Politics
Delegation for 10.20.26: Suspicious mail — disaster relief — Greek odyssey — Castro warrant — rich list
Terror by mail
Three separate offices of members of the Florida congressional delegation received suspicious packages, prompting law enforcement investigations.
Rep. Maxwell Frost, a Democrat from Orlando, saw his office evacuated on Friday.
“Today, my office received a suspicious package matching those reported by other offices across the country. As a precaution, our office has been evacuated. U.S. Capitol Police and the Orlando Police Department have been notified, and the appropriate authorities are responding,” his office said.
“My staff and I are safe. We are taking this situation seriously and cooperating fully with law enforcement as they assess the situation. I will provide additional updates as more information becomes available.”
The same day, Rep. Darren Soto’s District office received a similar package. The Kissimmee Democrat posted an image of the envelope in question online.
“Today, our office received an envelope with a suspicious substance,” Soto posted on X. “Thankfully, Congressman Frost’s office gave us advance notice to monitor our mail. The envelope was intercepted by local law enforcement, and no staff was hurt. We are working with federal, state, and local law enforcement to support an investigation. Political violence has no place in our democracy, and we hope those who perpetrated this crime are brought to justice.”
A few days later, the Sunrise office of Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz received an envelope. The Broward Democrat posted a photo on X showing the envelope, which bore handwriting similar to Soto’s.
“Today, like many other members of Congress, my District office received a suspicious letter that was clearly designed to intimidate me and my staff. It will not work. Thankfully, Sunrise Police, local first responders, the FBI, and the U.S. Postal Service acted swiftly to ensure the safety of my staff and the other public servants who work in the same building. While initial tests were negative for any hazardous material, law enforcement will do further analysis as they continue their larger investigation,” she said in a statement.
“Sadly, this is not the first time my office has received threatening mail. Right before the 2018 election, improvised explosive devices were sent to prominent Democrats, media, and my office with the same terrorizing goal in mind. Such cowardly acts of coercion will not work and have absolutely no place in our politics. My hope is that all sides will condemn these weak, desperate attempts to bully their opponents. And to be clear, they will not deter me from fully representing my Broward County constituents.”
According to The Guardian, Florida delegation members were among about three dozen who received similar items in the mail, all of which contained a white, powdery substance. The U.S. Postal Service has told law enforcement that it has identified more than 100 such envelopes in circulation nationwide. Some, including one sent to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, were intercepted before reaching an office.
While only Democrats have publicly disclosed receiving such a package, The Hill reports that some Republicans, including Sen. Ted Cruz, a Texas Republican, also reported receiving items.
Stepping up response
Hurricane recovery continues after Hurricane Isaias struck the Florida Panhandle. Sen. Ashley Moody led a request from members of the congressional delegation that President Donald Trump issue a Major Emergency Disaster Declaration, opening access to individual assistance for those impacted by the storm.
The Plant City Republican is working with Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin on the issue. That supports Gov. Ron DeSantis’ formal request for the declaration, which would expand support beyond the federal emergency declaration already issued.
“Hurricane Isaias wreaked havoc on Florida’s Panhandle and Gulf Coast, and we are working to get those affected relief as quickly as possible,” Moody said.
“I’m grateful for Gov. DeSantis’ quick and proactive response to the disaster, especially following our assessment of the damage to Panhandle communities in the aftermath of Isaiah. I will continue to work with the Governor and have been in constant contact with Sec. Mullin to make sure disaster assistance gets to those in need.”
The latest request follows a multi-day storm that impacted areas Moody and the Governor visited.
Other lawmakers in the region joined in the effort to improve federal response.
“I was proud to join Sen. Ashley Moody and my Florida colleagues in urging President Trump to approve the request from Gov. Ron DeSantis for a Major Disaster Declaration,” said Rep. Neal Dunn, a Panama City Republican. “As Northwest Florida continues to recover, I remain committed to ensuring our communities have the federal resources they need to recover and rebuild.”
Rep. Jimmy Patronis also praised state leadership for the initial response and urged them to do more.
“Thank you, Gov. Ron DeSantis, for requesting a Major Disaster Declaration for Northwest Florida,” the Fort Walton Beach Republican said. “Our communities have a long road to recovery after Hurricane Isaias, and this is an important step toward getting families and businesses the help they need. I’m grateful for the continued coordination with the Florida Department of Transportation, the Florida Division of Emergency Management, the Florida State Emergency Response Team, and the Florida Department of Commerce as we work to get Northwest Florida back on its feet.”
Greco-Alliance
Sen. Rick Scott made his own odyssey to Greece to meet with government leaders there and discuss the alliances between the nations. The Naples Republican, who chairs the Senate Armed Services Seapower Subcommittee, discussed security goals for Southeast Europe.
“Greece is a crucial NATO ally, a reliable and credible partner to the United States, and our strategic relationship is actively reshaping the security and energy dynamics in Europe to advance American interests,” Scott said.
