"I am deeply saddened to learn that my colleague, Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, as well as members of her staff and other individuals, were shot at a constituent gathering this morning. Such acts of horrific violence tear at the fabric of our democracy, which is woven together by the everyday conversations that occur between ordinary people and those they elect to represent them. At this moment, as Congresswoman Giffords fights for her life, I offer my prayers to her and her family and all ... Read more

“This is not the package I would have crafted or the bill on which I wanted to vote. However, it was the only bill that came before me with a shot at helping the people hurting most in this economy before a Republican Congress with very different priorities convenes in just a few weeks.” Read more

"There is no group of Americans more deserving of our recognition, our gratitude, and our devotion than our nation’s veterans. South Florida is a community that many of our nation’s veterans call home, and working on behalf of them in Congress is a tremendous honor. Paying tribute to our nation’s heroes is deeply important to me. My own father was a World War II veteran who earned a Purple Heart while fighting at the Battle of the Bulge. While he is no longer with us, I strive to honor his sacri... Read more

Congressman Ted Deutch released the following statement on the 9th anniversary of the terrorist attacks that took place on September 11th, 2001: “Today, on the 9th anniversary of the September 11th attacks, we remember a day filled with tragedy, sadness, and unparalleled patriotism. Every year we pause to honor the victims of the attacks and their families, and to celebrate the heroism of those who gave their lives in the service of others and to every citizen and first responder that risked ev... Read more

Today, Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-19) released the following statement after U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced the State of Florida as a finalist in the second phase of the Obama Administration’s Race to the Top program: “Today’s announcement from the U.S. Department of Education drives home two very important points. “First, there is no doubt that Florida is poised to lead America in reforming public education to meet the needs of the 21st century. Our second phase application for Race to the Top preserves the authority of local teachers and administrators who are directly responsible for the education of our children. At the same time, our proposal focuses on raising standards, recruiting and retaining talented teachers and principals, and transforming our lowest achieving schools. “Secondly, Florida’s status as a finalist drives home that equal in importance to the content of the proposed reforms is the process by which they are created. Within the past year, Floridians watched as a divisive campaign led by our Republican-dominated legislature vilified the teachers in our classrooms and failed to earn the confidence of the Department of Education. Instead, it was open collaboration between educators, lawmakers, business leaders, and other stakeholders that advanced Florida’s candidacy for Race to the Top funding.” Read more

Congressman Deutch Hails Passage of Wall Street Reform Washington, DC – Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-19) released the following statement after final passage of Wall Street reform by the United States Senate: “Nearly two years ago, 8 million American jobs vanished. $17 trillion in retirement savings and net worth evaporated. Millions of families lost their homes, and small businesses closed their doors. These tragedies did not happen by accident. For eight years, the Bush Administration and its allies in Congress turned a blind eye as recklessness on Wall Street ran rampant. “While no legislation can bring each of those jobs back or cure the pain caused by this recession, today the United States Congress passed the most important consumer protection and financial regulation reform in decades. Sending the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act to President Obama’s desk is the most significant step taken by Congress thus far to protect the American people from another financial meltdown. This bill will help prevent the irresponsible behavior that led to the financial crisis and prevent banks and firms that are too big to fail -- from gambling with Americans’ retirement savings, home values, and credit. “No longer will taxpayers be on the hook for bailing out large financial firms whose collapse would put the entire economy at risk. Instead, we will have an established process for shutting down firms in trouble. In addition, Americans will have a watchdog in the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau exclusively devoted to protecting consumers from abusive financial practices. “A stable financial system is crucial to fostering job creation, providing small businesses with adequate access to credit, and fueling a long-lasting economic recovery. I look forward to President Obama’s signing of this bill and will be closely monitoring the enactment of its many important provisions.” Read more

“The stakes could not be higher. Again and again, Ahmadinejad has called for the destruction of our ally Israel and a world without the United States. Just yesterday, Iran announced it now possesses 37 pounds of 20-percent enriched uranium, the necessary grade of purity for producing a nuclear weapon. This behavior is intolerable, and today the Congress of the United States sends the clear message to Iran that their pursuit of nuclear weapons will not be allowed. Read more

"Today, the United Nations Security Council has shown that the world will not stand for Iran’s continued defiance of the international community. The passage of a tough new economic sanctions resolution by the Security Council must be followed by tough action from the European Union, and the strongest possible sanctions legislation from the United States Congress. We must send a clear message to the Iranian regime that the global community will not support its illicit quest for nuclear weapons." Read more