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Rutherford’s STOP School Violence Act Passes House in Funding Bill

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The House of Representatives today passed H.R. 1625, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, which includes critical funding for national defense, combating the opioid crisis and school safety funding, as well as Rutherford’s H.R. 4909, the STOP School Violence Act of 2018. This omnibus spending package for Fiscal Year 2018 now moves to the Senate for a vote before heading to the president’s desk for signature. Congressman John Rutherford (R-FL) released the following statement following passage of the bill:

“Few things are more important to a nation than safety and security,” said Rutherford. “Keeping our children safe in school, our homeland secure, and our national defense strong is our first responsibility to the citizens that we represent. This bill includes funding for the STOP School Violence Act to invest in early intervention and prevention programs to stop school violence before it happens. I know from my time as Sheriff that school and community safety requires a multi-layered approach, and I am thankful to all of my colleagues in the House and Senate for the bipartisan support of the STOP School Violence Act and for their commitment to keeping our children safe. In addition to school safety funding, the bill we passed today makes great strides to back our men and women in uniform, giving them the largest pay raise in eight years and providing them the resources they need to protect our freedom at home and abroad.”

Background: The bill includes critical funding for:

  • National Defense – After years of sequestration, this bill starts rebuilding America’s Armed Forces by making the largest investment in 15 years. It provides $654.6 billion in both base and Global War on Terror/Overseas Contingency Operations funding – the biggest year-to-year increase since the beginning of the War on Terror. It fully funds a 2.4% pay raise for the troops, fulfills the requests made by Secretary Mattis and military leaders, and gives warfighters the resources they need to fight, win and return home safety. This bill also includes increased funding for critical missions, such as 14 Navy ships, 10 P-8A Poseidons, 90 F-35s, and 5 E-2D Advanced Hawkeyes.
  • Securing Our Homeland – The bill includes $47.8 billion for the Department of Homeland Security, an increase of $5.4 billion over the last fiscal year. These dollars will bolster border infrastructure, add more “boots on the ground,” increase detention space, and improve surveillance technology. The legislation includes $1.571 billion for physical barriers and associated technology along the Southwest border.  This amount provides for more than 90 miles of “border wall system,” going beyond the Administration’s budget request for a total of 74 miles in fiscal year 2018.
  • Rebuilding America’s Aging Infrastructure – Improving the nation’s infrastructure is critical to public safety and economic growth. The legislation includes more than $21 billion for infrastructure projects across the country, including transportation, energy, water, and cyber.
  • Combatting the Opioid Crisis – This legislation includes nearly $4 billion in resources to combat the opioid crisis, which President Trump has declared as a national emergency. It will invest billions in treatment, prevention and law enforcement efforts to stop the spread of these dangerous drugs, and help families and communities get the assistance they need.
  • School Safety – To help protect children and to promote safe learning environments, the bill provides more than $2.3 billion in new funding for effective training and school safety programs through the Departments of Justice, Education, and Health and Human Services. The bill also includes passage of Rutherford’s STOP School Violence Act, which overwhelmingly passed the House last week as a stand-alone bill by a 407 – 10 vote. The STOP School Violence Act provides funding for violence prevention training for students, teachers, and law enforcement officers, increased technology to improve school security, as well as anonymous reporting systems to prevent violence before it ever enters our schools.

Nelson secures federal funding for Floridians

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U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) today announced that the $1.3 trillion spending package Congress unveiled last night includes funding for several projects and programs important to Floridians including: increased spending  to fight the opioid epidemic, additional funding for citrus greening research and significant funding for democracy programs in both Venezuela and Cuba, as well as provisions Nelson co-sponsored to address gun violence.

Funding for the following Florida projects and programs sought by Nelson have been included in the federal spending package:

