FARNBOROUGH, UNITED KINGDOM—Today, on the first day of Florida’s Business Development Leadership Mission to the United Kingdom, Governor DeSantis officially opened the Florida Pavilion at the 2026 Farnborough International Airshow. The Governor also announced that Relativity Space—an aerospace manufacturing company—has committed to expanding its operations on the Space Coast, bringing substantial capital investments and creating thousands of high-skill, high-wage jobs for Floridians. The Governor also presided over the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Space Florida and the UK Space Agency (UKSA) to advance international space collaboration. This new partnership builds on an already strong relationship between the United Kingdom and Florida.

“The Free State of Florida anchors the international space economy,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Today’s announcements at the Farnborough International Airshow reinforce our position as a leader in the international space race by creating pathways for innovation, investment, and opportunity.”

“Relativity Space’s decision to expand their pioneering manufacturing and launch operations to the Space Coast supports Florida’s position as the premier destination for innovative companies,” said Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly. “Florida has fostered a competitive, business-first climate and we are proud to support Florida’s small and emerging aviation and aerospace companies as they showcase the strength and ferocity of Florida’s economy at the 2026 Farnborough International Airshow.” Continue reading →

EDINBURGH, UNITED KINGDOM—Today, as part of the International Business Development Mission to the United Kingdom, Governor Ron DeSantis commemorated the 250th anniversary of Adam Smith’s landmark work, The Wealth of Nations, by presiding over the signing of a Letter of Friendship between Florida International University (FIU) and Heriot-Watt University at Adam Smith’s historic Panmure House in Edinburgh. The agreement establishes a framework for academic cooperation that advances the study of free markets, moral philosophy, and political economy while further strengthening the longstanding relationship between Florida and Scotland.

The partnership builds upon the 2023 Memorandum of Understanding signed by Governor DeSantis and then-U.K. Secretary of State for Business and Trade Kemi Badenoch, which expanded bilateral investment, strengthened commercial relationships, and fostered academic partnerships that continue to promote economic opportunity and innovation on both sides of the Atlantic.

“In the Free State of Florida, we understand that economic freedom is the foundation of prosperity,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Adam Smith was the greatest economic thinker in history, and his timeless principles of free markets, limited government, and individual enterprise remain just as relevant today as they were 250 years ago. I was proud to establish the Adam Smith Center for Economic Freedom at Florida International University to ensure the next generation studies the ideas that have lifted more people out of poverty and created more prosperity than any other economic system. This partnership between FIU and Heriot-Watt University builds on that foundation, strengthens the enduring ties between Florida and Scotland, and prepares students for economic advancement.”  Continue reading →

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM—As part of Florida’s ongoing Business Development Mission to the United Kingdom, Governor DeSantis and Insurance Commissioner Mike Yaworsky participated in a series of meetings with leaders in Britain’s insurance and reinsurance industry—capped off by joining Lady Mayor Dame Susan Langley for a fireside chat to discuss insurance and reinsurance. These discussions build on the successful and productive partnership established between the U.K. and Florida during the Governor’s April 2023 visit—further bolstered by the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding in November 2023 to increase bilateral investment, strengthen business ties, and grow academic partnerships while ensuring economic opportunities that promote resilience and increase opportunity for innovative industries.

“Florida represents the 7th largest insurance market in the world,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “We had great discussions furthering the UK-Florida partnership established in 2023. This partnership has informed Florida’s game-changing industry reforms—supporting Florida’s insurance market and highlighting the importance of continued collaboration between Florida and the United Kingdom.”  Continue reading →

H.Res. 500 would require criminal background checks for House employees and public disclosure of foreign government payments, contracts, and citizenship.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Kat Cammack (FL-03) today called on the House to immediately bring H.Res. 500 to the floor for a vote. The resolution would strengthen security standards for congressional staff by requiring criminal background checks and public disclosure of foreign government payments, contracts, and citizenship.

The renewed push comes as congressional staff security has drawn renewed public attention, underscoring the need for stronger vetting and transparency standards in the House of Representatives.

“Congressional staff handle Americans’ most sensitive personal information every day, from Social Security numbers on casework files to veterans’ records,” said Congresswoman Cammack. “Americans are shocked when they learn that those staffers face no required background check. Federal employees across the executive branch are vetted before they ever get a badge. Not here. That should concern every member of Congress, regardless of party.” Continue reading →

Updated standard will allow processors to use more Florida-grown oranges and reduce reliance on imported juice.

