality. The Supreme Court agreed to hear Allen's case after Congressman Brian Mast (FL-18) urged the Solicitor General to take up the case and bring it before the Supreme Court. Rep. Mast also filed an amicus brief in support of Allen's case. This has been a long and difficult journey, but today's ruling finally brings me peace. For years, I had to live with the fact that my rapist was set free with nothing stopping him from doing to another innocent woman what he did to me, Harmony Allen said. Today's decision changes that, and after all these years, I can finally take a deep breath knowing that justice has been served. Allen was raped during her third month in the Air Force by her instructor. Despite being found guilty and sentenced to jail time, the instructor was subsequently freed due to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces misinterpreting the Congressionally-mandated statute of limitations. The justices unanimously decided today that there is not a 5-year statute of limitation for rape charges and convictions in the military. Harmony Allen has been relentless in her fight for justice to hold her rapist accountable for the crimes he committed, and I am proud to stand by her today in victory. This was no easy fight, but we gave it everything we had for years writing Harmony's Law, urging the Solicitor General to take up the case and securing a Supreme Court hearing. Today's decision is a monumental one, and it serves a justice that was long overdue, Rep. Mast said. I could not be happier for Harmony Allen and her family knowing that this massive miscarriage of justice has been righted once and for all. Despite Congress making its intent clear in the National Defense Authorization Acts (NDAA) of Fiscal Years 1987 and 2006 that heinous offenses, including rape, will have no statute of limitations in the military, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces ruled in U.S. v. Mangahas that the statute of limitations for sexual assaults that occurred before 2006 is five years. In doing so, the Court incorrectly overruled the military's standard in place from 1986 to 2006 that rape could be tried and punished at any time without limitation and misinterpreted the Congressional intent of the 2006 NDAA by failing to apply it to cases that occurred prior to 2006. As a result, starting in 2018, convicted sexual offenders in the military were able to appeal their convictions and be set free if they committed the offense before 2006 but were not charged within 5 years. Two convictions had been overturned, including Harmony Allen's case, and there are dozens more still in the appellate queue. As a result of the Supreme Court's decision today, Allen's rapist will be sent back to prison. The decision also prevents the potential early release of hundreds of convicted rapists from their sentence. Timeline of Events: In April 2019, Rep. Mast introduced Harmony's Law to prevent these convicted military rapists from being freed on a misconstrued technicality. In June 2019, Rep. Mast urged the Solicitor General to file a petition for a writ of certiorari to review Allen's case, safeguarding the integrity of Congress's intent and ensuring that victims of sexual assault in the military receive justice. In November 2019, the Supreme Court granted certiorari in United States v. Collins, agreeing to hear Allen's case. In January 2020, Rep. Mast filed an amicus curiae brief to the Supreme Court in support of Allen's case. In October 2020, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments for Allen's case. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://webster.house.gov/press-releases?ID=7692F630-1ABC-4365-9E10-CCB13108659A,Webster Joins Colleagues to Preserve Separation of Powers,2020-12-10,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,FL,Daniel Webster,W000806,webster.house.gov,webster,https://webster.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Webster joins 105 colleagues in filing amicus brief in Texas v. Pennsylvania, et al Washington, DC – Today, Florida Congressman Daniel Webster, R-Clermont, released the following statement after joining 105 of his colleagues to file an amicus brief in Texas v. Pennsylvania, et al. “Election integrity is a critical component of the American system. The U.S. Constitution gives State Legislatures the exclusive authority to determine the manner in which electors are appointed/chosen. State and federal law, not the media, set the timeline for certifying election results and the meeting of electors. When the role of the State Legislature to make laws is under attacked by the Executive Branch or activist state judges, the Legislature can and should appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court to defend its constitutional authority. In part, as a result of my advocacy in 2000 for Florida to act the Florida Legislature successfully appealed to SCOTUS in Bush v. Gore. “Throughout my time in public service, I have advocated to preserve the Separation of Powers and for State Legislatures – and Congress – to defend, and when necessary, take back authority given them by the Constitution. I have urged leaders in WI, PA, AZ, and GA legislatures to petition the U.S. Supreme Court to defend their Article II, Section 1 authority in the U.S. Constitution. Today, I joined my colleagues in filing an amicus brief supporting the suit brought by the Texas Attorney General, Florida Attorney General and others. “We are a nation of laws and order. We must ensure a constitutionally approved process was conducted and all valid claims are properly addressed. As I said last month, President Trump has the right to take legal action and request recounts to ensure every and only legally cast ballots are counted. Twenty years ago, the news media projected the wrong winner in Florida, and it was about a month before official results of the 2000 Presidential Election were known. Free and fair elections are the bedrock of our republic and it is always right to fight to uphold the constitution when a serious question arises.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://crist.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2221,Crist to State and Feds: Investigate Freedom Square,2020-12-09,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,FL,Charlie Crist,C001111,crist.house.gov,,,legacy,"St. Petersburg, FL U.S. Representative Charlie Crist (D-FL) sent a letter to Governor Ron DeSantis and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, following investigative reporting from theTampa Bay Timesentitled Death at Freedom Square, detailing the negligent, abusive mismanagement that resulted in the retirement complex becoming the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak in the Tampa Bay area, resulting in the deaths of over 30 residents and staff. This is the third time in six months that Crist has called for action and transparency from the State, previously ringing the alarm about theunsafe conditions being reported out of long-term care facilitiesandcalling for more PPE to protect staff and residentsfrom the spread of this virus. In his letter, Congressman Crist calls on Governor DeSantis and Secretary Azar to get to the bottom of the deadly abuses brought to light by theTimes'reporting, andto prosecute those responsible. Crist is also calling on DeSantis and Azar to investigate the State's inadequate regulation and oversight of long-term care facilities that led to the senseless and preventable deaths of so many Floridians. The mismanagement and negligence uncovered by the Tampa Bay Time's reporting is quite frankly unforgivable,said Rep. Crist. Freedom Square was entrusted with caring for our most vulnerable. Reckless failure to take even the most basic precautions to protect residents and staff from the global pandemic aided and abetted the virus as it exacted one of the most ghastly death tolls in the state. The families of those who have lost loved ones deserve nothing less than a full accounting of what went wrong and full accountability for those responsible,continued Crist. Going forward we must also raise our expectations for long-term care facilities in our state. This issue will not be solved overnight, and I will carry the fight for higher standards and increased oversight for long-term care facilities into the new Biden Administration under HHS Secretary-Designate Xavier Becerra. A pdf of the letter can be foundhere, with text appearing below. December 9, 2020 The Honorable Ron DeSantis, Governor State of Florida The Capitol 400 S. Monroe St. Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001 Dear Governor DeSantis, I trust you share my outrage over article that appears in the December 6, 2020 print edition ofTampa Bay Timesentitled Death at Freedom Square that details how horrific mismanagement contributed to sickness and death of residents and staff at a retirement complex in Seminole, Florida in my district. The article details outrageous abuses that must be investigated and prosecuted if confirmed to be true. Additionally, I request that you consider ordering a separate investigation into the clearly inadequate regulation and oversight of Florida's long-term care facilities that once again led to the senseless and I would argue preventable deaths of Floridians who live or recover in our long-term care facilities. To wit, this shocking investigative journalism follows two letters I sent to state leaders over the summer attempting to ring the alarm about unsafe conditions and inadequate regulation. In a June 8thletter to you, I requested a detailed COVID-19 testing plan for long-term care facilities and even cited Freedom Square's unacceptably high death toll. In an August 12thletter to Florida's Agency for Health Care Administration, I led nine other members of Florida's Congressional Delegation flagging insufficient personal protective equipment for long-term care facility staff that was putting them and the residents under their care at risk. I deeply regret that these warnings appeared to have gone unheeded. Dr. Deborah Birx, Coronavirus Response Coordinator for the White House Coronavirus Task Force, recently called the looming winter surge, the worst event that this country will face. With pandemic warning lights flashing red, we must be prepared to protect the most vulnerable namely, residents of Florida's long-term care facilities. I stand ready to support your efforts to take the following actions: Launch a full-scale investigation of the tragedy at Freedom Square, Prosecute any wrongdoing that led to sickness and death of residents and staff at Freedom Square, and Take an honest look at why Florida cannot seem to get long-term care regulation and oversight right. This is too important to ignore. Sincerely, Charlie Crist UNITED STATES CONGRESSMAN",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/diaz-balart-delivers-floor-speech-repression-cuba,Diaz-Balart Delivers Floor Speech on Repression in Cuba,2020-12-09,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,FL,Mario Diaz-Balart,D000600,mariodiazbalart.house.gov,mariodiazbalart,https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. ­­–– Today, Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25) delivered the following statement on the House floor regarding the ongoing repression and human rights abuses in Cuba. Watch the floor speechhere, or read his full remarks, as prepared for delivery. ""Madam Speaker, I rise to bring attention to the brave actions of pro-democracy leaders in Cuba, and the brutal repression that they have faced as a result of their demands for freedom. ""For example, in the last few weeks, the San Isidro Movement has stepped up its calls for freedom and the release of political prisoners. Their protests included such ‘dangerous' activities as poetry readings and sit-ins.And as a result, these young rappers, artists, and writers have faced arbitrary arrests, harassment, and abuse.Some remain in prison and many of these activists began a hunger strike in protest. ""Despite the brutal repression in Cuba, the pro-democracy movement is growing.Mothers, scientists, and many others have joined its calls for freedom and the release of political prisoners. ""I commend President Trump and his administration for their solidarity with the Cuban people in imposing tough sanctions against the Cuban dictatorship. We all must stand with the brave pro-democracy activists in Cuba, who are risking their lives at this very moment,and join them in their pleas for freedom and the immediate, unconditional release of all political prisoners.