WASHINGTON, D.C. —  Rep. Kat Cammack (R-FL-03) joined U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, and White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett to announce the creation of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Office of Seafood.

The newly established office will strengthen the domestic seafood industry, support American fishermen and aquaculture producers, and expand access to markets—ensuring American seafood remains competitive at home and abroad.
Florida’s aquaculture sector supports thousands of jobs and plays a vital role in rural and coastal economies, particularly in North Central Florida. As Chairwoman of the Aquaculture Caucus, Rep. Cammack has been a leading advocate for policies that promote domestic aquaculture, protect producers, and invest in the future of American food security.
“Proud to be part of the launch of the inaugural, first-ever USDA Office of Seafood!” said Rep. Cammack. “Food security is national security which means prioritizing domestic production and strengthening our food supply here at home. From our Florida coasts to communities across the country, we’re cutting red tape, backing our fishermen, and ensuring American seafood competes—and wins—on the world stage.”

  “This office will not only elevate and support commercial production, but also advance commonsense conservation so future generations can thrive in this industry,” Cammack added. “I’m grateful for the tenacious leadership driving this effort forward—Secretary Rollins, Secretary Lutnick, Secretary Hassett, Secretary Burgum—and President Trump.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Rep. Cammack (R-FL-03) introduced the Answering the Call Act of 2026, in recognition of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. This legislation strengthens the implementation of the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by ensuring it effectively serves first responders.

First responders regularly face traumatic situations that increase the risk of depression, PTSD, substance use, and suicide. Despite the availability of the 9-8-8 Lifeline, utilization among the first responder community remains limited due to stigma, lack of tailored services, awareness and concerns about confidentiality.

The Answering the Call Act directly addresses these challenges by requiring targeted outreach and strengthening collaboration with organizations that understand the unique needs of the first responder community. The legislation also expands training and public awareness efforts, while incorporating strong privacy safeguards to ensure information is handled responsibly and used solely to guide future program improvements.

This legislation ensures that a critical national resource is accessible, trusted, and better equipped to address the needs of those who serve on the front lines.

“First responders run toward danger in our darkest moments—and as the wife of a first responder, I’ve seen the reality of that sacrifice up close,” said Rep. Cammack. “The stress, the sleepless nights, and the weight they carry home after every shift is real. This bill is about having their backs the same way they’ve always had ours. By expanding awareness, protecting privacy, and delivering support tailored to their experiences, we’re making sure our public safety telecommunicators, firefighters, and EMTs have access to the care they deserve.” Continue reading →

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that the Capital Appeals Division secured a death sentence for Joseph Zieler for the 1990 murder and rape of an 11-year-old girl and her babysitter during a home invasion. Zieler evaded justice for decades until the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) linked him to his crimes.

“This depraved criminal managed to sleep at night for decades as he evaded justice for the rape and murder of a little girl and her babysitter,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “Due to the tireless work of Assistant Attorney General Christina Pacheco, and with support from the Solicitor General’s Office, we affirmed the ultimate form of punishment, and he will never see the outside of a prison cell again.”

The Florida Supreme Court’s affirmation of Zieler’s conviction is one of the first capital sentences under Florida’s new death penalty law, Senate Bill (SB) 450, which reformed Florida’s death penalty statutes, reducing the number of jurors needed to recommend capital punishment from unanimous to a supermajority of eight jurors out of twelve. Governor Ron DeSantis signed SB 450 into law on April 20, 2023.

Zieler will await his execution in the Florida Department of Corrections.

Courtesy of the Office of the Attorney General

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the Office of Statewide Prosecution launched a criminal investigation into OpenAI and its artificial intelligence app, ChatGPT. The decision to launch the investigation comes after an initial review by prosecutors of the chat logs between ChatGPT and the gunman who opened fire at Florida State University last year, Phoenix Ikner.

“Florida is leading the way in cracking down on AI’s use in criminal behavior, and if ChatGPT were a person, it would be facing charges for murder,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “This criminal investigation will determine whether OpenAI bears criminal responsibility for ChatGPT’s actions in the shooting at Florida State University last year.”

“It is important that all are aware of the risks of this new technology, and the harms it can and has already caused in our communities,” said Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Mark Glass. “The more we can educate ourselves, the better we can protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities from scams, fraud, and much worse.” Continue reading →

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General James Uthmeier issued Civil Investigative Demands (CID) to several major corporations and environmental groups as part of an investigation into potential antitrust violations.

“Environmental groups are pressuring corporations to abandon free market principles and raise prices on consumers for products they don’t want, and many corporations continue their associations with these groups,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “Our office provided them with a sufficient opportunity to respond to our inquiries regarding potential violations of the law. Time’s up.”

Unilever, Coca-Cola, Target, Nestle, Mondelez International Holdings LLC, the U.S. Plastics Pact, the Consumer Goods Forum, and the Green Blue Institute all received CIDs. The CIDs are investigating suspicions that the corporations may have engaged in collusive partnerships through and with the environmental groups that, among other things, restricted trade, increased prices for consumers, and diminished free market competition.

The filings require the corporations and groups to produce documentation including: Continue reading →

Courtesy of the Office of the Attorney General

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the Distinguished Victim Services Award recipients during the National Crime Victims’ Rights Week Ceremony. Every year, the Florida Attorney General’s Office honors victim advocates and law enforcement officers who go above and beyond the call of duty to assist crime victims. Attorney General Uthmeier recognized the 2025 award winners during a ceremony in the Florida Cabinet Meeting Room this morning.

