Republican U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan will be leading efforts to collect and send out Christmas and Hanukkah cards for American soldiers wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The holidays can be a tough time for U.S. soldiers who are away from home, including those in our military hospitals, said Buchanan. I encourage you to remember those in our armed forces who have sacrificed their health on our behalf by sharing your holiday wishes with them.

With Democrats in the U.S. House voting on Thursday not to extend tax cuts backed by President George W. Bush in 2001 and 2003, Florida Republicans are up in arms.

U.S. Sen. George LeMieux announced on Thursday that he was co-sponsoring a bill introduced by Republican colleague U.S. Sen. Scott Brown of Massachusetts to extend unemployment benefits to a million Americans. Brown says the benefits can be paid by unspent federal monies identified by the Office of Management and Budget.

CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer interviewed Gov.-elect Rick Scott Thursday, fresh off a meeting of governors with President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden.

According to Scott, the president said the right things about working with the states, but was more doubtful about what it will mean in substance.

"Who knows?" Scott said, when asked if he could work with President Obama.

Blitzer also peppered Scott with Florida-specific questions on immigration, health care and offshore oil drilling.

After a tumultuous experience in choosing the controversial Joyce Kauffman for his chief of staff and then watching her reluctantly refuse the post, newly elected congressman Allen West has announced a new staff lineup that is unlikely to rock the boat.

From the press release:

Republican U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw commented on Thursday on the U.S. House unanimously passing a resolution creating a day of recognition for the parents of special needs children -- and hoped this would be a booster for his bill to create tax-deferred savings accounts for disabled individuals.

From his perch on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Republican U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns offered his thoughts on the Obama administrations announcement continuing the ban of drilling in the eastern Gulf.

Barney Bishop, president and CEO of the Associated Industries of Florida (AIF), said on Thursday that he disagreed with the Obama administrations announcement to continue the moratorium on drilling in the eastern Gulf.

On behalf of Floridas business community, we were disappointed by yesterdays pronouncement by the Obama administration effectively creating a moratorium on any drilling in the waters of the eastern Gulf of Mexico and, frankly, most of the U.S. offshore waters, said Bishop.

Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney came out swinging at a measure backed by House Democrats that will, he insists, lead to his district losing almost 1,600 jobsin the next 10 years and could cost $1.6 billion in taxes.

Jeremy Jacobs from National Journal is reporting that U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., has four Democrats targeted in 2012 -- but Florida Democrat U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson is not one of them.