A Florida congressman is backing a proposal to reform how the federal government reviews its efforts against illegal drugs. 

U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., is pushing a resolution in the Senate condemning Turkey’s increased ties to Russia and calling on American allies to discuss that nation’s continued role in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker was not pleased when he recused himself from a lawsuit that could have an impact on tens, or even hundreds, of thousands of people who were counting on a constitutional amendment to give them access to the voting booth.

The amendment, approved by more than 71 percent of Floridians in November, restored voting rights to convicted felons “upon completion of all terms of sentence including parole or probation.”

The evidence is undeniable: Some 97 percent of the water coming into Lake Okeechobee from the north -- particularly from the Kissimmee area -- show the lake's contaminated water originates on the highly developed northwest side of the Everglades' headwaters. And this has been devastating to so much of  Florida life, particularly to our too-lightly regarded coral reefs.

Mayors from across Lake County want Gov. Ron DeSantis to prevent the statue of a Confederate general that has represented Florida in the nation’s capital for nearly a century from being displayed in their community.

Mount Dora Mayor Nick Girone became the latest mayor to sign a letter opposing the plan to bring the 9-foot bronze statue of Confederate Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith to the Lake County Historical Society and Museum in Tavares.

U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., is championing a proposal to expand how the U.S. Coast Guard can use planes and drones to crack down on drug smuggling. 

On Thursday, Scott teamed up with U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., and U.S. Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., to showcase the “Coast Guard Drug Detection and Interdiction Act” which “expands the United States Coast Guard’s (USCG) use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) to help identify and interdict illicit drugs.”

A congressman from Florida is leading the charge to ensure convicted child molesters lose their federal pensions. 

On Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Ross Spano, R-Fla., brought out the “No Pensions for Pedophiles Act.” The bill would amend the Hiss Act to ensure federal contributions to pensions would be denied to individuals who are convicted of federal crimes connected to child molestation.

Spano pointed to a case where a doctor in the federal service who is now serving time for sexually abusing children could receive up to $1.8 million through his pension. 

Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis is facing a state law enforcement probe for releasing a sexual-harassment complaint against Office of Financial Regulation Commissioner Ronald Rubin to the public.

But Patronis is refusing to back down from his call that Rubin be fired from the post, and instead on Wednesday intensified his demand that Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet consider the termination next week.

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ political committee reeled in $300,000 during the first half of July, nearly half of which came from a wealthy investor, according to the latest numbers reported on the committee’s website. 

Palm Beach billionaire Paul Tudor Jones, a co-founder of the Everglades Foundation, contributed nearly half of it -- $125,000 to the Friends of Ron DeSantis committee on July 8.

Nine other organizations and individuals contributed money to the Republican governor's political committee on the same day, signaling a possible fundraising event. 

A bill expediting liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports backed by Florida Republicans is building momentum on Capitol Hill. 

Back in March, U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., brought out the “Small Scale LNG Access Act” with the support of U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and U.S. Sen. John Kennedy, R-La. The companion bill in the U.S. House was introduced by U.S. Rep. Ted Yoho, R-Fla., with U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., cosponsoring the proposal.