“These law enforcement officers and victim advocates meet victims on the worst days of their lives and make the choice to fight for them every day,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “It is an honor to recognize them for their service to our great state. We will stand together to ensure victims’ rights come first.”

The following law enforcement officers received the Attorney General’s Distinguished Victim Services Award:

• Corporal Amanda Baranowski, Tampa Police Department;
• Detective Stephen Buscemi, Palm Beach Police Department;
• Detective Cora Milliken, Green Cove Springs Police Department; and
• Commander Daniel Mosquera, Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office.

The following victim advocates received the Attorney General’s Distinguished Victim Services Award: Continue reading →

PANAMA CITY, Fla.— Today, Governor Ron DeSantis awarded more than $13 million to the Panama City – Bay County Airport and Industrial District, the City of Port St. Joe and the Gulf County Board of County Commissioners through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund—supporting workforce and infrastructure needs for aerospace and aviation, and maritime industries.

“Today, I announced the latest round of Job Growth Grant Fund awards to support critical infrastructure and workforce housing in the Panhandle. These projects will create hundreds of good jobs and attract investments to help Panama City, Port St. Joe, and Gulf County prosper,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Since 2019, the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund has facilitated the creation of more than 42,000 new jobs and 32,000 workforce education opportunities throughout our state. Thanks to strategic investments like these, Florida is now the number one state in the nation for workforce education–five years ahead of the goal we had set in 2019.” Continue reading →

HAMILTON COUNTY, Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis unveiled a new statue honoring Founding Father Alexander Hamilton in Hamilton County, continuing Florida’s commemoration of the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary and recognizing Hamilton’s lasting contributions to the American Republic and to Florida’s early history. The statue, located in White Springs along the banks of the historic Suwannee River, is part of a broader initiative to install monuments to America’s Founding Fathers in Florida counties that bear their names.

“I was proud to unveil a new statue of Hamilton County’s namesake, Alexander Hamilton,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “His participation in the fight for independence, his contributions to writing the Federalist Papers, his public service as a diplomat and ‘Father of the Treasury,’ and his role as a confidante to George Washington made Hamilton an indispensable figure in our nation’s history.”

“Installing a statue of Alexander Hamilton in the county named after him is a fitting tribute to the Founding Father who was the most vocal about Florida’s vital importance to America’s destiny,” said America250FL Chair and Secretary of State Cord Byrd.  “Florida is number one in the nation when it comes to celebrating our 250th anniversary with events planned throughout 2026.” Continue reading →

BRADENTON, Fla.— Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed two pieces of legislation aimed at protecting Florida’s coasts and strengthening coastal resilience and restoration efforts. The governor also announced plans to reopen the Sunshine Skyway fishing piers following reconstruction and rehabilitation projects.

“My administration has delivered historic investments to protect Florida’s 1,300 miles of coastline,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Today, I signed legislation to preserve the Terra Ceia Bay and to build on our work to promote coastal resiliency and water quality statewide. We are committed to protecting Florida’s environment for future generations to enjoy.”

“Protecting Florida’s environment has been a top priority of the DeSantis Administration from day one,” said Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Alexis A. Lambert. “House Bill 1417 streamlines processes so the department can carry out its mission more efficiently while maintaining strong environmental protections, including ratifying a rule to restore the Lower Santa Fe and Ichetucknee rivers and their priority springs. Along with Senate Bill 302, which strengthens protections for the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve and supports nature-based solutions to improve coastal resilience, these bills help ensure Florida’s natural resources remain strong for generations to come.”

“Thank you Governor DeSantis for taking swift action to sign this legislation into law,” said Senate Majority Leader Jim Boyd. “My amendment is a small part of this broader bill to strengthen coastal resiliency, but it will have a big impact on this region for decades to come. When a recent proposal threatened the future of the islands and coastlines that border the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve, I made a commitment to stop it. With this bill now signed into law, this region, the precious coastlines, pristine waters and wildlife habitats are effectively protected from massive transformations that would have destroyed them. Since I was a teen, I have explored these natural treasures, and now future generations will have the opportunity to see, enjoy and love the Terra Ceia we know today.”

Continue reading →

WASHINGTON, D.C. —Congresswoman Kat Cammack (R-FL-03) announced agricultural producers across Florida, including those in the Third Congressional District, can now apply for more than $600 million in disaster assistance through the Florida Block Grant Disaster Relief Program. The program provides critical relief to producers impacted by the devastating 2023 and 2024 hurricane seasons.

As the only Florida representative serving on the House Agriculture Committee, Cammack helped secure the more than $600 million in federal disaster relief for Florida’s agricultural community, working in coordination with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson.

“Florida’s farmers, ranchers, citrus growers, and timber producers are the backbone of our state’s economy, and they’ve endured tremendous losses over the past two hurricane seasons,” said Congresswoman Cammack. “As the only Floridian on the House Agriculture Committee, I fought to ensure our producers were not left behind. This $600 million in disaster relief is critical support to help them rebuild infrastructure, recover from market losses, and restore operations. I encourage every eligible producer to apply as soon as possible.” Continue reading →