US Representative Cory Mills (R-Fl) expressed his commitment to either "shutdown the border or shutdown the government."

Representative Mills' comments are representative of many Republican lawmakers' willingness to compel Democrats to compromise on immigration reform and tighter border enforcement.

Mills outlined his legislative priority via X as passing "the 12 single-point Appropriation Bills with necessary cuts, reforms, economic growth strategy, and either shut the border or Shutdown the government.”

This is something I stated earlier but worth recycling:

“Get the 12 single-point Appropriation Bills with necessary cuts, reforms, economic growth strategy, and either shut the border or Shutdown the government” pic.twitter.com/hkUgX0cUaf

— Cory Mills (@CoryMillsFL) December 31, 2023

Last November, conservative lawmakers leveraged government funding to encourage Democrats and President Joe Biden to acquiesce to Republican requests for decreased spending and immigration enforcement.

A government shutdown was averted due to ex-House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy's passage of a temporary spending bill.

With such bill's expiration date nearing, Republicans are once again signaling their commitment to immigration enforcement and fiscal policy includes entering a government shutdown if necessary.

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken recently visited Mexico to discuss joint immigration enforcement measures with Mexican officials. A joint US-Mexico press release described the trip reinforced both countries' mission to "address the root causes of migration, such as poverty, inequality, and violence."

However, many Republicans have accused Biden of generating the migrant crisis at the Southwest border via loose immigration laws and the deliberate lack of enforcement of existing immigration laws.

US Representative Anna Paulina-Luna (R-Fl) recently criticized Biden's immigration policies while warning of a new migrant caravan traveling towards the US through central America.

Representative Luna claimed border enforcement legislation is urgently needed to adequately regulate immigration flows across America's borders.

"To hear that this is somehow a humanitarian thing, and we need to just blanket wave these people in. One, it is stupid, but also it is a political talking point. And let me be clear about something. We absolutely have the ability to stop this, and we should " explained Luna.

The post Mills Asks Biden "Shut Down the Border or Shut Down the Government" appeared first on The Floridian.

Conservative lawmakers have rung in the new year by emphasizing the holidays' financial toll on Americans and the expected continuation of rising costs in 2024.

A study by the Joint Economic Committee (JEC) Republicans recently published reveals an average increase of $10 thousand dollars per US household in inflationary costs.

According to the report, Floridians spent nearly $13 thousand dollars more in 2023 than they did in 2021 solely to shoulder inflation.

While some have credited inflation to COVID-19, supply chain inefficiencies, and international conflict, American conservatives have blamed President Joe Biden as chiefly responsible for the dollar's devaluation.

US Senator Rick Scott (R-Fl), for example, has repeatedly claimed President Biden's fiscal policy is impoverishing Americans.

Senator Rick Scott recently released a video explaining how, according to him, Biden's agenda is undermining the US economy and weakening families' purchasing power.

"This holiday season, #Bidenomics is stretching Florida families budgets to the MAX and making the American dream feel out of reach," said Scott via X.

WATCH: This holiday season, #Bidenomics is stretching Florida families budgets to the MAX and making the American dream feel out of reach.

But it doesn't have to be this way! I'm going to keep fighting to keep big government in check. pic.twitter.com/MhEjhLxrYe

— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) December 21, 2023

For months, the US Federal Reserve has attempted to lower inflation by raising interest rates. Last July, the Fed. raised its benchmark federal-funds rate to a 22-year high.

However, Fed. officials have reportedly suggested interest rates could be significantly lowered in 2024 due to decreasing inflation in the last months of 2023.

According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly expressed her alignment with numerous other Fed officials planning for at least three rate cuts in 2024.

Government data released last week alleges 12-month inflation rates, excluding food and energy costs, could decrease to 3% in 2024.

Given the Fed targets 2% inflation when calculating interest rates and the latter's correlation with the former, reports of decreased inflation could result in lowered interest rates.

On Wall Street, news of the Fed's preparations to lower interest rates have rallied markets.

According to the WSJ, market fears neared several-year lows as investors grew increasingly confident of healthy economic growth in 2024.

The post 'New Year, Same Inflation' According to Republican Lawmakers appeared first on The Floridian.

Current trends in international geopolitics suggest armed conflict will fester in 2024.  

First, the Israel-Hamas war is expected to rage well into 2024 as the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) warn their Gaza operations will extend ‘for many more months’. 

