JUNO BEACH, Fla.— Governor Ron DeSantis announced updates on Florida’s efforts to restore the Everglades and enhance the supply and quality of the state’s water resources, unveiling key budget recommendations for Fiscal Year 2025-26. The Governor also highlighted Florida’s commitment to work with the incoming Trump Administration to accelerate the completion of critical Everglades restoration projects by garnering authority over the U.S Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in an effort designed to save both time and taxpayer dollars.

“I’m proud to keep advancing these efforts in Everglades restoration and water quality, which will have lasting benefits to our state for years to come,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “I promised to leave Florida better than we found it, and we’re keeping that promise for future generations.”

“Floridians understand the Everglades better than anyone else. We live, work and recreate here, and we are committed to the land that sustains this,” said Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Alexis A. Lambert. “Florida has the experience, urgency and determination to get the job done. We have proven our ability to manage restoration projects efficiently.” Continue reading →

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.— Governor Ron DeSantis announced Florida has surpassed 500,000 students participating in Florida’s school choice scholarship program. Additionally, more than 30,000 students are participating in the New Worlds Scholarship Accounts Program, with an additional 18,000 students utilizing the transportation stipend created by House Bill 1 (2023).

“Florida is the number one state for education because of our commitment to providing every student with the option that works best for them,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “I am proud that we have enabled over 500,000 students to access a high-quality education that fits their individual needs.”

“Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, Florida continues to lead the way in providing the best educational opportunities for every student.,” said Florida Department of Education Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr. “I am proud to see how many Florida families we are helping through school choice programs.”   Continue reading →

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.— Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis established the Hope Florida Office within the Executive Office of the Governor to oversee and administer the growing Hope Florida Pathway to Prosperity Initiative. Established in 2021, Hope Florida is a first-of-its-kind initiative that maximizes support from community partners outside government—predominantly non-profits, faith-based organizations, and private sector business partners. Utilizing a personalized navigation model, Floridians seeking government assistance are provided a Hope Navigator who utilizes those aforementioned entities to meet immediate needs and guide them on a Pathway to economic self-sufficiency. In fact, Hope Florida has already led to more than 30,000 Floridians decreasing or eliminating reliance on public assistance. Estimates show that Hope Florida could save taxpayers nearly $1 billion dollars over the next 10 years. Under the Hope Florida model, government serves as a convener and collaborator between good people who need help and good people, outside of government, who are willing to help. Government is uniquely positioned to make the connection and thus reduce its role in assisting people in need, while also providing preventative navigation that aims to prevent Floridians from reentering or becoming dependent on the “government system.”  Continue reading →

Governor Ron DeSantis announced proposals for Florida’s upcoming Special Legislative Session. The proposed actions will position Florida to quickly carry out President-Elect Donald Trump’s mandate to combat illegal immigration.

“Florida is ready to lead,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “With President Trump taking office, Florida has a unique opportunity to help facilitate the end to America’s immigration crisis.”

Proposed legislation includes:

• Mandate maximum participation in the 287(g) deportation program, with penalties for non-compliance, including suspension of officials;
• Establish a state crime for entering the U.S. illegally and a process for self-deportation;
• Appoint a dedicated officer to oversee coordination with federal authorities and the Unauthorized Alien Transport Program (UATP);
• Expand UATP to detain and facilitate the deportation of illegal aliens from the U.S.;
• Broaden the legal definition of gang-related activities to include more groups of dangerous illegal aliens;
• Repeal in-state college tuition for illegal immigrant students;
• Require voter registration affirmation of U.S. citizenship and Florida residency;
• Increase penalties for unauthorized aliens committing voter fraud or providing false voter registration information;
• Mandate identity verification for foreign remittance transfers; and
• Create a rebuttable presumption that illegal aliens are flight risks and deny bail.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that Florida’s high school graduation rate rose to 89.7 percent during the 2023-2024 school year, an increase of 1.7 percentage points over last year, exceeding the pre-pandemic rate of 86.9% for the 2018-2019 school year. The 2023–2024 high school graduation rate represents the highest rate in Florida history, with the exception of the pandemic school years 2019–20 and 2020–21, in which graduating classes were exempt from statewide, standardized assessment requirements stipulated in state law.

“Florida leads the nation in education because we put education over indoctrination, empower parents, and have made school choice universal,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “This record graduation rate is a prime metric of our success, in addition to our #1-in-the-nation rating.” Continue reading →

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Kat Cammack joined Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE) and Rep. Nathaniel Moran (R-TX)’s legislation, the Family and Small Business Taxpayer Protection Act. The bill would prevent the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) from using the balance of the Biden-Harris administration’s massive, $80 billion infusion of taxpayer dollars to increase audits on middle-class families while preserving funding for customer service and IT modernization at the IRS.

The members released the following statements:

“In their 2022 Inflation Act spending spree, Democrats’ attempted to supersize the IRS with 87,000 new enforcement agents. Since then, TIGTA has reported the IRS has struggled to find new hires, targeted middle-class families with the majority of new audits, and neglected to update its own antiquated technology,” said Rep. Smith. “I have fought hard to successfully reclaim much of these taxpayer funds, and now it is time to finish the job. A broken IRS doesn’t need more taxpayer dollars thrown at the problem. It needs to focus on serving Americans. This bill would hold the IRS accountable while preserving funding to improve IRS taxpayer service and systems.”

“Families and small businesses have suffered enough under burdensome IRS regulations,” said Rep. Moran. “I’m proud to join Congressman Adrian Smith in introducing the Family and Small Business Act. This bill will protect middle-class families from audits they cannot afford and to prevent the IRS from using its massive infusion of taxpayer dollars to harass and squeeze more revenue out of American families and small businesses.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Kat Cammack announced her subcommittee assignments for the Committee on Energy & Commerce.

This Congress, Rep. Cammack will serve on the following subcommittees:

• Subcommittee on Communications and Technology
• Subcommittee on Health
• Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade

The Subcommittee on Health is a new subcommittee assignment during the 119th Congress.

“I’m excited to continue our great work on the Committee on Energy & Commerce this Congress,” said Rep. Cammack. “We accomplished some outstanding policy wins last Congress and I’m looking forward to continue that momentum for the American people and the amazing people of Florida’s Third Congressional District.”

“Energy and Commerce Republicans are ready to hit the ground running, delivering for President Trump’s America First agenda to restore the American Dream,” said Energy & Commerce Chairman Brett Guthrie.

Stay tuned for more announcements about the 119th Congress in the coming weeks.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Yesterday, Congresswoman Kat Cammack re-introduced her resolution to prohibit Members of the House of Representatives from bringing or displaying a flag of a foreign nation on the floor of the House.

The prohibition shall apply to a flag of a foreign nation regardless of the size of the flag. Exceptions include a flag of a foreign nation worn as a lapel pin by a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner, and the depiction of a flag of a foreign nation used as part of an exhibit during a speech or debate under the rules of the House of Representatives. The Sergeant-at-Arms of the House of Representatives is responsible for enforcement of the prohibition.

Following the passage on H.R. 8035 on Saturday, April 20, 2024 during the 118th Congress, lawmakers waved the flag of Ukraine on the floor of the House of Representatives, eliciting frustration from Rep. Cammack and colleagues.

“On the floor of the United States House of Representatives, there should only be one flag on display: ours,” said Rep. Cammack. “We make serious decisions on behalf of the American people and their taxpayer dollars on the House floor. This business should be carried out beneath no other banner than our stars and stripes to remind us of who we represent and why this nation is the greatest in the history of the world. I’m glad to have earned the support of dozens of my colleagues who join me in standing up for the American people and putting our nation before all others.”