Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Staff ReportsMarch 2, 2017

Congressman Vern Buchanan Thursday demanded answers from the new Veterans Affairs secretary about the nationwide theft of opioids and prescription drugs intended to help suffering veterans. In a letter to VA Secretary David Shulkin, the Sarasota Republican wrote, “I’m concerned that Florida veterans may be at risk following press reports of a shocking spike in […]

Associated PressJanuary 24, 2017

The Latest on activities in Congress (all times EST): 12:25 p.m. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has overwhelmingly approved South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley‘s nomination to be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. By voice vote, the panel recommended President Donald Trump‘s selection of Haley to the full Senate. She is expected to be confirmed […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 6, 2017

Florida State Rep. Kristin Jacobs, a Coconut Creek Democrat, filed legislation on Friday to add Kratom to the controlled substance list. House Bill 183 would add Mitragynine and Hydroxymitragynine, constituents of Kratom, to the schedule of controlled substances, offering an exception for any FDA approved substance containing these chemicals. Selling, delivering, manufacturing, or importing these Kratom chemical constituents […]

Joe HendersonDecember 2, 2016

Eric Newman read news reports of the fight by incoming president Donald Trump to keep the Carrier air conditioning company from moving jobs to Mexico and thought, hey, why not us? Newman owns the J.C. Newman Cigar Company in Tampa and has been fighting the Food and Drug Administration over regulations that Newman says could […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 8, 2016

Hillsborough County Democratic Rep. Kathy Castor has filed legislation to reinstate the tradition of donating cigars to U.S. military members who are deployed overseas. The bill, titled “Restore Charitable Contributions of Premium Cigars to the Troops Act,” is a response to regulations on cigars, e-cigarettes and other products that took effect Aug. 8. Those regulations also include what has been understood […]

Staff ReportsSeptember 1, 2016

Congressman Vern Buchanan, in a letter sent Thursday to congressional leaders, called for an immediate vote on emergency Zika funding when Congress returns to Washington next week. “Hundreds of people have been infected in my home state of Florida as the disease continues to spread,” the Sarasota Republican wrote. “Our nation’s leading health officials at […]

Scott PowersFebruary 25, 2016

U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson is pushing for over-the-counter availability of Naloxone, a nasal inhalant drug used to treat people who have overdosed on heroin or opioids. The Orlando Democrat, who is running for Florida’s U.S. Senate seat, announced Thursday he has sent a letter to Dr. Stephen Ostroff of the Food and Drug Administration asking […]

Martin DyckmanAugust 4, 2015

America’s doctors have long since made their peace with Medicare, which marked its 50th anniversary last week, but its oldest and most implacable enemy, the ideological right wing, is still bent on destroying it. If you were a politician who shared that purpose, how might you go about it? You’d harp on how the trust […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 3, 2015

Deadly diseases often strike quickly and without warning, leaving behind heartbroken families and so many unanswered questions. In our modern world we are fortunate to have access to vaccines, providing us the incredible opportunity to prevent a disease before it infects and kills. One of the most beneficial of these is the vaccine for bacterial […]

Bob SparksJuly 7, 2014

One week has now passed since the United States Supreme Court decided the case officially known as Burwell vs. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. (Hobby Lobby). A long explanation is unnecessary because if any reader is unfamiliar with this case, that reader will look no further anyway. The court created quite a dust-up. Most of the […]

Tag: Food and Drug Administration

Vern Buchanan demands answers on VA drug thefts

Senate panel approves Nikki Haley nomination to U.N.

Bill filed in Florida House to make Kratom a controlled substance

Joe Henderson: Donald Trump ‘saves’ Indiana jobs; Eric Newman asks ‘why not us?’

Kathy Castor files bill to restore charitable contributions of premium cigars to U.S. troops

Vern Buchanan demands immediate vote on Zika funding

Alan Grayson pushes for over-the-counter sales of heroin/opioid overdose medicine Naloxone

Martin Dyckman: Right wing should stop its nonsense about Medicare

Cathy Mayfield: How vaccines can stop the deadly effects of meningitis

Bob Sparks: Rhetoric aside, Hobby Lobby workers still get contraception coverage