Politics
Delegation for 7.7.26: Cuba dark — bad berries — top of ticket — Secret Service — condo safety
Island in darkness
A widespread blackout across Cuba has drawn renewed calls for action from South Florida lawmakers. After months of speculation about potential steps from President Donald Trump to influence the Cuban government, Rep. Carlos Giménez suggested the current situation could present an opportunity for change.
“CUBA IS UNDER A TOTAL BLACKOUT,” posted the Miami-Dade Republican, the only Cuban-born member of Congress. “Sixty-seven years of Communist dictatorship has destroyed the electrical grid. The regime is so incompetent and cruel that it refuses to provide basic services to the population. The Cuban people want freedom. The time is now.”
Monday’s blackout was the eighth major power outage in Cuba since October, according to Reuters. While electricity was gradually being restored by early Tuesday, the grid failure at its height left almost two-thirds of the population without power. In Havana, only about 1% of residents had electricity back as of Tuesday morning.
As of Tuesday, Cuban state media had not explained the latest grid collapse. The outages come as the country continues to face a prolonged fuel shortage, exacerbated by ongoing U.S. sanctions.
Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart, a Hialeah Republican and dean of Florida’s congressional delegation, said the root cause remains the same as it has been for decades: the political power structure.
“Millions of Cubans are once again left without electricity. These widespread blackouts across Cuba are yet another consequence of the failed and corrupt Castro dictatorship,” he said. “The Cuban people deserve far better than a regime that has squandered their country’s wealth and resources while denying them the most basic services.”
Miami-Dade’s Republican delegation has consistently called for an end to the Cuban regime and the influence of Fidel Castro’s successors. However, Rep. María Elvira Salazar, speaking in Spanish, also encouraged constituents to remain patient.
“Many Cubans wonder: When will Cuba’s turn come?” she said in Spanish. “In politics, everything has its waiting period. We saw it with Venezuela: For a long time, everything seemed impossible, until the moment arrived to confront the (Nicolás) Maduro regime and show that Maduro was not untouchable. With Cuba, that moment will arrive too. The dictatorship will not be eternal. Cuba will be free.”
Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has increased consequences for organizations trying to build support, economic or political, within the U.S. for Cuba. On July 1, he designated the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the People (ICAP), which has funded recent high-profile trips to Cuba for members of CODEPINK and for socialist activist Hasan Piker, as “subversive anti-American” groups subject to sanctions.
“This week, I terminated the legal status of Carlos Antonio Lloga Dominguez, a former ICAP official who maintains ties with the organization. Lloga Dominguez and his wife and son are now in federal custody pending removal from the United States,” Rubio said.
“America will never become home for foreign communists who peddle propaganda, run subversive influence operations or support radical anti-American movements within the United States. Transact with ICAP, and you will be sanctioned, prosecuted or deported from our country.”
Bitter berries
Concerns about Mexican strawberry imports have resurfaced, with Sen. Rick Scott noting that 200 million kilograms of strawberries from Mexico entered the U.S. market this Winter. Scott argues that the influx has had a significant impact on Florida’s farmers.
“This is not competition — it is a targeted effort to drive American family farms out of business, and it follows the same playbook Mexico has used against Florida’s tomato, blueberry, bell pepper, and many other specialty crop growers for nearly 30 years,” the Naples Republican wrote in a letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
“I have seen the toll of these unfair trade practices firsthand. I have visited Plant City, the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World, many times as both Governor and Senator, and I have sat down with the family farmers who grow nearly all of America’s domestic Winter strawberries. Many of these are multigenerational operations — parents and grandparents who built their farms from a few acres and hope to pass them on to their children.”
Florida remains the leading producer of Winter strawberries in the United States, second only to California in overall production, according to the Agricultural Marketing Resource Center. In December, the Strawberry Growers for Fair Trade petitioned Commerce Secretary Lutnick and the U.S. International Trade Commission to investigate the impact of imported berries.
Scott is now urging the Commerce Department to impose limits on Mexican strawberry imports and to conduct a thorough investigation into alleged dumping practices.
“Food security is national security, and we cannot allow our nation’s ability to feed itself to depend on the trade practices of a foreign government,” Scott said.
Top of the ticket?
