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—Sorry for the delay-Technical difficulties (Darn Wi-FI was down at our hotel)
The State of the Union
President Biden’s long-anticipated State of the Union address went off without a hitch, with many dignitaries, and even Bono of U2, were in attendance to see what the President had to say.
As you can imagine, Republican lawmakers were completely dismissive of Biden, while Democrats like Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Joaquin Castro, and Kathy Castor praised Biden and his accomplishments.
We spoke to Rep. Wasserman Schultz after the SOTU where she said that Biden successfully outline the major accomplishments he made in his first two years as President and that he has successfully baited House Republicans into agreeing not to cut Social Security and Medicare spending. READ MORE
In addition, here are Sen. Rick Scott and Rep. Anna Paulina Luna expressing their thoughts about the SOTU. READ MORE
The State of the Border
The border crisis is nothing less than a complete sh-t show as illegal immigrants, illicit drugs, and crime continues to stream into the U.S. from Mexico.
During a heated hearing on Capitol Hill, Rep. Maxwell Frost (D) asserted that illegal immigration was not criminal.
Well, Rep. Byron Donalds (R) had something to say about that. READ MORE
Save the Date
Fort Lauderdale-based Tripp/Scott will be hosting Fox News Host Pete Hegseth on February 15th as he promotes his new book, “Battle for the American Mind.”
Marco Rubio-Biden must disclose to Americans when they knew the spay balloon was headed towards the U.S. & explain why they didn’t stop it And because we don’t have a deconfliction “hotline” with China issue a clear & public statement about what actions we will take if it happens again
Jared Moskowitz-Apparently the Republicans in the chamber hate Teachers and love Lead pipes.
Rep. Lois Frankel-Great speech, @POTUS! #SOTU
Mario Diaz-Balart-As the first naturalized American citizen from Mexico to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives in Arizona history, @RepCiscomani is living proof of the countless opportunities afforded to all in the U.S. & all that is possible through hard work and perseverance.
"Scott, Luna Comment on Biden's SOTU Address" by The Floridian's Daniel Molina—President Joe Biden (D) issued his State of the Union (SOTU) address this week, and Republicans have been quick to issue a response. The Floridian caught up with Florida Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R) and Florida Senator Rick Scott (R) to discuss Biden's comments after delivering his speech. READ MORE
"Frost Calls Border Wall "Monument of Fear" by The Floridian's Grayson Bakich—Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-FL) got into a heated debate with Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) and other House Republicans over border security. READ MORE
"Wasserman Schultz Says Biden Baited Republicans During State of the Union" by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address brought the ever-divided U.S. Congress together in the lower chamber, and while Republicans dismissed the President’s speech as being disingenuous and lacking real substance, House Democrats like Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz praised the “happy warrior” and his legislative accomplishments during his first two years in office. READ MORE
"DeSantis Emphasizes FDOT Support" by The Floridian's Daniel Molina—READ MORE
"Gaetz Sends Letter to Urge Biden to Cut Spending" by The Floridian's Jackson Bakich—Representative Matt Gaetz (R-FL) alongside four other Republicans penned a letter to President Joe Biden (D) “urging him to enact work requirements as a feature of welfare reform.” READ MORE
"DeSantis Announces 400,000 Florida Republican Voter Advantage Over Democrats" by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—READ MORE
"Haley Releases Advertisement Against Biden" by The Floridian's Daniel Molina—READ MORE
"Donalds: AOC's Defense of Ilhan Omar was Hypocritical and 'High Drama'" by The Floridian's Jackson Bakich—Last week, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) gave an impassioned speech on the House floor in defense of Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) after Republicans decided to remove her from the Foreign Affairs Committee due to a history of anti-Semitic comments. READ MORE
"DeSantis Holds Panel to Discuss Legacy Media Defamation" by The Floridian's Jackson Bakich—Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) held a roundtable discussion around the topic of defamation in Hialeah Gardens.. The main point of the event was to consider the legacy media’s effect on regular people who look to post on stories before they can be confirmed or are taken out of context. READ MORE
"Donalds Debunks House Democrat's Claim That Border Crisis Isn't Criminal (VIDEO)" by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—During a heated debate in the House Oversight Committee on border security, Freshman Rep. Maxwell Frost (D) asserted that the influx of tens of thousands of illegal immigrants along the southern border was not criminal, rather a “humanitarian” issue. READ MORE
"Americans Will Keep Dying From Fentanyl Until President Biden Steps up" OPINION by Senator Marco RUBIO—“We’re finding fentanyl in almost every single drug out there,” reports Sheriff John Mina of the Orange County Police Department. Mina is on the front lines of America’s overdose crisis, but he is far from alone...READ MORE
"Salazar, McCaul Question Biden Over Dominical Republic Travel Advisory" by The Floridian's Daniel Molina—House Republicans have issued a letter to President Joe Biden (D). In the letter, GOP members question Biden over his travel advisory to the Dominican Republic, calling it “harmful.”
