Staff Reports
Change has come; people are even fired via social media
While the House and Senate are in the second week of their Easter recess, nonlegislative issues are getting their share of coverage. An example is the resignation/firing of Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin.
Shulkin says he was fired by President Donald Trump, while the White House says he resigned. While those in politics understand this is a distinction without a difference, the story should be not whether, but the way he was let go.
He told CNN that Trump fired him via Twitter. In other words, the man being fired was informed at the same time the rest of the world officially learned the news by social media.
It is a sad, but vivid, example of using social media to send out electronic news releases. When Trump fired FBI Director James Comey 11 months ago, Comey learned of his termination via news reports. Trump filled in details via Twitter.
Trump is a legendary tweeter who not only tweets termination notices, he routinely attacks the traditional media in the same manner (“enemy of the American people”). These are just examples of how drastically the structure and relationship have changed between newsmaker and the news gatherer.
For years, candidates and elected officials understood the need to both respect and use the news media as they sought to communicate their message to citizens and voters. Politics 101 always included the warning not to get into fights with entities that “buy ink by the barrel and paper by the ton.”
Trump has officially rendered that axiom as obsolete, but the traditional media was already under duress years before he became a candidate.
As the print media continues a death spiral, online and social media continue to fill the void. Electronic media still has a role, but those who know how things work, like Trump, can use it to his or her advantage as candidate Trump did in 2016.
Social media is now often the communication platform of choice. Lawmakers still use traditional news releases, but the tool for letting the public know what they are doing is Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or others.
In addition to putting out policy pronouncements and statements, GOP Sen. Marco Rubio will often tweet bible verses. Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson gets in his fair share on social media, which was in its infancy when he was elected 18 years ago, and occasionally goes on a tweet storm of his own (see below).
Several delegation members from both parties are as comfortable, if not more so, using social media to weigh in on multiple issues with short, clear messages. They realize that millions of Americans get their news from today’s nontraditional news sources.
Trump notwithstanding, plenty criticize the point of view of a colleague without name calling. There are some who are happy with the social media revolution and those who would rather things go back to the way they were.
Sorry, but those days are gone.
Nelson unleashes affordable housing tweet storm
The three-term Democrat is raising awareness of the need for more affordable housing in Florida. He is blasting the Florida Legislature for raiding an affordable housing trust fund and again warning the influx of displaced Puerto Ricans is exacerbating the current shortage.
Last week Nelson showed Trump he was not the only one who could use Twitter to rant on an issue that troubles him. After criticizing the legislature for budget decisions that “siphoned” money from trust funds, he described that action as “shortsighted.”
Nelson also said the influx of Puerto Ricans is “inflaming an already troubled affordable housing problem — a problem compounded by mistakes made at the state level.” In November, he introduced the Disaster Displacement Act of 2017 in the Senate to address this situation.
He also took the time to tout his attendance at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new facility in Melbourne.
“It’s a step in the right direction, and very much needed in this community,” he said.
Rubio will not campaign against Nelson
Senate Republicans are trying to hold onto their slim 51-49 majority in November, and Gov. Rick Scott is expected to make a run in Florida to help flip a seat. Scott should not expect campaign help from Florida’s other Senator.
Despite the stakes, Republican Rubio says he will not campaign against his Democratic colleague. Rubio pointed to the partnership the two have developed.
“I don’t campaign against Bill Nelson,” Rubio told a group of reporters last week. “Bill Nelson and I have a very good working relationship.”
Rubio described his relationship with Scott as “positive,” but many remember Rubio’s 2016 U.S. Senate campaign and the attacks from Carlos Beruff. One of Scott’s top consultants, Virginia-based On Message was behind those attacks.
Rubio said he would support his party’s nominee, even if it is Scott, but stumping against Nelson will not happen. The two Senators have worked together on numerous pieces of legislation, including a recent bill targeting gun violence
Rubio also pointed to health care reform as an issue where he has worked effectively with Nelson.
