In the News
Al Lawson: Federal Money Going to Gadsden County for Disaster Shelter
by Kevin Derby
On Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Al Lawson, D-Fla., announced the W.S. Stevens High School Disaster Shelter in Gadsden County is penciled in to receive $4.6 million in federal funds. The money was included in the U.S. Homeland Security Appropriations process which is currently moving ahead on Capitol Hill. "These funds will be used to construct a stand-alone, ADA compliant disaster shelter in Gadsden County that will serve 150-200 people. The shelter can also serve as a staging area for the … Continue Reading
April 02, 2021
Local lawmakers express sorrow, outrage after Capitol officer killed
by Kent Justice
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - After a Capitol Police officer was killed Friday when a man rammed a car into two officers at a barricade outside the U.S. Capitol, lawmakers in Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia expressed sorrow and outrage. The White House ordered flags to fly at half-staff to honor fallen officer William Evans, an 18-year veteran of the Capitol Police force. "Well, it's very, very disturbing," said Congressman Buddy Carter. Carter is one of the lawmakers from the region who was … Continue Reading
February 22, 2021
'We’re Going To Be In Great Shape,’ Says Lawson About New Gateway Vaccination Site
by Michelle Corum
A new federal COVID-19 community vaccination site at the Gateway Town Center will open on March 1. It's a partnership between FEMA and the Biden Administration and will be for residents 65 and up or healthcare workers. U.S. Rep. Al Lawson (D-FL5) of North Florida said Monday on First Coast Connect with Melissa Ross that he is glad to see more vaccination opportunities coming to local communities of color. Lawson's colleague, Rep. Charlie Crist (D-FL13), wants a full DOJ investigation into … Continue Reading
February 14, 2021
Congressman Lawson on Trump impeachment trial results: ‘The Senate got it wrong again’
by Michelle Corum
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) - Following the second impeachment trial of former president Donald Trump, Florida Congressman Al Lawson (FL-05) released a statement criticizing the Senate's decision. The evidence to convict Trump on an article of impeachment that he incited Capitol riots on Jan. 6. Rep. Lawson said, was "overwhelming." The representative said that it was "clear" that multiple Republican senators decided to "ignore the facts." Rep. Lawson's full statement can be read below: The … Continue Reading
February 08, 2021
Lawson hosting roundtable to answer your tax questions
by News4Jax
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - With tax season kicking off on Friday, it's only natural to have lingering questions. To help you get answers, Rep. Al Lawson is hosting a virtual roundtable on Tuesday evening. The roundtable, which will be streamed live on the congressman's Facebook page, will run from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Moderated by journalist Charles Griggs, the roundtable features a panel including LaKesha Thomas, director of the Low Income Taxpayer Clinic for Three Rivers Legal Services, George … Continue Reading
February 08, 2021
Task force calls for COVID-19 vaccine sites to expand to minority communities
by Michelle Corum
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Church leaders in Florida are pushing for more than 80 churches in under-served areas to become vaccination clinics. This comes as Gov. Ron Desantis expands the number of vaccines going to grocery store giant Publix. Church leaders say the governor and Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry aren't doing enough to reach underserved communities with the vaccine. As of Tuesday, more than 1.3 million Floridians had received their first dose of a vaccine. A report shows … Continue Reading
February 05, 2021
Representative Al Lawson calls on President Biden to use authority to cancel student loan debt
by WCTV
FLORIDA. (WCTV) - Friday, U.S. Representative, Al Lawson (FL-05), announced that he has co-sponsored a resolution to cancel up to $50,000 of federal student loan debt for individuals earning up to $100,000 a year. This resolution calls on President Joe Biden to use executive authority to cancel student loan debt and cancellation. Rep. Lawson released the following statement: Student debt is holding millions of Americans back, and the COVID-19 pandemic is making it harder for those with … Continue Reading
January 22, 2021
Student relief, sustaining operations will be focus of new campus CARES funding
by Byron Dobson
More than $80 million in new CARES Act money will be making its way to Tallahassee's three main campuses of higher education to help offset expenses associated with the coronavirus pandemic. Students are in line to get a designated chunk of that money. Florida State University will be receiving about $45.5 million, Florida A&M University, $20.8 million and Tallahassee Community College, $15.5 million, from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, which would … Continue Reading
January 21, 2021
EWC, FSCJ, JU and UNF Get Combined $73.4M In Federal Emergency Relief
by Bill Bortzfield
North Florida Congressman Al Lawson, D-FL5, announced Thursday that colleges and universities in Jacksonville are getting an additional $73.4 million in federal emergency relief funding as part of the $900 billion stimulus package Congress passed last month. Edward Waters College: $3,753,605 Florida State College at Jacksonville: $39,123,258 Jacksonville University: $4,914,423 University of North Florida: $25,620,098 Lawson, whose district includes Jacksonville and stretches west to … Continue Reading
January 21, 2021
Florida, Georgia universities look forward to federal aid
by Kristian Thomas
