Politics

Congresswoman Val Demings Votes Yes For $1.3 Trillion Omnibus Bill

Published

8 years ago

March 24, 2018

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) – Congresswoman Val Demings (D-Orlando) is among the Florida congressional delegation that voted for the $1.3 trillion spending bill, while nine republicans and one democrat opposed it.

Congressman Darren Soto (D-Orlando) released a statement on the passage of the Omnibus Bill: “This spending bill leaves DREAMers behind, while putting $1.6 billion towards Trump’s divisive and unnecessary border wall and hundreds of millions more to deport their parents.”

congresswoman Val Demings statement

Today, Rep. Demings (FL-10) voted ‘Yes’ on the omnibus federal funding bill.

Said Rep. Demings, “Funding the federal government is the first responsibility of Congress. The omnibus spending bill is not perfect, but it keeps vital services running for the American people, and provides increased funding for medical research, critical education programs, workforce development training, infrastructure development, environmental programs and science-based research.

“In addition, our advocacy meant that several initiatives and priorities that I have fought for throughout the last year were included in the final draft. This includes funding for aviation security, election security, youth mentoring, minority business development and law enforcement mental health programs. I will continue working to ensure that our government is functional, fair, and compassionate.”

Background

Each of the items below is an area in which Rep. Demings has advocated for increased federal support. Several highlighted items note significant wins for her.

Securing Our Nation & Communities

Election Security – The Omnibus includes $380 million in new money for the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to distribute to states as grants for the purpose of protecting election systems from cyber threats. The FBI will receive an additional $300 million for counterintelligence to combat Russian hacking. Rep. Demings serves on the Congressional Task Force on Election Security and has introduced legislation to provide additional resources to secure our elections.

Aviation Security – The Omnibus includes $77,000,000 above the requested amount to maintain existing TSA staffing at airport exit lanes, as required by law, and an additional total includes $45,000,000 above the request to sustain the Law Enforcement Officer Reimbursement Program. In December, Rep. Demings led a letter, signed by 39 other Members of Congress, to House and Senate Appropriators urging that the Omnibus fully fund both items. It also includes $7.7 million for Customs & Border Patrol to hire 328 new Customs Officers, which will help alleviate the need for CBP to temporarily rotate CBPOs from Orlando International Airport to the Southwest Border crossings. Rep. Demings also previously cosponsored a bill to authorize the hiring of 500 new CBP officers annually.

Minority Business Development Agency – The Omnibus includes $39 million for the MBDA, the only federal agency whose mission it is to promote the growth of minority-owned business. This is an increase from FY17 of $5 million, the amount that was added to the House-passed appropriations bill (H.R. 3354) by an amendment offered by Rep. Demings.

Law Enforcement Mental Health – The Omnibus includes report language pointing out that grant funding administered by the COPS Office within DOJ can now be used by State, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies to establish peer mentoring mental health and wellness pilot programs, as authorized by the recently passed the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act (Public Law 115-113). Rep. Demings was a co-author of this legislation.

DOJ Youth Mentoring – The Omnibus includes $94 million for grants that support the implementation, delivery, and enhancement of evidence–based mentoring services to improve outcomes and ensure that at–risk, high–risk, or underserved youth stay out of the juvenile justice system. Last year, Rep. Demings succeeded in offering an amendment to the House Appropriations bill to restore the overall funding level in the House-passed FY18 bill (H.R. 3354) to the FY17 level, an increase of $5 million above the amount in the House bill initially. The total in the Omnibus is an increase of $14 million beyond that.

Disaster Response Overtime – The Omnibus incorporates all of the provisions of the Disaster Response Workforce Flexibility Act of 2017 (H.R. 4611), introduced by Rep. Demings in December to restore overtime pay to FEMA personnel responding to extraordinary disasters in 2017, including Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Jose, and Maria; the California and Montana wildfires; and other major storms. The bill addresses inequities in current law that legally restrict FEMA from paying additional overtime to hundreds of its employees. About 500 FEMA employees whose 2017 disaster response hours exceeded the statutory cap have been subject to wage garnishment. Those workers’ pay will be restored thanks to Demings’ bill being enacted as part of the Omnibus.

