Delegation for 4.15.25: Parole — clocked — unobstruction — fenced in — Ghana

Image via AP.

Preserving parole — for now

A federal judge said President Donald Trump’s administration cannot immediately stop the parole process for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans legally residing in the United States.

An order from U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani grants emergency relief, saying the Homeland Security Department cannot issue a blanket decision to revoke the protected status of large groups of foreign nationals who were allowed to stay in the U.S. legally. Talwani was appointed to the bench by Democratic President Barack Obama.

“The Termination of Parole Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans … is hereby STAYED pending further court order insofar as it revokes, without case-by-case review, the previously granted parole and work authorization issued to noncitizens paroled into the United States pursuant to parole programs for noncitizens from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela (the “CHNV parole programs”) prior to the noncitizen’s originally stated parole end date,” Talwani wrote.

Some in the Florida congressional delegation quickly trumpeted the decision.

“Trump’s attempt to banish hundreds of thousands of people here legally ‘undermines the rule of law,’” posted Rep. Kathy Castor, a Tampa Democrat.

Rep. Darren Soto, a Kissimmee Democrat, called the decision “Justice for Central Florida Families.”

“The court found Trump admin gave no sound reason for termination, and ending it would put parolees in danger,” he posted.

The CHNV program is critical in Florida, where a large number of foreign nationals fear deportation because the administration ended the parole program. About 64% of Cubans in the U.S. live in Florida, as do 49% of Haitians, 49% of Venezuelans, and 37% of Nicaraguans.

Perhaps for that reason, the end of this particular program had proved controversial even with Republicans from South Florida. Rep. María Elvira Salazar, a Coral Gables Republican, previously sent a letter to Trump urging him to defer enforcement of the program. “We cannot turn our backs on them while we fight to regain control of the border,” she posted in Spanish.

But she also had voiced frustration that the parole system had previously been used to grant entry to the U.S. for some communist leaders with a history of oppressing the Cuban people.

The Department of Homeland Security announced the program’s termination in March, citing an executive order from Trump on “Securing Our Borders.”

“DHS has determined that it is now appropriate and necessary to terminate the CHNV parole programs,” reads a notice from the agency. “These programs do not serve a significant public benefit, are not necessary to reduce levels of illegal immigration, did not sufficiently mitigate the domestic effects of illegal immigration, are not serving their intended purposes, and are inconsistent with the administration’s foreign policy goals.”

Saving Sunshine

Sen. Rick Scott’s nearly decade-long push to lock the clocks received significant support from the White House this week. Trump, in a Truth Social post, supported not only ending the twice-a-year resetting of clocks but also a specific provision of Scott’s Sunshine Protection Act (S 29) to implement daylight saving time permanently.

“The House and Senate should push hard for more daylight at the end of the day,” the President posted. “Very popular and, most importantly, no more changing of the clocks, a big inconvenience and, for our government, a very costly event.”

While Trump has previously backed stopping clock changing, the post marked the first time he backed leaving all time sprung ahead from standard time. The support came shortly after Scott presented his bill in the Senate Commerce Committee.

“I’m sure all of us have heard from our constituents on this,” Scott said. “The American people are sick and tired of changing their clocks twice a year. It’s confusing, unnecessary and completely outdated. It’s an understatement to say that our nation has changed since the United States began changing the clock over a century ago. For example, American households have electricity now. We also have self-driving cars, computers and cellphones. Now, changing the clocks twice a year proves more of an annoyance to families than a benefit to them.”

Scott, as Governor of Florida in 2018, signed legislation seeking permission for Florida to have daylight saving time year-round. However, unlike the few states that remain on standard time year-round, such a move requires a sign-off from Congress.

Unobstructing investigators

As Florida Attorney General, Ashley Moody faced federal resistance in trying to lead a state investigation of an attempted assassination on Trump, going so far as to sue former Attorney General Merrick Garland.

Now a Senator, Moody cheered last week’s decision by new Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel to allow the state to bring its own charges against suspect Ryan Routh.

“In the wake of the second Trump assassination attempt, the FBI and DOJ stood in the way of Florida’s independent investigation, so I took Merrick Garland and the DOJ to court for trampling state sovereignty and frustrating Florida’s efforts to secure justice,” she posted on X.

Moody also posted an exchange during Patel’s confirmation hearings where he said law enforcement agencies should have worked collaboratively.

“Law enforcement is not supposed to be a turf battle,” Patel said. “Law enforcement is best done in this country when it is complimentary, and it should have been done in that instance.”

Moody praised the federal agency for allowing the state to go forward.

“Florida brought charges against the would-be assassin for attempted murder and terrorism,” she posted.

Committee assignments

In full swing after their respective elections to Congress, Reps. Randy Fine and Jimmy Patronis now know what type of work they will focus on in the House.

Patronis was assigned to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and expects to serve on the Aviation, Coast Guard, and Subcommittee on Maritime Transportation and the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee.

