Staff Reports
As Washington, nation focuses on Kavanaugh, other big things happening
The first Monday in October saw eight Supreme Court Justices opening the new session in Washington. When that ninth chair is filled is still in doubt, at least for another week.
Despite the total domination of the Brett Kavanaugh confirmation back-and-forth, a few other significant events occurred under the radar on Capitol Hill. All will continue to play second fiddle to one of the biggest political stories in a generation, topped only by the election of President Donald Trump.
After the agreement on Friday to conduct another FBI probe into Kavanaugh’s background, an argument (surprise) on the scope of the review broke out. Arizona Republican Jeff Flake and Delaware Democrat Chris Coons announced an agreement “limited in scope” that would last for not more than one week, but the size and scope of that agreement became subject to one’s political views.
Flake said his agreement with Coons meant “existing allegations.” However, Trump reportedly said the most sensational of the three allegations, one that spoke of gang rapes, will not be part of the FBI inquiry.
As expected, “limited in scope” will be the battle cry for the week, with a fight already brewing over the parsing of words. After agreeing that the scope should be limited to existing allegations, Coons said on Sunday existing allegations “may not be 50, but it is more than five.”
Shortly after the announcement, Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson finally announced he would vote “no” on Kavanagh while Republican Sen. Marco Rubio indicated he would vote “yes.”
For their part, Republicans want an investigation into Democratic Sen. Diane Feinstein and her staff on how the confidential letter from Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, Kavanaugh’s most prominent accuser, wound up in the hands of the media.
While all of this was going on, the House passed late last week what is known as Tax Cuts 2.0. Officially known as the Protecting Family and Small Business Tax Cuts Act of 2018, the bill, which would make the 2017 tax cuts permanent, passed on a nearly party-line vote of 220-191.
Republican Rep. Neal Dunn of Panama City celebrated the bill’s passage saying the tax cuts put “hardworking Americans first,” while Palm City Republican Brian Mast said the tax cuts “have put our economy on an upward trajectory.”
Democrats discount the tax cuts’ effect on the economy and argue they are targeted toward the wealthy and have increased the federal budget deficit. GOP Reps. Carlos Curbelo of Kendall and Vern Buchanan of Longboat Key were co-sponsors, with all delegation members voting along party lines.
As America awoke on Monday, they learned that Canada had joined Mexico and the U.S. in a new North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The new deal will be called the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
It must be ratified by Congress, which could provide a roadblock or two. One of the most significant problems could come from the Florida delegation.
Rubio and Nelson were unhappy that the earlier deal with Mexico did not protect Florida farmers from unfair practices conducted by the Mexicans. They indicated a new deal could be in jeopardy if the concerns state vegetable growers are not addressed, and last week introduced new legislation to protect them (see below).
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell pledged a vote not later than Friday on Kavanaugh’s nomination. The other issues will still be waiting, no matter how it turns out.
Rubio joins call to designate Venezuela as terrorism sponsor
The dire economic situation in Venezuela has been well documented in recent months by several members of the delegation and their bipartisan colleagues in the House and Senate. The U.S. government has steadily increased the sanctions on the leadership of the regime of President Nicolas Maduro.
Venezuela has not been known as a hotbed of terrorism, but some Republican Senators, including Rubio, seek to change that narrative. Florida’s junior Senator, along with Colorado’s Cory Gardner and John Cornyn of Texas seek to have Venezuela labeled as a promoter of terrorism.
The Senators wrote to U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urging the Trump administration to take the official step of labeling the rogue socialist regime as a State Sponsor of Terrorism. They cited Venezuela’s lack of cooperation with worldwide anti-terrorist efforts plus permitting support of terrorist activities.
“It comes as no surprise that the Maduro dictatorship aided and abetted terrorists,” they wrote. “After years of cooperating with FARC, ELN, and other narcotrafficking terrorists, Venezuela has now become a “narco-state.”
They also pointed out links between the Maduro regime and Hezbollah terrorists in the Middle East.
“We strongly believe that the Maduro regime in Venezuela meets the criteria necessary to designate the current Venezuelan regime as a State Sponsor of Terrorism,” they added.
Puerto Rico governor endorses Nelson
As Nelson and Gov. Rick Scott prepared for Tuesday’s first debate, the three-term Democrat got a high-profile endorsement on Monday. Puerto Rico Gov. Carlos Rossello’s endorsement of Nelson has the potential to sway Florida residents from Puerto Rico as well as evacuees from last year’s Hurricane Maria.