Hamas' remains committed to eradicating Israel and is leveraging hostages to this end, demanding an unrealistic ransom based on the Gilad Shadit precedent. Meanwhile, Israel has vowed to dismantle Hamas and no Israeli political capital remains for reaching a ceasefire with the perpetrators of the largest Jewish massacre since the Holocaust. 

Additionally, US President Joe Biden’s public and private lukewarm support for Israel and his ‘non-confrontational’ foreign policy strategy will further destabilize the middle east by emboldening Hamas, Iran, and peripheral groups such as Hezbollah and the Hoothies.

Farther north, Russia’s war of attrition against Ukraine will unlikely end any time soon. Russia’s energy sales, including to European purchasers, and the successful circumvention of Western symbolic sanctions have allowed Putin to ameliorate economic pressure and continue funding the war. 

In Asia, China is incrementally intensifying signals towards potential military action in Taiwan. The West’s collapse and the US’s preoccupation with Ukraine, Israel, and now the Red Sea limit deployable resources to a potential fourth front, opening a window for China to exploit Western weakness and fulfill its ‘One China’ policy. 

A Latin American theater may also open somewhere along the border of Venezuela and Guayana, with Nicolas Maduro harnessing expanded oil exports to fund a potential invasion of the Essequibo. 

Notwithstanding the international chaos 2023 is bequeathing 2024, several developments could deter nefarious state actors from resorting to armed aggression. NATO’s expansion, growing relations between US and states bordering Russia, the AUKUS partnership, and Israel’s commitment to decemating Hamas, all provide opportunities for the West to compel rogue states to comply with an otherwise noticeably vulnerable international rules-based order. 

The post International Conflicts to Expand in 2024 appeared first on The Floridian.

Florida Republican Legislators have introduced sister bills in the state Senate and House of Representatives that would prohibit state and local governments from displaying certain flags. 

Senator Jonathan Martin (R-33) filed the senate version of the bill yesterday, December 28th. 

The bill specifically prohibits displaying flags that represent “a political viewpoint, including, but not limited to, a politically partisan, racial, sexual orientation and gender, or political ideology.”

Under Senator Martin’s bill, any unit of local government, including public schools, public colleges, and public universities, would be prohibited from displaying LGBTQ flags. 

Individuals’ First Amendment rights to exercise speech and other forms of expression are explicitly exempt from Martin’s proposed legislation.  

“The governmental entity must remain neutral when representing political viewpoints in displaying or erecting a flag,” continues the bill. 

Earlier in December, Miami State Rep. David Borrero (R) filed the House version of the public Gay-flag ban.

However, as the Floridian’s Javier Manjarres explained, the ban would also apply to any politically-charged flags. Such flags could include Blue Lives Matter, Black Lives Matter, Pride, or Confederate flags.

Martin has filed numerous bills in anticipation of the upcoming 2024 legislative session. 

Recently, Martin filed a bill that would protect public monuments, including Confederate memorials, from being removed or relocated without legislative approval. 

Senator Jay Collins (R) filed a companion bill in the Florida Senate that allowed for POW-MIA flags, flags of foreign nations, and flags of the branches of the United States Armed Forces, to be flown.

Borrero's measure allows for the U.S., Florida, POW-MIA, and Firefighter Memorial flags to be hoisted.

Recently, Martin filed another bill that  would alter Florida law regarding how immunization requirements are to be adopted and expand potential exemptions to them.

Per the bill, the Florida Department of Health (FDH) and any other state or local authorities would be prohibited from imposing any vaccine requirements without legislative approval.

The post Florida Conservatives Keen on Passing Public Gay-Flag Ban appeared first on The Floridian.

Florida Senator Jonathan Martin (R-33) has filed a bill that would protect public monuments, including Confederate memorials, from being removed or relocated without legislative approval. 

Senator Martin’s “Historical Monuments and Memorials Protection Act” would direct Florida’s Historical Commission to counsel Florida executive officials on monument preservation. 

The act claims that “an accurate and factual history belongs to all Floridians and future generations and the state has an obligation to protect and preserve such history.”

 Such obligation, continues the act, includes circumventing “any local government elected officials who may be swayed by undue influence by groups who may feel offended or hurt by certain actions in the history of the state or the nation.” 

Martin attempted to pass a similar bill last February. Despite being approved by two separate committees, however, the proposal was never brought to the floor for a vote. 

