Wasserman Schultz says once more lawmakers understand the issue exists, legislation will advance. "Once they learn the facts and listen to the stories of survivors and families, I believe members from both sides of the aisle and people from every political perspective will be supportive of terminating the parental rights of rapists," Wasserman Schultz said in an email. "The only people who lose in this bill are rapists." Read more »
Debbie Wasserman Schultz was the youngest woman ever elected to the Florida State legislature and the first Jewish congresswoman elected from Florida. Congresswoman, Chair of the Democratic National Committee, wife, mother of three and breast cancer survivor, Debbie Wasserman Schultz is the epitome of a modern American, multi-tasking, working mom. Here's a glimpse at the many sides of the multi-faceted Debbie Wasserman Schultz. Read more »
This funding will advance restoration efforts in the Everglades by funding components of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), as well as mitigate the impacts of sand erosion on our beaches caused by severe storms and rising sea levels. Our beaches are not only important for Florida's vibrant tourism industry, but also serve as a buffer protecting our communities from the ocean, said Rep. Wasserman Schultz. Read more »
Sometimes bipartisanship does prevail in Washington, and when it does, it typically means more jobs, a stronger economy, and a better protected environment for South Floridians. Such is the case with WRRDA. In so many respects Florida is an economic gateway to, from, and within the U.S. and this funding will better prepare the Port and the state to participate in the global economy, said Wasserman Schultz. Read more »
As a representative of one of the largest LGBT communities in the country, I am thrilled with today's announcement from President Obama that soon federal contractors will be prohibited from discriminating against their employees because of who they love. This important step by the President continues our march toward the equality that makes our country an even stronger democracy and it is my hope that my GOP colleagues are watching closely because equality is not an aspiration, it is a destination that we should work toward together. An executive order is important, but legislation is lasting. Read more »
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 »
Despite the perception that breast cancer is only something older women need to worry about, young women can and do get breast cancer. I myself was a young woman at high risk, but didn't know it. Just months after a clean mammogram, in late 2007, I heard those terrible words, "You have breast cancer." For as much as I thought I knew as an advocate and legislator in the fight against breast cancer, there was much I didn't know now that I was a patient. Read more »
As the mother of three children, there is nothing more important to me than ensuring that we leave the next generation a world that is safe and prosperous. Making sure that our children have clean air to breathe is an essential part of that mission. This week, the Environmental Protection Agency took an important step in the right direction. Under President Obama's Climate Action Plan, the EPA released new guidelines that will, for the first time ever, limit carbon emissions from existing factories. 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 »
