Today, Rep. Lois Frankel (FL-22) released the following statement in response to reports that Gov. DeSantis plans to eliminate vaccinate mandates in Florida—making Florida the first state to do so. “Eliminating vaccine requirements is reckless and dangerous. It puts everyone at risk, especially endangering children, seniors, and those with weakened immune systems,” said Rep. Frankel. “It threatens... Read More »
Rep. Lois Frankel (D-FL-22), Ranking Member of the House National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Subcommittee released the following statement today after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that President Trump’s budget director, Russell Vought, would oversee the closeout of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). "Secretary Rubio has a... Read More »
Rep. Lois Frankel (D-FL-22), Ranking Member of the House National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Subcommittee released the following statement today after President Trump announced that he plans to cancel $4.9 billion in funding for foreign aid programs. “Trump’s new clawback of federal funds is unlawful and reckless. The rescission package is a brazen seizure o... Read More »
Today, Representative Lois Frankel (FL-22) reintroduced the bipartisan Connected Maternal Online Monitoring (MOM) Act to help pregnant and new mothers stay healthy and safe. “As a mom and now a grandmother, I know how important it is for expectant mothers to feel safe and supported every step of the way,” said Rep. Frankel. “Too many women in our country face preventable complications during pregn... Read More »
Today, Rep. Lois Frankel (FL-22) joined Democratic colleagues in introducing the Restoring Essential Healthcare Act, legislation to repeal the newly enacted Republican ban on Medicaid reimbursements to Planned Parenthood health centers. “Planned Parenthood is often the only place people can go for affordable, trusted health care. The ban on Medicaid reimbursements has put 200 clinics at risk of cl... Read More »
Florida House Democrats sent a letter to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Attorney General James Uthmeier urging them to join the 25 states who have filed the lawsuit State of California v. McMahon, challenging the Trump Administration and the Department of Education’s illegal freeze of more than $5.5 billion in Congressionally-approved education funding. On June 30, the Department of Education n... Read More »
Today, Rep. Lois Frankel (FL-22) released the following statement after the Trump Administration announced it would finally release more than $5.5 billion in Congressionally approved education funding it had illegally frozen, including $32 million owed to the Palm Beach County School District: “I’m relieved that this critical funding is finally being released, but let’s be clear: it never should h... Read More »
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’m going to start by recognizing the collegiality of our Chairman Mr. Diaz-Balart and the thoughtful members on both sides of the aisle. And of course, I want to thank our hardworking staff for their tireless efforts. But most of all, I want to recognize the brave and committed Americans—our diplomats, USAID workers, humanitarian teams, and public health experts and our p... Read More »
Today, during the full committee markup of the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations funding bill, Ranking Member Frankel introduced two amendments to safeguard American leadership on the world stage. The first ensures that no less than 15% of economic development funds in the bill be directed toward programs in Africa. The amendment passed with unanimous bipa... Read More »
Today, House Appropriations Committee Republicans pushed ahead with their fiscal year 2026 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs funding bill that weakens our national security and puts the American people and public health preparedness at risk. House Republicans are proposing a 22 percent cut to the bill’s overall funding level. This bill: Threatens national security, abdic... Read More »
Rep. Lois Frankel (FL-22) released the following after co-leading the introduction of the No Cages in the Everglades Act: “The Everglades is the crown jewel of Florida—a breathtaking natural treasure and a vital economic engine. It fuels tourism, sustains agriculture, provides drinking water for over 8 million people, supports thriving fisheries, protects property values, and powers job-creating r... Read More »
Representatives Lois Frankel, Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, and Related Program, Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Grace Meng, Chair of the Reproductive Freedom Caucus International Women’s Rights Task Force, issued a statement after introducing the Saving Lives and Taxpayer Dollars Act,... Read More »
Tonight, Representative Lois Frankel (FL-22), Ranking Member of the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State and Related Programs released the following statement after voting against the Republicans’ rescissions package, a bill that claws back $9 billion in life-saving humanitarian and development funding and trusted public broadcasting. “I voted no because... Read More »
Congresswoman Lois Frankel (D-FL-22), Ranking Member of the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Subcommittee, delivered the following remarks at the Subcommittee's markup of the fiscal year 2026 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs funding bill: -As Prepared For Delivery- Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Let me start by recognizing the collegiality of Chairman Diaz-Balart and the th... Read More »
Representative Lois Frankel (FL-22) joined 144 of her Congressional colleagues in sending a letter to Secretary of Education Linda McMahon and Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought, demanding the immediate release of nearly $7 billion in K-12 and adult education funding that the Trump Administration is illegally withholding from states and local school districts across the country. ... Read More »