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/diaz-balart-pronuncia-un-discurso-ante-el-pleno-del-congreso-sobre-la,Díaz-Balart pronuncia un discurso ante el pleno del Congreso sobre la represión en Cuba,2020-12-09,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,FL,Mario Diaz-Balart,D000600,mariodiazbalart.house.gov,mariodiazbalart,https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C.–– El Congresista Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-25) pronunció hoy un discurso en el pleno de la Cámara de Representantes para denunciar la actual represión y los abusos contra los derechos humanos en Cuba. Vea el video del discurso y lea el contenido traducido al Español: ""Señora Presidenta, me pongo de pie para llamar la atención sobre las valientes acciones de los líderes prodemocráticos en Cuba y la brutal represión que han enfrentado como resultado de sus demandas por libertad. ""Por ejemplo, en las últimas semanas, el Movimiento San Isidro ha intensificado sus llamados a la libertad y la liberación de presos políticos. Sus protestas incluyeron actividades ""peligrosas"" como lecturas de poesía y sentadas. Y como resultado, estos jóvenes raperos, artistas y escritores se han enfrentado a detenciones arbitrarias, acoso y abusos. Algunos permanecen en prisión y muchos de estos activistas iniciaron una huelga de hambre en señal de protesta. ""A pesar de la brutal represión en Cuba, el movimiento a favor de la democracia está creciendo. Madres, científicos y muchos otros se han sumado a sus llamados a la libertad y la liberación de los presos políticos. ""Felicito al presidente Trump y a su administración por su solidaridad con el pueblo cubano al imponer duras sanciones contra la dictadura cubana. Todos debemos apoyar a los valientes activistas a favor de la democracia en Cuba, que están arriesgando sus vidas en este mismo momento, y unirnos a ellos en sus súplicas por la libertad y la liberación inmediata e incondicional de todos los presos políticos "".",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2545,Wasserman Schultz on DeSantis' Whistleblower Persecution,2020-12-09,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,FL,Debbie Wasserman Schultz,W000797,wassermanschultz.house.gov,wassermanschultz,https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"Gov. DeSantis’ mishandling of the coronavirus in Florida has made him a global laughingstock and has caused so much needless suffering and death in our state. Now, beyond just deadly incompetence, it appears that he has chosen to abuse Florida’s law enforcement and judicial systems to persecute Rebekah Jones, a scientist who dared to critique his oft-maligned and suspect COVID-19 data. Given the timid complicity and lack of oversight from the Republican-controlled Legislature, the governor’s abuse of power must be investigated immediately by Florida’s relevant inspectors general. My office is also exploring various federal-level investigative options. Our state is in a public health emergency. And rather than use his executive power to protect Floridians, DeSantis abuses it to attack scientists who dare to sound the alarm about Florida’s inept, dangerous response and apparent manipulation of data. That is not leadership; it is autocratic repression.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=403463,"Castor Statement on House Passage of Bipartisan NDAA Conference Report, Including Wins for MacDill AFB",2020-12-08,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,FL,Kathy Castor,C001066,castor.house.gov,castor,https://castor.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) released the below statement following the passage of the bipartisan, bicameral FY2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) conference report today in the U.S. House of Representatives: “Every year, the holiday season presents another reminder of the sacrifice and selflessness of our service members, but nine months into the COVID-19 pandemic, policymakers must ensure that our military personnel and their families have the tools they need to remain safe and healthy. The 2021 NDAA will boost MacDill Air Force Base and the brave men and women who serve the United States abroad and keep us safe at home, and I am proud to support it. “The investments I championed for our service members are represented in this year’s NDAA, including a 3 percent pay raise for our troops and a continued commitment to upgrade base housing for military families. Our service members and their families at MacDill are the best and they deserve the best – that means housing that is safe and clean and free from mold and shoddy construction. The NDAA will ensure that the Department of Defense (DOD) continues to improve housing for MacDill families and others across the country. “As we take the necessary steps to protect Tampa Bay families from climate-fueled threats, I am pleased to see important and smart investments included – investments that will help us reduce pollution, improve water conservation, and prepare our military against the impacts of our warming climate. As Chair of the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis, I am committed to boosting resilience in communities across the nation and keeping Americans safe – and that includes our military. I applaud the House Armed Services Committee for adding these sensible solutions, some of which were outlined in the Select Committee Democrats’ Climate Crisis Action Plan. “Importantly, to allow the airmen at MacDill to continue their vital air refueling mission, the bill also prohibits the retirement of any KC-135 aircraft or the reduction in the number of primary mission KC-135 aircraft. While we wait for more successful tests and successful integration of KC-46’s into our forces, keeping the KC-135’s flying safely is paramount to national security. MacDill’s 6th Air Refueling Wing will remain expert at this for years to come. “A provision I championed to delay the closing of Sabal Park Community Clinic and prevent the limiting of military families and retirees who have access to the clinic at MacDill was included. This is a major priority for local leaders and Tampa residents and will ensure continued treatment for so many in our community. “The NDAA also tackles systemic racism that pervades American life by establishing new diversity requirements for DOD, including establishing a Chief Diversity Officer. Thanks to bipartisan cooperation, the bill will also direct the removal of base names and symbols that were established more to intimidate than to honor, which will build on the work I have done to remove Confederate General Edmund Kirby Smith from the U.S. Capitol. The bill requires DOD to change the names of all military bases named for those who fought for the Confederate States of America rather than the United States of America, and it prohibits the display of the Confederate flag on DOD installations. Shamefully, the president has made clear his intention to veto these critical funds for our troops if this provision is included in the NDAA. Funding for our troops should not be held hostage so that a lame duck president can stage a political stunt. “The Congress has enacted a bipartisan NDAA conference report for 59 years in a row and this would be the 60th. Numerous military authorities will expire if a DOD authorization bill is not enacted, and I urge the President to sign the NDAA without delay. Updating the names of military bases is an important step to ensure our armed forces are inclusive for all who want to serve our nation and to honor American heroes who embody the values American soldiers have always fought for.” The NDAA includes the following priorities for MacDill Air Force Base and Tampa residents: 3% pay increase for our troops. Prohibits the use of funds to be appropriated for two years for the retirement of any KC-135 aircraft or reduce the number of primary mission KC-135 aircraft. Includes language that would require DOD to delay implementation of Military Treatment Facility restructuring and medical billet cuts and increase reporting requirements and Congressional oversight, which could benefit military families and retirees who use the clinic at MacDill AFB and Sabal Park Community Clinic. Promulgation of guidance on relocation of residents of military housing impacted by presence of mold. Family Support for Special Operations Forces Members: Enhances and expands support services beyond immediate family members of the special operations force members and includes psychological support and spiritual support services as covered family support services. Establishes an independent commission to make binding recommendations to the Secretary of Defense for the modification or removal of all names, symbols, displays, monuments, and paraphernalia that honor or commemorate the Confederate States of America or any person who served voluntarily with the Confederate States of America from all assets of the Department of Defense. Establishes new diversity requirements for the DOD, including creating a Chief Diversity Officer and requiring the Secretary of Defense to include increasing diversity as part of the National Defense Strategy. Helps the Department of Defense become better prepared for climate impacts by requiring an update to the 2014 Climate Change Roadmap. Builds on previous work to address sexual assault prevention and response. Expands the use of hybrid and electric non-tactical vehicles in the Armed Forces in order to reduce emissions. Authorizes the State Department to offer rewards for providing information on foreign election interference and provides a definition of foreign election interference. Requires a report on foreign malign influence campaigns on social media platforms targeting elections for federal office. Requires a GAO report examining the impact of U.S. military support to the Saudi-led coalition on the conflict in Yemen and civilian casualties. Includes a Statement of Policy on Yemen that prioritizes ending the conflict, stabilizing the region, and addressing the humanitarian crisis with our partners and allies, and requires a report from the Secretary of State explaining what diplomatic efforts have been undertaken to end the conflict and to stabilize Yemen. Requires the DOD to report on its greenhouse gas emissions for the last 10 years. Invests in research and development of advanced water harvesting technologies, which can help address water scarcity in areas impacted by climate-fueled droughts. Expands the Department’s authority to conduct climate resiliency projects. Improves water security and conservation at installations in regions experiencing water scarcity, by assessing and maximizing use of landscaping practices that reduce water usage. U.S. Rep. Castor serves as the Chair of the U.S. House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis, is a member of the powerful U.S. House Energy & Commerce Committee and previously served on the U.S. House Armed Services Committee. Her district includes MacDill Air Force Base and is home to U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), two of the Armed Forces’ most important military commands. MacDill Air Force Base’s 6th Air Refueling Wing is the centerpiece of the U.S. Air Force’s Global Vigilance, Global Reach, Global Power mission with its essential functions of aerial refueling. The base’s mission is vital to keeping America safe and ready for any contingencies we may face as a nation.