Peter Schorsch
1 year ago, Election Day delivered Trump, 10 new delegation members
Today is Election Day in some communities in Florida and around the country. Other than an occasional special election, House and Senate members are just asking for money instead of votes.
Wednesday marks the one year anniversary of Donald Trump’s shocking victory in the Electoral College. Some cannot, and will not, get over it.
It also marks the anniversary of big changes to the Florida delegation. Most of the delegation returned with only two incumbents defeated, but voters sent individuals to Washington with contrasting styles of governance and public presentations.
Republican Sen. Marco Rubio won a second term on the same night his former rival Charlie Crist of St. Petersburg was elected to the House of Representatives as a Democrat beating David Jolly in a redrawn district. Fellow Democrat Al Lawson replaced the scandal-plagued Corrine Brown in a newly drawn district “suggested” by the Florida Supreme Court.
Crist and Lawson were just two of the 10 new faces to join the Florida delegation. While both are soft-spoken, Crist has maintained the well-deserved reputation as one who generates media attention to his activities as an elected official. Lawson is growing into it.
First-term representatives normally do not stand out, deferring to the more senior members of their party. Someone forget to tell that to Fort Walton Beach Republican Matt Gaetz.
Gaetz has by far been the most outspoken of the Florida freshmen by publicly taking on Democrats, Republicans, the budget process, and the National Football League (among other things) during his first 10 months after winning the seat formerly held by Jeff Miller of Pensacola.
Gaetz often joins with fellow first-term Republicans Neal Dunn of Panama City and John Rutherford of Jacksonville promoting the interests of the many veterans living in their respective districts. Dunn won the redrawn seat vacated by Democrat Gwen Graham of Tallahassee while Rutherford succeeded fellow Republican Ander Crenshaw.
Most of the Orlando region elected new representation. Stephanie Murphy of Winter Park, after shocking GOP veteran John Mica, has been a noncombative, but steady, opponent of the policies and approach of Trump, while using the media to promote her priorities.
Darren Soto of Orlando has been an aggressive and partisan opponent of Trump and has been a leader in the criticism of the Trump Administration’s handling of the crisis in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria. When considering Soto succeeded Alan Grayson (remember him?), comparisons are hard to come by.
Val Demings, who ran in a redrawn district that sent Republican Daniel Webster to another, is quietly going about her business and following the unwritten rule ignored by Gaetz.
Naples Republican Francis Rooney is a reverent politician, which makes sense since he is a former U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See. Palm City Republican Brian Mast is not yet in Crist’s league, or that of Democrat Ted Deutch of Boca Raton, but he often garners publicity toward his causes.
Rooney, succeeded Republican Curt Clawson, while Mast won the seat vacated by Democrat Patrick Murphy, who lost to Rubio last year.
As they run for re-election in the coming year, all of them will have a lot to say, as will those running against them.
Rubio takes case for Child Tax Credit increase to New York Times
For those who thought the states junior Senator would fall in line with the GOP’s tax reform plan, they would be disappointed. Doing precisely what he said he would do, Rubio embarked on a campaign to increase the Child Tax Credit by more than the $600 the bill provides.
Rubio and Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee have for months advocated that an increase in the Child Tax Credit from $1,000 to $2,500 needs to be part of any tax reform bill. Failure to raise it by a significant amount, they argued, would amount to a tax increase on millions of American families and would prevent Rubio from supporting the current bill.
In an op-ed published Sunday in The New York Times, Rubio is not demanding $2,500 but calls for at least raising the Child Tax Credit to $2,000.
“Providing significant tax relief to working families shouldn’t be a final box to check after all of the lobbyists have had their fill,” he wrote. “As Congress works on a tax reform package, families must be our priority.”
While he did not again pledge to vote “no” if it is not raised, Rubio concluded with the importance of the goal, in his view, and the overall scope of what is being undertaken in Congress.
Raising the Child Tax Credit “would ensure that lower-income Americans will not be left out of the biggest legislative undertaking of this Congress.”
Nelson seeks expansion of nursing home investigation
After convincing the U.S. Senate Finance Committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths of 14 residents of a South Florida nursing home, the three-term Democrat, and a member of the committee, is asking for an expansion of the investigation. Nelson wants the committee to look into reports of improper treatment of individuals with disabilities both during and after Hurricane Irma.
In a letter to committee chairman Orrin Hatch, a Utah Republican and ranking member Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat, Nelson provided a letter from the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties highlighting concerns.
The DHS letter was addressed to Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Wes Maul and copied to Gov. Rick Scott. It relayed “ongoing concerns related to lack of effective communication, program access, and physical access for persons with disabilities in programs and activities related to Hurricane Irma.”
