Grayson Bakich, Author at The Floridian https://floridianpress.com/author/grayson-bakich/ Thu, 06 Mar 2025 01:01:30 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1 https://floridianpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/cropped-android-chrome-512x512-1-32x32.png Grayson Bakich, Author at The Floridian https://floridianpress.com/author/grayson-bakich/ 32 32 180939656 Steube Reintroduces Bill Preventing U.S. Funds Going to Hezbollah https://floridianpress.com/2025/03/steube-reintroduces-bill-preventing-u-s-funds-going-to-hezbollah/ Thu, 06 Mar 2025 01:30:22 +0000 https://floridianpress.com/?p=70052 Rep. Greg SteubeRepresentative Greg Steube (R-FL) is reintroducing legislation to prevent United States security assistance from going to Lebanon until their government stops recognizing Hezbollah. Creatively named the "Preventing Armed Groups from Engaging in Radicalism" (PAGER) Act, a likely reference to Israel's elimination of Hezbollah leadership via explosive pagers, Rep. Steube's bill terminates US security assistance to […]

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Representative Greg Steube (R-FL) is reintroducing legislation to prevent United States security assistance from going to Lebanon until their government stops recognizing Hezbollah.

Creatively named the "Preventing Armed Groups from Engaging in Radicalism" (PAGER) Act, a likely reference to Israel's elimination of Hezbollah leadership via explosive pagers, Rep. Steube's bill terminates US security assistance to the Armed Forces of Lebanon until their government rescinds recognition of Hezbollah and its military wing.

Additionally, Hezbollah members must be banned from serving in the Lebanese government, which must also extend to affiliates and members of other Iran-backed militias. Moreover, such groups must be expelled from Lebanon, all weapons supplied by Iran and these affiliates must be destroyed, and any Americans exposing Hezbollah's influence and imprisoned by the Lebanese government must be released.

In his press release, Rep. Steube said, "While the world celebrates the demise of Hassan Nasrallah, the United States must remain vigilant to the threat of Hezbollah. Until the people of Lebanon can live free of Hezbollah's terror and persecution, long-term peace and stability in the Middle East will remain out of reach. As the Trump administration works to forge closer ties between Israel and the Arab world, Congress must do its part to contain Iran and eliminate its terrorist network. My PAGER Act will ensure US tax dollars never end up in the hands of Hezbollah."

Earlier in February, the Florida Congressman wrote a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, demanding the cessation of security assistance funding to Iraq for similar reasons.

As Steube explained, pro-Iran Shia militias that the United States funded to defeat the Islamic State (ISIS) have attacked US forces ever since, staging 170 attacks in just two years.

"Replacing ISIS with Iran-backed terrorist militias does not make sense and only fuels the onslaught of terror that the Iranian regime seeks to export. Furthermore, many Iran-backed militias in Iraq have not even been designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations, including the Badr Corps itself," Steube fumed in his letter.

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Buchanan's Chronic Disease Coverage Bill Passes House https://floridianpress.com/2025/03/buchanans-chronic-disease-coverage-bill-passes-house/ Wed, 05 Mar 2025 15:09:49 +0000 https://floridianpress.com/?p=70043 Rep. Vern BuchananRepresentative Vern Buchanan's (R-FL) Chronic Disease Flexible Coverage Act has passed the House of Representatives and will now go to the Senate. The bipartisan bill, which Rep. Buchanan introduced with Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) in early February, allows employers that offer high-deductible health plans (HDHP) to employees an option to include pre-deductible coverage of healthcare […]

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Representative Vern Buchanan's (R-FL) Chronic Disease Flexible Coverage Act has passed the House of Representatives and will now go to the Senate.

The bipartisan bill, which Rep. Buchanan introduced with Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) in early February, allows employers that offer high-deductible health plans (HDHP) to employees an option to include pre-deductible coverage of healthcare services treating common chronic diseases, a policy first implemented in President Donald Trump's first term in 2019.

Healthcare services listed in Rep. Buchanan's legislation include beta blockers for congestive heart failure, blood pressure monitors, glucometers for diabetes, asthma inhalers, and cholesterol drugs for heart disease patients.

In his press release, the Florida Congressman said, "With six in ten Americans living with at least one chronic disease, it is clear that we must expand options for people to manage their chronic health conditions. The Chronic Disease Flexible Coverage Act offers employees more flexibility to manage their chronic diseases, improving patient health while reducing high out-of-pocket costs. I'm proud that this legislation passed the House with unanimous bipartisan support, and I look forward to getting this bill signed into law."

With Republicans controlling the Senate and White House, Buchanan's wish could soon be granted.

The Chronic Disease Flexible Coverage Act is the Florida Congressman's second major healthcare bill introduced in the new Congress, with the first being the Maximizing Israel-U.S. Research Advancement and Collaborative Leadership in Emerging (MIRACLE) Medical Technology Act.

The MIRACLE Act strengthens medical research and development collaboration between the United States and Israel, including creating a U.S.-Israel Health Care Collaboration Center.

More recently, Buchanan introduced two more bipartisan healthcare bills. The Permanent Telehealth from Home Act permanently removes the originating site and geographic limitations for telehealth services, meaning they can be accessed anywhere.

