Politics

Biden vows abortion legislation as top priority next year

Published

3 years ago

October 18, 2022

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden promised Tuesday that the first bill he sends to Capitol Hill next year will be one that codifies Roe v. Wade — if Democrats control enough seats in Congress for Biden to sign abortion protections into law — in a speech designed to energize his party’s voters just three weeks ahead of the November midterms.

“If you care about the right to choose, then you gotta vote,” Biden said during remarks at the Howard Theatre in Washington. He urged those in attendance to recall how they felt when the Supreme Court in late June overturned the landmark 1973 ruling legalizing abortion, and repeatedly lambasted Republicans nationwide who have pushed for restrictions on the procedure, often without exceptions.

Biden said “the only sure way to stop these extremist laws that are putting in jeopardy women’s health and rights is for Congress to pass a law.” He acknowledged that right now, “we’re short a handful of votes” to reinstate abortion protections at the federal level, urging voters to send more Democrats to Congress.

“If we do that, here’s the promise I make to you and the American people: The first bill that I will send to the Congress will be to codify Roe v. Wade,” Biden said. “And when Congress passes it, I’ll sign it in January, 50 years after Roe was first decided the law of the land.”

That’s a big if.

Republicans are widely projected to gain control of at least the House. Abortion rights have been a key motivating factor for Democrats this year, although the economy and inflation still rank as chief concern for most voters.

For the White House, it won’t be enough just to keep control of both chambers of Congress, already an uphill battle, to be able to enshrine the protections of Roe into law. The Senate would need to abolish the filibuster, the legislative rule that requires 60 votes for most bills to advance in the chamber, in order to pass an abortion measure with a simple majority of senators.

Long resistant to any revisions to Senate institutional rules, Biden said in the days after the decision by the Supreme Court to overrule Roe in Dobbs v. Jackson that he would support eliminating that supermajority threshold for abortion bills, just as he did on voting rights legislation.

But two moderate Democrats — Sens. Kyrsten Sinema, Ariz., and Joe Manchin, W.Va. — support keeping the filibuster. Sinema has said she wants to retain the filibuster precisely so any abortion restrictions backed by Republicans would face a much higher hurdle to pass in the Senate.

Democratic Senate candidates in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin — the party’s two best chances to flip seats currently held by Republicans — have both said they support eliminating the filibuster in order to pass abortion legislation. Pennsylvania Senate candidate John Fetterman has actively campaigned on being the 51st vote for priorities such as legalizing abortion, codifying same-sex marriage protections, and making it easier for workers to unionize — all measures that would otherwise be blocked by a filibuster in the Senate.

Abortion — and proposals from some Republicans to impose nationwide restrictions on the procedure — have been a regular fixture of Biden’s political rhetoric this election cycle, as Democrats seek to energize voters in a difficult midterm season for the party in power in Washington.

In fundraisers and in political speeches, Biden has vowed to reject any abortion restrictions that may come to his desk in a GOP-controlled Congress. He has also urged voters to boost the Democratic ranks in the Senate so enough senators would not only support reinstating abortion nationwide, but would be willing to change Senate rules to do it.

“If you give me two more Democratic senators in the United States Senate, I promise you, I promise you we’re going to codify Roe,” Biden said at a Democratic National Committee rally in Washington last month. “We’ll once again make Roe the law of the land. And we’ll once again protect a woman’s right to choose.”

On Tuesday, Biden made a pointed appeal to young voters, who traditionally participate in lower rates than other age demographics in midterm elections. Though his remarks were primarily focused on abortion, Biden also mentioned his decisions to forgive billions of dollars in student loan debt and to issue pardons for marijuana possession — moves popular with younger voters.

“What I am saying is, you represent the best of us. Your generation will not be ignored, will not be shunned and will not be silent,” Biden said, adding: “In 2020, you voted to deliver the change you wanted to see in the world. In 2022, you need to exercise your power to vote again for the future of our nation and the future of your generation.”

Court decisions and state legislation have shifted — and sometimes, re-shifted — the status of abortion laws across the country. Currently, bans are in place at all states of pregnancy in 12 states. In another, Wisconsin, clinics have stopped providing abortions though there’s dispute over whether a ban is in effect. In Georgia, abortion is banned at the detection of cardiac activity — generally around six weeks and before women often know they’re pregnant.

