Wasserman Schultz, Swim Safety Advocates Highlight Drowning Prevention Efforts

N Lauderdale, July 9, 2026
“Drowning is a public health crisis – and it needs to be treated like one. With 119 tragically losing their lives in 2025, we just had the deadliest year on record for child drownings here in Florida. Sadly, we’re on pace to surpass it,” said Wasserman Schultz. “Since I came to Congress, I secured over $30 million for drowning prevention using my position on the House Appropriations Committee and will continue to fight for swim safety measures to save more children’s lives.”

North Lauderdale, FL – Today, U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) convened pool safety advocates from Boys & Girls Club of Broward County, Broward Swim Central, Safe Kids Broward, Diversified Swimming Inc., and Every Child A Swimmer to spotlight recent drownings in South Florida and offer solutions to prevent these tragedies. Participants included Cassie McGovern, whose 19-month-old daughter, Edna Mae, drowned in the family’s backyard pool in 2009. 

Click here for video of the press conference. 

Last year, Florida recorded 119 child drowning deaths, the most in state history. Tragically, 120 children died over a 12-month period. In 2026, Florida is already on pace to break last year’s tragic record with 62 drownings, including 13 in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach Counties combined. 

“Drowning is a public health crisis – and it needs to be treated like one. With 119 tragically losing their lives in 2025, we just had the deadliest year on record for child drownings here in Florida. Sadly, we’re on pace to surpass it,” said Wasserman Schultz. “Since I came to Congress, I secured over $30 million for drowning prevention using my position on the House Appropriations Committee and will continue to fight for swim safety measures to save more children’s lives.” 

In 2007, Congress passed Wasserman Schultz’s bill, the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act, to implement layers of protection to prevent childhood drownings. Wasserman Schultz will discuss her bill to reauthorize funding for this program, which has delivered $22.8 million to states and municipalities for drowning prevention programs since it was put in place. 

Wasserman Schultz was joined by Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County Director of Aquatics George Coneo, Broward County Parks and Recreation Operations Manager Katherine Fermenich, Let Us Swim CEO & Diversified Swimming President Shana Lorde, Every Child A Swimmer Executive Director Cassie McGovern, and Safe Kids Broward Injury Prevention Coordinator Rachele Solomon. 

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