Delegation for 7.27.18 — Insights from the Beltway to the Sunshine State

House: See you in September

On their last two days before their long recess, the House of Representatives left a few tidbits for analysts and pundits to discuss. A few Republicans want to impeach Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein while special counsel Robert Mueller is said to be reviewing the tweets of President Donald Trump to determine if the president obstructed justice.

Florida Republicans Matt Gaetz and Ron DeSantis have made their displeasure with Rosenstein known in the past, but they are letting Ohio Republican Jim Jordan and North Carolina Republican Matt Meadows take the lead. On Thursday, Jordan said he was running for speaker, as Meadows seemed to back away from the effort and Attorney General Jeff Sessions strongly supported his deputy.

When the latest tempest dies down, those who have campaigns can focus on those until after Labor Day when Congress reconvenes. DeSantis, who is now the apparent front-runner in the campaign for governor, will either return to Washington as a lame duck or the GOP nominee for the state’s chief executive.

Things will get exciting very quickly. On Tuesday, Trump is coming to Tampa to campaign for DeSantis, who is battling Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam.

The president already endorsed DeSantis, but when he steps to the podium at the Florida State Fairgrounds, there will be less than 30 days remaining in the primary campaign. The results from the Georgia primary for governor, where a Trump-endorsed candidate trounced his opponent, may be a harbinger for things to come.

This week, Putnam’s team ran a controversial, some say desperate, ad accusing DeSantis of supporting a 23 percent tax increase on Floridians. The ad refers to, without mentioning, DeSantis’s support for the Fair Tax which does provide such a tax rate, but eliminates income taxes and payroll taxes.

The Republicans are not the only ones with a sitting legislator set to campaign hard over the next 30 days. From North Florida to South Florida, ads, accusations and name calling will fill the airwaves.

Democratic Rep. Al Lawson of Tallahassee is seeking to hold off the challenge of former Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown. Lawson wants to maximize his vote in the Big Bend region and rural counties to offset Brown’s advantage in his hometown.

Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson does not have a primary, which is good news for him because the Senate will spend most of August still in session. The only week Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is sending Senators home is the week of August 6-12.

With Nelson running neck-and-neck with Gov. Rick Scott, he had counted on spending most of the month in Florida. He will have to settle for weekends and occasional trips home when crucial votes and committee meetings are not on tap.

Other fascinating House primary races in both parties are on the docket and over the next 30 days, several opportunities for news making will come to the forefront.

Nelson, colleagues claim detainees overcharged for phone calls

Nelson sounded a clarion call on Capitol Hill for the Trump administration to cease what he called the “morally reprehensible” policy of charging detained immigrant parents $8 per minute to speak with their separated children. As many as 140 legislators joined Nelson in his outrage.

“Eight dollars a minute if you want to talk to your child? That is a new low,” Nelson said on the Senate floor Monday, as the Trump administration faced a court-ordered Thursday deadline to reunite families separated at the border. “The list of obstacles that this administration claims that it is facing in order to reunite these families seems to be never-ending,” Nelson said.

To hear Nelson’s remarks, click on the image below:

 

Nelson and his colleagues sent a letter to the head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in which they called the administration’s practice “shameless” and “completely unjustified.” The lawmakers called on the head of the agency to immediately implement changes to allow these parents to speak to their kids for free.

“No one — not private detention facilities, nor the federal government — should be in any way enriched by detained parents trying to speak to their children,” they wrote. “We urge you to immediately allow detained parents the ability to talk to their children for free, and we look forward to your timely consideration and response.”

Among those signing the letter along with Nelson were 35 Democratic Senators and Florida Democrats Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Darren Soto, Alcee Hastings, and Ted Deutch.

On Thursday, the issue may have lost some of its political power when PolitiFact ruled the claim “mostly false.” The investigation found some calls are free, while there was one account of an $8-per minute call, but “most of the accounts we found mentioned amounts ranging from $3 a minute to 20 cents a minute.”

