As investment executive James Fishback ramps up his campaign for Governor, a review of court filings from this year shows a former employee accused him of starting a relationship with her when she was 17 and later harassing her — allegations he disputes.

In an amended petition for a protection order request filed in January, a woman named Keinah Fort is claiming Fishback “initiated a romantic relationship with (her)” in Spring 2022, while she was 17 and he was 27, and “explicitly directed” her to keep their relationship secret.

She said in the amended April filing that she joined the nonprofit Fishback founded, Incubate Debate, which runs in-person tournaments for middle and high school students, in 2021, when she was 16. Shortly thereafter, she said he “systematically cultivated a relationship with her” by increasing “opportunities for personal interaction.”

The petition described his approach as “an isolation tactic commonly employed in grooming scenarios.”

Fishback, who grew up in Broward County and now lives in Madison County, is the CEO of Azoria, a startup asset management firm he registered with the state in 2023. He is a frequent political commentator and activist but has never held public office.

He told Florida Politics by phone that Fort’s account of when they began dating and the events that preceded and followed their eventual breakup — including her accusations of stalking and cyberbullying — in the since-denied petition are “absolutely false.”

“There was no evidence entered into the record to support that allegation, and I was fully exonerated of any wrongdoing in this case,” he said.

Fort’s allegations remain uncorroborated beyond the statements she submitted in her filings.

Of note, the case centered on whether Fishback behaved in a manner that justified issuing a protective order against him, not whether he had an improper relationship with a minor.

Under Florida law, the age of consent is 18, though a 16- or 17-year-old may legally consent to sexual activity with an adult no older than 23. Fort’s petition did not detail the level of her and Fishback’s alleged intimacy while she was underage, and she did not respond to multiple interview requests.

In Spring 2023, after she turned 18, Fishback and Fort moved in together. Her LinkedIn page shows she worked at the time as a Program Director for Incubate Debate, though she’d later rise to Executive Director and “Lead” roles. The petition said Fort still depended financially on Fishback, since Incubate Debate would “sporadically and randomly” pay her.

Their domestic life was hardly tranquil, according to Fort, who said Fishback lost his temper, threw objects across the room and screamed at her “on multiple occasions” and once grabbed Fort by the arm, “leaving visible marks.”

After that last incident, Fort said Fishback “laughed without remorse and attempted to justify his behavior by stating (she) exaggerated her injuries.” Fort said Fishback also turned his aggression inward “at times,” threatening to hurt himself while pulling on his hair and slapping himself in the face. He blamed her “each time” for such actions, the petition said.

The couple were nevertheless engaged by March 2024, though not for long. They split up that September, but reconciled briefly in December, after which Fort said she “definitively terminated the relationship.” Fishback claims he was the one who called things off.

After that, she said Fishback’s “controlling behaviors escalated into stalking and cyberbullying.” He “repeatedly (contacted) her through emails, voice memos, text messages,” and communications with her family, the petition said. When she turned down his offer to drop off a gift at her Tallahassee home in early January, explaining that her family was over, Fishback allegedly asked, “Are you afraid I’ll hurt you?” and inquired whether her father had a gun before screaming, “I hate you,” at her three times.

Fishback maintains he never threatened Fort — and, notably, none of his many written communications that Fort filed with the court included any threat of physical harm — but he admitted in texts submitted as evidence and affirmed by a sworn digital forensics expert that he was “tough on (her) and (his) words were not OK.”

Evidence Fort submitted also includes hundreds of unanswered texts that Fishback allegedly sent her over several days. It also consists of a text Fort’s father sent chastising Fishback for a “petty and vindictive” X post about the breakup.

According to a filing by Fort, the since-deleted X post read, “I broke off my engagement to an incredible woman for one simple reason: She couldn’t be proud of anything I worked on – big or small.”

He allegedly told Fort’s mother that he would take the post down if Fort contacted him.

Fort returned to work at Incubate Debate a few days later, where she said Fishback continued to make unwanted contact.

By then, the Koch family-funded Bill of Rights Institute had acquired the nonprofit and Fort had assumed many of Fishback’s prior responsibilities there while Fishback stayed on as a contractor. Fishback said control of Incubate Debate has since reverted to him after the acquisition was “dissolved.”

Fort reported him to the company’s Human Resources Department. She said Fishback then “acquired knowledge of the specific information (she) disclosed during the meeting” before immediately and repeatedly calling her.

Fishback then resigned from his contract work, but Fort said he continued contacting her despite several emailed requests — several of which were included in court filings — that he refrain from doing so.

