Gainesville, Florida high school student who bragged about reporting an undocumented classmate to ICE has just been expelled

A Gainesville, Florida high school student who bragged about reporting an undocumented classmate to ICE has just been expelled.

Cory Carnley bragged, “MFW I report an illegal who goes to my school to ICE,” in the caption of a photo where he posed in front of a portrait of Trump after the incident.

The principal of Carnley’s high school, David Shelnutt, issued a statement.

“The student who made the postings is no longer attending GHS. I hope it will also serve as a learning opportunity for our students,” he added.

Carnley had a strong presence on Reddit where he’d express his racist viewpoints ad nauseam through a pair of accounts, according to babe.net.

Racism has been on the rise since Trump’s election in 2016, but with the recent slew of Democratic wins in previously Trump-held regions, it looks like the tide is finally turning.

Join US at the Pride Center Flea Market Festival Saturday Feb, 2nd 8am to 1pm

Join Michale Albetta And Ron Mills, Dean Trantalis, and Steve Glassman. This Saturday as we Promote Civics and GOTV for Dean Trantallis For Mayor and Steve Glassman For Fort Lauderdale District 2 And Register Voters and Promote Civic Activities  from all over the County, with lots of GiveAways  

Preview Of Progressive Group SOTU Speech AD

Russia Accidentally Recognizes Gay Marriage

Russia has accidentally recognized gay marriage for the first time after a newlywed couple found a legal loophole in Moscow and exploited it. Yevgeny Voytsekhovsky and Pavel Stotzko, married each other in Copenhagen, Denmark, earlier this month and upon returning to their home country, the couple asked Russian officials to recognize their marriage certificate. But instead…

Carlos Guillermo Smith & John Stemberger in Tweet War

A proposal that would restrict local governments from imposing their own regulations sparked a back-and-forth Friday over LGBTQ rights between two individuals who come from completely opposite ends of the political spectrum.

Democratic state Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith told a Constitution Revision panel that the proposal would “eliminate all human rights ordinances” adopted by local governments in Florida that protect the LGBTQ community from discrimination. The proposed change to the constitution, he said, would also have a negative impact on the state’s economy.

Carlos Guillermo Smith says a Constitution Revision proposal would “eliminate all human rights ordinances” protecting the LGBTQ community.

Commissioner John Stemberger, an Orlando attorney who leads the conservative Florida Family Policy Council said the economic aspect of his argument has been debunked. He then said “infusing downtown regions with bohemians … nondiscrimination laws and gays” do not stimulate the economy.

Known for leading the successful 2008 statewide ballot initiative that made same-sex marriage unconstitutional in Florida, Stemberger told Smith that the proposal “might, arguably, affect the immutable classes of sexual orientation and gender identity.”

The proposal by Sen. Tom Lee was temporarily postponed, a sign that is may be permanently stalled in the CRC. But Stemberger and Smith continued the fight on Twitter.

“As predicted, (Stemberger) is now using Sen. Tom Lee’s bad CRC proposal pre-empting local government to continue his anti-LGBT crusade! We can’t ‘infuse downtown w/gays’! Oh my!” Smith tweeted.

Stemberger called Smith’s testimony a “false narrative” and tweeted that states without laws “that create new rights for sex orientation & gender identity have the best economies in the nation.”

Source  Florida Politics

Ex-felons could soon get their voting rights back in Florida

Come November, voting rights to more than 1 million former felons could be restored.

The Voting Rights Restoration for Felons Initiative, sponsored by the Floridians for a Fair Democracy, Inc., received more than 766,200 signatures, which is the requirement needed to have the initiative on the ballot, and will read “Voting rights shall be restored upon completion of all terms of sentence including parole or probation” on the November ballot.

“Knowing that we’ve actually sent in over a million petitions and that people have answered the call to have a more inclusive democracy is just overwhelming,” Sheena Meade, organizing director for the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, said to ThinkProgress. “People never thought we would get to this place, and now it’s actually here.”

The amendment, if passed with 60 percent of the vote, will restore “the voting rights of Floridians with felony convictions after they complete all terms of their sentence including parole or probation,” according to the Florida Department of State, Division of Elections. But felons with murder convictions or sexual offenses will be excluded.

