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.

Florida Sen. Dwight Bullard, D-Cutler Bay, is backing a primary challenger to state Rep. Daphne Campbell, D-Miami Shores. On Monday, Bullard endorsed Michael Hepburn who is challenging Campbell.

Michael Hepburn has demonstrated a clear commitment toward making his community better, said Bullard. He is energetic and hard-working. He has the skills to effectively represent our constituents and he has what it takes to become a leader in the Florida House.

After news emerged that three officials were suspended from the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center in Gainesville due to a secret waiting list of 200 patients waiting for treatment, U.S. Rep. Rich Nugent, R-Fla., called for VA Secretary Eric Shinseki to resign. Similar stories on other VA medical centers using secret waiting lists have emerged across the nation, including in Phoenix where 40 veterans died as they waited for treatment.

Nugent released the following statement on Friday:

The Republican leadership continues to rally behind Miami Dade School Board member Carlos Curbelo over his Republican opponents, including former U.S. Rep. David Rivera, R-Fla., as the GOP ponders who should challenge U.S. Rep. Joe Garcia, D-Fla., in November.

On Monday, former U.S. Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., announced he was backing Curbelo. In his endorsement, Diaz-Balart praised Curbelos integrity. Both Rivera and Garcia have faced numerous scandals during their time in Congress.

Down in the polls, former Florida Senate Minority Leader Nan Rich continues to insist she will stay in the Democratic gubernatorial primary against former Gov. Charlie Crist. Rich continues to demand -- and be denied -- a debate with Crist, who had spent most of his political life as a Republican.

Libertarian gubernatorial nomineeAdrian Wyllie took aim at Gov. Rick Scott for vetoing a bill which would raise the speed limit to 75 miles per hour on interstates in Florida.

As governor, I would happily sign this bill, Wyllie noted toward the end of last week. It is refreshing and rare to see the Legislature pass a bill that gives responsible Floridians more freedom, more liberty, and more choice. SB 392 is one of only a few bills out of the 2014 state legislative session that I would sign into law.

Three officials were suspended after reports emerged that the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center in Gainesville had a secret waiting list of 200 patients waiting for treatment. Similar stories on other VA medical centers using secret waiting lists have emerged across the nation, including in Phoenix where 40 veterans died as they waited for treatment.

U.S. Rep. Ted Yoho, R-Fla., who hails from Gainesville and represents it, weighed in on Friday.

Members of the Cuban-American community protested the opening of former Gov. Charlie Crists campaign office in Little Havana on Saturday, including a former congressman.

Former U.S. Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., took aim at Crist on Saturday, hitting the former governor, who is now angling to challenge Gov. Rick Scott, for now opposing the embargo in Cuba despite supporting it most of his political career.