Politics

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING: Debbie Mucarsel-Powell Puts Rick Scott “On The Spot”

Published

2 years ago

May 29, 2024

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING: Debbie Mucarsel-Powell Puts Rick Scott “On The Spot”

Today, the Debbie for Florida campaign launched the “Rick Scott For Leader” website, highlighting Rick Scott’s toxic record and the extremist policies he would push as Senate GOP leader: passing a national abortion ban, slashing Social Security and Medicare, ripping away affordable health care, and raising taxes on middle-class families in Florida and across the country – all while lining his own pockets.

Politico Playbook: Debbie Mucarsel-Powell Website Puts Rick Scott “On The Spot Over Key Issues”

Democratic Senate candidate Debbie Mucarsel-Powell’s campaign purchased the ScottforLeader.com domain to parody incumbent GOP Sen. Rick Scott, where it links off to negative articles about the senator and puts him on the spot over key issues, including abortion rights and opposition to Medicaid expansion.
The campaign is hosting an accompanying event in Miami today where Mucarsel-Powell will sign a pledge to never cut Social Security and Medicare.

Florida Politics: Debbie Mucarsel-Powell Launches Website Mocking Rick Scott Senate Leadership Bid

The site lampoons the Senator’s own campaign site in many ways, with fake quotes that parody Scott’s own positions.
“Hardworking families in Florida and across the nation know just how catastrophic Rick Scott would be as Senate GOP leader,” said Campaign Manager Ben Waldon.
“For years, radical Rick has pushed extreme abortion bans, put Social Security and Medicare on the chopping block, and advocated to raise taxes on the middle-class. We cannot afford to let this extremism win. It’s never been more important for Debbie Mucarsel-Powell to win this race: for working Floridians and for Americans across the country.”
“I’ve always been a proud champion of stripping women of their reproductive freedoms. I have proudly pledged to sign any anti-abortion bill into law as leader of the Senate,” the Scott persona claims on the mocking website.
“In the Senate, I’ll fight to raise taxes on middle class Americans while pushing for policies that will increase my own personal wealth,” reads another such quote.

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Politics

Venezuelan Nobel Peace Prize Winner María Corina Machado Presents Her Medal to President Trump in Symbolic White House Gesture

Published

2 days ago

January 16, 2026

Willie David

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado presents President Donald Trump with her Nobel Peace Prize medallion at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 15, 2026. Source: The White House

WASHINGTON (FNN) — Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado presented her 2025 Nobel Peace Prize medal to President Donald Trump during a meeting at the White House on Thursday, calling the gesture a tribute to what she described as his historic support for Venezuelan freedom and democratic transition. The Norwegian Nobel Institute has reiterated that the Nobel Peace Prize cannot be transferred or shared once awarded.

Medal Presentation at the White House
Machado, the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize laureate recognized for her longstanding campaign for democracy in Venezuela, placed her Nobel medal in a framed display and offered it to Trump as a “personal symbol of gratitude” for what she described as his decisive actions in opposing the regime of Nicolás Maduro. After the meeting, Trump posted on Truth Social thanking Machado for the gesture and calling it a “wonderful gesture of mutual respect.”

Nobel Committee Clarifies Rules
The Nobel Prize Committee quickly emphasized that while an individual can give away the physical medal, the official title of Nobel Peace Prize laureate remains with Machado and cannot be shared, revoked, or transferred under Nobel rules. The committee’s statutes affirm that once a prize is announced, the decision is final and irreversible.

Political Implications and Reactions
The meeting also included Machado’s discussions with U.S. lawmakers at the Capitol, where she reiterated her calls for continued support for Venezuelan democratic institutions. The symbolic presentation comes amid ongoing debate over U.S. policy in Venezuela following Maduro’s capture and uncertainty about the nation’s political future. Critics and observers noted that Machado’s gesture underscores her bid for broader backing from Washington even as Trump has signaled support for interim leaders in Venezuela.

Florida

Handshake Snub Overshadows DeSantis’ Last Address as Governor to Joint Legislature

Published

3 days ago

January 15, 2026

Willie David

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN NEWS) — Gov. Ron DeSantis delivered his final State of the State address Tuesday to a joint session of the Florida Legislature, capping his remarks with a visible display of the deepening rift between the governor and House Speaker Daniel Perez.