Under Martin’s new legislation, local governments and individuals are barred from unilaterally removing monuments displayed on public property.

Aside from the imposition of penalties for those violating the bill, individuals involved in the design, care, erection, or care of the monument would be able to sue the violators for damages.

Additionally, individuals regularly using the monument for remembrance would also be eligible to sue violators of the bill. 

Local governments that remove, alter, or damage a monument would have to restore it to its original condition. If the local government cannot restore the monument, Florida would assume restoration responsibilities. However, all arts, cultural, and historic preservation funding would be withheld from the local government until it reimburses Florida for the restoration cost. 

If passed, the bill would take effect on July 1, 2024. 

Recently, Martin filed another bill that  would alter Florida law regarding how immunization requirements are to be adopted and expand potential exemptions to them.

If passed, the FDH and any other state or local authorities would be prohibited from imposing any vaccine requirements without legislative approval.

The post Civil War-Era Florida Monuments Could be Protected by Proposed Bill appeared first on The Floridian.

US Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) and Senator Rick Scott (R-Fl) have both suffered ‘swatting’ attempts at their homes. 

‘Swatting’ is the term given to calls made by third parties to emergency services falsely alleging a need for officers to be dispatched to the home of the targeted individual. 

Swatting can result in tense and confusing situations, potentially leading to collateral damage, for both emergency personnel and targeted individuals. 

Senator Scott reported the incident early this morning via X.  The Floridian was one of the first media outlets to report on the assault on Scott.

“Last night, while at dinner with my wife, cowards “swatted” my home in Naples,” stated Scott. 

Last night, while at dinner with my wife, cowards “swatted” my home in Naples. These criminals wasted the time & resources of our law enforcement in a sick attempt to terrorize my family.

Ann & I want to thank @NaplesPolice & @CollierSheriff for all they do to keep us safe.

— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) December 28, 2023

Scott thanked local police authorities for adequately responding to what he defined as a “sick attempt to terrorize (his) family.”

Representative Greene was reportedly targeted by a swatting call earlier this week on Tuesday, December 26th. 

Yesterday, after more swatting attempts were made against Greene’s family, Greene claimed she would be filing legislation to expand law enforcement’s tools for combatting swatting calls.

“The dangerous swatting harassment continues, as tonight, one of my family members was swatted at their house,” said Greene. 

Greene promised to soon introduce “legislation to make it much easier for law enforcement to arrest and prosecutors to prosecute these criminals.”

The dangerous swatting harassment continues, as tonight, one of my family members was swatted at their house.

I will be introducing legislation to make it much easier for law enforcement to arrest and prosecutors to prosecute these criminals.

— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (@RepMTG) December 28, 2023

Greene and Scott are the latest in a chain of US politicians that have been threatened over the Christmas holidays. 

Threats against justices on Colorado’s Supreme Court after former President Donald Trump was barred from the GOP Primary are reportedly also being investigated. 

Trump was barred from the Colorado GOP primary after the Colorado Supreme Court found that the capitol riots on January 6th “easily satisfy (the) definition of “insurrection.” 

The post Greene and Scott Suffer 'Swatting' Calls During Christmas appeared first on The Floridian.

Florida Senator Jonathan Martin (R-33) has filed a bill that would alter Florida law regarding how immunization requirements are to be adopted and expands potential exemptions to them.

The bill would require the Florida Department of Health (FDH) to obtain approval of the Legislature to add any new immunizations to those required for school attendance. 

Additionally, the FDH and any other state or local authorities would be prohibited from imposing any vaccine requirements without legislative approval. Adopting recommended compulsory vaccination policies endorsed by international organizations or national vaccine requirements enacted during public health emergencies would similarly be prohibited.

Exemptions would be granted for individuals refusing to receive required state vaccines if these have not been fully approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). According to the bill, full approval does not include vaccines that the FDA has authorized for emergency use only.

Florida Senator Ileana Garcia (R-36) filed a similar bill in late November. 

Senator Martin’s bill expands Garcia’s own, as Garcia’s only includes vaccine exemption language. 

Last October, Garcia also proposed legislation that would require Law Enforcement Officials to supervise ballot box transportation on election days. 

If enacted, police would have to be present “at all times during an election” to ensure ballot box security. 

Garcia’s proposal would also have law enforcement officers “transport the ballot box or ballot transfer container” from election offices to corresponding precincts.

Election integrity has become a prevalent issue, especially for Republicans, following former President Donald Trump’s claims of widespread election interference during the 2020 elections.   