"Disney Loosing Reedy Creek Governance Appears Imminent" by The Floridian's Grayson Bakich —READ MORE
"Scott, Manchin Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Stop Sale of Crude Oil to China" by The Floridian's Jackson Bakich—Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) and Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) introduced a bipartisan bill that looks to ban the sale of crude oil from the United States, specifically from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to companies owned by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). It would also ban the sale of any crude oil from the SPR to China itself. READ MORE
"Florida Democratic and Republican Lawmakers Differ on Death Penalty Changes" by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—Democratic lawmakers have differing views on Republican proposals to change the state’s death penalty laws, including eliminating a requirement of unanimous jury recommendations before judges can impose death sentences, leaders said Monday. READ MORE
"Joe Biden’s Venezuela Deal Is Risky But Worth Trying" Opinion by Luis Fleischman, PhD—A few months ago, the Biden Administration granted five U.S. oil companies limited authorization to resume pumping oil from Venezuela. The decision came after the Venezuelan government and the opposition reached a humanitarian relief agreement and to resume negotiations to resolve the country’s political crisis, focusing on Venezuela’s 2024 elections. READ MORE
"Scott Urges Passage of his American Security Drone Act" by The Floridian's Grayson Bakich — The delayed reaction by the Biden administration to the Chinese surveillance balloon continues to draw ire from Republicans. Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) says this whole affair is precisely why the American Drone Security Act, which he reintroduced in 2021, is vital in its passage. READ MORE
"Rubio Issues Stark Warning Over Chinese Balloon" by The Floridian's Daniel Molina — Florida Senator Marco Rubio (R) has issued a stark warning about the Chinese balloon controversy. President Joe Biden (D) received criticism over his lax response to the balloon, but he ultimately ordered the U.S. military to shoot it down over the weekend. READ MORE
Gaetz Wants Biden to 'Blow Up TikTok' After Chinese Spy Balloon is Shot Down" by The Floridian's Grayson Bakich — With the Chinese surveillance balloon having finally been shot down, concerns about how deep Chinese espionage against American interests has gone. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL-1) simply says that with the balloon destroyed, "now blow up TikTok." READ MORE
"Eskamani Scolds DeSantis Over Revoking Bar's Liquor License" by The Floridian's Daniel Molina—Tension continues to rise between Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) and House Democrats. Florida Rep. Anna V. Eskamani (D) took to Twitter to scold DeSantis over his recent feud with a drag show. READ MORE
"Wasserman Schultz: DeSantis Cutting AP African American Course Risks Repeating 'Slavery' and Holocaust (VIDEO)" by The Floridian's Jackson Bakich—Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) and the state Department of Education (DoE) excluded The College Board’s Advanced Placement (AP) African American Studies course for high school students, fueling the Democratic narrative that the Governor was racist against the Black community. READ MORE
"House Democrats Urge DeSantis Crackdown on Sex Traffickers in Florida" by The Floridian's Daniel Molina— Florida Rep. Lois Frankel (D) has issued a letter to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) expressing her concern over the sex trafficking of foster children in Florida. READ MORE
"Wasserman Schultz Speaks About the Importance of Black History Month" by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—The month of February is Black History Month, and lawmakers across the country like Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz are out pointing out the accomplishments and contributions African-
"Taddeo Receives Flurry of Endorsements for FDP Chair" by The Floridian's Jackson Bakich —READ MORE
"Republican-led Florida Legislature Calls Special Session on Reedy Creek, Other Issues" by News Service of Florida READ MORE
"House Republicans Demand Chinese Balloon be Shot Down" by The Floridian's Grayson Bakich— The U.S. government has confirmed that there is a Chinese spy balloon hovering over U.S. airspace and a second balloon over Canada, and also heading towards Montana. Not only is this a blatant violation of American airspace, but the Biden administration does not seem to be taking action against it. READ MORE
"Scott Introduces Bill to Reduce America's $31 Million in Debt" by The Floridian's Jackson Bakich— Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) has teamed up with Senator Jim Risch (R-ID) and other Republican Senators in order to introduce the Zero Based Budget Act, which looks to “reduce the more than $31 trillion of debt held by the general public and curb unjustified spending at the federal level.” The bill looks to cut spending of federal agencies that have spent perhaps more than they need to. READ MORE
"Frost Only Florida Democrat to Vote in Support of Socialism" by The Floridian's Grayson Bakich—Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar's (R-FL) anti-socialism resolution was met with overwhelming support as the majority of Republican and Democratic lawmakers in the House of Representatives voted 386-86 in favor of the measure. READ MORE
