Thursday - November 21, 2024
*Florida Editor Tipoffs Newsletter for Saturday November 16, 2024 ( 33 items )  

Alaska Native SPAR - The Story of Seaman First Class Sophia Thadei
WASHINGTON, Nov. 15 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Coast Guard issued the following news: By Donna Vojvodich, Historian, SPARS Stories History Program On Jan. 1, 1944, tragedy struck the Coast Guard Women's Reserve (SPARS) in Charleston, South Carolina. A young seaman serving as a telephone operator died in a Coast Guard ambulance enroute to the Navy hospital. She was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery. Who was she? Lacking a name to research, I entered her date of deat  more

Congresista Salazar exige respuestas a la FEMA de Biden-Harris por no atender a partidarios de Trump en Florida en los esfuerzos de ayuda por el huracan
WASHINGTON, Nov. 15 -- Rep. Maria Salazar, R-Florida, issued the following news release: Los representantes Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL), Vern Buchanan (R-FL) y 53 de sus colegas en la Camara de Representantes exigieron(link is external) que la Agencia Federal para el Manejo de Emergencias (FEMA) rinda cuentas tras las sorprendentes revelaciones de que un supervisor de la agencia ordeno al personal que evitara brindar asistencia de tormenta a las casas que mostraban carteles de campana en apoyo   more

Congresistas Salazar, Frankel y Lee lideran Resolucion bipartidista que reconoce la Semana Nacional de los Jovenes Cuidadores
WASHINGTON, Nov. 15 -- Rep. Maria Salazar, R-Florida, issued the following news release: Las representantes Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL), Lois Frankel (D-FL) y Barbara Lee (D-CA) presentaron una Resolucion bipartidista que reconoce del 11 al 17 de noviembre de 2024 como la Semana Nacional de los Jovenes Cuidadores. La Resolucion honra las contribuciones y el compromiso de los jovenes menores de 18 anos que brindan cuidados esenciales a sus seres queridos. "Nuestro pais es el hogar de millones d  more

Congressional Research Service Issues In Focus White Paper on Restoration of Cell Phone Services - Hurricane Helene
WASHINGTON, Nov. 15 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12779) on Oct. 8, 2024, by telecommunications policy specialists Jill C. Gallagher and Amanda H. Peskin. Here are excerpts: * * * Restoration of Cell Phone Services: Hurricane Helene On September 26, 2024, Hurricane Helene made landfall near Perry, Florida. The hurricane caused flooding and damage to personal property and critical infrastructure, including roads, power, and co  more

Durbin Calls For GAO Investigation Into ICE Detention Facilities, Medical Care, Dangerous Conditions
WASHINGTON, Nov. 15 -- Sen. Richard J. Durbin, D-Illinois, issued the following news release: New bombshell whistleblower report from a nurse practitioner discloses gross mismanagement of federal medical care contract CHICAGO U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, called for the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to expand its pending investigation of mental health care to include medical care and mismanagement of federal contracts in U.S. Im  more

El Senador Rick Scott publica una actualizacion semanal sobre los aumentos de precios de Biden y Harris
WASHINGTON, Nov. 15 -- Sen. Rick Scott, R-Florida, issued the following news release: El Senador Rick Scott publico una actualizacion semanal sobre sus acciones para abordar la crisis de deuda de Estados Unidos y la inflacion. Mientras los floridanos luchan para llegar a fin de mes, los informes de la Oficina de Estadisticas Laborales mostraron que los indicadores clave de inflacion del gobierno federal, el indice de precios al consumidor (CPI, por sus siglas en ingles) y el indice de precios a  more

FEC Issues Digest for Week of Nov. 11-15
WASHINGTON, Nov. 16 -- The Federal Election Commission issued the following weekly digest: * * * Commission meetings and hearings On November 13, the Commission met in executive session. The Commission voted to cancel the open meeting scheduled for November 14. * * * Enforcement The Commission made public 11 closed cases, as follows. For more information, see the Enforcement Search System. MUR 7146R COMPLAINANT: Campaign Legal Center and Catherine Hinckley Kelley RESPONDENTS: Correct t  more

