Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Danny McAuliffeJuly 9, 2018

Floridians will soon see yet another television ad attacking their Democratic U.S. Senator, Bill Nelson, as he vies to keep his seat in November against challenger Rick Scott. In the ad, Nelson, a longtime federal lawmaker, is criticized for failing to pass federal budgets, which has happened eight times during his tenure in Congress, according to the […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 9, 2018

There was little chance the Florida Democratic Party would let this week end without slamming U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, Republican candidate for Governor, for voting to approve the Continuing Resolution to end the government shutdown. “After years of cheering for government shutdowns that hurt Florida’s economy, Congressman Ron DeSantis (R-Fox News) seemingly reversed course early this morning by voting […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 9, 2018

The House has narrowly passed a sweeping bipartisan budget accord, ending an hours-long government shutdown and clearing a path for huge spending increases for both the Pentagon and domestic programs. The 240-186 vote sends the $400 billion spending plan to President Donald Trump, who has promised to sign it. Passage of the measure came over […]

Joe HendersonJanuary 22, 2018

Choosing a side to root for in the now-perpetual dysfunction in Washington is a fool’s errand, unless you count the workers and military impacted by this latest government shutdown. I’m pulling for them. Leaders say they’re trying to find a solution to get everyone back to work and it looks like a short-term fix is […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 19, 2018

Gov. Rick Scott scored a political victory earlier this year, when Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke told him Florida would not be subject to offshore oil drilling. Scott asserted that he’d been “clear forever” in his opposition — a point disputed by Democrats, who have painted him as an “election-year environmentalist” who has flip-flopped on the drilling question. Friday […]

Jac VerSteegDecember 17, 2014

In passing the $1.1 trillion budget bill to avoid a government shutdown, Congress has shown that the word “guarantee” means different things for different interest groups. The spending measure so blatantly played fast-and-loose with “guarantee” that South Florida Democrats including Reps. Lois Frankel, Alcee Hastings and Ted Deutch voted against the bill. In a statement, […]

Guest AuthorNovember 13, 2013

Somebody needs to grab Sen. Lindsey Graham by the scruff of the neck and give him a shake or two. In the ideal, it would be one of his Republican colleagues but that’s not likely, given the party’s weapon of choice — extortion. Last month the party nearly shut down the government and pushed the […]

Guest AuthorOctober 9, 2013

In May of 2010 I had the privilege of joining Maj. Gen. C.R. Davis at the Panama City Airport to welcome home WWII veterans who had participated in an Honor Flight to Washington D.C. The concept of an Honor Flight is the brainchild of Retired Air Force Capt. Earl Morse. He wanted to honor veterans […]

Guest AuthorOctober 7, 2013

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: A critical deadline approaches in Washington. The American people expect Congress and the White House to listen to their concerns, acting decisively and crafting a solution that represents their values. Instead, as the clock runs out of time, some D.C. politicians focus more on scoring political points […]

Guest AuthorSeptember 29, 2013

Dysfunction and paralyzing political gamesmanship from Congress has sadly become America’s new normal. Washington has never been more disconnected from the real lives of everyday Americans. Members of Congress far too often forget that we send them to the Capitol, not to fight ideological wars or score political points, but to solve the real problems […]

Tag: government shutdown

Outside organization attacks Bill Nelson’s budget history in new TV ad

Email insights: Ron DeSantis ‘ditches Freedom Caucus’

Florida politicians react to budget deal ending government shutdown

Joe Henderson: Lots of blame in Washington shutdown game

Rick Scott: Offshore drilling still ‘off the table’

Jac Wilder VerSteeg: Congress guaranteed to favor the wealthy

Doug Clifton: Lindsey Graham needs to stop playing the crazy card

Jeff Kottkamp: Despite shutdown, veterans should have access to memorials

Steve Southerland: Let’s skip making political points and try talking

Gwen Graham: Paralyzing political gamesmanship from Congress has become the new normal