A plan to deepen and widen Port Everglades won a key federal approval Friday, clearing the way for the port to seek Congressional funding for a project that would generate thousands of jobs and maintain the region's leading position in international trade. The Army Corps of Engineers approved the plan to deepen the port's main channels from 42 to 48 feet, as well as deepen and widen part… Read more »

West Palm Beach Fire Rescue has won a $1.38 million federal grant for equipment and training to improve emergency service to local residents and enhance firefighter safety. U.S. Rep Lois Frankel, D-West Palm Beach, said the Assistance To Firefighters grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency will pay for maritime firefighting training, over 100 new breathing packs and 22… Read more »

A $1.3 million FEMA grant will help the city of West Palm Beach pay for more than 100 breathing packs, 22 lost-firefighter locators as well as training in marine firefighting, fire survival, injury prevention and fire investigation. The FEMA funds were awarded last week and will be a huge help for the city’s older equipment. U.S. Congresswoman Lois Frankel speaks with West… Read more »

All 27 U.S. House members from Florida urged the Federal Trade Commission on Tuesday to launch an investigation into fraudulent online hotel bookings.  Led by Lois Frankel of West Palm Beach and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Miami, the Florida delegation said this form of fraud has hurt consumers and hotels for several years while pinching local economies that depend on tourist… Read more »

Members of Congress including U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel, D-West Palm Beach, have asked the Federal Trade Commission to launch an immediate investigation into what they call fraudulent online hotel booking sites that have have hurt consumers and hotels. “We write to urge the Federal Trade Commission to immediately open an investigation into companies deceptively targeting consumers… Read more »

A temporary Social Security Administration office opened its doors at 9 a.m. Monday at 801 Banyan Blvd. in downtown West Palm Beach. The office opened nearly a year after the old Social Security Administration office along Congress Avenue closed its doors in August 2014 because of mold and ventilation issues. Approximately 40 employees are working in the temporary location. U.S.… Read more »

U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., teamed up with an unlikely ally on Thursday, U.S. Rep. Randy Weber, R-Texas, to introduce a bill bolstering security at American embassies. The Texas Republican has been a leading critic of President Barack Obama, including his handling of the Benghazi attacks which led to the deaths of four Americans. Weber garnered national attention for saying Obama… Read more »

Prospects for a new federal courthouse in Fort Lauderdale took a giant step forward this week when Congress told federal officials to find a way to replace the current moldy, dilapidated and insecure building on Broward Boulevard. The congressional action set in motion a 120-day feasibility study by the U.S. General Services Administration to lay plans for a new structure, very likely in… Read more »

U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel, D-West Palm Beach, joined two Democratic Florida legislators in blasting Gov. Rick Scott and state House Republican leaders for refusing to accept $2.8 billion in federal Medicaid money. “There are 800,000 Floridians who are not being included in our health care system. It is unfair and it’s inhumane. And it’s… Read more »

On Tuesday – 11 days after Florida lawmakers passed a bill that requires a 24-hour waiting period for abortions – U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel urged support for a federal bill that would nullify the bill and other abortion regulations imposed by states. While Florida lawmakers await Gov. Rick Scott’s signature on the state’s most recent abortion regulation, Frankel… Read more »