President Donald Trump's 'One Big Beautiful Bill' narrowly passed in the U.S. Senate by a vote count of 51-10 with Vice President J.D. Vance casting the tie-breaking vote, but before the legislative measure made it over to the upper chamber, it faced challenges in the Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives, and one senior policy advisor is being credited with helping pass the bill, congressional candidate Ola Hawatmeh.
According to Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R-IN), Hawatmeh, who is running to replace Rep. Byron Donalds in Florida's 19th Congressional district as an America first congressional candidate, helped House Republicans and President Trump "get the bill across the finish line" at the very last hour, and helped pass the budget bill in 2025.
"We didn't know if we were going have every vote and she's working on the hill with other members and she actually helped us get the bill across the finish line, so you can thank her (Hawatmeh) for lower taxes for, for deregulation, for energy production all the things that we care about as Americans," said Rep. Stutzman in a video endorsing Hawatmeh's congressional campaign shared with The Floridian.
The 'Big Beautiful Bill' is seen as an America First measure that overhauled federal policy in the economic sectors of agriculture, energy, healthcare, military quality of life, and energy, to name a few.
In a crowded Republican primary race, being credited of having a legislative policy acumen that helped passed President Trump's bill in Congress, is a big feather in Hawatmeh's cap, who has also received the endorsement of rising Rep. Meg 'MAGA Meg' Weinberger (R), a staunch supporter of President Trump, and a rising star in the Florida State Legislature.
“With Republicans needing to keep their slim majority in the U.S. House of Representatives, we need more loyal America First Republicans like Ola to help President Donald Trump continue defending our God-given American freedoms and liberties," stated Rep. Meg Weinberger in a campaign press release.
In response, Hawatmeh emphasized her campaign's effort to "Make America Great Again, " adding her belief of "how important it is to help President Donald J. Trump retain the narrow Republican majority in the House of Representatives with true America First candidates."
Trump world support for Hawatmeh appears to be lining up, as Trump's former policy advisor, Stephen Moore, has also lent his support to the Hawatmeh congressional campaign.
In another video endorsement that was share with The Floridian, Moore said that Hawatmeh could be an "awesome addition to Congress," praising her being a"free marketeer" that "understands freedom" and wants to "limit the size and scope and the debt of our government."
Because Florida's 19th Congressional District is considered a "safe" seat for Republicans, a total of (8) individuals, including Hawatmeh, have entered the race.
According to sources, it appears as if some of the candidates are trying to position themselves to receive the coveted Trump endorsement.
Hawatmeh could have the early advantage to garner Trump's support and win the nonination considering the support she has received for her America First bona fides.
The List Candidates:
Fmr. Rep. Madison Cawthorn (NC)
Fmr. Rep. Chris Collins (NY)
Fmr. State Senator Jim Oberweis (Illinois)
Ola Hawatmeh
Catalina Lauf
Jim Schwartzel
Johnny Fratto
Mike Petersen
Florida's 2026 primary election is slated for August 18.
