This week, the U.S. House passed on a voice vote a proposal from U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., to have the U.S. State Department provide a threat assessment and propose strategies on dealing with Russia’s increased ties to the Maduro regime’s military in Venezuela. 

Wasserman Schultz introduces the “Russia-Venezuelan Threat Mitigation Act” at the end of February with the backing of Florida Democrat U.S. Reps. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, Donna Shalala and Darren Soto and Florida Republican U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart. 

Looking at a potentially lucrative new industry, lawmakers are working on rules for farmers and businesses to grow and sell industrial hemp in Florida.

The Senate Agriculture Committee on Monday approved a bill (SB 1020) that would create a regulatory framework for the industry, which is emerging after a federal law last year legalized industrial hemp as an agricultural product. In doing so, Congress effectively separated industrial hemp, a type of cannabis, from marijuana that can get users high.

Sen. Rick Scott visited the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Naples Monday to highlight his Fighting for Florida budget agenda, which includes a more than $200 million investment to protect Lake Okeechobee and the Florida Everglades.

The war of words between a Florida congresswoman and a former aide to President Donald Trump continued in recent days as U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson, D-Fla., slammed retired Gen. John Kelly, a former White House chief of staff. 

Back in October 2017, Kelly weighed in on Wilson's account about what the president said to the widow and family of an American soldier killed in the line of duty in Niger. Kelly lost his son in the line of duty in Afghanistan in 2010.