Fort filed a petition for an injunction for protection against stalking and cyberstalking on Jan. 27, just under two weeks after Fishback threatened to take legal action against her if she filed “an untrue restraining order” or made “defamatory public statements” about him in an email he also sent to several Incubate Debate employees.

Judge Joshua Hawkes of the 2nd Judicial Circuit in Tallahassee denied Fort’s petition on June 20. He wrote that Fishback is “perhaps a little obsessive-compulsive, but he did not initiate contact with the petitioner directly and indirectly with no legitimate purpose.”

Hawkes described Fishback as having an “odd nature” that was “apparent during the hearing.”

“The Respondent is greatly concerned first with the business implications of the parties’ breakup, then with the potential HR complaint, and finally with the injunction itself. The Respondent would litigate his version of events with anyone and everyone and as often as possible. He litigated his entire case in response to just about every question during the hearing,” Hawkes wrote. “He is trying to defend himself and protect his business.”

Hawkes said he found neither Fishback nor Fort’s account of who ended the relationship and why credible. He also said Fort failed to sufficiently prove that Fishback’s post-relationship contacts, a not-insignificant portion of which were work-related, were cause for “substantial emotional distress to a reasonable person.”

Hawkes quoted the 2020 case Quinones-Dones v. Mascola, in which Judge Jay Cohen ruled, “Uncivil behavior or annoyance is not sufficient to obtain an injunction.”

In a written statement to Florida Politics after the phone interview, Fishback reiterated his assertion that Fort had made false accusations against him as part of a wider trend that is “sadly all too common today.”

The court in Florida’s Second Judicial Circuit reviewed these egregious accusations, conducted two lengthy hearings, and fully exonerated me,” he wrote. “I have never been arrested or charged with any crime, unlike my opponent (Republican U.S. Rep.) Byron Donalds.”

While the case was ongoing, Fishback posted online about Fort. In a March 6 X post, he wrote, “Yesterday would have been my three-month wedding anniversary. I called off my engagement when I realized I couldn’t say, with certainty, that I’d want her raising my children if something happened to me. That moment hit hard.”

The moment in question: Fort telling him she didn’t think it was wrong for a friend to let her 12-year-old son skip church. “If you don’t see eye to eye on how to raise your children, don’t walk down the aisle,” he wrote. “It’s not fair to anyone: you, her, or your future sons and daughters.”

On March 18, he wrote, “BREAKING NEWS: A District Judge has ordered me to get back together with my ex-fiancé.”

On March 25, he posted photos and a transcript of a praiseful handwritten letter he said Fort wrote to him after their breakup. Comments with the most likes included, “Did she want that to be shared with the internet? Seems kinda personal,” and “Hey James, I really think you should delete this. Some things are best left private.”

Fishback included a snippet of the letter in a June 10 court filing where he claimed Fort had made “numerous attempts to rekindle their relationship” between September and December 2024. He said that before they met, Fort had “long suffered from mental health issues, including engaging in self-harm (cutting) and diagnosed anxiety, which required her to be medicated.”

In October 2024, Fishback said he found Fort in his Washington, D.C., condominium with her left wrist slashed. He also said Fort left him a “fawning voicemail” for his birthday on Jan. 1, which, with four other voicemails he provided to the court, proved Fort “wanted to rekindle their relationship as recently as December 2024.”

Fishback proffered an alternative motive for Fort’s legal action: greed and competitiveness. He said that since the Bill of Rights Institute and Incubate Debate parted ways, with Fort remaining at the Bill of Rights Institute, Fort’s new employer launched its own debate organization in direct competition with Fishback’s nonprofit.

That, he argued, provided Fort “a secondary motive to pursue” the injunction.

Fishback also said Fort published false statements about the success of Incubate Debate while the organization was under her leadership at the Bill of Rights Institute, which led to it receiving an unprecedented “cash donation (that) the donor specifically referencing the false figures.”

He said the Bill of Rights Institute updated its website “at some point” between Jan. 22 and Jan. 24 to fix the figures he said Fort misrepresented so that they “comport with reality.”

Less than a week later, and days after Fort filed her petition, Fishback’s filing said, the Bill of Rights Institute “stripped control of Incubate Debate” from her and returned its control to him.

He said the “last direct contact” he had with Fort was an attempt to return a missed phone call from her on Jan. 21. A screenshot of phone call records Fort submitted to the court shows Fishback called three times.

He said he’s had “zero direct contact” with her since” then.

