Staff Reports
Maybe this chaos is the new normal
It has been another one of those weeks in Washington where just as one story begins to lead the cycle, another one overtakes it. Some call that chaos while others call it business as usual in the era of President Donald Trump.
Trump’s nominee for Secretary of State, CIA Director Mike Pompeo was confirmed on Thursday by a 57-42 vote in the Senate. Democrat Bill Nelson joined five of his colleagues in tough re-election battles to vote in favor, denying his opponent, Gov. Rick Scott, a possible issue to use against him.
Also on Thursday, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt had a fiery hearing with the House Environment Subcommittee. Pruitt is under fire for expenditures on a soundproof booth, big pay raises for two staffers and other controversies.
Pruitt was there ostensibly to talk about his agency’s budget, but was grilled by Democrats, including Kathy Castor from Tampa, on the controversies. She expressed disappointment in committee Republicans for not asking tough questions, calling it “embarrassing.”
Also on Thursday, Trump’s nominee to head the Department of Veterans Affairs, Dr. Ronny Jackson, backed away after troubling reports of personal behavior surfaced. Several Republicans were also troubled by Jackson’s lack of management experience, which they felt was unsuitable for a large, troubled organization such as the VA.
On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge John Bates, an appointee of President George W. Bush, ruled against Trump’s executive decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The decision follows two other federal courts that ruled similarly, but Bates did leave the door open to rule in Trump’s favor with a better argument.
His ruling prompted Boca Raton Democrat Ted Deutch to tweet “DREAMers aren’t illegal” and calling for passage of the DREAM Act. Orlando Democrat Darren Soto said: “I strongly encourage those DREAMers who have not applied to do so once open.”
FEDERAL JUDGE: Trump Admin must continue to accept new and renewed DACA applications.
DREAMers aren’t illegal.
Instead of letting Trump continue to fight in court to find a way to bring chaos and fear to 700,000 young people, let’s pass the #DREAMActNow
— Rep. Ted Deutch (@RepTedDeutch) April 25, 2018
White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders described the decision as “good news for smuggling organizations and criminal networks and horrible news for our national security.”
On Wednesday, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments on the president’s travel ban involving predominantly Muslim countries. Analysts give Trump a chance to prevail when the decision is announced in June.
In the “oh, by the way” category was the visit by French President Emmanuel Macron. Macron was given the rare opportunity to address a joint session of Congress.
After all of that, the House and Senate head home for a week before returning on May 7.
Nelson, Rubio file bill to assist homeless veterans
The latest tag-team effort between Democratic Sen. Nelson and Republican Sen. Marco Rubio involves military veterans. This week, the Senators jointly introduced a bill designed to improve and protect a cooperative program designed to help homeless veterans obtain permanent housing.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) created the HUD-VASH program which provides a voucher to homeless veterans to help them offset the cost of rental housing. The Nelson-Rubio bill would prevent the government from using funds dedicated to this program for any other purpose.
“The brave men and women who have served in our armed forces have made incredible sacrifices to protect our freedoms,” Nelson said. “We have a responsibility to provide them with the very best care that we can.”
Last year, the VA announced plans to shift $640 million from the program into the agency’s general account, effectively defunding the program. Veterans groups and numerous lawmakers reacted with outrage, forcing the VA to backtrack.
The Nelson-Rubio bill would prevent such an attempt from happening again.
“We must continue to provide our nation’s veterans the quality care they were promised and deserve,” said Rubio. “This legislation would make much-needed improvements to the HUD-VASH program so that it can more effectively assist homeless veterans and their families.”
In op-eds, Rubio reaffirms conservative bona fides; again blasts Maduro
It did not take long for Rubio’s new chief of staff to begin making a difference. Michael Needham, hired from the conservative think tank Heritage Action for America, was just days on the job before two Rubio op-eds published in print and online.
The first appeared in the conservative publication National Review titled Building a National American Conservatism. The article, written for a publication founded by conservative icon William F. Buckley, is clearly designed to reaffirm Rubio’s conservative bona fides.
“I am a conservative because I seek to conserve the principle at the core of the American project: freedom,” he wrote. “It is the freedom to live a virtuous and meaningful life supported by family, community, faith and the dignity of work.”