Border Wall & ICE – The Omnibus includes $1.6 billion for physical barriers and technology along the Southwest border, which funds 47 miles of new barriers (using existing see-through fencing) plus 48 miles of replacement barriers. The Omnibus does NOT include language cutting off funding of so-called sanctuary jurisdictions, and does NOT include any funds for new detention beds to house undocumented immigrants or new ICE agents.

Gun Violence Prevention – The Omnibus includes $75 million (+$2M from FY17) for grants to states to upgrade criminal and mental health records in the NICS Background Checks System. It includes the text of the “Fix NICS” Act, which is aimed at improving the accuracy and completeness of records reported to the system, but does not expand the instances in which a background check is required. It also includes a clarifying statement that the existing statutory language that prohibits the CDC from advocating for gun control does NOT prohibit the CDC from studying the CAUSES of gun violence.

Protecting Pathways to Prosperity

K-12 Public Education – The Omnibus includes a $700 million increase (to $1.1 billion) for Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants that allow states to expand the use of technology in order to improve the academic achievement and digital literacy of all students. It includes a $300 million increase for Title I Grants to Schools and a $275 million increase for Special Education Part B State Grants (IDEA). It also includes for $1.2 billion (+$20 million from FY17) for 21st Century Community Learning Centers that provide before- and after-school programming, and which the President’s budget sought to eliminate.

Job Training – The Omnibus includes $1.2 billion for career and technical education programs, a $75 million increase over current funding. Apprenticeship programs will increase by $75 million. $2.8 billion for Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Grants to States (worker training programs for adults, youth and dislocated workers), which is $80 million more than the FY17 level. $1.7 billion for Job Corps, which is $15 million more than the FY17 enacted level. $295 million for Veterans Employment and Training, which is $16 million more than the FY17 enacted level.

Higher Education – The Omnibus increases the maximum Pell Grant to $6,095, a $175 increase. It also creates a $350 million fund to provide relief for public service employees with student loans that are otherwise ineligible for the PSLF program. Some in Congress have sought to eliminate the entire program.

National Service – The Omnibus includes level funding for the Corporation for national and Community Service, and $412 million (+$26M from FY17) for AmeriCorp State & National Grants.

Child Care Block Grant – The Omnibus includes a $2.37 billion increase for the Child Care and Development Block Grant program, the highest discretionary funding for the program ever.

Affordable Housing – Includes a $808 million increase for the Public Housing Capital Fund, which will cut down the backlog of unmet renovation needs. It also includes a $250 million increase for HOME Investment Partnerships, $176 million increase for Housing for the Elderly, $85 million increase for Housing for the Disabled, and $90 million increase for Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes.

Energy Bill Help – Includes $3.64B (+$250M from FY17) for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which provides vital assistance during both the cold winter and hot summer months that helps low-income families and seniors to use more of their scarce resources to meet other basic needs.

Investing in Our Infrastructure & Environment

Infrastructure – The Omnibus includes $2.525 billion in new funding for highway formula grants; $1 billion increase for the National Infrastructure Investment (TIGER) grants program; $232 million increase for subway, light rail, and commuter rail transit systems; and a $446.6 million increase for Amtrak. It includes a $305 million increase for Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), which the President’s budget sought to eliminate.

Army Corps FL – Includes $107 million for construction of the South Florida ecosystem restoration project. Also includes $1.47 million for Canaveral Harbor operations and maintenance.

Brownfields – Reauthorizes the EPA program that provides grants and technical assistance to communities to assess, safely clean up, sustainably reuse contaminated properties, and provides $80 million for these grants. It also includes $721 for the Hazardous Substance Superfund cleanup programs, and increase of $3 million above the FY17 amount.

Climate Research – Increases funding for Coastal Science, Assessment, Response, and Restoration activities to $75.4 million, an increase of $2.8 million, and slightly increases, from $10 to $13 million, funding for Coastal Science and Assessment competitive grants. Among other activities, these programs support research by NOAA and its academic, state, tribal, non-profit, industry, and local partners as they develop harmful algal bloom forecasts.

Central Florida News

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings Says Surgery Was Successful, Thanks Community for Support

Published

13 hours ago

July 30, 2026

FNN NEWS

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) — Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings announced that his surgery was successful and expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support he has received from the community as he begins his recovery.

