Sex & censures

In the first full week with Congress in Session after the federal shutdown, much of the activity on the Hill revolved around Florida. But rather than address state priorities, several running scandals came home to roost.

That likely proved of most significant consequence for Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, a Miramar Democrat, after a federal grand jury indicted her on charges of stealing $5 million in COVID funding for her congressional campaign. The allegations have haunted the health care nonprofit leader since 2022 and were already the subject of a House Ethics Committee investigation. For her part, Cherfilus-McCormick maintains her innocence.

“I remain confident that the truth will prevail,” she said. “I look forward to my day in court. Until then, I will continue fighting for my constituents.”

But Rep. Greg Steube, a Sarasota Republican, suggested the day of the indictment that the overwhelming evidence deserved censure. He then upped the stakes and demanded her expulsion. While he initially wanted a vote this week on booting the disgraced Democrat, he told Fox News on Thursday evening that he would hold a resolution and give her time to leave Florida’s congressional delegation on her own.

“Once House Ethics concludes its investigation or she is formally convicted, rest assured I will move to expel her from Congress,” he said.

The initial hunger for action may have been whetted by a recurring debate over censuring other House members, including Rep. Cory Mills. The New Smyrna Beach Republican has seen a number of personal scandals erupt, from an ongoing House Ethics investigation probing allegations he profited from defense contracts, to two girlfriends alleging abusive behavior against them by the married Congressman.

This week, several conservative women in Congress, including Reps. Kat Cammack and Anna Paulina Luna, pushed for his censure on the floor.

“Last time I checked, revenge porn is disgusting and should never be tolerated or given a pass in the Republican Party,” Luna posted on X. “I think every single one of my colleagues agrees. We are who we keep, and we should not keep this.”

But Mills also predicted that accusations against him would be “proven to be absolutely false.” At his urging, the House on Wednesday voted to push his case to the House Ethics Committee, which has expanded its investigation of the Congressman.

Controversy over a Mills censure followed the failure of a censure motion against a Democrat accused of maintaining communication with Florida sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein before his death. That reached the floor this week after a release of files surrounding one of Florida’s most notorious scandals finally earned a vote from Congress, some six years after Epstein killed himself in a federal prison awaiting trial on new charges.

The House voted to demand that the Justice Department release all files on its federal investigation of the late billionaire after months of resistance by President Donald Trump, who was associated with Epstein in Palm Beach social circles. The Senate unanimously approved a resolution following passage in the House and Attorney General Pam Bondi said she will follow the law and release the records in a timely fashion.

Outrage spill

As the Trump administration considers drilling for oil off Florida’s coast, the move is a non-starter for Florida lawmakers.

Interior Department proposals include potential drilling in “Program Area B” in 2029 and 2030, with Florida coming online after waters adjacent to other Gulf States become open starting in 2027.

The waters under consideration are at least 100 miles off the coast, but the consequences of oil spills extend far beyond that.

“The new maps released today by (Interior Secretary Doug Burgum) and (the Department of the Interior) outlining potential new offshore oil drilling sites in the Gulf of America are HIGHLY concerning — and we will be engaging directly with the department on this issue,” Sen. Ashley Moody said.

Democrats, including Rep. Kathy Castor, were already on record opposing changes to prohibitions on drilling in federal waters since 1995. But Republicans are now exercised as well.

Sen. Rick Scott, who helped dissuade the Trump administration from such a plan in 2018, is still opposed.

“As Floridians, we know how vital our beautiful beaches and coastal waters are to our state’s economy, environment and way of life,” Scott said in a statement to The Associated Press. “I will always work to keep Florida’s shores pristine and protect our natural treasures for generations to come.”

Rep. Jimmy Patronis led a letter to Trump co-signed by fellow GOP Reps. Vern Buchanan, Byron Donalds, Neal Dunn, Scott Franklin, Mike Haridopolos, Laurel Lee and Daniel Webster saying that drilling would interfere with military operations at Eglin Air Force Base.

