Staff Reports
In one week, gun control dialogue has changed direction
Recent history shows that at the end of each week, Washington observers say they have not seen many like this. The same is certainly true at the end of this week.
With President Donald Trump in the White House, the unexpected is gradually becoming the norm. Perhaps we should not be surprised at anything he says or does, but this week he baffled/shocked/angered/pleased — choose your verb — during Wednesday’s meeting with legislators at the White House on guns and school safety.
Trump discussed having a conversation on banning some weapons, raising the age to buy guns, and more background checks. Shock and awe came when the president talked about taking guns away from the mentally ill and worrying about due process later.
“Take the guns first, go through due process second,” he said.
He also admonished some for being too fearful of the NRA.
Sitting around the table hearing all of this were 5 members of the delegation.
Democrats Stephanie Murphy of Winter Park and Ted Deutch of Boca Raton were joined at the table by Republican Brian Mast of Palm City. Republican John Rutherford of Jacksonville and GOP Sen. Marco Rubio were also there.
“I was heartened to hear the president was open to a wide variety of solutions because we owe it to our country to do something, to act,” Murphy said on CBS.
“The President said we can’t wait on comprehensive gun safety legislation, and he’s right. We have to act now,” Deutch said in a statement.
The two Democrats represent areas where recent mass killings took place and wish to go further than Mast’s recent call for the specific temporary ban. Do they believe Trump will follow up his words with actions that run counter to GOP policy?
“We got the president’s commitment he would see this through to the end,” Murphy said.
Rutherford and Trump had a spirited exchange on gun-free zones and having other states recognize one state’s concealed/carry permits, known as reciprocity.
“You’re not going to get it approved,” Trump told Rutherford, but took the opportunity to at call for ending gun-free zones on military bases. Rutherford is the sponsor of the Stop School Violence Act just launched in the House of Representatives
Rubio said the meeting was productive and previewed the next steps including the launch of the Senate version of Rutherford’s bill.
“(Thursday), we’re going to announce Stop School Violence Act, which we’ve been working on for some time with (Utah Republican) Senator (Orrin) Hatch and the Newtown Promise families to try to get that moving forward.”
In the span of one week, or one day, or one hour, the conversation on guns has dramatically changed.
What can happen next week to top this one?
Nelson holds slim lead over Scott in Quinnipiac survey
The three-term Democrat holds a small advantage over Gov. Rick Scott according to a new poll from Quinnipiac University. Nelson is the choice of 46 percent of respondents, while Scott earned the support of 42 percent.
Among independent voters, Nelson’s advantage was 46-33. Both held nearly identical 80-point majorities among their party faithful.
“Florida’s Senate race features probably the two best-known politicians in the Sunshine State,” said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll. “A race between two-term Gov. Rick Scott and four-term (sic) incumbent Sen. Bill Nelson makes this unusual in that most voters probably already have made up their minds.”
When respondents were asked if they would be more or less likely to support a candidate who supports Trump, only 16 percent of independents said they would be more likely to vote for that candidate with 41 percent saying they would be less likely and 41 percent saying it would make no difference.
Among Democrats, 76 percent said it would make them less likely to vote for a Trump supporter, while 48 percent of Republicans said it would make them more likely for a pro-Trump candidate and 43 percent saying it would make no difference.
The survey included 1,156 registered voters that included 32 percent Democrats, 30 percent Republicans, 33 percent independents and 5 percent “other.”
Rubio’s numbers go south after CNN town hall
Things have gone off the rails very quickly for the two-term Republican Senator. Following last week’s CNN town hall, where he faced a hostile crowd in South Florida, the commentaries and editorial cartoons have been in attack mode.
A new Quinnipiac poll puts Rubio’s job approval rate at 38 percent with 53 percent disapproving. The numbers reflect the accelerated negativity toward the National Rifle Association, who has supported Rubio in his elections.
The numbers are even worse among Hispanics. Only 27 percent support him, while 66 percent disapprove.
The town hall reception may have been unnerving and the ferocity of the reaction toward him may have led Rubio to a somber place. He tweeted “We the People don’t like each other very much …. and worst of all we have infected the next generation with the same disease.”
Democratic Rep. Deutch, who shared the town hall stage with Rubio, was quick to respond. “No,” he said. “The next generation is lifting us up …. The disease we must eradicate is gun violence. Ready to talk when you are.”