The other, the Lung Cancer Screening and Prevention Act, expedites approval processes for new lung cancer screening tests through the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

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Buchanan Introduces Bill Increasing Tax Incentives for Small Businesses https://floridianpress.com/2025/03/buchanan-introduces-bill-increasing-tax-incentives-for-small-businesses/ Tue, 04 Mar 2025 22:00:32 +0000 https://floridianpress.com/?p=70028 Rep. Vern BuchananRepresentative Vern Buchanan (R-FL) introduced a bill increasing tax incentives for small businesses, encouraging growth and innovation. The most significant provision of Rep. Buchanan's American Innovation Act is increasing the amount of income small businesses can deduct from federal income taxes from $5,000 to $20,000, a massive tax break. Additionally, startup expenditure deductions, like advertising, […]

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Representative Vern Buchanan (R-FL) introduced a bill increasing tax incentives for small businesses, encouraging growth and innovation.

The most significant provision of Rep. Buchanan's American Innovation Act is increasing the amount of income small businesses can deduct from federal income taxes from $5,000 to $20,000, a massive tax break.

Additionally, startup expenditure deductions, like advertising, employee salaries, rent, and office utilities, will be raised from $50,000 to $120,000, both tax breaks allowing small businesses to invest more capital back into their continued growth and innovation.

In his press release, Rep. Buchanan chastised the Biden administration's economic policies: "America's small businesses are still recovering from four years of Biden's overspending and runaway inflation."

As a result, he continued, "Helping entrepreneurs take their unique ideas from concept to reality will jumpstart our economy and give them a deserved shot at the American Dream. As Congress prepares to address historic tax legislation, we need to focus on making it easier for small businesses to do what they do best—create jobs, advance innovation, and invest back into our communities."

Similarly, Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA), the bill's cosponsor, said, "The American Innovation Act allows for investments in research and development to help small businesses grow and allow entrepreneurs to take that next step in their American Dream. This pro-growth tax policy will kickstart our small businesses, and it makes it easier for these businesses to create jobs, support families, and grow our local economies."

Last January, the House Ways and Means Committee passed the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act, which improves tax deductions for business equipment, extends research and development (R&D) expenses, expands the Child Tax Credit, and enhances the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, making it easier for low-income people to afford a home.

The Florida Congressman applauded the bill's passage, saying, "As someone who spent 30 years building businesses, as well as a former chairman of the Ways and Means Tax Subcommittee, I know from experience that making our tax code more competitive means greater prosperity for American families and businesses."

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Cherfilus McCormick Introduces Bipartisan Bill Extending TPS for Haitians https://floridianpress.com/2025/03/cherfilus-mccormick-introduces-bipartisan-bill-extending-tps-for-haitians/ Tue, 04 Mar 2025 14:55:47 +0000 https://floridianpress.com/?p=70023 Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormickRepresentative Sheila Cherfilus McCormick (D-FL) has introduced bipartisan legislation extending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian nationals in the United States. In mid-February, the Trump Administration announced that TPS status for 500,000 Haitians in the United States would be revoked on August 3rd, which Rep. Cherfilus McCormick spoke against. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) […]

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Representative Sheila Cherfilus McCormick (D-FL) has introduced bipartisan legislation extending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian nationals in the United States.

In mid-February, the Trump Administration announced that TPS status for 500,000 Haitians in the United States would be revoked on August 3rd, which Rep. Cherfilus McCormick spoke against.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a statement justifying the decision: "Biden and Mayorkas attempted to tie the hands of the Trump administration by extending Haiti's Protected Status by 18 months—far longer than justified or necessary. We are returning integrity to the TPS system, which has been abused and exploited by illegal aliens for decades. President Trump and Secretary Noem are returning TPS to its original status: temporary."

In a counterstatement, Rep. Cherfilus McCormick emphasized the potential economic impact of abruptly removing half a million people from the country: "The abrupt removal of nearly half a million workers will have an immense and irreparable impact on businesses across the country and our economy at large."

As a result, the Florida Congresswoman and Representatives Mike Lawler (R-NY) and Laura Gillen (D-NY) have issued a bipartisan bill extending TPS for another 18 months starting August 3rd, 2025.

"The elimination of TPS for eligible Haitians will have a detrimental ripple effect on our economy, unleashing turmoil and creating pain throughout our country. Alongside my colleagues, I'm leading this bipartisan push to designate TPS for Haitians because it will provide necessary relief for those fleeing chaos and protect South Florida's workforce," said Cherfilus McCormick in her press release.

Similarly, Rep. Lawler stated, "Many Haitians have sought refuge in my district as the security environment in Haiti has spiraled out of control. Given the ongoing violence and instability in Haiti, extending TPS is both a necessity and a humanitarian imperative. I'm proud to work with Congresswoman Gillen to ensure the U.S. upholds its commitment to the Haitian people during this crisis."

Finally, Rep. Gillen added, "The Administration's unfounded decision to end Temporary Protected Status for Haitians will have a devastating impact on Long Island. Our neighbors, who have been thoroughly vetted and contribute to our economy and our community, now face being sent back to certain, life-threatening danger. I thank my House colleagues for their bipartisan support on this crucial priority."

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Waltz Says 'Time is Not On Zelenskyy's Side' After Peace Talk Kerfuffle with Trump https://floridianpress.com/2025/03/waltz-says-time-is-not-on-zelenskyys-side-after-peace-talk-kerfuffle-with-trump/ Tue, 04 Mar 2025 00:00:12 +0000 https://floridianpress.com/?p=70010 Rep. Michael WaltzNational Security Advisor Mike Waltz discussed the fallout from Friday's tense meeting between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a recent appearance on Fox News, saying the latter was "not ready to talk peace at all," yet "time is not on his side." In addition, Waltz called the communication breakdown "ridiculous and […]

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National Security Advisor Mike Waltz discussed the fallout from Friday's tense meeting between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a recent appearance on Fox News, saying the latter was "not ready to talk peace at all," yet "time is not on his side."

