Delegation for 4.4.25: Sworn-in — proxy voting — OJ — caregivers — NASA

Image via AP.

Full House

Florida’s U.S. House delegation again stands at 28 members, a full roster for the first time this year, following the swearing in of Reps. Randy Fine and Jimmy Patronis.

On Tuesday evening, Fine, a Palm Bay Republican, won election in Florida’s 6th Congressional District. Patronis secured a seat representing Florida’s 1st Congressional District.

On Wednesday evening, Speaker Mike Johnson swore both members into office. Sunshine State lawmakers, including Sens. Ashley Moody and Rick Scott and Reps. Gus Bilirakis, Mario Díaz-Balart, Byron Donalds and Mike Haridopolos stood alongside their fellow Republican caucus members for the short ceremony.

Díaz-Balart, as dean of Florida’s congressional delegation, asked that Johnson swear members in even though Congress still awaits certified election results. He noted that neither new Congressman’s victory faced legal challenge — both won by about 14 percentage points. But for comparison, Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, a Miramar Democrat and the last delegation member elected in a Special Election, had to wait a week to join Congress after her first election in 2022.

The expedited ceremony may speak to the narrow majority Republicans currently hold.

With Fine and Patronis on board, the entire GOP caucus grew to 220 members, compared to 213 Democrats. That’s the largest majority Johnson has enjoyed this year, and it’s only this size because of the death of two Democratic House members last month.

Regardless, both new members were quick to staff up and set up shop in Washington, with Fine in the Cannon Office Building and Patronis setting up in Rayburn.

Neither new member wasted time before giving their first speeches on the House floor, where both promised to advance President Donald Trump’s agenda. One advantage of arriving in Washington after a Special Election was that both could head to microphones immediately after taking office.

“I’m ready to help get our fiscal house in order,” Patronis said. “As the state’s former Chief Financial Officer, I oversaw the state’s budget for nearly a decade and know what it takes to make sure we’re growing our economy while stabilizing the budget. I’ve always believed the people of America spend their hard-earned cash better than Washington.”

Fine noted that his family was in attendance, though he openly wished his late mother could have seen the events of the day unfold.

“She was my biggest champion,” he recalled. “She was the one who taught me how to fight, and if you don’t know me and if you haven’t followed me, fighter will be the word that you know soon enough.”

To watch Randy Fine’s first House floor speech, please click the image below:

Proxy war

Legislation rarely passes through the discharge petition process, but it looked for a moment as if two delegation members could accomplish the feat in less than a year.

However, that seemed derailed when Johnson effectively shut down the House business to stop a vote on Rep. Anna Paulina Luna’s legislation allowing proxy voting for new mothers.

Luna, a St. Petersburg Republican, cooperated with Democratic Rep. Brittany Pettersen of Colorado on a discharge petition. On March 11, she reached the requisite 218th signature, meaning the bill goes to the floor.

But Johnson has called proxy voting unconstitutional. To try to block the petition’s progress, he took the unprecedented step of attaching it to a package of other Republican priority bills.

“I don’t concede on something that I believe to be unconstitutional. I can’t. I took an oath to uphold the Constitution,” Johnson told ABC News.

But nine Republicans joined all Democrats in voting the entire package down. That prompted Johnson to call off floor business for the rest of the week, a move Luna publicly criticized.

“Most of the Republican body most vocal about unconstitutionality all voted by proxy. Irony,” Luna said. “I have not. Either way, this is really about discharge petitions. For example, Congress has introduced legislation for MANY cycles on term limits and it never comes to the floor. I hope if I do a discharge petition on term limits and it gets 218 signatures, they don’t change the rules and send everyone home.”

Rep. Greg Steube, a Sarasota Republican, was among those GOP members who sided with Luna, though he said it was more about the procedural abuse. He notably did not sign Luna’s discharge petition.

“I know firsthand why this process matters,” Steube said. “I led the first successful discharge petition in over a decade — one that delivered critical tax relief for hurricane victims in my district and disaster victims nationwide. Without that petition, that relief would still not be law today.”

At the same time, some lawmakers who would benefit from Luna’s bill voted with the Speaker. Rep. Kat Cammack, a Gainesville Republican expecting her first child, saw more at stake than remote voting. She noted that an election reform bill forbidding states from allowing noncitizens to vote was in Johnson’s package.