“The concerns outlined in this letter are extremely disturbing, and I ask that they be included in the committee’s ongoing investigation,” Nelson wrote.
Children’s health funding latest issue to divide Delegation
Partisanship on both sides is again playing out in the halls of Congress. This time it involves the program designed to provide care for low-income sick children.
The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) was due to be reauthorized by September 30, but political rancor, repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA), plus the rash of disasters, kept that from happening. On Friday, the House voted 242-174 to fund the program.
Stephanie Murphy of Winter Park was one of 15 Democrats, and the only one from Florida, to vote with the Republicans.
Tampa Democrat Kathy Castor predicted the legislation is “dead on arrival” when it reaches the Senate. Both sides agree on the funding, but the manner it is funded reveals the problem.
The GOP plan raises Medicare premiums on the wealthy while cutting the ACA Prevention and Public Health Fund, and by shortening the period during which consumers can pay late premiums from 90 to 30 days.
In this Congress, anything that makes cuts or weakens the ACA causes controversy.
“The Republicans really did not want to get into CHIP negotiations and pay-fors in the first half of the year because they were so set on repealing the Affordable Care Act,” Castor said.
Palm Harbor Republican Gus Bilirakis believes that is not so.
“While the ACA Repeal/Replace may have garnered a great deal of public attention this year, the behind the scenes work on other health care priorities, including CHIP, Community Health Centers and combating opioid abuse have been ongoing for many months,” deputy chief of staff Summer Robertson said.
Bilirakis expressed confidence CHIP will eventually pass.
“I still am confident that we will get this signed into law before funding runs out in December,” he said.
Gaetz blasts ‘predator’ Jack Latvala amid sex-harassment accusations
As reported by Marc Caputo and Matt Dixon of POLITICO Florida, after six women accused Florida Senate budget chair Jack Latvala of sexual harassment, allies of the Clearwater Republican launched a counteroffensive targeting the unnamed accusers.
But Gaetz faulted his fellow Republican, calling him a “hound.”
“Jack is sending the message to accusers that they better be ready to defend every speeding ticket and every social media post,” Gaetz said last week. “Predators think they can obtain the outcomes they desire through intimidation … Jack always has.”
Latvala faces mounting pressure for his temporary removal — from both the Florida House publicly and the Senate privately — as chair of the influential Senate budget committee pending the outcome of an independent investigation.
But soon after Gaetz spoke out against Latvala, the political rumor website HelloFLA leaked an opposition research file detailing his drunken driving record and land deals.
Tweet tweet
the problem of overregulation – five years of new and proposed federal regulations https://t.co/DbapxdEZMK
— Bill Posey (@congbillposey) October 11, 2017
F. Rooney named vice chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee
Rooney may be a freshman with but 10 months in Washington, but his experience and writings apparently have raised some eyes, and on Monday, he was named vice chairman of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee less than a year into his tenure in Congress.
The Naples Republican is a former U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See [The Vatican]. He has written extensively on foreign affairs, including the books about the relationship between the United States and The Vatican. His other writings have covered topics including Venezuela, United States-Cuba relations, need for reform at the United Nations, American policy toward Russia, the importance of religious freedom and about fighting Islamic-inspired terrorism.
Rep. Ed Royce, a California Republican, appointed Rooney, stating Monday he is “excited to have Rep. Rooney as our vice chairman. His previous experience as the U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See and as a successful businessman has been valuable in our efforts to counter global threats, and promote peace and American prosperity abroad.”
Rooney’s family business has Rooney Holdings, Inc., with a diversified portfolio of businesses ranging from construction to lumber to hedge funds in the United States and abroad.
“I am honored to be named vice chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, especially at such a turbulent and pivotal time,” he stated in a news release issued by his office. “With significant national security concerns related to North Korea, Iran, Russia, and elsewhere, I look forward to working with Chairman Royce, our committee and our national foreign policy resources to define and secure American interests around the world.”
Murphy joins caucus colleagues to offer foreign policy advice to Trump
Before President Donald Trump’s departure for a 12-day trip to Asia, the Democrat from Winter Park joined with her colleagues on the House Democratic Caucus National Security Task Force to show leadership during high-level discussions. Murphy, Massachusetts Rep. Seth Moulton, and California Rep. Jimmy Panetta — the three co-chairs of the caucus — laid out their concerns in a Friday letter.
“We write to urge you to adopt a strong, strategic and steady policy toward North Korea, whose rapidly advancing nuclear and missile capabilities threaten the United States and our allies,” they wrote.
