Florida Legislature

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Sens. Rick Scott (R-FL) and Rubén Marinelarena Gallego (D-AZ) introduced a bipartisan bill called the Continuing High-Quality Evaluations of Concerning and Known Persons of Interest through National Training Updates (CHECKPOINT) Act. The act aims to modernize and improve U.S. Border Patrol checkpoints by formally codifying the Checkpoint Program Management Office to oversee performance, […]

TALLAHASSEE—An independent watchdog group dedicated to saving Florida tax dollars identified $416 million in the newly passed state budget that they believe Gov. Ron DeSantis should heavily scrutinize—and perhaps veto. Florida TaxWatch released its annual "Budget Turkey" list on Tuesday, a day after the Legislature finalized a $115.1 billion budget for the next fiscal year. […]

TALLAHASSEE—An hour before midnight on the 105th day of session, the Florida Legislature approved a $115.1 billion budget for the next fiscal year, putting the much-anticipated kibosh on a drawn-out standoff between Republican leaders. The near-unanimous vote across both chambers Monday night after 11 p.m. saved the Florida government from a partial shutdown, which would […]

U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, (D-FL) accused the Trump administration of imposing recent travel bans against Haitians out of prejudice rather than protection. "I have one simple question: Where is the data? What evidence shows that Haitians pose a threat to national security? There is none. No facts. No justification. Just a sweeping, baseless ban rooted […]

U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, (D-FL), posted a video to social media urging President Donald Trump not to “recklessly fire experts who work to keep our country’s infant formula supplies safe.” “I can tell you it's stressful enough when you realize that you're no longer able to or unable to breastfeed your child, and so […]

A top Florida Republican in contention to be the next Lieutenant Governor has flown to Israel to help evacuate trapped Americans, prompted by the barrage of bombs exchanged between Israel and Iran in a rapid escalation of Middle Eastern tensions. Sen. Jay Collins, a former Green Beret representing parts of Tampa, announced Sunday that he […]

U.S. Rep. Greg Steube, (R-FL) called for the permanent implementation of President Donald Trump’s tax cuts, with the goal of financial security for working class Americans. “If Democrats have their way, working families and small businesses will suffer the largest tax hike in American history.” he said. “We must make the Trump tax cuts permanent […]

TALLAHASSEE—In anticipation of President Donald Trump's new plan to "phase out" the nation's disaster response agency, Florida Senators are scrambling to close future gaps with a last-minute budget item pushing millions into the state's volunteer military force. Senate budget chair Ed Hooper, a Republican, told reporters on Friday that he's worried about the Federal Emergency […]

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL) mocked the Trump Administration over rising electricity prices in Florida. She stated, “Propaganda I am NOT falling for:” “The Trump Administration saying Floridians have affordable electric bills??” Rep. Castor added. The video embedded in the post shows the Hon. Wright discussing how Florida, over 15 years, has had very little rise […]

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed four measures targeting sexual predators into law on Tuesday, strengthening penalties for child groomers, targeting deepfake porn, and lengthening the prison sentences for certain sexual offenders. The massive bill signing happened at a Tuesday press conference in Jacksonville, where DeSantis paraded Florida's no-nonsense stance against the sexual abuse of minors. DeSantis […]

The Broward County Sheriff, embroiled in controversy for refusing to track down and arrest unauthorized migrants, should be suspended and replaced if he continues to deprioritize illegal immigration efforts, two top allies to Gov. Ron DeSantis and likely picks to lead high office said Monday. Gregory Tony, the sheriff of the county with the most […]

Days after Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony refused to join the "cesspool" of tracking down unauthorized migrants, Attorney General James Uthmeier on Monday demanded he clarify his stance and promise to uphold a contested new immigration law. If not, Tony could be removed from office, Uthmeier added at the end of a lengthy letter sent […]

U.S. Rep Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL) recently expressing her disapproval over the Trump administration's handling of immigration court cases and asylum seekers. “I am fully aware, and heartbroken, about the uncertainty now gripping Florida's 27th District because of the recent immigration actions of the Administration. Arrests in immigration courts, including people with I-220A and pending […]

On the 81st anniversary of D-Day, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday signed three pro-veteran bills into law. The Florida governor spoke alongside veterans of World War II—one of whom is nearing his 105th birthday—at a Port Charlotte press conference, where he stressed the importance of protecting veterans from exploitation, making it easier for them to […]

TALLAHASSEE—Florida Democratic leaders ripped President Donald Trump's new travel ban as "xenophobic" and "discriminatory" on Friday. On a virtual press conference, lawmakers tied to some of the 19 nations newly restricted from visiting the United States argued Trump's ban is an "un-American" attempt to exclude non-citizens from visiting the country, based out of a fear […]

TALLAHASSEE—Days after Florida's top higher education board shot down a presidential finalist for the first time ever, House Speaker Danny Perez called the move "embarrassing" and preventable had a bill despised by Gov. Ron DeSantis passed the legislature. Perez, a Miami Republican who's clashed with DeSantis for months, spoke to reporters on Thursday, two days […]

TALLAHASSEE—Gov. Ron DeSantis’s controversial new law revamping how citizen-led amendments are put on the ballot will almost fully stay on the books, an Obama-appointed federal judge decided Wednesday. Judge Mark Walker largely sided with the state in his 33-page order, denying all but one of activist groups’ swath of pleas to block various parts of […]

TALLAHASSEE—There's not a "need" to fund positions in the budget for Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis's Hope Florida charity, one appropriations chair said Wednesday. Republican Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka, the chair of the budget conference on Pre-K-12 Education, noted that while negotiations between the House and Senate are ongoing and subject to change, the House doesn't […]