Politics
Delegation for 8.7.26: Recess drama — tariffs — Fauci — beached — SNAP bots
Drama before recess
When the Senate completes its final roll call votes today, it will mark the last time Congress expects to meet in August. Senators were expected to take up sanctions on Russia and a series of nominations, with the most notable question surrounding whether acting Attorney General Todd Blanche will be confirmed to the Cabinet post permanently.
Neither of Florida’s votes appears to be in doubt. Sen. Ashley Moody already voted to advance Blanche’s nomination from the Committee. She highlighted the work Blanche did to investigate fraud in Democratic states.
At a Judiciary Committee meeting, Moody predicted Blanche was “going to work to uncover and root out and go against criminals in these states where these elected officials are complicit, maybe aiding and abetting because they’re going after the people that are trying to raise these issues.”
Scott, meanwhile, has publicly urged the Senate to confirm Blanche before breaking for recess. In an interview this week with News Nation, he made clear where he stands. “He’s very well qualified for this job. He’s had all of the jobs underneath this,” he said.
Blanche most recently served as Deputy Attorney General under Pam Bondi, a former Florida Attorney General, before she was fired in April. Before that, he served as President Donald Trump’s personal attorney during several criminal indictments earlier this year. All Democrats intend to vote against Blanche, saying he will be a rubber stamp for the President instead of an independent leader of the Justice Department.
His nomination faced scrutiny on the right as well, as GOP Sens. John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina questioned his involvement in negotiating an immunity from audits for Trump’s family and the creation of a fund to pay those convicted and later pardoned over the Jan. 6 Capitol riot in 2021. But Blanche secured their votes after committing in writing that any such fund was dead.
Still, his nomination remained in doubt after both GOP Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska said they intended to vote down the nomination. Should one more Republican Senator come out against Blanche, he could be voted down. But Trump has also suggested he could still pull the nomination and leave Blanche as acting Attorney General, then renominate after the Midterms.
Codifying tariffs
Count Scott among the true believers in Trump’s trade policies. In fact, the Naples Republican now wants Congress to codify his approach to trade deficits in federal statute.
Scott just introduced the Trade Deficit Elimination Act, which would create a congressional framework to authorize tariffs and direct the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) each year to identify any nations with trade imbalances with the U.S. The bill would then authorize the USTR to adjust tariffs as needed to close the gap, or to negotiate with countries directly to address the trade deficit.
The bill includes exemptions for products critical to national security, essential supply chains, and goods that can’t reasonably be produced domestically.
“Previous generations of Americans gave us an economic superpower; it’s our job to preserve what they built and to leave America better than we found it for our children and grandchildren. That means we can’t let other countries rip us off,” Scott said.
“In recent years, our trading partners have taken advantage of access to American markets while unfairly crowding American products out of their own countries. Decline is a choice, and President Trump is taking action to restore American prosperity. I’m proud to introduce this legislation to give President Trump the tools he needs to level the playing field, protect American workers, and put America First.”
Anti-Fauci vote
A week after a lengthy hearing where Republican Senators castigated former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Anthony Fauci, the Senate Homeland Security Committee voted to hold the physician in contempt of Congress. Both Florida’s Senators were among the GOP bloc voting to do so in a party-line vote.
“Dr. Fauci lied to the American people, promoted unjustified mandates that destroyed businesses, disrupted our children’s education, and stripped Americans of their freedoms. Now, he believes he should not have to answer for his actions,” said Sen. Moody, a Plant City Republican.
“His refusal to cooperate with Congress not only obstructs a congressional investigation but is a complete slap in the face to the American people, who deserve answers. We must push forward for accountability from the man who claimed to be the sole representative of ‘the Science.’”
Republicans took issue with Fauci declining to answer questions and invoking his Fifth Amendment rights despite having a pardon from former President Joe Biden preventing a GOP administration from charging him with crimes for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. He served in an advisory capacity to both Biden and Trump over the public health emergency.
Democrats objected to attempts to punish Fauci. “If this Committee now seeks to punish a witness for asserting their constitutionally protected Fifth Amendment rights, future witnesses will argue that appearing before Congress exposes them to punishment,” said Sen. Gary Peters, a Michigan Democrat and ranking member of the Committee.