After defeating then-Gov. Charlie Crist and Democratic Rep. Kendrick Meek for the Senate seat in 2010, Rubio was the darling of the conservative movement and a rock star at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). Joining the Gang of 8 Senators in proposing immigration reform (aka “amnesty”) tarnished his reputation among movement conservatives.
On Tuesday, Rubio wrote another op-ed, this time on an issue where he has been a leading voice in Washington for most of his time in Washington. He again lays out a case against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his regime in a piece called It’s time to hasten Maduro’s exit from power, published on CNN.com.
“The regime of Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro threatens U.S. interests,” he wrote. “While the United States and our partners have repeatedly condemned the Maduro regime and demanded an end to the crisis, we must now follow our words with decisive actions. It is time for the region’s democratic nations to work together and hasten Maduro’s exit from power.”
U.S. Chamber ad targets Nelson’s economic record
Both Florida’s and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce have endorsed Scott’s bid for the U.S. Senate. This week, the U.S. Chamber came out with a new ad hitting Nelson in a key Florida media market.
The ad criticizes Nelson on economic issues, while praising Scott and his eight years as Florida’s chief executive. It features a series of diverse people criticizing Nelson’s 40-year government service record on taxes and the growth of government.
To view the ad, click the image below:
The six-figure buy is targeted to the Tampa market starting Tuesday. So far $249,000 has been placed on broadcast outlets and another $32,000 on Spanish language buys, according to media buying figures.
Scott has committed $3 million from his campaign to fund early television ads. While he is yet to release his first campaign finance report, many suspect he used his own money to support the initial ad onslaught, which started only a week after he entered the race.
Gaetz proposes legislation to legalize medical marijuana research
Florida voters passed a constitutional amendment legalizing medical marijuana in 2016. Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Fort Walton Beach thinks that is an idea that should go nationwide.
On Thursday, Gaetz proposed legislation that would make it easier to conduct federally-approved research into medical cannabis. The bill would also allow VA doctors to refer patients to approved medical cannabis clinical trials when appropriate.
“The public support for doctor-prescribed medical cannabis has been overwhelming, upward of 90 percent, according to some polls,” Gaetz said. “Though progress has been particularly slow in Congress, it seems that legislators past and present are finally starting to shift their perspectives.”
Gaetz has been a consistent proponent of medical marijuana, often chastising Republican colleagues on Capitol Hill for their reluctance to weigh its benefits. He does not believe it will take a Democratic majority in Congress to make changes.
He pointed to a POLITICO article that highlighted leaders from both parties moving toward a greater acceptance of medical cannabis.
“While developing this legislation, I have been working closely with the Judiciary Committee, particularly Chairman Bob Goodlatte,” Gaetz said. “I am proud of my new bill and optimistic that it will pass the committee quickly. This legislation is a small but crucial step forward for veterans, for researchers, and for scientific discovery as a whole.”
Castor among leaders supporting World Cup 2026 bid
Soccer fans in the U.S. are still stunned that the men’s national team failed to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 32 years, This summer they will be home watching it on television along with those who care enough to tune in without their country’s participation.
Castor and some of her colleagues in the House are behind an effort that will guarantee the U.S. is at least involved in the 2026 tournament. The lawmakers passed a resolution this week supporting the bid of North American countries to serve as hosts jointly.
The joint bid, called United 2026, would have Canada, Mexico and the U.S. each hosting tournament games. Organizers were grateful for the House action.
“This resolution sends a strong signal to the world that if the United Bid is selected to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the U.S. government, at the highest levels, will do its part to guarantee the event will be a major success and that we are ready to welcome players and fans from around the world,” said Carlos Cordeiro, President of U.S. Soccer and Co-Chairman of United 2026.
The resolution passed 392-3 with all voting delegation members casting their vote for the measure. Among the 47 co-sponsors were Republicans Carlos Curbelo and Gus Bilirakis along with Democrats Stephanie Murphy, Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Deutch.
Bipartisan group among delegation calls for 500 more Customs officers
A bipartisan group of Florida legislators, led by Nelson and Rubio, called on Congress to provide the funding needed to hire an additional 500 Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers next year to help address staffing shortages at many of Florida’s airports and seaports.