DeSantis shook hands with Senate President Ben Albritton but appeared to bypass House Speaker Daniel Perez before taking the podium in the House chamber. After finishing his State of the State address, DeSantis exited quickly, leaving before Albritton could direct the sergeant-at-arms to provide the traditional ceremonial escort that formally concludes the appearance.

The moment underscored months of strained relations between the term-limited governor and Republican leaders in the House, even as both chambers begin a high-stakes 60-day session dominated by debates over taxes, insurance, affordability and redistricting.

Final Address Sets a Confrontational Tone

In his last State of the State, DeSantis struck a combative tone as House and Senate leaders advance competing priorities for the session. Republican leaders have pledged to focus on affordability and economic pressures facing Floridians, while maintaining what they describe as a unified GOP agenda.

“From tax-free grocery store food, to diapers, clothes, and supplies for young children, key household safety items, to year-round hurricane preparedness, Florida has been laser-focused on affordability,” Albritton said, emphasizing the Senate’s commitment to cost-of-living relief.

Behind the messaging, however, divisions persist — particularly between DeSantis and Perez, who remains at odds with the governor following disputes over taxes, the budget and legislative authority.

Legislative Agenda and Lingering Disputes

Perez, speaking earlier in the day, outlined an ambitious agenda that prioritizes insurance reform, taxes, the economy, prescription drug prices and rising household costs.

“We stand here today, ready to write the second half to our story,” Perez said during opening day remarks.

He later downplayed the handshake snub, saying, “Whether the governor wants to be petulant and not shake the hand of a partner, that’s not going to change our direction.”

Lawmakers face a crowded agenda, with nearly 1,800 bills filed for consideration. Property taxes and insurance reforms are among the top issues expected to dominate debate.

Redistricting Looms Over the Session

Adding to the tension, DeSantis has warned that the regular session may not be enough. He has already issued a proclamation calling for a special session in April to redraw Florida’s congressional map ahead of the November midterm elections.

State lawmakers have 60 days to pass legislation.

Florida

State Rep. Berny Jacques Files Bill Targeting Illegal Immigration and Employer Penalties

Published

1 week ago

January 8, 2026

Willie David

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) — Rep. Berny Jacques has filed legislation aimed at curbing illegal immigration in Florida by restricting access to financial services, housing assistance, and employment for unauthorized immigrants, while imposing stricter penalties on employers.

The proposal, HB 1307, seeks to eliminate what Jacques describes as incentives for illegal immigration and expand accountability for individuals and businesses that employ unauthorized workers.

Restrictions on Financial and Housing Access
HB 1307 would prohibit the Florida Department of Financial Services from issuing licenses to unauthorized immigrants. The bill also bars unauthorized immigrants from obtaining loans, homeownership assistance, or opening bank accounts in Florida.

In addition, the legislation would ban unauthorized immigrants from sending remittances from within the state, further limiting access to financial systems.

Expanded Employer Liability and Penalties
The bill establishes new penalties for employers who knowingly employ unauthorized immigrants. Employers would be held personally and fully liable for injuries sustained by unlawfully employed workers and could be required to reimburse public funds.

Under HB 1307, penalties escalate with repeated violations. A first violation would result in a one-year suspension of all business licenses and a $10,000 fine per violation. A second violation would lead to a five-year license suspension and fines of up to $100,000 per violation. A third violation would result in permanent revocation of licenses and fines of up to $250,000 per violation.

Employers found to employ 50 or more unauthorized immigrants would commit a third-degree felony and face permanent license revocation. The bill also requires employers to verify worker eligibility through the federal E-Verify system before submitting workers’ compensation claims.

Civil Liability and Auto Insurance Provisions
HB 1307 authorizes a civil cause of action against employers if an unauthorized employee causes injury or death to another person. The bill also includes provisions related to auto insurance claims, stating that unauthorized immigrants involved in motor vehicle accidents would be presumed at fault unless clear and convincing evidence demonstrates otherwise.

“We must remove the magnets for illegal migration and hold those who provide those magnets accountable,” Jacques said, urging lawmakers to support the proposal.

The bill will be considered during the upcoming legislative session.