In addition, Waltz called the communication breakdown "ridiculous and unacceptable," as Zelenskyy's apparent disinterest in ending the Russia-Ukraine war is a disservice, as "the American people's patience is not unlimited. Their wallets are not unlimited, and our stockpiles and munitions are not unlimited."

"So the time to talk is now, and what we are hearing in terms of alternatives, whether it is the Democrats or leaders around the world, is essentially continuing this grinding, World War I-style trench warfare that is a meatgrinder of people, munitions, and national treasure. The President campaigned on ending this war, he was elected to end this war. He will be the peacemaker in chief," Waltz continued.

Co-host Bill Hemmer noted that the United Kingdom, France, and the European Union are drafting various terms to ensure the war ends and peace is maintained, asking if Russian President Vladimir Putin has felt enough pressure to come forward for peace talks.

Waltz answered that remained to be "tested, but what we do not have right now is President Zelenskyy saying, 'I am ready to take the steps necessary and have the conversations necessary and make the compromises necessary to end the fighting and go to a ceasefire."

Moreover, Waltz suggested terms for at least a temporary ceasefire before Friday's debacle. Still, if Zelenskyy is truly ready to end the war, "we need to hear that latter piece from Zelenskyy, and we need to hear it publicly."

Co-host Dana Perino further asked if a rare earth minerals deal with Ukraine would be reached between Trump and Zelenskyy or another leader. Waltz said that "what happened Friday really put that up in the air," yet to end the war, "both sides are going to have to make compromises."

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Donalds Responds to Casey DeSantis Gubernatorial Run Rumors: 'Trump Makes Good Picks' https://floridianpress.com/2025/03/donalds-responds-to-casey-desantis-gubernatorial-run-rumors-trump-makes-good-picks/ Mon, 03 Mar 2025 23:36:59 +0000 https://floridianpress.com/?p=70012 Byron DonaldsRepresentative Byron Donalds (R-FL) discussed his run for Governor of Florida in 2026 in a recent appearance on Fox Business's Sunday Morning Futures. When asked about Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis's potential entry into the race, he said, "[President Donald Trump] has a history of making good picks." Rep. Donalds has long been teased as a […]

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Representative Byron Donalds (R-FL) discussed his run for Governor of Florida in 2026 in a recent appearance on Fox Business's Sunday Morning Futures. When asked about Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis's potential entry into the race, he said, "[President Donald Trump] has a history of making good picks."

Rep. Donalds has long been teased as a gubernatorial candidate for the 2026 Election before he finally made it official in late February, backed by President Trump.

Trump made the endorsement even before Rep. Donalds's official announcement, saying on Truth Social, "[Donalds] will fight tirelessly to Secure our Border, Stop Migrant Crime, Strengthen our Military, Protect our Vets, Restore our Economic Power, Advance American Energy DOMINANCE, and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment. Byron Donalds would be a truly Great and Powerful Governor for Florida and, should he decide to run, will have my Complete and Total Endorsement. RUN, BYRON, RUN."

The Floridian exclusively reported that Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) sought to travel to Washington, D.C., to change Trump's mind about endorsing the Florida Congressman in favor of First Lady DeSantis.

Since Donalds's announcement, the DeSantis family kept quiet until Friday night. Casey answered a reporter about running in 2026 with baseball player Yogi Berra's "When you come to a fork in the road, take it."

While nothing is confirmed, Sunday Morning Futures host Maria Bartiromo asked Donalds about the rumors.

"Nothing is easy," the Florida Congressman replied, "But I remember back in 2018 campaigning for then-Congressman DeSantis, who had the support of Donald Trump, and that worked out great for our state. So, in 2025, moving into 2026, I am really honored to have the same support from President Trump. He has a history of making good picks, and I think his picks have always worked out for the Sunshine State."

Despite the potential nature of the remark as a dig against Casey DeSantis, Donalds nevertheless added, "We will worry about the primaries as other people decide to get in the race or not, but we are going to be focused on Floridians. We are going to be focused on the ideas to move our state to the next level."

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Steube Reintroduces Bill to Keep FEMA Aid in the Hands of American Citizens https://floridianpress.com/2025/03/steube-reintroduces-bill-to-keep-fema-aid-in-the-hands-of-american-citizens/ Mon, 03 Mar 2025 14:00:36 +0000 https://floridianpress.com/?p=69997 Greg SteubeRepresentative Greg Steube (R-FL) is reintroducing legislation to keep Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) relief funds going solely to American citizens and lawful permanent residents, saying, "American citizens must be our priority when it comes to disaster recovery." Specifically, Rep. Steube's bill requires noncitizens, meaning lawful permanent residents, to present a green card and valid […]

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Representative Greg Steube (R-FL) is reintroducing legislation to keep Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) relief funds going solely to American citizens and lawful permanent residents, saying, "American citizens must be our priority when it comes to disaster recovery."

Specifically, Rep. Steube's bill requires noncitizens, meaning lawful permanent residents, to present a green card and valid taxpayer requirements to receive FEMA aid. Asylees and refugees must similarly prove they are actively working toward receiving lawful permanent residence.

The legislation is likely a response to reports that FEMA had spent approximately $59 million to house illegal aliens in New York City, which many assume was why former Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas announced FEMA lacked funds for relief from Hurricanes Helene and Milton in the fall of 2024.

In addition to saying, "American citizens must be our priority when it comes to disaster recovery," in his press release, Rep. Steube added, "For too long, FEMA benefits have been extended to paroled noncitizens and individuals who entered our country under policies that many believe have put genuine Americans at a disadvantage.

"The [Biden] Administration's use of humanitarian parole has enabled those without a clear path to lawful permanent residency to tap into disaster relief funds. My legislation restores accountability and ensures that FEMA's critical resources are directed first and foremost to American taxpayers and lawful residents," the Florida Congressman continued.

