U.N. — DHS showdown — Mullin — blackout — cancer fight

Congress at the U.N.

A field hearing in New York City brought together lawmakers who had served in Florida’s congressional delegation for years.

Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart chaired the meeting of the National Security, Department of State and Related Programs Appropriations Subcommittee. Lawmakers met in the United Nations headquarters, where Michael Waltz, the U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., discussed the funding needs for his office.

“Over the last three fiscal years, this Subcommittee has reduced total spending under its purview by 22%. This includes the largest cut in the recently enacted FY 2026 NSRP Appropriations Act, which slashed 16% by getting rid of inefficient and ineffective programs and refocusing funding on programs that are in the direct national security interest of the United States,” said Díaz-Balart, a Hialeah Republican.

“Funding for the United Nations was not exempt from this review, which resulted in double-digit cuts and stronger requirements that demand accountability and reform on behalf of the American taxpayer. The hearing today is an opportunity to discuss these measures that go hand in hand with the great work Ambassador Waltz and his team have just begun to undertake with notable results.”

Waltz, who served four terms in Congress before President Donald Trump appointed him as U.N. Ambassador, said his focus has been on advancing America’s interests while calling on the United Nations as an organization to act with greater clarity. He thanked lawmakers for holding the hearing, which itself showed Congress was watching what happened in New York City.

“It’s helping our case across the street to get a U.N. that is more focused, that is leaner, that is really getting back to its post-World War II roots of making sure a conflict like that, a conflict that had something as horrific as the Holocaust, a world at war, nuclear weapons being used for the first and only time in history, that can never happen again.”

Notably, Rep. Lois Frankel, a West Palm Beach Democrat, serves as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee and played a key role in the discussions. While she acknowledged that the Republican administration and congressional leadership focus on cuts to foreign spending, she felt strongly that the U.S. must remain engaged with the international community.

“It’s important to recognize that the United Nations plays a vital role in advancing global stability and supporting us foreign policy priorities, and we’ve heard a lot, and I know we’ll hear more about reform and accountability, which is essential to ensuring the U.N. operates effectively and responsibly,” she said.

“But more importantly for many of us, sustained engagement is what is so important. We are going to be most effective when we lead working with partners, impacting decisions, making and reinforcing shared values. The negative rhetoric and reducing financial support may have unintended consequences, and I hope we can actually turn that around into a mission success.”

Still shut down

The Senate remained in Washington through the weekend. Sen. Rick Scott took the occasion to roast Democrats in a lengthy speech on the floor over the continued shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

“This is the third time in the last six months that the hardworking Americans who work to keep us safe every day had to worry about how they’re going to pay mortgages, pay rent, buy gas, and bring home groceries to feed their kids. I think that’s clearly unfair and un-American,” the Naples Republican said.

Of note, GOP negotiators said a deal was reached to fund every part of DHS operations except for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which could have been addressed later in a reconciliation vote that bypasses the filibuster. Trump told Senators this weekend he would not accept that deal, though on Tuesday morning, POLITICO reported that the White House may now be more receptive.

Scott said a clean budget negotiated earlier this year has already been approved in the House and suggested that Democratic gamesmanship was hurting Americans. He noted that ICE law enforcement functions have funding for three years. He pointed to comments made by Sen. Peter Welch of Vermont to C-SPAN that showed Democrats were aware the shutdown does nothing to stop ICE operations.

Scott also suggested that he and other Republicans are willing to discuss real reform to immigration policy if the government can fully reopen. He stressed that Florida is home to numerous immigrants, so the core issue is one he believes warrants serious attention.

“I believe in immigration reform. I’m always willing to have a conversation,” he said. “I’ve actually proposed changes at TPS (temporary protected status). I’ve proposed things. It’s always been blocked by my Democrat colleagues. And I think we ought to fix our immigration system so the only people that come into our country are people who actually want to work, not go on programs — American programs.”

Mullin confirmation

While the agency remains unfunded, the Senate did install new leadership at DHS. Following the firing of former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, the Senate confirmed Sen. Markwayne Mullin, an Oklahoma Republican, as her successor on a 54-45 vote.

Sen. Ashley Moody, a Plant City Republican, was among Mullin’s most enthusiastic surrogates, including in a Senate hearing where a single vote advanced him.

“Democrats jeopardized our national security with four years of reckless border policies under (Joe) Biden, and now they continue to do so by refusing to fund the very agency charged with keeping us safe,” Moody said in the Senate Homeland Security Committee.

“Sen. Mullin is a fighter and a true patriot. I cannot think of a better pick to lead the Department of Homeland Security at this time to keep Americans safe.”

She later joined with most Republican colleagues in a confirmation vote Monday night.

“It’s official — our new Secretary of (DHS) is confirmed!” she posted on X. “I have full faith he will keep our country safe — he’s the right man for the job.”

Tune out or blackout

Rep. Jimmy Patronis issued a warning to parents about one of the latest dangerous online trends: the Blackout Challenge. It encourages individuals to post videos of themselves stopping their breathing long enough to pass out.

