Lights on

Regular flight schedules resumed, Smithsonian museums reopened, and some 800,000 federal employees will soon get back pay. The 43-day federal shutdown, the longest in U.S. history, ended last week, but not without controversy or debate about whether anything tangible came from it.

The House on Nov. 12 voted to reopen the federal government on a 222-209 vote, with every member of Florida’s congressional delegation breaking along party lines. In the Senate, both GOP Sens. Rick Scott and Ashley Moody voted with most of their caucus and eight from the minority in a 60-80 vote to fund the government through January.

But the final package included language that raised alarms regardless. Many House Republicans reacted with disdain to the Senate’s addition of language that makes Senators whose phone logs were subpoenaed in the Arctic Frost investigation eligible for $500,000 settlements from the Department of Justice (DOJ). That appears to benefit eight Republicans whose records were sought by name, and may also cover those like Scott, whose phone numbers were obtained even if they were not named on documents.

“These Senators slipped in a provision to reopen the government that guarantees them $500k if DOJ settles their Arctic Frost lawsuit. And we’re supposed to be OK with that?” posted Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, a St. Petersburg Republican who has publicly defended many civilians impacted by the investigation of the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. “What about J6? This is outrageous. Really disappointed to see some of the names on this list. You can’t self-deal like this — especially not by weaponizing a government shutdown.”

But she was among those who voted for the bill. House Republicans said they would try and address the issue soon but would not leave the government closed in the meantime.

“Holding the government hostage over partisan demands hurts every American,” said Rep. Daniel Webster, a Clermont Republican. “While I’m pleased that this legislation finally ends the Democrats’ government shutdown, I will work with my House Republican colleagues to repeal a provision added in the Senate in response to the (Joe) Biden Administration’s lawfare. Accountability is needed for the Biden Justice Department’s political targeting, but not at the expense of American taxpayers.”

Democrats in the delegation remained most concerned, though, with the issue Senators abandoned: health care. As Florida has more Affordable Care Act enrollees than any other state — more than 4.7 million according to the Kaiser Family Foundation — the promise to simply consider other provisions in the future felt empty.

“Miami-Dade County is ground zero for this nation’s health care crisis, and this bill fails to do a damn thing to address this crisis. Hundreds of thousands of people in South Florida will lose health care coverage, many of whom will die. And I will not rubber-stamp the suffering that is bound to come,” said Rep. Frederica Wilson, a Miami-Dade Democrat.

“The fight does not stop here, though. I will continue to fight to extend the health care tax credits and save health care. And while this shutdown showed how hard Republicans fought to starve Americans and strip them of health care, Democrats will press on.”

Rep. Darren Soto, a Kissimmee Democrat, said no package that failed to address expiring health care subsidies would win his support.

“We have over 275,000 constituents enrolled in Obamacare, the second-most in the United States,” he said. “Their health care costs are skyrocketing 200%-300% and higher. We could have worked together to fix the GOP Healthcare Crisis. Instead, Republicans chose to do nothing.”

It’s happening

The Florida House of Representatives announced the first step in a highly anticipated mid-decade congressional redistricting.

A House schedule shows the Congressional Redistricting Select Committee will hold its first meeting on Dec. 4 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. But a full notice and the agenda for the meeting remain unavailable.

A spokesperson for Perez said an agenda will not be released until one week before the meeting, according to House rules. That means more information would become available on or around Thanksgiving Day.

The Florida Senate has still taken no steps toward a congressional redistricting effort, but Gov. Ron DeSantis has made it clear he wants Florida and the supermajority Republican Legislature to revisit congressional lines.

Burning questions

While the Palisades Fire ended in January, Scott remains focused on it. From his perch as Senate Aging Subcommittee Chair, the Naples Republican held a field hearing in Pacific Palisades last week where he heard from individuals impacted by the disaster.

He has categorized it as an appropriate issue for the Aging panel because so many senior citizens were affected, and he has called the hearing “Forgotten After the Flames: Stories from the Palisades Fire.”

“Natural disasters do not discriminate. It doesn’t matter how old you are, how much money you have, or how smart you think you may be – if you aren’t prepared, nothing else matters. And while being prepared starts with you and is vital for EVERYONE – it is also very important that your local, state, and federal governments do all they can to prevent disasters, and for those disasters that can’t be prevented, they must be prepared to respond,” he said at the hearing.