“It’s a misconception that today’s vote was about proxy voting for new moms. The rule to consider the SAVE Act, which is required to consider legislation on the floor, was unnecessarily attached to Rep. Luna’s proxy voting discharge petition,” Cammack said. “For years, I’ve heard from thousands of my constituents that the integrity of our elections is a critical issue for them and thus, I voted to advance the debate on ensuring the safety and integrity of said elections.”

But Luna picked up an essential supporter for her policy: Trump.

“If you’re having a baby, I think you should be able to call in and vote. I’m in favor of that,” Trump told reporters.

Luna said that since it happened, Johnson has appeared open to compromise.

“Speaker Johnson has called me after (the President’s) statement and we discussed limiting the vote to just new moms who cannot physically travel in event of emergency, etc.,” Luna posted. “This is smart. Remember: only 13 in U.S. history. Also, this should not have anything to do with the legislation being passed for the President. I’ve told him this.”

Orange juice squeeze

Scott and Moody launched a new effort in the Senate to ease regulations on Florida’s orange juice producers.

The Defending Domestic Orange Juice Production Act would adjust the Brix Standard for juice to lower the sugar level in pasteurized orange juice from 10.5% to 10%. It’s a companion bill to bipartisan legislation championed by Reps. Scott Franklin, a Lakeland Republican, and Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a Weston Democrat, in the House.

“Floridians and orange juice aficionados alike love the fresh-squeezed Florida orange juice that our state is known for, and our citrus growers work hard to produce,” said Scott, a Naples Republican.

“Our bill, the Defending Domestic Orange Juice Production Act, will support domestic growers who have faced severe hardship over the past years and ensure federal regulations aren’t working against their success, while preserving the quality of our orange juice for American families to enjoy.”

Moody said the legislation would ensure that one of Florida’s most prominent exports continues to flow.

“The Sunshine State is world famous for our fresh-from-Florida orange juice and many folks in our state depend on this industry being protected for their livelihoods,” the Plant City Republican said. “This legislation would modernize standards to protect citrus growers who have dealt with many hardships over the past several years. I am proud to stand with our great Florida citrus growers and support their hard work that benefits families across our nation.”

Caregiver assistance

State governments can have trouble dealing with Medicaid. Should family members caring for loved ones have to navigate the same bureaucracy?

Cammack, a Gainesville Republican, filed the Alleviating Barriers to Caregivers (ABC) Act, bipartisan legislation that could make it easier for family caregivers to access benefits. The bill would require the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Social Security Administration and Children’s Health Insurance Program to review eligibility, processes, procedures, forms and communications to reduce the administrative burden on those providing care at their homes.

“America’s family caregivers work around-the-clock to provide essential care for their loved ones, and over half act as advocates on behalf of their family members. The last thing these caregivers need is more red tape that distracts from their support for those in their care,” Cammack said.

“I’m honored to introduce this bipartisan and bicameral ABC Act with my colleagues to lower the burden around the important medical decisions caregivers must make every day. Together we can support the 48 million caregivers that make up a critical part of our health care landscape in the U.S.”

She filed the bill with Rep. Seth Magaziner, a Rhode Island Democrat.

“Family caregivers have a lot on their plates, devoting their lives to support others,” Magaziner said.

Co-sponsors included Democratic Reps. Darren Soto and Wasserman Schutz and Republican Reps. Vern Buchanan and Steube.

PLANning school safety

Florida knows too much about school shootings. Rep. John Rutherford wants districts to learn more about how to protect kids from tragedy striking again.

“Every child has a right to feel safe at school,” the Jacksonville Republican said.

Rutherford introduced the Preparing Leaders to Assess Needs (PLAN) for School Safety Act, a bipartisan bill filed with Rep. Joe Neguse, a Colorado Democrat.

“While I am proud of the significant federal resources Congress has made available for schools to help improve security measures across the nation, many of our schools are still struggling to find, apply, and use these important resources,” Rutherford said.

“That’s why I introduced the PLAN for School Safety Act with Rep. Neguse to help connect subject matter experts with school leaders to better facilitate participation in school safety programs and grants. As a former sheriff and lifelong member of law enforcement, I know firsthand that we must invest in security to prevent violence before it ever happens.”