LAKELAND, Fla. — Congresswoman Kat Cammack (FL-03) today welcomed the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s final rule modernizing the federal Standard of Identity for pasteurized orange juice during an announcement with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Acting FDA Commissioner Kyle Diamantas, Senator Ashley Moody, and Congresswoman Laurel Lee (FL-15).

The updated standard lowers the minimum Brix level from 10.5 to 10 degrees, allowing processors to produce 100 percent orange juice using more of the fruit Florida actually grows, in response to a 2022 petition from Florida Citrus Mutual and the Florida Citrus Processors Association. Citrus greening and repeated hurricanes have lowered the natural sugar content of Florida oranges, and the previous standard forced processors to blend in imported juice to meet a threshold today’s Florida crop could not reliably reach. FDA estimates the rule will save manufacturers more than $50 million annually.

“For years, Congressman Scott Franklin and I have been working alongside Florida’s citrus growers because they kept telling us the same thing: Washington’s rules no longer matched the reality in Florida’s groves. Citrus greening, hurricanes, and freezes changed the fruit, but the federal standard never changed with it. We introduced legislation, worked directly with FDA, and kept pushing until Washington finally listened,” said Congresswoman Kat Cammack. “I’m grateful to Secretary Kennedy and Acting Commissioner Diamantas for delivering a commonsense, science-based solution. Now, more Florida oranges can go into Florida orange juice, helping strengthen one of our state’s signature industries and ensuring this proud Florida tradition can continue for generations to come.” Continue reading →

OCALA, Fla. — Congresswoman Kat Cammack (FL-03) joined area fire and law enforcement leaders at Marion County Fire Rescue Station 28 today to champion the Answering the Call Act of 2026 (H.R. 8637), her legislation to strengthen mental health support for first responders through the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

“First responders see the worst of the worst, day in and day out, and it takes a toll. This bill creates a resource dedicated solely to them, with counselors trained to understand exactly what they are going through,” said Rep. Cammack. “They answer the call every single time, and it is high time we answer the call in return.”

The Answering the Call Act directs dedicated outreach and support to first responders through the 988 Lifeline. It funds specialized training for the counselors who answer those calls so they understand what first responders face, provides grants for states and departments to raise awareness of the resource, and keeps access completely anonymous so no one fears retaliation or judgment for reaching out. The bill covers firefighters, law enforcement, corrections officers, dispatchers, and EMS personnel.

Research has found that police officers and firefighters are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty, and the crisis has hit Marion County directly. Continue reading →

Congresswoman Kat Cammack (FL-03) today welcomed the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s final rule modernizing the federal Standard of Identity for pasteurized orange juice during an announcement with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Acting FDA Commissioner Kyle Diamantas,  Senator Ashley Moody, and Congresswoman Laurel Lee (FL-15).

The updated standard lowers the minimum Brix level from 10.5 to 10 degrees, allowing processors to produce 100 percent orange juice using more of the fruit Florida actually grows, in response to a 2022 petition from Florida Citrus Mutual and the Florida Citrus Processors Association. Citrus greening and repeated hurricanes have lowered the natural sugar content of Florida oranges, and the previous standard forced processors to blend in imported juice to meet a threshold today’s Florida crop could not reliably reach. FDA estimates the rule will save manufacturers more than $50 million annually.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that a Collier County jury has convicted Chandler Christian Jones, 30, of Naples on dozens of felony counts, including multiple counts of possession of child sexual abuse materials (CSAM), soliciting a child or person believed to be a child for unlawful sexual conduct using computer services or devices, and transmission of child pornography by electronic device or equipment.

“Snap continues to fight us in court over their dangerous app while we keep arresting and prosecuting predators who use Snapchat to trade in vile material,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “I want to thank the proactive policing by FDLE and Deputy Statewide Prosecutor Julie Chaikin and Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Agnieszka Thomas who built this strong case and secured justice. It’s past time for Snap to fix its dangerous app, protect kids, and pay for these unconscionable harms!”

In 2022, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement was assigned multiple NCMEC cybertips from the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) South Task Force. The tips involved uploads of child sexual abuse material to Kik Messenger and Snapchat applications from IP addresses traced to Jones’ residence and accounts linked to him. Continue reading →