The U.S. House voted to extend pandemic era tax credits for insurance plans obtained through the Affordable Care Act. U.S. Reps. María Elvira Salazar was among the 17 Republicans who joined with Democrats to pass the measure over objections from GOP leadership.

“I voted YES to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits, and I didn’t hesitate. I know firsthand how many families in FL-27 depend on this assistance to afford care,” Salazar, a Coral Gables Republican, posted on X. “Our district has one of the highest enrollment rates in the nation, and without them, thousands face higher premiums or possibly no coverage at all. This isn’t partisan. It’s human.”

But no other Florida Republicans supported the extension despite the Sunshine State being home to 4.7 million individuals benefitting from the subsidies, more than any other state.

The move marked a rebuke of Speaker Mike Johnson and President Donald Trump, who both have opposed an extension of the subsidies. The expiration of tax credits at the end of 2025 was a central concern for Congressional Democrats at the heart of a record government shutdown last year.

Legislation extending the tax credits reached the floor only after a discharge petition by Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Four Republicans, none from Florida, signed that petition last year to get it to the required 218 supporters and requiring a vote.

This week, a vote was held to bring it the floor in response to the discharge. With that, nine Republicans, including Salazar joined all Democrats in the House to go ahead with a vote.

While Salazar did not ultimately sign Jeffries discharge before it reached the required threshold, she did sign two other petitions for bipartisan proposals extending credits short term.

“FL-27 has one of the highest numbers of families relying on the Affordable Care Act,” the Coral Gables Republican posted on X last year, though she later deleted it.

“That’s why I signed the discharge petition to force a vote to extend ACA subsidies, so health care costs don’t spike for working families. We can fight fraud, waste, and abuse without hurting people who depend on these plans.”

Miami-Dade was hit especially hard by the expiration of tax credits, with Miami-Dade’s four congressional districts making up most of the top five districts in the country for tax credit users, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.

Still, most Florida Republicans voted against the extension. That included U.S. Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart, a Hialeah Republican who represents more people benefitting from subsidies than any other member of the House. But he said ahead of the vote subsidizing health care through the Affordable Care Act was the reason costs were rising to astronomic levels. But he had introduced a bill to extend subsidies by a single year.

All Florida Democrats backed the three-year extension.

“Everyday costs are already too high, and extending Affordable Care Act assistance will help keep millions of Americans from being forced to choose between seeing a doctor and paying their rent,” said Rep. Lois Frankel, a West Palm Beach Democrat. “Senate Republicans and Donald Trump must now step up to stop a full-blown health care crisis.”

But the Senate is not expected to take up a subsidy extension again after voting against such a proposal in December.

Most Republicans in the Legislature are lining up behind Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia’s campaign for a full term.

The Spring Hill Republican just picked up the support of 58 lawmakers. That grows his list of endorsements to include 72 sitting and recent lawmakers, including 16 Senators, 53 Representatives, one incoming Representative and two other state lawmakers who just vacated seats for other public positions.

“Floridians deserve a CFO who is laser-focused on protecting every dollar of the people’s money,” Ingoglia said. “I’m humbled by the support of dedicated legislators from across our amazing state. I had the privilege of serving with them in the House and the Senate to champion conservative values. Together, we will continue to safeguard Florida’s future, deliver tax reform, and ensure transparency and accountability in government.”

Ingoglia, who served in the Senate before Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed him to his Cabinet post in July, secured endorsements from Sens. Don Gaetz, a Crestview Republican, and Jason Brodeur, a Sanford Republican.

“My friend and former Senate colleague Blaise Ingoglia has always been fearless in his leadership,” said Brodeur, the Senate President Pro Tempore. “He has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to smart and transparent government, fueled by efficiency and accountability to make Florida work for all families. I stand with Blaise as the leader that will keep the Sunshine State fearless as our CFO.”

Added Gaetz, a former Senate President, “For almost two decades, Blaise Ingoglia has been shining a light on overspending in government and protecting the taxpayers. Florida deserves unapologetic leadership like his. I endorse Blaise for Florida Chief Financial Officer — the man who will keep government honest, insurance markets fair, and protect taxpayer dollars.”

The list of Senators endorsing Ingoglia includes Bryan Ávila; Jennifer Bradley; Brodeur; Nick DiCeglie; Gaetz; Ed Hooper; Tom Leek; Jonathan Martin; Ralph Massullo; Debbie Mayfield; Stan McClain; Ana Rodriguez; Corey Simon; Keith Truenow; Tom Wright; and Clay Yarborough.

Other prominent lawmakers who just joined Ingoglia’s team include Reps. Demi Busatta, a Coral Gables Republican, Mike Redondo, a Miami Republican, and John Snyder, a Stuart Republican.

“I am proud to support Blaise Ingoglia for Florida CFO,” said Redondo, who is in line for House Speaker in 2030. “True to his conservative values, Blaise has always fought for taxpayers and supported our great men and women in law enforcement. If you want leadership that keeps Florida affordable, safe and accountable to the people, we’ve got that in Blaise.”

“In a time when fiscal discipline and accountability matter more than ever, Blaise Ingoglia has been a steadfast advocate for the Florida taxpayer. His clear vision for Florida’s financial future earns my full support, and I’m confident he will continue delivering responsible leadership for all Floridians,” Busatta said.