  • $3.3 billion to fight the opioid epidemic and mental health crises. An estimated 2.6 million Americans suffer from opioid use disorder. In Florida alone, more than 5,200 people have died from an opioid-related event in 2016 – a 35 percent increase from 2015. Nelson requested additional funding for treatment, prevention and research.
  • $67.47 million in total funding for citrus greening research and the Citrus Health Research Program. As citrus greening has hurt growers across Florida, Nelson has advocated for increased funding to study and address the problem to help the state’s citrus industry.
  • $895 million for Kennedy Space Center to modernize launch facilities, more than doubling what the center received last year.  Nelson requested the increased funding to bolster work on launch and processing infrastructure needed for NASA’s initiative to explore deep space.
  • $121 million for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to purchase a reliable backup for its aging hurricane hunter jet.  Nelson has been pushing for a replacement since 2015. The funding comes in the wake of several incidents over the last two years when the jet NOAA uses to gather hurricane measurements was grounded during hurricane season.
  • $76.5 million in total funding to protect and restore the Everglades. U.S. Army Corps budget was also increased, allowing additional funding for Everglades restoration.
  • $82 million to repair the Herbert Hoover Dike. U.S. Army Corps budget was also increased, allowing for additional funding for dike repairs. 
  • $279.6 million, a 14-percent increase, in funding to support Historical Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The four historically black colleges and universities in Florida—Florida A&M in Tallahassee, Florida Memorial University in Miami Gardens, Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach and Edward Waters College in Jacksonville – prepare over 16,000 students for careers in STEM, aviation, law, nursing and other fields.
  • $250 million in federal funding for positive train control grants.  Positive train control technology will help prevent deadly crashes on our railroads. It’s critically important for those railroads that carry passengers, like Sunrail and Tri-Rail.  Nelson, the ranking member on the Senate Commerce Committee, pressed for the funding to help passenger railroads meet a federal deadline to install the lifesaving technology.
  • $100 million for research and development program for automated vehicles. The SunTrax facility at Florida Polytechnic University is a qualified proving ground and will have the opportunity to benefit from the program.
  • Restored and increased funds to $35 million for democracy programs in Venezuela and Cuba.Nelson requested Congress “redouble, not eliminate support for democracy and human rights” in Venezuela. The democracy programs support civil society organizations and promote human rights.
  • Included $60 million for the Nonprofits Security Grant Program. The program helps certain non-profits harden their facilities against attack, such as organization like the Jewish Community Centers (JCCs) in Orlando and Miami and elsewhere. Nelson requested this funding after JCCs across Florida received a series of telephone bomb threats.
  • Increased funding for the Holocaust Survivor Assistance Program to $5 million. Nelson requested $5 million in funding to provide long-term support and services for Holocaust survivors.

The spending package included several provisions Nelson co-sponsored to address gun violence in Florida and across the country, including:

  • Fix NICS Act. Nelson cosponsored this bipartisan bill, which requires federal agencies and states to develop implementation plans to upload to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) all information prohibiting a person from purchasing a firearm, rewards states who comply with these plans through federal grant preferences, and reauthorizes and improves programs that help states share information on criminal records with NICS, among other things.
  • STOP School Violence Act. Nelson co-sponsored this bipartisan bill that would allow schools to access federal funds to invest in programs, training and technology to keep students safe.
  • CDC Gun Violence Research. The spending package included language to clarify that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) can conduct research on gun violence.

Senator Stewart to Join D.C. March for Gun Safety Reform

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Inspired by the historic movement of high school walkouts nationwide calling for gun safety measures, Senator Linda Stewart (D-Orlando) will be traveling with her teenage granddaughter to Washington, D.C. to participate in the March For Our Lives demonstration taking place on Saturday, March 24, 2018.

“I will be joining our youth as they lead the way to march for common-sense gun safety legislation,” said Senator Stewart, whose district witnessed a 29-year old’s assault weapon siege on Pulse. “Enacting laws that ensure our communities are safe from gun violence has been a goal of mine for both years I’ve been in the Senate, having sponsored a bill to ban assault rifles and high capacity magazines, as well as a bill to ban bump stocks.”

Senator Stewart will be available for interview during her time in Washington, D.C. and is scheduled to return to Central Florida on Sunday, March 25, 2018.

An amendment offered by Senator Stewart onto a bill tightening gun laws would have banned assault weapons and large capacity magazines, but failed to pass in the Senate by a narrow vote of 17-20 after having earned bipartisan support. The same amendment failed in committee once by a vote of 6-7 and again by 8-12.

Nelson secures funding for backup hurricane hunter jet

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The $1.3 trillion spending package Congress released late Wednesday included $122 million long sought by U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to purchase a reliable backup for its aging hurricane hunter jet.

The funding comes in the wake of several incidents over the last two hurricane seasons when the jet NOAA uses to gather hurricane measurements was grounded due to maintenance issues.

“It’s long past time for NOAA to get a suitable replacement for its aging hurricane hunter jet,” Nelson said after learning appropriators had included the money in the broader spending plan. “I’ve been relentless on this because 20 million Floridians are in the potential path of a hurricane and the data from this aircraft saves lives and property.”  Nelson has been pushing for a replacement since 2015.

NOAA maintains a fleet of three aircraft currently based in Lakeland, Florida. The planes are designed to fly in and around hurricanes and tropical storms, collecting data used to track and measure the intensity of these powerful storms.

NOAA’s current fleet of hurricane hunters include two P3 propeller aircraft, known as Miss Piggy and Kermit, that fly into storms, but only one Gulfstream jet, named Gonzo, capable of reaching altitudes high enough to fly above storms.

The measurements taken by Hurricane Hunters are essential to weather forecasters.

The $1.3 trillion spending bill, which funds the government through September 30, must pass by Friday for Congress avert another government shutdown this year.

Below is the hurricane hunter language added to the bill. 