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://crist.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2217,Defense Bill Includes Crist Provision to Safeguard Coast Guard Retirement,2020-12-08,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,FL,Charlie Crist,C001111,crist.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC U.S. Representative Charlie Crist (D-St. Petersburg) released a statement announcing his Coast Guard Retirement Parity Act (H.R. 6072) has been included in this year's defense bill. Once the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) becomes law, Crist's measure will safeguard the retirement benefits of United States Coast Guard (USCG). Crist introduced the legislation earlier this year, alongside Congressman Steven Palazzo (R-MS), after over 50,000 Coast Guard retirees were just days away from missing their retirement check during the 35-day government shutdown in 2019. Under current law, the Coast Guard is the only branch of the military whose retirement benefits require annual funding from Congress, leaving Coast Guard veterans at the mercy of a government shutdown. Crist's Coast Guard Retirement Parity Act will safeguard USCG retiree benefits by including the Coast Guard in the Military Retirement Fund providing protection from a potential government shutdown and improving long-term fiscal management. Like all other branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, Coasties have devoted their lives in service to our nation, vowing to always be ready when duty calls. But unlike all other branches, Coast Guard veterans have been the only ones to have to worry about an interruption in their retirement benefits,said Rep. Crist. My bipartisan proposal would right that wrong, giving Coastie retirees peace of mind knowing the benefits they earned will never falter. I'm proud that we were able to include retirement parity in the annual defense bill, and I look forward to it becoming law in the near future. Protecting Pinellas Coasties is my job, and this win for them is proof that Congress works best when Representatives put differences aside and work together on a bipartisan basis to get things done. As we saw with the late 2018 and early 2019 government shutdown, U.S. Coast Guard members and retired veterans were unfairly subject to a gap in pay and benefits due to the service's unique position as both a brand of the U.S. military and a law enforcement agency housed inside of the Department of Homeland Security,said Mike Stevens, Navy League National Executive Director and Retired 13thMaster Chief Petty Officer of the Navy. The U.S. Coast Guard continues to always punch above its weight class and is one of the best returns on investment the U.S. taxpayer makes related to national security. The Navy League of the United States wholly supports the Coast Guard Retirement Parity Act and any further acts that would recognize that these men and women deserve the United States to honor their pay and benefits in times of government shutdown. Crist's bill was originally included in theElijah E. Cummings Coast Guard Authorization Act (CGAA) of 2020which went on to be included in the FY'21 National Defense Authorization Act that passed the House earlier this year. The NDAA conference report is slated to be voted on by the House later today. Despite the threat of a presidential veto over unrelated provisions, the NDAA enjoys wide, bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate. Once it becomes law, Crist's Coast Guard Retirement Parity Act will go into effect in 2022. Congressman Crist has been a vocal supporter of the United States Coast Guard, havinginvited local Coast Guard spouse, Chelsey Gutierrez, as his 2019 State of the Union guestto highlight the severe impacts the government shutdown was having on CG families who went without pay during the longest government shutdown in history. Additionally, he championed bringing a Coast Guard Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) Program to Pinellas Park High School only the 3rdin the country.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://crist.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2218,"Crist Praises Passage of Defense Bill, Wins for Servicemembers and Vets Included",2020-12-08,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,FL,Charlie Crist,C001111,crist.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC U.S. Representative Charlie Crist (D-St. Petersburg) released a statement following House passage of the Conference Report on H.R. 6395, the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for FY 2021.The bipartisan funding bill, which authorizes $732 billion for national defense, passed the House 335-78, a veto-proof margin. The legislation features major Crist-championed wins for servicemembers, veterans, and our military readiness such as: Protects the hard-earned benefits of Coast Guard retirees from future government shutdowns through Crist'sCoast Guard Retirement Parity Act; Helps veterans find jobs quicker after their service by studying the transferability of military certifications to civilian life; Exposes the unfair practice of using family medical records to deny enlistees from military families when they try to join the military as adults; Holds the pentagon accountable for delivering on theCrist effortto prepare and protect MacDill and other bases from sea level rise and climate change. For the 60thstraight year, Congress has passed a National Defense Authorization Act. I am proud to have voted on an agreement that confronts our adversaries, invests in new technologies vital to our national security, and keeps our country safe,said Rep. Crist. This year, Congress has also focused special attention to improving the lives of those who serve, including a 3% pay raise, making military housing safer, and protecting people who report sexual harassment and discrimination. It also keeps faith with veterans, protecting the hard-earned retirement of thousands of Coasties and finally expanding Agent Orange-related benefits for Vietnam veterans. My number one job as a Member of Congress is to keep Pinellas families safe, and this bipartisan agreement does just that. The National Defense Authorization Act also includes: A 3% pay raise for servicemembers and an increase in Hazardous Duty Pay to $275 a month; Long-overdue benefits for Agent Orange-exposed veterans by adding Parkinsonism, bladder cancer, and hypothyroidism to the Agent Orange Presumptive List; Protections for families in military housing, like those at MacDill AFB, by updating minimum health and safety standards for government-owned housing, repealing a law that allows the DOD to place families in substandard housing units, and requiring DOD to implement all Government Accountability Office recommendations for improvements; A new Domestic Violence Task Force to actively work to stop domestic violence in the military; Allowing victims of sexual harassment to make confidential reports outside the chain of command; Report on the progress of restoring honor to veterans unjustly discharged under Don't Ask, Don't Tell, which has kept them from qualifying for the benefits they have earned; And inclusion of VA employees in the paid parental leave benefit for federal employees.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://crist.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2219,Crist Statement On FDLE Raid of Home of Former Florida Data Scientist Rebekah Jones,2020-12-08,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,FL,Charlie Crist,C001111,crist.house.gov,,,legacy,"Crist Statement On FDLE Raid of Home of Former Florida Data Scientist Rebekah Jones f t # e Washington, December 8, 2020 Congressman Charlie Crist (D-St. Petersburg) released the following statement following reports and video of a Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) raid on the home of Rebekah Jones, a former Florida data scientist who was fired after sending an email alleging the state was manipulating COVID-19 data.The guns drawn FDLE raid on the home of Rebekah Jones was shocking, over-the-top, and demands a full explanation,"" said Crist. ""Unless we get more information showing otherwise, it looks like an act of retaliation or an attempt to silence Ms. Jones for her critiques of the state's COVID-19 response. The people's trust in their state government is critical, and these actions, without a fuller understanding, are very damaging. f t # e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3184,"DeLauro, Health Appropriations Subcommittee Examine Hyde Amendment’s Impact on Women’s Rights and Economic Security",2020-12-08,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,FL,Lois Frankel,F000462,frankel.