Flyby — transferable — EPA — Bondi — Greek freedom — drill baby drill

Moon unit

The next giant leap for mankind launched from Kennedy Space Center on Wednesday. As Artemis II started its mission, which will culminate with a flyby at the moon’s south pole, several members of Florida’s congressional delegation were among the throngs of Space Coast visitors who witnessed the crewed flight into the stars.

Sen. Ashley Moody was on-site and spoke of the importance of NASA to Florida and vice versa.

“It’s incredible to watch the Artemis II rocket take off this afternoon from Cape Canaveral, carrying American astronauts around the moon for the first time in more than 50 years,” the Plant City Republican said.

“This is an amazing achievement toward long-term lunar exploration by the many scientists and engineers stationed here in Florida, and it’s exciting to have our state be front row to this innovation. As a Senator representing the Space Coast, it’s important to me to continue supporting this research and operations and help keep our nation first in space.”

Meanwhile, Rep. Darren Soto, a Kissimmee Democrat, visited Cape Canaveral with a delegation of House members from around the country. He posted pictures of the rocket ascending into the atmosphere.

“The NASA Artemis II Crew has a critical mission: test critical life-support, communication, and navigation systems in deep space for the Orion spacecraft,” he posted on X. “They are also conducting experiments on the effects of deep space on the human body and deploying four CubeSats.”

And Rep. Mike Haridopolos, the Congressman who represents the Space Coast in the House, spent much of his week at Kennedy Space Center. In a Fox News op-ed, he cast the launch as a valuable national security measure and an advancement in deep space exploration.

But in an interview with Florida Politics, he also stressed how much the return of crewed rockets meant to his community. It’s a boon for tourism, certainly. More importantly, it will spark growth in the public and private sectors.

“The state of Florida and I are working very closely right now on some of these training programs, so even high school students after three or four years can get the certifications necessary to go right from high school into a space technician job and (be) a part of the space team that is NASA or the private sector,” he said.

Assisting soldiers

Two bills filed by Sen. Rick Scott aim to improve the lives of America’s veterans and its newest soldiers.

The Naples Republican introduced the GI Transferability Act, which would increase the transferability of education benefits after six years of service. The legislation would end the current four-year added service requirement for those who choose to transfer benefits and allow transfers after a service member is no longer on active duty.

Meanwhile, he also introduced the Scheduling for Community Health and Easy Data to Understand for Legislators to Evaluate Services (SCHEDULES) Act, which would require the Department of Veterans Affairs to establish clear, transparent standards for how quickly veterans receive care after a referral.

“Our veterans and service members deserve the freedom to use their education benefits in ways that work for their families and the assurance that they won’t face unnecessary delays in their health care. My GI Bill Transferability Act gives military families more flexibility, while the SCHEDULES Act ensures the VA provides timely, accountable care,” Scott said.

“These two bills will help veterans plan for the future and hold the VA accountable, because our heroes deserve a government and a VA that are ready to support them at every stage of their life — our nation’s heroes deserve nothing less.”

EPA anger

A court ruling in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals means Florida cannot run its own wetland permitting program. Siding with the Center for Biological Diversity, judges upheld an interpretation of federal law by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under President Joe Biden that said the responsibilities cannot be delegated to states.

That attracted criticism from Rep. Jimmy Patronis.

“Washington’s overreach is holding up housing, fire stations, and school projects,” the Fort Walton Beach Republican said. “Projects that families and communities depend on every day. It’s time to put power back where it belongs, with the states and the American people. We need bold, commonsense policies that get things done and put Americans first.”

In response, Patronis said Congress should pass the Promoting Efficient Review for Modern Infrastructure Today (PERMIT) Act (HR 3898) that would address the issue in federal statute.

But the Center said the courts were right, and that the federal government has a responsibility to uphold environmental statutes and not fast-track permit approvals.

“This decision puts some solid roadblocks in place to stop the Trump administration from undermining protections for our most endangered plants and animals,” said Ryan Shannon, senior attorney for the Center.

Next for Bondi?

Just as a significant rocket launched, a Florida member elevated to President Donald Trump’s Cabinet came down to earth.

Trump fired Attorney General Pam Bondi, who will return to the private sector.

“Over the next month, I will be working tirelessly to transition the office of Attorney General to the amazing Todd Blanche before moving to an important private sector role I am thrilled about, and where I will continue fighting for President Trump and this administration,” Bondi posted after the news broke.

Some members of Florida’s congressional delegation, though, said her work isn’t quite done. Bondi has not responded yet to a demand to testify in front of the House Oversight Committee regarding the Jeffrey Epstein files. Rep. Maxwell Frost, an Orlando Democrat, said she still owes them some time.

“Pam Bondi still has to testify, under oath, in front of the Oversight Committee regarding the Epstein Files. This does not get her out of that bipartisan, lawful subpoena,” Frost posted. “We will see her soon.”

As for her future, that remains unclear. But there are already allies in Florida suggesting she return to Sunshine State politics.

