U.S. Congress

Americans Caused Boston Marathon Tragedy

Who Will Rick Scott Pick to Replace Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll?

Jennifer Carroll resigned yesterday amid scandal. Gov. Rick Scott has announced he will hold off on choosing a replacement until after the current legislative session, at which point the Cardinals of the Republican Party of Florida will convene at the governor's mansion and meet in secret. Florida w ... More >>

David Rivera and Allen West Finish Final Day as Congressmen (But It's Not The Last You'll Hear of Either)

Whether you're a Democrat, independent, or the apparently small number of Republicans left who realized that their party is still in control of the body and is probably better off in the long run without these two controversial South Florida schmucks creating distraction, can we all come together an ... More >>

Election Turn-Out: Vote-Crazy Coral Gables, Motivated Miami Beach, Hopeless Homestead

Ever since Election Day, the New Times office has descended into tribal taunts as each employee has tried to claim that his or her 'hood was the nail in Mitt Romney's coffin or the only thing keeping Democrats from ransacking the House of Representatives.To settle the issue, we've prepared a list of ... More >>

Todd "Legitimate Rape" Akin Is Comparing Himself to Marco Rubio In Campaign Ads

Charlie Crist was once a sure-bet, GOP-backed pick for U.S. Senate, until a superstar dark horse named Marco Rubio came along. Todd Akin was once a sure-bet, GOP-backed pick for U.S. Senate, until he opened his mouth to tell the world that he doesn't believe "legitimate" rape can cause pregnancy and ... More >>

Are Connie Mack and Marco Rubio Dumb? The Grade Level They Speak At Suggests It

The Sunlight Foundation has noticed an interesting and perhaps even troubling trend about the people who make our laws: the grade level that members of Congress speak at has taken a noticeable dip since 2005. The average member of Congress spoke at an 11.5 grade level in 2005, but now speaks at a 10 ... More >>

Herman Cain and Michele Bachmann Choose Different Sides in Florida Republican Senate Primary

If you're the kind of Republican voter who finds yourself easily swayed by some of the more deafening but dimmer voices in your party, well then boy do we have a quagmire for you. Two of your favorite also-rans from the GOP presidential primary have chosen different sides in the Florida battle betwe ... More >>

Video: Rep. Bobby Rush Removed from House Floor for Wearing Hoodie for Trayvon Martin

​Congressman Bobby Rush III, a black Democrat from Illinois, was escorted off of the floor of the House of Representatives the morning after donning a hoodie to show his support from deceased Florida teen Trayvon Martin. The moment came just a day after House Democrats held a forum to discuss the ... More >>

Fidel Castro Is the Only Thing Less Popular Than the U.S. Congress

​The popularity of the U.S. Congress is at an all-time low. A recent CBS News/New York Times poll shows that just 9 percent of Americans approve of the federal legislative body. How bad is that? Well, just about the only thing Americans hate more than Congress is Fidel Castro.

Village Voice Media asks for your support of Senate Bill 596

Reader mail: Ave Maria University is like rehab for smug Catholics

Allen West Actually Lives in Debbie Wasserman Schultz's District

​In a situation only slightly less perplexing than being your own grandfather, it turns out that Rep. Allen West is not his own congressman. In fact, the Republican who represents the 22nd District actually lives in the neighboring 20th District represented by Democratic Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schu ... More >>

Mike Haridopolos Drops Bid for U.S. Senate, Doesn't Have to Refund Contributions

​State Senate President Mike Haridopolos has given up on his run for U.S. Senate.The ethically challenged 41-year-old sent an email to supporters early today saying that his run for Senate is conflicting with his duties in the Florida State Senate, according to Roll Call.

Six Formerly Ridiculous Celebrities Who Went On to Public Office

​We know the inner struggle you're having. Whenever you picture yourself voting Luther Campbell for Miami-Dade Mayor, there's a little persistent soundtrack playing in your head that causes hesitation: Oh, me so horny... So we put together this list to convince you that some totally ridiculous ... More >>

Influential Conservative Blog: Mike Haridopolos Should Quit Senate Race Because He Has Girly Hair

​Senate President Mike Haridopolos is the only well-known Republican who's announced his intentions to run against Senator Bill Nelson in 2012, but his campaign isn't off to such a great start. First there was the reminder that he once got $152,00 in taxpayer money to write some crappy book that w ... More >>

Senate President Mike Haridopolos Got $152K in Taxpayer Money to Write Crappy, Misspelled Book

​Senate President and U.S. Senate candidate Mike Haridopolos lists his profession as college professor (though he's actually merely a lecturer) but apparently does a hell of a lot less toiling on his written works than one would expect of his students. He certainly makes a lot more money for it, t ... More >>

Interview with a Zero

Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen Leads Us Into Annoying New World of Live Tweets from House Floor

​Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen made history yesterday by making the first (semi-) authorized Tweet from the House Chamber of the U.S. Congress. The Republican congresswoman, whose Twitter is usually full of rooting for local football teams, live Tweeted a picture of former Speaker Nancy Pelosi handing ... More >>

What would immigration reform look like if the Feds got off their duffs?

Frederica Wilson Gives Up on Fight to Wear Hats on House Floor

The floor of the United States House of Representatives will remain a boring chapeau-free waste land. Representative-elect Frederica Wilson will give up on her erstwhile fight to get Speaker-elect John Boehner to end a ban on hats while the body is in session.

