TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—On National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, Attorney General Ashley Moody is announcing the addition of Tampa General Hospital to the 100 Percent Club. Attorney General Moody’s 100 Percent Club recognizes businesses who train employees to spot and report human trafficking. Tampa General Hospital is the first hospital to join the club. Studies have found that more than 88% of human trafficking victims come into contact with the health care system while being trafficked. Now, medical staff at TGH is trained and equipped to spot and report signs of trafficking.

TGH’s Clinical Education Department will also be placing informational signage around the hospital so visitors and trafficking victims in need of medical care know how to seek help. Continue reading →

Dear Neighbor,
This week began the first legislative week of the second session of the 118th Congress and it’s already off to a roaring start.
On Capitol Hill Wednesday, Hunter Biden crashed a congressional hearing to garner media attention and distract the American people from the truth about his shady business dealings. While his appearance was brief, we made it clear that the Biden family won’t distract the American people from the transparency they deserve. The Committees on the Judiciary, Oversight, and Ways & Means will continue their contempt of Congress proceedings against Hunter Biden. Continue reading →

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis awarded $5 million through the Pathways to Career Opportunities Grow Your Own Teacher Grant to expand opportunities for teacher apprenticeships in Florida. This program strengthens the state’s teacher pipeline by creating a no-cost apprenticeship pathway to the teaching profession, and will help more than 200 teachers per year become credentialed.

“Florida is proud to offer a hands-on teacher apprenticeship program that prioritizes classroom experience over university-based learning,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “As the national leader in education, we will continue to support our teachers and make sure we have high-quality educators at every school in the state.”

“Governor DeSantis continues to prioritize Florida’s education system through innovative initiatives like the Pathways to Career Opportunities Grow Your Own Teacher Grant,” said Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr. “This funding will allow more aspiring educators to enter into a teaching career while alleviating teacher shortages.”  Continue reading →

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis awarded more than $6.5 million through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund (JGGF) to support key infrastructure improvements that will help bridge supply chain gaps and increase access to industrial sites. The JGGF awards will help expand business opportunities and create more than 2,900 new high-wage jobs and facilitate the growth of Florida’s aerospace, defense and manufacturing sectors.

“These infrastructure investments will support local economies and create nearly 3,000 new jobs,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “In Florida, we are focused on making investments in competitive industries like manufacturing, which will continue to pave the way for a strong, resilient economy that generates business growth.”

“Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, key investments like today’s awards to Ormond Beach, Marion County and Haines City focus on Florida’s future by providing site-ready infrastructure to their communities,” said Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly. “As people and businesses continue to move to Florida, investments in public infrastructure cement good, high-paying job opportunities and make it possible for businesses to relocate and expand.”  Continue reading →

Governor Ron DeSantis announced more than $24 million in awards to sixteen rural communities through the Rural Infrastructure Fund (RIF) program. Today’s announcement includes five awards for communities impacted by Hurricane Michael. These funds support community economic development projects that will strengthen public infrastructure and expand job opportunities for employers and families in rural communities.

Additionally, the Governor announced $5 million in available RIF funding for Hurricane Idalia impacted communities. Applications will be accepted through Monday, February 5, 2024 by 5pm., Eastern Time.

“We are committed to providing Florida’s rural communities with the resources they need to support long-term economic growth,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “These investments will improve infrastructure, attract new businesses and accelerate Florida’s unprecedented growth.”  Continue reading →

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Rep. Kat Cammack led a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel about the adoption of a new Report and Order in the Data Breach Reporting Requirements proceeding that includes rules that would violate the Congressional Review Act (CRA).

The Congressional Review Act exists as part of Congress’s Article I authority to exercise oversight of federal agencies. If Congress passes a Resolution of Disapproval about a rule, the new rule does not take effect and may not be reissued substantially in the same form in a future rule.

The letter states: “These rules are substantially the same as those Congress disapproved of in the Protecting the Privacy of Customers of Broadband and Other Telecommunications Services proceeding (2016 Privacy Order) in 2017. Therefore, it would be unlawful for the FCC to adopt these new rules.” Continue reading →

WASHINGTON, D.C. —  The Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation (BHOF) is pleased to announce that Rep. Kat Cammack (R-FL) has been selected to receive the 2023 Congressional Bone Health Champion Award. The national award annually recognizes four Members of Congress who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, advocacy, and commitment to protect and improve the bone health of Americans. BHOF, the leading health organization dedicated to preventing osteoporosis and promoting strong bones for life, presents the awards to highlight the importance of bone health and raise awareness about the osteoporosis crisis in the U.S. The other 2023 winners are Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY), Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Rep. Susie Lee (D-NV).

Rep. Cammack is co-chair of the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues and a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee which has jurisdiction over Medicare and other key health programs. Rep. Cammack joined with the Caucus and the Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation in sponsoring a congressional briefing on women’s bone health throughout the lifetime. This briefing provided a great opportunity to raise awareness about osteoporosis and promote action to improve the bone health of all Americans. In Florida, with its large senior population, 144,000 Medicare beneficiaries suffered over 172,500 fractures tied to osteoporosis in 2016.  Continue reading →

GAINESVILLE, FL — Today, Congresswoman Kat Cammack announced Kartikeya Rajderkar of Gainesville as a Congressional Award Silver Medal recipient.

Rajderkar, a local Eagle Scout and Eastside High School student, is one of 3,797 young people to receive the award this year and the only from Florida’s Third Congressional District.

The Congressional Award provides opportunities for young people to unleash their potential by achieving personal goals focused on volunteerism, character development, and fitness. Established in 1979 by the United States Congress, the Congressional Award is the United States Congress’ award for young Americans, and is non-partisan, voluntary, and non-competitive. The program is open to all youth in the U.S. between the ages of 14 and 24 regardless of ability, circumstance, or economic status.

“Congratulations to Mr. Rajderkar on his impressive accomplishment,” said Congresswoman Kat Cammack. “The participants of the Congressional Award make real differences in our communities and Kartikeya truly represents the very best of young students nationwide. His dedication to earn the rank of Eagle Scout while participating in a variety of service projects throughout the community is admirable, and I’m excited to present him with this honor.”  Continue reading →

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—On National App Day, Attorney General Ashley Moody is encouraging parents and guardians to protect children online by monitoring a child’s activities on mobile phones and implementing parental control measures. According to research, 95% of teenagers have a smartphone and 43% of children ages 8 to 12 also have a smartphone. Online predators and traffickers lurk on mobile apps and social media to target children. Attorney General Moody is offering online safety tips for parents to protect children from digital drug dealers, sexual predators and human traffickers.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “On National App Day, I’m urging parents to pay attention to what children are doing on their phones. There are many apps out there, and while some may be helpful, it is important to know there are dangers lurking in cyberspace—from digital drug dealers to online predators and traffickers. Please, be aware of what your children are looking at online and who they are talking to and use parental controls to keep them safe.” Continue reading →