News List

POLITICOAmerica's summer threat: Zika virusIf the mosquito-borne virus hits big, it could spur new acrimony over abortion, global warming and immigration.By Arthur AllenIf brokered conventions and third-party insurgencies aren’t enough, consider the chaos that Zika could bring to the United States this summer.If the mosquito-borne virus linked to birth defects hits big — and that’s a big if — it could stir a panic like Ebola, set off an epidemic of finger-pointing and create new fear and acrimon... Read more

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

Elle honors Washington's 'most compelling' womenBy Haley BritzkyElle magazine hosted its sixth annual Women in Washington event Tuesday, honoring the 10 "most compelling" women in the nation's capital.Filling the private Kreeger Museum, fashionistas mingled with political powerhouses in what many called their “favorite event of the year.” Soft violin music drifted through the open-air cocktail area, mixing with the sounds of laughter and conversation.In her opening remarks, Roberta "Robbie" Myer... 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

MIAMI HERALDNAKED POLITICS BLOGFlorida politicians comment on Obama's SCOTUS nominee@PatriciaMazzeiPresident Barack Obama nominated JudgeMerrick Garland to the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday, to replace the late Justice Antonin Scalia. Senate Republicans said even before there was a nominee that they wouldn't hold any hearings.Here's what Florida politicians had to say about Garland's nomination:U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, a Democrat:The Senate has a constitutional responsibility to fill vacancies o... Read more

VIDEOThe Cancer Caucus: Three Lawmakers on Their Experiences With CancerWith a renewed push for cancer research in Congress following the president’s “moonshot” cancer initiative, Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Donald M. Payne Jr. and Billy Long share stories of their personal experiences with the often-fatal disease.See more at: http://www.rollcall.com/video/cancer_story_full#sthash.p3dgkh5G.dpuf Read more

Personal Losses Spur Bipartisan Approach on CancerBy Lindsey McPhersonCancer is something that has touched nearly every family, said House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, who lost his father to the disease.“When you bring it down to a personal level I think it’s a lot easier to get people on the bandwagon and get them cheerleading and say, ‘Hey, we’re going to beat this, and we need to do it today instead of tomorrow,’” said Rep. Billy Long, R-Mo., whose daughter went through treatment last year... Read more

ROLL CALLThe Cancer CaucusPersonal Stories Shape House Members’ ApproachBy Lindsey McPhersonVice President Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s loss of his son Beau drives him as he leads the national “moonshot” effort to cure cancer, but he’s far from the only policymaker whose experience with the disease has pushed them into action.Congress is full of Democrats and Republicans who’ve had cancer or known someone who has battled it. Their experiences have led to bipartisan support for increasing National Insti... Read more

ROLL CALLOPINIONWith Cancer Diagnosis, Senate’s Newest Work-Life BalanceBy David HawkingsDuring a decade in national politics, Claire McCaskill has been a trailblazer several times. In 2006, she was the first woman elected to the Senate from Missouri. In 2008, the first senator to back Barack Obama for president. In 2012, the biggest upset winner among the many Democratic incumbents challenged by tea party Republicans. And almost three years ago, the first in Congress to endorse Hillary Clinton ... Read more