Florida, along with Kentucky, Virginia and Iowa, has strict disenfranchise laws, which were adopted in 1868 in an effort to limit black voting rights, that permanently bars felons from voting for life unless they seek clemency from the governor.

According to ThinkProgress, 1.6 million Floridians have had their voting rights stripped of them — about one in four African Americans.

The Sentencing Project states that “approximately 2.5 percent of the total U.S. voting age population — one of every 40 adults — is disenfranchised due to a current or previous felony conviction.” And, according to ThinkProgress, Florida “accounts for 27 percent of the disenfranchised population nationally.”

Many believe that if this amendment passes, it will reshape “electoral politics” in the swing state.

“We don’t care about how people vote,” Desmond Meade, who was convicted of a felony more than a decade ago, said to ThinkProgress. “We just care about them having the opportunity to vote.”

Rep. Deutch Leads Colleagues in Joint Statement on CBP Raid of Greyhound Bus

Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-22), Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (FL-20), Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23), and Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24), representing the Congressional Broward Delegation, along with Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairwoman Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM-01), Congressional Caribbean Caucus Co-Chairs Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) and Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (USVI), House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18), Congressman Luis V. Gutiérrez (IL-04), Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08), Congresswoman Karen Bass (CA-37), Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Congresswoman Kathy Castor (FL-14), Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Congressman Darren Soto (FL-09), Congressman Al Lawson (FL-05), Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), and Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) issued the following joint statement after video surfaced of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents boarding and raiding a Greyhound bus in Fort Lauderdale:




“We were appalled to see U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents abusing their mandate and authority to arbitrarily board a bus to demand that all passengers produce identification and documentation.

“We support strengthening our border protections against external threats and bolstering our officials in their work to keep Americans safe. However, arbitrary and disruptive enforcement actions like this do not make our communities safer. Rather, they waste taxpayer resources, cruelly dehumanize people who have not committed any crimes, and erode our fundamental rights. Identification is not required to ride a bus from one Florida city to another.

“While the law gives U.S. CBP officials the authority to conduct transportation checks within a reasonable distance from the border, this event and others like it across the country show that Congress must conduct a comprehensive review of what ‘reasonable distance’ means. The 100-mile border zone established by U.S. regulations arbitrarily extends CBP jurisdiction and undercuts the rights for citizens and legal residents to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures. In Florida, this arbitrary zone puts everyone in the state under constant threat of stops, interrogations, and searches without even the most basic due process protections.

“We regret that visitors to Fort Lauderdale were subjected to this raid, and will work together to push for reasonable limits on border agent authority that protect our civil liberties.”

The Trayvon Martin Foundation to honor distinguished individuals at the 6th Annual Remembrance Dinner

The Trayvon Martin Foundation at Florida Memorial University presents the sixth annual Trayvon Martin Remembrance Dinner on Sunday, February 11, 2018, at the DOUBLETREE BY HILTON located at 711 NW 72ND Avenue, Miami, Fl. 33126. The affair opens with a cocktail reception at 6:00 p.m., immediately followed by the dinner at 7:00 p.m.

The following honorees, celebrated for their notable, civic contributions, include: Gbenga Akinnagbe, American actor, producer and activist; Queen Brown, Miami native, activist; Captain Barrington Irving, youngest person to pilot the world solo; Tom Joyner, radio host; former Mayor Marc Morial, president, National Urban League; and Florida State Representative Cynthia Stafford  (D109).

The Trayvon Martin Remembrance Dinner is an annual event commemorat ing the life of the late Trayvon Benjamin Martin (Feb. 5, 1995 – Feb. 26, 2012) and supports raising public awareness of profiling, the impact of violent crimes in our communities, and senseless gun violence. The Remembrance Dinner is also designed to celebrate life and progress of Foundation supporters who want change.

Details:

Event: 6th Annual Trayvon Martin Remembrance Dinner When: Sunday, February 11, 2018

Location: DOUBLETREE BY HILTON 711 NW 72ND Avenue, Miami, FL 33126

Time: Reception at 6:00 p.m. – Dinner at 7:00 p.m.

