U.S. Representative

Published in Tampa Bay Times, Washington Examiner, The Hill, Florida Politics and Saint Peters Blog. Throughout this election, throughout all of the senseless infighting and finger-pointing, throughout the deepening polarization of our country, one thing has become abundantly clear: we have to heal our wounds and reunite as a nation. How are we supposed to lead a free world, protect Americans, and promote strength and growth when we cannot seem to work together in achieving these goals? How are ... Read more

Last week, the Senate again blocked $1.1 billion in desperately needed funding to help research, prevent, and fight the spread of the Zika virus — all for political reasons. The last time I checked, members of Congress are sent to Washington with the duty to protect the American people, not play political games with their lives. Unfortunately, when it comes to passing Zika funding legislation, the lives of those my colleagues and I represent in Florida are being used as bargaining chips for poli... Read more

Our state of Florida is no stranger to catastrophic storms and devastating hurricanes. With 98 percent of Florida communities participating in the federal National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), homeowners and business owners know firsthand the importance of purchasing flood insurance to protect their families and businesses from disaster. In 2014 alone, and to no surprise, Florida surpassed all other states in total number of insurance claims and total claim payments for flooding. Furthermore,... Read more

As flags are raised across America today in honor of National POW/MIA Recognition Day, we stand united as a nation remembering and honoring those captured and who have gone missing while serving our great country, as well as their loved ones. Today, as in every day, we shall live by the POW/MIA flag’s creed: You Are Not Forgotten. America's service members are the backbone of the freedom and prosperity this country has enjoyed for more than two hundred years. As the proud son and brother of mili... Read more

Dear Neighbor, On this day in 1787, 39 delegates to the Constitutional Convention met at Independence Hall in Philadelphia to finalize and sign the grand document that is still the foundation on which our system of government is built: The Constitution of the United States of America. This remarkable compilation of laws and basic rights not only established the numerous liberties we still enjoy today, but also a system of checks and balances within three separate branches of government. Unfortun... Read more

On this day, we unite as a nation in remembering the tragic events that took place on September 11, 2001. Together we pray for the lives we lost on that heartbreaking day, for the heroic firefighters, police officers and first responders who sacrificed their lives to save others, and for our brave servicemen and women who protect and fight for our country and freedoms every single day. Although we are reminded today of the evils in our world, we are more importantly reminded of the tenacity and ... Read more

Featured in Forward. During a presidential debate in 2012 referring to the ongoing nuclear negotiations with Iran, President Obama declared to the American people that “the deal we’ll accept is the end of their nuclear program.” In the coming weeks, Congress will debate the Iran Nuclear Agreement recently announced by the president. After reading the deal, I participated in a classified briefing hosted by two of the deal’s lead negotiators, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and U.S. Department ... Read more

The deal reached by President Obama regarding Iran’s nuclear weapons program is another example of his lead-from-behind mentality when it comes to foreign policy. Iran is the largest state sponsor of radical Islamic terrorism across the globe, and has openly declared its intention to destroy the State of Israel and kill Americans. Under the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act, Congressional review of this deal is required before the President can waive or suspend sanctions previously imposed on Ir... Read more

Today, I delivered the following statement on the House Floor before voting with my colleagues to pass, H.R. 2997, the Private Investment in Housing Act of 2015, bipartisan legislation that would provide the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) the authority to establish a demonstration program and enter into budget-neutral, performance-based agreements that result in the reduction in energy and water costs for multi-family housing. Click here to watch my Floor speech. My speech as ... Read more

This week I introduced the Private Investment in Housing Act of 2015, alongside three of my colleagues in the House of Representatives. This bipartisan legislation will provide the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) with the authority to establish a demonstration program and enter into budget-neutral, performance based agreements that result in the reduction in energy or water costs for multi-family housing. This legislation is necessary because HUD currently only has the authorit... Read more