Lainie Jones is a five-time cancer survivor who has been fighting for her life since she was a baby. At just 18 months old, she was diagnosed with adrenal carcinoma in her left adrenal gland. She has been diagnosed melanoma, thyroid cancer, and at age 27 was diagnosed with Stage-2 breast cancer and Li-Frameni syndrome, a rare disorder that makes a person more susceptible to cancer. Read more »
House Republicans doubled down on their failed strategy of obstructing and opposing President Obama's every move – this time by formally opposing executive actions which would benefit millions of children, parents and families who have come to this nation and especially to Florida. President Obama's executive actions fall well within previous executive actions by presidents of both parties, and would help keep families together. Instead of standing with families, my Republican colleagues, many of whom tout their so-called "pro-family" credentials, chose bitter and divisive partisanship over commonsense reforms that would keep our nation safer and lift up millions of people. Read more »
But in my opinion, the Senate Majority's unwillingness to give President Obama's nominee, Chief Judge Merrick Garland of the D.C. Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, a fair hearing and timely vote is endangering the Affordable Care Act. Just four years ago our nation celebrated the Court's ruling that the ACA was legal, and I am concerned that their unprecedented refusal to consider Chief Judge Merrick Garland's nomination could jeopardize the ACA. Their refusal to consider his nomination could also jeopardize critical decisions like Roe v. Wade, which ruled abortion is the law of the land, and Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized marriage equality. Read more »
Each March, we celebrate Women's History Month and honor and recognize our nation's women and all their contributions to improve the lives of every American. Each Friday this month, I'll be celebrating a woman in Florida's 23rd Congressional District who is active in public service. This week's honoree is Kathy Fernandez Rundle, State Attorney of Miami-Dade County. Read more »
Yesterday, Iran test-fired ballistic missiles, allegedly with the phrase "Israel must be wiped out" inscribed on them. Coupled with other recent missile tests and ongoing support of terrorist actors, these actions clearly show that Iran continues to be a nefarious force in the region. In December, I urged the Administration to take concrete action and sanction those Iranian individuals and entities that continue to facilitate Iran's ballistic missile program, which they did. I now urge the United States to bring these most recent tests, which appear to be a direct violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2231, to the immediate attention of the Security Council. Read more »
This is truly a new low for Florida's Republican-led Legislature. I am appalled that in the year 2016, we are still fighting for young women in this nation and state to have quality, affordable health care, including unfettered access to comprehensive family planning services, and safe and legal abortion care. Thanks to Florida's Republicans, my daughters and millions of others across the Sunshine State will instead have their access to health care blocked. It's truly a sad day in Florida. But I am confident, like so many other intrusive, unconstitutional laws pushed by Republicans, this one will be turned back as well. Read more »
Each March, we celebrate Women's History Month and honor and recognize our nation's women and all their contributions to improve the lives of every American. Each Friday this month, I'll be celebrating a woman in Florida's 23rd Congressional District who is active in public service. Read more »
From the very beginning of our democracy, women have played an instrumental role in shaping every aspect of American life. This month, we honor and recognize our nation's women and all their contributions to improve the lives of every American. We honor the trailblazers who have broken barriers and gone on to become America's leading scientists, politicians, entrepreneurs, writers and artists. Read more »
Today, the House passed H.Res. 148, calling on the government of Iran to fulfill their previous promises of assistance in finding Robert Levinson, a South Florida native and the longest-held civilian American citizen. I was pleased to join my South Florida colleagues Ted Deutch, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Mario Diaz-Balart as an original cosponsor of this resolution; we must hold Iran's leaders accountable to every commitment they make, particularly when American lives are on the line. Read more »
I congratulate Matthew Verderosa on his appointment as our next Chief of the U.S. Capitol Police. He has served with the Capitol Police for more than 25 years and has an extensive background in leadership and command positions within the force. His work serving the entire Congressional community, from Members, to staff, to the general public, has come during some of the most significant periods of change in our system. I know those experiences will serve him well as the Capitol Police adapt to our community's security threats. Read more »