“Respondent testified he does not wish to speak with or see (Fort) ever again,” the filing said, “but he does wish her well, as far away from him as possible.”

Florida Politics contacted Fort and one of her lawyers in the case, Mozianio “Trey” Reliford III, of the Polsinelli law firm, which represents the Bill of Rights Institute. Neither responded to multiple interview requests.

Another of Fort’s lawyers, Nardo Dorsin, has since left Polsinelli and was unavailable for comment by press time.

Fishback launched his campaign for Governor on Nov. 4, pitching himself as an affordability-focused alternative to corporately compromised mainstream GOP candidates. His platform includes ending H-1B visas, which provide legal status to immigrants working in special industries, eliminating property taxes and continuing the “anti-woke” agenda of Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Other Republicans actively competing for the job include Donalds, whom President Donald Trump is backing, and former House Speaker Paul Renner.

Two high-profile Democrats, former U.S. Rep. David Jolly and ex-Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, are also running.

DeSantis hasn’t yet weighed in on the contest, which Lt. Gov. Jay Collins has hinted at entering.

Florida Politics first flagged Fort’s protection order petition last month in a report that detailed Fishback’s various controversies.

Among them: Fishback’s calls for YouTube to re-platform White nationalist Nick Fuentes and notorious conspiracist Alex Jones and multiple lawsuits brought by Fishback’s former employer, Greenlight Capital, which accuses him of lying about his role with company — he claimed to have been “head of macro,” overseeing $100 million in gains, while Greenlight says he was a low-level research analyst — and attempting to defraud the company into donating to Incubate Debate.

Fishback has also used loaded language to describe Donald, who is Black, as a “DEI Republican” and a “slave” to donors, corporate interests and “tech bros that want to turn our state into, in his own words, a financial capital.”

‘NOT ONE’: Immigration shutdown

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services paused all green card and asylum applications from 19 countries. That list of “high-risk countries” includes Cuba, Haiti and Venezuela.

Florida is home to the highest concentration of foreign nationals in the country, with many claiming it as their nation of origin.

An agency memo cites an executive order signed by President Donald Trump to justify effectively shutting down legal immigration from those countries. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defended the move in a charged social media post.

“I am recommending a full travel ban on every damn country that’s been flooding our nation with killers, leeches and entitlement junkies,” she posted on X. “Our forefathers built this nation on blood, sweat and the unyielding love of freedom — not for foreign invaders to slaughter our heroes, suck dry our hard-earned tax dollars or snatch the benefits owed to AMERICANS. WE DON’T WANT THEM. NOT ONE.”

In Florida, the move drew sharp, partisan reactions.

Reps. Mario Díaz-Balart and Carlos Giménez, both South Florida Republicans representing heavy immigrant constituencies, issued a joint statement defending the controversial move and asserting it was forced by lax immigration enforcement under former Democratic President Joe Biden. They argued that Trump inherited a “broken immigration system” and that Trump had little choice but to strengthen vetting.

“The chaos that unfolded at our southern border allowed over 300 known terrorists to enter the country, enabled hostile foreign operatives — including Cuban regime pilot Luis Raul Gonzalez-Pardo Rodriguez, recently indicted on a charge of immigration fraud — and led to the preventable murders of Americans in their own communities,” the Miami-Dade Republicans said.

“The tragic deaths of Georgia nursing student Laken Riley and Texas 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray, the foiled Election Day 2024 terrorist plot by Afghan national Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, and the murder of a U.S. National Guard soldier in our nation’s capital by another Afghan national, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, are not isolated incidents — they are direct consequences of Biden’s incompetence and failed leadership. Criminals applied for and exploited U.S. immigration privileges under an administration that simply stopped enforcing the rule of law.”

Notably, Giménez immigrated to the U.S. from Cuba as a child. Díaz-Balart is the son of Cuban immigrants.

But Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick slammed the decision and posted on social media that it would hurt the U.S. economically. The Miramar Democrat is the daughter of Haitian immigrants, making her the only Haitian American serving in Congress.

“A blanket ban on 19 countries is not security — it’s self-sabotage,” she wrote. “We’re blocking students, nurses, engineers and future innovators. Canada and Europe are happy to take the talent we’re pushing away.”

And Rep. Frederica Wilson, a Miami-Dade Democrat, suggested the harsh rhetoric and policies would not play well in immigrant-rich South Florida. “Immigrants strengthen our nation. In South Florida, we know this firsthand,” she posted. “We should support our immigrant communities, NOT antagonize them!”

