U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., has been waving the banner for free trade in recent days and that proved to be the case on Wednesday at a meeting of the Senate Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs. Holding a hearing on Economic Engagement in the Asia-Pacific Region, Rubio insisted free trade helped American workers and the economy.

The Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) turned up the heat on Democratic congressional hopeful Gwen Graham who is challenging U.S. Rep. Steve Southerland, R-Fla. Lenny Curry, the chairman of the RPOF, looked to link Graham -- the daughter of Florida political legend Bob Graham -- to liberals in her party. Graham worked for the presidential campaigns of John Kerry and Howard Dean after her father dropped out of the 2004 presidential campaign.

The Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) continues to pound away at former Gov. Charlie Crist over President Barack Obamas federal health-care law. Crist is the favorite for the Democratic nomination to challenge Gov. Rick Scott in 2014 despite being a Republican for most of his political career.

Florida TaxWatch released a commentary on Wednesday which stresses the importance of angel investors in launching startup and small businesses in the Sunshine State.

"Angel investors help startups grow and develop, and that helps Florida's economy grow," said Dominic Calabro, the president and CEO of Florida TaxWatch. "Providing these funding opportunities in Florida brings capital and high-wage jobs to the state while diversifying Florida's economy.

On Tuesday, Gov. Rick Scott headed to Orange Park on the First Coast to push his call for reducing vehicle registration fees. Scotts proposal to cut $400 million in fees is setting up to be one of his chief legislative priorities of the new year.

Pointing to a federal judge calling the National Security Agencys (NSA) surveillance programs almost Orwellian, U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., called for major reforms to the NSA. Buchanan is a member of the Congressional Privacy Caucus.

I believe that our strength as a nation flows from the values and freedoms set forth by our Founding Fathers, including the right against unreasonable searches and seizures, Buchanan said on Tuesday. Its imperative that both parties work together and institute reforms to protect the privacy and liberties of the American people.

Former U.S. Rep. Allen West, R-Fla., ripped into President Barack Obama on Tuesday, pointing to Politifact giving him the Lie of the Year award for his claim that Americans would be able to keep their current health-care options under his signature law.

Former U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, took aim at President Barack Obamas signature health-care law on Monday. Paul sent an email to supporters of the Campaign for Liberty, which Paul chairs, in which he tackled the law.

Now that the American people are finally getting a taste of Obamacare, the political dynamic over this legislation is completely changing, Paul insisted. In fact, roughly one-dozen Democrat United States senators, worried stiff about their political careers, are beginning to push for reform of the bill.

Former U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, is going to bat for U.S. Rep. Justin Amash, R-Mich. The three time presidential candidate emailed supporters of Liberty PAC, which he chairs, calling on them to help out Amash.

Justin Amash, a true friend of liberty in Congress, is in trouble, Paul wrote on Monday. And its not hard to understand why ... instead of supporting big-government schemes concocted by the Republican Party leadership, Justin votes the Constitution. Now, hes paying the price for good behavior.

The Florida Gulf Coast Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) announced on Monday it was backing David Jolly for the Republican nomination in the special election for the congressional seat left open by the death of longtime U.S. Rep. Bill Young, R-Fla.