Delegation for 8.8.23: Parkland — pricey storms — freeze up — marine life — passports

US Capital in Washington,DC.

Revisiting Parkland

The 1200 building at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School has been unused since the deadly shooting in 2018. But it opened last week so several Florida House delegation members could tour the site before the Broward County School District demolishes it.

Parkland father Max Schachter, whose son Alex was among the 17 killed in the 2018 killing, conceived of hosting the tour and worked with Reps. Mario Díaz-Balart and Jared Moskowitz to make it happen.

“Bringing members of Congress through the building so they understand the failures before and during the shooting will hopefully ensure safer schools tomorrow,” Schachter said.

Members of Congress flew in from around the country to tour the site with parents, but most members represent parts of Florida. Those included Democratic Reps. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Moskowitz and Frederica Wilson and Republican Reps. Díaz-Balart, Carlos Giménez and John Rutherford.

Díaz-Balart has worked with Schachter for five years on policy initiatives after the shooting. While gun control remains a divisive political issue, the Hialeah Republican voiced some confidence issues around school safety can find bipartisan support.

“As a Member of Congress, school safety remains a top legislative priority, and I am unwavering in my commitment to creating safer classrooms for our students, teachers and administrators,” Díaz-Balart said.

“I have focused on several key areas, including implementing safety hardening measures and providing law enforcement response training. Furthermore, I also introduced legislation to have School Resource Officers in every school nationwide and collaborated in a bipartisan and bicameral manner to develop a comprehensive school safety training program with the U.S. Secret Service. It is imperative to empower school personnel and local law enforcement with advanced technology, fortified security measures, comprehensive safety assessments and essential training. By taking these proactive steps, we can create safer learning environments for our children and communities.”

Schachter noted online that Republicans and Democrats in Congress have moved bills in the wake of Parkland and other mass shootings across the state. He thanked Rep. John Rutherford, a Jacksonville Republican, for carrying the STOP School Violence Act in 2018, creating grant programs for school metal detectors and other security measures.

Cherfilus-McCormick posted that visiting the site only reinforced that work is still ongoing regarding protecting students.

“I visited Marjory Stoneman Douglas, where 17 beautiful lives were taken in 2018. What I saw will stay with me for the rest of my life,” she posted. “We have a solemn responsibility to keep our kids safe and ensure that no family has to suffer such painful loss.”

Moskowitz, a Parkland Democrat, hopes bringing colleagues to the site will lead to successful policy work across the aisle. He served in the Florida Legislature during the Parkland shooting and, while there, successfully shepherded a school safety and gun control bill to passage, despite being in a Republican-controlled Legislature that had not passed gun restrictions in decades.

At a field hearing after the tour, he described his connection to the tragedy — his son attended a nearby preschool where the shooting took place and was under lockdown with a teacher whose own child died at the high school. He also recalled that it was after visiting the site with Republican leaders in the Florida House five years ago that colleagues committed to making policy changes.

“You guys coming here today just to see it, to experience it — you can read about it all day long, you can debate it all day long, but it’s not the same as going and walking through the school,” Moskowitz said.

Depleted funds

Hurricane Ian could go down as the most expensive storm in history. But Sens. Marco Rubio and Rick Scott worry the nation isn’t prepared for when the next hurricane makes landfall.

Florida’s Senate delegation sent a letter to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell expressing alarm at the depletion of the Disaster Relief Fund (DRF). The letter cites testimony Criswell gave to the Security Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology in July. At the time, she voiced concern the DRF could be depleted by the end of August, a month before the close of the fiscal year.

“FEMA’s latest monthly DRF report, issued July 10, 2023, also projected a $133 million deficit in August, growing to $8.6 billion by late September,” reads the letter from Scott and Rubio.

“However, last week, FEMA stated the DRF levels ‘are more than adequate to execute immediate response and recovery efforts to any incidents which may occur. At this time, we have no expectations of impacts to any programs.’ These are two conflicting statements that require clarification.”

The Republican Senators in June introduced the Disaster Relief Fund Replenishment Act (S 2029), which would provide $11.5 billion in funding. The legislation boasts bipartisan support but was not passed before Congress entered the August recess.