In December, Steube introduced the Securing Taxpayer Assistance during Natural Disasters (STAND) Act, which would withhold bilateral, multilateral, and humanitarian non-defense foreign assistance obligated or expended by the State Department or USAID during the first 60 days of a Presidentially declared disaster.

The STAND Act was introduced in response to the Biden Administration's announcement of over $1 billion in foreign aid to 31 African countries suffering from natural disasters last week, sparking outrage among Americans for not going to those suffering in North Carolina and Florida after severe hurricanes devastated their communities.

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Lee Introduces Bill Increasing Scrutiny and Transparency of DHS https://floridianpress.com/2025/02/lee-introduces-bill-increasing-scrutiny-and-transparency-of-dhs/ Fri, 28 Feb 2025 21:30:38 +0000 https://floridianpress.com/?p=69989 Rep. Laurel LeeRepresentative Laurel Lee (R-FL) has introduced legislation to place the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) under greater scrutiny and demand greater transparency. More specifically, Rep. Lee's DHS Intelligence and Analysis Oversight and Transparency Act requires DHS's Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) to audit bulk data shared by the Office to ensure that personnel are […]

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Representative Laurel Lee (R-FL) has introduced legislation to place the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) under greater scrutiny and demand greater transparency.

More specifically, Rep. Lee's DHS Intelligence and Analysis Oversight and Transparency Act requires DHS's Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) to audit bulk data shared by the Office to ensure that personnel are not violating Americans' privacy, civil rights and civil liberties.

"Bulk data" refers to large quantities of data acquired without discriminants, as in actively searched for with specific identifiers or terms that have no intelligence value. A 2023 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report found that DHS had not properly audited its bulk data.

As a result, Rep. Lee's bill would codify the auditing of bulk data more thoroughly into law by directing the Under Secretary for I&A to conduct an annual audit of information systems and bulk data, which is then reported to Congress.

In her press release, the Florida Congresswoman said, "A recent report found that the Department of Homeland Security Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) has not conducted required audits of its information system and bulk data, which are crucial for ensuring sensitive data is handled properly. The DHS Intelligence and Analysis Oversight and Transparency Act will require DHS to conduct audits to ensure sensitive data is handled properly to protect America's rights and privacy."

Representative Gabe Evans (R-CO), the bill's cosponsor, added, "As a veteran and former law enforcement officer, I understand the importance of optimizing systems to better protect our communities. A significant portion of the Department of Homeland Security's data does not have intelligence or operational value, which bogs down the efficiency of operations and distracts from the larger mission of protecting our nation. This bipartisan effort will improve government efficiency and direct resources to better protect Americans."

The DHS Intelligence and Analysis Oversight and Transparency Act previously passed the House in December.

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Dunn Urges RFK Jr. to Revoke Biden-Era Medicare, Medicaid Policies Targeting Florida https://floridianpress.com/2025/02/dunn-urges-rfk-jr-to-revoke-biden-era-medicare-medicaid-policies-targeting-florida/ Fri, 28 Feb 2025 20:15:22 +0000 https://floridianpress.com/?p=69975 Representative Neal Dunn (R-FL) spearheaded a recent letter to Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., urging him to revoke a Biden-Harris Administration regulation unfairly targeting Florida. Rep. Dunn explained that the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) introduced a new supplemental payment program for Florida. However, as The Floridian covered in […]

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Representative Neal Dunn (R-FL) spearheaded a recent letter to Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., urging him to revoke a Biden-Harris Administration regulation unfairly targeting Florida.

Rep. Dunn explained that the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) introduced a new supplemental payment program for Florida.

However, as The Floridian covered in January 2024, the Florida program, along with those of Texas and Missouri, was quickly audited for supposed "improper use of Medicaid dollars." California, which has a similar program, was not subject to the same audit.

Notably, the auditing scrutiny began shortly after Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) announced his run for President in the 2024 Election, which Government Accountability and Oversight (GAO) attorney Chris Horner said "just screams weaponization" in comments to the National Review.

"CMS targeted Florida at the same time Governor DeSantis's candidacy to be the Republican presidential nominee was ascendant, and the media was reporting that 'the prospect of facing upstart Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis is prompting whispers of angst within Democratic circles," Horner added.

While Rep. Dunn did not mention the specific angle of Gov. DeSantis's Presidential run, he did emphasize the politicized nature of the audit in his letter, saying, "For the last three years, CMS has subjected Florida to undue scrutiny and hardship despite having previously approved the state's supplemental payment program to assist Medicaid providers."

"This effort would force Biden-era policies into the language of the waiver and are inconsistent with President Trump's conservative agenda. I respectfully urge Secretary Kennedy to intervene by revoking this Biden-era guidance in the waiver and end the targeting the state of Florida," Dunn concluded.

The Florida Congressman's letter follows his colleagues Representative Byron Donalds' (R-FL) new legislation to abolish the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), which was similarly accused of being a political weapon targeting conservatives, and Representative Kat Cammack's (R-FL) bill to defund National Public Radio (NPR) for one-sided coverage despite being government-funded.

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Cammack Introduces Bill to Defund NPR https://floridianpress.com/2025/02/cammack-introduces-bill-to-defund-npr/ Thu, 27 Feb 2025 15:38:58 +0000 https://floridianpress.com/?p=69970 Kat CammackRepresentative Kat Cammack (R-FL) has introduced legislation to defund National Public Radio (NPR), saying, "Federal funds shouldn't be available to NPR." Specifically, Rep. Cammack's bill prohibits NPR from receiving federal funds directly or indirectly, including programming purchases or dues. AllSides has noted that NPR leans left, particularly in opinionated coverage. However, Rep. Cammack pointed to […]

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Representative Kat Cammack (R-FL) has introduced legislation to defund National Public Radio (NPR), saying, "Federal funds shouldn't be available to NPR."

