As a mother of teenagers, my heart goes out to the families of the children who were kidnapped while coming home from school. I join all of Israel in praying for their safe and speedy return. If indeed Hamas is responsible for this heinous act, it would be very much in line with their history as a terrorist organization. I condemn this cowardly act in the strongest terms possible, and I join in calling for those responsible to be held fully accountable for their crimes. Read more »
As a cancer survivor, mother and lawmaker, I am acutely empathetic to the suffering of people with terminal illnesses and chronic pain. My view is that approval of the use of marijuana as a medical treatment should be handled responsibly and in a regulated manner that ensures its approval does not do more harm than good. Read more »
Today's announcement will help states like Florida continue moving in the right direction. In fact, Florida already has a plan in place to meet EPA's goals. The state's 2008 "Florida Energy and Climate Change Action Plan," if fully implemented, would save Floridians $28 billion and reduce our carbon footprint by 64%. EPA's plan will also give a boost to our South Florida counties, which have created the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact, and are working hard to provide adaption strategies necessary to deal with current and future impacts of climate change. Read more »
It is with a heavy heart that I join South Floridians in mourning the passing of Monroe Udell, the founder of Jaxson's Ice Cream Parlour in Dania Beach. Monroe turned Jaxson's into a nationally recognized institution for their ice cream and food, and was recently cited by President Obama for their commitment to their employees. Monroe became an icon in our community for Jaxson's ice cream and for his charitable work with Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital. Read more »
To the constituents of Florida’s 23rd District,June 1st marks the beginning of another active hurricane season, scheduled to last through the month of November. In its initial outlook for the 2014 Atlantic hurricane season, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicted eight to 13 named tropical storms this year. Three to six of these are expected to be… Read more »
I believe that Secretary Shinseki's resignation was the appropriate course of action at this time. I thank him for the commitment he has shown to our nation's veterans and for his decades of extraordinary service to his country as a soldier, public servant, and leader. Read more »
The House of Representatives today passed HR 4587, the Venezuelan Human Rights and Democracy Protection Act, of which U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23) is an original cosponsor. The Congresswoman issued the following statement into the House record (Spanish version below English version): Read more »
Today, Representatives Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Lois Frankel, along with Senators Bill Nelson and Marco Rubio, and representatives from Port Everglades, met with Jo-Ellen Darcy, the Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, to get a progress report on the continuing feasibility study for the Port Everglades expansion project which will lead to this long-awaited Chief's Report. Read more »
Earlier today, the House of Representatives passed the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014, with about $3 billion of the $18 billion total package dedicated to significantly boosting Florida's economy. The overwhelming 412-4 bipartisan House vote sends WRRDA to the Senate for their approval later this week and then to President Obama for his signature. Read more »
I was fortunate to collaborate with Jo Ann when she worked at the Library of Congress, and I always admired her work ethic and inspirational leadership skills. These were qualities she brought to AARP and that served her well; for instance, her efforts to develop hunger and poverty fighting programs speaks to her clear vision and her undeniable dedication to our nation's seniors. Read more »