Fla. U.S. Attorney: Venezuelan National Sentenced for Sanctions Evasion Scheme
MIAMI, Florida, Nov. 16 -- The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Markenzy Lapointe, issued the following news release on Nov. 14, 2024: George Semerene Quintero (Semerene), 61, of Venezuela, was sentenced today to 30 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release for conspiring to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and for his role in a scheme to evade U.S. sanctions imposed on Petroleos de Venezuela S.A. (PdVSA), a Venezuelan  more

FLRA Issues Decision Regarding Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons, U.S. Penitentiary Vs. AFGE, Local 919, Council of Prison
WASHINGTON, Nov. 16 -- The Federal Labor Relations Authority issued the following decision (Case No. 0-AR-5813) on Nov. 14, 2024: * * * UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FEDERAL BUREAU OF PRISONS UNITED STATES PENITENTIARY LEAVENWORTH, KANSAS (Agency) and AMERICAN FEDERATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES LOCAL 919 COUNCIL OF PRISON LOCALS #33 (Union) 0-AR-5813 DECISION November 14, 2024 * * * Before the Authority: Susan Tsui Grundmann, Chairman, and Colleen Duffy Kiko and Anne Wagner,   more

General Officer Announcements
WASHINGTON, Nov. 15 -- The U.S. Department of Defense issued the following news: Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III announced today that the president has made the following nominations: Army Lt. Gen. Christopher T. Donahue for appointment to the grade of general, with assignment as commanding general, U.S. Army Europe-Africa; and commander, Allied Land Command, NATO, Germany. Donahue is currently serving as commanding general, XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Liberty, Fort Liberty, North C  more

Grassley Slams FEMA for Selective Distribution of Aid, Demands Accountability for Partisanship
WASHINGTON, Nov. 15 -- Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, issued the following news release: BUTLER COUNTY, IOWA U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today wrote the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) seeking answers amid reports federal hurricane relief employees were instructed to skip homes promoting then-candidate Donald Trump's presidential campaign. Grassley is demanding to know whether partisan conduct may be part of a broader trend at FEMA, contrary to its taxpayer-supported mission  more

House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation Chairman Gimenez Announces Hearing on TSA Cybersecurity
WASHINGTON, Nov. 15 -- Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Florida, chairman of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security, issued the following news release on Nov. 14, 2024: Today, House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security Chairman Carlos Gimenez (R-FL) announced a hearing for November 19, 2024, at 10:00 AM ET, to examine how the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) manages cybersecurity risks within the transportation sector  more

House Transportation Subcommittee on Coast Guard Chairman Webster Issues Statement From Hearing on Coast Guard Icebreaking, Polar Region Responsibilities
WASHINGTON, Nov. 15 -- Rep. Daniel Webster, R-Florida, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, issued the following news release on Nov. 14, 2024: Opening remarks, as prepared, of Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee Chairman Daniel Webster (R-FL) from today's hearing, entitled "Snowed In: United States Disinvestment in the Arctic": Today the Subcommittee will receive testimony on the Coast Guard's icebrea  more

INVESTING IN AMERICA: Biden-Harris Administration Announces $172 Million in Grants for 250+ Communities to Make Local Roads Safer
WASHINGTON, Nov. 15 -- The U.S. Department of Transportation issued the following news release: Since 2022, the Safe Streets and Roads or All (SS4A) program has funded projects in more than 1,600 communities, supporting roadway safety for around 75% of the U.S. population Early estimates for the first half of 2024 show that traffic fatalities have declined for more than two years straight Today, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced $172 million in grants to 257 communitie  more

Justice Dept.: Owner of Florida Healthcare Companies Pleads Guilty to Tax Crimes
WASHINGTON, Nov. 16 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release on Nov. 15, 2024: * * * Defendant Caused More than $10M in Tax Loss to the IRS * * * A Florida man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Miami to not paying employment taxes and not filing his individual income tax returns. According to court documents, Paul Walczak, of Palm Beach Gardens, controlled a web of interconnected healthcare companies operating under various names, including Palm Health Part  more