“As a parent, I cannot ignore the very real danger this poses to our children,” said Patronis, a Fort Walton Beach Republican. “Too many families have already suffered unimaginable loss. These trends spread in seconds, and parents need to understand that social media isn’t just entertainment; it can expose kids to dangerous content that could cost them their lives.”

His Office attributed the trend to the deaths of at least 80 children nationwide. Patronis recommended that parents look for warning signs, such as marks on the neck, severe headaches, or sudden changes, to determine whether children may be engaging in the challenge.

The Congressman also said that was one more reason to pass his Promoting Responsible Online Technology and Ensuring Consumer Trust (PROTECT) Act (HR 7045). That would repeal legal protections for the social media platforms where clips of this and other video challenges have gone viral.

Fighting cancer

Cancer knows no political party. Reps. Neal Dunn, a Panama City Republican, and Darren Soto, a Kissimmee Democrat, came together to fight for Medicare users to have all the best tools to fight it.

The Florida lawmakers introduced the Facilitating Access to Innovation in Cancer Care (FAIC) Act, which would require Medicare to start reimbursing cancer care drugs separately rather than bundling them. That should allow patients to access new drugs rather than relying on dated prescriptions.

“As a physician, I have seen firsthand the impact that innovation can have on patient outcomes,” Dunn said. “This bill ensures Medicare keeps pace with innovation so patients can receive the most effective care. By addressing this issue, we can improve outcomes, reduce recurrence, and ultimately lower costs for patients and taxpayers alike.”

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has acknowledged before that bundling rules often restrict access to cutting-edge treatments. The agency reversed that policy in 2025 regarding diagnostic drugs, but not for pharmaceuticals that treat cancer. The legislation would make the reimbursement occur through Medicare Part B, which should be budget-neutral.

“I am honored to work with Dr. Dunn on this effort to ensure Medicare beneficiaries have access to cancer treatments and diagnostics,” Soto said. “Cancer patients are a uniquely vulnerable population, and equitable access to treatments regardless of insurance coverage is critical to ensuring their cancer does not spread or return.”

Attainable manufactured homes

The purchase of homes by Wall Street firms has angered Democrats and Republicans alike. Rep. Maxwell Frost says the practice has made home ownership a greater challenge in Florida.

The Orlando Democrat hopes to remedy that with the Promoting Residential Ownership of (PRO) Manufactured Home Communities Act. That bill would incentivize state-level “opportunity to purchase” policies by increasing Community Development Block Grant funding if states provide sufficient resident ownership and down-payment assistance.

He announced the bill in Orlando alongside state Sen. LaVon Bracy Davis, Orange County Commissioner Mayra Uribe and housing advocates from some of the organizations endorsing the bill.

“Manufactured housing should be an opportunity for affordable homeownership, not a profit center for Wall Street,” Frost said. “To tackle the housing affordability crisis facing the nation, we must combat institutional investors having the upper hand in bidding for property. This bill gives manufactured-home residents a fair shot to own their communities, which will prevent eviction and keep costs low.”

His Office noted that Florida has more than 7 million manufactured homes and the highest percentage of manufactured-home parks owned by private equity among states in the U.S. While many homes were originally made for veterans and in communities for those over age 55, 25% of manufactured homes in the nation are now owned by institutional investors.

“During a housing and affordability crisis, this bill would give residents of manufactured housing communities a meaningful opportunity to purchase the communities they call home,” said Alys Cohen, director of federal housing advocacy at the National Consumer Law Center.

“Manufactured-home owners face high fees and deficient or unsafe community infrastructure. We thank Rep. Frost for introducing legislation that will give these homeowners a fair shake when they try to purchase their communities.”

Revving up penalties

Any violent protesters who obstruct vehicles or use them to hurt officers should face heightened penalties, according to Rep. Greg Steube. The Sarasota Republican just introduced the Criminalizing Law Enforcement Access Restriction (CLEAR) Act, which would increase penalties in such circumstances.

“Violent rioters have been allowed to obstruct law enforcement, surround officers, and use vehicles as weapons without facing the full consequences under federal law,” Steube said. “That ends now. If you go after federal law enforcement, you will be held accountable.”

Under the bill, individuals could face 20 years in prison for using a vehicle to assault, resist or interfere with a federal law enforcement officer, or obstruct a federal law enforcement officer operating in a vehicle.

That notably appears to cover circumstances like when Minnesota protester Renee Good sped away from ICE officers, though she was shot and killed and was never arrested.

Steube, the son of longtime Manatee County Sheriff Brad Steube, filed the bill with Rep. Tim Burchett, a Tennessee Republican. The Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund endorsed the legislation.

“Over the past decade, more than 120 law enforcement officers, including three federal agents, have been killed in the line of duty by vehicular assaults and hundreds more seriously injured,” said Jason Johnson, President of the Law Enforcement Defense Fund.

“Those that seek to kill, maim or intimidate those that protect and serve our nation and our communities deserve swift and severe justice.”

From essential to illegal

If workers in the country are legally considered essential, they shouldn’t be at risk of deportation, according to Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick.