Click pic below to enlarge or print

Rep. Deutch: "Governing by Chaos Is Not Governing"

Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-22) issued this statement after voting against the Republicans’ latest short-term and short-sighted spending bill:

"It’s been four months since President Trump ended DACA, putting 800,000 DREAMers at risk; four months since Republican leadership allowed the historically-bipartisan CHIP program to expire, putting access to healthcare for nine million kids at risk; and four months since the last fiscal year ended without any plan for the year ahead.

"Since then, Republican leadership has repeatedly resorted to short-term spending bills, kicking the can down the road from one emergency spending bill to the next, while ignoring bipartisan demands for a budget that will help fund programs to combat opioid abuse, address the emergency funding for Florida, Texas, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and California, and reauthorize CHIP and DACA.

"The simple fact is that Republicans – in control of the House, the Senate, and the White House - have failed to govern. You cannot govern by funding the government just weeks at a time. That is governing by chaos, and the lack of certainty puts at risk our military, our seniors, our veterans, important medical research, and vital infrastructure improvements.

"Governing by chaos is not governing. Using band-aids to move from one emergency to another is irresponsible and dangerous. Americans need to know that their government will be there for them. Unfortunately, the Republican leadership has failed them.

"We need a spending bill that will ensure certain, stable, and robust funding of both domestic and military spending for the remainder of the year. We need to instill confidence and ensure stability.

"We owe it to our military, our troops, our veterans, and our national security. We owe it to our seniors and low-income families, to Social Security beneficiaries and Medicare and Medicaid recipients. We owe it to the groundbreaking and life-saving federally-funded medical research, and to those still struggling to recover from the disastrous natural disasters.

"This bill offers no assurance for a long-term spending bill. It’s time to govern – responsibly and in a bipartisan way. The American people deserve better."

Woman's March Descends On Mar-a-Lago

By Carol Porter

The People’s Inaugural Impeachment March was held on Saturday, January 20, in Palm Beach, beginning at the clock tower on S. Ocean Blvd., and ending at Mar a Lago, and returning to the clock tower. Hundreds of people marched to Mar a Lago, but the speeches took place at the clock tower. Trump supporters also visited the march along Ocean Blvd, in several vehicles with Trump banners. Trump supporters took part in events in West Palm Beach and also Palm Beach later that day.









CLICK HERE FOR PHOTO SLIDESHOW

Rep. Deutch to Give Washington Update at Lighthouse Point Town Hall

Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-22) will participate in a town hall event in Lighthouse Point to give a Washington update of issues important to residents of South Florida, including climate change, infrastructure investments, and immigration reform.

Lighthouse Point Mayor Glenn Troast will offer introductory remarks. The event is hosted by Lighthouse Point Magazine and is open to the public and press.

Lighthouse Point Town Hall	Monday, January 22 at 10:00 a.m.
	Dixon Ahl Hall Recreation Center 2220 NE 38th Street Lighthouse Point, FL

Wasserman Schultz Statement on the Trump Shutdown

. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23) released the following statement on Congressional Republicans and President Trump shutting down the federal government:

“The Trump Shutdown is a reckless refusal to responsibly govern by a Republican party that controls both Houses of Congress and the White House, and fittingly arrives on the one year anniversary of Trump’s inauguration, putting his destructive and chaotic lack of leadership in sharp focus. This total budget failure threatens public health, stymies our economy, wastes military resources and blocks basic investments in research and services in our communities. It’s no surprise that a party focused on tax breaks for corporations and the wealthy produces an irresponsible month-to-month budget that neglects broad Americans priorities, such as children’s health care, pension protection and defending DREAMers. Governing by dividing doesn’t work. Let’s end this Trump Shutdown, work together and focus on bipartisan progress. Americans deserve much better than this.”

Michael Wolff Insinuates to Bill Maher Trump’s Currently Having an Affair

So Michael Wolff went ahead and made a pretty explosive insinuation to Bill Maher tonight.

Maher asked the Fire and Fury author if there’s something in his book that people haven’t picked up on yet. Wolff coyly said there is, “but I can’t tell you what it is.”

Wolff, who has previously stated “if it rings true it is true” and has been criticized for inaccuracies in his book, told Maher, “There is something in the book that I was absolutely sure of, but it was so incendiary that I just didn’t have the ultimate proof.”

Maher asked if it’s a “woman thing.” Wolff said, “It is.”

