Secretary of State Marco Rubio briefed lawmakers on increasing tensions with Venezuela.

Conducting business alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Rubio characterized the sinking of Venezuelan ships in the Caribbean as a “counter-drug mission.”

Between Senate and House briefings, Rubio said that mission remains “focused on dismantling the infrastructure of these terrorist organizations that are operating in our hemisphere, undermining the security of Americans, threatening and killing Americans, poisoning Americans.”

The nation’s top diplomat returned to the Hill less than a year out from representing Florida — the state with the highest concentration of Venezuelans in America — in the Senate for 16 years. Rubio served as the top Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee before President Donald Trump appointed him as Secretary of State.

He also had acute knowledge of the flight of Venezuelans from the regime of Nicolás Maduro, and of the impacts of the opioid crisis on the Sunshine State. A day after Trump reclassified fentanyl as a “weapon of mass destruction,” Rubio defended the force used to destroy and kill traffickers of the substance into the U.S.

“This has been a highly successful mission that’s ongoing and continued,” Rubio said. “We’re pleased to be here today to update Congress on how that’s developing and how that’s moving forward. As I said, I believe it’s our 22nd, 23rd such engagement, certainly, but at least the fourth or fifth that I’ve been involved in, and those will remain.”

While briefings were bipartisan with all members of the House and Senate, reactions differed in terms of the information received.

U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks, a New York Democrat and ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has filed a resolution to block further strikes. He told press after the briefing that he considered the strikes an unauthorized escalation of war and questioned if fighting drugs was the ultimate goal.

“If this is about regime change, it seems to me that the administration should say that’s what it is and should come to Congress to ask for that authorization, which has not taken place,” Meeks said.

Notably, Rubio for years as Florida’s senior Senate called for Maduro to step aside. Rubio visited the Columbia-Venezuela border in 2019, after Trump in his first term announced he would not recognize Maduro as the legitimate leader of the country. During that push to isolate the regime, Rubio encouraged the Venezuelan military to defy orders and allow humanitarian trucks to reach the nation’s people.

The strikes on Venezuelan boats mark a substantial increase in pressure during Trump’s second term, and Rubio has defended the legality even as Hegseth faces increasing pressure over whether war crimes have been committed with multiple strikes.

But Florida Republicans have effusively praised the policies surrounding Venezuela.

“Dictator Nicolas Maduro’s narcoterrorist Cartel de los Soles will now have a very hard time smuggling lethal drugs, oil and illegal mining out of Venezuela,” posted U.S. Rep. Carlos Giménez, a Miami-Dade Republican. “All narcoterrorist Cartel de los Soles ships will be subject to seizure and/or destruction. The end is near.”

GOP leadership in the House also left briefings feeling confident the administration’s approach was both appropriate and grounded in law.

“As the Commander in Chief, President Trump has both the authority and the obligation to defend our homeland, and I think that’s beyond dispute,” said Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican.

Former House Speaker Paul Renner is formalizing his push for the Governor’s Mansion with a new organizing arm focused on women voters.

Renner’s campaign just announced the creation of a statewide steering committee for its “Women for Renner Coalition,” assembling dozens of conservative activists, educators, business leaders and faith-based advocates to amplify women’s voices supporting his gubernatorial bid.

The coalition, the campaign said, is designed to mobilize women across political and professional lines around issues. Among them: parental rights, public safety, faith, economic opportunity and what the campaign describes as “principled leadership.”

Renner said in a statement Tuesday that the coalition will serve as both a values-driven and operational component of his campaign.

“Women are the heart and voice of families and communities,” Renner said. “I am honored to have the growing support of strong, dedicated female leaders that will ensure their concerns remain front and center — especially when it comes to protecting faith, American exceptionalism, parental rights, a prosperous economy, and defending the principles of freedom that guide us.”

The “Women for Renner Coalition” will function as an internal organizing network, encouraging women across Florida to share personal stories, engage voters and advocate on key campaign issues. The campaign said the group will also work to elevate women’s perspectives in policymaking and community engagement.

Adriana Renner, the candidate’s wife, said she has seen her husband’s commitment to families and praised the coalition as a vehicle for advancing what the campaign calls a “Florida First agenda.”

“I know his heart and his dedication to serving Florida’s families runs deep,” she said in a statement.

Several conservative activists and former officials offered endorsements through the announcement, praising Renner’s record on parental rights, medical freedom and opposition to federal overreach.

Nancy Peek McGowan, who held prominent roles in past campaigns of Gov. Ron DeSantis and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, highlighted Renner’s background as a U.S. Navy veteran, former state prosecutor and University of Florida law graduate.

“As the former State Chairwoman for ‘Women for DeSantis,” she said, “I can say with certainty, Paul Renner is the only authentic conservative running for Governor with a lifetime record to prove it.”

Mary Flynn O’Neill, Executive Director of America’s Future, said Renner has exhibited “steadfast leadership to protect the ideals that matter most to Floridians.”

“Paul Renner has consistently championed the principles that define our nation — faith, freedom, and the enduring strength of the American family,” she said. “His leadership reflects a deep respect for the values that unite our communities and guide Florida forward.

The steering committee itself includes more than 40 members from across the state, ranging from local school board officials and former legislators to nonprofit executives, physicians and student activists.

They include Wendy Biddle, educator and activist; Regina Brown, Realtor and President of Transforming Florida; Lourdes Castillo, businesswoman and conservative activist; Virginia Cortes, nonprofit executive; Ann Dugger, former Executive Director of the Justice Coalition; Maureen France, conservative activist and former Chair of Citizens Against Legalizing Marijuana Florida; Mara Frazier, educator and conservative activist; Christi Griner, patient advocate and former state leader for Concerned Women of America; Jenna Hague, business leader and political activist; Mary Lou Hendry, pro-life advocate; Stephanie Jacobson, pro-life advocate; Charlotte Joyce, Duval County School Board member; Debbie Joyce, business leader and conservative activist; Jill Kiley, health freedom advocate; Bailey Kuykendoll, health freedom advocate; Lori Long, business leader and Central Florida community activist; Zarai Maza, CEO of Guardians of Human Rights Foundation; Aimee Villela-McBride, Executive Director of Global Wellness Forum; Aislynn Thomas-McDonald, lawyer and conservative advocate; Nancy Peek McGowan, former co-Chair of the DeSantis gubernatorial campaign and Rubio campaign grassroots leader; Kate Morales, student activist; Karyn Morton, leader of the Republican Liberty Caucus, co-founder of the Duval Trump Club, and former Duval County GOP Chair and Committeewoman; Andrea Marconi Nasteli, physician and grassroots advocate; Becky Nathanson, education activist; Mary Flynn O’Neill, Executive Director of America’s Future; Lindsay Randall, education leader and advocate; Adriana Renner; Miriam Ramirez, physician and former state Senator of Puerto Rico; Isabelle Sala, educator; Ginger Soud, former Jacksonville City Council Chair and Duval County co-Chair of Trump for President; Cyndi Stevenson, former state Representative; Patti Sullivan, parental rights advocate; Ann Vandersteel, radio show host and conservative activist.

The launch comes as Florida’s 2026 Governor’s race begins to take clearer shape. Notable Republicans lining up to succeed DeSantis, who faces term limits, include U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds and investment executive James Fishback.

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.

The Florida Realtors PAC is backing Bill Poteet in the race for House District 82, adding the powerful real estate group’s support to his bid for the Southwest Florida seat.

The political arm of Florida Realtors cited Poteet’s professional background, community involvement and familiarity with regional issues. Poteet is a Realtor, small-business owner and longtime resident of the district.

“As a REALTOR, small-business owner and longtime resident of southwest Florida, the citizens of House District 82 would be hard-pressed to find a more effective representative for their area than Bill Poteet,” said Marilyn Pearson-Adams, Chair of the Florida Realtors PAC Trustees.

“He is incredibly active in his community, serving in leadership positions in numerous local and non-profit organizations, and his knowledge as a REALTOR has given him a deep understanding of the issues facing the region. He would be an outstanding addition to the Florida House of Representatives.”

Florida Realtors PAC routinely weighs in on legislative races across the state, supporting candidates it views as aligned with property rights, economic growth and housing affordability. Endorsements from the group can carry significant weight, particularly in districts where real estate and development play a central role in the local economy.

Republican Rep. Lauren Melo currently represents HD 82, but is seeking a Senate seat in 2026.

Rancher Liesa Priddy and Hugo Vargas are also competing in the Republican Primary. Melo has backed Priddy as her preferred successor.

Priddy is leading the field in fundraising, with around $151,000 raised.

Poteet, meanwhile, has collected more than $33,000 via his campaign account and his political committee, Friends of Bill Poteet. Vargas has raised almost $22,000 through his account and his political committee, Friends of Hugo Vargas.

Democratic candidate Arthur Boyer has also filed for the race.

HD 82 covers a swath of Southwest Florida, including Hendry County and parts of Collier County.