The lawmakers’ request came in a letter sent to the top Democrat and Republican members of the House and Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittees. Officials at many of Florida’s airports and seaports have, for years, raised concerns over the shortage of CBP officers in Florida, which they say often causes frustratingly long wait times for international travelers arriving in the state — discouraging some from ever returning.
“The Joint Economic Committee has found that while the volume of commerce crossing our borders has more than tripled in the past 25 years, CBP staffing has not kept pace with demand,” the lawmakers wrote. “Long wait times and delayed processing of goods discourage travel and create unnecessary barriers to trade, undermining economic activity in the United States. CBP estimates show that hiring an additional 500 CBP officers at ports of entry would increase annual economic activity by $1 billion and result in an additional 16,600 jobs per year.”
CBP admits it needs to hire an additional 2,516 CBP officers to operate at full capacity. Congress approved $7.6 million for the agency to hire another 328 CBP officers earlier this year. Florida lawmakers want the agency to hire another 500 officers next year.
Over the last few months, Orlando Democrat Val Demings and the Orlando delegation have worked extensively with CBP to ensure agents from Orlando International Airport are not diverted to other areas of the country.
Also signing the letter were Democrats Charlie Crist, Lois Frankel, Alcee Hastings, Al Lawson, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Frederica Wilson, Murphy, Deutch and Demings. Republicans included Tom Rooney, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Dennis Ross, and Curbelo.
Delegation joins Dunn to remember murdered Gilchrist deputies
The recent murders of Gilchrist County Sheriff’s deputies Noel Ramirez and Taylor Lindsey brought expressions sorrow, grief and emotions. During Tuesday’s funeral, Gov. Scott said offered remarks directed toward the deputies’ families and all 44 killed in the line of duty during his time as governor.
On Thursday Panama City Republican Neal Dunn, whose district includes Gilchrist County, led an expression of sorrow and a moment of silence on the House floor. He was joined at the rostrum by nearly all members of the delegation.
To view the moment of silence on the House floor, click the image below:
“These two young men were selfless heroes, patriots, and everything we aspire to be as people, as a nation, and as Americans,” Dunn said.
Flanked by his Florida colleagues, Dunn then led a moment of silence for Ramirez, Taylor, and “all of our fallen heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice.”
“Sgt. Ramirez and Deputy Lindsey’s service and sacrifice to the State of Florida is a debt we will never be able to repay,” added Dunn’s spokesperson Shelby Hodgkins.
Murphy announces federal grants for schools with hurricane-displaced students
The U.S. Department of Education will be issuing grants to Florida schools that took in children evacuees from Hurricanes Irma and Maria. The awards, announced by Murphy, will help overburdened schools due to the influx of unexpected students.
The department will issue grants of $8,500 for each enrolled student who was displaced by the hurricanes. These grants have a maximum of $10,000 per student for those with disabilities.
According to Murphy, school officials have the option to utilize the funds to hire teachers, purchase supplies, lease additional classroom space, mentor students, and provide transportation services.
“Schools and communities in central Florida have welcomed displaced students from the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands with grace and generosity, and this federal funding will give them the financial support they need to offer a high-quality education to both new and existing students,” Murphy stated in news release. “I’m proud I was able to lead the bipartisan effort in Congress to deliver this much-needed support to our local schools. I will keep fighting to help displaced families and the communities that have embraced them.”
The Florida Department of Education will collect date from the state’s school districts, apply for funding from the U.S. Department of Education, and then distribute the federal funding to the school districts based on need. Florida’s public schools reported enrolling at least 12,000 displaced students.
Ross seeks better deal for those in public housing
On Wednesday, the House Housing and Insurance Subcommittee held a legislative hearing entitled “HUD’s Role in Rental Assistance: An Oversight and Review of Legislative Proposals on Rent Reform.” A significant portion of the discussion centered around a proposal from Lakeland Republican Ross.
The draft bill, entitled the Promoting Resident Opportunity through Rent Reform Act of 2018, aims to address shortcomings in the ways rental assistance is calculated for those in public housing. Ross’s PRO Rent Reform Act seeks to reform the method by providing Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) the opportunity to select one of several alternative rental assistance models laid out by the legislation.
