In response to growing concerns about the scope of NSA surveillance programs, Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-21) has cosponsored H.R. 2475, the Ending Secret Law Act. This legislation would address concerns over the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court's (FISC) ability to drastically expand federal surveillance powers without disclosure to the American public. Some of these concerns were first brought to the attention of the U.S. Justice Department in the fall of 2012, when Senators Ron Wyden (D-... Read more

Like many Florida parents, I was dismayed to learn of Education Commissioner Tony Bennett’s attempt to bump up the grades of an Indiana charter school run by a major Republican Party donor. Though Mr. Bennett will not be missed, his resignation is no reason for relief. Unfortunately, the policies that allowed for and even incentivized his behavior will continue to haunt public education in Florida and beyond. The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 made a public education system traditionally drive... Read more

By PETER J. ROSKAM, THEODORE E. DEUTCH August 6, 2013 For well over the past decade, Israel has been terrorized by indiscriminate rocket fire from Hamas, Hezbollah and other neighboring terrorist entities. Thousands of rockets aimed at schools, nursing homes and city centers within Israel have killed or injured hundreds of innocent Israelis. Over 50,000 rockets are pointed at Israel at any given time, not including chemical weapons from Syria or intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) from a... Read more

Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-21) and Congressman Bill Foster (IL-11) have introduced the Protecting Immigrants from Legal Exploitation Act to shield immigrants from fraudulent and unethical legal representation. The legislation outlines specific penalties for “notarios” who intentionally mislead immigrants by providing fraudulent services. It also provides immigrants with the opportunity to resubmit application materials completed by fraudulent attorneys. “Notarios” or “immigration consultants” ha... Read more

Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-21), concerned about the National Security Agency's surveillance program, has cosponsored H.R. 2761, the Presidential Appointment of FISA Court Judges Act. The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court oversees surveillance warrant requests by intelligence agencies including the NSA and the FBI. Currently, only the Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court makes the appointments of judges to the Court. It is important to involve other branches of government in the appointm... Read more

As a member of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus, Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-21) signed on as an original cosponsor of H.R. 3050, the Social Security Equality Act of 2013. This bill would amend the Social Security Act in order to enable same-sex couples in relationships recognized by their state of residence to receive federal Social Security benefits. These benefits include spousal, survivor, and death benefits, as well as parental benefits if they have children. Like every other American,... Read more

In a letter sent today to U.S. Secretary Kathleen Sebelius led by Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-21), the Florida Democratic delegation in the House of Representatives slammed Governor Rick Scott and the Florida legislature for stripping the state of the authority to protect consumers from unreasonably high insurance premiums and called on the Department of Health and Human Services to take a more active role in reviewing rates in Florida. The Affordable Care Act encourages state regulators to revie... Read more

Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-21) signed on as an original cosponsor of H.R. 2902, the Supreme Court Ethics Act of 2013. This bill would require the Supreme Court of the United States to assemble a code of ethics within 180 days following the passing of this bill. Currently, there is no Code of Conduct designed for the Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court. Instead, they have only abided, but were not obligated, by the preeminence set forth by the Code of Conduct for Federal judges that excludes Supre... Read more

Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-21) signed on as an original cosponsor of H.R. 2932, the United States Coast Guard Commemorative Coin Act. This bill would allow the Secretary of the Treasury to mint $5 gold coins, $1 silver coins, and half dollar clad coins in honor of the U.S. Coast Guard’s military service.These coins will be imprinted with motifs that honor the United States Coast Guard and recognize their efforts in times of war and peace. With an estimated 42,300 men and women in active duty, th... Read more

Today, Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-21), Ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa, applauded the passage of the Nuclear Iran Prevention Act of 2013 by the House of Representatives. The bipartisan sanctions package intensifies economic pressure on the Iranian regime by further restricting its oil exports, further isolating the regime from the international financial system, and cracking down on egregious human rights abuses. The Nucl... Read more