U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla., marked Cuban Independence Day on Tuesday, using the occasion to attack the communist regime led by the Castro brothers.

On Tuesday, Gov. Rick Scott announced the opening of bay scallop season will move up three days from July 1 to June 28. I requested the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission open the season early this year to benefit our communities who rely on our fisheries, Scott said. The bay scallop fishery is especially important to Floridas Big Bend region and by opening the bay scallop season three days earlier, Floridians throughout this area will have more opportunities to enjoy our natural treasures and provide for their families.

The U.S. Department of Commerces Economic Development Administration announced this week it will be sending $1.5 million to Tallahassee Community Colleges (TCC) Wakulla Environmental Institute (WEI) to improve the campus. Not only does the state believe in the importance of environmental training through the WEI, but through this grant it is clear that the federal government does as well, said Bob Ballard, the executive director of WEI.

Former heavyweight title contender and current congressional candidate Jameel McCline weighed in on Tuesday after reports emerged that new staffer Julie Reiser was arrested over the weekend in a domestic incident with her ex-husband, who she is battling in a child custody fight. McCline is running in the Democratic primary, challenging U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Fla.

Former U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, took aim at former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former Gov. Jeb Bush, R-Fla., at the end of last week. Paul, a three-time presidential candidate who now chairs the Liberty PAC, came out swinging at both of the possible 2016 presidential candidates in an email to supporters on Friday.

With the Obama administration playing defense after reports emerged about VA medical centers using secret waiting lists, including in Phoenix where 40 veterans died as they waited for treatment, Republicans in Congress continue to demand answers. On Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., called for Congress to pass the Department of Veterans Affairs Management Accountability Act which he is co-sponsoring. The House is expected to pass the bill on Wednesday, which will make it easier for the VA secretary to demote poorly performing officials.

With reports emerging last week that the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center in Gainesville is using a secret waiting list, the Agency for Health Care Administration (HCA) attempted to inspect the facility on Monday and was denied.

The Republican Party of Florida released a new graph on Tuesday contrasting former governor Charlie Crist's with Gov. Rick Scott's record on jobs for Hispanics. The graph contends that under Crist, the number of Hispanics employed in the Sunshine State decreased by 157,000. Under Scott, the number of employed Hispanics has increased by 257,000.

Republicans from Florida continue to call for U.S. Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki to resign as reports continue to emerge about VA medical centers using secret wait lists. While a VA facility in Phoenix used an altered list to show shorter wait times than what they actually had, 40 veterans died waiting medical attention. On Monday, U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., called for Shinseki to go. Eric Shinseki served our nation with distinction -- but new leadership is necessary to address the VA's atrocious treatment of our veterans, Buchanan insisted on Monday.

U.S. Rep. Dan Webster, R-Fla., called on Congress to focus on human trafficking on Monday, urging the passing of several bills which will be voted on this week. Human trafficking is one of the greatest tragedies of our time, Webster said on Monday. Roughly 20 million children, women, and men are victimized around the world, including many within the United States. This week, the House of Representatives will consider legislation to protect our most vulnerable and shine a harsh spotlight on those who engage in such evil.

In a political bombshell, former Orlando Police Chief Val Demings announced on Tuesday that she was ending her bid against Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs. After giving U.S. Rep. Dan Webster, R-Fla., a close fight in 2012, Demings was seen as a rising star for Democrats and was expected to offer Jacobs a strong challenge. I am humbled by and grateful for the support I have received from every corner of our county, Demings said in a statement on Tuesday. After careful analysis I have determined that this is just not the right race at this time.

Gov. Rick Scott intends to focus on ports this week with trips to to JaxPort on the First Coast, Port Tampa Bay and Port Canaveral to talk about his plans to invest $1 billion in them. During Scotts term as governor, the state has backed ports, which are preparing for the Panama Canal expansion, with $700 million.

Federal, state and local officials headed to South Florida on Monday to celebrate the completion of the Port of Miami Tunnel, which will connect Miami International Airport and I-95 directly to Port Miami. The project had been under construction for four years and came at a price tag of $915 million. The tunnel is the largest bored tunnel for soft ground in the country to date. Gov. Rick Scott was present at the celebration of the completion of the tunnel, which he said would "provide relief" to Miami-Dade families as well as visitors to the area.

The Republican Party of Florida released an infographic on Monday contrasting former Gov. Charlie Crist's record on creating jobs for Florida women. View the graphic below: Female state legislators chimed in on the issue, with Republicans lambasting Crist while praising Scott.

Rep. Katie Edwards summed it up for thousands of Democrats Saturday when she told Anthony Man of the Sun-Sentinel, any idea that supporting Nan Rich is helping the re-election of Republican Rick Scott is "nonsense."