“The shortcomings of income-based rental assistance are well-documented, and PHA’s that have been liberated from this one-size-fits-all system under the Moving to Work demonstration program have consistently outperformed their peers in promoting self-sufficiency and opportunity for working families,” said Ross.
“It is time for Congress to build upon this record of success and provide all rent-assisted families with a program that helps them achieve financial independence,” added Ross. “The PRO Rent Reform Act of 2018 will allow us to do just that, and today’s hearing was an important step toward a brighter future for the 4 million low-income families receiving federal housing assistance.”
Following White House ceremony, Mast announces job opening for wounded warrior
On Thursday, Trump hosted an event honoring those injured in battle. Among those invited attendees was Palm City Republican Brian Mast, who lost both legs while serving with the Army in Afghanistan.
The event officially kicked off what will be a 9-day Wounded Warrior’s Project Soldier Ride.
“I was honored to join President Trump at the White House today as we honored wounded warriors from across the country. We owe these men and women a debt of gratitude that we’ll never be able to fully repay, but by working together I’m confident we can improve care for our wounded warriors, their families and all veterans,”
After the ceremony, Mast announced his office is seeking a wounded warrior or medically retired veteran for a fellowship working at his first-of-its-kind congressional office in the West Palm Beach Veterans Affairs VA facility. The veteran chosen for the fellowship will work with military and veteran constituents to handle veterans-related casework and act as a facilitator between constituents and federal, state, and local agencies.
“Now, we have the great opportunity to hire a wounded warrior to expand our services to veterans in our community,” Mast added. “I know there is no shortage of qualified candidates so let’s get to work!”
Former delegation members considering run for governor as a ticket
The ongoing traveling road show featuring former Democratic Rep. Patrick Murphy and former GOP Rep. David Jolly could be looking to make another stop in Tallahassee — in the Governor’s Mansion. The two could be considering the formation of a ticket to jump into the Democratic primary.
Murphy has commissioned a poll to judge the viability of a ticket with him at the top and Jolly as his running mate. Both agree that Jolly would have no chance to win a GOP primary if he were at the top of the ticket.
“Some supporters wanted to do a poll, and I didn’t say no,” Murphy told the Tampa Bay Times. “I certainly didn’t say yes to actually running!”
The two former Congressmen have traveled around the country discussing the dysfunction in Washington, with most of the blame going to Republicans. Jolly is a persistent vocal critic of Trump and actually called for his party to be voted out of office if voters want school shootings to stop.
That could play well in a Democratic primary in Florida. In the end, as Florida Politics’ Joe Henderson writes, it is a long shot.
On this day in the headlines
April 27, 2005 — The Senate Finance Committee held their first hearing on President George W. Bush’s suggestion for Social Security reform. All committee Democrats were resolutely opposed to a plan that would allow seniors to invest their benefits with a couple of Republicans expressing misgivings.
The Committee Chairman, Iowa Republican Charles Grassley, railed against those wishing to maintain the status quo and calling the idea a cut in benefits. “Doing nothing is not an option because doing nothing is a cut in benefits,” Grassley said. “Grandpa Grassley gets Social Security, but my granddaughter, when she retires 56 years from now, if we do nothing, is going to get this cut you’re talking about.”
April 27, 2011 — In a gesture that acknowledged the distracting effect that a false but persistent rumor has had on the Obama presidency, the White House on Wednesday released the long-form version of Barack Obama’s birth certificate, which showed he was born in Honolulu.
Most recently, it has been raised in near-constant television appearances by showman and business executive Donald Trump, who is flirting with the prospect of running for the Republican presidential nomination. Trump said: “I am really honored, frankly, to have played such a big role in hopefully — hopefully — getting rid of this issue.”
Bad lip reading: Nelson threatens to spank Zuckerberg
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s recent appearance before a Senate committee generated hours of coverage before, during and after the event. A YouTube parody creates an alternative recap of the questioning.
Nelson is the first Senator featured in the 5:48 video. His threat to spank Zuckerberg makes it well worth a view.
Watch the video by clicking the image below:
