Dancing the Waltz

Speculation is swirling this week around the future of the most recent Representative of Florida’s 6th Congressional District and who may replace him.

National Security Adviser Michael Waltz remained in the spotlight days after the public release of a Signal group chat he built about an impending strike on the Houthis. In a Fox News interview, the former Florida Congressman said he took responsibility for Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, to be inadvertently included in the private conversation.

“My job is to make sure everything is coordinated,” Waltz said.

Host Laura Ingraham pressed Waltz on why Goldberg’s number was even included, especially as the journalist has been highly critical of President Donald Trump.

“Of course, I didn’t see this loser in the group,” Waltz said of Goldberg. “It looked like someone else. Now, whether he did it deliberately or it happened in some other technical means, is something we’re trying to figure out.”

While insisting he’s not a “conspiracy guy,” Waltz asserted that the magazine journalist may have intentionally found a way to have his information covertly included in a contact list identified as someone else Waltz wanted in the chat but would not publicly name. Waltz also said he has asked X owner Elon Musk to investigate that.

Those accusations and direct assertions that the chat didn’t include “war plans” as Goldberg first reported prompted The Atlantic to release an unredacted transcript of nearly the entire Signal conversation. The chat showed specifics on the exact moment the U.S. planned to strike Houthi targets.

Meanwhile, POLITICO reported that Trump has privately voiced concern within the White House about why Waltz had Goldberg’s number. While Waltz said he did not know Goldberg, photos emerged showing Waltz at an event the journalist once moderated. Shortly after, public information from Waltz’s Venmo account showed his extensive personal contacts list, which includes numerous national journalists from outlets across the political spectrum, as reported by The American Prospect.

As questions linger about Waltz’s future, speculation has also grown about the future of his former congressional seat. As Democrats nationwide chomp for a political fight, millions of dollars have flowed into coffers for candidates running in two Florida Special Elections for seats in Congress, including the one Waltz left behind when he took his White House job.

Waltz and Trump both won in CD 6 by more than 30 percentage points in November, meaning Republicans should hold an edge. However, a Florida Politics-commissioned poll this week showed Republican Randy Fine polling just a few points ahead of Democrat Josh Weil, within the survey’s margin of error. Moreover, GZero and Axios reported that a Republican polling firm frequently used by Trump, Fabrizio Ward, internally shared polling with Weil in the lead.

While Democratic and Republican consultants privately identified Fine as the favorite to win that race, the polling appeared to have prompted the White House to withdraw the nomination of Rep. Elise Stefanik, a New York Republican, as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. House Republicans enjoy a slim 218-213 majority over Democrats. Stefanik’s district, while Republican-leaning, isn’t nearly as red as CD 6, and the poll raised the specter of Republicans losing at least that seat, if not CD 6 as well.

Days out from the April 1 election in Florida, the sudden potential exists that a Democrat could replace Waltz in a seat he vacated for a White House post where his future appears far from certain.

Anchors aweigh

During his hearing as Chair of the Senate Armed Services Seapower Subcommittee, Sen. Rick Scott said he wants the Navy focused on lethality and readiness.

The Naples Republican, a Navy veteran, focused much of his remarks on the shipbuilding process.

“In the last five years, 41 ships were delivered to the Navy. Of those 41 ships, only four were delivered on time and on budget — that’s 9.7%,” Scott said. “I’ve run businesses, small and large, my entire life. In no business would you consider a less than 10% success rate to be acceptable. You would make improvements, innovate and figure out how to deliver on the mission. Or you’d go bankrupt.”

He suggested a lapse in timely building occurred in the last four years when Democratic President Joe Biden occupied the White House. He said Trump’s return brings a renewed focus on military strength. Scott added that China’s ability to construct ships rapidly makes the U.S. work on the seas urgent.

Indeed, he said the U.S. hasn’t kept pace with rivals since the late President Ronald Reagan held office in the 1980s.

“Our surface combatant fleet is growing old, with the average age of our ships exceeding 20 years,” Scott said. “Meanwhile, programs intended to modernize our force have completely failed — the cruiser replacement program, the Littoral Combat Ship, the Zumwalt-class destroyers. … This failure to modernize forced us to restart production of older DDG-51 Arleigh Burke-class ships as a temporary fix, even though these ships were already in desperate need of innovation to begin with.”

Scott stressed the urgency of Naval leaders turning the ship around.

“We’re past the time for gradual changes. We need to take immediate, bold and transformative action to change how the Navy acquires ships and the entire design and building process,” he said.

“If we don’t, we will continue falling behind our adversaries. The stakes could not possibly be higher. Communist China has chosen to be our enemy, and it’s our job to ensure the United States Navy has the tools and ships it needs to be ready for whatever may come.”

Foreign exchange

As the deportation of student protesters from abroad continues to make headlines, Sen. Ashley Moody said it’s time for the U.S. to reduce the number of student visas issued each year.

Specifically, the Plant City Republican wants a limit on the number of Chinese nationals earning an education in America while, at times, bringing research and stolen intellectual property home.

“For decades, the failed post-Cold War consensus assumed China would democratize and liberalize if we welcomed them into our markets, media and universities,” Moody said. “Instead, the Chinese Communist Party took advantage of Americans’ goodwill and subversively exported agents to our shores to spy, oppress dissidents and enemies of the state, and steal publicly funded research and intellectual property to the tune of billions of dollars.”

She pointed to allegations that the Chinese government required students to share knowledge obtained in American universities with state-controlled entities in China. A release from her office noted a trend since 2015 of students who end up prosecuted for conspiring to steal trade secrets from American companies — sometimes in cooperation with Chinese academic institutes — or even illegally spying on national security targets in the U.S.

That includes a 2019 incident where a doctoral student in St. Louis pleaded guilty to illegally photographing sensitive military facilities at Naval Air Station Key West.

Moody introduced the Stop Chinese Communist Prying by Vindicating Intellectual Safeguards in Academia (Stop CCP VISAs) Act, which would halt the issuance of student visas to Chinese nationals.

“Now, by law, nationals of the PRC (People’s Republic of China) are forced to engage in intelligence gathering and espionage, and those who refuse face retaliation and persecution against themselves and family members,” Moody said. “It is unfortunate that the CCP’s draconian national security law requires us to take such drastic measures, but the risk of allowing this to continue unabated is too great to ignore.”

Girl power

While Democrats have long staked a claim on “women’s issues” in American politics, Rep. Kat Cammack led a growing number of GOP women in Congress in launching the Republican Women’s Caucus (RWC).

At a White House event, the Gainesville Republican and Alabama Republican Sen. Katie Britt announced the new caucus.

“I’m excited to launch the Republican Women’s Caucus at the White House with President Trump during Women’s History Month,” Cammack said.

“President Trump made historic gains with women voters in 2024 due to the President’s recognition that women are not focused on just a few policies. American issues are women’s issues, and this caucus launch solidifies President Trump and Republicans’ commitment to all Americans that we are focused on the very issues that impact everyday Americans from all walks of life.”

Notably, Cammack previously served as co-Chair of the Bipartisan Women’s Caucus. As her time in that body ended, she voiced excitement at the overall growth of female membership.

“When I was born during the 100th Congress in 1988, there were only 24 women serving in the House and two in the Senate on both sides of the aisle,” the RWC Caucus Chair said. “We have come a long way in the time since with 42 Republicans in the House and Senate during the 119th Congress. Thanks to the incredible work my conservative colleagues have done to represent their constituencies and fight for our nation, our influence only continues to grow. I look forward to making our organization a formidable force going forward.”

Ending a birthright

Rep. Cory Mills will spearhead the fight to end birthright citizenship in the U.S. The New Smyrna Beach Republican just filed the Prohibiting Automatic Rights to Enter National Territory (PARENT) Act, which said citizenship would only automatically be bestowed on children born in the U.S. if at least one parent was already a citizen or lawful permanent resident.

