Delegation for 10.24.23: Donalds out — Venezuela agita — split vote — touristy

All about Byron

As House Republicans met behind closed doors this morning, many eyes again turned toward a Florida member. Rep. Byron Donalds started the day as one of eight candidates to lead the House.

Ultimately, the Naples Republican dropped out after coming in third place across four ballots. But his run showed both his rapid rise in influence and the role of Florida in setting the agenda of the House of Representatives. Donalds stood alternately and counterintuitively as both the most unlikely candidate and one of the top contenders in the field.

Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart, who spent most of last week leading opposition to House Freedom Caucus founder Jim Jordan’s attempt at the gavel, gave a nominating speech for Donalds at the conference this morning.

On Monday evening, Donalds went into a candidate forum flanked by Reps. Kat Cammack, a Gainesville Republican, and Cory Mills, a Winter Park Republican. He boomed confidently in front of C-Span cameras as he shared his message with the press and prepared to face the entire caucus.

“My pitch is very simple,” he said. “This is going to be a process where it’s member-driven, not Speaker-driven. We need to get back to work, secure our border, fund our government responsibly, and hold this administration accountable. And last but not least, our members have got to be focused on purpose and mission.”

He acknowledged conversations with former President Donald Trump, as has Majority Whip Tom Emmer, who ultimately secured the nomination.

As for Emmer, questions remain about the Minnesota Republican’s fate on the floor. He did not secure a majority vote in the caucus until the final vote. Meanwhile, many South Florida Cuban American leaders have increasingly sounded alarms about Emmer’s past advocacy for normalizing relations with Cuba. But it remains to be seen if that will translate to opposition from Florida lawmakers on the floor.

Donalds has ascended massively in prominence in Florida, which could be critical in an expected run for Governor. Since announcing his candidacy for Speaker, Donalds’ biography became the source of conversation in Washington and online. Elected to Congress only in 2020, he cast his first vote by objecting to certifying President Joe Biden’s presidential election.

On the House Oversight Committee, he tossed repeated accusations of impropriety in business dealings by Biden and his family. In that role, he attracted mockery last month from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a New York Democrat, for submitting what she called “falsified evidence” at an impeachment hearing. Donalds presented an electronic communication between Jim and Hunter Biden, Joe Biden’s brother and son, respectively, about a business deal. Ocasio-Cortez criticized the move because Donalds submitted messages doctored to look like a cellphone text message when no such screen shot existed. For the record, the text in question came from a legitimate conversation transcript. The House Oversight Committee this week released evidence that $200,000 was wired from Jim Biden to Joe Biden in 2018 before he was President.

After attracting votes for Speaker in a protracted battle in January, the sophomore Congressman played a crucial role in negotiating a rules package and ultimately securing the gavel for former Speaker Kevin McCarthy. He reportedly took criticism in a candidate forum for asking for a Capitol office, which he did not procure. But Donalds did secure a spot on the GOP Conference Committee, giving him a say on who fills every committee chairmanship in the House.

As the only member of the Freedom Caucus, Donalds won support from key conservative voices in the conference, including Reps. Chip Roy of Texas and Scott Perry of Pennsylvania. He also had Florida lawmakers rallying behind him ahead of the vote.

Shortly before the conference meeting, Rep. John Rutherford, a Jacksonville Republican, threw his backing behind Donalds. That means he boasted the support of all four Republicans in the delegation who voted against Jordan on the House floor. Rep. Vern Buchanan, a Longboat Key Republican, voted for Donalds on the floor at the time, and Reps. Carlos Giménez and Díaz-Balart, both Miami-Dade Republicans, endorsed Donalds over the last few days.

On top of that, Reps. Scott Franklin, Michael Waltz, Cammack and Mills all back Donalds for the job.

International electioneering

Call it an oversight or appeasement; a change in the relationship between the U.S. and Venezuela has Florida agitated.

While foreign policy in Latin America proves typically a unifying force within the delegation, President Joe Biden’s conversations with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro have sharply divided voices on both sides. The State Department last week announced an “electoral road map” that called for Venezuela to allow all opposition candidates challenging Maduro’s re-election to run and called for the South American government to release any political prisoners or U.S. nationals currently being retained. In exchange, the U.S. temporarily lifted sanctions on oil and gold.

Sen. Marco Rubio, a Miami Republican, scoffed at the concessions and said he opposes any communication with what he characterized as a “narco-regime.”