The Senators voiced confoundment why the Joe Biden administration hasn’t voiced urgency on the matter. President Biden’s administration has yet to formally request a supplemental appropriation for the fund. That’s especially troubling in Florida, almost three months into the 2023 Hurricane Season.

“The Biden Administration has been completely silent on the need to act. A deficit to the DRF cannot be ignored, and we demand action before a crisis emerges and the American people suffer from the administration’s poor planning,” the letter reads. “Or, as we’ve seen previously, the administration uses a natural disaster and the communities in need as leverage in their political games.”

Storm relief

Meanwhile, Scott spearheaded another disaster-related effort to provide tax relief to homeowners hit by the storms impacting Florida last year. In March, he and Rubio filed the Hurricane Tax Relief Act (S 764), which would reduce the tax burden for losses suffered from Hurricanes Ian and Nicole, both storms that struck Florida in late 2022, or from Hurricane Fiona, which delivered massive damage to Puerto Rico weeks before Ian.

Scott sent a letter to Biden seeking administration support for the bill.

“This week marks four months of silence since this Congressional delegation wrote to you urging your direct support for millions of Floridians suffering after one of the worst natural disasters in history,” Scott wrote.

“More than 10 months ago, Hurricane Ian made landfall in Southwest Florida, devastating so many communities, families and businesses throughout the state. With assistance from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Small Business Administration (SBA) and countless organizations, in concert with state and local officials, Floridians have worked incredibly hard to recover over the past year, but there’s so much more work to do.”

The letter was co-signed by Rubio, along with GOP Reps. Byron Donalds of Naples, Anna Paulina Luna of St. Petersburg, Scott Franklin of Lakeland and Bill Posey of Rockledge, along with Puerto Rico Resident Commissioner Jenniffer González-Colón. The same members signed a similar letter in April.

“Your silence on this critical issue speaks volumes to Floridians and their families,” the letter states. “Past Congresses and administrations have supported such relief for Hurricanes Katrina, Sandy, Irma and Wilma, among others, in a bipartisan manner with overwhelming support, and now must do the same for those impacted by Hurricanes Ian, Nicole and Fiona. This can and should be done as soon as possible and without controversy, as it has been done many times before.”

Freeze burn

Through the years, Republican presidential candidates frequently called for eliminating the Department of Education.

Rep. Aaron Bean said Congress could at least stop it from growing larger. The Fernandina Beach Republican filed legislation last week that would freeze all hiring at the federal agency.

“Parents should have the loudest voice in their kids’ educational development, not unelected government bureaucrats,” Bean said. “It’s past time to get the feds out of the classroom and stop the ever-increasing bureaucracy at the Department of Education. Imposing a hiring freeze at the department is just the first step to decrease the role of the federal government and return education policy to where it belongs — the state and local level.”

The Fostering Resource Efficiency in Education by Zero Employment (FREEZE) Act would permanently rescind any money not already obligated in the Department’s budget. It would not allow the staffing to grow beyond whatever existed the day the bill was theoretically signed, an unlikely proposition in this Congress with a Democratic Senate and President waiting.

Bean, a first-term lawmaker, serves as Chair of the House Early Childhood, Secondary, and Elementary Subcommittee, and he introduced the bill with Mary Miller, an Illinois Republican and Vice Chair of the House Education and Workforce Committee.

Marine life

A Florida Democrat evoked the memory of an Alaska Republican in his efforts to pass a bill facilitating more marine conservation.

Rep. Darren Soto, a Kissimmee Democrat, filed the Don Young Veterans Advancing Conservation Act (HR 4949). The bill is named for Don Young, the longest-serving Republican in House history, who died in office last year after representing Alaska in the House for about 50 years. The number on the bill also honors Alaska, the 49th state of the union.

As for substance, the bill would establish a grant program to facilitate the training and employment of veterans in marine conservation after they finish their service. The Department of Commerce would manage the program, directing funds through nonprofit partners.

“So many veterans in our community are looking to continue their service beyond the military. Our bill encourages the Department of Commerce to create opportunities for veterans to reinvest their training and potential through conservation efforts,” Soto said.