“Today, as a champion of your America First Agenda, we are writing to express concern about a small portion of the blocks available for lease under the Big Beautiful Gulf Lease Sale (BBGLS) 1 on Dec. 10, 2025,” the letter reads. “These blocks within the Eastern Gulf Test and Training Range (EGTTR) impact the critical missions at Eglin Air Force Base, Hurlburt Field, Tyndall Air Force Base and Naval Air Station Pensacola.”

But Burgum said this push is about energy independence.

“By moving forward with the development of a robust, forward-thinking leasing plan, we are ensuring that America’s offshore industry stays strong, our workers stay employed, and our nation remains energy dominant for decades to come,” he said.

Licensing monopolies

Scott doesn’t want one agency deciding who can export tech goods from the U.S., and he found a partner across the aisle who agrees.

The Naples Republican introduced the License Monopoly Prevention Act with Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat, that would require the Bureau of Industry and Security to conduct a competitive market analysis on license applications to export, re-export or in-country transfer sensitive, key technologies to an entity on Commerce’s Entity List. The goal, the Senators said, is to end the resulting monopolies created by limited licensing.

“Export controls should protect American manufacturing and national security, not allow the government to choose winners and losers in the marketplace and funnel billions to a few big companies. The United States has adversaries like Communist China that are constantly working to undermine our markets, steal our technology, and dominate emerging industries like artificial intelligence,” Scott said.

“For the United States to be a leading force, we must support American businesses, entrepreneurs and encourage competition on every level. Our bipartisan bill, the License Monopoly Prevention Act, adds transparency to the export licensing process and calls for a competitive market analysis, so our government can make decisions that protect our national security without crippling companies and our markets.”

Warren said the current system benefits a few companies rather than consumers.

“Far too often, the Commerce Department issues export control licenses that give a small number of big businesses an unfair advantage over their competitors,” she said. “This bill would help ensure that export control licensing is evenhanded and protects our national security instead of distorting our markets and creating monopolies that hurt consumers.”

Christening the Pierre

The newest warship stationed in Panama City attracted lawmakers from within the delegation and across the country to the Big Bend. Majority Leader John Thune joined Moody and Dunn to commemorate the USS Pierre’s addition to the Naval fleet.

“As a nation, we must never take for granted that our security depends on maintaining the most capable and ready Navy on earth,” said Moody, a Plant City Republican. “With today’s commissioning of USS Pierre, our Navy is more equipped to operate in near-shore environments to counter 21st-century threats. May God bless and protect all those who will serve on the USS Pierre.”

Thune took part in the event because the ship was the third in the fleet to be named after Pierre, South Dakota, the Senate leader’s home state. Navy Secretary John Phelan, himself a Palm Beach business owner before his appointment to the administration, also attended the event.

“As the USS Pierre joins the fleet, she carries not only the strength of our Navy, but the spirit of her namesake city and the prayers of a grateful nation,” Dunn said.

Modern fishing

A group of bipartisan lawmakers in Florida and other Southern states wants the federal government to recalibrate how it serves fishermen.

Rep. John Rutherford, a Jacksonville Republican, introduced the Fisheries and Data Modernization and Accuracy Act (HR 5699), which would empower state management of recreational fisheries data programs in statute. The bill also calls for greater transparency in data and for expanding independent scientific research on fish populations.

“For too long, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has relied on outdated data collection methods through the Marine Recreational Information Program, which has significantly overestimated recreational fishing activity,” Rutherford said.

“In a 2023 study, NOAA acknowledged that MRIP has overestimated recreational fishing effort by 30 to 40 %. These inflated numbers resulted in unnecessarily short seasons, abrupt fishery closures, and economic harm to coastal communities, even when stocks are healthy. We have seen firsthand how damaging short red snapper seasons have been for our coastal communities. That’s why I am proud to introduce the bipartisan Fisheries and Data Modernization and Accuracy Act to modernize data collection and accuracy of our fisheries so we can make better, more informed decisions about Florida’s recreational fishing seasons going forward. I’m committed to Making Fishing Great Again!”

Democratic Reps. Jared Moskowitz and Darren Soto both signed on as co-sponsors, as did GOP Reps. Gus Bilirakis, Buchanan, Haridopolos and Webster. Democratic Rep. Troy Carter of Louisiana and Republican Reps. Buddy Carter of Georgia and Mike Ezell of Mississippi also signed on as introducing co-sponsors.