Rosselló came to Orlando to announce his support for Nelson, saying it was a tough decision. Scott has been credited for a strong response from the state on behalf of residents and evacuees of the island commonwealth.
Rosselló said the endorsement was not about shortcomings in hurricane response from the Scott administration. While describing Scott as a friend, Rosselló said it was his long-standing relationship with Nelson that was the determining factor.
Republicans were outraged with the governor’s decision.
“After so much was done by Rick Scott for Puerto Rico after the hurricane and the relationship they have, this looks like treachery,” reacted state Rep. Bob Cortes in an interview “Rosselló está jugando con fuego y se va a quemar” (“Rosselló is playing with fire and is going to get burned.”)
Cortes, a Republican of Puerto Rican descent, has been critical of the federal government’s response to Maria, but has worked with Scott and other Republicans on behalf of those affected.
Rosselló credited Nelson for working to improve a federal aid bill that contained “no money” for Puerto Rico.
In response, Scott’s campaign put out a news release reminding that he also has received many Puerto Rican endorsements, including those of the island’s U.S. Rep. Jennifer Gonzalez-Colon, former Gov. Luis Fortuno, and current Lt. Gov. Luis Rivera Marin.
Before NAFTA announcement Senators go after unfair trade practices
Just days before the new trade agreement was announced, Nelson and Rubio introduced legislation to help Florida fruit and vegetable growers combat unfair trade practices. The bill seeks to address long-standing and increasing complaints from Florida farmers that Mexican growers illegally flood the U.S. market with subsidized produce during the winter season.
Nelson cited the Trump administration’s “lack of action” as the primary reason for the bill.
“Enough is enough,” said. “Too many growers in Florida have been crippled by Mexican trade abuses. If the administration won’t fix this, Congress will.”
Specifically, the bill would allow Florida growers to bring trade cases with the Department of Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission against Mexican growers if they can prove the dumping occurs seasonally rather than year round. The U.S. government does not currently consider seasonal differences in the market when determining whether to impose anti-dumping or countervailing duties on unfairly priced goods.
“We must do all we can to ensure a level playing field for Florida’s fruit and vegetable growers,” Rubio said. “Absent a memorandum of understanding or suspension agreements with the Mexican government covering seasonal and perishable produce imports, I’m proud to support this bill with Senator Nelson to increase opportunities for Florida growers to successfully seek relief from the illegal dumping of Mexican winter produce into domestic markets.”
As sides remain far apart, farm bill expires
One of the many things on the Capitol Hill calendar was extending the 2014 Farm Bill. That legislation expired on Sunday with House and Senate negotiators still trying to reconcile competing bills passed during the summer.
Negotiators have broad differences to work through, especially on the future of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which includes EBT benefits formerly known as food stamps. Negotiations are now being led by leadership among the respective agriculture committees.
“All of us regret where we are,” Senate Agriculture Chairman Pat Roberts, a Kansas Republican, said after a meeting last week with the top negotiators from the two chambers. “I know farmers and ranchers and growers out there say, ‘What on earth are you guys doing?’ Well, if you look at what’s in the bills you see stark differences of opinion.”
Republican Rep. Neal Dunn was among the House members appointed to the team of negotiators working with their counterparts from the Senate. Dunn said in July that “I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to produce legislation that will give our farmers, ranchers, and foresters a sense of certainty.”
Other differences exist with programs to aid military veteran entering farming, trade promotion and small rural businesses, which shut down with the farm bill’s expiration. The four lead negotiators at least agree that the need for an extension will be more pressing in late December when the dairy program expires, to be followed by the expiration in 2019 of programs covering major crops.
Gaetz asks Sessions to facilitate entry of U.S. firms into cannabis research
While Canada signed on to a new trade agreement with the U.S., Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz is wondering if cannabis for research is coming into the U.S. from Canada. In a letter led by Gaetz and California Democrat Eric Swalwell to Attorney General Jeff Sessions and the acting head of the Drug Enforcement Agency, the Congressmen asked why this is happening while applications from American producers are not acted upon.
They pointed out Sessions recently told a Senate committee that “it would be healthy to have some more competition in the supply.”