“We would be so lucky to have her back as Florida’s Attorney General!” Scott posted months out from the June qualifying deadlines.

Another national birthday

As America prepared to celebrate its 250th anniversary, Rep. Gus Bilirakis also put forward bipartisan legislation to honor another nation’s 205th.

The Palm Harbor Republican and other leaders of the Congressional Hellenic Caucus filed a resolution marking the anniversary of Greek independence. Greek Independence Day, observed on March 25, celebrates the revolution and independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1821.

“It is with great pride that I recognize the 205th Anniversary of Greek independence and celebrate both Greek and American democracy. Like the American revolutionaries who fought for independence and established this great republic we call the ‘Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave,’ Greek freedom fighters began an arduous struggle to secure independence for Greece and its people 205 years ago,” Bilirakis said.

“The lessons the Greeks taught us continue to inspire and strengthen those facing persecution around the world today. By honoring the Greek struggle for independence, we reaffirm the values and ideals that make our nation great. Each time I perform my constitutional duties, I do so mindful of the legacy of the ancient Greeks and our American forefathers. As Americans, we must continue to embrace the spirit of freedom and liberty that defines both of our great nations.”

Rep. Chris Pappas, a New Hampshire Democrat who co-chairs the caucus with Bilirakis, voiced a similar sentiment.

“As we mark 205 years of Greek independence, I join my fellow Greek Americans and colleagues of the Hellenic Caucus in commemorating the Greeks’ fight for freedom after nearly 400 years of occupation by the Ottoman Empire,” Pappas said. “Greece’s courage and determination for sovereignty mirrors the United States’ own fight for independence and further unites our nations with a shared commitment to freedom and to democracy. On the anniversary of Greek independence, we celebrate liberty and honor those lost in the pursuit of freedom.”

Drilling development

Another environmentally consequential decision by the Trump administration was greeted with more anger from the state delegation.

The Endangered Species Committee, chaired by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, voted to exempt Gulf waters from oil and gas drilling. That came at the request of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who claimed litigation aimed at protecting whale populations there threatened national security.

“Disruptions to Gulf oil production doesn’t hurt just us,” Hegseth said, “it benefits our adversaries.”

But bipartisan members of the delegation for years have fought drilling off Florida’s coast, often citing vital training exercises conducted out of military installations in Florida over Gulf waters.

Rep. Kathy Castor, a Tampa Democrat, slammed the actions by the administration to open waters for energy exploration. She suggested that the Endangered Species Committee made a significant overreach by deciding they had the right to determine which natural species get wiped out, with no regard for recent disasters.

“The Trump administration is once again bending over backward for polluters at the expense of Florida’s families, our ocean wildlife, and the coastal economy that depends on clean water and healthy beaches. The so‑called ‘God Squad’ proposal to dismantle endangered species protections is reckless, dangerous, and costly. Floridians remember the billions in damages from the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster — we refuse to let history repeat itself,” Castor said.

“This proposal will do nothing to address the high prices families are paying at the pump as a result of Trump’s war in Iran. Big Oil already sits on thousands of unused leases and receives billions in taxpayer subsidies. They don’t need another giveaway — especially when Trump’s policies are already making life more expensive for hardworking Americans. I will continue fighting to permanently ban drilling in the Eastern Gulf and protect our coastal way of life.”

Nutritional medicine

During a visit to Miami, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced a commitment to nutrition-based care at America’s hospitals.

Rep. Vern Buchanan, the Republican co-Chair of Florida’s congressional delegation, cheered the decision as a good step toward preventive medical care.

“For too long, our health care system has focused on treating illness rather than preventing it. I applaud the Trump administration and Secretary Kennedy for putting nutrition at the forefront of health care,” the Longboat Key Republican said.

“What we serve patients matters as much as their prescriptions. To achieve better outcomes, lower costs and healthier communities, we must prioritize prevention, champion better nutrition, encourage more physical activity and intervene earlier.”

Kennedy also said the commitment would boost Florida agriculture. He and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz, while at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, announced a special alert reinforcing hospitals’ obligation to high-quality nutrition and guidance to follow dietary guidelines set by the administration.

“Quality health care starts with quality food. The actions announced today will help improve patient outcomes, prevent chronic disease, and Make America Healthy Again,” Kennedy said.

Answer to greening?

In other agriculture-related news, Rep. Scott Franklin, a Lakeland Republican, led a letter from Florida lawmakers urging EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin to launch a timely scientific review of emerging rootstock technology, which could help combat citrus greening.

“Florida’s citrus industry has taken hit after hit, from greening to hurricanes to recent freeze damage, but growers are resilient, and science is starting to move in the right direction,” Franklin said.

He noted that Florida’s citrus production has declined by 90% from peak levels due to hurricanes, freezes and widespread greening, which reduce fruit yields. But research could help address the latter challenge.