“I believe the Palisades Fire was more than just a horrific tragedy; it was an unacceptable failure of government to protect the lives and property of its citizens. And we all know that this fire hurt our seniors more than anyone else. Families in this community deserve answers and accountability.”

High-tech spies

As Congress negotiates the arsenal in the National Defense Authorization Act for 2026, Moody wants the threat of drone video taken into consideration.

The Plant City Republican sent a letter with Rep. Jen Kiggans, a Virginia Republican, urging the Armed Services Committees in the House and Senate to include the Drone Espionage Act (S 1809) in their legislation.

The legislation would list video surveillance among federal crimes threatening national security.

“Drones are increasingly used by America’s adversaries, particularly China, to capture video of sensitive national defense sites. Although it is already illegal under the Espionage Act to take photos of national defense sites, the statute currently makes no mention of videography and leaves our laws exposed to potential circumvention by our adversaries,” the letter reads.

The message makes note of sensitive installations in Florida already facing apparent espionage efforts connected to drone use.

“In the Middle District of Florida, a suspect was found to have recorded significant amounts of video over one of our national defense sites in Cape Canaveral. Over the course of the investigation, the prosecutors could only charge for possession of the still image despite possessing significant amounts of footage,” the letter explains.

“Without those still images, the U.S. Attorney in the Middle District has said this individual may not have been held accountable for these acts of espionage. Unsurprisingly, this case is not unique and is becoming more frequent across America. The only way to uphold the integrity of our national defense sites is to ensure our laws are updated to meet the technological advancements of the times.”

Funding F-35s

With a government funding package approved, Rep. Jimmy Patronis highlighted specific benefits to the state, including $355 million in new investments for military installations in Northwest Florida.

“Democrats weaponized a government shutdown in an attempt to advance their radical spending, elect a socialist Mayor, and fight for illegal immigrants’ health care; yet it’s our neighbors, the people of Florida’s 1st District, who pay the price,” the Fort Walton Republican said.

“With our government reopening, our service members in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton counties can stay focused on their missions. Civilian workers can return to their jobs. Families across Northwest Florida can finally breathe easier knowing stability has been restored. Even during the shutdown, the hard work never stopped. In Congress, I’ve made it my mission to always fight for our community, and new investments in Northwest Florida are proof of that commitment.”

Spending in the Panhandle includes $125 million for F-35-related activities, $91 million for barracks and $41 million for a Child Development Center at Eglin Air Force Base, as well as $98.5 million for an advanced helicopter hangar at Whiting Field.

“These projects will strengthen our military bases, improve local infrastructure and create jobs across our community,” Patronis said. “I will continue to stand up against reckless spending and broken priorities, fighting for the values, freedom, and security that make Northwest Florida the best place in America to live, work, and serve.”

SPIN cycle

The U.S. has been broadcasting its own content on radio waves around the world since the 1940s, but Rep. Cory Mills says such propaganda must stay overseas.

The New Smyrna Beach Republican just filed the Stopping Propaganda Indoctrination Nationally (SPIN) Act (HR 5117), which would forbid content created under the Smith-Mundt Act of 1948 from being disseminated in U.S. states or territories. Instead, this would only be available stateside by request for U.S. press, accredited researchers and scholars and members of Congress. And then, only English-language versions would be provided.

“Taxpayer dollars should never be used to manipulate the American people through government propaganda,” Mills said.

“The SPIN Act puts an end to such loopholes and ensures the federal government cannot direct foreign messaging campaigns toward domestic audiences – intentionally or unintentionally. This is about transparency, accountability and trust. The American people deserve to know when messaging is meant for them – and when it’s not. We should never allow tools designed for foreign influence operations to be repurposed to shape domestic opinion.”

The legislation would apply to content produced through the Agency for Global Media, including for Voice of America, Radio Free Europe and Radio Martí.

Get along, li’l dronie

While drones present new security risks, Rep. Vern Buchanan also believes the technology can improve land management and protect mustangs.

The Longboat Key Republican introduced the Leveraging Aerial Systems for Stewardship Operations (LASSO) Act (HR 5829), a bipartisan bill with Rep. Eugene Vindman, a Virginia Democrat. The bill would authorize the deployment of unmanned drones to herd wild horses and burros, thereby reducing costs and improving safety during roundups.

