In the News

SUN SENTINEL Year later, same-sex marriages go from extraordinary to ordinaryBy Dan Sweeney The first LGBT couples to get married in the state are celebrating their first anniversaries.Same-sex marriage became legal in Miami-Dade County on January 5, with the rest of the state following on January 6.In the last year, they've had children, bought homes and in many cases, been surprised that something so extraordinary can lead to a life so ordinary. And where else to begin a look back at Florida's... Read more

SUNSHINE STATE NEWSFlorida Panther Habitat Needed, Congressman InsistsBy Kevin DerbyPointing to an incident over the weekend in which a Florida panther was killed by a vehicle, U.S. Rep Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., doubled down on his call for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to designate a “critical habitat” for the official animal of the Sunshine State.“Each year, the Florida panther population continues to shrink in size as more big cats are hit and killed by cars because they lack a safe h... Read more

SUN SENTINELSOUTH FLORIDA 100: Biggest Story of 2015Debbie Wasserman Schultz, member, U.S. House of RepresentativesThe Supreme Court’s decision to legalize same-sex marriage was a monumental step forward in our nation becoming a more perfect union and codifying a universal truth: love is love, and love should carry the same legal weight everywhere. I joined millions in shedding tears of joy for our brothers and sisters that the law finally recognized their love as equal. In a year where I offici... Read more

NAPLES HERALDState Reps Write to Obama for Help in Florida Panther ProtectionBy Tiara BrownRepresentatives and local activists are once again calling for President Barack Obama’s assistance in protecting the state’s dwindling population of Florida panthers. Members of the state’s congressional delegation wrote a letter this week urging Obama to aid state leaders in designating a critical habitat for the endangered species. 2015 hit a record high for Florida panther deaths, totaling 40 documented... Read more

THE HILL Deal tells government to ignore new breast cancer screening guidelinesBy Sarah FerrisThe newly unveiled budget deal would require the U.S. government to officially recommend breast cancer screenings at age 40 instead of 50 for the near future — ignoring new guidelines from a key government health panel.The provision in the 2,000-page budget deal is a victory for lawmakers like Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) and more than a dozen advocacy groups, including the American Cancer Soc... Read more

NBC NEWSTwo Lawmakers Suggest Bringing Muslim Guests to State of the Unionby ALEX MOETwo Democratic lawmakers are urging their colleagues to bring a Muslim American constituent as their guest to the January 12th State of the Union.Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn - the first Muslim American elected to Congress — and Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla. — also the chair of the Democratic National Committee — emailed both Republican and Democratic House members Tuesday suggesting they reach out to Musl... Read more

HUFFINGTON POSTHouse Democrats Call On Members To Bring Muslim Americans To State Of The UnionIt's the least we can do to offset the "shocking and alarming rise in hateful rhetoric," they reasoned.Jessica SchulbergTwo Democratic members of Congress are calling on their colleagues to bring a Muslim constituent as their guest to the annual State of the Union address in January.On Tuesday, Democratic National Committee chair Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (Fla.) and Rep. Keith Ellison (Minn.) distributed... Read more

MIAMI HERALDBroward Department of Health awarded grant to boost its child drowning prevention programsBY DEBORAH LIMAdlima@MiamiHerald.comBroward County is among five municipalities nationwide that have been awarded a government grant to bolster programs that keep children from drowning.The grant awarded to the Broward County Department of Health, totaling $250,000, will fund training of local code-enforcement personnel and first responders; fund enforcement of safety codes in residential and pu... Read more

SUN SENTINELBroward gets grant to stem tide of drowning deathsBy Lisa J. HuriashDrowning is the number one cause of "unintentional death" for U.S. children under 4, and South Florida, with its pools, canals and coastlines, is on the front line of the problem.So U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Weston, announced the release of grant money Friday to combat the rash of child drownings. Broward will receive $250,000.According to the Florida Department of Health, 62 children age four and younger... Read more

CBS4 (WFOR MIAMI)Broward Given Largest Pool Safety Grant In NationFORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) — Five county governments have been awarded a first-of-its-kind grant aimed at preventing pool drownings.U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Chairman Elliot F. Kaye and U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (FL-23) announced the national awardees Friday morning.The money will be used for education, training and enforcement of pool safety requirements intended to save lives and prevent injury.At $... Read more