President Trump was recently barred from the Colorado primary after the Colorado Supreme Court found that the capitol riots on January 6th “easily satisfy (the) definition of “insurrection.”

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, despite claiming Colorado’s decision would be eventually overturned by the US Supreme Court, declared he would not be withdrawing from the Colorado primary.

The post Florida Republicans Push for Modification of Vaccine Requirements appeared first on The Floridian.

Presidential hopeful and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy’s recent statements and campaign operations have incited rumors of his potential endorsement of former President Donald Trump.

Ramaswamy’s campaign recently announced it would halt all TV advertisements and stated funds would be diverted towards alternate ad channels. 

“Presidential TV ad spending is idiotic, low-ROI & a trick that political consultants use to bamboozle candidates who suffer from low IQ,” said Ramaswamy via X. 

Presidential TV ad spending is idiotic, low-ROI & a trick that political consultants use to bamboozle candidates who suffer from low IQ.

We’re doing it differently. Spending $$ in a way that follows data…apparently a crazy idea in US politics.

Big surprise coming on Jan 15. https://t.co/i2X7Q5d2T9

— Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) December 27, 2023

However, some have characterized Ramaswamy’s recent shift in spending strategy as the beginning of the end of his campaign, ultimately leading to his endorsement of President Trump. 

Ramaswamy has denied accusations that his campaign’s financial decisions are reflective of a desire to cease operations, yet touted a “big surprise coming on Jan. 15.”

Trump reacted to Ramaswamy by praising him and predicting the entrepreneur will eventually endorse him. 

Recently, Ramaswamy pledged to withdraw from the Colorado GOP primary ballot until Trump’s candidacy is restored.

Trump was barred from the Colorado GOP primary after the Colorado Supreme Court found that the capitol riots on January 6th “easily satisfy (the) definition of “insurrection.”  

Ramaswamy called on the rest of the Republican primary challengers to follow in his footsteps and withdraw from the ballot.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, despite claiming Colorado’s decision would be eventually overturned by the US Supreme Court, declared he would not be withdrawing from the Colorado primary. 

Governor DeSantis, who leads most polls as the Republican frontrunner behind Trump, has been intensely campaigning in Iowa. 

According to NBC, DeSantis’ ‘Never Back Down’ super PAC has canvassed throughout Iowa more extensively than any of the other candidates’ campaigns. 

The post Ramaswamy Rumored to Soon Officially Declare Support for Trump appeared first on The Floridian.

US Senator Rick Scott (R-Fl) has announced he will be donating a portion of his Senate salary to the Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center in Naples, Florida. 

The museum, established in 2001, evolved from a middle school classroom exhibit called “Out of the Ashes” that sought to educate pupils on the horrors of the Holocaust. 

Today, the museum houses over 1,000 artifacts from World War II and the Holocaust, including pieces relating to the Nuremberg trials. 

“Ann and I are grateful for the opportunity to support the Holocaust Museum and Cohen Education Center in our home town of Naples,” said Senator Scott via press release. 

Scott underscored the museum’s commitment to eradicating antisemitism and racism. 

The museum was described by Scott as “ensuring students learn the history of the Holocaust and see for themselves why antisemitism is disgusting, evil and has no place in our society.”

According to Scott’s team, the senator has donated his salary to several causes since taking office in 2019. 

Scott has augmented his vocal and legislative support for American Jews since Hamas’ deadly attacks against Israel on October 7th. 

Daily, Scott has released statements exposing antisemitism and criticizing Hamas’ offenses against the state of Israel. 

“It’s been 80 days since Iran-backed Hamas terrorists took hundreds hostage,” said Scott in his latest statement, adding that “we must keep fighting to #BringThemAllHome.”

It’s been 80 days since Iran-backed Hamas terrorists took hundreds hostage, including a young woman named Ariev Karina.

Ariev is only 19 years old. She had dreams of working in cosmetology one day. We can’t let her life end before it starts. We must keep fighting to…

— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) December 26, 2023

Despite widespread congressional approval for Israel’s war against Hamas, pressure has been mounting for a bilateral ceasefire. 

Earlier last week, The Floridian reported new polls signaled growing support for Hamas amongst American youth. 

Israel, however, has stated it is determined to entirely dismantle Hamas prior to ceasing military operations in the Gaza strip. 

