Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Blake DowlingOctober 7, 2017

Last month, we saw a monster of a breach, from an entity supposedly on the extremely protected side of the conversation: Equifax. You may think just because you never gave them your information that they don’t have it. Not so fast, says Lee Corso. Equifax has your info from banks, creditors, and public records, it […]

Associated PressJune 6, 2017

A leaked intelligence document outlining alleged attempts by Russian military intelligence to hack into U.S. election systems is the latest evidence suggesting a broad and sophisticated foreign attack on the integrity of the nation’s elections. And it underscores the contention of security experts and computer scientists that the highly decentralized, often ramshackle U.S. election system […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 2, 2017

U.S. Representative John Rutherford learned during his time running the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office how to do more with less discretionary spending. And it appears he has brought that skill set to the Congress, where he looks to do some cost cutting at the Department of Homeland Security. H.R. 1294, the Reducing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Acquisition […]

Scott PowersFebruary 22, 2017

U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy called Wednesday for federal authorities to respond swiftly and strongly to threats made to Jewish centers throughout the nation and got more than 150 of her colleagues to sign on. Murphy and U.S. Rep. Joseph Crowley, a New York Democrat who chairs the House Democratic Conference, sent the letter to Homeland […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 29, 2017

John Thrasher, the former Republican lawmaker turned college president, released a statement Sunday saying Florida State University is “deeply concerned” about President Donald Trump‘s immigration order. The order Trump issued Friday includes a 90-day ban on travel to the U.S. by citizens of Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen, and a 120-day suspension of the U.S. refugee program. The travel […]

Associated PressDecember 5, 2016

One thing you can count on during inauguration season in Washington: People of all stripes will find a reason to show up — whether it’s to celebrate or commiserate. There are parties and protests to attend, stars to gawk at, receptions to be worked, deals to be done, drinks to be consumed. Less than two […]

Blake DowlingSeptember 13, 2016

Over the years, I have composed dozens of columns on cyberthreats, skimming credit cards at the pump, boss-phishing, crypto locker, and identity theft. In a lot of those stories, you don’t hear about the bad guys getting the hammer. The Department of Homeland Security has an enormous task of defending government agencies from nation-state cyberattacks, […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 2, 2016

On Tuesday afternoon, Rep. Ron DeSantis did an interview on the Fox Business Network slamming the Department of Homeland Security‘s decision to extend temporary protective status amnesty to 8,300 Syrian refugees for up to 18 months. DeSantis, in a competitive primary for re-election in Florida’s 6th Congressional District, observed that the amnesty “actually applies to people who came from […]

Staff ReportsJuly 19, 2016

Citing the recent wave of terrorist attacks across the globe and the pressing need to keep American families safe, Congressman Vern Buchanan is calling for passage of tough, new measures cracking down on money flowing to terrorist groups. Buchanan said Tuesday Congress should pass “The National Strategy for Combating Terrorist, Underground, and Other Illicit Financing […]

Scott PowersJuly 15, 2016

Whose fault was it that Orlando did not qualify for federal funding to shore up anti-terrorism efforts the past few years? U.S. Rep. John Mica called a congressional hearing Friday to see, and several officials concluded it was at least partly because of Congress. Mica was not entirely convinced and countered with several reasons why he is […]

Tag: Department of Homeland Security

Blake Dowling: Equifax – the mother of all breaches

Leaked NSA doc highlights deep flaws in U.S. election system

John Rutherford introduces homeland security spending reform bill

Stephanie Murphy unites 150+ Congress members calling for response on Jewish centers threats

FSU president says he’s ‘deeply concerned’ about Donald Trump travel ban

Donald Trump’s inauguration set to test nation’s readiness to heal

Blake Dowling: With rising cybercrime, it’s good hearing bad guys get caught

Ron DeSantis slams temporary amnesty for Syrian refugees

Vern Buchanan urges crackdown on money flow to terrorist groups

John Mica congressional hearing on Orlando’s lost federal anti-terrorism money aims some blame at Congress