The Delegation for 11.6.26: Above it all — power shift — JAXPORT — fair pay — horsepower

Florida delegation survives blue wave while Washington power shifts dramatically. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

From: Extensive Media Enterprises

Above the fray   Two years ago, Florida seemed to be the new center of national politics. But on Tuesday, it seemed both above it all and, at the same time, isolated from it all. After redistricting wars, tens of millions in spending, and a generational blue wave, not a single seat in Florida’s congressional delegation appears to be changing hands in the next Congress. Florida’s congressional map holds its party balance despite a national Democratic wave. That’s not to say Florida felt no impact from voters’ apparent retreat from President Donald Trump. Three Republican Representatives — Mario Díaz-Balart, Anna Paulina Luna and María Elvira Salazar — all won re-election by under one percentage point. Salazar awaits a machine recount of votes in Florida’s 27th Congressional District. Meanwhile, Rep. Darren Soto, a Kissimmee Democrat in a District Trump won by 18 percentage points, held onto his seat despite being widely seen as America's most endangered Democratic incumbent. Sen. Ashley Moody, a Plant City Republican, won her first federal election by about 3 points over Democrat Angie Nixon. But that came two years after Sen. Rick Scott won his own re-election bid by 12 points over Debbie Mucarsel Powell, and four years after Moody secured 61% of the vote in her statewide re-election campaign for Florida Attorney General. All of this took place in Trump’s home state. But perhaps that local affinity for the President kept Florida from getting sucked into the same red undertow as many states, especially in the South. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, on a media tour now that feels like a preface for a presidential bid, called the blow to Republicans “close to an extinction-level event.” But he suggested that Florida’s mid-decade redraw of congressional lines may have staved off consequences. “In 2024, Florida voters sent 20 Republicans and eight Democrats to the U.S. House. In April 2026, Florida enacted a revised map to unwind an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. Last night, Florida voters likely elected 20 Republicans and eight Democrats to the U.S. House,” he posted on X. “Had the old map been in effect, it would have been 18 Republicans and 10 Democrats.” A court case remains undecided on whether the old map broke the law or the new one does, but it may not be settled even by the next election cycle. But while Republicans fretted over whether the Democratic gains on Tuesday were a trend that endures or a passing moment, Democrats in Florida had little to show for it besides bragging rights. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee this year announced it was targeting five GOP-held districts in Florida this year. Even as the party gained around 40 seats nationwide, none were from Sunshine State flips. The delegation will see change. Rep. Cory Mills, a New Smyrna Republican, lost in a Republican Primary to Ryan Elijah, who appears to have kept Florida’s 7th Congressional District in Republican hands. Former Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick resigned last year while under indictment, and fellow Democrat Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz stopped her comeback in August in Florida’s 20th Congressional District. But neither seat will change party control. Additionally, five retiring incumbents will leave, but members of the same party will replace them in January.

Leadership   Meanwhile, the change in control of Congress will mean a substantial shake-up in who controls the levers of power in Congress. It remains to be seen whether Floridians will fill the void, but delegation members are already eyeing key positions. Curiously, Florida Democrats seem reluctant to re-enter majority status, but many will hold onto key positions. Wasserman Schultz, Democratic co-chair of the Florida congressional delegation, also co-chaired the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, which could have a significant say in who holds gavels in the next Congress. Meanwhile, Rep. Maxwell Frost, an Orlando Democrat, co-chairs the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee. Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Florida Democrats eye new influence under a changing House majority. Rep. Kathy Castor, a Tampa Democrat, chaired the House Select Climate Crisis Committee the last time her party held the majority. Incoming Speaker Hakeem Jeffries has not yet said whether such a Committee will return. Rep. Lois Frankel, a West Palm Beach Democrat, has been the Ranking Member on the House National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Subcommittee, and may trade that role for the gavel with Díaz-Balart, the Subcommittee’s current Chair. Rep. Jared Moskowitz has been Ranking Democrat on the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee and could become Chair. On the opposite side of the aisle, Rep. Greg Steube, a Sarasota Republican, just announced a run to be GOP Conference Chair, the No. 3 member of the caucus. With Speaker Mike Johnson already saying he won’t run for leadership, Steube argued that the caucus needs wholesale change. Rep. Brian Mast, a Republican from Stuart, will shift to ranking member on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. More Committee assignments and leadership positions could be announced next week. In addition, Rep. Laurel Lee announced in September that she would run for top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, a fight that could get more interesting if current Chair Jim Jordan wins the Minority Leader race.

Staying in Session?   Congress will return next week for a “lame duck” Session. Scott, for his part, has joined a call for Republicans to push through as many of Trump’s judicial appointments as possible, even if that means working through the new Congress coming into power on Jan. 3. After Sen. Mike Lee, a Utah Republican, posted that Republicans “should take full advantage of our majorities while we still have them,” Scott posted an enthusiastic “Agree!” This isn’t the first time the Naples Republican has suggested Republicans in Congress should work more, including during shutdowns. Rick Scott urges Senate Republicans to make the most of their remaining majority. Ultimately, the decision will rest with current Senate Majority Leader John Thune. Notably, Thune beat out Scott for the role of leading the caucus at the start of this Congress. Ahead of the Senate breaking for an election-season recess, Scott denied speculation that he would challenge Thune for a leadership position in the next Congress. “I’m not going to criticize John,” Scott told the press on the last day of votes before the Midterms. But he said his main gripe was that the Senate should have more working days in D.C. to get business done.

Work continues   But beyond the political moment, disasters also have gripped the attention of many in the delegation. Barely a day after winning re-election, Moody helped constituents get assistance after flooding on the Atlantic Coast. “Fourteen Florida counties are now under a state of emergency for flooding,” she posted on X. “If your home or business took on water, report the damage to your county emergency management office. Those reports help document the need for federal disaster aid. Need help with a federal agency? My office is here for you.” TO SEE MORE OF THE DELEGATION CLICK HERE