In a statement released Tuesday, Demings said his physicians remain optimistic about his progress and that he looks forward to returning to public service after completing the recovery period recommended by his medical team.

“I appreciate the outpouring of support from our community. My surgery went well, and my doctors remain very optimistic about my recovery. I look forward to getting back to serving the residents of Orange County after taking the time my doctors have recommended for my recovery,” Demings said.

Central Florida News

Orange County Fire Chief Anthony Rios Resigns Following Budget Meeting; Mayor Demings Briefs County Commissioners

Published

17 hours ago

July 30, 2026

FNN NEWS

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — Orange County Fire Rescue Chief Anthony Rios has resigned, effective July 31, following questions raised during a recent Orange County Board of County Commissioners budget workshop regarding the purchase of a county-issued vehicle and his responses to commissioners.

Mayor Jerry L. Demings informed members of the Board of County Commissioners of Rios’ resignation in a memorandum following the chief’s decision to step down. The resignation comes just over a year after Demings appointed Rios to lead one of Florida’s largest fire-rescue agencies.

According to Rios’ resignation letter, the purchase of the county-assigned vehicle complied with Orange County procurement policies and procedures. However, he acknowledged that his explanation during the budget presentation “did not fully communicate the complete context” and could reasonably have been perceived as inaccurate. Rios accepted responsibility for his remarks and said his resignation was in the best interest of the department.

“Throughout my career, I have sought to lead with accountability, transparency, and integrity,” Rios wrote in his resignation letter. “Those values have guided every decision I have made, and they continue to guide this one.”

Appointment Lasted Just Over One Year

Mayor Demings appointed Rios as Orange County Fire Chief in April 2025 after a 24-year career with Orange County Fire Rescue. Before becoming chief, Rios served as Deputy Fire Chief of Administration and previously held positions in field operations, emergency management and executive leadership. He also served as a sworn corrections officer and reserve deputy sheriff during his public safety career.

At the time of his appointment, Demings praised Rios’ leadership and expressed confidence in his ability to guide the department, which serves one of the fastest-growing counties in Florida.

Budget Workshop Sparked Questions

The resignation follows a recent budget workshop where county commissioners questioned Rios regarding the acquisition of a county-issued vehicle as well as other Fire Rescue budget matters. Following that exchange, Rios determined that stepping aside was the appropriate course of action.

In his resignation letter, Rios emphasized that while the procurement itself complied with county policies, he recognized that public confidence depends not only on compliance but also on complete transparency and accurate communication.

He thanked Mayor Demings, the Board of County Commissioners, county administration and Orange County Fire Rescue employees for their support throughout his career.

Rios also stated that he believes the department has become stronger and better prepared to serve residents during his tenure.

Leadership Transition

Orange County has not yet publicly announced a permanent successor to lead the Fire Rescue Department.

The Orange County Fire Rescue Department is among the largest emergency response agencies in Florida, providing fire suppression, emergency medical services, technical rescue and disaster response throughout Orange County.

Mayor Demings and the Board of County Commissioners are expected to oversee the transition process while ensuring continuity of operations during the leadership change.

Central Florida News

Rick Singh, Roberta Walton Johnson Face Off in Orange County Clerk Race After Maribel Gómez Cordero Withdraws

Published

4 days ago

July 27, 2026

FNN NEWS

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) — The race for Orange County Clerk of Courts has entered a new chapter following Orange County Commissioner Maribel Gómez Cordero’s withdrawal, leaving voters with a head-to-head contest between former Orange County Property Appraiser Rick Singh and Orange County Clerk of Courts General Counsel Roberta Walton Johnson.

With incumbent Clerk Tiffany Moore Russell running for Orange County mayor, voters will elect a new clerk for the first time in more than a decade. The race now presents a choice between two candidates with different backgrounds but significant public-sector experience.

While recent headlines have focused on lawsuits and campaign controversies, both candidates are expected to spend the final weeks making their case on qualifications, leadership and their vision for one of Orange County’s most important constitutional offices.