While committee talks ‘Russia,’ Rubio focuses on China

On Wednesday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He was grilled by committee Democrats, as well as Republican Bob Corker of Tennessee, on what Trump did and didn’t say to Vladimir Putin last week in Helsinki.

When it was his turn, Rubio used his time to as Pompeo about what the Senator calls the country’s biggest foreign policy challenge: China. Like most “questioners,” Rubio spent more time stating his opinion, but he found a kindred spirit in the nation’s top diplomat.

“I mean, for the first time since the end of the Cold War, we are in competition with a near-peer adversary. It’s not just military. It’s economic. It’s technological. It’s geopolitical and the like.”

Rubio remained upset that the Trump administration relaxed pressure on Chinese telecom giant ZTE after the company was caught violating U.S. sanctions against North Korea and Iran. He also lamented China’s incessant pirating of U.S. intellectual property.

“They have a lot of folks and a big economy,” Pompeo responded. “That puts them in the position to be a competitor to the United States in the way a country like Russia with an economy smaller than Italy’s can’t maintain over some period of time.”

Poll: No change in Scott/Nelson race

Over the past two months, both Scott and Nelson have attacked and been attacked with television and radio ads. Before the barrage began in May, Scott led Nelson by four points in the Florida Atlantic University poll.

More than two months later, the race has not changed with Scott holding the same lead of 44-40 percent. The survey, conducted by the FAU Business and Economics Polling Initiative also found a slight advantage for Scott in the area of approval ratings.

Among 800 respondents, Scott had a 50 percent approval rating with 32 percent disapproving. Nelson had a 37 percent approval rating and also a 32 percent disapproval mark.

One of the concerns Nelson’s camp is still trying to correct is the number of voters who still have no opinion of him. For an 18-year incumbent, a 31 percent “no opinion” response leaves a well-funded candidate to change that to a negative.

“It’s harder to move public opinion when people already have an opinion,” said FAU political scientist Kevin Wagner, explaining it’s easier to shape opinions — in a positive direction or a negative direction — if people don’t know the candidate. “It’s much harder when people have formed an opinion to move that opinion because people tend not to change their minds.”

NBC News reported this month that more money is being spent on TV advertising in Florida’s U.S. Senate race than anywhere else in the country.

NBC News, which regularly reports ad spending data from Advertising Analytics, found Senate race ad spending in Florida through July 9 was $26.2 million.

Most of the spending came from Scott. Scott has raised $22.5 million and spent more than $17 million, leaving him with $4.5 million cash on hand. as of July 31. Nelson had more than $13.7 million.

House passes veterans bill with Rutherford, Lawson provisions

On Wednesday, the House passed legislation making improvements to the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) that helps members of the Armed Forces transition back to civilian life. Folded into the bill was the Veterans Armed for Success Act, which was introduced in October by Republican Rep. John Rutherford of Jacksonville and Democratic Rep. Lawson of Tallahassee.

Their legislation provides grants to organizations that deliver veteran job readiness services, such as resume building and interview training while connecting veterans with businesses in their community. These programs teach veterans the skills they need to transition into the civilian workforce successfully.

“The men and women who have served our nation deserve all the resources they need to restart civilian life on the right path,” said Rutherford. “We need to do more to help these men and women who have proved themselves to be reliable, dedicated, and hardworking.”

Among other things, the bill Implements the most extensive reorganization of TAP since 2011 and authorizes a five-year, $10 million pilot program that would provide matching grant funds to community providers of transition services.

“As Americans, it is our responsibility to ensure that our brave men and women in uniform have the support they need to transition back into the civilian workforce,” said Lawson. “H.R. 5649 supports our veterans by providing grants for programs that train them in job readiness and help them launch their careers. America is stronger and safer because of veterans, and I am proud to have worked on this legislation. I will continue to fight to create more opportunities for our nation’s veterans.”

Sevigny brings heat to CD 6 Democratic primary

Most of the attention on the race to replace DeSantis in District 6 has been on Republicans. The GOP-leaning district has seen John Ward and Michael Waltz dueling to take on the expected Democratic nominee, Nancy Soderberg.

