The Rescue Effort Continues
JUICE—The grueling rescue effort in Surfside to find survivors is in its second week and four more bodies will be pulled out of the collapsed building this past Monday. America.
The total death toll now sits at 28 with 117 still unaccounted for.
The rest of the damaged and condemned building was brought down over the 4th of July weekend less than two days after Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava signed the contract for the demolition.
“Bringing down this building in a controlled manner is critical to expanding the scope of our search-and-rescue effort,” said Mayor Cava at a recent press briefing.
The building was leveled using precision explosives on July 4th at 10 pm. Dramatic video of the collapse can be SEEN HERE
Marco Rubio and Debbie Wasserman Schultz, and their ‘Different’ 4th of July Messages
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz celebrated the 4th of July by reminding Americans that they still need to work to “live up to ideals of liberty and justice for all.” READ MORE
Senator Marco Rubio reminded Americans that while “America isn’t perfect,” the land of the free and home of the brave is “better than anywhere else, ever. And if you believe our country is such a horrible & inherently evil place there are 192 other countries you can move to.” READ MORE
What not to do when you are running for office, particularly the U.S. Congress. Hint: Never have $122K in in-kind car magnets donations made to your congressional account. MUST READ
Rick Scott @SenRickScott-On Venezuelan Independence Day, we honor the brave people of Venezuela in their fight for freedom. We can’t stop until we see a prosperous, democratic and free Venezuela.
Byron Donalds @ByronDonalds-More black people have accomplished and achieved more wealth here in the United States than any other country in the world. We should actually celebrate that and celebrate, frankly, the birth of the greatest nation man has ever known.
Rep. Stephanie Murphy @RepStephMurphy-As most U.S. troops leave Afghanistan, we must continue counter-terrorism operations, assist the Afghan government diplomatically and militarily against the Taliban, support Afghan women and girls, and protect brave Afghans who worked with our forces and are in danger.
Lauren Book @Book4Senate “Few will have the greatness to bend history itself; but each of us can work to change a small portion of events, & in the total; of all those acts will be written the history of this generation” @senpizzo
Thank you for your leadership, compassion, dedication, & commitment
"Bilirakis: House Democrat INVEST Act Advances Green new Deal," by The Floridian's Daniel Molina—Last week, the House passed H.R. 3684, the “INVEST in America Act or the Transportation Inflation Act.” It’s been dubbed as legislation that progresses the “Green New Deal” by some lawmakers that oppose it. Although it did receive some Republican support in the form of two votes, lawmakers like Florida Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R) are raising concerns against the bill.
"The Stark Contrast Between Trump and Biden Deepens on July 4th," by The Floridian's Daniel Molina
"[VIDEO] Damaged Surfside Building Demolished With Explosives' by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres
"Republican Melissa Martz Files Highly-Questionable FEC Report," The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—In the first federal fundraising quarter for her 2022 Republican congressional primary against Rep. Brian Mast (R), self-styled Constitutionalist and Attorney Melissa Martz (R) has reported raising just over $200,000 but has burned just about all of it.
"Wasserman Schultz Believes Americans Aren’t Living up to ‘Ideals of Liberty and Justice’ by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres
"Florida Democrats Pass ‘Green New Deal’ INVEST in America Act," by The Floridian's Jim McCool"—Dubbed the “Green New Deal” by Texas Rep. Troy Nehls (R), INVEST in America Act or the Transportation Inflation Act,” H.R. 3684 passed the House this week with 221 votes. All Democrats in the House voted for the bill while 2 Republicans voted in favor and 201 voted against it. However, that was not enough to stop the bill in its tracks.
"Cava Accused of Dragging Feet In Deciding to Demolish Damaged Surfside Building,"by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres
Kristi Noem announces deployment of privately funded national guard to border," by Texas Politics' Isabel Webb Carey— South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem announced Monday that she will be sending National Guard troops from her state to the nation’s southern border to “secure the border between the United States and Mexico.”
"Allen West announces gubernatorial race against Gov. Greg Abbott in Republican primary," by Texas Politics' Isabel Webb Carey—A month after he announced his resignation as chair of Texas Republican Party, former Florida congressman Allen West launched his campaign for governor against fellow Republican Greg Abbott.
On Sunday, West was welcomed to announce his gubernatorial run from the pulpit of the Sojourn Church in Carrollton, Texas. Before airing his official campaign video, West issued an extensive speech in which he read aloud the Declaration of Independence and invited the congregation to “join us in this fight.”