Safety advocates praised the legislation.

“This is a sensible and necessary step to address some of the gaps that exist today in school safety planning,” said Mark Barden, co-founder and co-CEO of Sandy Hook Promise. Barden’s 7-year-old son, Daniel, was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting in 2012.

“There are many proactive ways that schools can prevent violence, self-harm, and suicide, but access to these proven solutions is crucial,” Barden said. “The PLAN Act provides that bridge and will ultimately lead to much more effective planning to keep schools safe from school shootings and other acts of violence.”

NASA in Florida?

A bipartisan group of Florida lawmakers launched the push in the lower chamber for NASA to relocate its headquarters to the Space Coast.

Reps. Daniel Webster, a Clermont Republican, and Donalds, a Naples Republican, filed the Consolidating Aerospace Programs Efficiently at Canaveral (CAPE Canaveral) Act, a companion bill to legislation filed in the Senate by Moody and Scott.

“For more than six decades, Florida and NASA have shared a unique and enduring partnership. From the Mercury and Apollo programs to the Space Shuttle era and today’s Artemis program, Cape Canaveral has been the launching point for America’s most ambitious achievements in space,” Webster said.

“With direct access to the nation’s premier launch sites, a strategic geographic advantage, thriving aerospace industry, and pro-business policies, this move would enhance NASA’s mission, increase efficiency, and drive economic opportunity. Relocating NASA’s headquarters to Florida’s Space Coast recognizes this history and positions the agency for even greater success.”

Co-sponsors on the bill include Democratic Reps. Jared Moskowitz, Soto and Wasserman Schultz and Republican Reps. Carlos Giménez, Brian Mast, Cory Mills, María Elvira Salazar, Buchanan, Díaz-Balart, Franklin and Rutherford.

Feeding crisis

Cuts driven by the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency have prevented 1 million pounds of food from going to Second Harvest Food Bank, including locations across Florida.

Rep. Maxwell Frost, an Orlando Democrat, recently held an online town hall and fielded questions about the derailed deliveries.

“For folks who are catching up on this news, this week the Trump administration canceled shipments of food for Second Harvest, and we just found out it’s likely not a temporary cut,” he told Reddit users.

“Being hungry is a tragic and terrible experience that harms people’s physical and mental health and Second Harvest plays such an important role in preventing that. I was able to secure $200,000 for Second Harvest to help them save money on their monthly energy costs to store food, but I’m going to continue to fight for resources for our partner. Over 300 local partners in my district (churches, food pantries, etc.) rely on Second Harvest to help them get food out to our community and the individuals and families that need it.”

Frost’s district hosts Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, but the national network also has locations in the Big Bend.

Paying the price

The Congresswoman representing Mar-a-Lago in Congress says local businesses too often feel the disruption of presidential visits, and the federal government should make them whole.

Rep. Lois Frankel, a West Palm Beach Democrat, said the issue isn’t her political differences with Trump, but the economic impact on Florida’s 22nd Congressional District.

“Protecting the President is a responsibility we all share, regardless of political affiliation,” Frankel said. “But it’s the federal government — not local businesses or airports — that should bear the cost of these necessary security measures.”

She sent a letter to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Federal Aviation Administration Acting Administrator Chris Rocheleau to look at reimbursing local airports, like Palm Beach County Park/Lantana Airport, and businesses impacted by flight restrictions. Rep. Tom Kean, a New Jersey Republican representing Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, co-led the message.

“I am proud to represent a district with small, family-run airports that play a vital role in our community — and one that the President calls home part-time,” Kean said. “While Temporary Flight Restrictions are critical for the President’s safety, they can also impose significant financial hardships on local airports and aviation businesses.”

The Florida Department of Transportation reports that Lantana Airport creates 750 jobs and has an economic impact of $144 million each year.

Rescuing NOAA

According to Moskowitz, layoffs at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, specifically at its National Weather Service, have already cost lives.

The Parkland Democrat and former Florida Division of Emergency Management Director co-led a letter to Trump administration leaders demanding forecasters and other staff be reinstated at the federal agency.

“These agencies provide critical forecasting that supports emergency response efforts, saves lives, and mitigates damage during severe weather events,” reads the letter to Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought and Acting Administrator of the General Services Administrator Stephen Ehikian.