Two GOP members of the delegation mutually endorsed one another for the two biggest statewide races in Florida this year. Sen. Ashley Moody said she wants Rep. Byron Donalds to be the next Governor, and Donalds said voters should support Moody as she stands for election in November.
“Floridians deserve strong, principled leadership that puts our state first. I am proud to endorse my friend Byron Donalds. He is a proven conservative leader who will fight to make Florida safer, healthier, and more affordable as Governor,” said Moody, a Plant City Republican.
“I have worked with Byron in Tallahassee and in Washington to cut taxes, stop illegal immigration, lower the cost of prescription medicines, and hold government accountable. I look forward to working alongside Byron to defeat the Democrats in November and deliver common sense solutions for Floridians.”
Donalds, a Naples Republican, responded by praising Moody, who was appointed last year to fill the Senate seat after Rubio became Secretary of State. Voters will decide in November who will serve the remaining two years of Rubio’s original six-year term.
“Florida is fortunate to have a fighter like Sen. Ashley Moody representing Floridians. Since becoming a Senator, Ashley has worked tirelessly alongside conservatives to advance America First priorities — securing the border, protecting law and order, and delivering results for Florida families,” Donalds said.
“Her proven leadership as Attorney General and now as a United States Senator makes her the right choice to continue serving our state. I am proud to endorse Sen. Ashley Moody for re-election to the United States Senate. Let’s keep her fighting for the Free State of Florida.”
The pair also announced a series of joint appearances, making clear they intend to top the ticket after the Aug. 18 Primaries.
Secret Service rebrand
One former law enforcement leader in the delegation wants a better name for the Secret Service. Rep. John Rutherford filed legislation named for the only officer in that agency to die protecting a President, in hopes of more clearly communicating the jobs of law enforcement.
The Jacksonville Republican, a former Sheriff, introduced the Officer Leslie Coffelt U.S. Secret Service Police Act. He filed the bipartisan bill with Rep. Jared Moskowitz, a Parkland Democrat, along with Reps. Michael Guest, a Mississippi Republican, and Ed Case, a Hawaii Democrat.
The bill would name the United States Secret Service Uniformed Division as the United States Secret Service Police. The legislation bears the name of Officer Leslie Coffelt, who in 1950 thwarted an assassination attempt on President Harry Truman.
“Throughout its history, the Uniformed Division has been comprised of individuals who embody honor and integrity,” Rutherford said.
“While the threats that the Secret Service faces have changed, their commitment to protecting and serving our leaders and institutions has not. Officer Leslie Coffelt embodied that commitment to service, and that is why I am proud to be joined by my colleagues in the House to honor his service and sacrifice with this bill. Renaming the Uniformed Division to the U.S. Secret Service Police is a commonsense step as the Service continues to evolve.”
Moskowitz said a rebrand was warranted to help the public better understand the Secret Service’s role.
“Renaming the United States Secret Service Uniformed Division as the United States Secret Service Police is a commonsense update that better reflects the law enforcement work these officers carry out every day,” Moskowitz said. “These men and women serve our country honorably, protecting the President, Vice President, our nation’s institutions, and the public. This change will help clarify their duties to the American people and recognize the vital role they play in keeping our country safe.”
Architectural disgust
Renderings of a planned memorial to American service members killed in the global war on terror were unveiled to decidedly mixed reviews. Now, Rep. Cory Mills wants designers to go back to the drawing board.
The New Smyrna Beach Republican filed a resolution to formally demand a redesign of the minimalist locale.
“The men and women who fought in the Global War on Terrorism answered our nation’s call without hesitation, serving through two decades of sustained conflict to defend the American people,” Mills said.
The design was released by the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation, which published plans for a site on the National Mall in Washington centered on a vegetation-covered arch.
“This design was shaped by history and held sacred from the beginning — forged by sacrifice and informed by the voices of warriors and their families,” said Michael “Rod” Rodriguez, President and CEO of the foundation.
Mills argued that the current design does not clearly convey the sacrifices made by service members or the realities of the fight against terrorism. More than 7,000 Americans have died in service since the war began after the Sept. 11 attacks.
“Their memorial should leave no doubt about who they were, what they endured, and what they sacrificed,” Mills said. “Future generations should not have to interpret abstract symbolism to understand the courage of those who fought after Sept. 11, but rather they should see it plainly.”