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Chair of the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, held a hearing today to examine the Hyde Amendment, a legislative rider originally included in the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies spending bill in fiscal year 1976. The Hyde Amendment denies Medicaid coverage on abortion. Through the Subcommittee Members' questions and witness testimony, the hearing, titled The Impact on Women Seeking an Abortion but are Denied Because of an Inability to Pay, shed light on how the Hyde Amendment has been used to deny coverage for federal employees and their dependents, military service members, Native Americans, Peace Corps volunteers, immigrants, and residents of Washington, D.C. The harm of this denial of coverage falls hardest on people struggling financially, who are more likely to be women of color, young women, immigrants, and LGBTQ people. The Hyde Amendment is a discriminatory policy, said Congresswoman DeLauro. For more than 40 years, it has been routinely extended every year as a legislative rider but the time has come in this current moment to reckon with the norm, with the status quo, and view it through the lens of how it impacts communities of color. Now is the time to ensure that women of color and all women have access to the reproductive health they deserve. I thank my colleagues and our witnesses for joining me in holding this hearing and taking this critical first step in ending the inclusion of this policy in federal spending legislation. I commend Chair DeLauro for holding this hearing to discuss the harmful impact of the Hyde Amendment, said House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Nita M. Lowey. We don't talk about what federal policies mean for a woman sitting in a doctor's office, in fear of the risks to her own health or financial security. We don't talk enough about how to help her. The truth is, that woman has been discriminated against by the laws of her country, just because of her income. That this continues to happen in 2020 is a disgrace. For too long, the racist and discriminatory Hyde Amendment has restricted access to reproductive care for low-income women and women of color. Access to reproductive care should never depend on your zip code or income, said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. Repealing the Hyde Amendment is long overdue, and a critical step toward racial justice. I'm appreciative of Chairwoman DeLauro's leadership to ensure women everywhere have access to coverage for all pregnancy-related health care, including abortion. Today's necessary hearing proves once again that the Hyde Amendment is a blatant to attempt to deny communities of color and low-income communities' access to reproductive healthcare, said Congressman Mark Pocan. For over 40 years, the discriminatory Hyde Amendment has prohibited people who receive their health insurance through the federal governmentincluding those on Medicaid, Medicare, members of the military, indigenous people, and those who are incarcerated or in ICE Custodyfrom receiving coverage for an abortion. The EACH Woman Act is a necessary step forward to affirm that abortions are necessary healthcare, and no one should be denied coverage because of their zip code or paycheck. The time to end the Hyde Amendment is now. This global pandemic has put a spotlight on policies rooted in inequity, and the Hyde Amendment is no exception, said Congresswoman Katherine Clark. 1 in 3 jobs held by women have been designated as essential, and women are the sole or co-breadwinner in two-thirds of families with children. Yet, Hyde prevents women in poverty and many women of color from having autonomy over their bodies and stability in their lives. Our path to rebuilding a stronger, more inclusive America must include repealing this dangerous and discriminatory policy. Women, not their elected officials, should be fully in charge of their reproductive health, said Congresswoman Lois Frankel. The Hyde Amendment disproportionately endangers low-income women and women of color who bear the brunt of the burden when states impose their own abortion restrictions. The Hyde Amendment boils down to a tax on women who cannot afford private health insurance, and it hits women of color especially hard, said Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman. When we talk about the need to correct systemic racism, it includes policies like Hyde. This rule takes basic decisions these women should be able to make about their health away from them purely because of how they get their healthcare; it says to them that it's not their doctor or themselves, but a body overwhelmingly made up of white men that knows best. We have to stop denying these women the level of care that any other American can get, and that they too deserve. I'm grateful to Chairwoman-elect DeLauro for elevating this issue. Black and Brown women are disproportionately likely to be insured through Medicaid and therefore subject to the Hyde Amendment's restrictions, said Dr. Herminia Palacio, CEO and President of the Guttmacher Institute. In 2018, 31% of Black women and 27% of Hispanic women aged 1544 are enrolled in Medicaid, compared with 16% of White women. These Medicaid enrollment patterns are themselves the legacy of oppressive laws and policies too expansive to cover in this testimony; I will only note that the evidence linking structural racism to social and economic inequality is abundant. As our country undergoes a racial reckoning, I want to be clear: The Hyde Amendment is a racist policy. The Hyde Amendment denies my patients the ability to make decisions about their bodies and their pregnancies entirely because of where they live and how much money they make, Jamila Perritt, President and CEO of Physicians for Reproductive Health. More than 177,000 people in the District are federal employees, 7.56 percent of the federal workforce, and are unable to access this essential coverage because they get their health insurance through the government For the patients I care for, many of whom are living paycheck to paycheck, the cost of reproductive health care and additional expenses such as childcare, transportation, and time away from work can be insurmountable, making access to care impossible. However any of us feel about abortion, politicians should not be allowed to deny someone's health coverage for it just because they are struggling to get by, said Amanda Beatriz Williams, Executive Director of the Lilith Fund for Reproductive Equity. Unfortunately, that's exactly what Congress has done for the last 44 years through the Hyde Amendment. Across the country, the Hyde Amendment has had devastating impacts for people unable to make ends meet who are more likely to be women of color LGBTQ people, immigrants, and young people. And for too many, coverage bans like the Hyde Amendment can act as defacto bans on abortion altogether. The full hearing can be found here. DeLauro's full remarks can be found here. # # # delauro.house.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3185,Frankel Statement on Passage of National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021,2020-12-08,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,FL,Lois Frankel,F000462,frankel.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today, Representative Lois Frankel (FL-21) voted to pass theNational Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2021,a strong, bipartisan bill that honors America's values, strengthens our security, and advances America's leadership in the world. In addition to funding our military, the bill includes provisions Frankel advocated for to advance women's participation in national security forces both in the U.S. and globally. Increasing women's participation in peace and security efforts is not only crucial to advancing gender equality around the world, it is critical to broader international security concerns,""said Rep. Frankel.This strong bipartisan bill works for the people to ensure that women always have a seat at the table and an equal voice when it comes to peace and security. It also gives our troops a pay raise, establishes a confidential reporting option for sexual harassment complaints made by military service members, improves the lives of women in the Armed Forces, and strengthens our partnership with Israel. It passed the House by a vote of 335-78. Once it passes the Senate, it will go to the President's desk for a signature. Rep. Frankel praised several provisions in the final NDAA including: Extending paid parental leave to all federal employees. Several sexual assault prevention and response provisions, such as confidential reporting of sexual harassment outside of the chain of command and requiring the development of coordinated care for members of the Armed Forces who are survivors of sexual trauma. Several provisions that strengthen equal employment opportunity protections for federal employees including bolstering of prohibitions against discrimination and reinforcing whistleblower protections. Measures to boost U.S.-Israel cooperation, including $500 million in joint missile defense. Long overdue benefits to Vietnam-Era Veterans exposed to Agent Orange and later diagnosed with certain diseases. Guidance on the Department of Defense's implementation of the Women, Peace, and Security Act of 2017 including through integrating training curriculum that focuses on women participation for members of the Armed Forces across all ranks, and security cooperation activities. Provisions to ensure U.S.-Afghanistan strategy meets WPS standards, including: commitments to women and girls' inclusion in Afghanistan, continued advancement of women in the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF), and blocking funding for further troop reductions until the Defense Department until assessments on drawdown are complete. A full summary of the legislation can be found here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://mast.house.gov/press-releases?ID=9A916AA7-FA1B-4961-A139-0A97FDBDEF9B,Mast Provision To Help Prevent Child Abuse In Military Passes House,2020-12-08,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,FL,Brian Mast,M001199,mast.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. The U.S. House of Representatives passed the FY2021 National Defense Authorization Act, which included a provision Congressman Brian Mast (FL-18) helped write to stop child abuse in the military. Specifically, this provision would improve how the Department of Defense tracks and responds to incidents of child abuse and neglect occurring on military installations or involving military dependents. Children are among the most vulnerable in our society, and it is clear that protecting the more than 1.2 million children in military families needs to be a higher priority, Rep. Mast said. Getting this provision written into law will ensure we are working together to protect children from abuse and making sure no one slips through the cracks. There are approximately 1.2 million school-aged military dependents around the world, including tens of thousands in Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools. Earlier this year, GAO issued a report on Increased Guidance and Collaboration Needed to Improve DOD's Tracking and Response to Child Abuse that outlined 23 recommendations for DoD to implement. The End Military-Connected Child Abuse and Neglect Act seeks to codify these GAO recommendations. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://mast.house.gov/press-releases?ID=9F1BED01-F429-4AA3-B918-A3388C1BB888,"Mast Provisions To Reduce Toxic Discharges, Protect Florida Waters To Become Law",2020-12-08,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,FL,Brian Mast,M001199,mast.