“We agree,” they wrote. They then pointed to the House passage of the Medical Cannabis Research Act, sponsored by Gaetz, focusing on the provision call for at least three domestic suppliers for research purposes.
Gaetz said increasing suppliers from the U.S. “will improve research and help unlock cures.”
Democratic Rep. Darren Soto of Orlando was among the 14 members signing the letter.
Rutherford celebrates new veterans’ health clinic
After many years of indecision, the Department of Veterans Affairs has decided on a location for a new permanent medical clinic. According to Republican Rep. John Rutherford of Jacksonville, the VA has awarded a contract to build a St. Augustine Community Based Outpatient Clinic.
The clinic will offer primary care, mental health services, and specialty care to more than 9,000 veterans in St. John’s County who currently receive services at the interim clinic. The construction is set to begin in the winter with an estimated completion date of Spring 2020.
“This is welcome news for veterans in St. Johns County,” Rutherford said in a statement. “We must always ensure that our nation’s veterans receive access to timely and quality medical care, so I am pleased that this facility will expand services in Northeast Florida.”
According to St. Johns County Veterans Council chairman Bill Dudley, it’s good for veterans to know they are going to have a place to go for care for years to come.
“We’re happy that we finally have a location for a permanent home for our veterans’ health care services,” Dudley said.
Miller on offense, Murphy gets more endorsements in CD 7
As the election season heads for its final months, Democratic Rep. Stephanie Murphy and state Rep. Mike Miller each made some news. For Murphy, it was more endorsements from business groups while Miller released a new ad that goes after Murphy on taxes.
After announcing an important endorsement from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Murphy revealed two new business-related endorsements. The Florida Association of Veteran Owned Businesses and the National Association of Women Business Owners announced they are backing the first-term Congresswoman from Winter Park.
The business groups’ blessings are uncommon for a Democrat, and Murphy, of Winter Park, has been touting them as indicative of her moderate Democratic platform in a district that is very purple. Murphy won the district in 2016, flipping it. Republicans are trying to flip it back this year, but she is drawing praise from a typical bedrock of the Republican base, the business community.
Miller’s new ad, “The Difference,” is his first of the campaign. It features the candidate touting his vote for a balanced budget in the Florida legislature, which is required, and criticizes Murphy for voting against a balanced-budget amendment in Congress.
To view the ad, click on the image below:
He also challenged Murphy’s description of herself as a moderate by tieing her to progressive House leadership. Miller says “Nearly nine out of ten times, Stephanie Murphy votes with Nancy Pelosi. She votes for San Francisco. I’ll vote for Central Florida. And that’s the difference.”
Murphy’s campaign offered a quick response.
“Mike Miller cannot support a tax plan that adds over one trillion to the national debt and seriously claim to be fiscally responsible,” said campaign spokeswoman Christie Stephenson. “Further, Mike Miller’s balanced budget amendment could put seniors’ hard-earned benefits at risk by forcing massive cuts to Social Security and Medicare.”
Crist introduces Agent Orange Exposure Fairness Act
Democratic Rep. Charlie Crist of St. Petersburg and his Republican Oklahoma colleague Markwayne Mullin introduced the Agent Orange Exposure Fairness Act Monday aimed at expediting the expansion of treatments for veterans exposed to the harmful chemical.
Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio and Republican Sen. Dean Heller of Nevada are co-sponsoring another bipartisan bill in the U.S. Senate.
“When a veteran’s medical condition is determined to be linked to their exposure to Agent Orange, they should not have their benefits tied up in bureaucratic red tape,” Crist said.
Agent Orange is a herbicide that was most infamously used during the Vietnam War as part of the U.S. military’s herbicidal warfare program and has been since associated with serious health implications that, in some cases, have proved deadly for veterans.
Under the U.S. Agent Orange Act of 1991, veterans are entitled to expedited treatment of illnesses linked to exposure. The requirement lapsed in 2015 and Crist and his colleagues in Congress are trying to reimplement the provisions.
CD 15 race tightens between Carlson, Spano
A new poll finds a close race for the House District 15 seat currently held by the retiring Republican Rep. Dennis Ross of Lakeland. The survey conducted by Bold Blue Campaigns, a Democratic polling firm, finds Republican Ross Spano with a three-point margin over Democrat Kristen Carlson.
The survey shows Spano leading Carlson 49-46 percent with five percent undecided. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.5 percent.
