President Barack Obama has begun his State of the Union address in the joint session of Congress, recognizing Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, the congresswoman who is still recuperating after being shot in Tucson, Ariz.,earlier this month.

Obama said the tragedy reminds us that we are members of the "American family."

Florida Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney, who has received some buzz as a potential candidate to take on Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in 2012, praised a congressional effort to reduce federal spending to what it was back in 2008.

Newly inaugurated Republican U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio released a video offering a preview of President Barack Obamas State of the Union address. Rubio took aim at the president on spending and the health care legislation in the video.

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Florida Republican U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis released a video on Tuesday in which he focuses on President Barack Obamas State of the Union address. Bilirakis said he hoped the president would focus on cutting spending.

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In an early show of support, Republican House members from the Miami area have decided to vote as a bloc, and their vote will go to Rep. Richard Corcoran. Their pledge is already having a ripple effect that almost certainly will put Corcoran in the speaker's chair in 2016.

Speaking to the Florida Sheriffs Association in Nassau County, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam weighed in on the recent deaths of police officers in the line of duty.

Day and night, weekends and holidays, the men and women of law enforcement are out there protecting Floridas communities, said Putnam. I am thankful for your commitment and dedication to serving the people of Florida.

State CFO Jeff Atwater announced three key appointments on Tuesday. He named Christina Smith, a veteran of the department who has served as assistant director, to head up the Division of Accounting and Auditing. Terry Kester was moved over from the Department of Business and Professional Regulation to serve as CIO. Allison Carter, who worked in the Senate and with the Public Service Commission, will be the director of program management.

Florida Republican U.S. Rep. John Mica weighed in on the recent airport bombing in Moscow and, as the newly installed chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, said that it could have an impact in America.

Newly inaugurated U.S. Rep. Sandy Adams announced her committee assignments on Monday. The Florida Republican will serve on the Science, Space and Technology, and the Judiciary committees. She will hold a seat on the Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security and the Intellectual Property, Competition and the Internet subcommittees under the Judiciary Committee umbrella and the Space and Aeronautics and Investigations and Oversight subcommittees under the jurisdiction of the Science, Space and Technology Committee.

Looks like the weekend of Feb. 5-6 will be a busy one in Tallahassee, as the new administration burns the midnight oil working on crafting together a budget proposal. On Monday, Gov. Rick Scott asked for an extension of submitting the budget, asking to move the deadline from Friday, Feb. 4 to Monday, Feb. 7. House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, replied to Scott on Tuesday, approving the extension. So did Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island.