Meanwhile, codifying Roe remains a broadly popular position. In a July AP-NORC poll, 60% of U.S. adults said they believe Congress should pass a law guaranteeing access to legal abortion nationwide.

Even with the economy dominating so much of the midterm discourse, abortion has been a touchstone in high-profile contests from Ohio to Arizona, especially as Democrats try to trap Republicans between their most ardent anti-abortion base voters who want absolute or near-total bans and a majority of U.S. adults that wants at least some legal access to elective abortions.

For instance, in Georgia, Republican Senate nominee Herschel Walker went so far in his only debate against Sen. Raphael Warnock, a Democrat, as to deny his previous support for a national abortion ban with no exceptions. Despite Walker’s previous statements captured on video, he insisted Warnock misrepresented his position. Walker said in the debate that he backs a Georgia statute outlawing abortion after six weeks of pregnancy – an effective ban for some women because it’s so early they don’t yet know they’re pregnant. The law includes exceptions for later abortions in cases of rape, incest and involving health risks to a woman.

Warnock, meanwhile, avoided direct questions about whether he’d support any abortion limits, instead turning the question to Walker’s position.

Politics

Jason Pizzo Quits as Florida Senate Democratic Leader, Declares Party ‘Dead’

Published

6 days ago

April 24, 2025

Willie David

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) — In a stunning development Thursday, Senator Jason Pizzo (I-Sunny Isles) abruptly resigned as Florida Senate Democratic Leader, declaring the Democratic Party in Florida “dead” and announcing his switch to No Party Affiliation.

The unexpected move followed months of speculation that Pizzo was eyeing a run for governor in 2026, when Gov. Ron DeSantis will be term-limited.

Pizzo blindsided his Democratic colleagues with a 4-minute floor speech after the day’s legislative session, where he not only announced his resignation but also revealed that he had already FedExed his voter registration form to leave the Democratic Party.

“The Democratic Party in Florida is dead,” Pizzo said. “There are good people that can resuscitate it, but they don’t want it to be me.”

Senator Pizzo is the third Florida state lawmaker to abandon the Florida Democratic Party

Pizzo becomes the third sitting Florida lawmaker to abandon the Democratic Party in the past six months, following State Reps. Susan Valdes of Tampa and Hillary Cassel of Dania Beach, who both switched to the Republican Party.

The announcement sent immediate ripples through the Capitol, with Senate Democrats scrambling to hold a caucus meeting to elect a new leader. In the emergency session, Senator Lori Berman (D-Boca Raton) was chosen as the new Senate Democratic Leader, with Senator Tracie Davis (D-Jacksonville) remaining as Leader Pro Tempore.

Senate President Ben Albritton confirmed that Pizzo had notified him of the move shortly before his public remarks.

In a scathing response, Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried issued a blistering statement condemning Pizzo as “one of the most ineffective and unpopular Democratic leaders in recent memory.”

“Jason Pizzo’s resignation is one of the best things to happen to the party in years,” Fried stated. “His legacy includes disparaging the party base, fighting with members, and chasing personal ambition over Democratic values.”

In 2022, Democrats once hailed Senator Jason Pizzo as a party powerhouse, valuing both his endorsement and his pledge of $500,000 to support Democratic candidates and unseat incumbents. He became known for his blunt, unfiltered remarks — including famously referring to then-Democratic incumbent James Bush as the “Governor’s little b**ch.” Despite the controversy, it appears that both the Florida Democratic Party and Democratic state lawmakers largely gave Pizzo a pass for his comments.

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J Willie David, III
News@FloridaNationalNews.com

Politics

Alan Grayson Shakes Up Senate District 15 Race, Targeting ‘Family Feud’ Candidates, an Attorney, and a GOP Hopeful

Published

7 days ago

April 23, 2025

Willie David

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — The race to fill the late Senator Geraldine Thompson’s Senate District 15 seat has officially turned into one of Central Florida’s most dramatic political battles of the year. Former U.S. Congressman Alan Grayson has officially entered the race, joining Democratic attorney Coretta Anthony-Smith, State Representative LaVon Bracy Davis, former State Senator Randolph Bracy III, and Republican Willie J. Montague in a highly anticipated special election.

