Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Guest AuthorNovember 1, 2018

America’s veterans understand the meaning of those hallowed words like no other group of citizens in this country. Now more than ever, it is every Floridian’s responsibility to ensure that our state’s returning veterans and their family members know that we have their back, and we thank them for their personal sacrifices and their selfless […]

Guest AuthorOctober 17, 2018

I first met Ron DeSantis a couple of years ago in his Washington office during a meeting to discuss legislation to reform the Department of Veterans Affairs. Most of the meetings our group had that day were with staff members, but Rep. DeSantis took time out of his schedule to meet with us face to […]

Scott PowersOctober 8, 2018

A new television commercial launched Monday by the re-election campaign of Democratic U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy features a woman praising the congresswoman for helping her mother get the veterans’ survivors’ health care benefits he earned and she needed. The 30-second spot, “Sarah,” is launching on Orlando television seeking to position Murphy as someone who fights […]

Scott PowersSeptember 14, 2017

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will make beds in VA facilities available to residents of Florida nursing homes that have no power, Sen. Bill Nelson said Thursday. Nelson said he saw that the VA had done so with refugees from the U.S. Virgin Islands, accepting them into the VA hospital at Puerto Rico, and […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJune 14, 2017

A bill to reform the Department of Veterans of Affairs is heading to President Donald Trump, after the U.S. House of Representatives approved it this week. The House voted 368-55 on Tuesday to approve the the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Marco Rubio, gives the […]

Staff ReportsJune 9, 2017

A bipartisan bill to reform the Department of Veterans of Affairs by allowing the secretary to dismiss bad employees is headed to the U.S. House, after clearing the Senate on a voice vote this week. Sponsored by Sen. Marco Rubio, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act gives the VA secretary […]

Staff ReportsNovember 16, 2016

One of the Department of Veterans Affairs fiercest critics is being considered to run the agency. The New York Times reported Tuesday that Donald Trump has said he is considering Rep. Jeff Miller, a Florida Republican, to run the Department of Veteran Affairs. Miller is retiring at the end of his term after serving eight […]

Associated PressSeptember 28, 2016

Averting an election-year crisis, the Senate on Wednesday passed a bill to keep the government operating through Dec. 9 and provide $1.1 billion in long-delayed funding to battle the Zika virus. The House was poised to act on the measure before day’s end. The sweeping 72-26 vote came after top congressional leaders broke through a […]

Jim RosicaAugust 12, 2016

It’s a homecoming for Matt Ubben in his new job. Ubben, who has been president of Floridians for Better Transportation (FBT), will be the next executive director of the Florida Transportation Commission, according to a Thursday press release. He was its public affairs director in the late 1990s. Ubben now replaces Brad Swanson as administrative head of the commission. The […]

Jim RosicaAugust 2, 2016

Glenn Sutphin, now the agency’s interim head, will become the next permanent director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet made the hire at Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting. The 67-year-old Sutphin, himself a National Guardsman for over 30 years, was the only person interviewed for the position out of more than 300 applicants. He […]

Tag: Department of Veterans Affairs

Mike Prendergast: Duty, honor and country

Diego Echeverri: Ron DeSantis is the clear choice for Florida’s veterans

Stephanie Murphy ad touts assistance for veterans in CD 7 race

VA hospitals to take in nursing home residents, Bill Nelson says

VA reform bill backed by Marco Rubio, Bill Nelson headed to Donald Trump

Marco Rubio, Bill Nelson backed VA reform bill clears the Senate

Report: Jeff Miller among those being considered to head the V.A.

Senate passes stopgap spending bill with $1.1 billion to fight Zika

Personnel note: Matt Ubben to Florida Transportation Commission

Glenn Sutphin appointed state vets’ agency head