“With over 1,000 people moving to Florida every day, our roadways, waterways, and infrastructure are essential to our nation’s economy and national security,” Patronis said. “During major storms, Florida roadways become critical tools for hurricane evacuation during states of emergency. Also, maintaining our roads, bridges, ports, and waterways are vital to ensuring a steady flow of commerce.

“I am also laser-focused on ensuring dollars intended for infrastructure go to the right place and work to eliminate any red tape that slows project delivery times. I look forward to working alongside my fellow colleagues on this committee to ensure our nation’s infrastructure is second to none in the new golden age of America.”

Fine, meanwhile, now serves on the House Education and Workforce Committee, where he expects to question college presidents about campus protests at a hearing on May 7. In a post on X, he discussed a busy first week in Congress.

“Hit the ground running for my first week in Congress,” he posted. “Took 10 votes across multiple days on the Floor and in Committee to rein in tyrannical wokeist judges, stop Democrats from stealing elections with non-citizen voting and root out fake ‘transgender’ theory in our schools.”

En Garde

Rep. Kat Cammack, co-founder of the Republican Women’s Caucus, led a letter to USA Fencing supporting an athlete who refused to compete against a transgender woman.

“On behalf of the Republican Women’s Caucus, we write to express our unwavering support for Stephanie Turner, a courageous female fencer who, at the Cherry Blossom Open in Maryland, made the principled decision to forfeit her match rather than compete against a biological male opponent in a women’s fencing tournament,” the Gainesville Republican wrote. “Her peaceful protest — removing her mask and taking a knee — was met with a black card, the most severe penalty available under USA Fencing rules, resulting in her immediate disqualification.”

The match removed Turner for refusing to face an opponent eligible to compete in the tournament, as reported by ABC News. A week prior, Turner had competed against men in a mixed competition just a week prior, according to a report in the Daily Mail.

However, Cammack’s letter said Turner should not have been penalized for advocating for the preservation of women’s sports.

“Ms. Turner’s stand reflects the deep concerns of countless women and girls across America who seek fairness, safety, and integrity in women’s sports — values that we, as a caucus, are committed to upholding,” the letter states.

Taking the stage

Coachella brought major artists from multiple generations together. Megan Thee Stallion and Queen Latifah. Green Day and the Go-Gos. Rep. Maxwell Frost and Sen. Bernie Sanders.

Well, the last may now be as well known for music, but Frost, the first Gen Z member of Congress, sharing a stage with the octogenarian socialist made for one of the most politically buzzworthy parts of the festival.

The Orlando Democrat noted his short path from pop fan to political figure.

“2018 I start a production gig at Coachella. 2019 I started working Advance for Bernie,” Frost posted after appearing on the stage. “Last night, the two converged.”

Frost, who can wield a pair of sticks with ferocity, did manage to find himself behind a drum kit to drop beats during the day. That had another musically inclined delegation member offering lineup suggestions for next year.

“So maybe our band Astromax plays Coachella next year Maxwell Frost?” posted Soto.

The Kissimmee Democrat fronts and plays guitar for the folk group Orange Creek Riders. However, he has also performed with Frost as Astromax at various politically minded events, including a campaign fundraiser and a performance before the Recording Industry Association of America.

Christian persecution

As missionary groups report increasing persecution internationally, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna wants to see the administration restrict U.S. munitions use with countries that may be using the provisions against Christian civilian targets.

The St. Petersburg Republican filed the Civilians Resisting Unlawful Strikes Against Divine Establishments Act, which would put such a policy in federal statute.

“The global persecution of Christians is rising rapidly. My legislation will make sure that the President is actively involved in ensuring that our munitions are not being used by U.S. security partners to target Christian civilians, churches or monuments,” Luna said. “American tax dollars should not be used to undermine our founding principles.”

Her office pointed at a report from Open Doors International, which said 380 million Christians suffer “high levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith,” or about one in seven Christians worldwide. The organization said issues are particularly acute in Asia, where about two in five Christians face persecution.

Health scare

Cuts to research funding left Democrats in Florida’s congressional delegation alarmed about the impact on residents. Rep. Kathy Castor led a letter signed by all eight Democrats representing Florida in the House urging National Institutes of Health Director Jay Bhattacharya to reverse cuts to research of cancer treatments and other potential lifesaving efforts.

“We look forward to working with you to advance critical research that will improve the lives of countless Floridians and Americans. However, as members of the Florida Congressional delegation, we also write to express concern about the impact of NIH guidance (NOT-OD-25-068), stating that existing and new grant recipients will be subject to a 15% indirect cost rate,” the letter reads.

“This policy would curtail the groundbreaking and lifesaving research being done across the state of Florida by colleges and universities, cancer centers, health systems and more. Such a drastic cut in federal support for biomedical research would diminish our nation’s research capacity, slow scientific gains and harm access to patients and families across the country who benefit from NIH-funded research. While a nationwide temporary restraining order is in place, we implore you to permanently rescind this guidance.”

