The U.S. Department of Transportation on Thursday announced that it awarded a $90 million grant to help pay for replacement of the aging Indian River Bridge along State Road 405, a road that leads to Kennedy Space Center and the KSC Visitor Complex.

Officials say the project — and the accompanying DOT grant that was sought by Space Florida — are necessary for the expanding space industry to continue to access KSC.

The existing Indian River Bridge is near the end of its service life, and soon will not be able to carry space-bound or returning freight, according to U.S. Rep. Bill Posey, R-Rockledge. 

“If we want to continue to conduct launches, grow our space industry and support our local economy, we will need to replace the Indian River Bridge, which is critical infrastructure to our space capability,” Posey said in a statement released Thursday evening. 

Last year,  Posey worked with the Florida congressional delegation to pass legislation authorizing construction of a new bridge.

On Thursday, U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao announced that her agency had accepted Space Florida’s application for funding to construct a new bridge.

Posey said he supported Space Florida’s bid for the grant, and worked with the state’s space agency to help navigate the process.  

Chao said Space Florida will be awarded $90 million to go toward replacing the Cape Canaveral Spaceport Indian River Bridge with new twin high-level bridges, to allow transportation of oversized vehicles to launch sites.

The project also includes widening about 2.7 miles of Space Commerce Way and rehabilitating about 3.7 miles of NASA Parkway West.

Space Florida President and CEO Frank DiBello said getting the grant “took a lot of teamwork, and it demonstrates the U.S. Department of Transportation’s confidence in the state to execute. We are excited for the opportunity to showcase Space Florida’s capabilities of meeting the needs of the commercial sector. We can now look forward to a new more robust transportation infrastructure to support Florida’s dominant position in the commercial space marketplace.” 

The grant was one of the largest of 20 grants totaling $855.95 million that were announced Thursday through the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America discretionary grant program, also known as INFRA.

“This significant federal investment will improve major highways, bridges, ports and railroads around the country to better connect our communities, and to enhance safety and economic growth,” Chao said in a statement.

It was among 10 large project grants of at least $25 million and 10 small project grants of $5 million to $25 million that Chao announced Thursday.

Chao said INFRA grants support the Trump administration’s “commitment to fixing our nation’s infrastructure by creating opportunities for all levels of government and the private sector to fund infrastructure, using innovative approaches to improve the processes for building significant projects, and increasing accountability for the projects that are built. In addition to providing direct federal funding, the INFRA discretionary grant program aims to increase the total investment by state, local and private partners.”

A fact sheet on the project said it “supports economic vitality by widening Space Commerce Way, which will allow transportation of oversized vehicles to launch sites and provide access to daily visitors accessing the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. The project supports innovation by deploying fiber-optic cable, dynamic messaging, closed-circuit television cameras, microwave vehicle detection, Bluetooth travel time sensor, bridge security systems and load monitoring systems.

The local bridge project was one of two Florida projects awarded INFRA funding on Thursday. The other was $8.04 million for PortMiami to rehabilitate and create new capacity on its Seaboard Marine Terminal.

In commenting on the two grants, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a statement that “as Florida’s population continues to increase, we must work to ensure that our transportation infrastructure remains robust and up to date for our citizens and visitors. Our ports and spaceports are essential to our future economic success. This federal investment will further strengthen PortMiami, Cape Canaveral and our space industry, as well as our transportation infrastructure system as a whole.”

Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Kevin Thibault thanked the U.S. Department of Transportation “for awarding nearly $100 million for two major projects that will greatly impact our infrastructure in Florida. These projects are critical to supporting growth, both within PortMiami and Cape Canaveral, and will further solidify Florida’s position as one the best transportation systems in the country.” 

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Last week, Congressmen Bill Posey and Brian Mast voted in favor of an amendment prohibiting the transport of liquefied natural gas by rail tank car under consideration by the Secretary of Transportation.

The vote took place on June 24 when the House considered HR Bill 3055 of the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2020.

The amendment, sponsored by Rep. DeFazio of Oregon, was passed as was the full bill. As Rep. Posey’s staff reported, “The congressman understands the need for efficient transport of energy products but putting LNG through our densely populated coastal communities makes no sense.”

Through Executive Order, the Trump administration requested the US Dept. of Transportation fast track approvals for rail freight systems applying to carry the highly volatile liquid gas.

Rep. DeFazio commented on the Department’s plan to issue a special permit to carry LNG on the rails, “Should even one tank car get punctured, the results could be devastating. …I urge the Senate to follow suit and stop a massive catastrophe before it’s too late.”

The Florida Alliance for Safe Trains has expressed concern that Florida East Coast Rail, which shares the tracks with Virgin Trains USA, is already carrying LNG from Hialeah to the Port of Miami.

The Alliance recognizes FECR’s plan to carry LNG to all of the deepwater ports in Florida while sharing the tracks with Virgin’s 100 mph trains on the route to Orlando and eventually Tampa and Jacksonville.

