Florida Lawmakers

President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order to boost the US’ offshore mining capabilities.  The order seeks to unleash the US’s competitiveness in the burgeoning offshore mining industry, which China currently leads.  Offshore or ‘deep-sea’ mining is the extraction of critical minerals from the ocean floor.  Critical minerals are used to produce myriad technological […]

TALLAHASSEE—The Florida Senate Democratic leader quit the party. The House Speaker blasted the Senate president. An ex-Republican may run for governor as a Democrat. The attorney general accused a fellow GOP lawmaker of defamation. And the Session won't end. At least, not on time. Thursday, April 24, 2025, marked a day of dysfunction not seen […]

US lawmakers across the political spectrum are commemorating Yom HaShoah, the Hebrew phrase for ‘Day of The Holocaust’ or Holocaust Remembrance Day. Holocaust Remembrance Day occurs every year in May or April, depending on the Hebrew calendar, and kicks off a week of Holocaust Victims Remembrance.  The state of Israel commemorated Yom HaShoah with numerous […]

The Florida Senate Democratic Caucus announced on Thursday that Lori Berman (D-Boca Raton) will serve as its new Senate Democratic Leader following the resignation of Sen. Jason Pizzo (I-Sunny Isles). Leader Berman issued the following statement on the selection. "I am honored and humbled to have the support of my colleagues to serve as the […]

TALLAHASSEE—Florida insurance commissioner Michael Yaworsky warned that a GOP-backed tort reform bill will raise rates on families and underscore the "whims of powerful interests," according to an email obtained by The Floridian. Head of the state Office of Insurance Regulation, Yaworsky bashed HB 947 in a Thursday night email to Peter Cuderman, the legislative affairs […]

TALLAHASSEE—In a shock announcement hinting at a gubernatorial run, Sen. Jason Pizzo revealed Thursday that he will leave his post as Democratic Leader and become an Independent. Pizzo, already rumored to be toying with a gubernatorial run in 2026, blindsided his 10 Democrat colleagues with a 4-minute speech after Thursday's floor session, where he declared […]

TALLAHASSEE—According to a new bill approved by the Florida House, school districts can't stop a book containing "materials harmful to minors" from being banned, even if it has scientific or artistic value. The bill, which passed after nearly two hours of debate on Thursday, builds on a controversial 2022 law allowing Floridians to challenge books […]

The Florida Senate passed several bills on Wednesday for Gov. Ron DeSantis to sign, including a repeal of the sale of firearms and ammunition during a state of emergency, and the removal of "deepfake" sexual images from online platforms, among others. Restrictions on Firearms and Ammunition During Emergencies (SB 952) The bill would repeal a […]

TALLAHASSEE—A Republican Lawmaker has defamed Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, a spokesperson for the state's chief legal officer claimed on Thursday. Jeremy Redfern, the Attorney General's Communications Director, told The Floridian via text message that state Rep. Alex Andrade has made "defamatory accusations" against his boss over the past few weeks. His comments follow Andrade, from […]

Florida Senate Passes Bill Requiring Labels on Food Products Containing Vaccines, Ingredients in Cosmetics The Florida Senate has passed a bill that would protect consumers by requiring labels on food products containing vaccines and vaccine material and add labeling for specific ingredients in cosmetics.... READ MORE   Debbie Wasserman Schultz -Tonight we begin to observe #HolocaustRemembranceDay Yom HaShoah is […]

The Florida Senate has passed a bill that would protect consumers by requiring labels on food products containing vaccines and vaccine material and add labeling for specific ingredients in cosmetics. Sen. Joe Gruters (R-Sarasota) sponsored the bill (SB 196) in the Senate. Sen. Alexis Calatayud (R-Miami) also cosponsored the legislation. “Thanks to the leadership of […]

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has announced plans to ban recent advertisements aired by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in Mexico.  The DHS advertisements are designed to deter illegal immigration into the US and have been airing in Mexico in recent weeks.  DHS Secretary Kristi Noem is featured in the advertisements giving stern warnings to […]

President Donald Trump recently publicly criticized Ukrainian President Vlodymyr Zelenskyy after the latter publicly stated Ukraine would not recognize Russia’s control over Crimea.  The clash between the two presidents comes as their relationship had been improving following a negotiation spat in the Oval Office last February.  President Zelenskyy publicly rejected a US ceasefire proposal that […]

President Donald Trump continues pressuring Iran amidst ongoing negotiations over the latter’s nuclear weapons development programs.  President Trump recently began negotiations with Iran to halt their development of nuclear weapons. The negotiations began as Trump directed the White House to execute a “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran. Since then, the Trump administration has leveraged American […]

TALLAHASSEE—Despite silence from the Florida Senate, the state House approved a bill on Wednesday requiring all private businesses to check their employees' immigration status using a federal database. The measure expands current law to require all businesses to use the E-Verify database. It follows a massive push from Florida lawmakers to crack down on illegal […]

A Senate bill that would allow workers to be paid less than the minimum wage appears to have stalled in its latest committee hearing. Sen. Jonathan Martin (R-Fort Myers) temporarily postponed the bill (SB 676) in the Senate Rules Committee on Monday. Martin said he was doing so to keep the bill "alive." SB 676 […]

A bipartisan family court reform bill designed to enhance procedures for court-appointed psychologists and strengthen fairness and accountability in family cases is heading to the Senate floor after recently passing in the Florida House of Representatives. Rep. David Borrero (R-Sweetwater) sponsored the bill (HB 901) in the House of Representatives. Sen. Mack Bernard (D-West Palm […]

The House Commerce Committee advanced a bill Tuesday to tighten regulations of hemp consumable THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) products sold in Florida. The hemp THC packaging tends to be appealing to children, causing the change. Rep. Michelle Salzman (R-Escambia County) sponsored the bill (HB 7029). Rep. Salzman explained the bill and her reasoning to the committee. "Bad […]