But the Republicans in South Florida suggested the pause was only a first step toward comprehensive reform. “We remain fully committed to permanently fixing our immigration system once and for all,” Díaz-Balart and Giménez’s statement reads. “We also hope this process is thorough and done quickly so that individuals with legitimate asylum claims have the opportunity to have their cases adjudicated expeditiously, something that did not happen under the Biden administration.”

Tracking FEMA claims

One thing both parties in Congress agree on is the need for efficient disaster response. Sen. Ashley Moody this week announced a bipartisan effort to increase transparency in aid.

The Plant City Republican introduced the Transparency in Recovery Assistance and Claims Knowledge (TRACK) Act with Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, a Maryland Democrat, that would make a status tracker on the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) website accessible to individuals with claims.

“While this hurricane season we all in Florida got lucky, our state is no stranger to destructive weather. As I travel around the state, one thing I continue to hear is that folks want more transparency and insight to the aid process when they are recovering from catastrophes,” Moody said.

“While FEMA is making great strides under President Trump’s leadership, the TRACK Act will bring more sunshine and transparency. After disaster strikes, the most important thing is to get help to those who need it as soon as possible, and this bill will help us do just that.”

Added Alsobrooks, “After a disaster, no community should ever feel left behind — this bill ensures every American will know just how much support they are receiving from the federal government.”

The legislation also drew endorsements from several local officials in Florida.

“Transparency and accountability are cornerstones of Hillsborough County government,” said Hillsborough County Administrator Bonnie Wise. “Our departments strive daily to uphold these values. Every level of government should seek to uphold these same standards.”

Democratic leaders in the state were among those praising the bill.

“As the Orange County Commissioner for District 2 since 2018, hurricanes and other emergencies routinely upend lives and overwhelm local systems; our residents deserve clear and immediate insight into how federal assistance is progressing,” said Orange County Commissioner Christine Moore.

“A FEMA transparency dashboard would let families, local officials and emergency managers see real-time data so we can target help where it’s needed most. Ultimately, this level of visibility strengthens trust, speeds recovery and our communities.”

Crypto stability

Many of Florida’s political class traveled to Washington for a wide-ranging Rescuing the American Dream summit headlined by Sen. Rick Scott. The event touched on a range of topics, including health care and foreign policy.

Scott also spotlighted the contrast between cryptocurrency regulation under Trump and the previous status quo under Biden. Scott suggested the prior administration was using “lawfare” to go after companies pushing digital currencies.

The Naples Republican condemned that, but said he was more focused on developing technology for new currencies.

“I do believe there’s a value with blockchain, and the value of blockchain can dramatically reduce the cost of things for us,” he said. “What can government do to help drive down the cost? Typically, the way — the only way — government does that is, they throw money. This is not something you throw money at.”

He was generally supportive of the GENIUS Act and the STABLE Act, signed by Trump this year, though he still wanted to see stablecoins able to earn interest, something that didn’t make it into statute.

Scott’s summit featured Faryar Shirzad, chief policy officer for Coinbase, and Sen. Cynthia Lummis, a Wyoming Republican. Lummis said she has seen both the private and public sectors restrict access to individuals’ finances too often, sometimes for overtly political reasons, and that blockchain could protect consumers.

“It’s very difficult for the government to surveil,” she said.

East Pass illumination

Lights on the markers for East Pass in Destin haven’t operated properly since 2021, and Rep. Jimmy Patronis said it’s time for the Coast Guard to fix them.

The Fort Walton Republican sent a letter to acting Coast Guard Commandant Kevin Lunday, urging attention to the matter. He noted that the recently signed “One Big Beautiful Bill” includes more than $4 billion provided for shore facilities. The Congressman said the poor upkeep poses both a safety risk for voters and a compromise to national security.

“These deficiencies pose serious safety and economic risks to Destin’s gateway to the GOA (Gulf of America, which sees extensive vessel traffic,” Patronis said.

“Destin’s Harbor, along East Pass, saw daily entry and exits of more than 1,500 vessels on weekdays and more than 2,000 vessels on weekends. For perspective, the busiest port in the Western Hemisphere, the Port of Los Angeles, handled only 1,807 vessel arrivals during calendar year 2024, and the Port of Mobile handled only 312 vessels in calendar year 2022. Beyond the more than 29,000 saltwater fishing licenses issued to addresses in Okaloosa County, countywide tourism generates $3.3 billion in direct visitor spending and supports 51,000 jobs.”

