WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, Congresswoman Kat Cammack (R-FL-03) announced significant progress for the future of the McGriff Channel, also known as ‘Wadley Pass,’ where the Gulf of Mexico meets the Suwannee River in Dixie County, Florida.

Mid-last year, Rep. Cammack secured the votes for inclusion of McGriff Channel in the 2024 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). In December of last year, Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) included the matching provision in the Senate year-end package. This measure secured a federally required economic impact study by the Army Corps of Engineers for the McGriff Channel, which is a necessary step to keep the project moving. This move follows the 2021 study, which concluded that dredging was not economically feasible and no action could be taken. Continue reading →

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Representatives Kat Cammack and Greg Steube reintroduced their plan to expand access to Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) for five million lower-income Americans.

The Affordable Care and Comprehensive Economic Support through Savings Act (ACCESS Act) empowers individuals by giving them the option to receive direct contributions to an HSA instead of relying on reduced cost-sharing under government-controlled health insurance exchanges. This commonsense reform removes bureaucratic restrictions imposed by the ACA, allowing individuals to take control of their health care dollars and use them as they see fit.

“Access to affordable care has diminished over the past decade, as the prices of medical care have skyrocketed and provider networks have shrunk,” said Rep. Cammack. “But with money in an HSA, you can obtain the personalized services you need, and see the doctors you trust, even if they’re not covered by your health insurance plan. For working families in my district and across the country this option is a lifesaver and will give many the flexibility to afford visits and procedures they may not be able to otherwise. I am proud to introduce the ACCESS Act today for many reasons, but mostly because it provides more access and more freedom for families whose health care needs aren’t being met by government-controlled health care programs.” Continue reading →

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—The Florida Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution secured a 5-year prison sentence for a Romanian crime ring member. Vasile Bricage stole more than $38,000 in smartphones and other items from six Walmart locations across five Florida counties — all within the span of six days.

Acting Attorney General John Guard said, “This member of a Romanian crime ring targeted Walmart locations spanning five Florida counties — causing more than $38,000 in losses. Now, thanks to our Statewide Prosecutors, he will pay for his crimes.”

Vasile Bricage, working alongside co-defendant Antonio Briceag and two unknown female accomplices, stole smartphones and other items from Walmart locations in Citrus, Okaloosa, Pinellas, Santa Rosa and Sarasota counties. In several cases, Bricage and his accomplices entered the stores and proceeded to the electronics department. Then, members of the group would distract employees or act as lookouts while using an unknown implement to defeat the anti-theft devices at the phone display.

In one Citrus County incident, the group used a different strategy. Bricage, after browsing the electronics department, proceeded to the hardware section of the store and selected a black crowbar. The defendant then went back to the electronics department and pried two locked phone cabinets open, and the group stole 26 iPhones — valued at more than $22,000. The damage to the cabinets totaled more than $1,600. Continue reading →