Florida Lawmakers

Senate Democratic Leader Lori Berman gave her first remarks after being elected to replace Sen. Jason Pizzo (I-Sunny Isles) at the start of today's session, saying in part that her party was "alive and kicking" after the latter said the Florida Democratic Party was "dead." "Today I rise with deep gratitude, a strong sense of […]

President Donald Trump’s cabinet members are increasing public pressure on China as trade negotiations over bilateral tariffs unfold. President Trump recently announced he was raising tariffs on imports from China to 125% “effective immediately.” Trump and many Republicans have argued that China engages in deceptive trade practices to unfairly attract trade to their shores, harming […]

The Florida Senate unanimously passed a bill 37-0 on Thursday that would require traditional and charter public schools to be ready and able to administer EpiPens to students going through an allergic reaction before, after, and during school hours. Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith (D-Orlando) filed the bill (SB 1514). He gave the following statement on […]

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth recently signed a memorandum enacting internal reforms across the Department of Defense (DOD) relating to how the military handles equal opportunity complaints.  The memorandum, which Secretary Hegseth nicknamed the “No More Walking On Eggshells” policy, seeks to counteract specious Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) complaints.   According to Hegseth, unsupported EEO complaints […]

The Florida Senate passed a bill 37-0 on Thursday that would create excessive speeding penalties for state drivers going 50 mph or more, 100 mph or more while passing or switching lanes, or exceeding the limit by 35 mph or more on non-limited access roads. Sen. Jason Pizzo (I-Sunny Isles) sponsored the bill (SB 1782). […]

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 […]