Gaetz not worried about GOP challenger
While Florida’s 1st Congressional District could feature a Republican versus Democrat general election in the fall, Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz has picked up a primary opponent. Cris Dosev, a former Marine, has collected enough signatures to qualify for the primary ballot.
Dosev was part of the 2016 primary process ultimately won by Gaetz, who went on to a smooth election for the seat. Dosev finished third behind the late Greg Evers but is ready to give it another shot by immediately taking a verbal shot at Gaetz.
“With the help of my wife Lisa and the outstanding efforts of our great campaign volunteers, we started down this road by asking Northwest Floridians if they’d put an authentic, fiscally conservative, family values Republican on the ballot,” he said.
Gaetz, a member of the House Freedom Caucus, has been a regular fixture on the Fox News Channel, touting his support for the policies of Trump, who is popular in the highly conservative district. Gaetz has also called for the end of the Robert Mueller investigation and supports a second special counsel to look into the conduct of the FBI and Justice Department during the Hillary Clinton email investigation.
The first-term Republican was dismissive of Dosev’s challenge.
“I’ve never lost a race. He’s never won one,” Gaetz said. “I expect those trends to continue.”
DeSantis denies link to Cambridge Analytica
The Facebook/Cambridge Analytica scandal has focused mostly on the desire to assist Trump during the 2016 campaign. Now an attempt is underway to link a sitting Congressman and gubernatorial candidate.
Florida Democrats questioned whether Republican Rep. Ron DeSantis used the controversial data-mining op Cambridge Analytica for his campaign. The party said the connection was a contribution to DeSantis from recently-named National Security Adviser John Bolton, who also paid Cambridge.
“Floridians deserve to know whether Ron DeSantis’ campaigns ever have used or benefitted from stolen Facebook data,” said FDP spokesperson Kevin Donohoe.
DeSantis, who is seeking the GOP nomination for governor, quickly responded. In short, the FDP is operating on bad facts, they claim.
“No, we didn’t,” wrote DeSantis spokesman Brad Herold to the Daytona Beach News-Journal, who wrote a story on the issue. “And tell the FDP, if they spent more time trying to figure out why their message hasn’t resonated with Florida voters in over two decades and less time playing Inspector Clouseau with finance reports, they’d win more elections.”
Bilirakis, colleagues call on CMS to do more to protect seniors
A group of Republican members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, including Rep. Gus Bilirakis of Palm Harbor, are asking for some answers from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Specifically, the lawmakers are asking what steps the Center is taking to fulfill its obligation to protect seniors in facilities participating in the Medicare and Medicaid program.
Bilirakis joined with Committee Chairman Greg Walden of Oregon, Health Subcommittee Chairman Michael Burgess of Texas and Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chairman Greg Harper of Mississippi in a letter to CMS Administrator Seema Verna asking her to address reported incidents of abuse and neglect.
They specifically mentioned the tragedy at the Hollywood, Florida nursing home where 14 residents died during Hurricane Irma. In addition, they mentioned numerous, documented cases of neglect at multiple facilities subsidized by CMS.
“The federal government has to take seriously its oversight responsibility and hold those who are failing to protect our seniors accountable for their crimes and bureaucratic mismanagement,” Bilirakis said in a news release. “Today we are calling on CMS to engage in this vital role in a more proactive manner, and I am eager to work with them to do whatever it takes to make sure every senior is safe.”
Buchanan celebrates passage of the Taylor Force Act
A thorny issue between the U.S., their allies in Israel and the Palestinian Authority has been the authorization of “martyr payments.” Despite millions of dollars in U.S. aid going to the Palestinians, the government has authorized payments to those who murdered (or their survivors) Americans and Israelis abroad.
With the passage of the Taylor Force Act, that practice is apparently about to end. Longboat Key Republican Vern Buchanan could not be happier.
Buchanan said the Palestinians paid out over $350 million in 2017 to reward the killings. Taylor Force was a former U.S. Army veteran studying for his MBA when he was stabbed to death in an attack that injured 10 others.