Specifically, Rep. Cammack's bill prohibits NPR from receiving federal funds directly or indirectly, including programming purchases or dues.

AllSides has noted that NPR leans left, particularly in opinionated coverage. However, Rep. Cammack pointed to instances where NPR operated beyond simple bias in its coverage.

For instance, in 2019, Senator Jim Banks (R-IN), who is introducing the Senate companion bill, commented on the Russian collusion investigation during his term as a member of the House of Representatives. NPR claimed that then-Rep. Banks gave false statements, which they were forced to retract after he wrote a letter proving his statements were correct.

More recently, former NPR journalist Uri Berliner, a 25-year veteran of the news outlet, wrote an essay criticizing the leftwing shift at NPR beginning in 2015 and only worsened from there, refusing to cover the Hunter Biden laptop scandal, dismissing the COVID-19 lab leak theory, and pushing narratives of systemic racism in the wake of George Floyd's death in 2020.

Last April, NPR CEO Katherine Maher called the First Amendment the "number one challenge" in battling " misinformation" and further said, "Our reverence for the truth might be a distraction that's getting in the way of finding common ground and getting things done."

As a result, the Florida Congresswoman said in her press release, "Last Congress, the Energy & Commerce Committee held a hearing about the status of NPR and how federal funds are often used for left-wing activism under the journalism moniker."

Additionally, Cammack referenced the loss of conservative and moderate audiences and selective coverage, "For too long, NPR cherry-picked its coverage in favor of its majority Democrat listeners—87 percent according to a Pew Research Survey—from failing to cover an assassination attempt on Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh in 2018 to ignoring former President Joe Biden's business dealings with his son Hunter in 2020. Federal funds shouldn't be available to NPR."

Similarly, Sen. Banks said, "Taxpayers shouldn't be forced to fund NPR's liberal propaganda. If NPR can't stay afloat without government funding, that tells you all you need to know about the quality of their news."

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Haridopolos Holds Hearing on Artemis Space Program and Future Missions https://floridianpress.com/2025/02/haridopolos-holds-hearing-on-artemis-space-program-and-future-missions/ Thu, 27 Feb 2025 13:47:35 +0000 https://floridianpress.com/?p=69958 Rep. Mike HaridopolosRepresentative Mike Haridopolos (R-FL) hosted a Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee hearing on the Artemis space program and future missions with George Washington University's Dr. Scott Pace and Purdue's Dan Dumbacher. With the Artemis program, NASA intends to put humans back on the Moon for longer-term study, hoping to establish a precedent for manned missions to […]

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Representative Mike Haridopolos (R-FL) hosted a Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee hearing on the Artemis space program and future missions with George Washington University's Dr. Scott Pace and Purdue's Dan Dumbacher.

With the Artemis program, NASA intends to put humans back on the Moon for longer-term study, hoping to establish a precedent for manned missions to Mars someday.

Rep. Haridopolos began his questions with Dr. Pace, asking, "Each Artemis mission is a complex web of independent systems. Would any changes to the current Artemis mission architecture get us there faster, or are there more likely to be delays in how we return to the Moon?"

Dr. Pace answered that "the architecture itself" and "the policy direction is fine, [but] where I was particularly pointing at is the need for more sustainable, more reusable systems for going from the Earth to the Moon."

However, he did not suggest modifying the cores of Artemis II and III, as this "would produce more delays."

From there, Rep. Haridopolos turned to Dumbacher. His next question was, "NASA has faced a lot of challenges with Artemis. What lessons could we learn from our private partners who have had so much success over the last few years?"

"One of the lessons we can learn that would be most beneficial would be applying the rapid urgency and focus that we see from our private companies, the ability to solve and rectify problems in a very timely manner," Dumbacher replied, further noting that, as Dr. Pace suggested, "let's the tools in the toolbox we already have. The hardware [is] online with Artemis, and we might have to build a lander. We might have to scale down the current lander opportunities, examples that we have in work so that we can get to that 2030 landing."

Turning back to Dr. Pace, the Florida Congressman asked, "How can the US continue to leverage commercial partnerships to outpace international rivals in lunar exploration and beyond?"

Pace said international and private partners are necessary compared to the Apollo program in the current age.

"So we need our international partners to shape the environment. We need commercial partners to actually provide the innovation necessary to, in an affordable and sustainable way, make progress toward the Moon and Mars. I think the partnership there is not just simply one of money going back and forth and who builds what, but also in terms of just cutting down the kind of regulatory oversight that does not really always add value," Pace concluded.

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Donalds Introduces Bill to Abolish the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau https://floridianpress.com/2025/02/donalds-introduces-bill-to-abolish-the-consumer-financial-protection-bureau/ Wed, 26 Feb 2025 22:50:11 +0000 https://floridianpress.com/?p=69959 Rep. Byron DonaldsRepresentative Byron Donalds (R-FL) is introducing legislation to abolish the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), accusing the Bureau of being "a left-wing tool to stifle domestic economic growth, target political opponents, and prevent the development of competition." The CFPB was founded as part of 2010's Dodd-Frank Act to protect consumers from risky financial loans for […]

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Representative Byron Donalds (R-FL) is introducing legislation to abolish the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), accusing the Bureau of being "a left-wing tool to stifle domestic economic growth, target political opponents, and prevent the development of competition."