The post Scott to Donate Portion of Salary to Holocaust Museum appeared first on The Floridian.

Florida Representative Joe Casello (D-90) has filed a bill to preempt mass shootings by prohibiting behaviors typically antecedent to the shootings.

The bill would prohibit individuals from planning to conduct a mass shooting or an act of terrorism.

Per the bill, planning to conduct a mass shooting entails taking two or more actions with the explicitly stated intent to conduct a mass shooting or an act of terrorism.

Suspect actions include identifying the location(s) and date(s) for the mass shooting, purchasing weapons or any items to be used during the event, conducting preparatory drills or trainings, and more. 

An individual found guilty of planning to execute a mass shooting or act of terrorism would commit a second degree felony. Second degree felonies can result in capital punishment. 

The bill was filed hours after a deadly shooting in Prague, Czech Republic, garnered international attention.  

Reports explain a student at Charles University opened fire on fellow classmates and professors, injuring more than 20 and killing 14. 

The shooting, which occurred last Thursday, has resulted in the highest death toll among any similar incidents in the Czech Republic. 

While representative Casello’s bill did not directly reference the Prague shooting, its filing immediately following the incident suggests Casello may have been motivated by it.

 Earlier in December, Florida commemorated the four year anniversary of the deadly Pensacola Naval Air Base (NAS) terrorist attack.

US Representative Matt Gaetz (R-Fl) filed a bill aimed at holding Saudi Arabia accountable. 

Representative Gaetz’s bill claims Saudi Arabia was negligent in its duty to inform the US of Alshamrani’s extremist beliefs, which he publicly expressed on social media prior to the attack. 

Under Casello’s bill, Alshamrani’s statements and actions before his hateful attack could have constituted grounds to detain and charge him prior to his attack.

The post Mass Shooting Law to be Debated by Florida State Legislature appeared first on The Floridian.

US Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fl) is asking President Joe Biden take action to prevent Chinese semiconductor firm ‘Brite’ from accessing US technology and capital markets. 

A report published last week exposed how Brite has been able to purchase US software and obtain financing from American investors. 

Brite services at least six Chinese military suppliers and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), according to the report.  

President Biden signed an executive order last August to prohibit the sale of technology in the semiconductor and tech industry to states, such as China, or individuals from such states.

The news of Brite’s ability to circumvent Biden’s order has prompted Senator Rubio to write a letter asking for the intervention of Biden’s Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo.

Rubio explained via X his letter emphasizes that “the U.S. must prevent China from using American chip-design software to advance its technological & military strategy.”

The U.S. must prevent China from using American chip-design software to advance its technological & military strategy.

Sent a letter to @SecRaimondo urging the Administration to blacklist Brite, which has ties to the Chinese Communist Party.https://t.co/hezCmq3mkw

— Senator Marco Rubio (@SenMarcoRubio) December 21, 2023

The letter contains sharp criticism for Biden’s foreign policy strategy vis-a-vis China. 

Rubio claimed the ability for Chinese firms to skirt Biden’s sanctions demonstrates “ yet again that (Biden’s) export-control scheme is allowing China’s rise as a technological power. 

Claiming that the current sanctions are being circumvented for being too narrow in scope, Rubio recommended Secretary Raimondo “blacklist” Brite and begin “rescinding and/or denying export licenses to blacklisted entities.”

Protectionist trade measures such as tariffs or sanctions are generally opposed by most conservative lawmakers as they tend to support free-market capitalist ideals. 

However, Rubio has been increasingly calling for the expansion and stricter enforcement of US protectionist regulations for national security purposes. 

Yesterday, Rubio wrote a separate letter to U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen urging her to prevent US Steel Corporation (US Steel) from being acquired. 

Following Rubio’s letter, Biden's National Economic Adviser Lael Brainerd stated the transaction deserves “serious scrutiny.”

The post Rubio asks Biden Halt Chinese 'BRITE' Semiconductor Firm appeared first on The Floridian.

The Florida legislature is considering creating an investment fund to support the development of counties that have been swarmed with pari-mutuel (gaming) facilities. 

Senator Blaise Ingoglia (R-11) filed a bill , that would create the ‘Prospect Del Vista Incorporation to create and administer an investment fund to support ‘gaming concentrated counties’. 

Per the bill, gaming-concentrated counties are those counties with five or more operating Florida licensed pari-mutuel permit holders.

