U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis will chair the Emergency Communications, Preparedness and Response Subcommittee of the Homeland Security Committee -- giving the Florida Republican leadership the job of overseeing FEMA and emergency responses.
With his tenure in the U.S. Senate coming to a close, less than a year and a half after Gov. Charlie Crist appointed him to the seat vacated by Mel Martinez, Republican U.S. Sen. George LeMieux attempted to walk away from Washington with a flashy finish and hope for a curtain call -- increasing speculation that he intends to take on Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in 2012.
With a new Congress convening in January, committee assignments are starting to come in for the six new Republican members of the Florida delegation. The freshmen from the Sunshine State will be sitting on a number of important committees as the Republicans take control from the Democrats.
On Friday, House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, named committee and subcommittee assignments for the 2011 session.
Some big names will be helping to usher inRick Scott as Floridas 45th governor. While famed Irish tenor Ronan Tynan, best known for his versions of God Bless America during Yankees games, will be singing, the selection of evangelical leader Chuck Colson to serve as the keynote speaker for Scotts prayer breakfast has raised some eyebrows.
After stalling in the afternoon, the U.S. House voted just after midnight Friday to extend tax cuts initially backed by George W. Bush in 2001 and 2003 for all Americans. The bill, which also extends jobless benefits, now moves to President Barack Obamas desk.
The deeply unpopular, $1.1 trillion spending bill -- including its more than 6,700 earmarks -- went down in flames Thursday night. And Florida Republicans in Congress can claim their opposition as some of the ammunition that shot it out of the sky.
At the end of the 1972 film The Candidate, Robert Redford, whose character has just been elected to the U.S. Senate, turns to an adviser played by Peter Boyle and demands, What do we do now?
On Wednesday, the Florida Chamber Foundation unveiled its study of ports, trade and logistics in the Sunshine State -- and argued that an increased focus on these industries could lead to an additional 143,000 jobs in the state.
Despite opposition from a handful from each party, the U.S. Senate voted Wednesday on a tax deal that extends tax cuts initially backed by George W. Bush for all Americans. The measure passed 81 to 19 with both of Floridas senators -- Democrat Bill Nelson and Republican George LeMieux -- voting in favor.
