Under pressure — visas — AIF — affordability — permanent relief

Keeping up the pressure

South Florida lawmakers gathered to mark the anniversary of the Brothers to the Rescue shootdown over Cuba. But as lawmakers discussed history, developments on the ground in Cuba appeared to be unfolding in real time.

Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart shared a video online of riots and pro-democracy demonstrations once again roiling Havana. Citing intelligence from dissident leader Daniel Ferrer Garcia, the Hialeah Republican suggested there was unwelcome news for the communist regime on the island.

“It’s over,” Díaz-Balart posted.

Rep. Carlos Giménez also signaled confidence that the regime’s days may be numbered. The Miami-Dade Republican has been among those in the delegation seeking a criminal indictment of Raúl Castro, the brother of Cuban revolutionary Fidel Castro and a longtime leader of the regime.

“Demanding the indictment of dictator Raúl Castro alongside my dear friends and colleagues Reps. Mario Díaz-Balart, Maria Elvira Salazar and Sen. Ashley Moody — true patriots who never stop fighting for freedom and justice.”

Salazar recounted the history of the rescue planes being shot down 30 years ago.

“Four Americans were deliberately murdered in international airspace by the Cuban regime. Ordered from the top,” she posted. “It’s time to hold Raúl Castro accountable. For the families. For justice. For a free Cuba.”

Moody, a Plant City Republican, concurred.

“It is essential that we continue putting pressure on the communist regime that ordered this horrific attack on civilians. America is at its best when we stand for liberty and lead through strength,” she said.

Of course, the conversations come as President Donald Trump infers the likelihood of ongoing talks between Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a longtime hard-liner on Cuba and the Castro family.

Díaz-Balart told Spanish-language reporters that he doesn’t think those negotiations include much of a lifeline for the regime to remain in power.

“I can assure with certainty that the negotiations are not aimed at helping the regime stay in power,” Díaz-Balart later posted online.

Giménez concurred, saying few other Secretaries of State bring the same understanding to the issue as the Miami Cuban American.

“Secretary of State Marco Rubio is the most talented diplomat of our time,” Giménez said. “He represents America, he represents our community, and he represents me. If there’s one person we FULLY TRUST for any talks about #Cuba, it’s Marco Rubio!”

Visa crackdown

Sen. Rick Scott doesn’t want anyone from China entering the United States without a visa, and he wants strict limits on who gets one. He said too many have slipped through thanks to policies enacted first under Democratic President Barack Obama.

“Communist China has a track record for exploiting America’s weaknesses to advance its interests and undermine our national security, and the horrific reports of how they have exploited an Obama-era visa program is a prime example,” the Naples Republican said.

Florida’s senior Senator introduced the One Nation, One Visa Policy Act, which would bar Chinese nationals from using channels such as the Guam-Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Visa Waiver Program. Scott last month sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum calling for an end to that program and others because of abuse by individuals affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party.

“This program provided Chinese nationals a visa-free fast-track to U.S. territories, allowing them to establish a backdoor breeding ground to infiltrate our nation,” Scott said.

“My One Nation, One Visa Policy Act makes it crystal clear that no part of the United States, including our territories, will be abused by Communist China. It’s time to shut Communist China’s back door into our nation by eliminating this reckless program and ensuring the full vetting of any Chinese national who wishes to come to our nation.”

Voice of Florida Business

The group often called the Voice of Florida Business is banking on Moody’s election chances.

The Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) announced the group is backing the Republican this cycle. Moody was appointed to the Senate seat by Gov. Ron DeSantis after Rubio was elevated from Senator to Secretary of State.

AIF touts itself as a diversified business advocacy group and seeks to ensure economic liberty.

“AIF is proud to endorse Ashley Moody in her campaign for U.S. Senate,” said AIF President and CEO Brewster Bevis. “Sen. Moody has consistently stood up for Florida families, fought to make our state safer, and worked to ensure our economy continues to thrive. She has shown true leadership since she joined the U.S. Senate, and she is helping Florida remain the best state to live and work.”

Moody said she’s thrilled to get the business organization’s endorsement.

“I’m honored to earn the support of Associated Industries of Florida,” Moody said. “When Florida’s businesses succeed, Florida’s families succeed. That’s why I’ll continue to advocate for policies in the U.S. Senate that promote good, high-paying jobs, lower costs, a strong economy, and keep Florida a safe place where families can build a bright future.”

Honoring heroes

With most lawmakers back in Florida for the week, Rep. Jimmy Patronis took the opportunity to honor first responders in Florida’s Panhandle.