Beach resiliency
Rep. Cory Mills just landed one significant win for his District. The Army Corps of Engineers approved funds for a feasibility study to evaluate hurricane and storm damage solutions for Volusia County’s beaches.
“This is a historic step toward protecting our families, homes, businesses, and the $4.3 billion economy our beaches support. After the devastation of Hurricanes Ian and Nicole, we couldn’t afford to wait any longer,” the New Smyrna Beach Republican said. “I’ll keep fighting to deliver the long-term solutions Florida’s coastline deserves.”
The news came as Mills faces a challenging Republican Primary this month in Florida’s 7th Congressional District, and he was able to tout the victory at a debate between himself and GOP rivals. As he discussed the win, it drew applause from the gathered crowd.
“This major win has not been possible under previous members of Congress who neglected Volusia’s coastline,” he posted on X. “We fought, and we delivered. Performance over promises.”
SNAP-killing bots?
A plan to use artificial intelligence to weed out spending on food for Floridians has Democrats in Florida’s congressional delegation angry. Rep. Maxwell Frost led a letter signed by every sitting Democrat representing the Sunshine State in Congress that raised alarms about a plan that could leave the neediest uninsured.
The letter notes plans by Gov. Ron DeSantis to employ AI to reduce Florida’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) error rate, even though Democrats have complained the DeSantis administration made Florida the only state in the country not to participate in Summer EBT programs. Democrats suggested the administration was blaming the potential that it was giving out too much lunch money to accommodate budget shortfalls resulting from Trump-priority tax and spending cuts.
“We understand that the state must act urgently to address the impending budgetary crisis created by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. However, we are concerned with one of the state’s proposed solutions: the appropriation of $4 million in state funds for the new and relatively unproven technology of AI to identify the SNAP error rate,” the letter reads.
“The state is moving on an extraordinarily accelerated timeline to procure an AI vendor by Sept. 1, yet Floridians have received little information about how that vendor will be selected or what safeguards will be in place. We are seeking answers about the vendor’s qualifications, the accuracy of its AI tools, protections against bias, human oversight of AI decision-making, transparency, appeals for affected SNAP recipients, and whether the state has contingency plans if it fails to meet its procurement deadline.”
Safe landing?
A plan to privatize security at the Tampa International Airport sent Rep. Kathy Castor’s concerns for workers to new heights. The Tampa Democrat sent a letter to TPA CEO Michael Stephens and Hillsborough County Aviation Authority Chair Chip Diehl urging them to reverse a decision to hire an outside vendor to manage screenings through the Transportation Security Administration’s TSA Gold+ initiative.
“Every day, TPA TSOs (Transportation Security Officers) greet and protect 70,000 passengers — neighbors, friends, and visitors — ensuring that each journey begins and ends with security and care,” Castor said.
But the privatization plan will leave more than 700 of those TSA workers unemployed.
“Their professionalism is not just a job requirement; it is a commitment to the well-being of our community,” Castor said. “To replace these federal officers with a private contractor is to risk public safety, place profit above people and jeopardize the livelihoods of those who have served us faithfully.”
She also invoked the terrorist attack that prompted an escalation in TSA measures nearly a quarter century ago.
“Twenty-five years after the 9/11 attacks, where terrorists exploited lax airport security screeners, TPA should not weaken its safety framework,” she said. “TSOs are vital to operating safely and smoothly, protecting tens of thousands of passengers every day. TPA TSOs continued reporting for duty through government shutdowns — even when their paychecks did not arrive. During those difficult periods, the vast majority of TPA’s TSOs stood by TPA and the traveling public. Now, TPA leadership must stand by them and reverse the plan to eliminate more than 700 federal officers and put their pay, health coverage and earned retirement benefits at risk in favor of a private for-profit contractor.”
North Port ask
As North Port Police leaders aim to bolster surveillance capabilities, Rep. Greg Steube has supported the use of law enforcement money budgeted to the Justice Department through the One Big Beautiful Bill.
