Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Kat Cammack (FL-03) released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA):

“This year’s NDAA not only strengthens our national defense—it delivers real solutions to the challenges Americans face at home and abroad. By securing our supply chains, boosting cybersecurity, advancing cutting-edge research at universities, and cracking down on fentanyl trafficking, we’re giving our service members the tools they need while protecting our communities,” said Congresswoman Cammack. “I’m proud that nine of my amendments were included in this year’s bill, and I remain committed to ensuring America stays strong, secure, and ready to meet any challenge.”  Continue reading →

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Today, Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that the Office of Statewide Prosecution has charged six defendants with engaging in a multi-year scheme to commit large-scale theft and identity fraud across at least five counties in Florida.

“The broader issue at hand here is that repeat offenders pose a major threat to the safety of our communities,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “Too often, these criminals are arrested, released, and given another chance to prey on innocent people. In Florida, we don’t just arrest criminals—we keep them behind bars where they belong.”

“The Office of Statewide Prosecution will deploy every tool to dismantle criminal networks made up of career fraudsters and thieves that prey on hardworking Floridians,” said Statewide Prosecutor Brad McVay.  “The Office will pursue hefty and enhanced charges to ensure individuals convicted of operating as part of one of these organized crime rings are kept behind bars for a very long time, where they can no longer victimize Floridians.”  Continue reading →

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that 230 suspects will be charged for involvement in illegal acts related to soliciting prostitutes, offering to commit prostitution, or transporting prostitutes. During this investigation, twelve possible human trafficking victims were identified and immediately offered support.

“Human traffickers are vile predators who exploit the vulnerable, and once again, a disproportionate number of those arrested in this sting were illegal aliens,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “Here in Florida, we will not give these traffickers the opportunity to destroy more lives.”

“The online prostitution industry enables and empowers human traffickers, allowing them to profit off the people they exploit,” said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. “Our goal is to identify victims, offer them help, and arrest those who are fueling the exploitation of human beings (Johns) and those profiting from the exploitation of human beings. Prostitution is not a victimless crime – it results in human exploitation, misery, disease, dysfunction, drug and alcohol addiction, violence, and broken families.” Continue reading →

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General James Uthmeier’s Office of Statewide Prosecution is charging Luke Sedlock, Green Cove Springs, with three felony counts of possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) as well as three felony counts of unlawful use of a two-way communication device.

“Over and over again, our office is prosecuting predators who are using Snapchat to trade disgusting content and victimize children. Protecting our kids is my utmost priority,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “Our statewide prosecutors will ensure that this predator is held accountable for his abhorrent behavior.”

The investigation was launched by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement in August 2025 based on tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. On Thursday, September 11, the Green Cove Springs Police Department executed a search warrant at Sedlock’s residence. Investigators located his electronic devices, which contained both sexual abuse material involving young children and animals.

Sedlock is currently being held in the Clay County Jail on a $600,000 bond; he is not permitted to have access to devices with internet capabilities or contact with any person under the age of 18.

ORLANDO, Fla.— Attorney General Uthmeier joined Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas at Valencia College to announce the launch of new tool for citizens to help identify and combat politically-motivated violence.

The secure online portal allows the public to submit screenshots, videos, and other evidence of threats of violent extremism directly to Attorney General Uthmeier’s Office of Statewide Prosecution. Submissions may be anonymous. Prosecutors will review each report and, where appropriate, prosecute those responsible for the threat. This portal is not intended for emergencies. Citizens facing an immediate threat should call 911.

“The idea of someone being assassinated for peacefully opposing such radical ideals is vile and anti-American,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “Threats of political violence will not be tolerated in Florida. That is why today we are launching a new tool, simply named the Combat Violent Extremism Portal, to report acts or threats of political violence.” Continue reading →

Many people lay claim to the belief that taxes need to be progressive, not regressive, since those who make less are generally considered less able to pay taxes. So is the FAIRtax actually a more progressive tax system than the current income tax system?

Let’s take the example of a family of four who earns and spends $58,000 a year with no savings and no purchases of any used items. After their $9,729 prebate, they will pay a net $3,611 in FAIRtax. That’s a rate of 6.2%. That’s less than they would pay in payroll taxes alone under the current system. The current payroll tax is 7.65% and is applied to every dollar earned. In addition, part of this family’s income would be taxed at 12% with the remainder falling into the 22% bracket.

The FAIRtax un-taxes basic necessities through the prebate and removes the payroll tax which is the most regressive element of our current system. This allows workers to keep their paycheck without any federal income tax while causing real wages to rise. When purchasing new items under the FAIRtax, workers will be using pre-taxed (not post-taxed) dollars. Continue reading →

“This week, a first-of-its-kind immigration enforcement operation started in Florida’s Panhandle, led by the Florida Highway Patrol in coordination with federal partners,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. ”The Panhandle Immigration Enforcement Operation has apprehended hundreds of illegal aliens—including fugitives with criminal records and repeat unlawful border crossers. Florida continues to deliver on the mandate to secure our interior and protect our citizens from the threat of illegal immigration.”

Panhandle Immigration Enforcement Operation early highlights include:

• 45 FHP troopers and 20 federal personnel carrying out enforcement across Escambia, Santa Rosa, Walton, Okaloosa, Holmes, Bay, Washington, and Jackson counties.
• Nearly 200 illegal aliens apprehended.
• 37 illegal aliens arrested who previously received final orders of removal and failed to appear in court.
• Eight illegal aliens apprehended who had been deported and illegally reentered the United States—one of which had been deported four times. These individuals will be federally charged.

Continue reading →

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.— Governor Ron DeSantis presented five iconic Floridians with a posthumous award of the Governor’s Medal of Freedom, one of the highest honors in the state of Florida. These Floridians—Daniel Robert “Bob” Graham, Kenneth Hood “Buddy” MacKay Jr., James “Jimmy” Buffett, Lincoln Diaz-Balart, and John Thrasher—exemplified what it means to be a great Floridian and left a lasting impact on their communities and the state of Florida.

“I’m proud to recognize the legacies of these great Floridians,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Our state is better for their contributions, and we’re proud they called Florida home. They have each earned the honor of being awarded the Governor’s Medal of Freedom.”

The Governor’s Medal of Freedom is awarded to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the state of Florida and its citizens, and today’s recipients have done that.  Continue reading →

LAKE WORTH, Fla.— Governor Ron DeSantis announced his support for an update to the 2020 Decennial Census, which could potentially yield additional congressional seats for Florida. Governor DeSantis was joined by Attorney General Uthmeier, who has been a leading voice in the fight for a corrected census and proper reapportionment to ensure that Floridians have the representation they deserve in Congress.

“Even the Biden administration acknowledged that Florida got shortchanged in the reapportionment stemming from the last census,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “My office is working with Attorney General Uthmeier in our mission to secure Floridians’ due representation in Congress and to fix mistakes that have been identified in the aftermath of the 2020 Census. Continue reading →

ARCADIA, Fla.—  Governor Ron DeSantis announced more than $38 million in awards to 19 small and rural Florida communities through the Florida

Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. These strategic investments will fund public infrastructure improvements, neighborhood revitalization, housing rehabilitation, and commercial revitalization projects that strengthen communities across the state.

“Our state’s small and rural cities drive key industries, support Florida families, and keep our economy moving,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Today in Arcadia, I was proud to announce a new round of strategic investments through this program. These funds will support neighborhood revitalization, housing rehabilitation, and infrastructure development in 19 communities throughout Florida.”  Continue reading →