Florida Lawmakers

WASHINGTON—Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) spoke to The Floridian and opined on legislation that is floating around to make insurance companies cover IVF (in-vitro fertilization) services. The Florida congresswoman was adamant that "discrimination" against infertile couples needs to be stopped. "It's very simple. First, infertility is a disease. It is a documented disease, and like every […]

The Florida Senate unanimously passed a bill 37-0 Wednesday that would divert criminally appropriate defendants suffering from mental illnesses into treatment programs instead of incarceration. Sen. Jennifer Bradey (R-Fleming Island) championed SB 168, also known as the Tristan Murphy Act. Rep. Nan Cobb (R-Eustis) is sponsoring the House version of the bill (HB 1207), which […]

TALLAHASSEE—Archibald, a four-year-old African penguin from the Florida Aquarium, visited the state capitol on Wednesday, appearing unperturbed by recent tariffs waged against his Australian brethren. Archi was the youngest of four penguins brought by the Tampa-based Florida Aquarium to Tallahassee. He, along with Nuri, Enzi, and Dasson—the oldest traveler at 16 years old—visited the Senate […]

The House State Affairs Committee advanced a joint resolution 16-6 Tuesday to the chamber floor that would amend the Florida Constitution to institute eight-year term limits for county commissioners and school district board members. Rep. Michelle Salzman (R-Escambia County) explained a strike-all to her joint resolution (HJR 679) to the committee. The strike-all, which passed, […]

The House Education and Employment Committee favored a bill Tuesday that would require public schools and charter schools to train its employees to identify potential students victimized by human trafficking and take necessary action. Rep. Erika Booth (R-St. Cloud) explained her bill (HB 1237) to the committee. The legislation is also co-sponsored by Rep. Tobin […]

WASHINGTON—Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) spoke to The Floridian about the latest news regarding Representative Anna Paulina Luna's (R-FL) and Brittany Pettersen's (D-CO) move to allow new mothers to proxy vote. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and other Republicans shot down the move on Tuesday. Rep. Wasserman Schultz mentioned that she's dealt with this issue since […]

President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order designed to bolster the coal industry. Conservatives had long claimed burdensome permit requirements, regulations, and undue fiscal pressure were unjustly hindering the coal industry.  Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin commended the executive order, claiming it will “unleash American energy.” “Under President Trump, we will unleash energy […]

TALLAHASSEE—The Florida Senate this week advanced a sweeping change in how petitions to put constitutional amendments on the ballot are handled, prompted by a vicious battle between the state and pro-abortion advocates during the 2024 election. The 50-page measure, which differs from the version approved on the House Floor last week, hopes to revamp how […]

Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) spoke on his "Verdict" podcast about the latest tariffs that have been implemented against countries worldwide. The Texas senator shared that he has heard from foreign governments concerning President Donald Trump's (R) tariffs and that his advice to them is to deal with the U.S. immediately, as he believes America sits […]

WASHINGTON—Newly-elected Congressman Randy Fine (R) has fueled his ongoing political intraparty fight with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis by insinuating that Gov. DeSantis could be targeting him and former Democrat-turned-Republican State Rep. Hillary Cassel because they are Jewish. During an exclusive interview with The Floridian, Rep. Fine did not mince his words, calling Gov. DeSantis’ political […]

Trade negotiations between the US and China are teetering as President Donald Trump recently threatened China with expanding tariffs lest the latter rescind its plans to increase their own tariffs on US goods. President Trump levied a baseline 10% tariff on all imports entering the US with additional tariffs for countries that the White House […]

The Congressional Voting Rights Caucus Co-Chairs recently led nearly 60 House members in sending a letter to President Donald Trump (R) for his "unconstitutional" executive order relating to American elections. The lawmakers in the House contend that Trump's Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections executive order includes "illegal overreach" and denies equal access to people […]

Both Governor Greg Abbott (R-TX) and Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) have called upon their Floridian counterparts, Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) and Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) to engage in a friendly bet as the Houston Cougars and the Florida Gators play in the NCAA Men's basketball national championship tonight. Gov. Abbott and Sen. Cruz were the […]

Gov. Ron DeSantis launched his newest volley of attacks against the Republican-led Florida House on Monday, blasting the lower chamber for blocking his priorities and allegedly cozying up to liberal trial lawyers. His comments at a Panama City Beach press conference are the latest stab in the hot-and-cold feud between DeSantis and House Speaker Danny […]

The Florida House of Representatives passed a bill 78-29 on Thursday that would mandate state agencies, school boards, and charter schools to update geographic and instructional materials from the “Gulf of Mexico” to the "Gulf of America." Rep. Juan Porras (R-Miami) sponsored the bill (HB 549). Rep. Porras explained his bill on the chamber floor. […]

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — In a significant move toward reforming Florida’s auto insurance system, the House Insurance and Banking Subcommittee advanced HB 1181 by a 17-1 vote on Thursday. Sponsored by Representative Danny Alvarez and Representative Meg Weinberger, the bill seeks to repeal the state’s decades-old Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance requirement and replace it with […]

Senators Rick Scott (R-FL) and Ashley Moody (R-FL) have introduced the Senate version of the Defending Domestic Orange Juice Production Act, which aims to update regulations and support Florida citrus growers by creating friendlier standards. The entire Florida delegation has co-sponsored the House version of the bill. With Sens. Scott and Moody on board, that […]

The US Treasury Department recently announced a series of sanctions aimed at deterring illicit Houthi purchases of Russian goods such as weapons and stolen Ukrainian grain. Sanctions target a group of Russia-affiliated individuals and entities allegedly cooperating with Sa’id al-Jamal, a top Houthi financial official which the Treasury Department claims is backed by Iran’s Islamic […]