Americans deserve to feel confident that a foreign power isn't interfering with how we elect our most powerful leaders. Only a bipartisan, public Congressional investigation into this historic cyberattack on our democracy can help restore that faith. Read more »
I condemn in the strongest of terms the United Nations Security Council's passage of this one-sided, anti-Israel resolution, as well as the United States' reckless abstention. As a Member of the State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee, I opposed this resolution because our nation has consistently supported direct, bilateral negotiations as the only viable method to achieve a lasting peace. In fact, this irresponsible action moves us further away from peace and hastens the likelihood that we lose the trust of our allies around the world. Read more »
As a Member of the State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee, I strongly oppose this one-sided resolution, which obstructs the road to peace, and welcome the decision to pull it from consideration today. One-sided, anti-Israel resolutions thwart the peace process, and have no place at an international forum such as the UN. The only way to resolve the conflict is through direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, and the United States should oppose any efforts short of that, which will only delay us and move us further away from a lasting peace. Read more »
I join President Obama and senior leaders of both parties in calling for a bipartisan, public congressional investigation into apparent Russian cyber attacks, potentially approved by President Vladimir Putin personally, designed to affect the outcome of U.S. elections. To uncover the truth, we must hold public hearings similar in scope to those we saw after the Watergate break-in and the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. It is also crucial that any public inquiry look at the full scope of this Russian cyber espionage. That must include addressing what awareness or involvement, if any, President-Elect Trump had in it, given his supportive statements regarding Putin, his direct calls during the campaign appealing to Russia to attack the network of his opponent and steal data, and most recently, his selection of a nominee for Secretary of State with close ties to Putin. This cyberthreat is not going away. Any bipartisan investigation must not only uncover what happened in the 2016 Election, it also must include recommendations for how to fight this new form of modern warfare. Only then can we restore the public's faith in our democratic process, and seriously deter any future cybertreachery. Read more »
I join President Obama and senior leaders of both parties in calling for a bipartisan, public congressional investigation into apparent Russian cyber attacks, potentially approved by President Vladimir Putin personally, designed to affect the outcome of U.S. elections. To uncover the truth, we must hold public hearings similar in scope to those we saw after the Watergate break-in and the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. It is also crucial that any public inquiry look at the full scope of this Russian cyber espionage. That must include addressing what awareness or involvement, if any, President-Elect Trump had in it, given his supportive statements regarding Putin, his direct calls during the campaign appealing to Russia to attack the network of his opponent and steal data, and most recently, his selection of a nominee for Secretary of State with close ties to Putin. This cyberthreat is not going away. Any bipartisan investigation must not only uncover what happened in the 2016 Election, it also must include recommendations for how to fight this new form of modern warfare. Only then can we restore the public's faith in our democratic process, and seriously deter any future cybertreachery. Read more »
The passage of the Water Infrastructure Improvements for The Nation Act (previously known as the Water Resources Development Act of 2016, or "WRDA") is a critical step forward in protecting and restoring our state's environmental treasures and key resources. In particular, I am proud that with our South Florida congressional delegation's advocacy, WRDA contains $1.9 billion for the Central Everglades Project (CEP), which will improve water flow in and around the Everglades and help restore the health of our "River of Grass." Port Everglades, which is in my congressional district, is the centerpiece of economic activity in Broward and South Florida. I'm proud to have helped secure, after nearly 18 years of teamwork, funding of more than $335 million for the Port Everglades Harbor Dredging Project, which will help South Florida's economy maintain and expand its position as a hub of international trade and commerce. Read more »
I am proud to announce that Lori Green, a community leader and lifelong resident of Broward County, will join me in serving the people of Florida's 23rd Congressional District as my District Director. She is an extraordinarily active member of the South Florida community, having served on the Board of Directors and as President of the David Posnack Jewish Community Center. She became a leader in the JCC Maccabi Games in 2005 and helped grow this program tremendously. Last year, she co-chaired the JCC Maccabi Games and ArtsFest when it came to Greater Ft. Lauderdale. More than 10,000 people attended the Games, including more than 1,500 teens from more than 40 delegations from around the world. She has also served as the Davie / Cooper City American Cancer Society's Relay for Life Community Co-Chairperson for the past several years. Read more »
Today we mark seventy-five years since our nation was attacked at Pearl Harbor. We responded to that attack with a determined resolve and fierce spirit that has always marked our character, especially in turbulent times. We fought for freedom and democracy, justice and peace, and the rights of all those who could not defend themselves. Our brave men and women – our Greatest Generation – fought all across the world, and here at home so many people, including millions of women, rolled up their sleeves to fuel our nation's efforts by joining the workforce. We owe an indelible debt to that courageous generation, and I am so deeply grateful for their service and the lessons they passed onto us. We will always honor those who serve our nation in uniform, in times of both war and peace. Read more »
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 »