"DeSantis Files Complaint Against Florida Venue for Exposing Children to Sexualized Acts During Drag Show" by The Floridian's Grayson Bakich and Javier Manjarres—Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, through the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DPBR), has filed a formal 6-count complaint against the Orlando Philharmonic Foundation... READ MORE
"Mast: End the COVID Emergency Declarations" by The Floridian's Jackson Bakich—Now that the vast majority of the fear surrounding the coronavirus pandemic has subsided, Republicans such as Representative Brian Mast (R-FL) are calling for the emergency declaration to be suspended indefinitely. READ MORE
"House Passes Resolution Denouncing 'Horrors of Socialism'" by The Floridian's Daniel Molina—With a vote total of 328 to 86, the House of Representatives has passed Florida Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar’s (R) "Denouncing the Horrors of Socialism" Act. The Florida Republican joined House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R) in introducing the resolution. READ MORE
"Wasserman Schultz, Waltz Reintroduce Anti-Maduro Regime BOLIVAR Act" by The Floridian's Daniel Molina—Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D) has joined forces with fellow Floridian, Rep. Mike Waltz (R), to reintroduce the BOLIVAR Bill...READ MORE
"Wasserman-Schultz Compares DeSantis to Socialist Dictators" by The Floridian's Grayson Bakich—The historical cruelties of socialism are too great to deny. As such, the House passes a resolution condemning the ideology. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz nonetheless uses this as an opportunity to take a shot at Governor Ron DeSantis. READ MORE
"Anthony Rubio Will Play College Football at University of Florida" by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—READ MORE
"Moskowitz Says Antisemitism Poses Threat to Jewish Community, Society" by The Floridian's Grayson Bakich—Jewish members of Congress continue to demand action against the rise of antisemitism across the U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL-23) wrote a letter to Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) this week, urging him to form a Select Committee on Combating Antisemitism. READ MORE
"Republicans Continue to Overshadow Democrats With Massive Voter Registration Advantage" by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse for the embattled Florida Democrats, Republicans now hold a 384,000 voter registration edge over them going into 2023. READ MORE
"Ilhan Omar Booted off Foreign Affairs Committee over Past Antisemitic Remarks, Democrats cry Racism" by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—With a final floor vote of 218-211, the Republican-led House of Representatives voted to boot Rep. Ilhan Omar from her seat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. READ MORE
"FIU Ranks Among Top 10 Colleges in America" by The Floridian's Jim McCool—University education has become a hotly contested political issue over the years in regard to high costs for students. Florida looks to be ahead of the game nationwide with multiple schools nationally recognized, but surprisingly Florida International University (FIU) is ranked as one the Top 10 schools in the country. READ MORE
"Buchanan, Soto Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill Combating Mexican Trade Practices" by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—Representatives Vern Buchanan (R-FL) and Darren Soto (D-FL) introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation looking to counter Mexico’s one-sided trade practices, especially when it relates to fruit and vegetable growers. Senators Rick Scott (R-FL) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) introduced companion legislation in the upper chamber. READ MORE
"DeSantis Accused of Declaring War on Blacks in Florida" by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—February is Black History Month in America, and Black lawmakers, alongside activists, are playing the race card against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Republican lawmakers for acknowledging the monthly celebration of African-American history in the U.S. Gov. DeSantis is being accused of declaring "war on Black people." READ MORE
"Haley Expected to Announce Presidential Run" by The Floridian's Daniel Molina—South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley (R) has long been rumored to be mulling a presidential run. This week, Haley signaled that she would be making a special announcement on February 15th, 2023 in Charleston, South Carolina, presumably announcing her 2024 presidential bid. READ MORE
"Scott Questions Why Leader McConnell Removed him From Top Senate Committee" by The Floridian's Jackson Bakich—With Republicans taking back the House of Representatives during the 2022 midterm election cycle, several House Democrats have cried foul after being removed from their respective committees. However, in the upper chamber, after Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) was removed from the Senate Commerce Committee, the former Florida Governor is now pointing the finger at his own party leadership.