Maher followed up, “It’s somebody he’s fucking now.”

Wolff responded, “It is.”

Watch above, via HBO.

Hillary Clinton Could Still Become President: Expert

Nearly a year after President Donald Trump’s inauguration, a Harvard University professor says 2016 presidential candidate Hillary Clinton could still become commander in chief. Lawrence Lessig, the Roy L.

Why Ron DeSantis should never become Governor of Florida

DeSantis in August became the first lawmaker to propose a measure that would end Mueller’s investigation, which DeSantis has called a“fishing expedition.” It would have eliminated funding for the probe six months after the amendment’s passage, and prohibited Mueller from looking into matters that occurred prior to the June 2015 launch of Trump’s presidential campaign.

At the same time, DeSantis, who is running for governor of Florida, has argued that the dossier—which was initially funded by the Washington Free Beacon before the Democratic National Committee and Clinton campaign took over—proved “without a shadow of a doubt” that the Democratic Party and Hillary Clinton colluded with Russia.

Rep. Deutch Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen Congressional Sexual Harassment Policies

Bill introduced by bipartisan group including Ethics Committee Ranking Member Deutch and Chairwoman Susan Brooks, House Administration Committee Chairman Gregg Harper and Ranking Member Bob Brady, and Reps. Jackie Speier, Bradley Byrne, and others.

 Congressman Ted Deutch (D-FL), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Ethics, joined a bipartisan group of Members including Committee on Ethics Chairwoman Susan Brooks (R-IN), Committee on House Administration Chairman Gregg Harper (R-MS) and Ranking Member Bob Brady (D-PA), and Representatives Jackie Speier (D-CA), Bradley Byrne (R-AL), and others to introduce the bipartisan "Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 Reform Act." This bill will improve workplace protections in Congress and strengthen responses to sexual harassment cases.

A fact sheet on the bill can be accessed here. Congressman Deutch issued the following statement:

“At a moment when women around the country are standing up to sexual harassment, Congress is finally taking action to strengthen our antiquated workplace protections. The Congressional Accountability Act passed almost a quarter of a century ago, and victims of sexual harassment in Congress have encountered a system with no transparency, little respect for the abused, and too many hurdles to seeking justice.

“Everyone – from Congressional interns to Members of Congress – deserves a safe workplace environment free from harassment or abuse. This bill will make it easier for victims to speak out, ensure that legal resources are available to them, and most importantly offer them a way to seek justice without fear of retribution. And when Members of Congress pay for their bad behavior, taxpayers will no longer foot the bill.”

Reps. Deutch, Ros-Lehtinen Introduce Resolution Honoring Alberto Nisman

Today, on the anniversary of Argentinian prosecutor Alberto Nisman’s death, Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-22) and Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27), the Ranking Member and Chairman respectively of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa, introduced a resolution honoring his work and calling for a full and just investigation into his death.

Nisman was the Special Prosecutor overseeing the investigation into the 1994 bombing of the Buenos Aires AMIA (Asociación Mutual Israelita Argentina) building.

“Alberto Nisman committed himself to uncovering the truth of the horrific AMIA bombing that killed 85 and injured hundreds of others,” said Congressman Deutch. “He refused to let Iran or Hezbollah get away with this act of terrorism, and he refused to let corrupt officials cover up the facts and wash their hands of this horrible attack. His hard work was not in vain, and this resolution honors his legacy and urges full transparency on the circumstances of his death and the AMIA bombing investigation.” 

“Murdered three years ago for investigating Iran and its proxy Hezbollah’s role in the AMIA terror attack, Alberto Nisman was fearless in his fight against corruption and terrorism in Argentina," said Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen. "Despite constant threats, Alberto relentlessly pursued those responsible for the deadly attack in order to bring them to justice. As he continued gathering evidence that pointed toward Hezbollah, I met with him several times in Washington, DC to talk about his findings and how to protect our hemisphere from the Iranian threat. With this resolution, we seek to continue Alberto’s vital work, urge transparency in the investigation of both Alberto’s murder and the AMIA bombing, and finally, once and for all, hold Iran accountable for its senseless and despicable crimes against Buenos Aires’ Jewish community.” 

In December 2017, a federal judge in Argentina indicted former President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner for treason for covering up Iran’s involvement in the AMIA bombing.