The risks aren’t just hypothetical. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission reports that the boating accident rate in Okaloosa County is 530% higher than in Miami-Dade County, which is much more populous.

“Unfortunately, the number of accidents near East Pass increased by 100% from 2021 to 2024, and approximately 70% of reported accidents in Okaloosa County occurred near East Pass,” he said.

Patronis suggested that the right course of action is to replace both markers.

Finding consensus

A summit on health care hosted by Rep. Aaron Bean may be the first of many in his “Path to Consensus” series in Washington.

The Fernandina Beach Republican said his first event focused explicitly on health care, but it wasn’t just about finding a plan that could pass with a GOP majority.

“What will it look like if we were to build a health care plan that we can afford, the American people can afford, but as a country that we can afford? What does it look like?” he asked. “What components does it have? How do we make it more affordable?”

But he made sure to invite representatives from America’s Health Insurance Plans, a trade group that includes Florida Blue, to defend some form of tax credits, as well as the reform-focused Paragon Health Institute, which wants more free-market solutions.

Bean said he doesn’t want insurance subsidies extended forever in their current form but didn’t rule out tax credits entirely.

“The more money we’ve put in there, they’re driving inflation,” he said of the existing credits. “So, we need reform.”

San Juan health care

Whatever happens with the federal health care program, Rep. Darren Soto wants to address an inequity that has left one group of American citizens without benefits. The Kissimmee Democrat filed the Puerto Rico Affordable Care Act, a bill co-sponsored by Puerto Rico Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández, to establish an Affordable Care Act exchange in the U.S. territory.

“For far too long, Puerto Ricans have been treated as second-class citizens — despite being part of the United States. I’m proud to partner with Resident Commissioner Hernández on this initiative to allow those on the island to receive equal treatment when it comes to health care access,” Soto said. “Our hope is that this bill will open the door to key reforms and lead to a system in which Puerto Ricans have access to tiered plans, tax premiums, and cost-sharing reductions.”

Hernández, a Caguas Democrat, said Puerto Ricans deserve the same access to health care as any citizen.

“Too many families in Puerto Rico navigate a system without the cost-saving tools available elsewhere,” he said. “Establishing an ACA exchange gives the island the federal support to expand coverage, lower costs, and strengthen our health care network. This bill brings Puerto Rico into the proven framework that serves millions of Americans.”

Veteran education

A pair of Florida lawmakers is working across the aisle to ensure veterans have the resources to transition from military service into higher education.

Reps. Gus Bilirakis, a Palm Harbor Republican, and Lois Frankel, a West Palm Beach Democrat, introduced the Veteran Education Empowerment Act, which would reauthorize the Centers of Excellence for Veteran Student Success grant program through at least 2033. That program has awarded $50 million to more than 100 schools to help educate veterans, including eight Florida institutions.

“I have personally visited many schools that offer Student Veteran Centers and spoken with the veterans who utilize them,” Bilirakis said. “The veterans confirm that the enhanced services and specialized resources provided through the centers are invaluable as they seek to successfully reintegrate into civilian society. I hope my colleagues will join us in expediting passage of this important initiative.”

The program also provides support to veteran students who may face added challenges like post-traumatic stress disorder or may already have started families.

“As the mother of a U.S. Marine War Veteran, I know how demanding the transition from military to civilian life can be,” Frankel said. “Our veterans are patriots who have served our country-they deserve every tool to succeed in their next chapter. Student Veteran Success Centers provide the academic support, mentorship, and community that help them thrive.”

Hiring warriors

Meanwhile, Rep. Greg Steube turned his attention to ensuring veterans have work lined up when their education and tours of duty are through.

The Sarasota Republican filed the Hire Student Veterans Act, which would expand the Work Opportunity Tax Credit for employers who hire eligible student veterans.

“America owes a debt of gratitude to the men and women of our military for their service,” Steube said. “No veteran should ever be left to languish on the unemployment line. I am grateful to join with Congresswoman (Susie) Lee and Sens. (Jerry) Moran and (Jacky) Rosen on this bill that will expand opportunity and financial security for our student veterans. It is only right that we provide our heroes with every possible option to earn a reliable income while attending school.”

He introduced the legislation with Rep. Lee, a Nevada Democrat. His Office noted that 12% of student veterans end up unable to find work. The bill seeks to remedy that by including part-time work and paid internships for the tax credits for education covered by the GI Bill.