"Rubio Reintroduces Bills to Fight Against China in 2023" by The Floridian's Jackson Bakich—Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) has announced that he has reintroduced eight bills in order to combat the exploitations of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and to protect American companies and consumers from them. READ MORE
"Cubans 'Throwing Themselves to the Sharks' to Find Freedom in Florida" by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres READ MORE
"DeSantis Unveils Framework for Freedom Budget" by The Floridian's Grayson Bakich—Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) has unveiled his 2023-2024 fiscal year budget, dubbed it the "Framework for Freedom." This ambitious $114.8 billion plan covers multiple areas, from tax relief to education to environmental and infrastructure projects to law enforcement.
"House Democrats Oppose Pledge of Allegiance Recitation in House Judiciary (VIDEO)" by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz has reintroduced an amendment in the House Judiciary Committee to allow for the Pledge of Allegiance to be recited before every meeting of the committee, and Progressive Democratic Ranking member Rep. Jerry Nadler opposed the measure. READ MORE
"Rubio Demands Blinken, Yellen Hold China Accountable in Upcoming Visit" by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—Countering the threat of China is an international priority that America cannot overlook. As Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen gear up for a visit to Beijing, Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) urges them to hold China accountable not only for its aggression abroad but its human rights abuses within. READ MORE
"Rick Scott Introduces Bill to Create Bicameral Committee to Investigate Afghanistan Withdrawal" by The Floridian's Grayson Bakich—Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) introduced a bill that looks to create a bipartisan and bicameral committee into President Joe Biden (D) and his administration’s withdrawal of Afghanistan. READ MORE
"Waltz Urges DOD to Investigate School Military Programs" by The Floridian's Daniel Molina READ MORE
"Donalds: 'COVID is Over Now'" by The Floridian's Jackson Bakich—Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) has become more than just a popular U.S. House Congressman among other legislators, but a nationally recognized name, and is now railing against the federal overspending tied to the COVID pandemic. READ MORE
"DeSantis Releases 2023. Education Agenda, Looks to ban CRT and Diversity and Equity Curriculums" by The Floridian's Jackson Bakich—Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) held a press conference in Bradenton today, and later released a statement regarding the introduction of his agenda for the 2023 Session, particularly his intentions to “further elevate civil discourse and intellectual freedom in higher education.” READ MORE
"DeSantis, Florida Lawmakers Target Unanimous Jury Recommendations in Death Cases" by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—TALLAHASSEE — With backing from Gov. Ron DeSantis, Florida lawmakers could scrap a requirement that unanimous jury recommendations are needed before death sentences can be imposed. READ MORE
"Rubio Comments on Biden's Classified Documents" by The Floridian's Daniel Molina—Florida Senator Marco Rubio (R) appeared on the Fox News "Hannity" TV Show this week to discuss a number of issues, including the ongoing investigation into the classified documents President Joe Biden (D) had over several locations. READ MORE
The JUICE is squeezed by Javier Manjarres, Jim McCool, and Daniel Molina