“I’m proud to be leading this effort in the House in honor of the late Don Young. Congressman Young was a champion for veterans in Alaska and the nation. He was also a dear friend that I had the privilege of serving with for nearly three terms on the Natural Resources Committee, and I was his co-lead sponsor on the legislation previously. It is now up to us to continue his efforts to help veterans when they come home.”

Safer kids

Rep. Gus Bilirakis wants more informed reasoning to modernize some of Congress’ most significant efforts.

The Palm Harbor Republican filed the Strengthening America’s Families Act (SAFA) with Rep. Rosa DeLauro, a Connecticut Democrat. The bill seeks to employ new research to transform child welfare and foster care, partly by taking programs tried in Florida to intervene early in cases of abuse against young children.

“Now that we understand the scientific data regarding the tragic long-term consequences which can result if appropriate intervention is not provided, we have an obligation to create a system of care that will enable children who have already suffered abuse to access trauma-informed care,” Bilirakis said.

The bill would increase the use of Infant Toddler Court Teams, which have proven effective in areas including Tampa Bay.

“ITCTs have a proven track record of success, and I want to ensure all abused children have the benefit of accessing this highly effective resource,” Bilirakis said.

Florida voices cited support of the legislation, including Lynn Tepper, a former Judge in Florida’s 6th Judicial Circuit.

“When I began as a Florida Circuit Judge more than 30 years ago, I didn’t know the impact Judges and Court Teams could have on the trajectory of babies and their families if only we recognized that trauma, child development, and outcomes are inextricably linked,” Tepper said. “Healing intergenerational trauma can stop the cycle. Thankfully, I have had the opportunity to see babies, toddlers and families heal and thrive.”

Studies show abuse and neglect of babies is double, or even quadruple, the rate of all other age groups. That shows a greater need to intervene in families for the sake of the youngest children.

“The science is clear: child abuse creates lasting trauma and has detrimental impacts on development. Who children become as adults, their ability to succeed depends largely upon their environment as an infant and child,” DeLauro said. “SAFA provides the tools to transform a system that is failing too many infants, toddlers, and children. The federal government has an obligation to use data to inform public policy, and in this case, enhance the support system of our most vulnerable.”

Climate transparency

As the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) considers climate disclosure rules, Rep. Kathy Castor spearheaded a charge by House Democrats in favor of the change. The Tampa Democrat co-led a letter to SEC Chair Gary Gensler, signed by 80 Representatives, which supports standardized and reliable information from all public companies.

“As climate-related risks continue to grow, investors urgently need access to decision-useful information regarding risks and opportunities that will likely have a material impact on registrants’ business, operations, or financial condition,” the letter reads. “We commend you for initiating this process and we urge you to quickly finalize a strong and durable rule.”

Castor shares top billing on the letter with Reps. Sean Casten of Illinois and Juan Vargas of California. Reps. Soto and Wilson also signed the message.

Castor chaired the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis when Democrats held the House in the last two congresses. Still, the committee was disbanded under Republican Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

In June last year, Castor and Casten penned a comment letter signed by 130 House Democrats that supported consideration of a rule ultimately published in March this year. If the SEC implements the rule, it will require companies for the first time to report greenhouse gas emissions and details on any impacts on the climate. Similar rules already govern public companies in many European nations.

“U.S. capital markets are the envy of the world, and the SEC should lead, not follow, in implementing a strong climate-related disclosure rule. Investors need clear, comparable, and standardized disclosures to judge registrants’ climate risks. Further, beyond providing comparability for investors, finalizing a strong ruling will allow the SEC to align its requirements with those of other financial regulators around the world, reducing costs to issuers and providing more useful information to all market participants,” the letter states.

“We are not naive to the environment that has unfortunately injected politics into requirements that should not be controversial and will better enable investors to analyze investment risk and return, allocate capital efficiently, and prioritize investment stewardship and engagement. However, this should not be a reason for continued delay.”

Reporting exploitation

The internet provides child predators with new and easy ways to find victims. Rep. Laurel Lee wants to push websites and social platforms to immediately report on the sexual exploitation of children to help investigators nationwide.

The Thonotosassa Republican introduced legislation to reform the CyberTipline, a national centralized reporting system. Changes proposed in the Revising Existing Procedures on Reporting via Technology (REPORT) Act include adding child sex trafficking and enticement to the list of crimes web platforms are required to report and increasing fines as high as $850,000 for those who fail to do so. Lee’s bill would also increase the time evidence submitted to the CyberTipline must be preserved by websites and social media platforms to give law enforcement time to investigate and prosecute.