Snyder added, “The job of Chief Financial Officer of Florida demands someone who will fight for all Floridians, and that is why I proudly endorse Blaise Ingoglia. Since Day #1 in public service, Blaise has been a catalyst for conservative principles. He has fought for fiscal discipline and government efficiency. Blaise has the experience and the no-nonsense approach to getting it done.”

Representatives endorsing Ingoglia include Shane Abbott; Jon Albert; Danny Alvarez; Adam Anderson; Alex Andrade; Doug Bankson; Webster Barnaby; Yvette Benarroch; Omar Blanco; David Borrero; Robert Brackett; Chuck Brannan; James Buchanan; Busatta; Ryan Chamberlin; Linda Chaney; Nan Cobb; Bill Conerly; Tom Fabricio; Richard Gentry; Anne Gerwig; Mike Giallombardo; Peggy Gossett-Seidman; Griff Griffitts; J.J. Grow; Brian Hodgers; Jeff Holcomb; Berny Jacques; Chad Johnson; Chip LaMarca; Fiona McFarland; Kiyan Michael; Monique Miller; Jim Mooney; Danny Nix; Toby Overdorf; Michael Owen; Rachel Plakon; Redondo; Alex Rizo; Will Robinson; Michelle Salzman; Judson Sapp; Jason Shoaf; Tyler Sirois; David Smith; Snyder; Paula Stark; Dana Trabulsy; Chase Tramont; Kaylee Tuck; Taylor Yarkosky; and Brad Yeager.

Additionally, former Reps. John Temple, who just became President of Lake-Sumter State College, and Vicki Lopez, now a Miami-Dade County Commissioner, also endorsed Ingoglia. So did Samantha Scott, who won a Special Election to succeed Temple.

Last Call – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.

First Shot

Americans for Prosperity Action released another volley of endorsements in state legislative races this cycle, backing two Republicans running for Senate and 11 vying for a seat in the House.

The Senate nods went to Jake Johansson, who is competing to succeed term-limited Sen. Tom Wright in SD 8 and Rep. Lauren Melo, the leading candidate to replace former Senate President Kathleen Passidomo in Southwest Florida-based SD 28.

AFP Action’s House slate stretched from the Panhandle to South Florida. The endorsements: Jon Fay for HD 2, Jacksonville City Council member Terrance Freeman for HD 12, Chad Johnson for HD 22, Erika Booth for HD 35, Emily Duda Buckley for HD 38, Erin Huntley for HD 45, Samantha Scott for HD 52, Ryan Gill for HD 68, Liesa Priddy for HD 82, Anthony Bonna for HD 85 and Eric Stelnicki for HD 100.

“Floridians deserve to be represented by officials who are passionate about making the lives of all Floridians better. These candidates will do just that, championing policies like deregulation, school choice, and housing policy reforms. We look forward to mobilizing our grassroots network to ensure these principled candidates are elected come November,” said Skylar Zander, AFP Action’s senior Florida adviser and State Director of AFP-FL.

The races AFP weighed in on Thursday aren’t expected to be competitive in November. Even-numbered Senate districts weren’t on the 2024 ballot, but Wright won re-election handily in 2022 while Passidomo went unopposed. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump carried 10 of the 11 House districts where AFP is issuing endorsements, six by double-digit margins.

HD 38 was the only exception — former VP Kamala Harris earned 50% of the vote there, compared with Trump’s 48%. On the same ballot, Republican state Rep. David Smith was elected to a fourth term with just over 50% of the vote in a head-to-head with Democratic nominee Marsha Summersill.

HD 45 was also close but went for Trump by about half a point as Democratic Rep. Leonard Spencer ousted the scandal-plagued former Republican Rep. Carolina Amesty, 51%-49%.

Many of the races on AFP’s radar will see action in August, however.

The field in HD 2, currently held by term-limited Rep. Alex Andrade, features a half-dozen Republicans. Fay, a U.S. Naval Academy graduate and former Navy flight officer, has the most momentum thus far, with AFP’s endorsement coming just after his campaign landed support from the Associated Industries of Florida, an influential business lobby.

AIF bundled Fay’s endorsement with one for Priddy, who is in a four-way Primary contest. Her quiver also includes Melo, who is vacating the seat to run for SD 28 — Melo is currently the lone candidate in that race.

Evening Reads

—”Donald Trump’s oil grab could lead to more violence in Venezuela” via Nikki McCann Ramirez of Rolling Stone

—“Cracks in Democrats’ Venezuela response reveal foreign policy muddle” via Liz Goodwin and Yasmeen Abutaleb of The Washington Post

—”Trump relaxes Venezuelan oil embargo, benefiting MAGA billionaire” via Judd Legum of Popular Information

—”Cuba is already on the brink. Nicolás Maduro’s ouster brings it closer to collapse.” via Deborah Acosta and José de Córdoba of The Wall Street Journal

—”Can anyone stop Trump from seizing Greenland?” via Joshua Keating of Vox

—”MAGA is already rewriting the ICE shooting in Minneapolis” via David Gilbert of WIRED

—”How ICE makes raids go viral” via Taylor Lorenz of User Mag

—”First the shooting. Then the lies.” via Adam Serwer of The Atlantic

—“With army of loyalists, Ron DeSantis built a conservative higher-ed empire” via Michael Vasquez of The Tributary

—”Nick DiCeglie bills would address growth, hurricane reconstruction and public safety pressures” via Jesse Mendoza of Florida Politics