U.S. Senators Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) introduced a companion resolution in the Senate (S.Res. 354)

Rep. Ted Deutch Move Bipartisan Bill to protect Veterans to the floor

Two Florida congressmen have gotten their proposal to protect veterans against fraud back to the House floor. 

Back in 2016, U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney, R-Fla., and U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch, D-Fla., brought out the “Preventing Crimes Against Veterans Act” with then U.S. Rep. David Jolly, R-Fla., as a co-sponsor of the bill. The House passed the bill in a 411-0 vote later that year but the Senate version, which was sponsored by U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., did not pass before the start of the new Congress.  

The bill proposes increasing penalties on conmen targeting veterans by charging illegal fees for help in appealing a claim with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. If the bill becomes law, violators would face fines and prison sentences up to five years. 

On Wednesday, the U.S. House Judiciary Committee passed the bill without opposition, sending it to the House floor. 

“Anyone who seeks to financially exploit the men and women who have served our country and cheat them out of their hard-earned VA benefits should have to face a harsh punishment for their criminal actions,” Rooney said. “Frankly it’s appalling that there are individuals out there who are targeting veterans, especially those in low-income housing or who are elderly, with these schemes. This commonsense legislation will help give prosecutors the tools they need to protect our veterans and go after these criminals. I commend my colleagues on the Judiciary Committee for their decision to move this bill forward and advance it to the House floor.”

"Pension poaching is not only illegal, it's a despicable and immoral practice," said Deutch. "These scammers are getting more and more sophisticated in how they identify and deceive vulnerable veterans with lofty promises to help them with their pensions while charging outrageous fees. Congressman Rooney and I have received overwhelming support from our Congressional colleagues to close this loophole, and we look forward to voting on this on the House floor."

Three other congressmen from Florida--Republicans Carlos Curbelo and Mario Diaz-Balart and Democrat Darren Soto--are also cosponsoring the bill. 

Rubio is sponsoring the Senate version again with U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., as a cosponsor. 

Source Sunshinestatenews.com 

Rep. Ted Deutch Comment On Turmps Haiti comment

Today is the 8th anniversary of the earthquake that devastated Haiti.

Yesterday, the President made repulsive comments about Haiti and other nations that are inexcusable, disrespectful and far below the office he holds.

To our Haitian-American neighbors, coworkers, and friends, please know that most of us don't agree with the President's statements. Wherever you're from, we're glad you're here.

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

Wasserman Schultz Statement on Trump's Reported Immigration Remarks

Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23) released the following statement on President Trump's reported comments at a meeting on immigration:

“Trump’s vile comments are outrageous, unacceptable and continue a disturbing pattern of racist remarks. He repeatedly sews seeds of racism which foment horrendous, discriminatory actions. No American can be proud of a President who speaks this way. Trump’s Republican colleagues must denounce his comments and stand up against bigotry and intolerance or be guilty of sanctioning them.”

Democrats Release Fusion GPS Testimony on Trump and Russia

Senate Democrats on Tuesday released the transcripts from a closed-door Senate Judiciary interview with Fusion GPS co-founder Glenn Simpson as part of the committee’s Russia probe. Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA), a Republican, had previously denied multiple Democratic requests to make public the transcripts. Among the highlights from within the transcripts: Simpson claimed that the FBI informed Trump dossier author Christopher Steele that the bureau had a “walk-in” whistleblower “from within the Trump organization or campaign,” possibly on issues related to alleged collusion between the campaign and Russian officials. However, NBC News later reported, “Steele was not told about a walk-in source. That was a mistake. He was referring to [ex-Trump aide George] Papadopoulos [who took a plea deal in Mueller’s probe last year], via the Australian diplomat.” Read the documents below:

Read the full transcript of Oprah Winfrey's speech that fired up the Golden Globes

Oprah Winfrey won the Cecil B. DeMille Award at Sunday's Golden Globes, making history as the first black female recipient. Her fiery acceptance speech will no doubt go down in history too, igniting speculation that maybe she has political aspirations.