“These cuts leave emergency responders and residents with less time to act, putting more people at risk of injury and even death.”

Moskowitz led the letter with Rep. Eric Sorensen, an Illinois Democrat. Another 21 House Democrats co-signed it, including Reps. Kathy Castor, Frederica Wilson, Soto and Wasserman Schultz.

Modernizing the VA

Lawmakers from both parties raised concerns about the time it takes to update the Department of Veterans Affairs’ record system.

Wasserman Schultz, the Democratic co-Chair of Florida’s delegation, co-led a bicameral letter with Sen. Jerry Moran, a Kansas Republican who chairs the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, seeking an updated schedule and cost estimate on the VA’s Electronic Health Record Modernization program. The VA has said it is accelerating the program, with nine additional VA centers added in 2026. Congress said it’s crucial to update the public on the process.

“The need for a cost estimate is further underscored by practical necessity,” the letter to VA Secretary Doug Collins reads. “Without a reliable cost estimate, VA risks budget overruns, schedule delays, and diminished congressional trust. Compliance with these laws, directives, and GAO recommendations is a critical step to ensuring EHRM’s success and accountability.”

Wasserman Schultz said the updates directly impact Florida veterans. But she also worries about how the Trump administration’s focus on cost-cutting will affect the project, which, when modernization kicked off in 2019, had a projected cost of $16.1 billion over a decade.

“I have two major concerns, both for Florida’s veterans and our taxpayers,” the Weston Democrat told Florida Politics.

“The (Joe) Biden administration was careful and intentional in its reset of this new VA record system, but the Trump administration effort feels rushed. One person died, and serious errors were made after the initial rollout of this electronic records system, necessitating the reset. Rushing a rollout needlessly risks the lives of our veterans if it comes online before personnel are ready and the bugs are fixed. Also, as our bipartisan letter made clear, without reliable cost estimates, VA risks budget overruns and schedule delays, which would fall on taxpayers and hamper VA care. Swift transparency with Congress is needed right now.”

Time to crush Cuba?

As the Cuban government cracks down harder on political dissent by rationing electricity and limiting access to cash, Giménez wants the Trump administration to impose stricter restrictions on travel between the island and the United States.

“The murderous dictatorship in Havana poses a significant threat to the safety and well-being of the United States and our citizens,” said Giménez, who was born in Cuba and whose family fled here when he was a child.

“The brutal regime in Cuba is facing more internal pressure than ever before and America must stand with the brave Cuban people by eliminating the dictatorship’s access to any hard currency and resources used to further repress them. The time is now.”

The Miami-Dade Republican wrote a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent asking the agency to cease all travel and eliminate all remittances to the island. The administration has already banned any Cuban vessels from docking on U.S. shores.

In his first administration, Giménez also noted that Trump reversed Democratic President Barack Obama’s efforts to normalize relations with Cuba. Now, Giménez said it’s time to step up pressure on the communist administration there.

“The murderous dictatorship in Cuba is on life support, the regime cannot even keep the lights on, and America must stand with the Cuban people to topple this pathetic gang, once and for all,” Giménez wrote.

On this day

April 4, 1968 — “Martin Luther King Jr. slain in Memphis” via The New York Times — King, who preached nonviolence and racial brotherhood, was fatally shot last night by a distant gunman who then raced away and escaped. Four thousand National Guard troops were ordered into Memphis by Gov. Buford Ellington after the 39-year-old Nobel Prize-winning civil rights leader died. A curfew was imposed on the shocked city of 550,000 inhabitants, 40% of whom were Black. But the police said the tragedy had been followed by incidents that included sporadic shooting, fires, bricks and bottles thrown at police officers, and looting that started in Black districts and then spread over the city.

April 4, 1841 — “William Henry Harrison dies 32 days into office” via History.com — Harrison holds the unfortunate presidential record of the shortest term in office. Ironically, the man with the shortest White House tenure delivered the longest inaugural address in history, which may have been his undoing. This first presidential speech, delivered on a bitterly cold March morning, clocked in at one hour and 45 minutes. Harrison went to bed at the end of Inauguration Day with a bad cold that soon developed into a fatal case of pneumonia. Harrison was the last President born as an English subject before the American Revolution.

___

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