With U.S. Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki under fire after reports emerged that secret waiting lists were used in a VA hospital in Arizona, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., demanded answers on Tuesday if similar lists were in place for Veterans Affairs Medical Centers (VAMC) in Florida. The VA hospital in Phoenix altered its waiting list to appear wait times were less than they were in actuality, leading to the deaths of 40 veterans.

Speaking at the National Press Club in Washington on Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., offered a plan opening the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), a retirement program that federal employees and members of Congress have access to, to all Americans and for reforming Medicare. Rubio, who is a potential Republican presidential contender in 2016, also called for more private-sector options for Americans looking to save for their retirements.

U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Ark., is a top target for Republicans in November as the GOP looks to flip the U.S. Senate. While polls have generally shown it close, a recent batch have found Pryor with solid leads over U.S. Rep. Tom Cotton, R-Ark. To help close the gap, former U.S. Rep. Allen West, R-Fla., is increasing his efforts on behalf of Cotton. West endorsed Cotton through his Allen West Guardian Fund PAC earlier in the election cycle.

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., took aim at an old foe on Tuesday: former Gov. Charlie Crist.

Rubio and Crist clashed in the 2010 U.S. Senate contest. Despite being an underdog at the start, Rubio caught the then-governor in the Republican primary leaving Crist to bolt the GOP to run with no party affiliation. In the 2010 general election, Rubio crushed Crist who placed a distant second.

Jonathan Chait over at New York Magazine has an interesting argument that the Electoral College is trending in the Democrats favor and he points to Florida as the ultimate proof of that trend. Chait argues that Republicans cant afford to lose Florida in 2016 and cites the increased number of Hispanic voters who are leaning toward the Democrats:

On Monday, Gov. Rick Scott signed a bill from Sen. Dorothy Hukill, R-Port Orange, and Rep. Jake Rayburn, R-Lithia, prohibiting the state from collecting biometrics and ensuring the newly created Florida Student Identification numbers will be used by the Department of Education instead of Social Security numbers.

The Republican Governors Association (RGA) came out swinging at former Gov. Charlie Crist on Tuesday, hitting the newly minted Democrat for changing positions on the embargo with Cuba. Crist, a former Republican who is now the Democratic front-runner to challenge Gov. Rick Scott in November, had been a supporter of the embargo of that communist nation but now is against it.

Former U.S. Rep. Allen West, R-Fla., has promised to back 14 conservative Republicans in this years election and he will be unveiling some of them later this month.

Through his Allen West Guardian Fund PAC, the former Florida congressman will be heading to Washington on May 28 for a fundraiser at the Capitol Hill Club for a meet and greet luncheon with the next round of candidates to be endorsed by the Allen West Guardian Fund and a book signing event for his Guardian of the Republic.

Tuesday marks the 100th anniversary of one of the greatest American athletes ever -- heavyweight boxing legend Joe Louis. Born in Alabama on May 13, 1914, Louis assembled a spectacular record of 66-3 with 52 wins by way of knockout. Winning the title from Cinderella Man Jim Braddock in 1937, Louis went on to make a record 25 defenses before retiring in 1948. Two of his losses -- to Ezzard Charles and Rocky Marciano -- came during a comeback in the early 1950s. During his tenure as champion, Louis served in the Army during World War II and was awarded the Legion of Merit.

On Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart announced he was backing Miami Dade School Board member Carlos Curbelo over former U.S. Rep. David Rivera, R-Fla., in the Republican primary to take on U.S. Rep. Joe Garcia. Diaz-Balart stressed Curbelos strong sense of integrity and commitment to government transparency, a subtle contrast to Garcia and Rivera who have been scandal-plagued in recent years.