U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R- Miami, has become the first member of the GOP to co-sponsor the Respect for Marriage Act, which would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act.
Some big names in Florida’s social conservative circles are planning to appear at Americans United for Life’s 40th Anniversary gala in November. Among those listed to attend the event in Washington, D.C., are Sen. Marco Rubio and Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Cliff Sterns, Jeff Miller and Allen West (all Republicans).
Rep. Allen West, R-Fort Lauderdale, will speak at the Wilton Manors Business Association’s Aug. 8 meeting. Wilton Manors is a city with a strong, active LGBT community and plenty of LGBT-owned businesses. When asked about lifting the ban on gays and lesbians in the military, West said this weekend, “When you take the military and you tell it they must conform to the individual’s behavior, then it’s just a matter of time until you break down the military.”
The anti-abortion National Right to Life Committee last week spoke out in support of a new abortion bill filed by Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Miami.
Florida GOP lawmakers recently introduced federal legislation requiring each state to uphold other states’ parental notification before abortion laws in both chambers of Congress. The Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act (aka CIANA) was introduced by Sen. Marco Rubio and Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen in an effort to correct a “loophole” in abortion laws that allows a minor to cross state lines in order obtain an abortion without notifying her parents.
Critics of the bill claim that it is “hopelessly complicated,” as well as unnecessary.
DNC chair and Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Pembroke Pines, called the GOP’s agenda “anti-women” and “a war on women” yesterday. Her comments came in response to recent efforts by the GOP to defund Planned Parenthood and to end Title X funding for clinics that perform abortions.
The National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health (NLIRH) sent out a press release today applauding President Obama, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Florida, and other co-sponsors for re-introducing the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minor Act, also known as the DREAM Act.
Seven members of Florida’s U.S. congressional delegation have signed on as cosponsors of the Birthright Citizenship Act of 2011, an effort to limit the 14th Amendment’s provision that all those born in the U.S. automatically become American citizens.
The Florida House of Representatives has launched its public redistricting website, and lawmakers are getting to work drawing congressional boundaries that comply (lawsuits notwithstanding) with two new constitutional amendments intended to require geographically compact districts that don’t favor or disfavor political parties, racial groups or incumbents.
Some legislative leaders — including Senate President Mike Haridopolos — have contended that the amendments create a difficult standard to meet: Just what is a “Fair District”?
President Obama made six recess appointments Wednesday, allowing officials to bypass Senate confirmation to serve for approximately one year.
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