Fighting child cancer

The House just unanimously passed an initiative to fund pediatric cancer research, championed in part by Florida lawmakers. The Mikaela Naylon ‘Give Kids A Chance’ Act cleared the chamber through unanimous consent and now heads to the Senate.

Both Bilirakis and Rep. Kathy Castor, a Tampa Democrat, were among the bill’s introducing sponsors.

“By passing the bipartisan Give Kids a Chance Act, the House has taken a meaningful step forward in improving health outcomes for kids fighting cancer and rare diseases,” Castor said.

“This bipartisan legislation eliminates unnecessary red tape, prioritizes lifesaving pediatric therapies and re-energizes pediatric drug research at no additional cost to taxpayers. As co-chair of the Childhood Cancer Caucus, I’m pleased to see the House come together to remove barriers to care. Working together is how we strengthen families, expand opportunity and build a healthier, more hopeful future for our young neighbors in Florida and across the country.”

The bill is named for Mikaela Naylon, a child advocate who died from osteosarcoma at age 16 and donated her body to science.

“By strengthening incentives for pediatric drug development, restoring essential programs such as the FDA Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher, and ensuring that lifesaving therapies reach the children who need them most, we are making meaningful progress,” Bilirakis said. “I am proud to have contributed to this important work and will continue fighting for children and families across our nation.”

Safer internet

Another bipartisan bill championed by Florida lawmakers could make online spaces safer in the future.

Reps. Laurel Lee and Soto filed the Promoting a Safe Internet for Minors Act, which would direct the Federal Trade Commission to launch a nationwide public awareness and education campaign to equip families, educators and stakeholders with the latest best practices for protecting minors online.

“Families deserve to know that their children are protected in an increasingly complex digital environment. My legislation will help ensure parents, teachers, and community leaders have the tools they need to navigate online risks and promote safe, healthy internet use for the next generation,” said Lee, a Thonotosassa Republican. “The digital landscape is constantly evolving, and our approach to online safety must evolve with it.”

The bill also requires the Commission on the efforts to protect minors online to submit annual reports to Congress.

“As lawmakers, it is our responsibility to review common sense reforms that will help make the internet safer for everyone,” Soto said.

Standing with firefighters

Giménez started his career in public service as a firefighter. Now, he wants Congress to recognize the sacrifices made by those decked out in bunker gear, including the compromise of their own personal health.

“Our firefighters are courageous public servants who put their lives on the line every single day,” he said.

“Our first responders go above and beyond the call of duty to protect the communities they serve, and this legislation will ensure that their families receive the benefits they rightfully deserve. The Senate has already acted unanimously, and we have strong bipartisan support in the House. Now we must finish the job. By including this provision in the final NDAA, Congress will honor the sacrifice of our fallen firefighters, protect their families, and reaffirm our unwavering commitment to those who stand watch over our communities.”

The Miami-Dade Republican co-led a letter with Rep. Nick LaLota, a New York Republican, asking leadership in the House and Senate to include the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act. That would qualify career-long carcinogenic exposures for the Public Safety Officer Benefits program, which now only covers health instances stemming from specific emergencies.

“We cannot continue to turn a blind eye to our nation’s fallen heroes when we know job-related exposures are causing many to die from cancer at rates far higher than the general public,” the letter reads.

On this day

Dec. 5, 1933 — “Prohibition ends” via History.com — The 21st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, repealing the 18th Amendment and bringing an end to the era of national prohibition of alcohol in America. Utah became the 36th state to ratify the amendment, achieving the requisite three-fourths majority of states’ approval. The movement to prohibit alcohol began in the early 19th century. Prohibition, failing to enforce sobriety and costing billions, rapidly lost popular support in the early 1930s. After the repeal, some states continued Prohibition by maintaining statewide temperance laws. Mississippi, the last dry state in the Union, ended Prohibition in 1966.

Dec. 5, 2019 — “Nancy Pelosi announces articles of impeachment against Trump” via NBC News — The House Speaker announced she was asking the House Judiciary Committee and Chairs of other Committees to proceed with drafting articles of impeachment, saying “the President leaves us no choice but to act.” “Sadly, but with confidence and humility, with allegiance to our founders and our heart full of love for America, today, I am asking our Chairmen to proceed with articles of impeachment,” Pelosi said in a brief televised statement from the Capitol, speaking directly to the American people. The facts of Trump’s alleged wrongdoing involving Ukraine, she said, “are uncontested.”

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Peter Schorsch publishes Delegation, compiled by Jacob Ogles, edited and assembled by Phil Ammann and Ryan Nicol.