The CFPB was founded as part of 2010's Dodd-Frank Act to protect consumers from risky financial loans for credit cards, mortgages, and other systems. However, conservatives have argued that the CFPB lacks proper oversight and regularly oversteps its authority.

Additionally, Rep. Donalds explained that the CFPB is funded by the Federal Reserve, meaning it is automatically required to approve every appropriations request, and accused the Bureau of politicization.

An op-ed for the Midland Daily News provided examples of such politicization, including a now-overturned auto-lending regulation that " used a computer model to guess the race of borrowers based on their last names and zip codes and then punished auto dealers for computer-simulated racial discrimination."

In his press release, Rep. Donalds said, "From its inception in Dodd-Frank, the CFPB has served as a left-wing tool to stifle domestic economic growth, target political opponents, and prevent the development of competition."

Moreover, the Florida Congressman described the Bureau as "Constructed outside of Congressional oversight and funded directly by the Federal Reserve, the CFPB is the very definition of the corrupt, unelected bureaucracy that has so greatly damaged our nation. It is well past time that Congress abolish the CFPB and unleash American prosperity."

Representatives Andy Ogles (R-TN), Ralph Norman (R-SC), and Rich McCormick (R-GA) are cosponsoring Donalds' move to abolish the CFPB.

"I've said it before, and I will say it again: the CFPB has got to go. It is a woke, unaccountable agency that abuses taxpayers with little to no oversight. I am proud to cosponsor Rep. Donalds' efforts to repeal and abolish it," said Rep. Ogles.

Similarly, Rep. Norman added, "The CFPB has become an out-of-control agency, consistently imposing regulations that hurt small businesses and operate without proper oversight. It's filled with woke bureaucrats who bypass the law, creating burdensome rules that undermine accountability and harm the economy. It's past time to restore balance and abolish the CFPB."

However, the Trump Administration has recently stated that it does not intend to abolish the Bureau entirely but to scale back and streamline it.

"The predicate to running a 'more streamlined and efficient bureau' is that there will continue to be a CFPB," said Acting Director and Office of Management and Budget chief Russell Vought.

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Bilirakis Reintroduces Bipartisan Bill Preventing Medicaid Payments to the Deceased https://floridianpress.com/2025/02/bilirakis-reintroduces-bipartisan-bill-preventing-medicaid-payments-to-the-deceased/ Wed, 26 Feb 2025 17:26:47 +0000 https://floridianpress.com/?p=69951 Rep. Gus BilirakisRepresentative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) has reintroduced bipartisan legislation with Representative Angie Craig (D-MN) to prevent Medicaid capitation payments from going to deceased enrollees. Named the "Leveraging Integrity and Verification of Eligibility for (LIVE) Beneficiaries" Act, Rep. Bilirakis's bill requires states to refer to Social Security's Death Master File database quarterly to ensure that Medicaid capitation […]

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Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) has reintroduced bipartisan legislation with Representative Angie Craig (D-MN) to prevent Medicaid capitation payments from going to deceased enrollees.

Named the "Leveraging Integrity and Verification of Eligibility for (LIVE) Beneficiaries" Act, Rep. Bilirakis's bill requires states to refer to Social Security's Death Master File database quarterly to ensure that Medicaid capitation payments are correctly received by living enrollees.

If deceased enrollees are still found to receive payments, state Medicaid programs must remove those names from their rolls.

A November 2023 audit report from 14 states found that over $249 million in Medicaid capitation payments were made to Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) for enrollees no longer living.

In his press release, Rep. Bilirakis said, "As we work to ensure the long-term solvency of critical safety net programs, like Medicaid and Medicare, we have an obligation to ensure we are serving as good stewards of taxpayer dollars. This means we must prevent fraud, waste, and abuse whenever possible. By implementing simple safeguards like the ones in this bill, we can strengthen these programs and help ensure they are meeting their intended purpose of providing access to quality care for our most vulnerable citizens."

Similarly, Rep. Craig added, "Minnesotans deserve to know that their tax dollars are being spent as they were intended, and it's our job as Members of Congress to root out wasteful spending. That's why I'm proud to lead this commonsense, bipartisan bill with Rep. Bilirakis to improve our Medicaid system and ensure taxpayers' dollars are well-spent."

In recent weeks, President Donald Trump and Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) chief Elon Musk claimed that deceased individuals were still receiving Social Security benefits, with supposed enrollees being up to 150 years old (or even older).

However, CBS noted that the exact nature of these supposed payments to deceased (or somehow immortal) people is more nuanced: Social Security uses an ancient programming language (COBOL) that lacks date types. "This means that some entries with missing or incomplete birth dates will default to a reference point of more than 150 years ago," CBS explained.

Moreover, reports from the Social Security Inspector General found that deaths were not properly logged, but that did not mean benefits were still going out to these impossibly old enrollees.

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Dunn Introduces Bill Empowering Vehicle Owners with Crucial Data Access https://floridianpress.com/2025/02/dunn-introduces-bill-empowering-vehicle-owners-with-crucial-data-access/ Tue, 25 Feb 2025 23:30:29 +0000 https://floridianpress.com/?p=69930 Rep. Neal DunnRepresentative Neal Dunn (R-FL) is introducing legislation to allow vehicle owners access to important repair and diagnostic data needed for auto repairs. Named the "Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair (REPAIR) Act," Rep. Dunn's bill allows consumers to access such data about their vehicles and find the best services at the best prices. […]

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Representative Neal Dunn (R-FL) is introducing legislation to allow vehicle owners access to important repair and diagnostic data needed for auto repairs.

Named the "Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair (REPAIR) Act," Rep. Dunn's bill allows consumers to access such data about their vehicles and find the best services at the best prices.