Senator Ingoglia’s “Prospect Del Vista Infrastructure and Investment Act” aims to provide long-term funding for efforts of economic improvement and augmentation of such counties. 

‘Prospect Del Vista Incorporation would be a nonprofit corporation with total autonomy from the Florida state government and be governed by a five-member board of directors. The President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives would each appoint two members while the Governor would appoint one member.

Prospect Del Vista would be free to hire or contract all staff necessary for executing daily operations. 

Funding for Prospect Del Vista is to be extracted from Florida’s tax revenues, with the specific amount calculated according to the slot machine revenue tax paid by gaming-concentrated counties. 

According to the Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC), most legal gaming facilities are located in South Florida. Therefore, if passed, Prospect Del Vista could be expected to disburse funds to Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties.  

In early November, Ingoglia also introduced a bill to enact 8-year term limits for county commissioners. 

Senator Ingoglia’s bill is paralleled by Florida Representative Michelle Salzman’s (R) previously filed HB 57. 

Ingoglia’s bill modifies Salzman’s own, however. Under Ingoglia’s legislation, county commissioners who exhaust their 8-year terms would be eligible to run for commissioner “2 years after the end date of his or her initial term.”

The post Florida Legislature Considers Bill to Support 'Gaming' Concentrated Counties appeared first on The Floridian.

US Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fl) has written a letter to President Joe Biden’s U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen urging her to prevent US Steel Corporation (US Steel) from being acquired. 

Earlier this week, US Steel announced Nippon Steel Corporation (NSC), a global steel manufacturer and Japan’s largest steelmaker, would be acquiring the company. 

According to US Steel, NSC will pay $55.00 per share, representing an equity value of approximately $14.1 billion plus debt assumption, for a total enterprise value of $14.9 billion. NSC’s payment to US Steel represents a 40% increase to U. S. Steel’s closing stock price on December 15, 2023. 

US Steel executives have praised the move. 

Chief Executive Officer of U. S. Steel, David B. Burritt, claimed he is “confident that, like our strategy, this combination is truly Best for All.” Decarbonization was among the factors encouraging the sale of US Steel to NSC. 

CEO Burritt explained NSC’s “decarbonization focus is expected to enhance and accelerate our ability to provide customers with innovative steel solutions to meet sustainability goals.”

Yet Senator Rubio and several conservative lawmakers have criticized the decision to sell US Steel. Rubio claims the transaction was executed solely to benefit shareholders and failed to consider industry stakeholders and national security interests. 

During President Donald Trump’s presidency, Section 232 tariffs on steel imports were imposed to preserve America’s domestic steel industry. According to Rubio, US Steel’s acquisition by a foreign company that has received billions in subsidies from the Japanese government undermines such tariffs. 

Rubio and his Republican colleagues thus sent a letter to Secretary Yellen to prevent the transaction from occurring. 

“Allowing foreign companies to buy out American companies and enjoy our trade protections subverts the very purpose for which those protections were put in place,” argued Rubio. 

US Steel addressed domestic concerns regarding NSC’s acquisition of their company and claimed the sale benefits American stakeholders. 

Burritt stated NSC’s acquisition of US Steel ensures “a competitive, domestic steel industry, while strengthening our presence globally.” 

Unless Yellen intervenes, the transaction is expected to close in the second or third quarter of calendar year 2024.

The post Rubio Asks Biden Administration to Intervene in Proposed Sale of US Steel Corporation appeared first on The Floridian.

Florida Representative Adam Anderson (R-57) has filed a bill that would strengthen Florida’s Driving Under the Influence (DUI) laws. 

If passed, Representative Anderson’s bill would expand the scope of circumstances in which an individual could be charged with a DUI. 

Currently, an individual can be charged with a DUI if he is driving or in “actual physical control” of a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The ambiguity around what is considered “actual physical control” has led some legal experts to suggest certain situations where an individual is under the influence in their car would be exempt. 

For example, “sobering up” in the backseat of a car, under current Florida regulations, has been deemed by some as lawful behavior. 

Anderson’s bill, if passed, would elucidate the exact meaning of “actual physical control”. 

Under Anderson’s bill, “actual physical control”  means being physically in a vehicle and having the “capability to operate the vehicle, regardless of whether the vehicle is actually being operated at that time.”

Given the new definition, DUI charges would have to prove that charged individuals were in their vehicles and able to operate them.

Thus, debate over the legality of gray areas such as sobering up in a passenger seat would turn on whether the involved individual has the ability to operate the vehicle. 