The Fort Walton Republican attended the North Bay Fire District Medal of Valor Ceremony honoring Lieutenant Brett McDaniel and Firefighter Tindell Hart. The two responded to a roof collapse that buried two other firefighters after a roof collapsed in a burning Vinings Way condominium. Both trapped firefighters survived, and all other crew members safely left the scene.

“Lieutenant McDaniel and Firefighter Hart represent the very best of our service, showing courage and leadership, and unwavering dedication,” Patronis said. “When the unthinkable happened, they ran toward danger to save their own. Their actions reflect the highest traditions of the fire service, and our entire community is deeply grateful for their bravery.”

Conservative grades

The conservative Family Research Council issued its report card on the first half of the current Congress, with Florida’s congressional delegation represented only on the far ends of the curve.

Both of Florida’s Senators, Moody and Scott, scored 100% on issues important to the group, as did all 20 Republicans representing the Sunshine State in the House.

“I am honored to receive the One Hundred Percent Award from FRC Action,” said Rep. Dan Webster, a Clermont Republican.

“Ensuring our children’s and grandchildren’s future is built on the same freedoms we cherish requires us to stand firm on protecting our values. I will continue to support policies that protect the sanctity of life, defend religious freedom, and strengthen family values.”

Meanwhile, the eight Democrats serving Florida on the Hill received a 0% grade.

The massive difference in the House may be credited in part to the organization considering votes on just four bills, including the Rescission Act giving Trump power to withhold spending approved by Congress, the One Big Beautiful Bill tax package, a prohibition on transgender women in sports and a born-alive abortion ban. The state delegation broke along party lines on all four issues.

The Senate saw a slightly different set of subjects. While cloture on women’s sports and a born-alive bill were both included, the other two votes were to nix coverage of in vitro care and on killing expanded health care tax credits.

Affordability agenda

The American Federation of Teachers this week held a meeting in Orlando, where leaders stood alongside Rep. Maxwell Frost to tout an affordability agenda.

“Americans getting squeezed from every direction is not Americans’ fault,” said Randi Weingarten, president of the teachers’ union.

“We have to create in the federal government a way that people can actually get to the American dream. But instead, these workers who are doing everything right, they’re working hard, they’re caring for their families, and yet life keeps getting more and more expensive.”

Frost, an Orlando Democrat, noted that affordability has been a focus of his work since his election to Congress in 2022. He has filed legislation to eliminate junk fees and end the use of credit scores in apartment applications.

He noted a recent visit to Washington Shores Elementary, during which he asked the kids what laws they would make.

“One kiddo who raised his hand earlier today, and when I said, ‘What law would you pass?’ And he said, ‘I would make sure my parents could get paid more,’” Frost said. “When you live in a society where you have children who deeply understand those economic problems of their parents, you know that we are in an emergency right now.”

Making permanent relief

Legislation from two members of Florida’s congressional delegation could mean seniors will always retain a Social Security tax deduction.

Pinellas Republican Reps. Gus Bilirakis and Anna Paulina Luna, along with Iowa GOP Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, filed legislation to affix in statute tax relief of up to $6,000 for individuals over age 65 and up to $12,000 for married couples. That deduction was part of the Working Families Tax Cuts Act signed by Trump last year, but that statute calls for it to sunset in 2028.

“As I travel throughout my district and speak with seniors, I hear firsthand how much they appreciate the new $6,000 tax deduction that was recently signed into law. It represents meaningful progress and real relief. However, many retirees living on fixed incomes continue to struggle to make ends meet, and we must do more. Social Security is not a government handout — it is a benefit earned through decades of hard work and payroll contributions,” Bilirakis said.

“Seniors planned their retirements around these benefits, and they deserve to receive every dollar they were promised. Fully eliminating the federal tax on Social Security would strengthen financial stability for retirees, simplify the filing process, and provide lasting peace of mind to millions of older Americans. Our seniors have spent a lifetime contributing to our communities and strengthening our nation. They have earned these benefits, and they should be able to keep them in full. While I’m still pursuing legislation to achieve this goal, the Permanent Tax Relief for Seniors Act will make sure they keep this new $6,000 deduction.”

Syria’s future

The fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad ended 53 years of rule under the Assad family. Rep. Brian Mast said the U.S. must be careful how it navigates the future of the Middle East in the wake of that event.

“The United States of America, the world, and the Syrian people themselves are all hungry for Syria to turn the page from years of Syrian conflict and despot leaders to a country that adds to the region, adds to the world, instead of detracting from it,” Mast said at the start of a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing he chaired.