The REPAIR Act was inspired by Judge Denise Casper's dismissal of a lawsuit issued by the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which sued the state of Massachusetts after the wildly popular Right to Repair law passed the ballot with almost 75% of the vote in 2020.

Like Rep. Dunn's bill, Massachusetts' Right to Repair law requires automakers to provide vehicle owners and independent repair shops with access to telematics data. Autobody News described this as allowing consumers greater freedom in choosing where and how their vehicles are serviced.

In his press release, the Florida Congressman said, "American consumers deserve full control over their vehicle repair and maintenance data to ensure they can find the best service for their vehicle at a reasonable price. Unfortunately, vehicle manufacturers are standing in the way of American consumers accessing their own data to use the repair shop of their choosing, limiting consumer choice."

Dunn further condemned automakers' stranglehold on repair data, adding, "For far too long, manufacturers have championed anti-competitive practices by withholding crucial maintenance information, squeezing their customers and independent repair shops."

"Your vehicle belongs to you, not the manufacturer. I am introducing the REPAIR Act to provide a binding, workable solution to anti-competitive behavior in the auto repair industry to reaffirm consumer control over their vehicle maintenance data and empower them to work with repair shops big and small," Dunn concluded.

Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA), the bill's cosponsor, said, "Americans are tired of lip service about lowering prices or respecting the trades. We want to be able to fix our own stuff and to be stewards of our stuff and not reliant on a stream of cheap disposable crap. But auto manufacturers have made it increasingly difficult to have real agency. It's time for Congress to listen to ordinary Americans and pass right-to-repair legislation."

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Franklin Reintroduces Bipartisan Bill Protecting Good Samaritans Using Defibrillators https://floridianpress.com/2025/02/franklin-reintroduces-bipartisan-bill-protecting-good-samaritans-using-defibrillators/ Tue, 25 Feb 2025 22:25:40 +0000 https://floridianpress.com/?p=69922 Rep. Scott FranklinRepresentatives Scott Franklin (R-FL) and Gerald Connolly (D-VA) have reintroduced the bipartisan Cardiac Arrest Survival Act, which establishes nationwide standards for legally protecting the usage of defibrillators outside of hospitals during cardiac emergencies. In other words, state-level Good Samaritan laws for using an automated external defibrillator (AED) outside of hospitals will be streamlined into a […]

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Representatives Scott Franklin (R-FL) and Gerald Connolly (D-VA) have reintroduced the bipartisan Cardiac Arrest Survival Act, which establishes nationwide standards for legally protecting the usage of defibrillators outside of hospitals during cardiac emergencies.

In other words, state-level Good Samaritan laws for using an automated external defibrillator (AED) outside of hospitals will be streamlined into a single federal law, thereby encouraging more people to try and help someone experiencing sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).

After all, as Rep. Franklin's press release noted, approximately 365,000 sudden cardiac arrests occur every year outside of hospitals, according to the American Heart Association. 90% prove fatal, and survival rates worsen the longer the victim goes without defibrillation.

The closer to the event defibrillation occurs, survival rates jump to 70%.

However, while all 50 states and the District of Columbia have Good Samaritan laws, they differ, which discourages the ownership and use of AEDs by individuals and businesses because of liability concerns, a 2020 survey reflects such a lack of confidence, with only 5.3% of respondents saying they felt confident using an AED many saying they were worried about the legal consequences.

In his press release, Rep. Franklin said, "The Cardiac Arrest Survival Act is focused on saving lives. Each year, thousands of Americans suffer sudden cardiac arrest in public spaces, and all too often, lifesaving defibrillation is limited or delayed due to liability concerns. This bill removes those barriers, ensuring AEDs are more accessible and those who help in emergencies are protected. It's a straightforward solution to make our communities safer and more prepared in critical moments when every second counts."

Similarly, Rep. Connolly added, "Access to AEDs is critical to saving lives during a cardiac emergency. As Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, I made it a priority that County buildings and schools deploy this lifesaving technology, and that staff have the knowledge and training to use these tools effectively. This legislation will ensure we don't allow fear of liability or a patchwork of differing protections across the states to prevent an individual or business from taking all necessary measures to save a life."

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Cammack Reintroduces Bipartisan Charlotte Woodward Organ Transplant Act https://floridianpress.com/2025/02/cammack-reintroduces-bipartisan-charlotte-woodward-organ-transplant-act/ Tue, 25 Feb 2025 16:19:16 +0000 https://floridianpress.com/?p=69907 Representative Kat Cammack (R-FL) is reintroducing the bipartisan Charlotte Woodward Organ Transplant Discrimination Prevention Act with Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI), ending discrimination against people with disabilities in the organ transplant system. Rep. Cammack's legislation updates the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act by clarifying that organ transplants cannot be denied to disabled individuals and prohibits covered […]

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Representative Kat Cammack (R-FL) is reintroducing the bipartisan Charlotte Woodward Organ Transplant Discrimination Prevention Act with Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI), ending discrimination against people with disabilities in the organ transplant system.

Rep. Cammack's legislation updates the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act by clarifying that organ transplants cannot be denied to disabled individuals and prohibits covered entities from determining an individual is ineligible to receive a transplant, denying an organ transplant or related service, refusing to refer the individual to an organ transplant center, refuse to place an individual on a waiting list or decline insurance coverage for a transplant or related service based solely on the fact that the individual has a disability.

The bill is named after activist Charlotte Woodward of the National Down Syndrome Society, who was able to receive a lifesaving heart transplant and has since fought to ensure disabled Americans have equal access to organ transplants as those who are not disabled.