In a statement announcing the letter, the lawmakers laid out their overall concerns with Trump’s foreign policy.
“As co-chairs of the House Democratic Caucus’ National Security Task Force, we hope the President will use his forthcoming trip to Asia to demonstrate the United States’ ironclad commitment to security, stability and economic prosperity in the region, sending a clear signal of steadfastness to ally and adversary alike,” they said.
“We note that, nine months into office, the President has yet to nominate individuals to key positions with responsibility for U.S. policy toward the Asia-Pacific, including the Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs and the U.S. ambassador to South Korea. We urge the President to swiftly address this self-inflicted wound.”
While trade will also be high on Trump’s agenda for discussion, North Korea will be the major focus of his talks with Asian leaders. Murphy and her colleagues believe Trump needs to fix some critical relationships.
They said Trump should “repair any damage to our alliance with South Korea caused by the President’s bellicose statements” and expressed “hope the President will make an unequivocal expression of solidarity with South Korea, with whom the United States shares a bond built in battle and shaped by shared sacrifice.”
After visiting Japan and South Korea, Trump will fly to China before going to Vietnam and concluding the trip in the Philippines.
Ross gives his take on GOP proposed tax bill
Ross posted a video on Facebook: “This tax reform bill is a positive step that will help middle-class families, grow jobs, and make America more competitive.”
Crist, Deutch introduce legislation on behalf of LGBT seniors
Citing a need for a group of Americans “who face significant barriers and disparities,” the two Democrats introduced the Ruthie and Connie LGBT Elder Americans Act. The legislation would amend the current Older Americans Act to help address significant obstacles faced by this portion of the population.
“The Older Americans Act provides critical support and services for our seniors,” said Crist in a release. “But due to institutional barriers and a lifetime of discrimination, the specific needs of LGBT seniors are not being met,”
The legislation is named after Florida residents Ruthie Berman and Connie Kurtz, who have been longtime advocates for LGBT equality and continue to be champions for LGBT seniors. To learn more about Ruthie and Connie’s story, click here to view the trailer for the documentary Every Room in the House featuring their relationship and fight against discrimination.
“LGBT seniors are at even greater risk of discrimination,” Deutch said. “They face immense obstacles in their twilight years, like higher rates of poverty and social isolation.”
Joining Crist and Deutch in co-sponsoring the bill is Oregon Democrat Suzanne Bonamici. A companion bill is being filed in the Senate.
Group keeping pressure on Mast, Curbelo to support tax reform bill
The American Action Network is keeping the pressure on Republican U.S. Reps. Brian Mast and Carlos Curbelo, both in swing districts, to support the Republican tax reform bill introduced last week. For the third time in a month, the group is running ads in Mast’s Curbelo’s districts, urging voters to tell their congressmen to support Republican tax reform.
The new 30-second video on Twitter, Facebook and other social media platforms do not mention Mast of Palm City, Curbelo of Kendall, or anyone else in Congress. The animated video simply simulates internet searches being run on a computer screen, turning up positive responses about the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives last week.
Then, when the search question is “how can I learn more?” the cursor turns up an address to passtaxreform.org, a site that actually is a bot, designed to send a message from the viewer to his or her member of Congress urging the member to support the plan.
Congressional Hispanic Caucus considering 2 Florida Republicans for membership
It is possible that the all-Democrat Congressional Hispanic Caucus may add two South Florida Republicans to their membership. Invitation letters to apply will go out soon, but there is no guarantee the membership will vote to let them join.
Kendall Republican Carlos Curbelo, who first applied for membership in February, will likely have a difficult time gaining admission. According to the Miami Herald, Curbelo’s decision not to co-sponsor the DREAM Act is a deal-breaker for a number of members of the caucus.
Miami Republican Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, who is also expected to apply, was one of 5 Republican and 195 Democratic co-sponsors of the bill. Admitting Ros-Lehtinen should pose little problem for the caucus, especially since she is retiring next year.
Curbelo offered his own legislation involving “Dreamers” earlier this year. The Recognizing America’s Children Act has 34 co-sponsors, including Ros-Lehtinen and one Democrat.
“If we don’t have to let him in then why would we let someone in who goes against what we stand for?” Rep. Juan Vargas, D-Calif., told the Washington Examiner on Wednesday.
Curbelo shot back on Twitter, calling the group’s vote to earlier table his invitation a “shameful position.”
“It seems like for some in the @HispanicCaucus, some Hispanics are just not good enough,” he said.
The caucus is scheduled to meet Thursday, when the matter will be taken up further. Miami Republican Mario Diaz-Balart has expressed no desire to join the caucus.
