Former Gov. Charlie Crist, D-Fla., announced on Wednesday he was backing U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Fla., in the 2016 U.S. Senate race. Crist had thrown the door open to running but, last week, said he would not make a third try for the Senate. Murphy entered the contest on Monday. "Congressman Murphy will bring refreshing energy, integrity, and work ethic to the United States Senate," said Crist. "He knows it's all about the people -- that's why I know Floridians will join me in volunteering for and supporting Patrick early."

The Florida Credit Union Association (FCUA), part of the League of Southeastern Credit Unions and Affiliates (LSCU), named House Speaker Steve Crisafullim R-Merrit Island, as its legislator of the year for 2014.

U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla., a leading congressional voice on international affairs, rang the warning bell on Monday as Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov visits Cuba, Nicaragua, Guatemala and Colombia later this week.

US. Rep. Ted Yoho, R-Fla., took aim at President Barack Obamas federal health-care law on Monday, the fifth anniversary of the law. Today marks the five-year anniversary of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA or Obamacare) becoming law, Yoho said. This hastily written, partisan piece of legislation was shoved through Congress and was forced on the American people. Since then we have seen countless delays, higher premiums, increased government regulations, and the raiding of Medicare to pay for this new system.

Pointing out Ayatollah Khamenei said Death to America this weekend, U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., mocked U.S. Secretary of State John Kerrys claim that substantial progress was being made in talks with Iran. "The U.S. should stand strong against any regime that calls for death to America," Buchanan said on Monday. "It's time to let the world know that America is serious about protecting its interests and its allies." Buchanan pounded the Obama administrations continued negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program.

The Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) went after U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Fla., on Monday after he announced he was running for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. The RPOF looked to link Murphy to President Barack Obamas federal health-care law.

U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross, R-Fla., part of the GOP leadership as senior deputy majority whip, announced on Monday he had been named to the bipartisan task force to investigate terrorism financing. U.S. Rep. Jeb Hensarling, R-Texas, the chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Financial Services, named Ross, who serves on that committee, to the task force.

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., weighed in on Wednesday on Republican budget proposals. While he had some praise for the proposals, Rubio cautioned that they did not include enough for national defense.

Over at The Run, his always excellent coverage of the 2016 presidential race for U.S. News and World Report, David Catanese looks at the early tensions between former Gov. Jeb Bush, R-Fla., and Gov. Scott Walker, R-Wis., in the early stages of the Republican nomination contest.

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., a potential Republican presidential candidate in 2016, came out swinging at President Barack Obamas Net neutrality plan to regulate the Internet. Rubio wrote an op-ed that appeared at Politico on Wednesday:

Former Gov. Jeb Bush, R-Fla., who increasingly appears to be running for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016, cheered the news that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prevailed in Tuesdays elections. Congratulations to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on his re-election, Bush posted on Facebook on Wednesday. Hes a true leader who will continue to keep Israel strong and secure. Bush is not the only potential Republican presidential candidate to cheer the news.

U.S. Rep. Ted Yoho, R-Fla., called out President Barack Obamas executive action on immigration on Tuesday and backed U.S. Rep. Randy Webers, R-Texas, Deny Amnesty Credits Act of 2015." The proposal would ensure illegals with deferred status under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and the Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) wont receive the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit (CTC).

A bill to limit repetitive testing and push up school start dates was rolled over for a third and final reading on Tuesday. HB 7069 tackles a number of pressing issues in the state's education system, including scaling back testing in public schools. Teacher evaluations would also be impacted as a result of the legislation -- student performance on assessment tests would also be scaled back in evaluating teacher progress as a result of the legislation.

On Tuesday. Gov. Rick Scott announced Florida has had 801,100 new private-sector jobs created during his time in Tallahassee.

U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla., the chairwoman of the U.S. House Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee, tore into President Barack Obamas policies in regard to Iran and Cuba even as Roberta Jacobson, U.S. assistant secretary of state for Western Hemisphere affairs. leads a delegation to Cuba this week.