Rep. Cammack has said she was inspired to draft the bill after the son of one of her Ocala constituents, a baby boy named Zion Sarmiento, was born with Down Syndrome and a heart defect in June 2021. Little Zion was denied a heart transplant due to being born with Down Syndrome and passed away 40 days after birth despite attempts to save his life.

In her press release, the Florida Congresswoman said, "I'm pleased to join my bipartisan colleagues on both sides of the aisle in introducing the Charlotte Woodward Organ Transplant Discrimination Prevention Act. Organ transplants and other lifesaving treatments should not be subjective."

Cammack referenced the tragedy of Zion, adding, "In my district, a young infant with Down syndrome, Baby Zion, was denied a lifesaving heart transplant and passed away as a result in 2021. His life was worth saving, and we're fighting to end discrimination in the organ transplant system so the same thing never happens again."

Similarly, Rep. Dingell said, "It's unconscionable that people with disabilities can be passed over for lifesaving organ transplants based on discriminatory and subjective judgments and assumptions about their quality of life. I'm proud to reintroduce this legislation to guarantee that eligible individuals aren't declined a transplant based on their disability and ensure they have the support and services they need in post-operative recovery."

The House passed the bill in September.

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Waltz Says Trump 'Expects to Get This Deal Done' as Russia-Ukraine War Reaches 3rd Anniversary https://floridianpress.com/2025/02/waltz-says-trump-expects-to-get-this-deal-done-as-russia-ukraine-war-reaches-3rd-anniversary/ Tue, 25 Feb 2025 00:40:35 +0000 https://floridianpress.com/?p=69901 Rep. MIchael WaltzNational Security Adviser Mike Waltz spoke with Fox and Friends about the continuing negotiations to end the Russia-Ukraine war, saying President Donald Trump and the White House "expect to get this deal done." "We have been all hands on deck. Secretary [Scott] Bessent, our Treasury Secretary, has been leading the charge, and frustrations are high," Waltz began, […]

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National Security Adviser Mike Waltz spoke with Fox and Friends about the continuing negotiations to end the Russia-Ukraine war, saying President Donald Trump and the White House "expect to get this deal done."

"We have been all hands on deck. Secretary [Scott] Bessent, our Treasury Secretary, has been leading the charge, and frustrations are high," Waltz began, adding that "the United States has stepped forward for Ukraine in a historic and tremendous way."

Additionally, Waltz suggested the Ukrainians have "to realize the opportunity that this is, to be co-invested with the United States of America in the future of Ukraine and the future of its economy and growing the pie in terms of its natural resources that not only helps Ukraine but recoups these hundreds of billions of dollars for the Ukrainian people and the American taxpayer going forward. So we expect to get this deal done. President Trump expects to get this deal done, and I think you will see that in very short order."

Host Lawrence Jones noted that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has offered to resign his position if it means ending the war and his country's membership in NATO, which Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said is "not realistic."

Waltz agreed as this would mean the United States would be obligated to defend NATO. " We have been asking for years for Europe to step up for its own defense, and we have been asking for years for Europe to pay for its own defense, as the US taxpayers have been taking an unfair burden for decades."

Jones then asked how a possible deal with Ukraine for its rare earth mineral deposits is going and what it may look like, to which Waltz answered, "Our position has been 50% of growing the pie is better than the 100% of where [the Ukrainians] are today."

"So let us grow together in an economic partnership. And of course, the US would protect our assets for which we are invested in. This could mean trillions, not only for the Ukrainian people but for us and the stability of the region, and that economic investment is one of the best security guarantees that Ukraine could ever hope for," Waltz concluded.

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Cammack Introduces Bipartisan Bill Improving Public Safety Communications https://floridianpress.com/2025/02/cammack-introduces-bipartisan-bill-improving-public-safety-communications/ Sat, 22 Feb 2025 19:00:52 +0000 https://floridianpress.com/?p=69886 kat cammackRepresentative Kat Cammack (R-FL) is introducing bipartisan legislation to improve public safety communications for first responders, which she said is "critical." Specifically, the Public Safety Communications Act amends the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act (NTIA), the White House's telecommunication and information policy advisory branch, to create a new Office of Public Safety Communications. […]

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Representative Kat Cammack (R-FL) is introducing bipartisan legislation to improve public safety communications for first responders, which she said is "critical."

Specifically, the Public Safety Communications Act amends the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act (NTIA), the White House's telecommunication and information policy advisory branch, to create a new Office of Public Safety Communications.

This organization would then have an Associate Administrator coordinate grant programs associated with Next Generation 911, the digital internet protocol (IP)- based system working to replace analog 911 systems nationwide.

In other words, Rep. Cammack's bill is designed to improve and coordinate the ongoing improvements in 911 emergency services more efficiently.

Other duties of the Associate Administrator for Public Safety Communications would be communicating public safety policies to public and private entities and evaluating such communications before Congress.

In her press release, Rep. Cammack said, "As the wife of a first responder, I know how important public safety communications are to law enforcement and emergency response personnel. New technologies are emerging daily that can help to improve the work of our first responders, which is why coordination is critical. I know this is a bipartisan effort that should garner support on both sides of the aisle, and I look forward to welcoming my colleagues to join this legislation."

Back in March 2021, the Florida Congresswoman, whose husband is a SWAT medic, displayed her husband's vest on the House floor as part of an address fiercely criticizing efforts to defund police nationwide.

However, the gesture resulted in her husband being written up by his police department despite previously possessing a perfect record of service.

"Back in March, when I took my husband's SWAT vest up here to the Capitol to fight against the defunding of the police, when I got home, my husband got written up for that.  That is what we are up against," Cammack told Fox News the following December, adding that her husband's record was "blemished by something that I did in defense of his department."

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