Drudge ‘scoop’: Trump running for re-election
Twenty years ago, the Drudge Report was touting a blockbuster story about President Bill Clinton and a White House intern. As it turned out, the story was everything Drudge promised, and more.
On Tuesday, he promised another “SHOCK ANNOUNCEMENT” to be announced later that day. The news aggregator-in-chief later provided the “World Exclusive” announcement at 10:05 a.m.: President Trump is running for re-election.
Drudge was just as accurate as he was 20 years ago, but the shock value was somewhat reduced. Few expected Trump to do anything other than run again.
Many in the media either mocked or yawned at the announcement. The Palm Beach Post’s George Bennett pointed out that Trump opened a re-election account 13 months ago and continues to have campaign rallies.
The news coming from the announcement is his former digital adviser, Brad Parscale, will serve as campaign manager. Parscale currently heads a pro-Trump outside group called America First Policies.
With the primary season still two years away, plenty is sure to happen between now and then. Perhaps there will be events that merit a Drudge flashing siren at the top.
Unions concerned with Supreme Court case
This week the U.S. Supreme Court heard a potentially huge case involving membership in labor unions. Janus vs. AFSCME involves whether nonunion workers can be required to pay union dues.
Observers believe an unfavorable ruling for the union could send them, especially unions representing government workers, on a slide from which they could not recover. Democrats could lose a major source of campaign funding.
Just two years ago the Court heard a similar case, but a 4-4 tie favored the unions. This ruling came less than two months after the death of originalist icon Antonin Scalia, who was no union sympathizer.
This time, all nine Justices will decide the outcome. After Republicans kept Obama appointee Merrick Garland off the court in 2016, Trump’s appointee, Neil Gorsuch, joined his 8 colleagues.
During the hearing, just as much news came not from what was said, but what was not said. The Justices asked pointed questions of both sides, but Gorsuch remained quiet throughout.
Justice Clarence Thomas is well-known for not asking questions of lawyers from either side during arguments, but many are not sure what to make of Gorsuch’s self-imposed gag. Those on the union side fear he will be the deciding vote.
“I think people who are in public sector unions are very concerned about their viability going forward,” said Elizabeth Wydra, president of The Constitutional Accountability Center.
A ruling is expected in June.
Rutherford files bill to address school violence
The focus on school safety continued in Congress this week with another bipartisan bill filed on Tuesday. The Stop School Violence Act is sponsored by Jacksonville Republican John Rutherford and co-sponsored by Boca Raton Democrat Deutch.
If enacted, the bill would create a grant program to train students, teachers, school officials, and local law enforcement how to identify and intervene early when signs of violence arise. It would also create a coordinated reporting system, and implement FBI & Secret Service-based school threat assessment protocols to prevent school shootings before they happen.“As a career police officer and sheriff for 12 years in my hometown of Jacksonville, I know firsthand the importance of communities working together with their law enforcement agencies to keep people safe,” Rutherford said at a joint news conference. “This bill invests in early intervention and prevention programs in our local schools, so that our communities and law enforcement can be partners in preventing violent events from happening.”
The STOP School Violence Act reauthorizes and amends the bipartisan 2001 Secure Our Schools program through the Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance, providing local law enforcement, school personnel and students with the tools they need to proactively prevent a threat. The legislation authorizes $50 million annually for state and local schools to develop ways to prevent future tragedies, including developing threat reporting mechanisms and providing significant improvements in school security.
Among the delegation, 16 members quickly signed on as bill co-sponsors.
EMILY’s List backs Soderberg in CD 6
The leading Democratic candidate to replace Republican Ron DeSantis in the 6th Congressional District, has picked up a key endorsement in her bid. EMILY’s List has thrown their support behind Nancy Soderberg, the former deputy national security adviser to President Clinton.
“Nancy Soderberg knows what it means to take on tough jobs. She has used her positions to advocate change, move our country forward, and defend the rights of our citizens,” said EMILY’s List President Stephanie Schriok. “In her current role as a professor at the University of North Florida and a small-business owner, she is deeply invested in her community and will do what it takes to ensure that the working families of the 6th District have a voice in Washington.”
DeSantis is not seeking re-election and is instead running for Governor of Florida.
Through December 31, Soderberg had raised more than $544,000 and had $376,000 cash on hand. She currently serves as a professor of foreign policy and director of the public service leadership program at the University of North Florida and is president and CEO of Soderberg Global Solutions, an international consulting firm.
Since their founding in 1985, EMILY’s List has raised more than $500 million dollars to support pro-choice Democratic women candidates.
