Press Releases
Rep. Al Lawson and Rep. Bennie Thompson Make Friendly Wager on FAMU-Jackson State Orange Blossom Classic Football Game
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - U.S. Rep. Al Lawson (FL-05) and U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson (MS-02) made a friendly wager on Sunday's eagerly awaited Orange Blossom Classic football game between the Florida A&M University Ratttlers and the Jackson State University Tigers. The winner of the wager will receive a supply of local delicacies from their opponent's home region. Rep. Lawson is a FAMU alumunus and wagered a box of Florida stone crabs. While Rep. Thompson has a Mississippi mud pie and catfish up … Continue Reading
August 29, 2022
Rep. Al Lawson Releases Reports Showing the Inflation Reduction Act Will Lower Health Care Costs for Local Families
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Rep. Al Lawson announced that families in the 5th Congressional District of Florida will soon see more affordable prescription drugs for Medicare recipients and lower health insurance premiums made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act. "For far too long, big corporations have forced many Americans to choose between paying for health care-including lifesaving medication and insurance coverage-and putting food on the table. With the Inflation Reduction Act now the … Continue Reading
August 12, 2022
Congressman Al Lawson Statement on the Inflation Reduction Act Passing the U.S. House of Representatives
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Al Lawson (FL-05) released the following statement on House Democrats passing and sending the Inflation Reduction Act to the President's desk to be signed into law. "Today, House Democrats passed the landmark Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). This historic legislation will lower health care costs, cut prescription drug prices, create millions of good-paying jobs, deliver the most significant action on climate in history and drastically reduce the deficit. "The high … Continue Reading
July 25, 2022
Congressman Al Lawson Sends Letter Over Florida’s Failure to Comply with Federal Guidelines for SNAP Program
WASHINTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Al Lawson (FL-05) along with the support of the entire Florida Democratic Congressional Delegation sent a letter to Governor DeSantis and the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) regarding their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training (SNAP E&T) program failing to comply with federal rules and guidance since June 2021. Despite having been provided extensive technical assistance, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food … Continue Reading
July 21, 2022
U.S. Rep. Lawson Secures More Than $18 million in Community Projects Funding for Residents
WASHINTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Rep. Al Lawson (FL-05) announced that he secured $18,556,943 in federal funding approved in the H.R. 8294, Six-Bill Appropriations Minibus for community projects in Florida's Fifth Congressional District. The government funding package passed the U.S. House of Representatives in a 220-207 vote with no Republican support. The nine community projects include: $4 million for the Gretna Sewer Expansion (Gadsden County) project to expand sewer treatment capacity … Continue Reading
June 24, 2022
Rep. Lawson Bill to Honor First Black Florida Supreme Court Justice Joseph Hatchett Heads to President Biden
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the S. 2938, The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, historic gun violence prevention legislation that includes Rep. Al Lawson's bill to honor Florida Supreme Court Justice Joseph Hatchett in a 234-193 vote. The legislation would name the federal courthouse in Tallahassee the "Judge Joseph Woodrow Hatchett U.S. Courthouse," recognizing Florida's first Black Supreme Court Justice. "Judge Hatchett's work for the state of Florida … Continue Reading
June 24, 2022
U.S. Rep. Lawson Statement on the Supreme Court Overturning Roe v. Wade
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Al Lawson (FL-05) released the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court voted to overturn Roe v. Wade. "Today is a dismal day for the American people. The Republican-controlled Supreme Court achieved their goal of stripping away a long-established constitutional right that provide Americans the ability to make their own health care decisions by voting to overturn Roe v. Wade. "Every woman has the fundamental human right to reproductive care. It's critical … Continue Reading
June 23, 2022
President Biden Signs into Law Rep. Lawson’s Bill to Name the U.S. Postal Service Facility the D. Edwina Stephens Post Office
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, President Biden signed into law Rep. Al Lawson's D. Edwina Stephens Post Office bill (H.R. 2324). The new law names the U.S. Post Office at 2800 South Adams Street in Tallahassee as the "D. Edwina Stephens Post Office" in honor of the Florida Civil Rights icon's impact on the Tallahassee community. Congressman Lawson introduced the legislation to honor the life of Mrs. Stephens. She spent her life advocating for her community and holding elected officials … Continue Reading
June 16, 2022
Rep. Al Lawson Votes to Lower Food and Fuel Costs
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Rep. Al Lawson (FL-05) voted for new bipartisan legislation to lower the cost of food and fuel: another step forward in House Democrats' fight against inflation. The Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act will help bring down prices for Floridians in the grocery aisle and at the gas pump by giving American farmers and ranchers the support they need to thrive. "Today, I proudly voted for more strong action to bring down kitchen table costs for working Floridians," said … Continue Reading
June 14, 2022
Congressman Al Lawson introduces Bill Boosting Credit Repair Agencies Access to Help Consumers
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Al Lawson (FL-05) introduced a bill that repeals parts of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) to improve credit repair organizations' (CROs) ability to help creditors fix any errors found in their credit report. "Citizens deserve the chance to rectify any inaccurate information found on their credit reports," Rep. Lawson said. "Wrong information on someone's credit report can be damaging to a person's future financial endeavors. My goal with this piece of … Continue Reading