The Sarasota Republican urged acting Attorney General Blanche in a letter to approve a grant for the police department through the Bridging Immigration-related Deficits Experienced Nationwide (BIDEN) Program.
“The Sunshine State has welcomed new residents at a record rate, straining our local public safety infrastructure and creating unique operational challenges,” Steube said. “This aerial technology will help North Port officers track illegal activity along regional transit corridors, respond to calls with greater situational awareness, and deploy personnel more safely and efficiently.”
North Port police would use the money for a drone-as-first-responder initiative, providing officers with real-time aerial intelligence within seconds of emergency calls. The BIDEN Program funding is designated for helping agencies locate and apprehend illegal immigrants and investigate crimes committed by undocumented individuals in the U.S. The funding can be used for related staffing and technology as well, Steube said.
Post-DOGE job fair
Rep. Frederica Wilson will host a job fair next week in Miami Gardens. And the Miami-Dade Democrat will attend alongside Miami-Dade Commissioner Oliver Gilbert, the candidate she has endorsed in the race to succeed her in the next Congress.
She stressed the event at Miami Dade College was prompted primarily by an abundance of layoffs in government jobs at the federal, state and local level this year, partly over Trump’s and DeSantis’ enthusiasm for last year’s Department of Government Efficiency spending cuts.
“After DOGE firings disproportionately impacted Black women and other federal workers, we are stepping up to connect our community with new opportunities, resources, and a path forward,” Wilson said. “Recent teacher layoffs have also displaced dedicated educators who have spent their careers serving our children. This job fair will bring employers and job seekers together so qualified workers can explore open positions and take the next step in their careers.”
She partnered with the college, CareerSource South Florida, the 5,000 Role Models of Excellence Project and local employers to hold the fair, which takes place Aug. 13 at the Miami Dade College North Campus Conference Center starting at 11 a.m.
Freed in Pompano
Days after Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz conducted a surprise inspection at a Pompano Beach immigration detention center, one person kept there, despite her legal entry into the country, has been released.
Wasserman Schultz, a Broward Democrat, appeared with Claudia Carolina Rodriguez Caglianone for a news conference on the ordeal.
“Today, my heart is also with the many people in detention without the same support and visibility, and also the opportunity to have shared their stories and also be heard,” Rodriguez Caglianone said. “I hope this moment also shines a light on them, because this journey is just the beginning.”
Wasserman Schultz has criticized inhuman conditions at Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities throughout Florida. She also highlighted Rodriguez Caglianone, the Broward woman who had legally obtained temporary protected status, after it was revoked and she was detained.
“I’m so grateful and relieved that Claudia is with her family again. I was proud to help put a spotlight on her case, but there are 300,000 Florida families who had TPS ripped away just like Claudia, and they are just as vulnerable to the kind of cruel arrest and detention that she and her family just went through,” Wasserman Schultz said.
“She’s clearly no threat to our community. And the atrocious pain and uncertainty that she and her family were put through, and all the immense, wasteful expense it costs taxpayers, are just appalling. The end of TPS means more and more of our neighbors will be targeted by ICE. I’ll keep fighting to keep families like Claudia’s together, and to put an end to Trump’s racist cruelty. There are still too many Claudias going through this same horror.”
Off to Bogotá
Guests at the inauguration of Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella today will include Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart. The Hialeah Republican and House National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Subcommittee Chair was tapped for a presidential delegation representing the U.S. on the international trip.
“It is an honor to join the United States Presidential Delegation to the swearing-in ceremony of the incoming Colombian President, Abelardo de la Espriella,” Díaz-Balart said. “This ceremony represents the beginning of a new chapter for Colombia and an opportunity to strengthen our important partnership. I am optimistic that the incoming De La Espriella Administration will pursue a constructive relationship with the United States based on our shared democratic values and long-standing commitment to regional security and stability.”
Trump endorsed de la Espriella, who succeeds socialist President Gustavo Petro. The U.S. revoked Petro’s U.S. visa last year following years of criticism of American foreign policy.
Díaz-Balart, the dean of Florida’s delegation, has been a close ally of Secretary of State Marco Rubio since both served in the Florida House and is a longtime voice on U.S.-Latin American politics.
