Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Phil AmmannFebruary 7, 2018

Facing of one of the deadliest flu epidemics in the history of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data, a Senate committee temporarily postponed a measure which would give Floridians greater access to antiviral medication, critical in the treatment of the flu and strep. SB 524, sponsored by St. Petersburg Republican Jeff Brandes, would allow […]

Scott PowersDecember 21, 2017

Recent DEA raids on storefront shops that specialize in selling Canadian prescriptions drugs to Central Florida seniors have U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson and others in Florida’s congressional delegation wondering whether there has been an unannounced change in federal policy. In the past few weeks, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration raided nine shops in the region […]

Joe HendersonMarch 24, 2017

Anyone facing a dreaded disease themselves or watching a loved one go through it knows the frustration of seeking treatment. They want to know the system is on their side, but often it seems rigged against them. I think it’s safe to conclude U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, who represents Florida’s 12th District, is on their side. […]

Associated PressMarch 13, 2017

Men from three Florida counties shouldn’t donate sperm because of a small risk of spreading Zika, U.S. health officials said Monday. The guidance had previously applied to Miami-Dade County, the only place in Florida where there’s evidence mosquitoes spread the virus. But infections were reported in people in South Florida who couldn’t clearly be linked […]

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 […]

Tag: Food and Drug Administration

With hundreds dying from the flu, lawmakers choose inaction

Local DEA raids lead Bill Nelson to inquire on Canadian drug availability

Joe Henderson: Gus Bilirakis keeps up fight to get medical drugs to market faster, easier

CDC: Don’t donate sperm in 3 Florida counties due to Zika

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