"Report: Majority of Surfside condo board quit in 2019 as squabbling residents dragged out plans for repairs,"By Sun-Sentinel STAFF REPORT—The Washington Post is reporting that the president and majority of the board of the Surfside condominium that collapsed last week resigned in 2019, partly in frustration over what was perceived as a slow response to an engineer’s report that identified major structural damage the previous year.
"Minority Communities in Hillsborough County at Risk of Losing School Choice," by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres
"Venezuelan’s Regime Bypasses U.S. Sanctions With Help From ‘Axis of Evil’ by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres
"As Anthony Sabatini Raises $315,000, Murphy Attacks Him And Matt Gaetz," by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres
"[VIDEO] IDF Commander: ‘Small Chance’ to Find Survivors, Rescuers ‘Experience a Heavy Smell of Bodies (Dead)’ by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres
"Matt Gaetz Calls NSA Liars, Says They Cannot ‘Police Themselves’ by The Floridian's Jim McCool—Congressman Matt Gaetz (R-FL) has kept up with his anti-deep state narrative and called on the Inspector General to investigate the NSA, more specifically the supposed targeting of Fox News host Tucker Carlson and other media figures, claiming “We cannot count on these people to police themselves.”
"Murphy: ‘Anthony Sabatini, The Worst, Most Extreme, Trump-Loving Republican’ by The Floridian's Jim McCool
Cruz: Republicans ‘Want To Defund The Police’ Is Like Saying Democrats ‘Want To Build The Wall’ by The Floridian's Mona Salama
Trump visits Texas to tour ‘unfinished border wall,' by Texas Politics' Isabel Webb Carey—Former President Donald Trump traveled to the U.S.-Mexico border on Wednesday where he denounced the Biden administration for neglecting national security by dismantling border controls. “We have an open, really dangerous border,” Trump said during a news conference at the Department of Public Safety’s Weslaco headquarters. “We better go back fast.”
"Broward girl, 13, sues over transgender school athletes ban," by Sun Sentinel's RAFAEL OLMEDA—A national LGBTQ rights organization sued Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Broward schools over the new law blocking transgender girls from competing as girls in sporting events.
The lawsuit was filed Wednesday in federal court on behalf of a Broward 13-year-old who was assigned male at birth but has played on girls’ teams from the age of seven.
The girl is referred to as “Daisy” in the lawsuit, and she is now in middle school. According to the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, which filed the suit, Daisy intends to try out for volleyball when she gets to high school.
"Trump visits Texas to tour ‘unfinished border wall’ by Texas Politics' Isabel Webb Carey—Texas Republican Rep. Dan Crenshaw lashed out at Gwen Berry, one of the top American track and field stars, to be “removed from the team” in a Fox News appearance Monday after she protested the national anthem during qualifiers for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics..Rep. Dan Crenshaw calls for Olympic athlete to be ‘removed from the team’ for national anthem protest
"Tropical Storm Elsa forms east of Caribbean. South Florida in NHC's cone of uncertainty," by Fort Myers News-Press' Cheryl McCloud—Tropical Storm Elsa formed Thursday morning as the system moved quickly toward the Caribbean. The National Hurricane Center's cone of uncertainty puts all of South Florida in the storm's path. While it is too soon to determine what, if any, impacts could occur in Florida next week, all residents are encouraged to monitor the storm and make preparations.
"Judge blocks Florida law aimed at punishing social media," the Associated Press—In this Monday, Aug. 31, 2020, file photo, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a news conference at the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine and Heart Institute in Tampa, Fla. Florida lawmakers, including DeSantis, intensified their battle with Facebook, Twitter and Silicon Valley when they announced new proposals Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021, aimed at reigning in platforms they accuse of squelching the free speech of conservatives. TALLAHASSEE — A federal judge on Wednesday blocked for the time being a new Florida law that sought to punish large social media businesses like Facebook and Twitter if they remove content or ban politicians.
"Ilhan Omar Says She Doesn’t Regret Comment Equating US And Israel To Terrorist Groups," by The Floridian's Mona Salama
"Charlie Crist Has Yet To Visit Building Collapse Site," by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres
"Forecasters eye 2 potential systems as a wet 4th of July appears likely," by the Tampa Bay Times' Anastasia Dawson and Josh Fiallo—As quickly as it arrived, Tropical Storm Danny blew itself apart early Tuesday after making landfall on South Carolina’s coastline, the National Hurricane Center said. Now the focus is turning to two potential tropical cyclones in the central Atlantic Ocean.
