Thursday - November 21, 2024
U.S. Congressional Tipoffs Involving Florida Newsletter for Wednesday November 20, 2024 ( 15 items )  

CHAIRMAN CARLOS GIMENEZ HOLDS HEARING ON TRANSPORTATION CYBERSECURITY
WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 -- Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Florida, issued the following news release: Today, Chairman Carlos Gimenez (FL-28) of the House Homeland Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security held a hearing on the impacts of recently proposed changes to cybersecurity regulations on the transportation sector. The subcommittee heard from two panels with representatives from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Government Accountability Office, and private sector. Watch t  more

Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi Dispels Dangerous Disinformation During Oversight Full Committee Hearing with FEMA Administrator following Hurricanes Helene and Milton
WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 -- Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Illinois, issued the following news release: Today, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) participated in a full Committee on Oversight and Accountability hearing, where Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell served as the sole witness to testify on the agency's response to recent devastating hurricanes and natural disasters that impacted parts of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, an  more

House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation Chairman Gimenez Delivers Opening Statement in Subcommittee Hearing on TSA Cybersecurity Regulations
WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Florida, chairman of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security, issued the following news release: Today, House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security Chairman Carlos Gimenez (R-FL) delivered the following opening statement in a hearing to examine how the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) manages cybersecurity risks within the transportation sector, particularly follow  more

House Passes Buchanan Bill to Help Student Veterans!
WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Florida, issued the following news release on Nov. 19, 2024: Congressman Vern Buchanan announced today that his bill, the VETS Credit Act 2.0 (H.R. 4850), which will expand eligibility for G.I. Bill benefits for student veterans has passed the U.S. House. His legislation was included as part of a broader bill, the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act. The new bill expands upon a Buchanan proposal passe  more

House Transportation Committee Chairman Graves: Republicans Demand Answers From FEMA Administrator at Hearing
WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- Rep. Sam Graves, R-Missouri, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, issued the following news release on Nov. 19, 2024: Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Republicans today demanded answers from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell about her agency's troubling responses to recent disasters and crises, including the amount FEMA resources devoted to addressing the southern border crisis, the slow respo  more

Rep. Aaron Bean & Pete Sessions Launch DOGE Caucus
WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- Rep. Aaron Bean, R-Florida, issued the following news release on Nov. 19, 2024: Today, U.S. Congressmen Aaron Bean (FL-04) and Pete Sessions (TX-17) launched the Delivering Outstanding Government Efficiency (DOGE) Caucus to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse in the federal government. Specifically, the caucus is committed to supporting President-Elect Donald Trump's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in its mission to dismantle the out-of-control Government Bureaucrac  more

Rep. Cammack Hosts House Agriculture Committee Chairman For Hurricane Damage Visits
WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- Rep. Kat Cammack, R-Florida, issued the following news release: GAINESVILLE, FL -- On Saturday, Rep. Kat Cammack hosted House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn "GT" Thompson (PA-01) to survey damage from the recent hurricanes and their impacts on the agricultural sector. Congressmen Austin Scott (GA-08), Darren Soto (FL-09), and Doug LaMalfa (CA-01) also joined for the visits in Florida before moving to Congressman Scott's district in Georgia later in the afternoon.   more

Rep. Franklin Provision to Protect Guardsmen & Reservists Passes House
WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- Rep. Scott Franklin, R-Florida, issued the following news release on Nov. 19, 2024: Congressman Scott Franklin (FL-18) today announced his Service Member Employment Protection Act passed the House as part of H.R. 8371, "The Dole Act." The Dole Act includes 12 major initiatives designed to reform and enhance the delivery of Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) services, including expanding healthcare options, offering more education opportunities and streamlining benefits an  more

Rep. Greg Steube Blasts FEMA Administrator on Capitol Hill Over Agency Discrimination Against Trump Supporters
WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- Rep. W. Greg Steube, R-Florida, issued the following news release: U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) blasted Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell on Capitol Hill Tuesday amid her testimony of agency political discrimination against Trump supporters in the aftermath of Florida's hurricanes. Watch Rep. Steube's Hearing Remarks Here (https://youtu.be/qrdTF8hrjiw). "That explains why FEMA has never stopped at my house over the six  more

Rep. Greg Steube Introduces FEMA for America First Act to Remove FEMA Eligibility of Paroled Noncitizens, Asylees & Refugees
WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- Rep. W. Greg Steube, R-Florida, issued the following news release: U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) introduced the FEMA for America First Act to prevent parolees who are noncitizens and asylees and refugees who are not in the process of becoming Lawful Permanent Residents (green card status) from being eligible for FEMA benefits after a natural disaster. "I do not support giving FEMA benefits to paroled noncitizens and the millions of asylees and refugees who hav  more

Rep. Laurel Lee Introduces Bill to Increase Penalty for Smuggling Phones to Inmates
WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- Rep. Laurel Lee, R-Florida, issued the following news release on Nov. 19, 2024: Today, Congresswoman Laurel Lee (R-FL) introduced the Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati Stopping Prison Contraband Act, which will increase the penalty for smuggling or possessing a contraband cellphone in federal prisons from a misdemeanor to a felony. In 2013, Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati, a Bureau of Prisons (BOP) correctional officer, was murdered by 5 men after his shift. The hit was facilitate  more

Rep. Laurel Lee Introduces Legislation to Prevent Sexual Assault Against Prison Staff
WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- Rep. Laurel Lee, R-Florida, issued the following news release on Nov. 19, 2024: Today, Congresswoman Laurel Lee (R-FL) and Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) introduced the Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act to end the epidemic of sexual assaults on prison staff by inmates within the prison system. According to a February 2023 report by the U.S. Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General (DOJ OIG), a staggering 40% of 7,000 surveyed Federal Bureau of Prisons (  more

Rep. Laurel Lee Secures Funding for New Security Screening Equipment at Tampa International Airport
WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- Rep. Laurel Lee, R-Florida, issued the following news release on Nov. 18, 2024: Today, Congresswoman Laurel Lee (FL-15) is pleased to announce that Tampa International Airport (TPA) will be receiving additional Checkpoint Property Screening Systems (CPSS) following her request to the Administrator of the Transportation Security Agency (TSA). This funding would be a part of the Tampa International Airport terminal expansion project, including the reconstruction and expansi  more

Rep. Maxwell Frost Accepts Bruce F. Vento Award From National Homelessness Law Center for Leadership in Housing Justice
WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Florida, issued the following news release on Nov. 19, 2024: Yesterday, Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost (D-FL) accepted the Bruce F. Vento Award at the National Homelessness Law Center's 2024 Annual Human Rights to Housing Awards. This award recognizes individuals and institutions with proven leadership in the fight to end homelessness and poverty. It celebrates the legacy of the late Congressman Bruce F. Vento, whose advocacy left a positive imp  more

Republicans Back Rep. Buchanan Call to Hold FEMA Accountable
WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Florida, issued the following news release on Nov. 18, 2024: Last week, Congressman Vern Buchanan led a coalition of Republican lawmakers calling for swift and decisive action to address the stunning revelations that a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) supervisor instructed staff to avoid providing storm assistance to homes displaying campaign signs for President-elect Trump. Read what congressional leaders are saying about the need for acc  more