“For decades, criminal migrants have exploited loopholes in our immigration system, undermining our nation’s sovereignty, straining taxpayer resources, and ignoring the rule of law,” Mills said.

“By amending the Immigration and Nationality Act, the PARENT Act seeks to end the abuse and reaffirm the principles of American citizenship and our Constitutional Republic. Building on President Trump’s efforts to protect American sovereignty, this bill ensures birthright citizenship is reserved for those with a legal right to be here. It’s past time to restore integrity to our laws and put American citizens first.”

Trump issued an executive order on birthright citizenship at the start of his term, but a federal court blocked its enforcement last month.

Disasters in bloom

Florida lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are fighting for federal assistance because of the threat of harmful algal blooms.

Reps. Vern Buchanan, a Longboat Key Republican, and Darren Soto, a Kissimmee Democrat, filed the Protecting Local Communities from Harmful Algal Blooms Act, which would qualify blooms as a natural disaster.

“On Florida’s Suncoast, we rely on clean water and white sandy beaches to support our economy and our way of life,” said Buchanan, the GOP co-Chair of the Florida congressional delegation.

“Red tide has wreaked havoc on marine life, our coastal waters and the many businesses that rely on Florida’s tourism-based economy. This bill is crucial to protect our economy and environment for generations to come. We must take immediate action to combat red tide and other harmful algal blooms.”

Soto represents an inland district where waterways have suffered from blue-green algae.

“Florida’s waterways are the backbone of our environment, economy, and way of life — but harmful algal blooms threaten their health and our communities,” Soto said. “This legislation will provide critical resources to combat these outbreaks, protect public health, and support our local economies that rely on clean water. By reintroducing this bill, we’re taking a stand for Florida’s environment and the livelihoods that depend on it.”

Effective lawmaking

The Center for Effective Lawmaking in Virginia has once again ranked Rep. Gus Bilirakis, a Palm Harbor Republican, as the Florida lawmaker most capable of passing policy.

The center pegged him as the 31st-most effective Representative in the House and the 29th-most effective Republican. It also put him on the Exceeding Legislative Expectations List.

“My constituents send me to Washington to get things done on their behalf, and that is my primary focus as I work to better our community and the lives of those I serve. Achieving that goal requires ongoing relationship-building with all stakeholders,” Bilirakis said.

“While I am never willing to compromise my principles, I do believe in working together to find common ground. I’m a big believer in President (Ronald) Reagan’s philosophy that great things can be accomplished if you aren’t worried about who gets the credit. I will continue this approach as I work to address the serious challenges facing our nation.”

Of note, Waltz, based on policies passed in the last Congress, would have scored slightly higher than Bilirakis. But he no longer serves in the House.

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a Weston Democrat, was the most effective Floridian from the minority caucus, where she was scored as the 23rd-most effective House Democrat.

Babyproofing the environment

Many observers expect the Department of Government Efficiency to dismantle the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), but Rep. Kathy Castor wants Congress to save its vital functions.

The Tampa Democrat co-introduced legislation that would codify the Office of Children’s Health Protection, the EPA department responsible for rulemaking, policy, enforcement actions, research and applications of science that focus on prenatal and childhood vulnerabilities.

“The physical and mental health of children in America is paramount. Children face greater health risks from dirty air and water pollution and are at greater risk of developing chronic health conditions like asthma and diabetes,” Castor said.

“Young people also are vulnerable to stress and trauma from extreme events and climate-related disasters. This bill will ensure that the EPA’s critical work to protect children’s environmental health continues with strong congressional support.”

She filed the bill with Democratic Reps. Jerrold Nadler of New York and John Garamendi of California.

The legislation would also make the EPA Children’s Health Protection Advisory Committee a permanent advisory committee, advising agency leadership on regulations, research and communications related to children’s health.

Blue economy

Water has long been a critical political priority for Florida politicians. Now, Rep. Scott Franklin hopes to sell the economic value of the waterways in Congress.

The Lakeland Republican chaired a Science, Space, and Technology Environment Subcommittee hearing on “Examining Blue Economy Priorities.”