Secure line
Two Florida lawmakers are working across the aisle to protect the nation’s telecommunications networks from hostile actors.
Reps. Gus Bilirakis, a Palm Harbor Republican, and Darren Soto, a Kissimmee Democrat, just introduced the Federal Investment Restrictions on Equipment from Worrisome Authoritarian-Linked Locations (FIREWALL) Act. That would prohibit the use of any federal funding for the purchase of fiber-optic cable from nations deemed “countries of concern.”
“America’s telecommunications networks are the backbone of our economy, our national security, and our daily lives. As our adversaries become increasingly sophisticated in their efforts to infiltrate critical infrastructure, we must act proactively to protect our communications systems from potential vulnerabilities,” Bilirakis said.
“The FIREWALL Act ensures that taxpayer dollars are not used to subsidize technology sourced from countries that pose a threat to our national security. Rather than waiting until these products are deeply embedded in our networks and facing another costly ‘rip and replace’ effort, we should take common sense steps now to prevent the problem from occurring in the first place.”
The lawmakers cited expert testimony that the use of telecommunications systems built with materials from U.S. enemies poses a national security threat.
“Protecting our telecommunications infrastructure from threats is critical as we continue developing systems to strengthen national security and supply chains,” Soto said.
“I’m proud to support this bipartisan bill to ensure fiber-optic cable produced by entities linked to foreign adversaries is not purchased with federal dollars. This will help keep Americans safe and further position the U.S. as a leader in this space.”
Storm prep
Two years after Hurricanes Helene and Milton delivered back-to-back blows to the Tampa Bay area, Rep. Kathy Castor hosted a news conference on federally funded initiatives that could better prepare the region for the next major storms.
The Tampa Democrat hosted the event in Town ’n’ Country to spotlight Hillsborough County’s Rebuilding for Tomorrow Hurricane Recovery and Resilience initiatives. The projects are supported by $709 million in Community Development Block Grant funding.
“Thanks to very significant federal resources now sent down to Hillsborough County and the other counties on the West Coast of Florida, there are resources to help you repair and reimburse and maybe reconstruct and replace your home,” she said.
Tampa City Council member Luis Viera joined Castor, Hillsborough County Commissioner Harry Cohen, and state Sen. Brian Nathan to discuss resources and projects aimed at housing rehabilitation, infrastructure restoration, economic revitalization, and disaster mitigation.
“We want to make sure that everybody who is possibly eligible for this money applies for it or inquires of our case workers whether or not they are eligible,” Cohen said.
AI auditors
Artificial intelligence may give auditors their strongest-ever tools for fighting tax cheats. Rep. Vern Buchanan wants to ensure the IRS uses the new technology to help fight fraud.
The House Ways and Means Committee, where Buchanan serves as Vice Chair, recently advanced his AI Tax Integrity Act (HR 9501). The bill would authorize the IRS to use artificial intelligence to identify potential issues in tax returns.
Buchanan, working with Democratic Rep. Steven Horsford of Nevada, crafted the bill to direct the IRS to launch a pilot program using AI to detect identity theft, fraudulent claims, and errors in tax preparation.
“Protecting American taxpayer dollars is one of our most important responsibilities in Congress, and we should be empowering the IRS to use modern, emerging technologies to ensure that all tax fraud is detected and that bad actors are held accountable,” said Buchanan, a Longboat Key Republican.
“That’s why I’m proud to see my AI Tax Integrity Act with Rep. Horsford get successfully marked up and passed out of Committee today. By evaluating how the IRS can harness emerging AI capabilities to strengthen fraud detection, we can ensure that it can conduct efficient, thorough investigations and improve recovery of taxpayer dollars.”
Rep. Aaron Bean, a Fernandina Beach Republican, was among the co-sponsors.
Taxpayer rights
Rep. Greg Steube, a Sarasota Republican and member of the Ways and Means Committee, also saw progress on taxpayer protection measures he has championed.
Steube’s Taxpayer Advocate Participation Act (HR 9498) passed the Committee unanimously. Co-sponsored with Rep. Suzan DelBene of Washington, the bill aims to strengthen taxpayer rights by allowing the National Taxpayer Advocate to submit briefs on behalf of citizens in federal court cases.