“Hopefully, this obscene practice is about to end,” Buchanan said in a statement. “Legislation I co-sponsored was just signed by President Trump cutting off U.S. aid to the Palestinian regime until it stops paying terrorists to attack Americans and Israelis. American tax dollars should never be used to reward terrorism.”
The legislation was sponsored by Colorado Republican Doug Lamborn. It earned 169 co-sponsors including Buchanan and 16 other bipartisan members of the Florida delegation.
Steube to hold South Florida fundraiser for CD 17 run
The race for the open House seat currently held by Okeechobee Republican Tom Rooney is about to accelerate, especially on the Republican side. State Sen. Greg Steube of Sarasota is looking to boost his fledgling campaign with a major fundraiser in Coral Gables.
Several of Steube’s colleagues in the Florida Legislature are serving as co-hosts for the April 12 event at The Biltmore. Among the well-known lobbyists backing his effort and serving as event co-hosts are Brian Ballard and Bill Rubin.
Steube jumped into the race quickly after Rooney announced he would not seek re-election.
“I’m running because Washington is broken; it needs to serve the people it was intended to serve, Floridians; rather than special interests in DC,” Steube said in a news release. “As a pro-life, pro 2nd Amendment, anti-illegal immigration fighter for our constitutional rights I will proudly support Trump and his agenda in Washington and I’m proud to have the backing of Florida’s law enforcement because they know they’ll have my support,” he said.
The reception is scheduled from 5:30 — 7 p.m.
Mast bill encourages more offices in VA facilities
In January, the Republican from Palm City became the first member of Congress to open an office inside a Veterans’ Administration facility. A handful of his colleagues in the Florida delegation have followed Mast’s lead and are themselves holding office hours in the same facility.
Mast thought it was such a good idea, he has filed legislation to encourage colleagues from around the country to do the same. The bill would help eliminate some of a year’s worth of red tape Mast endured to open his office.
The Improving Veterans Access to Congressional Services Act would cut down on the red tape by requiring the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs to permit members to use a VA facility for an office. It also requires the VA to develop appropriate regulations regarding the use of the office space, including the requirement that the office be easily accessible to constituents.
“Serving veterans in our community is not only deeply personal to me, it’s also the most frequent request that I get as a Member of Congress,” Mast said in a news release. “Opening the first-ever Congressional office inside a VA hospital has allowed us to help veterans on the spot: when and where they’re having an issue. Every single Member of Congress should do the same at their local VA and this bill will pave the way to make that high level of service a reality for our veterans.”
Sharing the Florida office located at the VA facility in West Palm Beach are Democrats Alcee Hastings of Delray Beach, Lois Frankel of West Palm Beach and Ted Deutch of Boca Raton.
Assignment Editors — Democratic Rep. Ted Deutch will host a town hall tonight on the next steps on ways to address gun violence. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. in the commission chamber located at 9500 W. Sample Road in Coral Springs. Media should RSVP to Jason Alterman at [email protected].
Richardson raises $410K in Q1
David Richardson, one of several Democrats running for Florida’s 27th Congressional District, announced he raised about $411,000 for his campaign during the first three months of the year.
“My race in District 27 is not just about electing a Democrat — it’s about electing the right Democrat, one who is driven by and committed to progressive ideals. That’s who I am, and our fundraising numbers demonstrate that’s what this district wants. I thank my supporters for believing in this campaign,” Richardson said.
The announcement did identify how much of the Q1 haul came through loans, though it said when the final report is in, it will show more than $1.4 million in total fundraising and $1.1 million in cash on hand since Richardson filed in July. By the end of 2017, he had loaned his campaign $500,000.
Wasserman Schultz goes after ammunition ‘loophole’
While federal law requires background checks for gun purchases, gun control advocates point out a “gaping loophole” when it comes to ammunition. Closing that loophole is the basis for the Ammunition Background Check Act of 2018 filed by Weston Democrat Debbie Wasserman Schultz in the House and Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut in the Senate.