June 02, 2022
U.S. Rep. Al Lawson Statement on Florida Supreme Court’s Failure to Act on Congressional Redistricting
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Al Lawson (FL-05) released the following statement on the Florida Supreme Court declining to hear an appeal on Ron DeSantis' congressional map. "The Florida Supreme Court's refusal to act on Ron DeSantis' unlawful and unconstitutional congressional map is disappointing and will disenfranchise thousands of Black voters across the State of Florida. "The justices in the majority ducked their constitutional responsibility, relying on a ridiculous procedural … Continue Reading
May 25, 2022
U.S. Rep. Al Lawson Statement on Mass Shooting at Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Al Lawson (FL-05) released this statement after the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. "I am tired. Tired of the moments of silence that we must hold after senseless mass shootings involving our children and teachers. "As elected officials, we must do better in protecting the American people. Responsible gun safety legislation is needed now, more than ever before. "During my time in Congress, gun violence prevention measures would pass … Continue Reading
May 20, 2022
U.S. Rep. Al Lawson Statement on Florida Appellate Court Ruling
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Al Lawson (FL-05) issued the following statement on the state's First District Court of Appeal reinstating Ron DeSantis' congressional map. "While I'm disappointed in today's decision by the appellate court to reinstate DeSantis' unconstitutional map, I am confident that the Florida Supreme Court will soon take over this issue and protect the rights of Black voters in North Florida. "The trial judge was correct to protect minority voting rights by following prior … Continue Reading
May 18, 2022
U.S. Rep. Lawson’s Bill to Honor Florida Supreme Court Justice Joseph Hatchett Passes Congress Heads to Senate
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed Rep. Al Lawson's bill (S.2938/H.R.4771) to honor Florida Supreme Court Justice Joseph Hatchett by 230 votes. The bill would name the U.S. Courthouse of Northern Florida in Tallahassee the "Judge Joseph Woodrow Hatchett U.S. Courthouse," recognizing Florida's first Black Supreme Court Justice. "Judge Hatchett was a trailblazing American judge and veteran," Rep. Lawson said. "He was a champion for social justice reform and a … Continue Reading
May 11, 2022
Congressman Al Lawson Statement on State Judge Striking Down DeSantis’ Unconstitutional Congressional Map
U.S. Rep. Al Lawson (FL-05) issued the following statement about the 2nd Judicial Circuit Court Judge striking down the DeSantis enacted congressional map. "I am pleased by the 2nd Judicial Circuit Court order to overrule DeSantis' unconstitutional congressional map. "The judge recognizes that this map is unlawful and diminishes African Americans' ability to elect representatives of their choice. "DeSantis is wrong for enacting this Republican-leaning map that is in clear violation of the … Continue Reading
April 21, 2022
U.S. Rep. Al Lawson Statement on Florida Legislature Approving DeSantis’ Proposed Congressional Map
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Al Lawson (FL-05) released the following statement about the Florida Legislature passing Ron DeSantis' proposed Congressional Map. "Once again, DeSantis is showing Florida voters that he is governing the state as a dictator. "DeSantis bullied the Florida Legislature into approving his Republican-leaning congressional map during special session. It is alarming that state legislators cannot fulfill their constitutional duties without political meddling. … Continue Reading
April 13, 2022
Statement by U.S. Rep. Al Lawson on DeSantis’ Latest Congressional Map Proposal
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Al Lawson (FL-05) issued the following statement about Ron DeSantis' recent Congressional Map Proposal. "Today's revelation is a continued scheme by DeSantis to erase minority access districts in Congress in order to create more seats for the Republican party. "DeSantis is doing a disservice to Florida voters by playing partisan politics. This latest map clearly violates the Voting Rights Act as well as the U.S. and Florida … Continue Reading
April 11, 2022
U.S. Rep. Al Lawson Statement on Florida Legislature Caving to DeSantis on Redistricting
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Al Lawson (FL-05) issued the following statement about the Florida Legislature deferring to Ron DeSantis to draft the latest congressional map. "The Florida Legislature is caving to the intimidation of DeSantis and his desire to create additional Republican seats in Congress by eliminating minority-access districts. "Previously, the Florida Supreme Court scolded the Florida Legislature for injecting partisan politics into the reapportionment process. Florida … Continue Reading
April 07, 2022
U.S. Rep. Al Lawson introduces the James Weldon Johnson Commemorative Coin Act Honoring Renowned Lyricist
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, US. Rep. Al Lawson (FL-05) introduced the James Weldon Johnson Commemorative Coin Act that would honor the life and accomplishments of James Weldon Johnson by creating commemorative coins with his image. Johnson, a Jacksonville native, is the writer of the Black National Anthem, "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing." He also made transformative contributions to the Civil Rights Movement, the Harlem Renaissance, literature, politics, education, and law. The James Weldon … Continue Reading
April 06, 2022
U.S. REP. AL LAWSON ANNOUNCES $530,838,915 FOR FLORIDA TRANSIT PROJECTS
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Rep. Al Lawson (FL-05) announced the Infrastructure Law he helped pass will invest $530,838,915 this year to upgrade and expand local transit in Florida. $28,256,068 of these funds have been allocated for local transit projects in Jacksonville and Tallahassee. This investment will allow our local transit authorities to buy new buses and railcars, address repair backlogs, modernize fleets, and transition to new technologies that reduce carbon emissions. These funds … Continue Reading