“When a federal court is deciding a case that may affect the rights of many or all taxpayers, it would benefit all for the National Taxpayer Advocate to submit an amicus brief to share her views as the voice of the taxpayer. This bill is a narrow, common sense fix,” said Steube, a Sarasota Republican.
“This authority is expected to be used sparingly, similar to the authority exercised by the Small Business Administration’s Chief Counsel for Advocacy. This is a bipartisan effort, and I am honored to work with Representative DelBene, because protecting taxpayers and improving their right to representation should not be a partisan issue.”
Eyes on ICE
Three months after being one of the last lawmakers to do an unannounced visit to Alligator Alcatraz before its closure, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz made another surprise visit to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Broward County.
Late last week, the Weston Democrat conducted an oversight inspection of conditions at the ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Field Office in Miramar. She noted that, for years, the facility has seen complaints about conditions pile up, dating back to when the late Rep. Alcee Hastings was in office.
“I’ve been to this facility many times alongside my late colleague Alcee Hastings because of reports of a lack of sun cover, water and toilets for people waiting to check in. Today, I had to do this surprise inspection to see inside for myself, and what I saw were people packed in like sardines, in conditions I wouldn’t wish upon my worst enemy,” Wasserman Schultz said.
“I’ll continue to conduct oversight of South Florida ICE operations and fight to hold them accountable for their brutality.”
During her evening visit, Wasserman Schultz reported finding 70 men held in a 15-square-foot space, crowded shoulder to shoulder and 40 women in a 7-by-14-foot area. She said detainees in holding tanks had to share an exposed toilet and were typically given only one water bottle and a 7.5-ounce meal each day.
Safer skyrises
Salazar and Wasserman Schultz are working together on legislation to help bolster the safety of condominium buildings.
The bipartisan duo just introduced the Making Condos Safer and Affordable Act, which would expand access to Housing and Urban Development Department-backed loan programs and authorize condominium owners to finance special assessments required by their homeowners or condominium associations for structural integrity and life-safety repairs.
Both lawmakers served when a Surfside condominium collapse in 2021 killed 98 people.
“The Surfside tragedy changed our community forever and reminded us that protecting families must always come first. As we honor those we lost, we must take action to help prevent another disaster,” Salazar said. “This bipartisan bill gives condominium associations and homeowners the tools they need to finance critical safety repairs, protect residents, and preserve safe, affordable housing across South Florida.”
The lawmakers said the legislation would support compliance with updated building safety requirements enacted after the Champlain Towers South disaster.
“Five years ago, an unimaginable but entirely preventable tragedy rocked our South Florida community with the collapse of Surfside’s Champlain Towers, claiming 98 innocent lives. While the cause was finally identified after years of investigations, action is still needed to stop this from happening again,” Wasserman Schultz said.
“My bipartisan Making Condos Safer and Affordable Act ensures condominium associations can afford to make pressing repairs and keep residents safe.”
On this day
July 7, 1865 — “Conspirators to kill Abraham Lincoln executed” via Lincoln Conspirators — Four of the convicted conspirators in the assassination of President Lincoln were put to death on the grounds of the Old Arsenal Penitentiary in Washington, D.C. The condemned prisoners consisted of: Lewis Powell, who attacked and nearly fatally wounded Secretary of State William Seward; David Herold, who assisted and joined John Wilkes Booth on his ill-fated escape after the shooting of the President; George Atzerodt, who had been commissioned to kill Vice President Andrew Johnson but failed the attempt; and Mary Surratt, owner of a boardinghouse who assisted Booth by transporting field glasses to her Maryland tavern the afternoon of the assassination.
July 7, 1981 — “Ronald Reagan announces Sandra Day O’Connor as Supreme Court pick,” via History — President Reagan announced his intention to nominate the Arizona Court of Appeals judge as the first woman Supreme Court Justice in U.S. history. O’Connor was born in El Paso, Texas, in 1930. She grew up on her family’s cattle ranch in southeastern Arizona and attended Stanford University, where she studied economics. A legal dispute over her family’s ranch stirred her interest in law, and in 1950 she enrolled in Stanford Law School. She earned her law degree in just two years and was ranked near the top of her class. Upon graduation, she married John Jay O’Connor III, a classmate.
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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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