US Senator Rick Scott January 15 Update
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Senator Passidomo January 15 update
Today concludes the first of the Legislature’s Interim Committee Weeks ahead of the 2021 Legislative Session. In anticipation of the upcoming committee hearings and other meetings in Tallahassee, I took a COVID-19 test on Thursday, January 7. On Sunday, January 10, I learned that my test result was positive.
I am fortunate to have experienced only mild, cold-like symptoms. Out of extreme caution for the health and safety of my colleagues and staff, and in accordance with Florida Senate protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic, I have been self-isolating at home. Though I was not physically in Tallahassee, there was work to be done and my schedule was full. I was able to participate in briefings, committee hearings and meetings this week by phone, Zoom and over the Florida Channel.
I look forward to returning to Tallahassee soon and rejoining my colleagues at the Capitol to represent District 28. I hope you are in good health and remain safe for the coming year.
Diaz-Balart Applauds Sanctions Against Cuban Ministry of Interior and its Leader
Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25) issued the following statement after the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated the Cuban Ministry of Interior and the Minister of Interior, Lazaro Alberto Álvarez Casas, for serious human rights abuse and corruption around the world.
“Today’s sanctions on Cuba’s MININT, which is responsible for brutal repression against the Cuban people, and Lazaro Alberto Álvarez Casas, for human rights abuses is another appropriate action by the Trump Administration to hold the Cuban dictatorship accountable for its horrors. While Cuba’s pro-democracy opposition continues to endure increasing repression, this step shows that the atrocities committed by the Cuban regime’s human rights abusers, will have consequences. I commend the Trump Administration for its tough stand against tyranny and its solidarity with the Cuban people in their struggle for freedom.”
Diaz-Balart Will Continue as Leading Republican on T-HUD Appropriations Subcommittee
Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25) was re-elected by the House Republican Steering Committee to continue his service as the leading Republican on the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriation Subcommittee.
“I am grateful to my colleagues, the Steering Committee, and Ranking Member Granger for reiterating their trust in me, and, once again, electing me to be the lead Republican on the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Subcommittee on Appropriations. During my years on T-HUD, as former Chairman and now Ranking Member, I have brought millions of federal dollars to South Florida to support our veterans, the elderly, the disabled, and other vulnerable populations. These federal dollars were especially evident when Miami-Dade County effectively ended veteran homelessness in 2018.
“I have also worked diligently to maintain and upgrade our nation’s roadways, seaports, transit systems, and airports. Further, I have successfully been able to bring these investments into our community. Whether through the first federal capital for the SMART plan, PortMiami receiving the largest grant for port infrastructure development, or helping to build the Underline, I am thankful to have been at the forefront of obtaining these funds.
“I’m thrilled to continue working on the T-HUD Subcommittee, and I again thank my colleagues for this opportunity. I look forward to continuing this collaboration in the 117th Congress.”
Vaccine Distribution is Number One in Nation – CDC Adopts Florida Plan
Our Governor Ron DeSantis is continuing to travel that state and has remained laser-focused on keeping Florida’s Seniors First by leading the way on prioritizing those 65 and older for the vaccine (issued January 11, 2021). In fact, on Tuesday, January 12, 2021, the CDC reversed course following Florida’s lead of immunizing seniors who are 65 years of age and older. Gov. DeSantis’ strategy went above and beyond recommended guidelines issued by the federal government. Once again, our state is leading by example and our Governor and his administration are taking all the steps necessary to ensure the safety of Floridians.
As the state heads into its fifth week of COVID-19 vaccine distribution, Florida has vaccinated nearly 350,000 seniors – more than any other state in the nation that’s reporting updates on this critical effort.
In case you missed it, we are including a press release that was issued last night by Governor Ron DeSantis’ office. You can read it below. You can also watch a video that his office released earlier yesterday by clicking here.
CDC to Reverse Course and Follow Florida’s Lead Prioritizing “Seniors First” for Vaccinations
Per reports, the United States Center for Disease Control (CDC) will announce new vaccine deployment recommendations that mirror Florida’s unique strategy. Florida’s fifth week of vaccine distribution is currently underway, and the state has continued to prioritize vaccine access to seniors age 65 and older – a strategy that initially went above and beyond recommended guidelines issued by the federal government.
Florida has vaccinated nearly 350,000 seniors – more than any other state in the nation that’s reporting updates on this critical effort.
Our state is home to more than 4.5 million seniors, and both nationwide and in Florida, seniors 65 and older have more severe risks, accounting for more than 80% of all COVID related deaths. The Governor has made it clear this population is his top priority.
Innovative pilot programs, such as the ones we’ve launched with Publix as well as with our places of worship, will ensure the vaccine is as accessible as possible and incentivize swift deployment by our partners on the ground. The state has also worked across sectors to develop innovative and unique sites to increase vaccine access statewide. Such locations include:
- Places of Worship
- State-Run Testing Sites
- Partnership with Publix
- Supplementing LTC Facility Federal Efforts
- Senior Living Communities
As vaccine distribution expands to wider populations, Florida will continue this stride and develop multi-faceted resources to ensure Floridians have access to the COVID-19 vaccine. For more information on vaccines and access, please visit the Florida Department of Health.
Diaz-Balart: The Trump Administration has Placed the Cuban Regime Back Where it Belongs
Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25) issued the following statement after the Department of State announced its designation of the Cuban regime as a State Sponsor of Terrorism (SST).