Incentivizing affordable housing

A push for more affordable housing could include constructing more multi-unit developments, something Rep. Vern Buchanan wants to incentivize.

The Longboat Key Republican filed the Middle Class Mortgage Insurance Premium Act, a bipartisan bill with Rep. Jimmy Panetta, a California Democrat. The bill would extend a tax deduction on mortgage insurance premiums dating back to 2007 but expired in 2021. It would also expand the deduction to more taxpayers by increasing the income limit from $100,000 to $200,000 per family.

“With housing prices skyrocketing in Florida and across the country, it’s our responsibility to provide tax relief for middle-class families seeking to own a home,” Buchanan said. “My bipartisan legislation will help make the American Dream of home ownership real for millions of Americans.”

Buchanan also introduced the Fair Accounting for Condominiums Act, which would high-rise condominiums from the percentage of completion method of accounting.

“As millions of Floridians know, condos provide a great opportunity for low and middle-income families to enter the housing market,” Buchanan said. “We should be making it easier, not harder, for condo developers to build multi-unit condos, which will increase the housing supply for those most impacted by the nationwide housing crisis.”

Church and state

Concerns that court rulings could make churches and faith-based nonprofits subject to federal regulation has Rep. Greg Steube pushing Congress to take preemptive action.

The Sarasota Republican filed the Safeguarding Charity Act, which he said would protect tax-exempt organizations from a “perilous line of litigation” that could expose any groups accepting federal funding.

“Radical judges do not have the authority to twist federal law and force religious institutions to choose between their convictions and compliance,” said Rep. Steube. “The Safeguarding Charity Act reaffirms that tax-exempt status does not mean an organization is receiving federal financial assistance. This bill is about protecting churches, religious schools and charities from federal overreach.”

Sen. James Lankford, an Oklahoma Republican, filed a companion bill in the Senate. Faith organizations quickly backed the bills. Endorsing groups include the Alliance Defending Freedom, Philanthropy Roundtable, Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, Agudath Israel of America, Seventh-day Adventist Church, American Association of Christian Schools, Association for Biblical Higher Education, Association of Christian Schools International, Family Research Council, Citygate Network, Christian Employers Alliance and National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference.

Grappling with Ghana

As power producers threaten to walk away from debt talks in Ghana, Rep. Brian Mast wants the administration to urge the International Monetary Fund to redirect money toward settlements for the West African nation’s bills.

The Stuart Republican, in his capacity as House Foreign Affairs Chair, penned a letter to Commerce Secretary Scott Bessent asking that the next U.S. executive director to the IMF make such a request.

“An American investor recently noted that the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) processed two payments each to Twin City (TCE) and Early Power Ltd. (EPL) in Ghana Cedis,” Mast wrote. “While these payments, estimated at approximately $5.5 million each, are a significant improvement compared to previous periods, they remain below the anticipated $7.5 million due to each entity.”

The letter, in part, signals Mast’s responsibilities to monitor world affairs beyond those impacting South Florida. But he said taking a tougher stance with Ghana was in the best interest.

“I believe such a measure is essential to keeping American investors interested in Ghana, addressing the ongoing financial strain on IPPs and ensuring the stability of Ghana’s power sector,” Mast wrote.

Monitoring hate

Trump named Yehuda Kaploun, a Miami business owner, to serve as Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism as an ambassador-at-large, the President posted on Truth Social.

“Yehuda is a successful business owner, and staunch advocate for the Jewish Faith and the Rights of his people to live and worship free from persecution,” Trump wrote.

The Chabad rabbi has been part of several outreach events to Jewish voters, including events backed by billionaire Miriam Adelson, and has praised Trump for having a record number of Orthodox staffers and has criticized what he considered antisemitic protests on college campuses.

On this day

April 15, 1861 — “Abraham Lincoln dies” via Ford’s Theatre — In the front parlor of the Petersen boarding house, First Lady Mary Lincoln awaited word of her husband, occasionally venturing in to visit him. Secretary of War Edwin Stanton interrogated witnesses in the back parlor and directed the investigation. Outside, thousands of people crowded onto 10th Street and kept vigil through the night. President Lincoln died at 7:22 a.m. Mary Lincoln was not in the room. Soldiers quickly removed his body to the White House for an autopsy and to prepare for a funeral. At 11 a.m., Vice President Andrew Johnson took the oath of office as the 17th President.

April 15, 2000 — “Bill Clinton creates monument to protect giant sequoia” via The Washington Post — The President, who hopes to make land preservation a key part of his legacy, acknowledged most giant sequoias already are off limits to loggers. But, he said, “the environment around them must also be protected for the great trees to grow and reproduce.” Clinton designated 328,000 acres of the Sierra Nevada as the Giant Sequoia National Monument. The area includes about half the 70 remaining groves of giant sequoias, which once were prevalent in the American West but now exist only on the Sierra Nevada’s western slope.

___

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