"House Votes To Purge Confederate Statues From U.S. Capitol," by The Floridian's Mona Salama
"AOC Calls Recent Crime Spike ‘Hysteria’ by The Floridian's Jim McCool
Surfside building collapse may have a ‘jarring’ effect on Miami’s condo-buying frenzy," by the Miami Herald's EMILY MICHOT and PIERRE TAYLOR—As grim images of rescue workers sifting through the wreckage of the Champlain South Tower circulate around the world, Miami’s kingpin condo real-estate industry is bracing for a slide.
“In the short-term, the effect of the collapse will be jarring,” said real estate attorney Jesse-Dean Kluger, who said he spent the weekend fielding calls from clients under contract for units in older buildings.
"Ivanka Trump Donates To Surfside Condo Collapse Rescue Efforts," by The Floridian's Mona Salama
"Condo collapse victims: Death toll at 12 and 149 missing. Biden to visit. Rescue worker tumbles 25 feet and lives," by The Palm Beach Post's Jennifer Sangalang—It's been a week since a 12-story condominium suddenly buckled, prompting a massive search and rescue effort in Surfside as families grow weary for information on those missing.
More than 200 search-and-rescue specialists, working in sweltering conditions, had moved 3 million pounds of concrete on the sixth day of a frenzied and mass effort to find survivors or the dead amid the ruins.
"Murphy Doubles Down on Venezuela, Promotes Freedom," by The Floridian's Jim McCool
"President Biden to Visit Surfside Thursday," by The Floridian's Jjim McCool
"Psaki Defends Olympic Hammer Thrower Snubbing U.S. Flag, Says U.S. Hasn’t ‘Lived Up To Our Highest Ideals’," by The Floridian's Mona Salama—White House press secretary Jen Psaki defended the “peaceful protest” Olympic hammer thrower Gwen Berry displayed over the weekend when she turned away from the US flag as the national anthem played after winning a bronze medal at the US Olympic Track & Field Team Trials.
"Progressive Hillsborough School Board Shuts Down Minority Charter Schools," by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—The Progressive Hillsborough County School Board had drawn the proverbial Crayola line in the schoolyard against Department of Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran and are expected to stand by their decision to deny the contract renewals of four public charter schools and the application refusal of two others.
"[Psaki: No Plans For Biden To Visit Area Of Florida Building Collapse," by The Floridian's Jim McCool—Several years after the Pulse Night Club terrorist attack that left 49 dead, the horrific event still weighs heavy on Floridians particularly the LGBTQ community, prompting Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) to call Gov. Ron DeSantis’ (R-FL) recognition of the attack and his transgender sports ban that does not allow boys participate in women’s sports.
"Byron Donalds on CRT: ‘That’s Not What We Do In America’," by The Floridian's Jim McCool
"Elizabeth Warren Targets Gov. DeSantis Over Transgender Sports Ban," by The Floridian's Jim McCool
DEO] Israeli Defense Forces Team Lands in Miami to Help Building Collapse Rescue Efforts," by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have answered the call for help after the building collapse in the predominantly Jewish community of Surfside, Florida, where 9 have been confirmed dead and another 156 still unaccounted for.
Ocasio Cortez Continues Supporting Maduro, Blames Humanitarian Crisis on U.S. Sanctions," by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—While it seems that everyone is against Maduro’s strong-arm tactics of governing Venezuela, individuals like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), who The Floridian recently spoke to about the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, believes that the existing and effective sanctions put in place by the Trump administration and kept in place by the current Biden administration
"Nikki Fried Politicizes Deadly Building Collapse in Miami-Dade County," by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—It didn’t take long after the tragic condominium building collapse in Surfside, Florida for Democratic Gubernatorial candidate, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried to politicize the deadly event by taking not one, but two political swipes at Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Gov. DeSantis Deploys Units to Southern Border," by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—
Corcoran threatens Hillsborough School Board With Legal Action for Denying Charter Schools," by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—
Sen. Jones Says Excluding Uniformed Police at NYC Pride Parade ‘Sends Wrong Message’," by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—The annual New York City gay Pride parade has always embraced and promoted its partnership between the NYPD and activists, as police officers march to show solidarity with the gay community every June, but this year will be different.
"Iran’s New Extremist President Raisi Expected to Test American Resolve," by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres
"[Warning: Graphic Video/Images] Florida Condominium Collapses, 99 Missing, 1 Dead," by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres
"Gaetz Says Defense Secretary is ‘Ignorant’ of the Military," by The Floridian's James McCool—After a testy exchange with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Representative Matt Gaetz (R-FL) has fired back at the Secretary of Defense in a newly released video, saying that Lloyd is ignorant of the military.
