Safer Gluten Labels for American Families

On Thursday, I introduced the bipartisan Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education, and Research (FASTER) Act of 2026 to close the gap in federal law that leaves millions of Americans with celiac disease and gluten intolerance exposed to hidden sources of gluten by amending the FDA’s major food allergen labeling requirements to include barley, rye, and oats alongside wheat.

As someone with a gluten intolerance myself, I know unclear labels can turn hidden ingredients into severe medical consequences. Americans should not be forced to guess what is in their food, which is why I am proud to lead this bipartisan legislation to give them the clear information they need to make safe decisions for themselves and their families.

No Campaign Funded Cover-Ups

On Tuesday, I introduced the No Campaign Funded Cover-Ups Act with Rep. Ro Khanna (CA-17) to stop candidates and federal officeholders from using campaign donations or legal expense funds to cover costs tied to sexual assault, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment claims.

I am proud to co-lead this legislation to deliver basic accountability and ensure donor money is never turned into a personal bailout for misconduct. Regardless of party, anyone who seeks or holds federal office should be held to the highest standard, and campaign contributions should never become a safety net.

Secretary Collins in Madeira Beach

This week, I was honored to host U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins in Madeira Beach for a roundtable discussion with local Veterans, advisory board members, advocates, and American Legion Post 273 leadership. Real reform starts by listening to those who have navigated the system themselves, and this discussion allowed them to speak candidly about where greater access and accountability are needed.

As a Veteran myself, making sure our Veterans receive the care, benefits, and accountability they have earned remains personal to me. I am grateful Secretary Collins came to Florida’s 13th Congressional District to listen firsthand, and I will continue working with him to improve the VA for those who served our country.

$1.5 Million for USF St. Petersburg

On Thursday, I was honored to present a check to the University of South Florida for $1.5 million in federal funding to support new oceanographic instrumentation at USF St. Petersburg. For a coastal district like ours, stronger offshore data is critical to improving forecasts for hurricanes, storm surge, red tide, and other hazards before they reach our shores.

That’s why I worked to deliver your tax dollars back to our community, where they belong. This project is a critical step toward better preparation, and I’m proud to support USF’s work to keep our district ready.

Sincerely,