“The Biden administration is complicit in prolonging the Venezuelan people’s agony under the illegitimate grip of dictator Nicolás Maduro. President Biden continues to undermine the upcoming primary elections in Venezuela by caving to the regime’s demands,” Rubio said in a statement.

“We’ve seen the release of Maduro’s convict nephews and the lifting of targeted sanctions to now granting petroleum, gas and gold licenses. No one should be surprised when this administration ends up releasing Maduro’s financier and money launderer, Alex Saab, either.”

Saab was sentenced in May to a dozen years in U.S. prison for training with Hezbollah, among other charges. He previously served as a special envoy for Maduro’s government.

Democrats in Florida have typically cheered sanctions, including when former President Donald Trump announced in 2019 that the U.S. would recognize opposition leader Juan Guiadó as the leader of Venezuela instead of Maduro. But Guiadó’s power waned, and the U.S. gradually started interfacing again with Maduro in the years since.

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Co-Chair of the Congressional Venezuela Democracy Caucus, said the Biden administration is taking proactive steps. “Sanctions are a means to an end, not an end in themselves. Most of the penalties are staying in place until the regime follows through,” the Weston Democrat said. “This is a ‘prove it’ deal: one last shot for Maduro to deliver the reforms his people deserve.”

At least so far, supporters of the deal see hope with a Primary Election held this weekend. Voter participation included allowing some 48,000 Venezuelan nationals in Florida to cast ballots in the race, where former lawmaker Maria Corina Machado claimed victory on Sunday. Wasserman Schultz said that marked progress.

“Today is a day of hope for Venezuelans, and all Americans heartbroken by Venezuela’s lost decade under Maduro,” Wasserman Schultz posted on X. “I’m thrilled to see so many people out here today to participate in the process of choosing a candidate who will unify Venezuela’s democratic opposition.”

Rep. Darren Soto, a Kissimmee Democrat, also saw hope in the process. “We appreciate President Biden’s support for Venezuela’s democratic opposition’s efforts for a competitive, internationally monitored election next year,” he posted. “We will proceed cautiously and quickly snap back sanctions should goals for free elections not be met.”

But Rep. Carlos Giménez continued to voice skepticism. The Miami-Dade Republican slammed the Biden administration for effectively halting the ease of any diplomatic tools to force Maduro to comply with international expectations. And he said the timing could not be worse as Maduro supports U.S. enemies abroad.

“Socialist Venezuela is allied with the regime in Iran, which is funding Hamas’ terrorist war against Israel,” he posted. “Biden’s policy is truly pathetic.”

Hard stance

Should conservatives still fight against same-sex marriage in 2023? A recent op-ed from Rubio suggests as much.

Writing for Washington Stand, Florida’s senior Senator railed against the Biden administration’s “plan to enforce wokeness in the workplace.” That included fighting for the right to allow “publicly expressing a biblical view of marriage.”

He suggested that new guidance from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission would effectively outlaw expression of views that don’t “conform to left-wing orthodoxy.”

“’Misgendering’ a co-worker? Illegal. Denying a man who says he is a woman access to the women’s restroom? Illegal,” Rubio wrote. “Publicly expressing a biblical view of marriage? Illegal. Disputing an employer’s decision to offer paid leave for abortions? Illegal. This guidance is far from liberal, at least in the original sense of the word. It certainly is not tolerant. Rather, it is an affront to common sense and an all-out assault on Americans who hold deep religious convictions about marriage, family, sex, and the human person.”

He considered forcing those views on individuals as a violation of the Civil Rights Act.

“Sadly, the Left has long since parted ways with the likes of those historic reformers. It is now up to conservatives, whose adherents still stand for reason and authentic tolerance, rather than fanaticism and bigotry — to guard their legacy,” he wrote.

Separate votes?

Support for Israel following terrorist attacks by Hamas has been largely bipartisan. But funding for Ukraine in an ongoing conflict with Russia has not. Sen. Rick Scott wants those foreign aid topics decoupled before Congress considers appropriation.

The Naples Republican joined a letter from Sen. Roger Marshall, a Kansas Republican, to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell asking that one nation’s needs not be leveraged against another.

“It is critical we give prompt consideration to any request for financial aid or other material support requested by Israel. Based on the breadth of responses from members of Congress, there is a shared urgency to consider such a request,” the letter reads.