Soto earns perfect score
According to the League of Conservation Voters (LCV), the Democrat from Orlando is solid on environmental issues. The League gave Soto a perfect score of 100 on their environmental scorecard, the only member of Florida’s delegation to do so.
Democratic Rep. Val Demings of Orlando earned a score of 97 while her Democratic colleagues Lois Frankel of West Palm Beach and Alcee Hastings of Delray Beach earned scores of 94. The highest score among Republicans was earned by Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Miami and Carlos Curbelo of Kendall, who scored 33.
Soto has pushed for several pieces of legislation and funding relating to restoration projects for the Kissimmee River and the Everglades. He also covered legislation and issues ranging from support for the U.S. EPA, climate change, California water resource management, and pesticides.
“I am honored to have received a perfect score on the LCV scorecard”, said Soto in a news release from his office. “You can count on me to continue fighting to protect our environment, especially fighting offshore drilling and keeping our Florida coasts and waters pristine. Legislation I’ve recently introduced would protect the Everglades and provide resources to restore our beloved Kissimmee River.”
Castor calls on Tillerson to return embassy personnel to Cuba
Recently the Democrat from Tampa visited Cuba and among the items on her agenda was the mysterious cyber illness that afflicted several members of the U.S. Embassy staff in Havana. The State Department removed 60 percent of the staff after 22 American workers.
Now, Castor is calling on Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to return consular officials and diplomatic personnel to the embassy as soon as possible.
“While I appreciate your overriding concern with the health and safety of our diplomats following the unexplained health incidents, it is time to increase staffing and re-establish an American presence to serve our interests and our citizens,” the Tampa Democrat wrote in the letter to Tillerson sent Wednesday.
Shortly after Tillerson ordered the removal of U.S. diplomats from Cuba, the State Department then opted to suspend all visa processing in Havana, moving that function to Bogota, Columbia.
Castor, representing a district that is home to one of the largest Cuban-American populations in the country, said it’s “unreasonable and unaffordable” for Cubans who want to travel to Tampa or Miami to go to another country to do so.
Castor visited Cuba earlier this month with fellow Democratic Reps. James McGovern from Massachusetts and Susan Davis from California, as well as Senators Patrick Leahy of Vermont, Gary Peters from Michigan and Ron Wyden from Oregon.
The entire delegation, except for Castor, chose to meet with Cuban President Raul Castro during the visit. Castro will step down in April.
Crist files bipartisan legislation to protect Israel from Iranian drones
With the increasing danger Israel faces from drone attacks from Iran, the first-term Democrat from St. Petersburg joined with a Republican colleague to file legislation to protect the Jewish nation from those attacks. Crist and Louisiana Rep. Mike Johnson launched the United States-Israel Joint Drone Detection Cooperation Act.
“In the face of this new and growing threat, we have the opportunity to share our technology and expertise to the benefit of U.S. and Israeli security,” Crist said in a joint release.
Israel faces nearby enemies that surround them. The Crist-Johnson bill takes that into account as well.
“We call on Congress to act swiftly and strongly to fend off Iranian aggression and that of other adversaries in the region,” Crist added.
“I am proud to introduce this bill with my good friend, Congressman Crist, and look forward to further enhancing our decades-old alliance with Israel,” Johnson said.
House passes Bilirakis bill for heart research funding
A bill sponsored by the Republican from Palm Harbor designed to help those living with congenital heart disease has passed the House of Representatives. The Congenital Futures Heart Reauthorization Act was sent to the Senate with a 394-7 vote.
The bill calls for an increased investment into further research to benefit the two to three million Americans suffering from Congenital Heart Disease (CHD). Of that total, approximately one million are children.
Statistics reveal that one in 100 babies are born with some form of CHD. Of those, 5 percent will not live to see their first birthday.
“Better data leads to better research,” Bilirakis said in a news release. “This bipartisan initiative is about giving hope to families who have suffered and improving the quality of life for millions of Americans by investing in lifesaving research. I urge my Senate colleagues to do the right thing on behalf of sick kids and join me in this fight by sending the bill to the President’s desk as quickly as possible.”
The bill enjoyed a broad range of 28 co-sponsors. Among those include Democrats Soto of Orlando and Stephanie Murphy of Winter Park along with Republicans Daniel Webster of Orlando and Ros-Lehtinen of Miami.