“Nowhere in the world do higher speed trains share the rails with LNG or any hazardous material of this nature,” said Susan Mehiel, spokesperson for the Alliance. “Experts tell us that the US DOT has not increased the regulations for LNG over and above those for oil trains and we know what has happened with the so-called ‘bomb trains’.”

Another recent railroad regulation change has major implications for the Treasure and Space Coasts. In 2016, when questioned about delays at grade crossings caused by stalled trains, the Federal Railroad Administration wrote they have proposed a rule requiring 2-person minimum crews on trains.

“At least two crew members are needed to efficiently separate a train and allow highway users to pass through a crossing in emergency situations.”

However, the FRA withdrew the proposed rule in May of this year.

“With 150 grade crossings through the Space and Treasure Coasts, trains blocking major roadways like the FP&L Nuclear Power Plant evacuation routes and hospital access puts our communities in grave danger,” Mehiel explained.

“Without the 2-person minimum, critical roads could be blocked for hours.”

Eighty people have died on Florida’s railroads in the last 18 months.

The Alliance wants the Governor and Florida Transportation Secretary Thibault to address this epidemic proportion and call on the FRA to consider the impact of the federal regulations on the lives of Floridians.

As Mehiel said, “With 80 deaths on Florida’s rail systems, what we need is an investigation into these accidents and not the additions of speed trains going over 100 mph and LNG!”

Defense contractor and aerospace giant Boeing said Wednesday it will move its space and launch division headquarters to Titusville on Florida’s Space Coast from Arlington, Va.

Although the move is expected to include only a few executive jobs, Florida officials instantly praised the announcement as further evidence that the state is taking the lead in a new era of space exploration.

In recent years, companies establishing a new presence in the area include SpaceX, Blue Origin, OneWeb and Firefly Aerospace. The Boeing announcement comes as Florida politicians have been trying to make a case that the planned U.S. military’s new Space Command should be headquartered in the state, rather than in Colorado.

“The more of these companies clustered together the better for our economy and for making the case to more space or defense companies to move here,” said U.S. Rep. Bill Posey, R-Fla., who represents the area.

Posey once worked at Kennedy Space Center, which is near Titusville, as an inspector for the Apollo space program. After that, and again after the shuttle program ended, the local economy suffered. He’s now in real estate and has seen the market recover.

“The Titusville job base was always very dependent on federal job numbers at Kennedy. There just wasn’t private industry in Titusville, historically,” he said. “Having a Boeing division headquarters adds to the diversification of space-related companies here, which helps Titusville tremendously.”

The headquarters move will have no impact on Boeing’s space operations in other states, including California, Texas, Alabama, Colorado and Louisiana. Cash or tax-break incentives were not provided to Boeing for the move, according to Space Florida and the local Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast.

“The only incentive we provided was a vibrant landscape where business is growing and history is being made,” said Dale Ketcham, vice president of government and external affairs for Space Florida, the state’s marketing and economic development agency for space activity. “If there are opportunities to collaborate on specific projects in the future, we will of course be happy to talk with them.”

“This great announcement affirms our state’s position as a national leader in innovation and job growth and will bring increased investment to the Space Coast,” Gov. Ron DeSantis posted on Twitter.

Boeing already has an office building on U.S. 1 just across the NASA Causeway from Kennedy Space Center’s main entrance.

In August, the company is planning to launch its Boeing Starliner capsule, which is designed to carry people eventually, in an unmanned test flight launching from Florida. Boeing co-founded leading launch company United Launch Alliance with Lockheed Martin in 2006. ULA launches frequently from the region’s launch sites.

“Looking to the future, this storied Florida space community will be the center of gravity for Boeing’s space programs as we continue to build our company’s leadership beyond gravity,” Leanne Caret, president and CEO of Boeing’s defense, space and security business unit, said in a statement.

Jim Chilton, senior vice president of of Boeing’s space division, said customer proximity is important for the move to Florida. Chilton and members of his executive leadership team and support staff will be based in Titusville after the headquarters move.

The moves are to begin in late summer and be completed by the end of 2019, the company said.

Other Florida activities cited by Boeing in its move to the Sunshine State include:

• The Boeing-made X-37B uncrewed, reusable space vehicle, which performs long-duration missions for the U.S. Air Force.
• Collaboration with Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and the 45th Space Wing at Patrick Air Force Base.
• Boeing construction on the first two stages of NASA’s massive planned rocket and capsule, the Space Launch System to send astronauts to the moon and eventually to Mars

Florida’s two U.S. senators, both Republicans, also applauded the move on Twitter.

“It is no surprise that Boeing would choose our great state where the economy is booming and taxes are low,” tweeted U.S. Sen. Rick Scott.

“Very happy Boeing has chosen to move their Space & Launch headquarters to the Sunshine State,” U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio posted.

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – A Brevard County woman who hoped to be reunited with her three children six months ago now says she doesn’t know where they are.