Additionally, Anderson’s proposal would classify as second degree felonies any accidents caused by driving under the influence and resulting in serious bodily harm to third parties.

Moreover, accidents caused by driving under the influence and resulting in the death of third parties would be first degree felonies. 

Second degree felonies are punishable with up to 15 years imprisonment , while first degree felonies can result in capital punishment. 

According to Forbes, Florida ranks as the 34th worst state for drunk diving. 

Forbes’ latest figures demonstrate 5.09 drunk drivers are involved in fatal car crashes per 100,000 licensed drivers. 

The post Florida Legislature to Consider Strengthening DUI Laws appeared first on The Floridian.

US Representative Maria Elvira-Salazar (R-Fl) has filed a bill to establish free trade between the US and Uruguay and streamline bureaucratic travel regulations between the two countries. 

Representative Salazar’s Uruguay Economic Partnership Act would add Uruguay to the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA).

CBERA, initially codified in 1983, was created to provide certain Caribbean countries with duty-free access to the U.S. market for most goods.

Currently, 17 Caribbean states are covered by CBERA. To be elegible for CBERA membership, states cannot be led by communist governments nor have nationalized any US national’s property. 

Salazar supported her bill via X, claiming Uruguay has become a “bastion of economic liberty” in South America and of the US’s “best friends.”

Uruguay is one of America’s best friends in South America and a bastion of economic liberty.

This is the kind of partner we need to work with.

My US—Uruguay Economic Partnership Act brings quality Uruguayan products to Miami and allows Uruguayans to travel visa-free to the USA! pic.twitter.com/J4eSs1J4ei

— Rep. María Elvira Salazar (@RepMariaSalazar) December 19, 2023

While the US imports more than $2.9 billion in goods from Uruguay, explained Salazar, the US lags behind China and Brazil as the main exporting partners.

Salazar also claimed establishing a free trade agreement with Uruguay is “crucial” given China’s intention to expand economic ties with South American states. 

Additionally, Salazar’s proposal would make Uruguayans eligible for E1 and E2 non-immigrant status. If Salazar’s bill is passed, Uruguayans would be able to conduct visa-free travel to the US for tourism or business for less than 90 days.

Representative Andy Kim (D-NJ) cosponsored Salazar’s bill. 

“This legislation is an important step to bolster our valued and close partnership with Uruguay,” said Representative Kim. 

“Strengthening ties between our nations will not only benefit our countries’ economic relationship, but also uplift cultural ties and create new opportunities for our Uruguayan communities in the U.S. and those in Uruguay.”

The post Salazar Proposes Bipartisan Free-Trade Agreement with Uruguay appeared first on The Floridian.

Florida House Representative Stan McClain (R-27) has filed a bill that would allow school districts and charter schools to enact policies to allow volunteer school chaplains. 

Chaplains are individuals who provide religious counseling services. While usually belonging to a certain religion, chaplains can also be non-denominational. 

In Florida, chaplains are generally present in private schools with religious affiliations.

If Representative McClain’s bill passes, public schools would be able to invite chaplains to provide support, services, and programs to their students. A chaplain’s duties would be specified by the school’s corresponding district school board. 

The chaplains would be volunteer-based and would thus not receive a public salary. 

However, in order for a school to adopt a chaplain, the school’s district school board would have to vote to approve chaplain presence in the district’s schools. 

In fact, McClain’s bill sets a deadline of January 1, 2025, for each district school board and charter school governing board to vote on whether to authorize school chaplains.

If the vote is successful, then the school district would have to publish the list of volunteer school chaplains, including any religious affiliation, on the school district's website. 

Additionally, principals of schools with a volunteer school chaplain would have to inform all parents of the availability of the chaplain’s support programs and services.

Chaplains would have to pass background tests and written parental consent would be required before a student could participate in or receive support, services, and programs provided by a chaplain. 

 If passed, the bill would go into effect this summer. 

McClain’s bill is identical to a similar Texas bill passed earlier this year. Yet chaplaincy bills of these sorts have garnered criticism from some. 

Critics claim school chaplains violate the doctrine of the separation of church and state and the Lemon test created by the US Supreme court in Lemon vs. Kurtzman, (403 U.S. 602, (1971).

Under the Lemon test, governmental actions were found to not violate religious freedoms if they were secular in nature, neutral, and if they avoided excessive entanglement with religion. Critics state public school chaplains fail the Lemon test. 