“America’s wild horses and burros are a beloved symbol of the American spirit and deserve protection and humane treatment,” said Buchanan. “As co-Chairman of the Animal Protection Caucus, I’m proud to join Congressman Vindman in introducing the LASSO Act to ensure humane care, modernize land management and save taxpayer dollars.”

As written, the legislation would authorize $100,000 annually from the Bureau of Land Management’s budget for a five-year pilot program to test high-tech herd stewardship and population control strategies. The government would commission a nonprofit or university with a history of horse corralling to run the program. Drones would need to be manufactured in the U.S.

“The LASSO Act is designed to lower costs for taxpayers, strengthen the American drone industry, and promote responsible stewardship of our public lands, while preserving one of our nation’s most iconic symbols: the wild horse,” Vindman said.

Veteran recognition

Lawmakers took time last week to recognize the accomplishments of several Florida veterans, whose stories could now be preserved to tell of soldiers’ lives to future generations.

Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart, a Hialeah Republican and dean of Florida’s congressional delegation, presented the Congressional Veterans Commendation, an honor his office awards to veterans in the district who give back in public life. This year, he recognized Navy Petty Officer Alejandro Sanchez and Army Staff Sergeant Frank Torres III. He also recognized Navy Petty Officer Jonas Kukelhan, who still serves at the U.S. Southern Command in Doral, with a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition.

“It meant a great deal to recognize these outstanding hometown service members and patriots with the 2025 Congressional Veteran Commendation,” Díaz-Balart said.

“Through my work in Congress, I have been a tireless champion for our veterans and troops – from securing a 3.8% pay raise and protecting U.S. Southern Command Headquarters in Miami-Dade, to advancing 139 new housing units for our service members and supporting legislation that expands care and benefits for veterans and their families. Our gratitude can never be enough for their service and sacrifice to our country. May God continue to bless America and our brave men and women who answered the call to serve.”

The honored veterans will also tell their stories to the Veterans History Project, as will that of Master Sergeant Glenn Ackerman, a U.S. Air Force veteran in Sarasota honored by Rep. Greg Steube.

“I am grateful to Master Sergeant Glenn Ackerman for his decades of service to our country in the United States Air Force,” Steube, a Sarasota Republican, said. “As a fellow veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, I thank him for sharing his experiences as an Airlift Loadmaster, providing critical support to our troops and allies around the world. His distinguished service offers a new generation of Americans an inspiring example of courage and patriotism to follow.”

Cameroon concerns

As unrest takes hold of Cameroon, Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick wants the State Department to pay attention to the African nation and aid its citizens. She co-led a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, expressing concern that the country could fall into a post-election crisis.

“The people of Cameroon have shown incredible courage and commitment to democracy,” the Miramar Democrat said. “Yet, their voices are being silenced through intimidation, violence, and the suppression of basic freedoms. The United States must stand firm in supporting democracy, human rights, and the rule of law in Cameroon and across Africa.”

In October, Cameroon President Paul Biya was named the winner of an election, leaving him in power for an eighth consecutive term, as reported by the BBC. Now, Biya’s administration has threatened legal action against opposition leader Issa Tchiroma, whose supporters claim the election was stolen.

Cherfilus wrote a letter with Rep. Jonathan Jackson, an Illinois Democrat, and pointed out allegations of ballot irregularities in major cities. Protesters were later arrested or killed. The letter from the Democratic lawmakers wants all political prisoners released, human rights violators brought to justice, and both sides to engage in State Department-coordinated dialogue to facilitate a peaceful transition.

Cherfilus-McCormick said the U.S. has a substantial stake in maintaining peace in the nation, where terrorist groups, including Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa, have operated before.

Saving soldier pay

Among federal workers left without pay for 43 days were enlisted military personnel. Rep. Brian Mast wants to make sure soldiers don’t go without pay the next time Congress shuts down the government.

The Stuart Republican filed the Pay For Our Patriots Act, which would guarantee continued pay for essential members of our Armed Forces, Coast Guard and Air Traffic Controllers during any future federal shutdown.

He said that would remove such salaries as a “bargaining chip” or as “leverage.”

“The people who defend us, keeping our skies safe and serving our country, deserve better than to be treated like bargaining chips. By ensuring that they’re paid, we guarantee America’s security,” Mast said.