According to a release from Wasserman Schultz, under current law, just as criminals, domestic abusers, and dangerously mentally ill individuals are prohibited from purchasing a firearm, they are also prohibited from purchasing ammunition. Unlike firearms, however, federal law does not require a background check to prevent the illegal purchase of bullets.
“This common-sense legislation simply enforces existing federal law, and will make it harder for criminals to amass hundreds of rounds of ammunition without so much as sharing their first name with a gun store clerk,” Wasserman Schultz said. “Closing this absurd loophole will not by itself stop the next mass shooting tragedy. But this popular approach must be part of our larger strategy for ending gun violence.
Wasserman Schultz pointed to polling that shows 70 percent support for requiring background checks for ammunition purchases.
Blumenthal tweeted Without background checks on ammunition sales, there’s nothing to stop dangerous people — barred from buying guns — from amassing vast ammunition arsenals. This ludicrous loophole puts lives at risk.that “without background checks on ammunition sales, there’s nothing to stop dangerous people — barred from buying guns — from amassing vast ammunition arsenals. This ludicrous loophole puts lives at risk.”
Without background checks on ammunition sales, there’s nothing to stop dangerous people — barred from buying guns — from amassing vast ammunition arsenals. This ludicrous loophole puts lives at risk.
Wilson applauds Florida law protecting nursing homes
With Hurricane Irma and the tragedy of 14 deaths at a Hollywood nursing home due to power loss still a fresh memory, new legislation to mandate generators is being praised. Gov. Scott signed the bill requiring nursing homes and assisted living facilities to have generators and sufficient fuel.
Among those applauding the action was Miami Gardens Democrat Frederica Wilson.
“This legislation is a victory for Florida,” Wilson said in a statement. “Our state has the highest concentrations of nursing homes and related facilities. Nursing homes’ preparedness and response to emergencies ensure that our seniors receive the care they deserve.”
Wilson also pointed to the recent $81 billion disaster aid package passed by Congress that requires FEMA to provide training and guidance that will assist nursing homes and long-term care facilities to better prepare for power outages during a major natural disaster. She also referred to pending legislation that calls for nursing homes and ALFs to be given priority during the aftermath of a disaster.
“We are the guardians of our seniors and it’s up to all of us to create a safety net for them to ensure this never happens again,” she added.”
Bipartisan delegation group urges greater manatee protection
On Manatee Appreciation Day, several members of the delegation advocated for Florida’s iconic sea cow. A bipartisan group of 11 members wrote to Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke urging him to reverse a recent decision to downgrade the manatees’ status from endangered to threatened.
“We urge you to reconsider the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service decision last week to downgrade protections for the Florida manatee,” they wrote. “The decision was disappointing and potentially very harmful to the survival of the iconic Florida animal.”
Those members signing the letter included Republicans Vern Buchanan and Daniel Webster. They were joined by Democrats Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Frederica Wilson, Darren Soto, Kathy Castor, Alcee Hastings, Ted Deutch, Stephanie Murphy, Val Demings and Charlie Crist.
“Based on widespread opposition from the public and scientists, we urge you to overturn this decision and restore manatees to endangered status,” they added.
Crist also personally wrote to Zinke. He said the record number of manatee deaths over the previous year highlights “the urgent need for their status to be reviewed and reversed.”
On this date in the headlines
April 3, 1944 — In an 8-1 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that “Negroes” could vote in Democratic primaries. In the majority opinion, written by Justice Stanley F. Reed, the Court held “the great privilege of choosing his rulers may not be denied a man by the state because of his color.”
Florida Democratic Executive Committee Chairman Tom Conely said “we’ll certainly resist, if possible, any attempt to have Negroes vote in our primaries,” adding “the court’s decision won’t have any effect in Florida.”
April 3, 2015 — Republican Sen. Rubio’s expected entry into the 2016 presidential race could make it tougher for the GOP to keep control of the Senate — but only if Democrats nominate a strong candidate.
Political analysts list Rubio’s seat among 7 potentially vulnerable Republican incumbents that includes Illinois, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
(Democrats picked up two of the 7, winning in New Hampshire and Illinois.)