“The 5 percent of undecided voters are primarily younger voters, independents and voters of color, meaning that the Democrat Carlson likely still has some room to grow, while Spano will have to rely on motivating the GOP base to turn out to fend off a potential wave result,” the polling memo said.
Millennials support Carlson by 37 points while the 50-64 age group backs Spano by 20 points. The gender gap is alive and well with women supporting Carlson by 18 points while men are behind Spano by 32 points.
Trump carried the district by 10 points in 2016 Ross won re-election by 15 points.
The Cook Political Report and Larry Sabato’s Crystal Ball have the race as “leans Republican.” Nate Silver’s 538 organization give Carlson a “1 in 4 chance of winning.”
Dems choose Freeman replacement
Allen Ellison, a policy expert from Sebring, will replace the recently deceased April Freeman as the Democratic nominee in Florida’s 17th Congressional District.
The duty fell on Ellison following a conference call with Democratic leaders throughout the nine counties in the district. Ellison stood out among six applicants to seek the nomination following the unexpected death of Freeman on Sept. 23.
The party faced a deadline of noon on Tuesday, but then hopefuls Pam Keith and Roy David Walker, who lost different party primary fights in August, filed a lawsuit challenging a prohibition on candidates running for different offices in the same year. A judge ruled against the candidates, leaving party leaders to choose among four remaining applicants. Ultimately, 46 percent of DEC members voting chose Ellison, who won 58 votes.
Ellison, born in Avon Park and a Hardee High School graduate, serves as president and CEO for the Lauderdale Lakes-based Center for Economic and Policy Development.
He’s also editor of the online curated news journal State of The Union Daily, which compiled mostly political stories.
Barzee Flores challenges Diaz-Balart to debate
The Democratic challenger for Congressional District 25, Mary Barzee Flores, is calling for debates with Republican Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart. Her campaign is proposing six debates over the coming month.
At least one debate would be televised in English in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale and Fort Meyers-Naples media markets. Another would be in Spanish for the Miami market.
“Mario would likely agree that this race is a clear contrast in candidates,” said Barzee Flores’ campaign manager Sam Miller. “Voters should be afforded the opportunity to see that contrast outside the strictures of 30-second ads.”
“Congressman Diaz-Balart’s campaign is reviewing the requests and will release the agreed to debates, once the terms and logistics have been finalized,” read a statement from the campaign.
Barzee Flores added that “It’s been far too long since the voters of Florida’s 25th district have had a real choice on their representative in Washington.”
While Diaz-Balart is favored to win re-election, a recent poll from Public Policy Polling showed her trailing by only five points.
“Mario Diaz-Balart owes it to the people of this district to explain his positions and his record — and so do I. Voters deserve to know where their Congressman — or Congresswoman — will stand on health care affordability, gun violence prevention, protecting our land, water and beaches, and a host of other issues large and small.”
A survey from Public Policy Polling showed Barzee Flores within a fairly close margin of Diaz-Balart. However, analysts still show Diaz-Balart as the favorite. Lastly, according to the Federal Election Commission, Diaz-Balart also remains on top in fundraising.
Miller said in a statement, “Mary is willing to do just that on a virtually ‘any time, any place’ basis. Mario owes his constituents a real conversation about his record after two decades in Washington.”
On this day in the headlines
October 2, 1984 — Democratic presidential nominee Walter Mondale belittled President Ronald Reagan’s handling of foreign policy, charging Monday that Reagan was “out of touch” and “unable to lead when the fate of the earth” was at stake. Reagan responded by blasting Mondale’s contention that raising taxes was the only way to control the deficit and inflation.
At a New Jersey rally, Mondale said: “In four years this administration has not achieved a single significant foreign policy success.” The former vice-president accused Reagan of offering a “parade of alibis” for the September 20 bombing of the U.S. embassy annex in Lebanon, the third attack within 17 months.
October 2, 2013 — Washington began bracing for a prolonged government shutdown on Tuesday, with House Republicans continuing to demand that the nation’s new health care law be delayed or repealed and President Barack Obama and Democrats refusing to give in. There were signs on Capitol Hill that Republicans — knowing that blame could fall heaviest on them — are beginning to look for ways to lift some of the pressure.
At the same time, the online marketplaces for the Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare by Republicans, launched for the first time. With millions trying to access the system, several were unable to sign up or speak to representatives due to demand.