Mann, Colleagues Blast FEMA's Political Discrimination, Demand Accountability
WASHINGTON, Nov. 15 -- Rep. Tracey Mann, R-Kansas, issued the following news release: Representatives Tracey Mann (KS-01), Sam Graves (MO-06), and Scott Perry (PA-10), alongside their Republican House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee colleagues, sent a letter to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell blasting the agency's guidance to withhold disaster relief efforts from homes with pro-Trump signage. The lawmakers expressed outrage over the series of  more

N.C. U.S. Attorney: California Gang Member Caught Smuggling 46 Kilograms of Methamphetamine at Charlotte Airport is Sentenced to 20 Years
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina, Nov. 16 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina issued the following news release on Nov. 15, 2024: A member of the Inglewood Family Gangster Bloods was sentenced to 20 years in prison today after he was caught trying to smuggle 46 kilograms of methamphetamine through the Charlotte Douglas International Airport, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Rashad Jamal Blanchard, 47, of Los Ang  more

President Biden, Peru President Boluarte Issue Remarks at Bilateral Meeting in Lima
LIMA, Peru, Nov. 16 -- President Biden and Peru President Dina Boluarte Zegarra issued the following remarks on Nov. 15, 2024, during their bilateral meeting at the Lima Convention Center: * * * PRESIDENT BOLUARTE: (As interpreted.) Dear Mr. President of the United States -- (The interpretive audio devices are adjusted.) PRESIDENT BIDEN: I have to tell you before I begin, when I was a young senator, the president -- a senior senator from Texas said, "Joe, someday you're going to run for pres  more

Rep. Bean, Colleagues Demand Answers From FEMA Over Denying Aid to Trump Supporters
WASHINGTON, Nov. 16 -- Rep. Aaron Bean, R-Florida, issued the following news release on Nov. 15, 2024: This week, U.S. Congressman Aaron Bean (FL-04) joined two letters demanding answers and accountability from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell following troubling reports that agency staff was instructed to avoid providing aid to hurricane victims displaying Trump for President campaign signs. Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Sam Graves (MO-06)   more

Rep. DeSaulnier Urges Federal Aviation Administration to Re-Examine & Improve Aviation Safety
WASHINGTON, Nov. 16 -- Rep. Mark DeSaulnier, D-California, issued the following news release: Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10) sent a letter to the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Administrator, Michael Whitaker, urging the FAA to continue building upon its efforts to keep our skies safe for the flying public by re-examining and improving risk assessment in the aviation industry. This letter comes after an increase in aviation safety incidents and a recent Government Accountability O  more

Rep. Greg Steube Files Discharge Petition for the Sunshine Protection Act to Make Daylight Saving Time Permanent
WASHINGTON, Nov. 16 -- Rep. W. Greg Steube, R-Florida, issued the following news release on Nov. 15, 2024: Today, U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-FL) filed a discharge petition for H.R.1279, the Sunshine Protection Act. This bipartisan legislation would make daylight saving time (DST) permanent nationwide, ending the outdated and disruptive practice of changing clocks twice a year. This bill was originally introduced by Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.) and led in the Senate by Senator Marco Rubio  more

Rep. Steube Demands Answers From FEMA on Allegations of Agency-Wide Political Discrimination Policy
WASHINGTON, Nov. 16 -- Rep. W. Greg Steube, R-Florida, issued the following news release: U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) has sent a letter to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell, demanding immediate answers following reports that a FEMA employee instructed FEMA staff to avoid homes displaying signs in support of President Trump while canvassing Florida neighborhoods for disaster recovery assistance. Rep. Steube demands a response from FEMA about th  more

Rep. Wilson Announces Florida to Receive Over $1.1B in Funding for Broadband Equity, Access & Deployment From Department of Commerce
WASHINGTON, Nov. 16 -- Rep. Frederica Wilson, D-Florida, issued the following news release on Nov. 15, 2024: Today, on the three-year anniversary of the Bipartisan Infrastructure law, Congresswoman Frederica Wilson (FL-24) is proud to announce that Florida will receive $1,164,947,415.71 from the Biden-Harris administration to expand high-speed internet access through the National Telecommunications Information Administration's (NTIA) Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program. The BE  more