Not so fast, says Soderberg’s Democratic opponent Stephen Sevigny. This week, Sevigny launched four television commercials on cable that spoke on a variety of issues as well as residence in the district.

To watch “For here, from here,” click on the image below:

 

In one of the ads, Sevigny charges that Soderberg does not live within District 6.

“For years, our congressmen haven’t lived in our district,” the ad says. “And this year three of the other candidates don’t either, including Nancy Soderberg. We need a representative who knows us, who isn’t just passing through.”

One of the other ads, which features health care, sneaks in the residency issue again.

“I’m from here,” the ad begins. “And in Washington, I’ll be for here.”

Soderberg leads all candidates, Democrat or Republican, with $981,000 cash on hand. Sevigny has $366,000. Among Republicans, Waltz has $616,000 while Ward has $467,000.

DeSantis sighting

Spotted — Gubernatorial candidate DeSantis at Judge Jeanine Pirro‘s book signing at the Trump International Hotel, promoting “Liars, Leakers, and Liberals: The Case Against the Anti-Trump Conspiracy,” an examination of the forces opposing the president even before he took office.

Bilirakis touts items in military funding bill

This week, the conference report for the $700 billion National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) emerged and is awaiting a final vote in both chambers. Members on both sides of the aisle praised its passage, especially those representing areas near military installations.

Palm Harbor Republican Rep. Gus Bilirakis was particularly pleased with a provision he authored that allows veterans with a 100 percent service-connected disability to fly on military aircraft when space is available. He was also able to insert the canceling the sale of F-35 aircraft to Turkey.

“In light of the recent reckless behavior on the part of Turkey under the current leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey has unfortunately proven that it can no longer be trusted as a reliable, close ally of the United States,” Bilirakis said in a news release. “It is important that we examine the status of our relationship with this supposed ally prior to continuing to sell them additional weaponry and military equipment.”

The bill will represent a significant pay increase for military personnel, the largest in 9 years. It also increases funding for all branches of the military that will allow for expansion.

Crist, Ross have differing view on flood insurance extension

On Tuesday, the House voted to extend the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for another four months. Despite their support for the program, a critical avenue for homeowners to buy flood protection, Rep. Charlie Crist and Rep. Dennis Ross had differing views on the bill.

“This bill keeps flood insurance strong and clean through hurricane season for Pinellas families and I urge my colleagues in the Senate to also pass it without delay,” said Crist, a St. Petersburg Democrat, in a statement. “Allowing the National Flood Insurance Program’s authorization to lapse would devastate communities like Pinellas.”

Ross voted against the bill, but not because he opposed extending the program. He pointed to an earlier version passed by the House that called for a five-year extension.

“My vote today is a vote to end this reckless cycle of short-term extensions,” Ross said in a statement. “The House has done its job; we passed a long-term reauthorization that gives certainty to policyholders and respects the taxpayer dollar. It is time for the Senate to take this issue seriously and join us at the table.”

Buchanan punches back in CD 16

Veteran GOP Rep. Vern Buchanan has $2.5 million to spend on his re-election campaign against his credible challenger, attorney David Shapiro. This week, Buchanan began drawing on that war chest.

In a pointed attack ad, Buchanan pointed out investments Shapiro made over the years. It was designed to point out inconsistencies in Shapiro’s words and deeds by pointing out investments in gun companies, opioid drug companies, and companies tied to the Deepwater Horizon offshore oil disaster.

To watch the ad, click on the image below:

 

The new 30-second TV commercial, “Two-Faced,” outlines Shapiro’s investments while calling him two-faced and a hypocrite for declaring his commitments for environmental protection, gun control, and a crackdown on opioids. It concludes “You just can’t trust anything David Shapiro says.”

Buchanan’s campaign invested $500,000 on the ad, which is running in Sarasota and Manatee County and on television stations in the Tampa market. Buchanan is not taking Shapiro lightly, but probably relishes the chance to punch back at ads attack the challenger.