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. The U.S. House of Representatives today passed the final version of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020, which includes several provisions written by Congressman Brian Mast (FL-18) to protect clean water in Florida. These provisions include reducing toxic discharges from Lake Okeechobee, expediting construction of the EAA Southern Storage Reservoir and developing new technology to combat harmful algal blooms. For decades, Florida's coastal communities have been on the receiving end of toxic discharges, including recently discharges that have tested more than 60 times more toxic than the Environmental Protection Agency considers safe for human contact. These discharges put public health at risk, damage the economy and destroy the environment. We have worked tirelessly to fight these discharges, and having these protections written into law is a critical step in the right direction, Rep. Mast said. Our fight is far from over, but demanding that the Army Corps reduce discharges to our estuaries is a huge victory, and now we continue the fight to eliminate them altogether, and send the water south. Fighting for these provisions has been Rep. Mast's top priority in Congress because the discharges from Lake Okeechobee are poisoning communities, forcing businesses to close, making people sick and destroying the environment. Last year, Rep. Mast worked with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set a new public health standard for microcystin (8 parts per billion), which in turn forced the Army Corps of Engineers to admit to knowingly discharging toxic water to the coastal estuaries. Despite acknowledging that these releases are toxic, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has continued to poison Americans. Rep. Mast secured the following wins in the Water Resources Development Act of 2020: Accelerating EAA Southern Storage Reservoir Construction Problem: Rep. Mast successfully authorized the EAA Southern Storage Reservoir as part of the Water Resources Development Act of 2018. This authorization gave the Army Corps of Engineers a green light to begin executing plans to build the reservoir, but the Army Corps has blatantly disregarded Congressional directives by delaying constructionclaiming that the project still requires a new start designation. This is irresponsible and leaves our community at risk of toxic discharges for even longer. Solution: Rep. Mast's provision included in the bill directs the Army Corps that they do not need a new start or additional authorization to begin construction of the EAA Southern Storage Reservoir. This amendment clarifies the intent of Congress so that the Army Corps must end their bureaucratic delay and begin construction on this critical project that will expand the system's capacity and maximize the amount of water that can be sent south to the Everglades. Reducing Discharges From Lake Okeechobee Problem: Discharges from Lake Okeechobee are damaging to the Treasure Coast not only because they contain toxic algal blooms but also because the freshwater infusion into a brackish estuary kills plant life, harms animals and destroys the environment. To prevent these discharges, the water must instead be sent south of Lake Okeechobee - mimicking the natural flow. Solution: This amendment mandates that, as part of the Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual, the Army Corps must seek to minimize discharges to the estuaries. This analysis must include considering a complete prohibition on discharges from Lake Okeechobee to the St. Lucie Estuary and a prohibition on harmful discharges to the Caloosahatchee Estuary. Prevented Manipulation of Florida's Waterways For Private Profit Problem: For decades, Lake Okeechobee has been managed to the will of for-profit special interests rather than to the benefit of all Floridians. As part of this bill, the sugar industry and their special interest allies were fighting to manipulate Florida's water even further, retroactively tying the hands of the Army Corps to unrelated policy from two decades ago called the CERP savings clause. If they succeeded, it would mean more discharges from Lake Okeechobee, more toxic algal blooms in our estuaries and less clean water for the Everglades. No Floridian should accept this. Solution: Rep. Mast fought successfully to prevent inclusion of language pushed by sugar industry lobbyists to retroactively tie the Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual to the CERP Savings Clause from two decades ago. In keeping out this language, it ensures the Army Corps can continue working to fix Lake Okeechobee's regulation schedule without being forced to prioritize one water user over all the rest or jeopardize the health of our communities to store water for one politically-powerful industry. No single company's profit should be prioritized over drinking and irrigation water for millions. Combating Harmful Algal Blooms Problem: During the wet summer months, Lake Okeechobee is routinely covered by harmful algal blooms as a result of runoff from agriculture, cities, towns and other sources. When the Army Corps discharges water from the lake, these blooms are transferred to the coastal estuaries where they wreak economic, health and environmental damage. In fact, these blooms regularly test more toxic than the Environmental Protection Agency considers safe for human contact. Solution: The bill requires the Army Corps to conduct research to determine the causes of harmful algal blooms in Lake Okeechobee and implement measures to effectively detect, prevent, treat and eliminate harmful algal blooms. Requiring The Army Corps To Coordinate On Monitoring, Forecasting and Notification of Harmful Algal Blooms Problem: Although harmful algal blooms regularly occur on Lake Okeechobee in excess of the Environmental Protection Agency's human health standard, the Florida Department of Health and Army Corps have routinely failed to properly notify Floridians about the health risks posed by the discharges. Moreover, the Army Corps' inability to forecast cyanobacteria levels in Lake Okeechobee has hindered efforts to prevent discharges containing harmful algal blooms. Solution: Rep. Mast's amendment requires the Army Corps to coordinate with both federal and state agenciesincluding the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and the Florida Department of Healthon monitoring, forecasting, and notification of cyanobacteria levels in Lake Okeechobee. Ensuring this coordination happens will improve public awareness about the health impacts of harmful algal blooms and help the Army Corps make better operational decisions to prevent the destruction of the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee estuaries. Authorizes Restoration Of The Loxahatchee River Watershed Problem: Over many decades, development projects have hurt the federally-designated National Wild and Scenic Northwest Fork of the Loxahatchee River. As a result, the area's wetlands and watersheds that form the historic headwaters for the river are in need of restoration to restore more natural water deliveries, promote improved wetland health, and increase the quantity and quality of habitat available for native wildlife and vegetation. Solution: This provision authorizes the Loxahatchee Watershed Restoration Project, which is a component of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan. This important CERP project will help restore the natural flow of water, promote healthy waterways and improve aquatic ecosystems and vegetation in northern Palm Beach County and southern Martin County. Fort Pierce Beach Shore Restoration Problem: Anybody that spends time in Fort Pierce knows that there has been extensive erosion along the Fort Pierce Beach Shore. Solution: This provision authorizes a new federal beach project to build additional structures that will restore the Fort Pierce Beach Shore and prevent further degradation. Restoring this shoreline will also help provide a natural barrier to protect our communities from hurricanes and storm surges. Supporting Completion Of The C-43 West Basin Storage Reservoir Problem: Once completed, the C-43 reservoir will provide water storage needed for the Caloosahatchee estuary by capturing local basin runoff and discharges from Lake Okeechobee. This will reduce the quantity of discharges reaching the estuary during the wet months and provide needed ecological water supply during the dry months. These water distribution improvements will drastically improve the ecology of the Caloosahatchee estuary and help prevent harmful algal blooms; however, as a result of outdated legislation that caps the total cost of the C-43 reservoir, the project is at risk of being delayed without action from Congress to lift this cap. Solution: This bill includes a post-authorization change report for the C-43 reservoir to prevent this issue and ensure timely completion of this critical project. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases/soto-elected-hispanic-caucus-whip-117th-congress,Soto Elected as Hispanic Caucus Whip for the 117th Congress,2020-12-08,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,FL,Darren Soto,S001200,soto.house.gov,soto,https://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – This morning, Congressman Darren Soto (FL-09) was elected as Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Whip for the 117th Congress. Soto, who is the first Florida Congressman of Puerto Rican descent, will be responsible for coordinating all whipping activities among caucus Members and presenting CHC positions to leadership in both parties. ""I am humbled that my colleagues have entrusted me with the position of CHC Whip, a position previously held by some of my personal heroes,"" said Rep. Soto. ""As we look ahead to the 117th Congress, we must prioritize the pressing issues affecting our Hispanic communities, such as combatting COVID-19, supporting workers and small businesses, environmental justice, and immigration reform. We will work to keep our caucus united, coordinate with the incoming Biden Administration, and reach across the aisle whenever possible. I am prepared to confront the many challenges that may arise with a fresh perspective and willingness to find common ground to deliver solutions for Hispanics across the country."" As CHC Whip, Rep. Soto is committed to working with each of his colleagues to deliver much-needed solutions for Hispanics. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disproportionately affect Latino Americans, he understands that the caucus must act quickly and with the best interests of the community in mind. During the 117th Congress, Rep. Soto will be joined by new and returning members in leadership roles. The caucus will be chaired by Rep. Raul Ruiz (CA-36) and Reps. Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44) and Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) will serve as first and second vice-chairs. The freshman representative will be Representative-elect Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-03). ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases/soto-elected-lead-caucus-dedicated-engaging-america-s-youth,Soto Elected to Lead Caucus Dedicated to Engaging America’s Youth,2020-12-08,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,FL,Darren Soto,S001200,soto.house.gov,soto,https://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Darren Soto (FL-09) was elected to chair the Future Forum Caucus for the 117th Congress. Future Forum is an influential group of young Democratic Members of Congress in the U.S. House of Representatives who advocate for issues and opportunities important to millennials and Generation Z. ""Young Americans have proven that they have the power to make a difference,"" said Congressman Soto. ""From record voter turnout in the 2020 election to ongoing protests against racial injustice, young people in our country are making their voices heard, and Congress is listening. I'm honored that my colleagues have chosen me to lead a group of vibrant young Members of Congress who will amplify the needs of millennials and Generation Z. Together, with a Democratic House Majority and a Biden-Harris Administration, we will work to engage our youth in the democratic process, now and for the future."" During his tenure, Congressman Soto plans to focus Future Forum's work on advancing racial equity, building an inclusive economy, fighting the climate crisis, improving educational opportunities and reforming our nation's healthcare and immigration system. Originally founded in 2015 by Rep. Eric Swalwell (CA-15), Future Forum works to inspire the next generation of leaders by engaging young Americans to bridge the divide between them and their government. In the past five years, Future Forum members have met with young Americans in over 50 cities to discuss pressing issues such as climate change, student loan debt, and gun violence. Today, Future Forum has doubled in size to nearly 50 members in the 116th Congress. The caucus will be vice-chaired by Reps. Colin Allred (TX-32) and Haley Stevens (MI-11). Rep. Stephanie Murphy (FL-07) will serve as Chair Emeritus. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases/two-soto-amendments-pass-annual-house-defense-bill,Two Soto Amendments Pass in Annual House Defense Bill,2020-12-08,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,FL,Darren Soto,S001200,soto.house.gov,soto,https://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Image December 8, 2020 The amendments focus on microelectronic production and Blockchain technology WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Conference Report to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2021, which includes two amendments introduced by Rep. Darren Soto (FL-09). H.R. 6395 authorizes $732 billion in discretionary spending for our national defense and sets policy for defense-related activities for Fiscal Year 2021. This much-needed piece of legislation addresses the COVID-19 pandemic, promotes transparency, invests in military infrastructure and supports our service members. ""Our military represents the very best of America,"" said Congressman Soto. ""Every year, the NDAA brings us one step further in enhancing the national and economic security of the American people while providing unwavering support for our troops. The passage of my amendments will support technological advances impacting Central Florida and ensure the U.S. does not fall behind on research and development. Today and always, I will proudly support a strong national defense that honors our values, protects our citizens and strengthens our leadership in the world."" The amendments introduced by Rep. Soto focus on technological innovation to advance military capabilities, including: Bill Text Amendment: Microelectronic Amendment: Adds ""advanced sensors manufacturing"" to the items considered within the updated approach to ensuring the continued production of cutting-edge microelectronics for national security needs. This is key for the BRIDG facility in Florida's 9th District. Bill Report Amendment: Blockchain Technology Amendment: Enumerates the elements of an uncompleted briefing from the FY20 NDAA conference report on the potential use of distributed ledger technologies for defense purposes by the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering and adds an additional briefing requirement. The briefing includes an analysis of the research of adversarial countries, makes recommendations for additional research and development within the Department with cost estimates, as well as any other recommendations the Under Secretary deems appropriate of excellence within the Department for distributed ledger technologies. The NDAA also: Authorizes hazardous duty pay for service members; Provides a 3 percent pay raise for our troops; Creates an independent commission to make binding recommendations on modifying or removing all names, symbols, displays, etc. that honor the Confederacy or any person who served voluntarily with the Confederacy; Ensures paid parental leave is extended to all federal employees; Addresses the shortage in military child care; Provides long-overdue benefits to Vietnam-era veterans exposed to Agent Orange; Requires improvements in military housing; Further protects military communities from PFAS; Constrains executive overreach relating to emergency construction authority and deployment of military personnel to the southern border; Ensures no backfill of the military construction funds taken for the President's border wall; and Authorizes $8.4 billion in military construction projects to fortify critical infrastructure and base realignment and closure clean up. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://stephaniemurphy.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1546,House Passes Bipartisan Murphy Bill to Strengthen Criminal Penalties for Adults Who Stalk Children,2020-12-08,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,FL,Stephanie Murphy,M001202,stephaniemurphy.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTONToday, the U.S. House of Representatives approved bipartisan legislation authored by U.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla., alongside Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., and Senators Pat Toomey, R-Pa., and Bob Casey, D-Pa., which will strengthen criminal penalties for adults who stalk or severely harass children, either online or in the community. The bill, theCombat Online Predators Act, was passed by the Senate in October and now heads to the President's desk for his signature. As the mother of two young children, I know we have no more important responsibility than protecting our kids from adults who seek to harm them,""said Murphy.I'm proud our bipartisan bill will soon become law. It will help deter adults from stalking children and ensure those who do commit this terrible crime receive the punishment they deserve. TheCombat Online PredatorsActwas inspired by the story of the Zezzo family of Bucks County, Pennsylvania whose teenage daughter was cyber-stalked by a friend's father on social media. Despite the stalking being sexual in nature, the then-51-year-old stalker pleaded guilty only to a misdemeanor stalking charge and was sentenced to probation and counseling. Three years later, in 2016, the same stalker began making contact again. This time, he was arrested in a sting by local police and sentenced to between 18 months and seven years in a state prison. Under current law, it is a federal crime for an individual to harass or intimidate another individual, in person or online, in a way that places them in fear of physical harm or causes them significant emotional distress. The maximum criminal penalty is 5 years in prison, and 10 years in prison if the defendant causes serious physical injury to the victim or uses a dangerous weapon. The Murphy-led bill would increase the maximum penalty by 5 years, to 10 years and 15 years respectively, when the defendant is an adult and the victim is under 18 years of age. We have no higher responsibility than to protect our children. Cyber-stalking is a serious crime that needs to be met with stricter penalties and more cooperation among law enforcement agencies. Sitting with the Zezzo family, I saw the pain in their eyes. After hearing of the disturbing story of cyberstalking endured by this young girl and her family for years, I knew something needed to be done,said Fitzpatrick. TheCombat Online Predators Actis the first step in making the internet a safer environment for all users, especially the most vulnerable among us. I am incredibly proud to see our legislation pass both chambers and head to the President's desk to become law. House passage of theCombat Online Predators Actspeaks to the remarkable dedicationof the entire Zezzo family for keeping children safe and ensuring there are strong penalties for monsters who stalk and cyberstalk children,said Toomey. Madison and her parents, Erin and Tony, deserve our gratitude for helping get this legislation through Congress, and I look forward to the president signing it into law. Today is an important day in our Nation's endless fight to better protect our children and curtail predatory behavior. I am pleased that the House passed theCombat Online Predators Acttoday and I am grateful to the Zezzo family for their tireless advocacy of this important legislation,""said Casey. ""This bipartisan bill will give judges additional tools to ensure that perpetrators who stalk or cyberstalk children are held accountable with serious penalties. I urge the President to sign Combat Online Predators swiftly into law so that we can continue the fight to keep our children safe from predatory behavior. Our family is so glad theCombat Online Predators Acthas made it through Congress,said Erin and Tony Zezzo. As families have navigated through the COVID-19 pandemic, children are spending more time online and in front of a webcam. Individuals who stalk and cyberstalk our children are taking advantage of these new tools and opportunities to exploit children. This legislation has never been more critical than it is today. Our hope is that this legislation is the first of more changes to our cyberstalking laws that will help prevent such heinous crimes.We appreciate the bipartisan work of Senators Toomey and Casey and Representatives Fitzpatrick and Murphy. Broadcast quality video of Murphy discussing her bipartisanCombat Online Predators Actcan be foundhere.The text of her remarks is below. Hi, this is Congresswoman Murphy.I wanted to share some good news with you. Today, the House passed the Combat Online Predators Act, a bipartisan bill I helped write. The Senate already passed the bill so it will now head to the President to be signed into law. We introduced this bill after hearing the story of a brave 13-year-old girl in Pennsylvania who was stalked online by a 50-year-old man. The man originally received only a slap on the wrist from our criminal justice systemand he soon began harassing the young girl again. This sort of behavior happens far too often. Unfortunately, in the age of social media, predators have more tools to harass innocent people, especially children. Here's what our bill does: It gives federal judges the power to impose longer prison sentences on adults who are found guilty of severely stalking children, whether they commit this crime through a computer or in our communities. This will help deter adults from stalking children in the first place and make sure that adults who do commit this crime receive a fair and appropriate sentence. As a mother of two young children, I know we have no more important responsibility than protecting our kids from adults who seek to harm them. That's why I'm so proud of this bill and so thankful that it will soon be become law. My team and I will let you know when the President signs this bill into law. I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://webster.house.gov/press-releases?ID=85BA1B89-6E9C-4299-AC77-3AE1DB1DF1D9,Webster Votes in Support of Men and Women in Uniform,2020-12-08,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,FL,Daniel Webster,W000806,webster.house.gov,webster,https://webster.