Page 14 - LIN_Nov_2025_web-file

From the Desk of
Representative Byron Donalds

Taking Action to Put Floridians First
by Congressman Byron Donalds
th
uring the 119 Congress, I am Canaveral Space Force Station, which are primary launch sites for
proudly leading dozens of common- NASA missions. Having NASA Headquarters nearby will streamline
Dsense legislative solutions to directly operations, reduce travel costs, and improve coordination.
assist and benefit residents of our Southwest “The Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 37 Revamp
Florida community and our great Sunshine Initiative”: Led by Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) in the U.S. House of
State: Representatives with the bicameral support of Sen. Ashley Moody
H.R. 5177 – “The Weigh Station (R-FL), this initiative seeks to revive the operational readiness of
Enforcement to Intercept and Guard Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Space Launch Complex 37
Highways (WEIGH) Act": Led by Rep. (SLC-37) to ensure continued American space dominance. SLC-
Byron Donalds (R-FL) in the U.S. House 37 is one of the few launch pads on the Eastern Range that has
of Representatives with the endorsement historically been used for heavy lift launches, but today, it sits idle due
of Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson, this to outdated infrastructure. The United States Air Force has agreed
bill codifies and enforces President Trump's Executive Order to demolish SLC-37's outdated infrastructure, however, approval for
requiring commonsense rules of the road for American truck the construction of next-generation heavy lift launch capabilities is
drivers. Specifically, it empowers the Department of Transportation still under review due to red-tape–which is what has necessitated the
(DOT) to utilize weigh stations along interstate highways to enforce bicameral effort.
President Trump’s April 28th Executive Order entitled “Enforcing H.R. 2308 – "The FEMA Independence Act of 2025": Led by Rep.
Commonsense Rules of the Road for America’s Truck Drivers." Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) in the U.S. House of Representatives and
H.R. 5177 directs DOT to ensure states enforce English language co-led by Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL), this bipartisan bill to overhauls
proficiency requirements and review CDLs for irregularities during FEMA into an action agency. Specifically, it removes FEMA from the
checks at weigh stations. States that fail to comply with weigh station bureaucratic labyrinth of DHS and re-designates the agency to report
enforcement protocols set by the Secretary of Transportation will directly to the President of the United State, with a Senate-confirmed
risk revocation of their CDL program authority and federal highway director. This bill has been added into the larger H.R. 4669 – “FEMA
dollars. Reauthorization Act.”
HR 4944 – “The Flood Insurance Relief Act”: Led by Rep. H.R. 1786 – “The Harmful Algal Bloom Disaster Relief Act”: Led
Byron Donalds (R-FL) in the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) in the U.S. House of Representatives
with a U.S. Senate companion bill led by Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) and co-led by Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (D-FL), this bipartisan
and Sen. Ashley Moody (R-FL), this bill combats the rising cost bill makes communities affected by catastrophic Harmful Algal Blooms
of flood insurance and provides much-needed tax relief for both eligible for FEMA "Major Disaster" relief funding. Specifically,
NFIP and private insurance policyholders. Specifically, it creates a it amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
non-refundable tax deduction for flood insurance premiums paid Assistance Act to include algal blooms in the definition of a major
during the year from taxable income. The deduction would apply to disaster.
premiums, federal policy fees, and surcharges associated with the H.R. 1676 – “The Make SWAPs Efficient Act of 2025”: Led by
NFIP and qualifying private flood insurance. The deduction applies Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) in the U.S. House of Representatives and
only to premiums tied to property owned by the taxpayer. co-led by Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), this bipartisan bill ensures
H.R. 2422 – "The Consolidating Aerospace Programs Efficiently government efficiency in conservation. State Wildlife Action Plans
at (CAPE) Canaveral Act: Led by Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) in (SWAPs) are developed and submitted by states to the FWS to identify
the U.S. House of Representatives with a U.S. Senate companion non-game species of greatest conservation need, so they don’t become
bill led by Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) and Sen. Ashley Moody (R- threatened or endangered. Currently, there is no deadline for FWS
FL), this bill moves NASA Headquarters from Washington, to approve a complete SWAP once submitted by a state, and in most
D.C. to the Sunshine State. Specifically, it requires the transfer of cases, approval can take over 18 months. 45 states have SWAPs due this
NASA Headquarters to Brevard County, Florida within one year year alone. Specifically, this bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to
of enactment. Florida is home to Kennedy Space Center and Cape approve a state’s SWAP within 180 days. If the Department of Interior
does not approve the SWAP within 180 days, the SWAP is “deemed
14 approved.” www.LifeInNaples.net