“Innovations like these rootstock technologies and other emerging tools are giving producers confidence that a solution to greening is finally here,” Franklin said. “Growers are ready to reinvest and replant, but they need EPA to complete its review and provide a clear path forward. Timely, predictable decisions will help keep momentum going, protect jobs and strengthen the future of this industry.”

The letter to Zeldin bears signatures from 13 members of Florida’s delegation, including eight other Republicans and four Democrats.

Push for naturalization

As Florida lawmakers continue to push for the restoration of temporary protected status for refugees in the state, Rep. María Elvira Salazar said the least the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) can do is process legal naturalization applications.

The Coral Gables Republican sent a letter to the new DHS Secretary, Markwayne Mullin, urging him to resume processing citizenship applications and ceremonies for Cuban and Venezuelan applicants.

“These are individuals who fled persecution and violence, followed the law, and have already been thoroughly vetted,” Salazar said. “They have earned the right to become citizens, and we can uphold strong security measures without delaying that process. With our nation’s 250th anniversary approaching, there is no better way to honor our founding than by welcoming new citizens and allowing them to take the oath that makes them Americans.”

She said DHS should still preserve strengthened security screening. But she said that the immigration benefits processing process, which stopped under former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, must be restarted. In December, Noem’s Citizenship and Immigration Services placed Cuba and Venezuela on a list of “high-risk” countries of origin and halted all naturalization processing.

Bringing home the bacon

With Congress on recess, lawmakers from both parties are bringing home sizable grants to constituents.

For example, Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart, a Hialeah Republican, brought home $1.2 million for upgrades to wastewater pump stations in Medley. The Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Committee said the funding came from a budget package passed and signed in January.

“I’m proud to have secured funding for these vital wastewater pump upgrades in Medley. These improvements will help reduce flood risk, strengthen public safety, enhance mobility, and support more reliable infrastructure for the community,” he said.

“I’m grateful to work alongside Mayor Ana Stefano and Vice Mayor Arturo Jinete to address the needs of the community and appreciate their leadership.”

Meanwhile, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a high-ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, announced that $1 million had been secured for a Fort Lauderdale Public Safety Complex. She joined Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis, Commissioners Pam Beasley-Pittman and Ben Sorensen, Police Chief Bill Schultz and Fire Chief Stephen Gollan to announce the federal funding.

“My top priority is to keep our families safe. One of the best ways to do that is to ensure our first responders get consistent, high-level training,” said Wasserman Schultz, a Weston Democrat. “So, I’m extremely proud to partner with City of Fort Lauderdale leaders to deliver this cutting-edge professional development facility. It’s a critical investment to better protect our community and visitors.”

Lost in the mail

As Trump seeks to impose national restrictions on mail-in voting, Rep. Frederica Wilson said the move runs counter to election integrity.

The President on Tuesday signed an executive order requiring DHS to create a database with the Social Security Administration of U.S. citizens, then only allow the Postal Service to deliver mail to those on the list. It also calls for no ballots to be mailed in states that do not provide the administration with a list of eligible voters.

“We want to have honest voting in our country because if you don’t have honest voting, you can’t have, really, a nation,” Trump told reporters.

But Wilson, a Miami-Dade Democrat, saw it as a clear effort to take over state-run elections and wrongly influence the Midterms.

“This executive order is a blatant attack on the right to vote and a dangerous abuse of power,” Wilson said. “No President has the authority to decide who gets to participate in our elections. Creating a federal ‘approved voter list’ and restricting mail-in ballots is not about integrity. It is about control.”

She called the effort plain and simple voter suppression.

“Mail-in voting helps millions of Americans make their voices heard, especially seniors, working families, and people who need accessible options. Now, those voters are being targeted. Threatening states and intimidating election officials only undermine our democracy,” Wilson said.

“I will not accept any effort to limit access to the ballot box. The American people deserve free, fair, and accessible elections. Our democracy depends on it.”

On this day

April 3, 1860 — “Pony Express begins delivering mail” via the U.S. Postal Service — The official name for the Pony Express was the Central Overland California & Pikes Peak Express Co. Before the company hired riders, they had to swear on a Bible not to curse, fight or abuse their animals. The first Pony Express mail, traveling by horse and rider relay teams, simultaneously leaves St. Joseph, Missouri, and Sacramento, California. Ten days later, on April 13, the westbound rider and mail packet completed the 1,800-mile journey and arrived in Sacramento, beating the eastbound packet’s arrival in St. Joseph by two days and setting a new standard for speedy mail delivery.

April 3, 1996 — “Commerce Secretary among 33 lost in a Croatia plane crash” via The New York Times — A military plane carrying Commerce Secretary Ronald Brown and a delegation of American corporate executives slammed into a mountainside as it approached the airport at Dubrovnik, on the Adriatic coast of Croatia. Chances that Brown had survived were “next to zero,” a White House official said after more than 12 hours of rescue efforts. Clambering over rocky, rugged terrain, working by flashlight in pelting rain, Croatian search parties found nine bodies and one survivor, described by a Dubrovnik doctor at the scene as “a woman who was bleeding profusely.” She died later, Croatian officials said.

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