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, DC - Florida Congressman Daniel Webster (R-Clermont) today released the following statement after voting to pass the Conference Report for the William (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for FY21. “The U.S. Constitution states that providing for the ‘common defense’ is one of our fundamental responsibilities. This conference report builds on our actions last Congress to provide for our national defense by fully funding nuclear modernization, investing in chemical and biological threat reduction, and increasing funding to maintain our technological advantages. “At a level not seen since WWII, we face significant threats from near peer adversaries like China and Russia as well as rogue states like Iran and North Korea. Ensuring the ability to counter these threats from China, Russia, Iran in all domains – land, sea, air, space and cyberspace is more critical than ever. “Our freedom, our families, and our way of life would not exist were it not for our military. This bill builds on pay raises provided in recent years by authorizing another 3%. It supports our military families by improving oversight and accountability of government-owned family military housing and making improvements to military child-care centers. “While the bill is not perfect, I thank Rep. Thornberry and members of the House Armed Services Committee for their work developing this legislation, particularly their opposition to proposals that would have imposed unnecessary restrictions and harmed national security. We owe our military a debt we can never repay.” Highlights of the Conference Report for H.R. 6395 – Mac Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act: Provides $740.5B for national defense discretionary programs, as requested by the President and consistent with the bipartisan budget agreement. Provides our troops a 3% pay raise, authorizes extra pay for troops in combat zones, and supports their families with the care and benefits they deserve. Continues to fund nuclear modernization to keep our nuclear deterrent safe and reliable. Funds the new B-21 stealth bomber, Columbia-Class ballistic missile submarine, and Ground Base Strategic Deterrent. Establishes the Pacific Deterrence Initiative to fund emergent technologies, support our allies, and deter China. Authorizes several new provisions to counter Chinese industrial espionage, support Hong Kong and Taiwan, and protect our defense supply chain. Continues to fund the European Deterrence Initiative to support our allies and counter Russian aggression. Establishes sanctions for Turkey’s acquisition of the S-400 and expands sanctions on Russia for Nord Stream 2 pipeline. Increases investments into advanced weapons system, autonomous systems, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E), including funding an additional Virginia-Class submarine, 93 F-35 aircraft, 12 F-15EX, 24 Super Hornets, as well as additional Apaches, Blackhawks, Abrams tanks, and Strykers. Maintains prohibitions on the transfer of dangerous terrorists from Guantanamo Bay. Continues to support missile defense cooperation with Israel and includes the United States-Israel Assistance Act. Does not include “red flag” gun control provision or provisions that would have curtailed the President’s authority under the Insurrection Act or to deploy the National Guard. Ensures DOD maintains a 30-day supply of PPE, ensures our troops have the diagnostic equipment and testing they need, and provides health benefits to Guardsmen supporting the COVID-19 response. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://webster.house.gov/press-releases?ID=D1D85285-6192-443E-84EB-CBEB1DEBB11A,Webster Applauds House Passage of Bipartisan Water Resources Development Act of 2020,2020-12-08,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,FL,Daniel Webster,W000806,webster.house.gov,webster,https://webster.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, DC - Florida Congressman Daniel Webster (R-Clermont) today released the following statement on House passage of bipartisan Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2020. “Water is critical for life and solid infrastructure is critical to Florida’s economy which is dependent on moving goods and people efficiently and effectively. Throughout my public service, I have advocated for policies that support local projects and worked to find solutions that preserve and protect Florida’s precious natural resources, while balancing the needs of our growing economy. WRDA2020 authorizes funding for critical ports, inland waterways, locks, dams, flood protection, ecosystem restoration, and other water resources infrastructure important to Florida and our nation. “I am pleased to have worked with my colleagues on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to draft this bipartisan bill that delivers for Floridians. I thank Ranking Member Sam Graves and Subcommittee Ranking Member Bruce Westerman for incorporating my input in drafting this critical legislation. The bill gives the Army Corps the flexibility to maintain our ports, on a consistent basis, to their statutorily authorized depth. This has been an ongoing hinderance for more than one port and directing to Corps will reduce the risk of shoaling and economically disastrous consequences. “Importantly, WRDA2020 passed without language that would have harmed those who depend on the proper management of water that flows out of Lake Okeechobee. Thanks to hard work with committee leadership and stakeholders across Florida, included in the bill is an agreement that helps tackle algae blooms, while also ensuring water access for everyone and the Everglades are protected. “From famers, to fishermen, to boaters, to the Everglades this bill is a huge win for Florida. I encourage the U.S. Senate to swiftly pass and send this legislation to President Trump’s desk.” Important Elements of WRDA2020: Unlocks the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF) by providing the authority to make available $2 billion in additional funds annually for harbor maintenance needs from the existing balance in the Trust Fund. Authorizes the Corps to study, design and construct water resources projects for communities that have been subjected to repetitive flooding events and have received emergency flood assistance obtain critical flood protection. Supported by over 100 outside groups including: Ducks Unlimited, the Everglades Foundation, the American Sportfishing Association, the American Petroleum Institute, Associated General Contractors of America, the American Society of Civil Engineers, the American Farm Bureau, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the National Marine Manufacturers Association, the Waterways Council, the National Stone, Sand, and Gravel Association and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://buchanan.house.gov/2020/12/us-house-passes-final-national-defense-bill-buchanan-measure-included,U.S. House Passes Final National Defense Bill with Buchanan Measure Included,2020-12-07,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,FL,Vern Buchanan,B001260,buchanan.house.gov,buchanan,https://buchanan.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – The U.S. House today passed the final version of the National Defense Authorization Act which included Congressman Vern Buchanan’s amendment requiring the Pentagon to examine emergency medical services at U.S. military bases following the tragic death of a Bradenton soldier. Buchanan filed the measure to this year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in July as a part of his push for military training reforms after Army Specialist Nicholas Panipinto of Bradenton died in a vehicle training accident in South Korea last year. A lack of emergency services on base and delays in medical response was cited in his death. “The highest tribute that can be paid to the life of Specialist Panipinto is for the Defense Department to ensure that future military personnel who are injured during training exercises can quickly receive high-quality medical treatment that might help save their lives,” Buchanan said. “I am deeply humbled that Nick’s mother came to me with their tragic story and has allowed me to help. I know that these reforms will save lives and prevent future heartache felt by families like hers across the country.” Buchanan’s amendment requires the Department of Defense (DoD) to examine emergency response capabilities and services currently available at U.S. military bases around the world and to report to Congress on the potential benefits and feasibility of requiring bases to have properly functioning MedEvac helicopters and fully-stocked military ambulances. The U.S. House initially passed its version of the NDAA in July, with Buchanan’s amendment included, and the Senate later followed suit passing its own separate version. The U.S. House and Senate then had to reconcile their competing versions and produce a final conference report. The final agreement is now expected to pass the Senate in the coming days and head to the President’s desk. Specialist Panipinto’s mother, Kimberly Weaver, praised Buchanan saying, “This isn’t just a win for our family, but for every military family. We are so thankful to Congressman Buchanan for all of his help in getting these necessary changes one step closer to being signed into law.” Deaths during training exercises have risen dramatically in recent years. In 2017 alone, nearly four times as many service members died in training accidents than were killed in action. Buchanan has repeatedly called for changes to military training procedures following Panipinto’s death. Earlier this year, Buchanan called on the House Armed Services Committee to hold a public hearing on military training accidents following the death of a Bradenton soldier last year and a recent training accident that left nine service members dead in California. Buchanan also sent a letter to Defense Secretary Mark Esper proposing a number of changes to the military’s current training and safety protocols to prevent future deaths.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=403462,Rep. Castor Announces Staff Leadership Changes for 117th Congress,2020-12-07,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,FL,Kathy Castor,C001066,castor.house.gov,castor,https://castor.