“Florida’s fisheries are vital to our economy, our culture and our way of life,” said Soto, a Kissimmee Democrat. “We’re ensuring that fishermen, scientists, and coastal communities have access to the most accurate and up-to-date information possible to keep our fisheries strong and sustainable for future generations.”

Of note, Rutherford this year encouraged the federal government to adopt a 39-day red snapper season as proposed by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration. That’s much more than last year’s two days of allowed fishing.

Health reform

As Republicans seek massive reform of health care policies, Florida lawmakers have proposed allowing tax deductions for providers who deliver pro bono services.

Reps. Daniel Webster, a Clermont Republican, and Greg Steube, a Sarasota Republican, filed the Helping Everyone Access Long Term Healthcare (HEALTH) Act.

“This bill helps more Americans have access to the care they need, from the doctor they choose, at a price they can afford,” Webster said. “The HEALTH Act offers a new solution to provide health care services to low-income families and has the potential to help Medicaid and CHIP programs save on costs. This legislation allows doctors and other health care professionals to provide pro bono health care services to low-income individuals, including children in the CHIP programs, in exchange for a simple tax deduction.”

Steube said the bill would benefit physicians who either deliver charity care or help Medicaid- or Child Health Insurance Program-eligible patients.

“We are blessed to live in a country with thousands of doctors and physicians who give back to their communities,” Steube said. “My HEALTH Act will honor their contributions by creating a tax deduction for the charity care they provide to lower-income families and children. Not only will this reaffirm our country’s support for those who give back, but it will expand access to quality health care for families in need.”

Transit-ive power

Rep. Maxwell Frost just hopped onto two Subcommittees that, in part, are responsible for keeping buses running nationwide.

The Orlando Democrat was named to the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee’s Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee and its Highways and Transit Subcommittee.

“Central Florida sent me to Washington, D.C. to deliver for them, and right now, we’re in a cost-of-living crisis that’s impacting everyone, and investing in transit that actually meets the needs of our people is one of the fastest ways to lift people up by connecting them to housing, jobs, and opportunity,” Frost said.

“On these subcommittees, I’ll be fighting to expand and modernize our transit systems, ease congestion, make our roads safer, and protect our planet for current and future generations. I’m grateful to Ranking Member (Rick) Larsen and my colleagues for the opportunity to help reimagine how our transit and rail systems can better serve our growing communities.”

Larsen, a Washington Democrat, welcomed Congress’ youngest member to the panels.

“Rep. Maxwell Frost hit the ground running this Congress when he introduced his Transit Bus Affordability Act,” Larsen said. “I look forward to working with Rep. Frost on the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit and the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials to continue improving and expanding access to public transportation and passenger rail from coast to coast, including in my home state of Washington and his of Florida.”

Brand USA

Two Tampa Bay area lawmakers will try to fund Brand USA, once the nation’s top destination marketing program.

Bilirakis and Castor filed the VISIT USA Act together. The bill would fully fund the public-private partnership, which markets U.S. destinations internationally. Bilirakis, a Palm Harbor Republican, stressed that the funding would come from fees generated by the Visa Waiver Program Electronic System for Travel Authorization, not general tax dollars.

“As Co-Chair of the Travel and Tourism Caucus in the House, I understand that tourism is a powerful engine for communities large and small. It supports local businesses, fills hotels, and brings in tax dollars that fund schools, transportation, and public services,” Bilirakis said.

“Fully funding Brand USA is not just smart policy, it’s economic stewardship. Brand USA helps every corner of our country. When international travelers visit, they don’t just go to major cities — they travel to small towns, historic sites, and national parks. Fully funding Brand USA means supporting jobs and growth in communities across Florida and nationwide. Floridians understand that international tourism isn’t a luxury — it’s an economic necessity. By restoring full funding to Brand USA, we ensure more visitors come, more businesses benefit, and more communities thrive.”

Castor said international dollars play a vital role in the economy in Florida and many parts of the country.