During the trip, Scott met with Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis, Energy and Environment Minister Stavros Papastavrou, Chief of the Hellenic National Defense, General Dimitrios Choupis, Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis, members of the Greek Parliament, and leaders of the nation’s Coast Guard.
“Greece is the birthplace of democracy, and my meetings with leaders this week underscored Greece’s commitment to the United States and standing up against threats posed by the thuggish leaders in Russia and Turkey. America First requires a strong NATO, and Greece is a great example of the leadership America wants to see in Europe. Through our alliance, we are securing Southeast Europe, bolstering our own defenses, and ensuring the free world never bows to the tyranny of (Vladimir) Putin and (Recep Tayyip) Erdoğan.”
Scott also stopped in Cyprus to discuss Turkey’s ongoing aggression against the island nation.
Grow up
As foreign affairs dominate the news ahead of the Midterms, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has increasingly made headlines amid talks with Russia and Ukraine, addressing conflicts there and in Iran, and amid nuclear speculation about China.
Speaking to the press in India, he defended Trump’s communications with Russia as part of efforts to reach a peace deal.
“How are you going to reach a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine if you don’t talk to Russia and Ukraine? You have to talk to them, right?” Rubio said. “That’s the bottom line of diplomacy and negotiations. You have to be able to speak to the other side.”
He also said the U.S. was willing to summit with Russia and China about the state of nuclear proliferation.
“If there’s an opportunity — and the President’s expressed an openness to do it — for the United States, Russia and China at the leader level to have a conversation about things like arms control, that’d be a very positive thing for the world. That should be something the world is enthused by,” Rubio said.
“Now I imagine there’s a lot of differences and disagreements between the three countries that are probably not going to be resolved in a summit like that. But there are a lot of important topics, and I think the world is a safer place when the leaders of the most powerful nuclear arsenals in the world are at least communicating with one another.”
He dismissed criticism that the administration was appeasing hostile nations by engaging in dialogue.
“People need to grow up when it comes to foreign policy a little bit,” he said.
SAIL forth
The University of South Florida unveiled a new initiative that could advance military capabilities. Rep. Gus Bilirakis attended the ribbon-cutting for the Security Analysis and Innovation Lab (SAIL), established in part with a $1.73 billion grant, on Oct. 9.
“USF has long been a tremendous partner in strengthening our region’s role in national security, innovation, and workforce development. I believe we must give our brightest minds the tools they need to confront increasingly complex threats to our nation,” Bilirakis said at the event.
“The SAIL Center will bring together researchers, students, military leaders, veterans and national security professionals to turn cutting-edge research into real-world solutions, while preparing the next generation to lead in this critical field. This is exactly the type of strategic investment that strengthens both the Tampa Bay region and our nation.”
Adam Wieder and Travis White, data analysts who previously worked at Central Command at MacDill Air Force Base, will lead SAIL, according to a USF release. They will work alongside Mark Abdollahian, SAIL director, who has worked at the university’s School of Information over the last year.
SAIL will combine artificial intelligence tools with predictive models to help security leaders explore military options before deploying resources.
“Across USF, we have expertise in behavioral and social science, data science, artificial intelligence, engineering, economics, regional studies, security studies, and many other fields,” Abdollahian said. “SAIL gives us the platform to bring it together around consequential problems. And the INSIGHT Core combines human dynamics, data, modeling, simulation, expert judgment and AI-enabled tools to turn knowledge into decision-ready insight.”
Value added
Financial disclosure deadlines show which members of Congress have the most personal wealth outside their public service, and Florida once again has some of the nation’s richest lawmakers.
According to Quiver Quantitative, Scott ranks No. 3 in wealth among the 535 members of Congress. The site estimates his net worth at roughly $509.4 million.
Meanwhile, Rep. Vern Buchanan, a Longboat Key Republican, ranked No. 5. The former owner of a car sales network, Buchanan’s net worth is about $272.1 million, according to the site.
Republicans make up the entire top-5 net-worth list, with Buchanan edging out Rep. Nancy Pelosi, a Democratic former Speaker from California.
The next Florida member on the list is No. 38, Rep. Randy Fine, an Atlantic Coast Republican worth $37.6 million. Florida’s top Democrat is Rep. Kathy Castor, a Tampa Democrat with a $19.94 million net worth, ranking No. 66.
Rep. Cory Mills, a New Smyrna Beach Republican, ranks No. 74 with a $16.68 million net worth. The only other Florida lawmaker in the top 100 is Rep. Jared Moskowitz, a Parkland Democrat, who ranks No. 89 with a $14.38 million net worth.
Justice delayed
Florida lawmakers cheered the issuing of a warrant in Florida for the arrest of Raúl Castro, a former President and General of Cuba. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the warrant, which included murder charges stemming from Castro ordering the 1996 shootdown of two civilian planes.
Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart, dean of Florida’s delegation, commended Uthmeier for acting.
“For decades, Raúl Castro evaded justice for the cold-blooded murder of three U.S. citizens and a permanent resident who were volunteers with Hermanos al Rescate, a humanitarian organization dedicated to saving the lives of Cubans fleeing their brutal dictatorship,” the Hialeah Republican said.
“I congratulate Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier for his efforts to obtain this arrest warrant. The thug murderers from Havana must answer for their crimes. Their days are numbered, and the era of impunity must end once and for all!”
Other Cuban American lawmakers said South Florida’s exiles long awaited the move.
“As the only Cuban-born Member of Congress, our community has been waiting for this day for decades!” Rep. Carlos Giménez, a Miami-Dade Republican, posted. “Raúl Castro is a war criminal and must be held accountable for his countless crimes against humanity and role in the murder of innocent Americans.”
Rep. María Elvira Salazar, a Coral Gables Republican, considered the warrant overdue.
“Thirty years is a long time to wait for justice. It is not long enough to erase murder,” she posted. “The families of the Brothers to the Rescue victims have carried this fight for three decades. Today, the law is still moving in their direction. Raúl Castro should have to answer for what happened on Feb. 24, 1996. Accountability does not expire.”
The Cuban government condemned the move.
“This reprehensible action against the Army General this morning in a pathetic Miami circus, with an electoral backdrop, has no, nor will it ever have, the slightest legal sense and even less practical sense,” reads a statement from Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel.
International pressure
The news came as Michael Waltz, Ambassador to the United Nations and a former Florida Congressman, hosted a panel at the U.N. in New York titled “Cuba Libre.” There, Cuban exiles discussed political oppression by the Cuban regime since the late Fidel Castro, Raúl’s brother, seized power in a 1959 socialist revolution.
Waltz said the event gave long-oppressed voices a long-overdue platform.
“Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, a former political prisoner from Cuba, told me that hearing America speak up for his freedom while behind bars gave him hope,” Waltz later posted. “Today, his voice was heard at the U.N. I pray his courage and powerful testimony reach those still imprisoned in Cuba and give them that same hope.”
Waltz also played video footage of the alleged arrests and torture of Cuban political prisoners, though Cuban diplomats denied ever making political arrests.
“This charade is an attempt to deviate attention from a simple fact: The U.S. is acting as an international delinquent, enforcing collective punishment on the people of Cuba,” said Ernesto Soberón Guzmán, Cuba’s Ambassador to the U.N., according to Newser.
Price transparency
Funding for a federal discount drug program has increased dramatically, a new study found.
The Berkeley Research Group (BRG) analysis shows that Florida hospitals and contract pharmacies participating in the 340B program are seeing more dollars flow through the system. The federal government created the 340B drug pricing program in 1992. It requires pharmaceutical manufacturers to sell those drugs at significant discounts.
The BRG analysis found patients and payers spent an estimated $244 billion on medicines purchased through the 340B program in 2025. Meanwhile, hospitals, clinics, and their contract pharmacies retained roughly $142 billion through drug markups.
“This represents significant growth over prior years, with 340B sales growing by 152% between 2020 and 2025, during which period net sales of all drugs in the U.S. grew by only 56%,” the study found. “We estimate that covered entities received approximately $244.3 billion in reimbursement from payers and patients in 2025 for drugs purchased through the 340B program.”
BRG analysts said the findings will likely spark more debate on increased transparency and accountability in the 340B program.
The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America funded the study.
On this day
Oct. 20, 1947 — “Congress investigates Communists in Hollywood” via History.com — The notorious Red Scare kicks into high gear in Washington, as a Congressional Committee begins investigating communist influence in one of the world’s richest and most glamorous communities: Hollywood. After World War II, the Cold War heated up between the world’s two superpowers — the United States and the communist-controlled Soviet Union. In Washington, conservative watchdogs worked to root out communists in government before setting their sights on alleged “Reds” in the famously liberal movie industry. The House Un-American Activities Committee grilled prominent witnesses, asking bluntly, “Are you or have you ever been a member of the Communist Party?”
Oct. 20, 2020 — “Justice Department sues Google over accusation of illegal monopoly” via The Guardian — The Justice Department filed a lawsuit against Google, accusing the tech company of abusing its position to maintain an illegal monopoly over search and search advertising. “Two decades ago, Google became the darling of Silicon Valley as a scrappy startup with an innovative way to search the emerging internet. That Google is long gone,” the suit alleged. The antitrust suit is the most significant legal challenge to a major tech company in decades, and it comes as U.S. authorities grow increasingly critical of major tech companies’ business practices.
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Peter Schorsch publishes Delegation, compiled by Jacob Ogles, edited and assembled by Phil Ammann and Ryan Nicol, with contributions by Drew Dixon.
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