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) announced today that her longtime chief of staff, Clay Phillips, will take on a Tampa-based senior advisory role at the start of the 117th Congress and Lara Hopkins, Castor’s deputy chief of staff, will be elevated to Castor’s chief of staff. Phillips has been on Castor’s team from day one, starting on her campaign and then being appointed as her first and only chief of staff after being elected to Congress in 2006. Phillips has served the State of Florida throughout his life of public service, including as former Congressman Jim Davis’ (FL-11) District Director. Beginning in January, Phillips will serve in a dual-role as senior counsel in an official capacity and senior campaign adviser for Castor’s reelection efforts. Replacing Phillips as chief of staff is Lara Hopkins, a Florida native and University of Florida graduate who has served Castor since her first campaign for Congress. Hopkins has served Castor in multiple roles, including finance director for her campaign, scheduler and office manager; administrative director; and in her current role as deputy chief of staff and part of the management team since 2012. In this position, she advises the congresswoman on all critical issues and specifically on Cuba, foreign affairs, travel and tourism issues, so key to the well-being of so many in Tampa. “Lara has been an invaluable member of my team from the very first day of my very first campaign and I look forward to her seamless transition into her role as chief of staff. As a native Floridian and trusted adviser on the issues that matter to our Tampa neighbors, she is the ideal person to serve in this position. I look forward to local partners and our neighbors getting to know her even better in the days ahead. “There are few people in the Tampa area who haven’t worked with Clay, and I am grateful for the work he has done to strengthen our community and shore up federal aid through his long tenure as my chief of staff. From the economic downturn and housing crisis to the fights for affordable health care and social justice, he has used his deep Florida roots to tirelessly serve our neighbors, and I know that he will continue to be a valuable member of my team in his new positions.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://buchanan.house.gov/2020/12/buchanan-honors-four-manatee-students-who-invented-new-app-save-lives,Buchanan Honors Four Manatee Students Who Invented New App to Save Lives,2020-12-06,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,FL,Vern Buchanan,B001260,buchanan.house.gov,buchanan,https://buchanan.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"BRADENTON, Fla — Four Manatee County students who designed a new tool to calculate the proper dosage for medicines are the 2020 winners of the 16th Congressional District App Challenge, U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan announced Monday. Proving the adage that necessity is the mother of invention, the Medical Dosage Calculator App was created after one of the students’ peers nearly died from a miscalculated medical dosage. Buchanan hailed the ingenuity of the students, saying “I can’t commend them enough for Inventing such an important and potentially life-saving tool. I’m proud to name them this year’s winners of the 16th Congressional District App Challenge, part of a national competition to encourage interest in science, technology, engineering and math.” Ava Biasini, Jordan Sheehan, Kolby Wade and Nolwen Bachtle of Braden River High School in Bradenton were the first-place winners of the competition. “STEM education gives students the knowledge they need to succeed and helps the U.S. compete in a global economy,” Buchanan continued. “Children are 25 percent of the population, but 100 percent of the future, and the future is in good hands with students like these.” The winning entry, “Valitudo” is a medical dosage calculator, where medical providers can input information about their patient’s condition/infection, weight, and height, and the app will calculate the proper dosage to administer to the patient. It also includes a medicine database that contains descriptions, dosage information, and side effects of other medicines. The app will be featured on CongressionalAppChallenge.us and will also be eligible to be displayed in the U.S. Capitol. Sheehan expressed his appreciation for the competition saying, “Our team is incredibly honored to be recognized in this way. We felt this was a great opportunity to develop our skills with a real development project.” The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts overall employment in the economy to grow by 7.4 percent between 2016 and 2026, while jobs in STEM fields are expected to grow by 10.8 percent. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, college-educated STEM job holders earn between 29 percent and 39 percent more per hour than non-STEM employees with equivalent educational attainment. The Congressional App Challenge was created by the U.S. House of Representatives in 2015 and allows students to compete against their peers across the country by creating an app for desktop/PC, web, tablet, mobile, raspberry Pi or other devices. The challenge is designed to promote innovation and engagement in computer science.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2544,"Wasserman Schultz, Shalala and Mucarsel-Powell Condemn ‘Sham’ Venezuela Elections",2020-12-05,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,FL,Debbie Wasserman Schultz,W000797,wassermanschultz.house.gov,wassermanschultz,https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"Washington DC – U.S. Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23), Donna Shalala (FL-27) and Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (FL-26) issued the following joint statement condemning Sunday’s legislative elections in Venezuela: “The Maduro regime continues to desperately cling to power by moving forward with illegitimate sham elections. The elections and their predetermined outcomes represent yet another horrifying assault on democracy. We stand with the Venezuelan people experiencing a devastating humanitarian crisis and as they fight to have their voices heard. They must be able to choose their own future through free, fair, transparent, and competitive elections. We also stand in solidarity with a real champion of democracy, Interim-President of Venezuela Juan Guaidó, and the legitimately elected members of the National Assembly who are demanding free, democratic processes.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z http://teddeutch.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=402897,"Deutch, Task Force on Aging & Families Lead Effort to Appoint Aging Specialist to Transition COVID-19 Advisory Board",2020-12-04,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,FL,Ted Deutch,D000610,teddeutch.house.gov,,,legacy,"On Tuesday, Congressman Ted Deutch (D-FL), Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus Task Force on Aging & Families (TFAF), joined with Task Force leaders to send a letter to Drs. David Kessler, Vivek Murthy, and Marcella Nunez-Smith, Co-Chairs of the Biden-Harris Transition COVID-19 Advisory Board, requesting that a geriatrician or expert in aging services be appointed to the board to specifically address the impact of COVID-19 on Older Americans. Recently, the transition began appointing a leading team of public health experts to the board that will advise President-elect Biden, Vice President-elect Harris, and the incoming Administration's COVID-19 staff on managing the pandemic. The diverse range of highly qualified physicians, scientists, and public health experts on the panel are experienced and trusted leaders who are well-equipped to take on the important task of leading our country's response to the COVID-19 crisis. However, recognizing that older adults continue to bear the disproportionate burden of severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19, Congressman Deutch is urging the Biden-Harris Transition to prioritize at-risk older adults, their families, and their caregivers in a robust federal response. Appointing a geriatrician or expert in aging services to the Transition COVID-19 Advisory Board will give voice to the unique needs of Older Americans as we take critical next steps to get the virus under control, and safely and equitably distribute tests, therapies and vaccines. Congressman Deutch led the letter alongside TFAF Co-Chairs Reps. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Conor Lamb (D-PA), and Doris Matsui (D-CA), as well as Vice Chairs Reps. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), and Ayanna Pressley (D-MA). I am very grateful that Congresswoman Matsui and the House Democratic Caucus Task Force on Aging & Families are asking the Biden-Harris Transition to add a geriatrician to the COVID-19 Advisory Board, said Darrick Lam, President and CEO, ACC Senior Services. Our nation needs someone who has the experience to work with older adults whose risks for COVID-19 increases. As indicated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people in their 60s or 70s are, in general, at higher risk for severe illness than people in their 50s. The greatest risk for severe illness from COVID-19 is among those aged 85 or older. Full text of the letter is available below and here. Dear Drs. Kessler, Murthy, and Nunez-Smith: We are grateful for the incoming Administration's commitment to ensuring a robust federal response to the pandemic by establishing the Transition COVID-19 Advisory Board. We commend the Biden-Harris Transition for appointing, to date, a diverse range of highly qualified physicians, scientists, and public health experts to the panel. These trusted leaders are well-qualified to take on the important task of addressing the many public health and economic challenges the pandemic continues to impose on communities around our country. Americans over the age of 65 account for more than 80% of COVID-19 deaths . The risk of severe illness, hospitalization or dying when diagnosed with COVID-19 increases with age, with older adults at the highest risk. With this in mind, the House Democratic Caucus Task Force on Aging & Families respectfully requests that a geriatrician or expert in aging services be appointed to the Transition COVID-19 Advisory Board to specifically address the disproportionate impact and unique challenges that COVID-19 has on Older Americans. As a Task Force, we work to prioritize and address the unique needs of Older Americans and protect the fundamental rights that every older adult and their families deserve. In the context of the pandemic, we are committed to elevating the needs of at-risk older adults and their caregivers, including those living and working in congregate care settings such as nursing homes, assisted living, hospice, and other home- and community-based settings. Looking ahead, we recognize that quarantine and isolation will continue to impact the medical, nutritional, and mental health needs of many older adults and that these challenges will only be exacerbated by a winter surge in COVID-19 cases. Further, greater focus should be given to the safety, effectiveness and prioritization of vaccines and treatments for older adults. The addition of a geriatrician or expert in aging services will be critical to ensuring that the panel understands and is equipped to address these and other unique needs of older Americans when advising the President-elect on mitigating COVID-19. Support for Older Americans, their families and their caregivers is an essential component of a robust federal response to the pandemic, and we implore you to consider including the important perspective of a geriatrician or expert in aging services on the COVID-19 Advisory Board.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z