Buchanan one of the richest
Vern Buchanan is worth an estimated $74 million, according to a report published in Roll Call. This makes him the eighth wealthiest member of the Congress.
The Longboat Key Republican owns car dealerships across the Southeast, starting in 1992 with a dealership selling Hondas and Acuras. The chain expanded to two dozen locations, which some have been sold. Buchanan was also involved in the reinsurance, charter jet and yacht leasing businesses, and his investments in real estate are at least $28 million.
Topping the list (once again) is San Diego-area Republican Darrell Issa, worth about $238 million. Issa made his fortune in the car alarm business.
After Buchanan, the next wealthiest member of Congress from Florida is Napes Rep. Frances Rooney, worth $22.6 million. The money comes from the family business, Manhattan Construction Group.
The top Democrat is Tampa Rep. Castor, listed as the 98th wealthiest member of Congress with $3 million net worth. $2.7 million of that is from investments.
Mast signs on to broad range of gun, school safety bills
Last week, the Republican from Palm City penned an op-ed in The New York Times that revealed his support for banning the AR-15 rifle from public sale. On Tuesday, he signed on as a co-sponsor to 6 current bills that cover the areas of gun violence, school security, law enforcement, and mental health.
“This will take a comprehensive approach that includes evaluating access to firearms, school safety, law enforcement failures and mental illness,” Mast said in a statement. “We must be open to considering who can purchase firearms and what kind of firearms are available for purchase.”
Asked about the response in the 18th Congressional District to his willingness to outlaw the AR-15, Mast described the reaction as “a mixed bag.”
“I am committed to working with anyone — Republican or Democrats — who is willing to do the hard, bipartisan problem solving needed to come up with a definition that can keep communities safe, while also not casting law-abiding recreational gun owners as criminals,” Mast said.
Hastings calls on state Republicans to allow local gun control
On Tuesday, the veteran Democrat from Delray Beach went at the gun control issue in a different way. Instead of demanding federal action, he asked for Republican state legislative leaders to allow local communities to establish their own regulations.
Hastings wrote to Florida House Speaker Richard Corcoran and Senate President Joe Negron, calling on them to repeal what is known as the firearm pre-emption law that limits the ability of localities to implement sensible gun control measures. While he was at it, he basically called them hypocrites to their party’s mantra.
“It was my understanding that a founding principle of the Republican Party is that local control is best, yet Florida’s firearm pre-emption law flies in the face of that principle,” he wrote. “At the same time Republicans rail against big government mandates, they seem delighted in passing laws that directly attack the principle of home rule and avert the powers of local government officials.
“Home rule is based on a concept that the closer the government is to the people, the more responsive it will be,” he continued. “Instead of letting the cities and counties work, you have shifted local government responsibility to the State.”
He finished the letter by calling on the Florida Legislature to “prioritize the repeal of the firearm prevention law.” Gov. Rick Scott was copied.
Deutch, Wasserman Schultz to co-host opioid roundtable
With the opioid crisis showing no signs of improving, two South Florida Democrats will raise awareness of the issue on Saturday. Democratic Rep. Deutch from Boca Raton and Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Weston will join with Massachusetts Democrat Joe Kennedy III to host a roundtable discussion on the epidemic.
They will be joined by local community leaders and families impacted by the scourge. Invited guests include the Chief Program Officer of the United Way of Broward County, Maria Hernandez, and the Director of Public Policy and Advocacy, Heather Davidson.
The event will be held at United Way of Broward County at 1300 S. Andrews Avenue in Fort Lauderdale. It is set to begin at 3:30 p.m.
Trump negotiates deal for new Air Force One
A new Air Force One is on the horizon. Trump has negotiated an informal deal with Boeing that will significantly upgrade the current presidential aircraft.
The reported $3.9 billion “fixed price contract” will provide two enhanced 747 aircraft that will be labeled Air Force One when the president is on board. Trump personally negotiated the deal, which saw Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenberg personally visiting the White House on multiple occasions.
In a statement, Boeing said it is “proud to build the next generation of Air Force One, providing American Presidents with a flying White House at outstanding value to taxpayers.”
“President Trump negotiated a good deal on behalf of the American people,” it said.
The agreement includes the two 747-800 aircraft and the cost of modifying them, including external stairs, large galleys and a secure communications suite. Other modifications include electrical power upgrades and adding a medical facility, an executive space and a self-defense system.
Trump has been pushing to have the aircraft ready in 2021, just in time for a second term if he is able to win re-election.