“The Trump Administration has placed the Cuban regime back where it belongs— on the SST list — due to its support of terrorist groups such as the FARC and ELN, harboring fugitives such as an FBI Most Wanted Terrorist Joanne Chesimard and propping up the Maduro regime. The previous administration should never have delisted the Cuban regime in 2015, particularly at a time when the regime’s intelligence services are assisting international terrorist organizations and assisting in the brutal suppression of the Venezuelan people. The Trump administration has once again kept its promise to hold the malevolent, anti-American regime in Cuba accountable for its actions. The Cuban regime has oppressed the Cuban people, aided terrorist organizations, and wreaked havoc throughout our hemisphere. That is why President Reagan included it in the SST list in 1982. I applaud the Trump Administration’s decision to place the regime on that list once again.”
In 2019, Diaz-Balart sent a letter to Secretary Pompeo urging him to reclassify the Cuban dictatorship as a State Sponsor of Terrorism.
Welcome 2021 – A New Begining
Russell Tuff, President Collier County Republican Men’s Club
Hello, I’m Russell Tuff and was appointed as your President of the Men’s Republican Club of Collier County.
First, I would like to shower Jim Carter (former president) with a great debt of gratitude for bringing the club from a small group gathering to a strong, robust organization during his tenure. When you look around the room and feel that sense of comradery with like minded people, it was Carters efforts that made that possible.
Next, we had two other dedicated board members that worked tirelessly and diligently to assist Carter that past years and their work and effort should be acknowledged. They were instrumental in putting plans and actions into place. These two men include, John Thomas and Chad Gillenwater. They did more than you will ever know and were quiet in not getting the just recognition for a job well done.
We welcome new board and officer members Mark Batchelor, Glenn Brown, and Reg Buxton. They join Randy Cash, John Dugan, Pete Koenig, Michael Nadolski, Jerry Sanford.
The new board and officers can be seen here.
What can you expect over the next two years from your new men’s club president?
Jim Carter agreed to assist in continuing to arrange program speakers, so you can expect the same high level of speakers as in the past.
We’ve created a new position of Vice-President of Business Development, which will be chaired by Reg Buxton. We hope to capture more inclusion from the Naples businesses and residents and engage them in our efforts to carry out the belief’s we hold dear. See those beliefs here.
In addition, we will be expanding our Outreach effort through local media, electronic media, and PR methods to improve our standing in the community and demonstrate the benefits of carrying out the Republican beliefs mentioned before.
We will continue our scholarship efforts to encourage our youth to strive for the ideals we have been raised to believe; Respect for Life, Respect for the Constitution, Limited Government, and Personal Responsibility.
Membership will be aggressively pursued to assist in growing and strengthening the Republican Image in Naples/Collier County. We need everyone’s help to spread the word
We will develop closer relationships and sharing of information with the other Republican organizations in the community, as working together we will all be stronger.
I look forward to serving as your president and assisting our great board and officers in the future. I’m honored and humbled that you put me in this position, and I will need your help to achieve any of the goals listed.
Here’s to a great 2021!
Russell Tuff
President
Collier County Republican Men’s Club
Senator Rick Scott January 9th Weekly Update
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Diaz-Balart Statement on the Electoral College Vote
Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25) issued the following statement after the House voted to certify Electoral College votes.
“This year, we had a very close presidential election where razor-thin majorities in a handful of states determined the outcome. A thriving democracy depends on much more than just elections –it requires trust, transparency, and fairness. All Americans must be absolutely confident, without a shadow of a doubt, that their differences can be resolved at the ballot box, and that they have full say in the selection of their leaders. Unfortunately, to this day, many Americans still do not trust the outcome of the 2020 presidential election.
“The presidential election has concluded, and Joseph R. Biden will be sworn in as the 46th President of the United States on January 20th. Just like the challenges to members of the Electoral College in 2000, 2004, and 2016, the 2020 challenges will not change the outcome of this election. However, I take my oath to support and defend the Constitution very seriously. Article II, Section 1, Clause 2 of the Constitution provides that state legislatures have the sole authority to determine the manner of choosing electors. Yet, in the lead-up to the 2020 presidential election, in several states, many state officials nonetheless changed the presidential election rules and regulations despite lacking the constitutional authority to do so. It is precisely for this reason that I agreed, along with 125 of my colleagues, to join the amicus brief in State of Texas v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, brought by 17 states against Georgia, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. I am gravely concerned about numerous reports of irregularities and last-minute changes that violated basic constitutional requirements in those states and others such as Arizona. The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the case and did not address any of the important constitutional questions presented. So now, the responsibility falls to Congress as to whether the electors from these states were “regularly given” and “lawfully certified” under the Electoral Count Act of 1887. For this reason, and after much study and deliberation, I have become convinced that the electors in some states were selected in an unconstitutional manner. I simply cannot vote to uphold a slate of electors under those circumstances.
“I understand full well that we live in extremely polarizing times. That is why I feel it is especially important that we redouble our commitment to the Rule of Law, institutions and customs that have served us well for over 200 years. When we finally put the 2020 election behind us, and the Congress resumes its work on behalf of the American people, these troubling issues must be resolved for future elections so that all Americans can be fully confident in their fairness, and in their outcomes.”