“Since April, Congressman Vern Buchanan’s campaign has run positive TV ads highlighting the congressman’s legislative achievements, while Shapiro’s cronies have attacked Buchanan on the airwaves with false and negative TV ads,” said campaign manager Max Goodman. “We’re not going to let Shapiro and his dark money groups smear Vern with dishonest ads. “We’re going to give Shapiro a taste of his own medicine and hold him accountable to the truth.”

Shapiro’s campaign was happy to respond.

“Congressman Buchanan will say, or do, anything to stay in Washington, where he’s raised taxes on hardworking families and blown a $1.9 trillion hole in the deficit, all to line his own pockets with millions in handouts from the bill he wrote,” countered a Shapiro spokesman. “David is proud of his record standing up for people against big corporations: Congressman Buchanan’s new smears show he clearly can’t defend his own record in Washington.”

Shapiro had nearly $800,000 cash on hand as of June 30.

Deutch, colleagues call for hearings on 3D guns

After a lengthy battle with a Texas-based gun company, the State Department settled a lawsuit with the company that will allow anyone to download and print 3D guns. Several members of Congress, led by Democratic Rep. Ted Deutch, quickly asked for hearings on Capitol Hill.

In a letter to House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte, a Virginia Republican, and House Foreign Affairs Chairman Ed Royce, a Republican from California. Deutch and his colleagues called the matter urgent. The case was known as Defense Distributed et al. v. U.S. Department of State.

“One week from [Thursday], Defense Distributed will be allowed to publish instructions for making guns at home,” they wrote. “Using an inexpensive 3D printer, anyone will be able to use these blueprints to turn modest raw materials into untraceable, fully functional firearms.”

Four of his fellow Floridians joined Deutch in signing the letter. Those four were Democrats Stephanie Murphy, Hastings, Wasserman Schultz, and Crist.

“We shouldn’t have to wait for someone to kill someone in a House office building after sneaking past security with a plastic 3D printed gun to do something to stop this,” the letter continued. “And we can’t let another day go by allowing the paralysis and dysfunction of Congress to prevent us from making our communities safe.”

Floridians join bipartisan caucus seeking House rules changes

On Wednesday, members of the House Problem Solvers Caucus introduced a package of rules changes designed to make members work together. The initiative, called Break the Gridlock, is designed to encourage “consensus-driven governing,”

The proposed rule changes reward openness and transparency, encourage a willingness to reach across the aisle, create debate on divisive issues, and empower lawmakers to find real solutions concerning our nation’s most pressing matters. Four broad goals, including the method of selecting a speaker, are presented.

“The American people are sick of partisan gridlock in Congress, and they want their leaders to work together to help their families, not for them to focus on scoring political points at the expense of getting important things done,” said Murphy. “I’m proud to stand with my fellow Problem Solvers to present these proposals to help fix Washington by changing the way it operates.” 

In addition to Murphy, signing onto the package were Republican Rep. Carlos Curbelo of Kendall and Soto.

On this day in the headlines

July 27, 1990 — With rows of disabled veterans cheering, and sometimes weeping, President George Bush signed landmark legislation banning discrimination against the disabled. As he put the pen to the Americans With Disabilities Act, Bush said: “Let the shameful wall of exclusion finally come tumbling down.”

During remarks following the signing, Bush delivered a message to the business community saying “you have your hands on the key to the success of this act.” He described many of those with disabilities as “a splendid resource of untapped human potential.”

July 27, 2002 — The GOP-led House approved legislation to create a new Department of Homeland Security. The bill passed by a 295-132 vote and comes less than two months after President George W. Bush proposed the overhaul in response to the 9/11 terror attacks.

If enacted, the bill merges 22 current agencies into one giant apparatus that would be the third largest agency in the government behind the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Voting “no” were Democrats Corrine Brown, Alcee Hastings and Carrie Meek, while all other delegation members voted in favor.