NOAA Aircraft Recapitalization.-The agreement adopts the Senate language regarding aircraft recapitalization and provides $133,000,000 for this purpose. Within funds provided, $121,000,000 is included to procure a suitable replacement for the Gulfstream IV-SP (G-IV) Hurricane Hunter in order to meet the requirements of section 413 of Public Law 115-25 and ensure back up capabilities.

Commissioner Adam Putnam Alerts Floridians of Heightened Wildfire Danger, Urges Caution

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Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam and the Florida Forest Service urge Floridians to exercise caution due to significantly heightened wildfire risk throughout the state. While Florida has received recent rainfall, drought conditions throughout the state are expected to continue. The Florida Forest Service has battled over 700 wildfires across the state in 2018.

“Florida’s wildland firefighters have proven time and again that they are prepared to put their lives on the line to keep Floridians safe,” said Commissioner Putnam. “Floridians can do their part by keeping preventable human-caused wildfires at bay and preparing their families and homes for wildfire.”

There are currently 41 active wildfires throughout Florida. Most of the wildfires this year have been caused by escaped yard trash burns.

“Many wildfires this year have unfortunately been human-caused,” said Jim Karels, Florida State Forester. “It’s imperative that Floridians are cautious with fire to help protect Florida’s residents, natural resources and wildland firefighters.”

Visit the Florida Forest Service’s wildfire information webpage to view an interactive map of current active wildfires, drought and fire danger forecast information, and a list of current county burn bans.  Floridians can also download the Florida Forest Service’s “FLBurnTools” app to access wildfire conditions in real-time. Prescribed burn practitioners can also use the app to plan and submit authorization requests. The app is now available in Apple’s  App Store and on Google Play.

The Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, manages more than 1 million acres of state forests and provides forest management assistance on more than 17 million acres of private and community forests. The Florida Forest Service is also responsible for protecting homes, forestland and natural resources from the devastating effects of wildfire on more than 26 million acres. Learn more at FloridaForestService.com.

For more information about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FreshFromFlorida.com

Sen. Nelson statement on gun violence provisions in spending bill

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Following is a statement from U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) in response to the gun violence provisions included in the spending bill that the Senate is expected to vote on later this week:

“Today, we’re moving a little closer to turning the voices of the students marching across the country into action. While we still have so much work to do, I am happy to see some movement on bipartisan legislation I’ve worked on with Senator Rubio to help address gun violence in our country, including the Fix NICS Act and the STOP School Violence Act, which funds programs to help keep our schools safe. Furthermore, the legislation will finally allow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to do the necessary research on gun violence. We’ve shown how we can get things done – if we just work together.

“The fight doesn’t stop here – we need to do more if we really want to reduce the gun violence problem in our country. I’m hopeful we can continue to work together on a universal background check requirement for anyone who wants to buy a gun and find a way to get these assault weapons and high-capacity magazines off of our streets.”

CFO Jimmy Patronis’ Statement on Gov. Rick Scott Signing the Credit Report Freeze Fee Bill

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Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis issued the following statement regarding Gov. Rick Scott today signing one of his top priorities, House Bill 953, eliminating the fee imposed on Floridians to freeze their credit.

“Thank you to Gov. Rick Scott for signing one of my top legislative priorities that helps Floridians protect themselves against criminals who aim to steal their identity and compromise their credit. With data breaches like the one at Equifax continuing to happen, 16.7 million consumers impacted by identity fraud in the United States and more than $16 billion stolen from accounts last year, Floridians need to be empowered to easily protect themselves from fraud. With Gov. Scott’s signature, Floridians will no longer have to jump through hoops just to freeze their credit.

“Thank you to Rep. Shawn Harrison, Sen. Jeffrey Brandes, and Commissioner Adam Putnam for their support of this good bill.”

FDLE arrests Homestead man for child pornography

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Agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, assisted by Homeland Security Investigations, Miami, arrested Thomas Edward Hernandez, 53, of 27421 SW 154 Avenue, Homestead, for six counts of possession of child pornography. Additional charges are pending.

FDLE’s investigation determined that Hernandez was advertising/sharing 45 files of child pornography images through the use of the internet. The images included the sexual exploitation of children under 10 years old.

Hernandez was arrested yesterday and booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. The case will be prosecuted by the Office of the State Attorney, 11th Judicial Circuit.

Massive Organized Skimming and Fuel Theft Ring Busted

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“This is not just a one-off prosecution, but it is a RICO charge. And this should send a very clear signal to the bad guys that the cost of doing business just went up when it comes to stealing from Floridians and from families who are visiting our state,” said Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam during a joint announcement with Sheriff Grady Judd at the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

For more information about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FreshFromFlorida.com.

Senate passes bill to crackdown on online sex trafficking

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A bill that would allow law enforcement and prosecutors to crackdown on websites that promote sex trafficking overwhelmingly passed the Senate on Wednesday.