Governor Ron DeSantis called for a Special Election last week following Thompson’s unexpected passing in February. The Special Primary is scheduled for June 24, 2025, with the Special Election set for September 2, 2025.

A Family Feud Headlines the Democratic Primary

The Democratic side of the ballot will see a rare and highly personal showdown as State Representative LaVon Bracy Davis faces her brother, former State Senator Randolph Bracy III, for the seat. Bracy previously held the Senate District 15 seat. He ran an unsuccessful campaign for Congress and later attempted to reclaim his Senate seat but lost to Thompson in the 2024 primary.

Bracy Davis announced her candidacy, confirming her resignation from the Florida House effective September 1, a day before the final vote in Senate District 15. Florida election law requires candidates to resign from their current seat to run for another office.

Randolph Bracy publicly expressed disappointment at his sister’s decision to enter the race against him, stating:

“This is a sad day for the Bracy name. My sister choosing to run against me dishonors our father’s legacy in every way possible. I will not disparage our father, who believed in this family, by debating my sister in any format.”

– Advertisement

Alan Grayson on a Return Mission

In a statement to Florida Politics, Alan Grayson criticized the current state of the Democratic candidates and elected officials, declaring:

“I’m seeing a pervasive failure on the part of Democratic candidates and elected officials to accomplish anything meaningful.”

Grayson, known for his bold rhetoric and progressive record during his time in Congress, hopes to claim a seat in state politics and offer voters a non-family feud, policy-driven option in the crowded Democratic primary.

Republican Challenger and New Faces

On the Republican side, Willie J. Montague, a faith-based nonprofit founder, will contest for the seat. Democrat Coretta Anthony-Smith, a personal injury attorney, has also filed to run, further diversifying the field.

What’s Next for Senate District 15?

The political landscape in Senate District 15, which covers parts of Orange County, is heating up fast:

Special Primary Election: June 24, 2025
Special General Election: September 2, 2025
LaVon Bracy Davis will officially resign from the Florida House on September 1, 2025, to meet election requirements.
Expect a highly publicized and contentious Democratic Primary as the Bracy siblings square off while Alan Grayson and Coretta Anthony-Smith work to capture the party base.
Republican Willie J. Montague aims to rally the GOP vote for a potential upset in a traditionally Democratic-leaning district.

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J Willie David, III
News@FloridaNationalNews.com

Politics

Florida Legislature Unanimously Passes “Gage’s Law” to Combat Fentanyl Crisis

Published

2 weeks ago

April 17, 2025

FNN NEWS

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) – The Florida Legislature has taken decisive action against the deadly fentanyl epidemic. On Monday, HB 1195/SB 1346 – Fentanyl Testing, also known as “Gage’s Law”, passed unanimously in both the Florida House and Senate, marking a major bipartisan step in the state’s fight to save lives. The bill now heads to Governor Ron DeSantis’s desk for signature.

“Gage’s Law”, sponsored by Senator Tina Polsky (D-Boca Raton) and Representative Rita Harris (D-Orlando), is named in memory of Gage Austin Taylor, a bright and promising young man who died in 2022 after unknowingly ingesting a substance laced with fentanyl.

Key Provisions of the Legislation

Hospitals and campus emergency departments will be required to test for fentanyl in all suspected overdose or poisoning cases.
Mandatory follow-up testing when initial test results are positive.
All fentanyl test results must be preserved in the patient’s official clinical record.

“Fentanyl tears apart communities by claiming lives too soon,” said Senator Tina Polsky. “I’ve been honored to work with Representative Harris, Gage’s mother Gretchin, and countless advocates to pass Gage’s Law, which is a powerful step in fighting the ongoing fentanyl crisis.”

Florida’s Fentanyl Crisis

Florida ranks second in the nation for fentanyl-related deaths.
Nearly 5,000 Floridians died in 2022 due to fentanyl overdoses.
“Gage’s Law” is designed to ensure rapid detection and response, giving medical staff and law enforcement critical tools to combat the epidemic.

“This policy will equip hospitals with the guidance they need to treat fentanyl overdoses while giving law enforcement the tools to hold traffickers accountable, all in honor of those we’ve lost,” added Representative Rita Harris.

What’s Next?

If signed by Governor DeSantis, “Gage’s Law” will take effect on July 1, 2025, becoming one of the most impactful fentanyl-related measures in Florida’s legislative history.