Paulson’s Politics: Factors influencing Florida’s 2018 congressional races
Last week, I began the first of a multipart series on the 2018 Florida congressional races by previewing the U.S. Senate showdown between three-term Democratic incumbent Bill Nelson and his likely Republican opponent, Gov. Rick Scott.
Beginning this week, we will focus on the 27 Florida congressional districts at play in the 2018 election. In this piece, we will examine the rapidly changing dynamics of Florida politics, and how this impacts congressional campaigns.
Florida became a state in 1845 and had one of the smallest delegations during its first 100 years of statehood. Florida only had one member in its House delegation for its first 25 years, and just two members as late as 1899.
Florida’s population exploded after World War II, and so did the size of its congressional delegation. During World War II, Florida had more than 20 military facilities which trained hundreds of thousands of soldiers. Many of these veterans returned to Florida after the war or after they retired, and have had a profound effect on the state’s economy and politics.
In addition to World War II, the eradication of mosquitoes and other disease-carrying insects, the invention of air conditioning and the construction of the interstate highway system all contributed to Florida’s rapid growth.
With only six members in its congressional delegation at the advent of WW II, Florida would add between two and four members to its delegation after every postwar census. Florida now has 27 members in its delegation, the third largest in Congress.
Although Florida’s delegation has grown in numbers, it has not increased regarding political clout. No members of the Florida congressional delegation have ever served as Speaker of the House, majority or minority leaders in the House or Senate. Only one member, Republican Congressman C.W. “Bill” Young of Pinellas County, has chaired one of the three “power” committees in the House. Young chaired the House Appropriations Committee from 1999 to 2005.
Florida’s population is 78 percent white, 24 percent Hispanic and 17 percent black. The black vote is better than 90 percent Democratic in most races. After the U.S. District Court drew the congressional district lines in 1992, Florida sent three blacks to Congress as part of its 23-member delegation in 1992. Corrine Brown of Jacksonville, and Alcee Hastings and Carrie Meek of Miami were the first blacks to serve in the Florida congressional delegation since the 1880s.
The Hispanic vote is split, depending on whether you look at Cuban or Puerto Rican Hispanics or those from central or South America. Cuban-Americans still trend Republican, although this is less true for second-generation Cubans.
All other Hispanics lean strongly toward the Democratic Party. The most rapidly growing Hispanic group, Puerto Ricans, have settled in large numbers in Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties, and completely changed the politics of central Florida.
Puerto Ricans now comprise about a third of the electorate in central Florida and are about four times more likely to register as Democrat than Republican. In 2000, the Orlando area had no Democrat elected to Congress. Today, there are three Democrats: A Puerto Rican (Darren Soto), a black (Val Demings) and a Vietnamese (Stephanie Murphy).
The current Florida electorate of 13 million voters is 38 percent Democratic, 35 percent Republican, and 27 percent as Independent/No Party Affiliation. Since 2012, Democratic registration is up 95,771; Republican registration is up 304,320 and Independent/NPA is up 529,236.
The rapidly growing Florida population creates several unique problems for congressional candidates. First, candidates must appeal and adjust to the rapidly growing population. Second, only 36 percent of Floridians are native-born. Only Nevada has fewer native-born residents. Candidates must appeal to voters who have moved to Florida from the other states and many from other countries.
NEXT WEEK: Republican and Democratic strengths going into the 2018 Florida congressional races.
Senate Republicans name new Florida director
Ryan Patmintra is the new Florida political director for the National Republican Senatorial Committee. A former Regional Director for U.S. Sen. Rubio, Patmintra serves as Tampa Bay Partnership vice president of public policy and advocacy. He will be based out of Tampa.
Neil Combee tapped for USDA job; unclear if he must leave Florida House
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue has appointed state Rep. Combee as Florida State Director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), the department announced in a news release.
It’s not clear whether the new job will cause Combee to resign his House District 39 seat.
The Polk County Republican will “help implement U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) policies in planning, organizing, and administering FSA programs in their respective states,” the release said.
FSA state directors “are also responsible for running the day-to-day activities of the state FSA office.”
“These state directors will help ensure that USDA is offering the best customer service to our farmers, ranchers, foresters, and agricultural producers across the country,” Perdue said in a statement.
The Farm Service Agency “play(s) a critical role in helping the people of agriculture, and are able to connect with people in their home states,” he added.
Combee, first elected to the House of Representatives in 2012, chairs the House Oversight, Transparency and Administration Subcommittee. He lists his occupation as “agribusiness, real estate sales.”
He previously served on the board of the Southwest Florida Water Management District and was a Polk County Commissioner.