“International tourism generates billions of dollars in economic activity and supports tens of thousands of jobs for hardworking Americans. In Florida, our economy benefits when visitors from around the world visit our beautiful state,” said Castor, a Tampa Democrat.

“Across the Tampa Bay area, international travel sustains good-paying jobs, supports our small businesses, and strengthens our ports and airports. From our world-class beaches and cultural institutions to our vibrant food, sports, natural areas, international tourism powers our economy. A strong Brand USA means keeping Florida competitive, attracting new markets, and ensuring that the Sunshine State continues to shine on the world stage. This bipartisan bill will help restore vital marketing capacity, expand economic opportunity, and keep Tampa Bay and communities across America open and welcoming to travelers who contribute to our shared success. I thank my partner, Rep. Bilirakis, for leading the effort.”

Tampa transit

The Transportation Department’s Federal Transit Authority just announced two major grants delivering $38.6 million to public transit in Tampa Bay.

“Tampa Bay neighbors deserve affordable, accessible transit that helps riders get to work, school, doctors’ appointments and the grocery store,” Castor said. “By modernizing public transit and improving mobility across our growing community, we are opening doors to new job opportunities, strengthening local businesses and improving the quality of life for Tampa Bay area families. I’m proud to help deliver these resources so that every neighbor — no matter their ZIP code — has the freedom to move, connect and thrive in our community.”

That includes $32 million for the Hillsborough Area Transit Authority (HART) and another $6.6 million for the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Federal Transit Administration, along with the continuing support from U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor for her commitment to keeping the wheels turning in the event our transit facility loses power during a storm,” said Brad Miller, CEO for PSTA.

Added HART CEO Scott Danville, “This investment will help us improve service for riders, strengthen our workforce pipeline, and continue transitioning our fleet to cleaner, low-emission technology. We are deeply grateful for Congresswoman Castor’s leadership and strong support for public transit in Hillsborough County. Her partnership has been essential in securing this investment for our community.”

Child sex dolls

The bipartisan co-Chairs of Florida’s congressional delegation joined together to demand answers from Shein on the sale of child sex dolls.

Reps. Buchanan and Debbie Wasserman Schultz led a letter to Shein CEO Yangtian “Chris” Xu questioning how such dolls are shipped to U.S. consumers. That follows reports in The Hill and The New York Times on the Chinese retailer sending the pedophilic toys to buyers around the globe.

“It is incredibly disappointing that a major global retailer allowed childlike sex dolls to be sold on its platform, products that are known to fuel pedophilia and endanger children,” said Buchanan, a Longboat Key Republican

“I’m proud to lead this bipartisan inquiry because companies that don’t crack down on these products must be held fully accountable and prevented from ever enabling this kind of behavior again. Congress needs to pass my CREEPER Act to impose a national ban on lifelike sex dolls resembling children and stop these obscene products from encouraging predatory conduct.”

Buchanan has pushed to bar the sale of such instruments in the U.S. He reintroduced the Curbing Realistic Exploitative Electronic Pedophilic Robots (CREEPER) Act 2.0 (HR 1186) with Moskowitz, a Parkland Democrat.

Wasserman Schultz, a Weston Democrat, said nothing good would come from encouraging people to pursue such perverse desires.

“We cannot end the sexual exploitation of children if these repulsive products are built, sold and shared,” Wasserman Schultz said. “I’m proud to work with Congressman Buchanan to shine a spotlight and demand accountability for Shein’s abhorrent business practices that allowed for the sale of childlike sex dolls on its website. We must ensure e-commerce platforms will not be complicit in the spread of these horrible items.”

Clean Water conflict

Shifts in the rules governing the Clean Water Act have South Florida lawmakers divided over whether they will produce positive or negative results for Americans.

Rep. Brian Mast, a Stuart Republican, stood alongside Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin and Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam Telle to cheer a proposed redefinition of “waters of the United States,” or WOTUS. The new rule, as written, would require that jurisdictional tributaries connect to traditional navigable waters either directly or through other features that provide a predictable and consistent flow, and would reaffirm that wetlands must be indistinguishable from jurisdictional waters through a continuous surface connection.