“In my home state of Florida, we know that the health of our economy is directly connected to the strength of our waterways and ports,” Franklin said.

“The innovations we’re discussing here today will result in a thriving Blue Economy, which benefits all Americans. Floridians are no strangers to the direct impact of weather and climate patterns. There are other indirect impacts, such as energy, production, international trade routes that ship our exports, as well as recreation and tourism opportunities that are part of the daily life in Florida.”

The meeting marked the first hearing since Franklin assumed leadership of the subcommittee. He noted that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has set goals for coastal exploration that require growing private sector interest in waterways.

“For years, NOAA has set ambitious goals mapping and surveying the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone, the EEZ. It’s the largest in the world, spanning over 13,000 miles of coastline and containing 3.4 million square nautical miles of ocean — larger than the combined land of all 50 states,” he said.

“NOAA cannot meet these mapping goals all on its own, and private-public partnerships are key to getting this done by the target goal of 2030. Furthermore, a robust private sector contributing all types of technologies and techniques is critical to our advancement in all things related to ocean science.”

Colombian caucus

According to the Migration Policy Institute, about a third of Colombians living in the U.S. call Florida home. Now, a Florida lawmaker is co-chairing a caucus focused on relations with the South American nation.

Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart, a Hialeah Republican, just relaunched the Colombia Caucus with Rep. Henry Cuellar, a Texas Democrat. The group immediately met with members of the Congress of the Republic of Colombia, including Sen. Efrain Cepeda, President of the Colombian Congress.

“As co-Chairs, we have worked to strengthen this alliance, which has greatly benefited both countries,” Díaz-Balart posted on X. “We look forward to continuing to combat narco-terrorism and further the security interests of the United States and Colombia, as well as working with the people of Colombia and their Congress to advance common goals of stability, prosperity, and democratic governance.”

Human-rights champion

Cuban rights activist Rosa María Payá Acevedo was named to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. Secretary of State Marco Rubio appointed the Miami resident to the post, a move that drew praise from lawmakers in South Florida.

“There is no one better than Rosa María Payá to represent the United States on the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights,” said Rep. Carlos Giménez. “Rosa María is a tireless champion for freedom and democracy, an incredible leader of our Cuban exile community, and a dear friend. She has fought for human rights throughout the world and now she will do so as a representative of the United States. We are all so proud of you.”

The founder of Cuba Decide, an advocacy group promoting democracy in communist Cuba, she worked for years as a human-rights activist. The Havana native follows in the footsteps of her father, Oswaldo Payá Sardiñas, the founder of the Christian Liberation Movement in Cuba, who died in a car crash in 2012 on the island.

Notably, Rubio and Payá have frequently worked together advocating for Cuban citizens, including during Rubio’s tenure as Senator.

On this day

March 28, 1979 — “Three Mile Island accident occurs” via the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission — The Three Mile Island Unit 2 reactor, near Middletown, Pennsylvania, partially melted down in the most serious accident in U.S. commercial nuclear power plant operating history, although its small radioactive releases had no detectable health effects on plant workers or the public. Its aftermath brought about sweeping changes involving emergency response planning, reactor operator training, human factors engineering, radiation protection, and many other areas of nuclear power plant operations. It also caused the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to tighten and heighten its regulatory oversight. A combination of equipment malfunctions, design-related problems and worker errors led to TMI-2’s partial meltdown.

March 28, 1990 — “George H.W. Bush hails ‘hero’ Jesse Owens” via the Los Angeles Times — The late Owens, whose performance at the 1936 Olympics put the lie to Adolf Hitler’s boasts of racial superiority, picked up a fifth gold medal for “humanitarian contributions in the race of life.” President Bush presented the Congressional Gold Medal to his widow, Ruth Owens, in a ceremony at the White House that three daughters and teammates of the track legend attended. Bush called Owens, who was Black, an “Olympic hero and an American hero every day of his life … born with the gift of burning speed.”

Happy birthday

Best wishes to Rep. Laurel Lee, who turned 51 on Wednesday, March 26.

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

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