However, the Supreme Court’s decision in Kennedy v. Bremerton overrode the Lemon test and replaced it with a ‘history and tradition’ test that is more amicable towards school chaplains. 

The Supreme Court’s shift may have given states like Texas and Florida enough confidence to codify their respective school chaplain laws. 

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Senators Rick Scott (R-Fl) and Mike Lee (R-UT) have filed the Protect American Gun Exporter Act to nullify President Joe Biden’s recent ban on gun exports. 

Last October 27, 2023, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) announced a 90-day ban on the export of firearms, ammunition, and component parts. 

The BIS explained it would not be issuing new export licenses to those seeking to export certain firearms and related articles to non-governmental entities except for those in Ukraine and Israel. 

Non-governmental entities in state parties to the Wassenaar Arrangement are also exempt.

During the 90-day ban, the BIS claims it will be reviewing firearm export control policies to asses whether they are serving US national security and foreign policy interests. 

Specifically, the BIS stated it is interested in preventing the export of firearms to states that incite “regional instability, violate human rights, or fuel criminal activities.”

However, conservative lawmakers have defined the pause in export license issuances as arbitrary and out of sync with industry leaders. 

According to Senator Lee’s team, the BIS pause on export licenses is an unprecedented move of questionable legality taken without prior consultation with industry stakeholders. 

The 90-day BIS pause could cost the industry upwards of $1 million per day, according to Lee. 

“The arbitrary halt of firearm export licenses by the Biden administration lacks both justification and necessity," said Lee via press release.

Senator Scott called the BIS policy a slight on Second Amendment rights and an unjustified punishment on gun manufacturers and exporters. 

Scott accused the Biden administration of executing an “assault on the Second Amendment and prefer(ing) to put politics above the Constitution.” 

The Biden administration continues its assault on the Second Amendment and prefers to put politics above the Constitution.

That’s unacceptable, and we’re here to send a message that this will not stand. #2A https://t.co/okn8q6qOSU

— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) December 18, 2023

"That’s unacceptable, and we’re here to send a message that this will not stand,” said Scott. 

The Council of Foreign relations has estimated the US accounts for over 40% of worldwide arms exports and 2020 sales from leading U.S. producers reached $285 billion.

With sundry states relying on the US to arm themselves, pauses such as the one announced by the BIS are often used as bargaining chips to advance US foreign policy interests.

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A new Harvard Harris Poll recently published is reporting striking support for Hamas by US college-aged individuals. 

In late November, The Floridian reported similar overwhelming support for Hamas amongst civilians in Gaza. 

According to recent polls, 74.7% of Palestinians wish to see the reinstatement of Palestine ‘from the river to the sea’, i.e., the eradication of the state of Israel.

Additionally, 75% of Palestinians noted their support for Hamas’ brutalization of innocent Israelis on October 7th. 

However, young college-aged Americans seem to share similar beliefs. 

When asked whether Israel was committing genocide against Palestenians and if Hamas can be trusted to negotiate for peace, a whopping 60% and 76%, respectively, answered affirmatively. 

A shocking 79% and 67% of poll participants aged 18-24 categorized Jews and white individuals as “oppressors” who should be treated as such. 

Moreover, 60% of respondents 18-24 years old stated that the October 7th killing of 1200 Israeli civilians and kidnapping of another 250 can be justified by the grievances of Palestinians. 

Finally, 50% of respondents 18-24 stated they support Hamas over Israel in this conflict. 

The poll’s results have added to the ongoing national outrage over the response to Hamas’ brutal terrorist attacks by some of the country’s major universities. 

From widespread anti-Semitic campus protests to University presidents declining to condemn antisemitism, this latest poll is another debacle for America’s educational institutions. 

US Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fl) defined the poll as proof that American institutions of higher learning are failing the country. 

“Colleges and universities are no longer producing caretakers of America’s decline, but instead the instigators of American decline,” said Senator Rubio. 

Colleges and universities are no longer producing caretakers of America’s decline, but instead the instigators of American decline.https://t.co/AXBTvwtAkd pic.twitter.com/qBeA4UdvwC

— Senator Marco Rubio (@SenMarcoRubio) December 18, 2023

The poll also investigated voter attitudes regarding the upcoming 2024 elections.

While 63% of respondents stated the country needs alternative choices to President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, President Trump leads President Biden by 5 points on head-to-head surveys.

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