“Having a durable, consistent, and clear definition of WOTUS is essential to lowering costs for Americans, promoting economic growth, and (protecting) the environment. The federal government does have a role to play in responsible water policy, but it should not be regulating every puddle in our backyards,” Mast said.

“On the Treasure Coast, our federal and local partnerships work to regulate our water in ways that work best for our community. This much-needed proposal reinforces those relationships, giving more authority back to the states like Florida, which are experts when it comes to our own local water. From lakes to estuaries to water runoff, no one cares more about the water than the communities whose livelihoods rely on it.”

But Rep. Frederica Wilson said the shift would undermine decades-old environmental protections that have protected Florida waterways from pollution.

She issued a joint statement with her colleague, Larsen, suggesting that the administration’s reinterpretation of the law would undermine it.

Americans overwhelmingly support the Clean Water Act — one of the most successful pieces of environmental legislation in history. Congress should hold industries accountable for protecting our drinking water and our health,” the ranking members said. “This latest Trump administration action will increase costs on families by making clean drinking water harder to obtain, and cause lasting damage to our rivers, streams, lakes and wetlands.”

Mother’s milk

Legislation that allows young mothers to travel with breast milk will soon land on the President’s desk. The Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening (BABES) Enhancement Act (HR 820), sponsored by Rep. María Elvira Salazar, calls on the Transportation Security Administration to streamline breast milk screening without delaying travelers with children in tow.

“I am proud to co-lead this much-needed law to protect families and the essential breast milk, formula and baby food their children depend on,” the Coral Gables Republican said. “For years, I’ve heard heartbreaking stories of parents and breastfeeding mothers facing inconsistent policies at airport checkpoints, because of the absence of clear TSA standards. That’s wrong, and the government should never stand between parents and their child’s nourishment while traveling. This bill guarantees clear rules, proper training, and full transparency so parents can travel knowing their baby food will be protected, not mishandled or thrown away.”

Salazar championed the bill alongside young mothers in Congress, including Reps. Luna and Brittany Pettersen, a Colorado Democrat.

“As a mother, I understand how stressful traveling with a young child can already be,” Luna said. “Parents should not have to worry about whether TSA will mishandle breast milk or formula. The BABES Act brings needed consistency, hygiene, and common sense to these screenings so families can travel with confidence. I am glad to join my colleagues in advancing this bipartisan, pro-family legislation.”

The Senate companion (S 260) filed by Sen. Tammy Duckworth — an Illinois Democrat who, like Luna, had a baby while in Congress — was the version to pass in the House and Senate. It now heads to Trump’s desk.

On this day

Nov. 21, 1817 — “First Seminole Indian War begins” via History.com — U.S. troops from Fort Scott attack the small Seminole Indian village of Fowltown in southern Georgia and ignite the First Seminole War. The conflict would not succeed in squashing Native resistance but would contribute to the Spanish relinquishing their Florida territory to the United States. When soldiers first arrived at Fowltown, they demanded Seminole Chief Neamathla surrender for the murder of several Georgia families. When Neamathla refused, soldiers killed 20 Seminoles. But reprisal was only the short-term goal. Fort Scott had been built as a military base on the Georgia/Florida border to facilitate actions against local Creek and Seminole Indians.

Nov. 21, 1973 — “Gap on key Watergate tape revealed” via POLITICO — J. Fred Buzhardt, a lawyer defending President Richard Nixon in the Watergate case, revealed to U.S. District Judge John Sirica that a key White House tape dealing with the scandal had an 18-and-a-half-minute gap. It appears in a recording made on June 20, 1972, as Nixon discussed the break-in at the Democratic National Committee in the Watergate complex for the first time with his Chief of Staff, H.R. Haldeman. White House Chief of Staff Alexander Haig blamed the gap on a “sinister force.” Years later, Haig, who succeeded Haldeman as Nixon’s Chief of Staff, speculated Nixon himself might have erased the tape.

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Delegation will not be published during Thanksgiving week and will return Dec. 4.

Peter Schorsch publishes Delegation, compiled by Jacob Ogles, edited and assembled by Phil Ammann and Ryan Nicol, with contributions by A.G. Gancarski.