"Rep. Stephanie Murphy Supports Biden’s Defense Spending," by The Floridian's James McCool—Among the controversial media headlines the US military has been making lately, President Biden (D) has advocated for a 1.6% increase to defense discretionary funding and has received support from Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D-FL), who calls the increase in defense spending “strong and sensible.”
Fmr. Democrat Lawmaker Takes Offense With GOP Condemning ‘Radical Communist Left’—The Floridian's Mona Salama
“VP Harris To Finally Visit Southern Border On Friday," by The Floridian's Mona Salama—Vice President Kamala Harris will finally make the trip down to the U.S.-Mexico border on Friday, more than three months later since being tapped by President Biden as border czar and just days before former President Trump is set to visit with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.
Biden To Unveil Plan To Curb Gun Violence Amid Crime Wave Surge,"—The Floridian's Mona Salama
ill Introduced in Congress to Investigate Human Trafficking in Strip Clubs” by The Floridian’s Javier Manjarres – We all know what really happens in the VIP room at strip clubs, and because of the illicit activity that occurs at these clubs —it literally falls in the “lap” of law enforcement— there is a new bipartisan measure filed in the U.S. House of Representatives to help the federal governmeant understand the extent of the human trafficking and prostitution that exists at these strip clubs (gentlemen’s clubs) across the country. Florida Reps. Michael Waltz (R) and Ted Deutch (D), two individuals that have probably never stepped foot into one of these establishments, filed the Study to Observe and Prevent (STOP) Human Trafficking Act of 2021.
“Senate Democratic Bill To Federalize Elections Deemed ‘Unconstitutional’” by The Floridian’s Javier Manjarres – Congressional and state Democrats have been accusing the Republican Party of “voter suppression” and racism after many states, particularly Georgia and Florida, passed voter integrity laws. But because these two states have passed and signed into law key election integrity measures aimed at protecting the electoral process, Democrats have introduced legislation to federalize elections, a move that Florida Rep. Greg Steube (R) calls unconstitutional. During a press call with Republican Party of Florida Chairman Joe Gruters, Rep. Steube was asked he could give some insight on the motivation that House Democrats, particularly Rep. Val Demings, may have had for introducing a voter bill (H.R. 1) that would federalize elections and do away with mandatory voter identification requirements that many states have in place.
“Matt Gaetz Calls for Evidence of Twitter Collusion to be Released” by The Floridian’s Jim McCool – After years of pursuing big tech and the recent Twitter ban of former President Trump (R), Florida Representative Matt Gaetz (R-FL) is calling for evidence of Twitter collusion with California politicians to be released. Rep. Gaetz issued a letter to Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey calling on the platform to release all documents and communications showing censorship of political tweets at the behest of California Democrats. The letter comes as conservative influencer Rogan O’Handley’s lawsuit against former California Secretary of State and current U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) exposed collusion between Twitter and politicians in California.
“Crist Praises Eskamani’s Progressive Community Organizing Committee” by The Floridian’s Javier Manjarres – 2022 Democratic gubernatorial candidate, Rep. Charlie Crist, is praising the likable and bubbly State Rep. Anna Eskamani and her Progressive community organizing group that was set up to help Florida Democrats “flip Florida blue” in the upcoming 2022 midterm elections. During the 2020 presidential election cycle, Florida Republicans crushed Florida Democrats statewide, defeating the Democratic Socialist agenda Reps. Eskamani, Carlos Guillermo Smith, and Omari Hardy, who along with some federally elected officials and candidates, bet the house on the last election cycle.
“Cammack And Salazar Scores Prominent Maggie’s List Initial 2022 Endorsements” by The Floridian’s Mona Salama – Maggie’s List, a leading federal political action committee (PAC) focused on electing conservative women, has released its first round of endorsements for the 2022 midterms, including Florida’s two freshman congresswomen — Reps. Kat Cammack and Maria Salazar, but most notable, did not include former GOP conference chair Rep. Liz Cheney in the list. The first round of endorsements list includes 26 candidates — two candidates running in this year’s special elections in Texas and Ohio, 18 House GOP incumbents with two of those representing the Sunshine State for the 2022 midterm election, an Ohio Senate candidate, and the rare endorsement of a non-federal candidate running for lieutenant governor in Virginia.