“That being said, we know there will no doubt be efforts to attach any funding to Israel to more aid to Ukraine, in excess of the already $113 billion Congress has provided to Ukraine. These are two separate conflicts, and it would be wrong to leverage support of aid to Israel in an attempt to get additional aid for Ukraine across the finish line. Furthermore, it would be irresponsible, and we should not risk a government shutdown by bundling these priorities together and thus complicating the process and lessening the likelihood of a funding package.”

Scott was among nine Senators, all Republicans, to sign the letter.

Tourism town

Tourism is one of Florida’s top industries, something Rep. Neal Dunn intends to highlight on his “Heart of the House” tour this week. The Panama City Republican will hold an event at the Comfort Inn & Suites Panama City Mall on Monday, Oct. 30, at 11 a.m.

Hotel owners Dave and Mike Shah will participate in the event, as will Panama City Commissioner Josh Street. Dunn said he’s also invited a representation of the American Hotel & Lodge Association to the event. Speakers at the event will discuss what it takes to run a hotel in the region, and Dunn will tour the facility.

No way home

It’s been two weeks since commercial flights to and from Israel stopped amid the military conflict. A few Republican delegation members are condemning the Biden administration for failing to fly Americans out of the region.

Reps. Donalds and Mills introduced a resolution with Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, a New York Republican, condemning the administration.

“While the Biden Administration is quick to use taxpayer dollars to provide free housing to illegal immigrants entering the United States, they show time and time again they do not care about the well-being of American citizens stranded abroad during times of violent conflict he helped create through bad foreign policy,” said Mills, who has led private flights to bring dozens of Americans home.

“Since Joe Biden refused to do the job he was elected to do, I traveled to Israel and did it for him. As an elected official, I knew I could not sit idly by and watch the Biden Administration leave Americans behind like he did during the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal, where I had to step up the first time to rescue Americans. I’m honored to have been able to help evacuate over 100 Americans so far who were stranded in Israel during the ongoing war.”

Donalds praised Mills’ efforts and slammed the administration.

“Israel is one of our greatest allies and a pillar of stability and Democracy in a region notorious for chaos and servitude,” Donalds said. “Hamas’ abhorrent attack on the State of Israel and the Jewish people shook the world and deserves the complete and relentless condemnation of everyone who stands for freedom, humanity and religious liberty. My colleague Mr. Mills illustrated admirable leadership in his efforts to bring Americans home, and I am proud to support this effort to stand alongside our Israeli brothers and sisters. We must all Stand with Israel and denounce Hamas.”

Buoys in Texas

After the Biden administration sued Texas for putting buoys in the Rio Grande, Rep. Daniel Webster voiced strong concerns. The Clermont Republican, Chair of the House Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee, signed a letter with other Republicans on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to the Army Corps of Engineers about the action.

“The Biden administration’s refusal to secure our Southern border has led to over 2.2 million encounters as of August 2023, following nearly 2.4 million in Fiscal Year (FY) 2022, a staggering number. Last year, the United Nations labeled the United States-Mexico border as the deadliest land crossing in the world,” the letter reads.

It goes on to praise the Texas buoy wall.

“Due to these failures, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has taken several steps to protect the State’s border with Mexico. One initiative in Texas’ efforts has been the installation of a chain of marine buoys in the Rio Grande near Eagle Pass, Texas, which began on July 7, 2023. … The buoys are designed to be as humane as possible while deterring people from attempting to cross through or under them into the United States.”

The letter calls it “inappropriate” for the administration to “hijack this authority to bar a state from executing stronger and more robust border security policies which the administration opposes.”

Standing watch

Rep. Gus Bilirakis will host a Florida nonprofit to provide suicide intervention training to stop veterans’ deaths. The training, by The Fire Watch, will take place Oct. 27 at the Brooksville City Council Chambers starting at noon.

“While some progress has been made, veteran suicide statistics remain staggering and unacceptable,” said Bilirakis, a Palm Harbor Republican. “The approach we’ve historically taken is woefully insufficient. We simply must do better, and that starts by engaging the community in the fight against Veteran Suicide. Each of us can play a part in helping to prevent these tragedies from occurring. Participating in this evidence-based training is one step we can all take to become a part of the solution. We’ve seen that the program works, and I’m proud to bring it to stakeholders in my district.”

Florida has the third-highest concentration of veterans of any state. The Fire Watch trains individuals, referred to as Watch Standers, to identify signs of mental health struggles and to provide appropriate connections to services.