“This bill is about putting our national defense first and honoring the commitment of those who reported to duty every single day — whether or not they’d be fairly compensated.”

Caregiving before adulthood

Two members of Florida’s House delegation worked together this month to recognize America’s caregivers.

Reps. Lois Frankel, a West Palm Beach Democrat, and María Elvira Salazar, a Coral Gables Republican, introduced a resolution that recognized Nov. 10 through 16 as National Caregiving Youth Week. That specifically recognizes the 6 million primary or secondary caregivers who are under 18 but tasked with caring for a loved one with chronic illness, disability, frailty or other health condition.

“Our country is home to millions of kindhearted youth who care for family members that need their help,” Salazar said. “I am honored to co-lead this resolution recognizing caregiving youth whose sacrifices humble and inspire all of us.”

Frankel said the work of young people was especially inspiring.

“All over the country, there are young people who set aside their own needs — schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and time with their friends — to serve as caregivers for members of their family who may be elderly, ill, or disabled,” Frankel said. “November is National Family Caregivers Month, and we’re proud to recognize the tremendous work and sacrifice of these young caregivers.”

Connie Siskowski, President and Founder of the American Association of Caregiving Youth, said it was important to recognize those youths balancing school and life.

“Most people don’t realize the challenging, difficult, and otherwise adult roles these children must take on through no fault of their own, all while their brains and bodies are still developing,” Siskowski said.

“They deserve and need formal support and accommodations within systems of education and health care. As one boy said, ‘Dr. Connie, where would our country be without caregiving youth?’ No child should feel alone in this journey as they strive to succeed academically and personally.”

In court for TPS

As advocates for Venezuelans who are legally in the country fight the suspension of temporary protected status, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz led House members in supporting the effort.

She led an amicus brief with Sen. Chris Van Hollen, a Maryland Democrat, asking the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to reverse Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s decision to vacate and terminate the status for Venezuelans granted protections in 2021. The brief was signed by 125 Democrats in the House and Senate, including every Democrat in Florida’s congressional delegation.

“The Northern District of California properly determined that the plain text of the TPS statute does not support the Secretary’s argument that her actions are unreviewable,” the brief states.

“Nor does it support the Secretary’s actions with respect to Venezuelan TPS. Instead, the executive branch’s interpretation of the TPS statute essentially rewrites the statute to claim a power that Congress did not delegate to the executive branch.”

The brief notes that TPS status previously enjoyed bipartisan support. It still does in Florida, where lawmakers, including Salazar, have pursued legislative measures to preserve TPS for Venezuelans. But while she introduced such a bill with Wasserman Schultz earlier this year, Salazar didn’t sign onto the amicus brief, nor did any Republican.

The brief questions the sudden push to attack immigrants in the country legally.

“The Secretary’s actions not only violate the TPS statute but also contradict the bipartisan opposition to terminating Venezuela TPS,” the brief reads. “Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle have long supported temporary protected status for Venezuelans who fled dangerous conditions in their country – conditions that persist today.”

On this day

Nov. 18, 1978 — “Coast Congressman believed slain investigating commune in Guyana” via The New York Times — Rep. Leo J. Ryan, a California Democrat, was shot yesterday and is believed dead along with several companions in a remote area of Guyana, the State Department said. The legislator had gone to Guyana, accompanied by two aides and seven journalists, including an NBC television crew. He was investigating reports that members of a commune of the People’s Temple, a religious cult established by a Californian named Jim Jones, were virtual prisoners. The incident occurred when the Ryan party of 19 people and the departing members of the commune, known as Jonestown after the sect’s leader, attempted to take off for Georgetown.

Nov. 18, 1987 — “Congress issues final report on Iran-Contra scandal” via History.com — After nearly a year of hearings into the Iran-Contra scandal, the joint congressional investigating committee issues its final report. It concluded the scandal, involving a complicated plan whereby some of the funds from secret weapons sales to Iran were used to finance the Contra war against the Sandinista government in Nicaragua, was one in which the Ronald Reagan administration exhibited “secrecy, deception, and disdain for the law.” Naming several members of the Reagan administration as directly involved in the scheme, the report stated that Reagan must bear “ultimate responsibility.” Several government officials were charged and convicted of various crimes associated with the scandal.

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