“A strong partnership between our nations serves the interests of both of our peoples. After four years during which the outgoing administration undermined cooperation on critical security priorities, and distanced Colombia from one of its closest allies, this transition offers a long-awaited opportunity to restore trust and renew our partnership,” he said.
“The United States and Colombia must return to working side by side to combat transnational organized crime, narco-terrorism, illegal trafficking networks, corruption, and other criminal endeavors that threaten the security of both our nations. We have accomplished great things together over the years, and I believe the next chapter of our relationship can be even stronger.”
Final piece
After helping secure $1 million for a West Miami Multigenerational Center, Rep. María Elvira Salazar toured the facility with city officials. Alongside West Miami Mayor Eric Díaz-Padrón and Vice Mayor Iván Chávez, she visited the center’s fitness center, outdoor gathering spaces, classrooms, community rooms and multipurpose spaces.
“This is a small city with a big heart, and for too long West Miami families didn’t have a place like this to call their own,” Salazar said.
“Today, they do. Walking through this center and seeing seniors staying active while children learn and play just down the hall is exactly why I fought to secure this funding. My job is to make sure the tax dollars South Florida sends to Washington come back home to our communities, and this center providing both healthcare and education is proof of what we can accomplish when we do.”
Díaz-Padrón credited the Congresswoman with securing the final piece of funding to finish the center.
“Projects like this are only possible when leaders at every level of government work together,” he said. “We are grateful to Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar for securing the federal funding that helped make this project possible. Her leadership in bringing critical federal resources back to West Miami, together with the commitment of our state and local partners, helped transform this vision into a place that will serve children, families, seniors, and future generations for years to come.”
Coming home
Jason Fischer will soon leave his position as Chief of Staff to U.S. Rep. Randy Fine. The former state lawmaker wants to turn his attention away from Washington and back toward Florida.
The Jacksonville Republican confirmed his impending departure from Florida politics and said he wanted to focus on critical races in state government. That includes helping U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds win his campaign for Governor, Fischer said.
“I’m grateful for my time in D.C. fighting to implement the America First agenda, but for me, it is Florida First always. My family needs me and so does my state,” Fischer said. “This November is too important — Byron Donalds is going to be Florida’s next Governor, and I want to be here fighting alongside him to make sure that happens.”
Fine wished his outgoing chief well.
“When I unexpectedly found myself running for Congress, Jason dropped everything to jump right in and was key to my win. With less than 24 hours between my election and swearing in, he jumped right in again to be my first Chief of Staff,” Fine said.
On this day
Aug. 7, 1912 — “Bull Moose convention nominates Theodore Roosevelt,” via POLITICO — After Republicans denied the former President a nomination he believed was rightfully his, Roosevelt’s supporters convened in Chicago, forming a third party as a vehicle for Roosevelt to attempt to regain the White House. The newly formed Progressive Party nominated Roosevelt and selected Hiram Johnson, the reform Governor of California, as his running mate. Questioned by reporters, Roosevelt said he felt as strong as a “bull moose.” The moniker caught on: Henceforth known as the “Bull Moose Party,” the Progressives promised to increase federal regulation and protect the welfare of ordinary people. In November, Democrat Woodrow Wilson racked up a large majority in the Electoral College.
Aug. 7, 1959— “First satellite to photograph Earth launched” via History.com — From the Atlantic Missile Range in Cape Canaveral, the U.S. uncrewed spacecraft Explorer 6 is launched into an orbit around the Earth. The spacecraft, commonly known as the “Paddlewheel” satellite, features a photocell scanner that transmitted a crude picture of the Earth’s surface and cloud cover from 17,000 miles. The photo, received in Hawaii, takes nearly 40 minutes to transmit. Released by NASA in September, the first photograph ever taken of the Earth by a U.S. satellite depicted a crescent shape of part of the planet in sunlight. It was Mexico, captured by Explorer 6 as it raced westward.
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Peter Schorsch publishes Delegation, compiled by Jacob Ogles, edited and assembled by Phil Ammann and Ryan Nicol.
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