“It’s critically important that we empower the community with the resources they need to approach Veterans who may be in crisis,” said Brianne Brown, Air Force Veteran and Central Florida Regional Programs Director for The Fire Watch. “We’re grateful for Congressman Bilirakis’s passion for serving Veterans by training community stakeholders to recognize suicidal warning signs and volunteering to be a lifeline to those who have served.”

Tabs on Haiti

With the largest concentration of Haitian Americans in the U.S. living in South Florida, Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick last week felt the need to inform residents on the state of international intervention on the island. She invited Barbara Feinstein, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Caribbean Affairs and Haiti, to discuss a United Nations resolution with Haitian leaders in Fort Lauderdale at a roundtable.

“This roundtable served as an opportunity for the Haitian Diaspora to discuss a path forward for Haiti and define the multinational security mission’s rules of engagement and safeguards,” said Cherfilus-McCormick, a Miramar Democrat. “I am grateful that Deputy Assistant Secretary Barbara Feinstein was able to join this important and much-needed dialogue, and I applaud the Biden-(Kamala) Harris Administration for their firm commitment to respecting Haitians’ self-determination.”

The U.N. resolution authorizes a multinational force to provide police security on the island, which had remained largely under the control of gangs since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in mid-2021. Prime Minister Ariel Henry has served as the nation’s Acting President amid continuous political turmoil since that point.

“The distinctive backgrounds, expertise, and cultural competency of the Diaspora are essential to engagement and will ensure that we do not make the same mistakes of the past during this defining moment in Haiti’s future,” Cherfilus-McCormick said. “As Deputy Assistant Secretary Feinstein highlighted during the roundtable, I share the view that this mission is an important first step for Haiti but will be insufficient without political consensus on the ground.”

The administration official said feedback from Haitian Americans was critical.

“The Haitian Diaspora is a vital partner in supporting Haiti on a path toward improved security, prosperity, and a return to democratic order,” Feinstein said. “I applaud Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick’s vision in convening Haitian American leaders to discuss the multidimensional crisis in Haiti. Their valuable and frank insights, expertise and know-how will continue to inform our approach at this critical time.”

No Hamas financing

Pressure has mounted to hold Iran accountable for bankrolling the attacks in Israel. Rep. Brian Mast said the House needs to pass his bipartisan bill punishing any financial supporter of Hamas.

“We’ve been bombarded by images of the absolute worst of humanity for the last two weeks, but support for Hamas still looms large,” the Stuart Republican said. “There should be no ambiguity here: Hamas is responsible for absolutely every innocent life lost in this war. Full stop. And any supporter of Hamas is complicit. Now it’s time for the United States to match our words with action by sanctioning anyone who’s enabled radical Islamic terrorists that chant destruction of Israel.”

He filed the Hamas International Financing Prevention Act with Rep. Josh Gottheimer, a New Jersey Democrat. The bill would impose sanctions on any country that provided monetary assistance to Hamas or the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, both groups designated by the U.S. as foreign terrorist organizations.

A version of the bill was included in the House version of the National Defense Authorization Act but not in the final bill negotiated with the Senate.

Gottheimer said it’s time to pass the bill independently.

“This unprovoked war has wreaked havoc upon thousands of lives and underscored why I will always stand with Israel and support our partner’s right to defend herself from those who seek her destruction,” he said.

On this day

Oct. 24, 1947 — “Walt Disney testifies before House Un-American Activities Committee” via The Archive — Disney began his testimony, naming many former employees he believed were communists. Most were simply trying to unionize. The men Disney discussed were cleared of formal communist charges, but many were unofficially blacklisted from the industry. A group of 10 men, called the Hollywood Ten, were not cleared and were called to HUAC to either give names or declare their Communist Party membership. They refused. Each of the Ten was at one point a member of the Communist Party. Nevertheless, HUAC’s actions are now viewed as an ignoble chapter in American history, fueled by the redbaiting scare tactics and misinformation campaigns made famous by Sen. Joseph McCarthy.

Oct. 24, 1945 — “United Nations is born” via History.com — The U.N. was born of perceived necessity as a means of better arbitrating international conflict and negotiating peace than was provided for by the old League of Nations. The growing Second World War became the real impetus for the U.S., Britain and the Soviet Union to begin formulating the original U.N. Declaration, signed by 26 nations in 1942, as a formal act of opposition to Germany, Italy and Japan, the Axis Powers. The principles of the U.N. Charter were first formulated at the San Francisco Conference, which convened in April 1945.

___

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