The Miramar Democrat just introduced the Respect for Essential Workers Act, which would provide permanent legal residency to essential workers in the country who have been awarded TPS.

Cherfilus-McCormick’s Office noted that TPS holders produce $21 billion to bolster the U.S. economy, contributing $5.2 billion in tax revenue at the federal, state and local levels.

Florida has more workers with TPS than any region of the country, including more than 403,000 residents who work in health care, emergency response, food supply, construction, transportation, hospitality, and home and family care.

Those are fields that were deemed essential during the pandemic. Cherfilus-McCormick said it’s wrong that so many face potential deportation now simply because the Trump administration suspended protections. The legislation, as written, would allow all those workers to apply for permanent residency 90 days after the measure is signed.

Cleaning up

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz secured $1.5 million to clean up water systems and digital spaces in South Florida.

The Weston Democrat presented Dania Beach Commissioners last week with $1 million to replace a lift station and improve the city’s wastewater treatment system.

“I’m proud to deliver these federal dollars to improve Broward’s marine industry and bring more jobs and business opportunities to South Florida,” Wasserman Schultz said. “I’ll always work to invest in local infrastructure to prevent contamination, preserve marine ecosystems and keep our canals and coastal waters healthy.”

She also announced a $535,000 grant to the Broward County Sheriff’s Office to help local law enforcement identify online child predators and victims. She announced the grant alongside Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony and South Florida Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force leader Sergeant Thomas McInerney.

“The South Florida ICAC Task Force has seen a 157% increase in CyberTips received from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. And the already grueling demands on the Task Forces are, tragically, only growing with AI simulations,” Wasserman Schultz said. “As predators become more and more technologically advanced, we must ensure law enforcement is able to stay ahead of the curve.”

Supply chains

Since the pandemic in 2020, Congress has remained concerned about the extent to which the nation’s medical supply chain relies on China. Rep. María Elvira Salazar has advanced legislation in the House that aims to change that situation.

Her Protecting America’s Medical Supply Chains Act (HR 7777) was included in the Defense Production Act, which passed the House Financial Services Committee on a bipartisan vote.

The bill calls for the federal government to secure critical medical materials, including pharmaceuticals, medical devices and biological products and to start treating that as a mission-critical for national security and public health.

“The COVID-19 pandemic exposed just how vulnerable America’s medical supply chains had become. No nation should depend on foreign adversaries for the medicines, medical equipment, and lifesaving materials our people rely on,” said Salazar, a Coral Gables Republican.

“I am proud that my legislation was included in the Defense Production Act reauthorization because it takes concrete steps to strengthen domestic production and ensure America can respond quickly in times of crisis. Protecting our medical supply chains is not just a health care issue; it is a national security imperative.”

To the lobby corps

One of Washington’s Floridian-led lobbying firms just landed a major hire that has the District of Columbia buzzing.

Wesam Hassanein, who most recently served as a special adviser on the Middle East for Vice President JD Vance, just started as a lobbyist at Continental Strategy. That firm is headed by Carlos Trujillo, a former Florida House member and the Ambassador to the Organization of American States during Trump’s first term.

“Continental really, really stood out as family-oriented, a family culture, with an excellent client base,” he told Bloomberg Government. “They are in total lockstep with the administration, working to advance America First policies.”

But seeing a high-ranking member of Vance’s orbit and a native Arabic Speaker at a time when the administration has stepped up Middle East engagement has many wondering whether members of the administration are seeking landing spots on K Street before the Midterms.

Hassanein, though, stressed that he doesn’t have any problems with the administration, including its recent military strikes in Iran.

“I’m not leaving because I oppose the President’s decision on Iran — I’m 100% supportive of President Trump’s decision to deny Iran nuclear weapons,” he said. “We should have done what President Trump is doing years ago.”

On this day

​​March 24, 1989 — “Exxon Valdez oil spill occurs” via the FBI — The massive oil tanker Exxon Valdez ran aground on Bligh Reef in Alaska’s Prince William Sound. The ship was outbound from Port Valdez and carried 53 million gallons of crude oil; an estimated 11 million gallons spilled into the Gulf of Alaska. The harm caused by the spill was extensive. Tens of thousands of animals died, generations of fish and other marine life were compromised, the lives of residents were greatly disrupted, and the ongoing effects of this catastrophe continue today. Cleanup costs were astronomical. The FBI worked closely with other agencies to determine what happened and if criminally negligent behavior was involved.

March 24, 1976 — “George Washington informs Continental Congress about developments in Boston” via the U.S. House History, Art & Archives — Washington wrote a letter to the Continental Congress about conditions in the city of Boston, which British troops had evacuated after a one-year occupation. “As soon as the Town was abandoned by the Enemy,” Washington wrote, “I judged it advisable to secure the several heights les(t) they shou’d attempt to return.” Washington also directed the construction of a battery of cannon to “greatly annoy any Fleet the Enemy may send against the Town.” Washington requested instructions about the disposal of munitions and contraband vessels as well as diplomatic protocols for British Peace Commissioners.

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