Happy Holidays, You're Unemployed

Aflcio via Flickr ​You'd never guess it by the numbers retail stores pulled in over the busiest shopping weekend of the year, but the National unemployment rate is 9.6 percent. And by month's end, close to 2 million will have lost their extended unemployment benefits, according MSNBC.com. In ... More >>

Bob Dole Says Charlie Crist Would Have Voted with Republicans After All

​Probably the greatest let down of not electing Charlie Crist to the Senate is not getting to watch him navigate through DC as an independent. He aggressively courted Democrats in the final weeks of the campaign, at one point seemingly open to the idea of Kendrick Meek dropping out and become the ... More >>

Florida Democratic Party Chair Karen Thurman Resigns

​Florida Democratic Party Chair Karen Thurman has offered her resignation letter. Even though she had reportedly been telling several folks even before this month's elections that she was preparing to retire, the election results drove home the fact that the state party desperately needed a shake ... More >>

The Marco Rubio for President Campaign Might as Well Begin Tomorrow

​Let's not be cynical. We don't know who is going to win the Florida senate race (so please go out and vote), but polls indicate Marco Rubio is the favorite. If he does emerge victorious tonight, then it's only a matter of time until some speculation that he may run for President in 2012 at least ... More >>

Frederica Wilson's 25 Best Hats

Frederica Wilson was the winner of the Democratic primary in Florida District 17, and will almost certainly fill the vacancy left behind by Kendrick Meek in the next United States Congress. She is also a state legislator, mother, grandmother, founder of the 5000 Role Models program, former principal ... More >>

Marijuana Food and Drink To Heighten Your Day

Now comes the news that the U.S. Senate has voted to double penalties for mixing controlled substances with sweets. It's still not a law yet. Short Order believes this is a pot o' shit. Not only is a food-inspired high cleaner and clearer, it lasts longer. According to The Marijuana Food Handbook "s ... More >>

Obama Visits Miami Today to Stump for Sink, Snap $10,000 photos

Pete Souza, White House BlogObama just can't get enough of Florida. Must be the fumes coming off our nice, oily ocean.​A day after ex-prez Bill Clinton turned on the smiles for US Senate-hopeful Kendrick Meek, none other than President Obama himself is set to visit Miami today to stump for the Dem ... More >>

Luke's Gospel Propels Elena Kagan to Supreme Court

Uncle Luke confirmed Elena Kagan before the U.S. Senate did. ​Turns out Luke's Gospel is indeed the word, the truth we all seek. Miami New Times columnist Luther Campbell penned an opinion piece on Elena Kagan, which was cited by several national media outlets, including Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone ... More >>

Marco Rubio, Tea Party pretty boy

Kevin Burns Bounces Check, Attacks Rival (Updated)

Kevin Burns​Former North Miami Mayor Kevin Burns abandoned his campaign for U.S. Senate to run for state Senate, but maybe he should concentrate on getting his financial house in order first. This past June 28, Florida's division of elections notified Burns via letter that his bank did not ho ... More >>

Ten Years After Elian, Alex Penelas is Back at County Hall

​Ten years ago this past June 28, Elian Gonzalez was returned to his father in Cuba and Alex Penelas' rising political star imploded. Miami-Dade's then-county mayor dug his own grave in 2000. Sure he won a second term as mayor, but he double crossed Al Gore during the presidential election and the ... More >>

Crist Ad Surfaces on White Pride Site

​"We created this civilization -- by 'we,' I mean the whites." So says Gordon Baum, the CEO of the Council of Conservative Citizens -- the CCC, for short. "Our local chapters would probably support a referendum to ban inter-racial marriage, I would speculate," he says in a New Times interview. ... More >>

George Rekers Has Company: The Top Ten Outed Right-Wing Homophobes

George Alan Rekers, latest in a long line of closeted homophobes.Unless you've spent the last 48 hours holed up in a French B&B humping the homosexuality right out of your rent-a-boy, you've probably heard about Miami New Times' exposé of gay-bashing evangelist George Alan Rekers' European trys ... More >>

Charlie Crist's New "Swift Boat" Friend Refers to Obama as "the Black One"

Bud Day​Bud Day is an 85-year-old retired U.S. Air Force Colonel who keeps poking his nose into Florida and national political controversy. You might remember those classy "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth" from the 2004 election that questioned John Kerry's service and patriotism, even though oppone ... More >>

Marco Rubio Greeted with Cheers at CPAC: Watch His Entire Speech

It was a watershed moment for Marco Rubio today as he delivered the key note speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference to rampant cheers and a standing ovation. In the 30 minute speech he rallied against moderates in the GOP, warned that Democrats could be leading America to a society ... More >>

Democrat Maurice Ferre Doesn't Back Democrat Health Plan One Day After Democrat Loss

​Former Mayor of Miami Maurice Ferre, who somehow thinks he is running for US Senate even though he is trailing in the primary race for the party that is trailing in the general election race, has announced that he doesn't support the Democratic healthcare plan.  "It is a special-interest pla ... More >>

Herald Explains Why It Deleted Sentence from Worldwide Climate Change Op-Ed

Myriam Marquez​When The Miami Herald was the only American paper to run a world-wide op-ed about Climate Change by London newspaper The Guardian we thought either they must be the only daily in this country with balls on that particular issue, or because they've fired so much of their staff they j ... More >>

The Miami Herald: Only U.S. Paper to Publish Climate Change Editorial (and the Sentence You Didn't Read)

via the GuardianThe logos of all the participating papers​In advance of the Copenhagen Climate Conference, which kicked off today in Denmark, 56 papers across the globe yesterday published a front-page editorial led by the Guardian calling for international action on the global warm ... More >>

Yolly Roberson Kicks Off House Bid Against Crowded Field, Including Her Ex-Husband

With Kendrick Meek resigning to seek a Senate seat, Florida's 17th congressional district will have its first non-Meek representative since 1993. District 17, with a Cook pvi of D 34, is one of the most Democratic leaning districts in the entire nation, so the real race ... More >>

Would You Get on a Plane with a Pilot Who Has Never Flown?

Miami Immigration Judge a Would-Be Pol

Sa-wing Batter

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