An Open Constitutional Office

The Orange County Clerk of Courts serves as clerk to the courts and County Commission, custodian of public records, county recorder and chief financial officer for numerous court-related functions. The office oversees billions of dollars in transactions annually while providing services to residents, businesses and the judicial system.

With the field narrowed to two candidates, voters will compare experience, leadership and each candidate’s ability to manage a large countywide office.

Rick Singh: Former Countywide Constitutional Officer

Rick Singh previously served as Orange County Property Appraiser, leading one of Florida’s largest property appraisal offices.

Throughout his tenure, Singh emphasized technological modernization, operational efficiency, transparency and customer service.

His campaign highlights:

Executive leadership of a countywide constitutional office.
Experience managing large budgets and personnel.
Technology modernization initiatives.
Increased public access to government services.
Fiscal accountability and operational efficiency.

Singh argues his experience managing a constitutional office prepares him to immediately lead the Clerk’s Office.

Roberta Walton Johnson: Clerk’s Office Legal Leader

Roberta Walton Johnson serves as General Counsel for the Orange County Clerk of Courts, where she advises the office on legal matters, compliance, public records and government operations.

Her campaign emphasizes:

Extensive institutional knowledge.
Legal and administrative experience.
Continuity of leadership.
Public records compliance.
Customer service and operational stability.

Johnson says her experience inside the Clerk’s Office positions her to continue serving residents with minimal disruption while building on existing operations.

Candidate Comparison

Category	Rick Singh	Roberta Walton Johnson
Current/Public Position	Former Orange County Property Appraiser	General Counsel, Orange County Clerk of Courts
Executive Leadership	Led county constitutional office	Senior legal executive within Clerk’s Office
Countywide Election Experience	Yes	First countywide campaign
Government Experience	Constitutional office administration	Legal counsel and government compliance
Campaign Focus	Modernization, accountability, efficiency	Continuity, legal expertise, public service

Campaign Priorities

Both candidates have emphasized many of the same core responsibilities expected of the next Clerk, including:

Improving customer service.
Modernizing technology.
Protecting public records.
Fiscal responsibility.
Efficient court operations.
Transparency and accountability.
Expanding public access to Clerk services.

Their campaigns differ primarily in how they believe those goals should be achieved and which experiences best prepare them for the position.

Moving Beyond Campaign Controversies

Like several Orange County races this election cycle, the Clerk’s race has attracted attention beyond policy issues.

Singh has faced scrutiny over litigation and campaign disputes stemming from previous elections, while Walton Johnson has worked to address questions about a criminal case from more than 30 years ago.

During the campaign, Orange County sheriff candidate Bill Moore has repeatedly criticized Walton Johnson over her involvement as a young adult in a Georgia scheme involving stolen tax refund checks. Johnson did not serve prison time and has described the incident as a mistake she made as a naïve 20-year-old that carried lasting consequences. She says the experience changed the direction of her life, leading her to earn a law degree, build a successful legal career and ultimately serve as General Counsel for the Orange County Clerk of Courts.

Both candidates now appear focused on ensuring those controversies do not overshadow the central question facing voters: who is best prepared to manage one of Orange County’s largest constitutional offices.

Connecting With Voters Countywide

Unlike district races, candidates for Orange County Clerk of Courts must earn support from voters across the entire county.

Political observers say success will likely depend on each campaign’s ability to demonstrate:

Leadership.
Integrity.
Administrative experience.
Fiscal management.
Transparency.
Accessibility.
A clear vision for improving public service.

Community forums, debates and voter outreach will provide opportunities for Singh and Walton Johnson to explain how their backgrounds prepare them to lead the Clerk’s Office.

Decision Before Voters

Following Gómez Cordero’s withdrawal, Orange County voters now face a clear choice between two candidates with different paths to public service.

Rick Singh brings executive experience leading a countywide constitutional office and has centered his campaign on modernization, efficiency and accountability.

Roberta Walton Johnson offers decades of legal experience within the Clerk’s Office, emphasizing continuity, institutional knowledge and her belief that personal redemption and professional achievement have prepared her for elected leadership.

As Election Day approaches, both candidates will seek to persuade voters that their experience, leadership and vision make them the best choice to succeed Tiffany Moore Russell as Orange County’s next Clerk of Courts.