Oprah Was Queen of the 2018 Golden Globes

If there was one true winner of the 2018 Golden Globes, it was Oprah Winfrey. It was clear from the first winner that it was going to be her night. "Hi, Oprah,” the awestruck Marvelous Mrs. Maisel star Rachel Brosnahan said when she arrive on stage to accept her award. It was hard not to be…

EQUALITY FLORIDA PAC ENDORSES GEORGE CASTRATARO FOR FORT LAUDERDALE CITY COMMISSION, DISTRICT 2

Equality Florida Action PAC, the political arm of Equality Florida, has unanimously endorsed George Castrataro for the Fort Lauderdale City Commission in District 2, citing his longstanding work for the LGBT community and his commitment to equality. The endorsement is also a recognition of the importance of ensuring that an LGBT voice remains on the Commission after this election.

“Equality Florida Action PAC is endorsing George Castrataro because he’s been a champion and leader in the LGBT community for years,” said Stratton Pollitzer, Deputy Director of Equality Florida. “He’s used not only his voice but also his professional resources to advance equality for all and to stand up for those who have experienced discrimination. We know George will bring that same commitment, dedication and service to the Fort Lauderdale City Commission.”

Castrataro is known for his work in and for the LGBT community, and is recognized as a “go-to” expert. As an attorney, he’s helmed high profile LGBT cases, and led a precedent-setting marriage equality case that was scheduled first for the Florida Supreme Court and that was likely to pave the way in Florida prior to the US Supreme Court ruling in Obergefell. He authored the Broward Human Rights Initiative, which protects the civil rights of Broward’s LGBT citizens through direct legal representation, and outreach and education programs throughout South Florida. He’s a board member and director at Care Resource, which has evolved from a community health center into a primary health care provider for thousands of patients. And he’s funded and coordinated numerous LGBT candidates, campaigns and causes in Broward County.

“I thank Equality Florida for this important endorsement of my campaign based on a recognition of the work I’ve done in the LGBT community,” Castrataro said. “We must keep LGBT representation on the Fort Lauderdale Commission, given the size of our community and the work that still needs to be done.

“I also understand that the entire community — all residents of Fort Lauderdale — need the same things from our leaders — a focus on fixing our existing problems, the foresight to plan for the future, and the ability to make our city better for everyone. That’s my commitment to our residents.”

The election is January 16th 2018

Wasserman Schultz to File Airport ALERT Act in Response to Ft. Lauderdale Mass Shooting

 On Monday, Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23) will file legislation that draws on the lessons learned from the deadly mass shooting at the Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport to help ensure that travelers at America’s major air hubs are kept as safe as possible in such chaotic situations.

One year ago a gunman killed five people at the Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), and thanks to a solid law enforcement response that day, a larger loss of life was avoided. However, communication problems in the aftermath of that tragedy caused uncertainty and preventable chaos for many of the civilians and safety officials there. 

Over the past year, Wasserman Schultz (FL-23) convened federal, state and local officials as well as industry experts to discuss those airport security and response issues, and honor the victims of this tragedy. In drafting the Airport Advanced Logistics Emergency Response and Training (ALERT) Act, she also utilized official post-incident after-action reports of the FLL tragedy, as well as similar incidents at other large air travel hubs, to identify legislative improvements that all major airports should adopt.

Rep. Wasserman Schultz’s bill addresses the communication, coordination and training issues that all major airports face. She will be joined by key law enforcement and airport officials, along with bill co-sponsor, Rep. Ted Deutch (FL-22), to discuss the legislation.

Specifically, the bill would expand the Airport Air Transportation Security Programs administered by TSA to enhance training, require planning, improve communications, facilitate continuity of operations, and assist customers and the traveling public in the aftermath of any airport emergency. 

In addition, at the 28 airports in TSA’s highest security level known as Category X, which includes Miami and Fort Lauderdale, the Airport ALERT Act would require an integrated and unified operations center to oversee and direct security operations for the entire airport.  The Miami International Airport (MIA) is already constructing such a center, and it is essential that this best practice is followed nationwide.       

U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23) 

U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch, (FL-22)

Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel

Mayor Beam Furr – Broward County

Mark Gale – FLL Airport Director

                       City of Sunrise Utilities Administration Building

777 Sawgrass Corporate Parkway

Sunrise, FL 33325

                        Monday, Jan. 8, 2017 at 9:45 a.m.