“Today, more and more children are using technology which has unfortunately made them vulnerable to exploitation by online predators,” Lee said. “The REPORT Act will help fight against the exploitation of children online by strengthening existing reporting procedures and requiring companies to disclose crimes involving child sexual abuse to (the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children,” Lee said. “I am proud to champion this bipartisan legislation that will help law enforcement quickly identify and prosecute perpetrators to protect our children from threats online.”

Lee filed the bill with Democratic Reps. Susie Lee of Nevada, Madeleine Dean of Pennsylvania, and GOP Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Iowa.

Florida law enforcement officials cheered the bill. Gainesville Detective Sgt. Chris King, North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Commander, said the bill would modernize CyberTipline by setting up a digital submission process.

“Unfortunately, it’s been years since the initial discussion, and we are still left with the mail-in option. Most investigators don’t trust this option and they also view the process as time-consuming in an already overtasked and overburdened field of work,” King said. “As a result, we know that our submission numbers aren’t where they should be, and we are missing out on the opportunity to help investigators everywhere.”

Passport maintenance

While members of Congress deal with a deluge of complaints about delayed passport applications, Rep. Greg Steube wants to make sure no one who already has the travel credential lets it expire.

The Sarasota Republican introduced the Passport Notification Act (HR 5129), requiring the State Department to notify passport holders six months before the documentation expires.

“Many Americans have found themselves missing important trips and being unable to travel abroad due to expiring passports,” Steube said. “By requiring a six-month notice ahead of a passport’s expiration, my legislation will ensure a smoother renewal process for Americans amid the extreme passport backlog. This will prevent a prolonged backlog in the future.”

Secretary of State Antony Blinken testified to Congress earlier this year that his agency has seen a remarkable uptick in applications and now must process 500,000 new requests a week.

Visa charge

Meanwhile, Rep. María Elvira Salazar also wants attention paid to the yearslong wait for many legal immigrants to secure visas. She filed the Visitor Visa Wait Time Reduction Act, which would require the State Department to take immediate steps to expedite appointments, which can take two and a half years even just for a tourist visa.

“Many of my constituents have families who live across the Americas who have to wait egregiously long amounts of time to see their loved ones in the U.S.,” the Coral Gables Republican said. “The bureaucratic breakdown of consular services at the State Department needs to be fixed immediately. No more excuses — get to work to bring these wait times down!”

The legislation calls for measures to go into place at diplomatic posts where visitor visa appointments must be booked more than 100 days in advance. If passed, the State Department would be required to reassign staff temporarily to any offices where wait times for nonimmigrant visa appointments exceed 300 days.

Salazar introduced the bipartisan bill with Susie Lee. She also has bipartisan sponsors within the state delegation, including Democratic Reps. Cherfilus-McCormick and Debbie Wasserman Schultz, as well as Republican Rep. Daniel Webster.

On this day

Aug. 8, 1968 — “Richard Nixon nominated for President” via The New York Times — Nixon, the “old pro” of American politics, was nominated on the first ballot at the Republican National Convention in Miami Beach. Nixon, only the eighth man to be renominated by the Republicans after having lost one Presidential Election, triumphed over a determined “stop Nixon” drive waged from the left by Gov. Nelson Rockefeller of New York and from the right by Gov. Ronald Reagan of California. The 55-year-old former Vice President, also the party’s nominee in 1960, proved to have the 667 votes needed for nomination “buttoned up.”

Aug. 8, 2022 — “FBI conducted search of Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate” via The Associated Press — The FBI searched Trump’s estate to investigate whether he took classified records from the White House to his Florida residence. Trump disclosed the action in a lengthy statement, asserting that agents had broken into his safe in a search he decried as evidence of “dark times for our nation.” Florida Politics first reported the raid Monday evening on Twitter. The search, which the FBI and Justice Department did not immediately confirm, marks a dramatic escalation in law enforcement scrutiny of Trump.

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Delegation is published by Peter Schorsch, compiled by Jacob Ogles, edited and assembled by Phil Ammann and Ryan Nicol.