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - More than $186 million is coming to universities like Florida A&M, Florida State and others in the sunshine state. Georgia students are in line to get help as well. U.S. Representative Al Lawson of Florida recently announced nine colleges including two in the Big Bend would receive a portion of the funds. That money will come from the $900 billion stimulus bill passed in December, with some of that money going towards student grants. With the pandemic hitting … Continue Reading
January 14, 2021
Florida Democrats Lead Letter to Congressional Leaders Calling for Increased SNAP Benefits in Stimulus
by WCTV
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) - Congressman Al Lawson spoke to WCTV about potential protests surrounding Inauguration Day and his personal experience of the U.S. Capitol storming. Below, you'll find the transcribed version of the interview between WCTV's Michael Hudak and Congressman Lawson. QUESTION 1: How would you describe the day and night of the Capitol storming for you? LAWSON: Well it was almost incomprehensible. You couldn't visualize this happening when you came in the morning and … Continue Reading
January 11, 2021
Rep. Al Lawson: Trump Is ‘A Danger to America’
by Melissa Ross
Calling his Republican colleagues in the House of Representatives who objected to Electoral College election results "embarrassing," Democratic North Florida Representative Al Lawson says he expects efforts to impeach President Donald Trump to move quickly this week in the House of Representatives. "They're gonna move," said Lawson, who represents North Florida's 5th District, which stretches from Jacksonville to Tallahassee. "First with the 25th amendment, allowing the vice president to … Continue Reading
January 08, 2021
Rep. Al Lawson, Fla. Lawmakers ask DeSantis for briefing on state COVID-19 vaccination process
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Rep. Al Lawson and a group of bipartisan members of the Florida congressional delegation sent a letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis Friday asking for a virtual briefing on the COVID-19 vaccination process in the state, as soon as possible. The lawmakers said in the letter that they are receiving many questions from their constituents regarding vaccine location, roles of different government entities in the state's vaccination plan, as well as the role of health insurance … Continue Reading
January 07, 2021
Florida U.S. Rep Al Lawson in lockdown: Trump needs to be immediately removed as president
by James Call
When Trump loyalists stormed the U.S. Capitol Wednesday, Congressman Al Lawson had just left the House floor. In the middle of deliberations to affirm Joe Biden as the winner of the November presidential election, Capitol Police moved in to escort House members to safety. A tunnel connecting the Capitol to office buildings and parking garages soon became a makeshift bomb shelter for the U.S. Congress. As he entered it, Lawson said other members began to run. "This is a mob. These are … Continue Reading
December 29, 2020
Tallahassee School of Math and Science students are winners in District App Challenge
U.S. Rep. Al Lawson is proud to announce Florida's 5th Congressional District App Challenge winners are Tallahassee School of Math and Science students Liam Tolia, Issa Allison, Jackson Flowers and Gabriel Campbell. The Congressional App Challenge's mission is to inspire, include and innovate efforts around STEM and computer science education. The app, "Escape the CoronaVirus," was created to entertain all who play the game, and to relieve some of the stress caused by the pandemic. The game … Continue Reading
December 23, 2020
As vaccinations continue in nursing homes, leaders push for minorities to trust vaccine
by Kelly Wiley
December 23, 2020
Rep. Al Lawson, Gadsden County leaders distribute $25 Walmart gift cards
GADSDEN COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) - Rep. Al Lawson will be joined by Gadsden County leaders and County Community Health Council members to distribute $25 Walmart gift cards Wednesday, Dec. 23. The giveaway is a partnership with Walmart and will begin at 12:30 p.m. at the Gadsden County Courthouse in Quincy. The gift cards will be disbursed on a first-come, first-serve basis to make Gadsden County family members a little brighter, according to a press release. Due to the restrictions on gatherings … Continue Reading
December 23, 2020
Florida Taskforce Aims To Get 60% of People of Color To Get COVID-19 Vaccine
by Brendan Rivers
A statewide taskforce is aiming to get at least 60% of people of color to get the coronavirus vaccine. The Statewide Coronavirus Vaccination Community Education and Engagement Taskforce is enlisting faith leaders, historically Black college and university presidents, elected officials and others to advocate for the vaccine in minority communities. "Every American deserves equal access to the vaccine, and we cannot get our economy working unless we get the coronavirus under control. Too many … Continue Reading
October 07, 2020
Florida Congressional Democrats Ask Ron DeSantis to Extend Waiver for Medicaid, SNAP, TANF Benefits Florida Daily
This week, U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Fla., led fellow Democrats in the Florida congressional delegation a letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis urging the continuation of the waiver of work and recertification requirements for Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) to those affected most during the COVID-19 crisis. Currently, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) estimates that there are still percentages of adults … Continue Reading
October 01, 2020
Al Lawson Helps Get Emergency SNAP Flexibilities Extension Act Signed Into Law
by Kevin Derby | Florida Daily
With President Donald Trump signing into law a continuing resolution to keep the federal government funded through December 11, a congressman from the Sunshine State scored a win as a proposal extending EBT/SNAP waivers was included in the proposal. U.S. Rep. Al Lawson, D-Fla., was an original cosponsor of U.S. Rep. Marcia Fudge's, D-Ohio, "Emergency SNAP Flexibilities Extension Act" which was included in the continuing resolution. Fudge's proposal renews Pandemic EBT for an entire year and … Continue Reading