The Stuart Republican said he hopes a transition in power will mean a country where refugees who fled Assad can return home. But he voiced concern over the direction of the nation under the new President, Ahmed al-Sharaa.

“We’ve already seen too many incidents, in my opinion, too many incidents of security and violence against religious and ethnic minorities. There are a wide range of challenges faced in Syria in order to reach a peaceful, democratic governance,” Mast said.

“I can tell you that I had the opportunity to meet with the Syrian President. We spoke about a number of things. There are ongoing challenges, including the presence of foreign fighters within the security forces, many of them backed by Turkey. We’ve seen the recent actions against the Syrian democratic forces, our long-standing counterterrorism partner and Kurdish ally. That is unacceptable.”

He noted that the U.S. already had to relocate thousands of ISIS fighters in U.S. custody from detention centers in Syria to Iraq. He also voiced alarm that Russia, which long propped up Assad, remains a continual presence in the new regime.

“When I met with President al-Sharaa last November, I asked him very directly, why are he and I no longer enemies, me as a U.S. soldier, him as an al-Qaida fighter,” Mast recalled. “And his response was that he wishes to liberate himself from his past and have a noble pursuit for his people and his country.”

But to date, Mast said he has seen little progress.

Trump airport?

The Florida Legislature voted Thursday to rename the Palm Beach International Airport after Trump, notably days after the sitting President’s family registered a trademark on the likely name of the facility.

Now, Rep. Lois Frankel wants county residents to have the final say on whether the rebrand happens. She suggested the move was both premature and unpopular among those living around the airport.

“It’s misguided and unfair that the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature ignored the voices of Palm Beach County by pushing forward a bill to rename Palm Beach International Airport without giving County residents a real opportunity for input,” the West Palm Beach Democrat said.

“Decisions about naming major infrastructure should wait until after an honoree’s service has concluded — and should include meaningful input from the local residents and communities most directly affected.”

In the last Presidential Election, Democrat Kamala Harris won the county even as Trump won Florida’s electoral votes statewide, but it was a close race. The Democrat received 377,512 votes to the Republican’s 366,836, despite Trump calling the county his official home.

Cop car grant

Díaz-Balart showed up in Hialeah Gardens this week with a check for more than $2 million to cover the cost of new police patrol cars.

The dean of Florida’s congressional delegation, who serves as Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, secured the funding in 2024. It will support the purchase of 30 marked police cars.

“These marked police vehicles will make communities safer, help improve visibility for officers, deter crime, and create greater interactions within the community. This will bolster public safety and ensure our law enforcement officers are ready and able to keep the community safe,” reads a release from the Hialeah Republican’s Office.

The check presentation ceremony included Hialeah Gardens Mayor Yioset De La Cruz, Police Chief Luis Díaz, Deputy Chief Manuel Zardon, and Captains Freddy Caceres and Michael Lopez.

Invest in the West

The budget signed by Trump this month included the IDB Capital Increase Act (HR 6892), a bill sponsored by Salazar that she said will strengthen the U.S. in the Western Hemisphere.

The new law authorizes Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to purchase 25,000 new shares of IDB Invest, the private-sector arm of the Inter-American Development Bank. That will allow more funding for financial development in Latin American and Caribbean nations.

“America benefits from a strong and economically secure Western Hemisphere,” Salazar said. “This investment expands opportunities for U.S. businesses while supporting development and prosperity across Latin America and the Caribbean. When our neighbors grow stronger, so do we.”

On this day

Feb. 20, 1962 — “John Glenn orbits Earth aboard Friendship 7” via NASA — Astronaut Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth during the three-orbit Mercury-Atlas 6 mission, aboard the spacecraft he named. Robert Gilruth announced the selection of Glenn to fly the first orbital mission, with Scott Carpenter as his backup. After a steak-and-egg breakfast, Glenn suited up in Hangar S, a facility leased by Manned Spacecraft’s Cape Operations from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, today’s Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. He boarded a transfer van for the 4-mile, 11-minute trip to Launch Complex 14.

Feb. 20, 1792 — “Postal Service Act regulates Post Office Department” via History.com — President George Washington signed legislation renewing the Post Office as a Cabinet department led by the postmaster general, guaranteeing inexpensive delivery of all newspapers, stipulating the right to privacy and granting Congress the ability to expand the Postal Service to new areas of the nation. William Goddard, a Patriot printer frustrated that the royal postal service was unable to reliably deliver his Pennsylvania Chronicle to its readers or deliver critical news to Goddard, laid out a plan for the constitutional Post before the Continental Congress.

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