This week was the final week of four long weeks in Washington. While at the end of a long sprint, House Republicans met our goal of delivering the One Big, Beautiful Bill to the Senate. After very early morning votes and debate on Thursday morning, by 7am Thursday, we passed this important bill out of the House and sent it to the Republican Senate before it makes its way to President Trump’s desk. Stay tuned for important updates on this bill after the Memorial Day recess week.

Additionally, our beloved 2025 National Champion Florida Gators visited the U.S. Capitol and the White House this week. I was honored to lead them around the Capitol for a tour before meeting President Trump at the White House for an official recognition ceremony. We are so proud of our Gators and know it’s always great to be a Florida Gator. Check out some of the photos below—including Speaker Mike Johnson doing a Gator Chomp (even as an LSU Tigers fan)!

Next week is a recess week and I’m looking forward to being back in the district. We’ll be making stops and visits across Florida’s Third and will have more to share after all of our meetings. Stay tuned. Continue reading →

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General James Uthmeier’s Office of Statewide Prosecution is charging 19 individuals involved in a massive drug trafficking organization selling fentanyl throughout Central Florida. Attorney General Uthmeier, Florida Department of Law Enforcement Assistant Commissioner Lee Massey, and Orange County Sheriff John Mina announced the takedown of the criminal group at a news conference in Orlando this morning. The Office of Statewide Prosecution charged the defendants with trafficking in fentanyl, trafficking in cocaine, conspiracy to traffic in fentanyl, and conspiracy to traffic in cocaine.

“There are swift consequences for those who commit crimes in Florida, and we will support law enforcement in the fight to keep deadly fentanyl off our streets,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “This operation was successful due to the SAFE Grant program, which provides additional state funding to local law enforcement to conduct investigations and combat illicit fentanyl activity. These operations save lives, and SAFE Grants are vital to these efforts.”

The joint FDLE and OCSO investigation uncovered the 19 group members selling fentanyl and cocaine throughout the Central Florida area. Authorities seized six pounds of fentanyl and four pounds of cocaine, worth a total of $1.5 million.

The operation was funded in part by Florida’s SAFE grant program. SAFE grants provide assistance to local law enforcement agencies conducting investigations designed to combat illicit fentanyl activity. The grant provides reimbursement for approved fentanyl-related investigative operations.

In the past year, the SAFE Grant Program has resulted in more than 1,500 arrests and the seizure of more than 170 kilograms of fentanyl and more than 57,000 fentanyl pills.

The following defendants have been arrested by authorities: Juan Carlos Oquendo, Luis Perez Guzman, Kendrick Butler, Jose Rodriguez, Wilfredo Hernandez, Denniz Andino, Jr., Edward De La Cruz Perez, McKenzie Debardeleben, Anamaria Carrasquero, Luis Galarza, Herman Toledo, Xuxa Sanes, Brian Nazario, Molly Wilson, Juan Gonzalez, Nolan Lavery, III, and Jose Ortiz.

The following defendants are still outstanding: David Santana and Valerie Multari.

Assistant Statewide Prosecutor David Gillespie will handle the case.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Today, Attorney General James Uthmeier congratulated thirty-six law enforcement members for being named the Attorney General’s inaugural Law Enforcement Team of the Year. These men and women from the Martin County Sheriff’s Office and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office are being honored for their courageous and coordinated response that led to the apprehension of the alleged suspect involved in the attempted assassination of President Donald J. Trump.

“The men and women of this team exemplify the very best of law enforcement—swift, selfless, and steadfast in the face of unimaginable danger,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “They upheld the rule of law when it mattered most. Florida proudly honors them as our inaugural Law Enforcement Team of the Year.”

The team is being recognized for their exceptional response on September 15, 2024, apprehending Ryan Routh, the alleged would-be assassin of then-former President Donald J. Trump, while he was golfing at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach. The suspect fled the scene but was later captured in Martin County, thanks to the coordination and decisive action of the individuals recognized today. Continue reading →