Donald Trump campaigned on promises to hold government officials accountable by ïdraining the swamp' – but apparently those pledges don't apply to Mr. Trump or his cronies. In fact, his meeting with Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is anything but that. Earlier this year, alarmed Floridians raised questions about whether Bondi – our state's highest ranking law enforcement official – had engaged in a troubling and potentially illegal pay-to-play scandal with the President-Elect over Trump University, his higher education sham over which he's since had to pay an unprecedented $25 million fine. Attorney General Bondi declined to pursue a similar case in Florida after Mr. Trump made an illegal donation to her campaign, in which he made a political contribution from his charitable foundation. Now, they are meeting behind closed doors, ostensibly to discuss a job. It's time to come clean. The Attorney General and the President-Elect need to once and for all speak honestly about Trump University and his campaign contributions – instead of rewarding illegal behavior with the spoils of victory. Read more »
For 35 years, World AIDS Day has united the globe in raising awareness for the fight against HIV/AIDS. Today, an estimated 36.7 million people are living with this tragic disease worldwide and we know that this number will grow unless we work fearlessly and tirelessly on this civil and human rights issue. Now more than ever, it is imperative that lawmakers fight for the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which is currently providing access to preventative care, testing, and treatment to individuals living with HIV/AIDS. No one should have to choose between financial stability and lifesaving medication and procedures, especially those with pre-existing conditions. As a legislator, I will continue to support the ACA and funding for research, education, and health care facilities in the South Florida community and beyond. Read more »
As a breast cancer survivor and a legislator, the 21st Century Cures Act is deeply personal to me, because too many of my constituents and I have learned firsthand just how badly we need to find cures for deadly diseases like cancer. I am proud that this bill provides $1.8 billion in funding for Vice President Joe Biden's "Cancer Moonshot," which is yet another shining example of the Obama Administration's determination to improve the health care of all Americans. This critical legislation will fuel the development of cancer vaccines and more sensitive diagnostic tests for cancer, immunotherapy and the development of combination therapies. Cancer affects people of every background and faith and this funding will go to urgently needed research, which is the only way for us to once and for all beat cancer. I am deeply grateful to Vice President Biden for his tireless advocacy on this issue. Read more »
My heart goes out to the victims and the victims' families of this heartbreaking and tragic airline disaster. There are no words today that can fully heal the loss of the victims' loved ones and all of the fans and supporters of Chapecoense, a soccer team that had players traveling on board the plane. I join the people of Colombia and Brazil and every nation affected by this disaster in mourning this tragic loss. May the memory of those who lost their lives be a blessing." Read more »
Actions speak louder than the President-Elect's words. The nomination of U.S. Rep Price to lead the Department of Health and Human Services puts the most virulent opponent of ensuring that all Americans have access to health care in a position to jeopardize the health of millions of Americans. Congressman Price and President-Elect Trump have one goal in mind: break our nation's promises to our seniors and go back to the days when millions of Americans went without health care coverage. Read more »
Fidel Castro's death ends his personal tyranny of the Cuban people and ushers in the possibility of a new era for Cuba. However, the legacy of his oppression continues today in Cuba and as we look ahead to the future, the Cuban government should hold free and fair elections that allow all Cubans a true voice in their government, fully embrace human rights, recognize opposition parties, cease imprisoning people for expressing their views and release all political prisoners. I look forward to working with the Cuban-American community and my colleagues to ensure a bright, prosperous and free future is a reality for all Cubans. Read more »
Today, Americans of all backgrounds, cultures, faith traditions and orientations will come together to give thanks and spread love to their families, friends, and significant others. It is in this time of gratitude that I reflect on the many people and values for which I am grateful - family and friends, colleagues and constituents, freedom and fairness, humility and hope. More than ever before, it is crucial that we embrace the compassionate spirit of the holiday season. So as we come together today, we cannot be oblivious to the plight of this nation. We have an obligation to extend these values to all Americans, to show that division, hatred and bigotry will never outshine unity, love, tolerance and support for our fellow woman and man. I wish everyone a healthy, safe and meaningful holiday and a little more love and kindness in everyone's life. Read more »
As Members of Congress, we must uphold our commitment to care for the veterans who risked their lives to protect our essential freedoms. In passing the 2017 MilCon-VA Appropriations Act, the promise of comprehensive health care will finally include In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) for veterans who sustained a service-connected injury impacting their fertility. We now strongly urge the Department of Veterans Affairs to swiftly adopt and implement the necessary regulations to eliminate this longstanding gap and ensure permanent coverage and nationwide access to this important service. Read more »
President-Elect Donald Trump's appointment of Steve Bannon as White House Senior Counselor is an incendiary decision that shows the President-Elect is not committed to healing our nation after a hard-fought and divisive election. Bannon is a leader of the "Alt-Right" Movement, a breeding ground for anti-Semitism, white nationalism, and bigotry, and his association with this movement should disqualify him to serve in the White House in any capacity. We do not simply disagree with Bannon's legislative or political agenda and philosophy; we have grave misgivings about his professional career history, in which he provided a megaphone for intolerance and hatred of the diversity that makes our nation truly great. Bannon's allies include the American Nazi Party, former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke, and a variety of other white nationalist groups. As Jewish-American leaders and policy-makers, we cannot stand silently by while Steve Bannon assumes a senior position at the highest level of our government. We call on President-Elect Trump, in the interest of all Americans, to withdraw his choice because rewarding anti-Semitism, bigotry and misogyny with such a position of power and influence is tantamount to embracing it. Read more »
Today I cast my vote in favor of the Iran Sanctions Extension Act, a bipartisan piece of legislation that is intended to bolster the safety and security of the United States and her allies, including the Jewish state of Israel. It is critical that we have this sanctions infrastructure in place, so that Iran understands that we are carefully monitoring its performance under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and that there will be serious consequences for any transgressions. By reauthorizing this important law, we will be able to hold Iran accountable for its actions, and ensure that there are sanctions in place to "snap back" in the event of any non-compliance by the Iranian regime. The safety and security of the United States and Israel are a top priority for me, and I am proud to have stood up for this priority tonight by casting my vote in support of the Iran Sanctions Extension Act. Read more »