The legislation, co-sponsored by U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL), now heads to the president for his signature. Prior to today’s vote, Nelson took to the Senate floor and asked for his colleagues’ support.

“An untold number of women and children in the U.S. are being sold into sexual slavery via the internet,” Nelson said. “It’s just unacceptable and it’s wrong. … We can’t sit by idly any longer.”

The legislation creates new accountability for websites hosting ads posted by sex traffickers, allows state attorneys general to prosecute websites that knowingly facilitate trafficking and enhances criminal penalties for traffickers.

According to the human trafficking hotline, Florida ranked third in the country for the highest number of sex trafficking cases reported in 2016 and 2017.

Following is a rush transcript of Nelson’s remarks before the vote:

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson
Remarks on the Senate floor
March 21, 2018

Sen. Nelson: I thank the senator from Ohio for his gracious comments. And I just simply want to say my part as to why this is so important that we pass this legislation, because it’s very obvious that an untold number of women and children in the U.S. are being sold into sexual slavery via the internet.

And we now have an opportunity to do something about it by passing this legislation. And it’s so bad because with just a few clicks or a few punches on an iPhone, victims from all walks of life and parts of the country, all across, are being forced into brutal slavery and unspeakable crimes.

I want to repeat that. I want Americans to understand what is going on behind the scenes, that women and children are being forced into sex slavery in modern-day America, and could very well happen to someone that you know.

You know, we have continuing stories of our history of how slavery brought to the new world had happened. First to Arabia off the east coast of Africa, and then of course the European nations later in going down with ship captains, the Portuguese actually ended up having the most of slaves transported to the new world, primarily to South America.

But of course the English got into the act. Most of the European nations got into the act of these unspeakable crimes of slave ships going down to the west coast of Africa either enslaving themselves, Africans, or getting into agreement with a particular tribe that would then go out and capture members of an opposing tribe.

And of course, you’ve heard over and over the stories, untold stories of the inhumanity of stacking people body to body in the hulls of these slave ships. And it finally took a civil war to settle the issue. That was slavery. That was slavery that we opposed and now all of our laws try to protect against.

But here in modern-day America the same thing is happening, and it’s happening because of the advent, the advances of technology now using the internet. And if this is not a wake-up call, I simply don’t know what is.

According to human trafficking to the hotline, just my state of Florida has consistently ranked in the top five states in human trafficking cases. Florida was third in the country for the number of cases reported in 2016 and 2017, and that’s just what we know about.

And so, it’s just unacceptable and it’s wrong. Tens of thousands of Americans, predominantly women children, are subjected to this horrific reality. And you can imagine the pain and the suffering which they are subjected to. And nowhere in the country should have to endure this kind of forced slavery. No child or woman in Florida, in America should ever be trafficked for sex.

And to even contemplate that should offend any person’s sense of decency and humanity. And so the question before the Senate today, thanks with the leadership of a number of our colleagues, the question before the Senate today is, why aren’t we going to do everything that we can to stop this heinous practice?

And so, the bill that we are considering on the Senate floor would help us shut down despicable websites that enable this sex trafficking. Don’t kid yourself. These shady and highly profitable website operators know full well how their sites are being used. And what’s more, they’re hiding behind a decades’ old legal shield to immunize themselves from prosecution. And we’ve got to change that legal shield that was set up a decade ago for a different purpose.

And so, the bill by Senators Portman, Blumenthal, McCain, Heitkamp, and myself — and now many others — would eliminate the safe harbor in law for sex traffickers, and it would allow state attorneys general, other state and local prosecutors, and the victims themselves to go after the websites that knowingly provide a platform for sex trafficking. It would also make key changes to federal criminal law to enable law enforcement to better target the websites.

So, it’s simple. That’s the purpose of the legislation. Let’s get it passed out of here, get it signed into law, and let all of these various law enforcement entities be able to do their job. This legislation is an extensive product by our congressional colleagues on a bipartisan basis. It proves once again that what we ought to be doing around here on almost everything and yet we rarely do — it proves once again, if you cross partisan lines and put things together in a bipartisan way, that then you can tackle the important lifesaving issues such as this one. And we can get something done.

Let’s show today that we can get something done. Something that really makes a difference to Americans. And so, it’s a privilege for me to be involved in a bipartisan way with this legislation and to have worked with our commerce committee to get a unanimous vote out of the committee.

I hope that this legislation is going to serve as a wake-up call to the morally bankrupt website operators. We’re coming after you. And it seems like every day we hear of new ways that these bad actors are exploiting internet content and data to undermine society. Obviously, the internet has been magnificent for so many of us. But now when technology advances, you have to be on your guard about how new technology is used for the bad operators.

This bill is going to address that. We can’t sit by idly any longer. We’ve got to act today.

Madam President, I yield the floor.