Rep. Wilson Applauds Brightline Florida Workers for Taking Steps Towards Joining Transport Workers Union of America
WASHINGTON, Nov. 16 -- Rep. Frederica Wilson, D-Florida, issued the following news release on Nov. 15, 2024: Today, Congresswoman Wilson, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials, applauds Brightline Florida Workers for securing an election to join the Transport Workers Union of America. Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Frederica Wilson, "I'm proud of the hardworking employees at Brightline Florida fo  more

S.C. U.S. Attorney: Arizona Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug Conspiracy Charges
COLUMBIA, South Carolina, Nov. 16 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of South Carolina issued the following news release: Antonie Albert Eaddy, 49, of Arizona, has pleaded guilty in Columbia to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, 400 grams or more of fentanyl, a quantity of crack cocaine and a quantity of marijuana. Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that Eaddy was supplying multiple people in Columbia, Florence,   more

Salazar Demands Answers from Biden-Harris FEMA for Skipping Florida Trump Supporters in Hurricane Relief Efforts
WASHINGTON, Nov. 15 -- Rep. Maria Salazar, R-Florida, issued the following news release: Reps. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL), Vern Buchanan (R-FL), and 53 of their colleagues in the House of Representatives demanded(link is external)accountability from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) following stunning revelations that an agency supervisor instructed staff to avoid providing storm assistance to homes displaying campaign signs in support of President-elect Trump. According to repor  more

Salazar, Frankel, and Lee Lead Bipartisan Resolution Recognizing National Caregiving Youth Week
WASHINGTON, Nov. 15 -- Rep. Maria Salazar, R-Florida, issued the following news release: Reps. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL), Lois Frankel (D-FL), and Barbara Lee (D-CA) introduced a bipartisan resolution recognizing November 11-17, 2024, as National Caregiving Youth Week. The resolution honors the contributions and commitment of youth under 18 who provide essential care for their loved ones. "Our country is home to millions of kindhearted youth who care for family members that need their help,"  more

Sen. Rick Scott Issues Weekly Update on Biden-Harris Price Hikes
WASHINGTON, Nov. 15 -- Sen. Rick Scott, R-Florida, issued the following news release: Today, Senator Rick Scott released a weekly update on his actions to address America's debt crisis and rising inflation. As Floridians are struggling to make ends meet, reports from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that the federal government's key inflation indicators, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Producer Price Index (PPI), rose even more in October putting strain on the budgets of American famili  more

T&I Committee Leaders Demand FEMA Accounting for Ignoring Disaster Victims Who Supported President-Elect Trump
WASHINGTON, Nov. 15 -- Rep. Sam Graves, R-Missouri, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, issued the following news release: Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO) and Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Subcommittee Chairman Scott Perry (R-PA) are continuing their investigation of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) response to recent hurricanes, including reports that some FEMA employees in   more

USDA Announces Approval of D-SNAP for Virginia Disaster Areas
WASHINGTON, Nov. 15 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture issued the following news release: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that people recovering from Tropical Storm Helene may be eligible for food assistance through USDA's Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP). Approximately 22,858 households in nine counties are estimated to be eligible for this relief to help with grocery expenses. Through this program, which USDA makes available through states in  more

Virginians Continue to Reap Benefits of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law on Its Three-Year Anniversary
WASHINGTON, Nov. 15 -- Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Virginia, issued the following news release: Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) released the following statement to mark the three-year anniversary of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law becoming law: "In the past three years, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which we authored and helped pass, has been transformative for communities across Virginia. This law has upgraded our roads, railways, and airports, made our air and wate  more

Virginians Continue to Reap Benefits of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law on its Three-Year Anniversary
WASHINGTON, Nov. 15 -- Sen. Mark Warner, D-Virginia, issued the following news release: Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) released the following statement to mark the three-year anniversary of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law becoming law: "In the past three years, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which we authored and helped pass, has been transformative for communities across Virginia. This law has upgraded our roads, railways, and airports, made our air and wa  more

Wasserman Schultz Secures Millions to Cut Port Everglades Emissions
WASHINGTON, Nov. 15 -- Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Florida, issued the following news release: Today, U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) joined the U.S. Department of Transportation in announcing a $53.3 million federal grant for the PEV Regional Port Operations With Emissions Reductions Project. This crucial project propels the decarbonization of Port Everglades by enabling the transition to electric, zero-emissions cargo-handling equipment and retiring older, diesel-powered equip  more