Congressman Bill Posey is lending his assistance to help Michelle Littleton bring her children home from Lebanon.

“I don’t even know where they are,” said Littleton. “It’s gut-wrenching as a mother.”

Littleton has fought tirelessly to bring her children, Yousef, Leilah and Ascila home since they were taken to Lebanon by her ex-husband on what was supposed to be a 10-day vacation.

In December, the Merritt Island mother even offered congressional testimony on international parental abduction. But despite favorable court rulings in both U.S. and Lebanese courts, her children have not been returned.

Littleton learned the state department lost track of her children weeks ago.

“My children have vanished, and it’s really scary that we’re giving billions to Lebanon and our ambassador can’t even seem to form a relationship with Lebanese officials to make sure they are enforcing these orders and tracking abductors and bringing home abducted children,” Littleton said.

Congressman Bill Posey attempted to turn up the heat by proposing cuts in funding to both the Lebanese Internal Security Force and the state department’s Office of Children’s Issues.

“Lebanon had found the father wrongly had these children in Lebanon and they should have been post-haste returned,” Posey said. “And the Lebanese government should have made sure that happened. That not being done our state department should have brought pressure on them to make that happen.”

Posey wasn’t allowed to debate two proposed amendments on the House floor, but Litttleton continues to write letters in hopes that others will take notice.

House clerk is working on an ‘artificial intelligence engine’ that will compare legislation

As lawmakers grapple with how to shape legislation dealing with artificial intelligence, the clerk of the House is developing an AI tool to automate the process of analyzing differences between bills, amendments and current laws.

That’s according to Robert F. Reeves, the deputy clerk of the House, who on Friday told the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress that his office is working on an “artificial intelligence engine” that may be ready as soon as next year.

The idea, Reeves said, is to offer members and staff a tool that would accurately compare legislative text. He said it’s already available to Office of Legislative Counsel staffers, who then must check the accuracy with human intelligence. It’s about 90 percent there, he told the panel.

The bipartisan, one-year modernization committee, chaired by Democratic Rep. Derek Kilmer, is charged with offering big-scope recommendations for making Congress more tech-savvy and better functioning. The panel can’t offer legislation, but it’s seen no shortage of tips from colleagues.

During Friday’s hearing, the panel looked broadly at transparency in the legislative process and whether and how technology facilitates or stymies deal-making on Capitol Hill.

The AI project in the clerk’s office stems from House rules for the 115th Congress that called for more tools to help lawmakers, staff and the public understand legislative changes. It is part of the “Posey Comparative Print” rules, after Republican Rep. Bill Posey, Reeves noted.

The modernization panel’s vice chairman, Rep. Tom Graves, said after the Friday hearing that such technology could help lawmakers avoid unintended consequences when moving legislation.

A bill, or an amendment, can include one line that says “strike this,” the Georgia Republican noted, “and it could be striking 100 pages of current law, but you don’t know what they are.”

“Many members come out of the general assemblies in the states, and the technology that’s being utilized in the states is remarkable for comparative language perspectives, being able to see how does a proposed law or an amendment interface or fit within existing law. And that’s something we don’t have access to here as members of Congress,” Graves said.

Two congressmen in the Florida delegation have teamed up to call for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to create a data clearinghouse for composite building materials.

Last week, U.S. Rep. Daniel Webster, R-Fla., showcased his “NIST Creation of Composite Standards Act” which has U.S. Rep. Bill Posey, R-Fla., as a cosponsor. Other backers include U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, and U.S. Rep. Jerry McNerney, D-Calif.

Webster offered the rationale behind the proposal, pointing to the key role infrastructure plays in the Sunshine State.

“Infrastructure is critical to Florida’s economy, which is dependent on moving goods and people efficiency and effectively,” Webster said.  “Composites can help reduce construction costs and timeline and decrease the overall lifecycle costs associated with maintenance and repair. This helps maximize the value of every infrastructure dollar. Allowing NIST to conduct this vital research and establish nationally accepted composite standards will permit contractors and businesses to make the best decision for Americans and our country.”

“Composite materials are currently used for everyday purposes such as constructing bridges, watercraft, airplanes, sea walls, buildings, and much more. Use of these materials allow us to build more resilient products that maintain a higher resistance to many of the environmental factors that deteriorate traditional building materials. This bill will provide the standards needed to guide future composite material projects. NIST presently defines composite materials as, ‘polymers strengthened with fibers or other additives,’” Webster’s office noted.

The bill was sent to the U.S. House Science, Space, and Technology Committee last week. So far, there is no companion measure over in the U.S. Senate.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Rep. Bill Posey’s (R-Rockledge) bipartisan legislation to fight coastal acidification and help estuaries like our Indian River Lagoon was recently approved by the Full House Science Committee.

Posey introduced the National Estuaries and Acidification Research Act (H.R. 988) with Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) and Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL), both fellow co-chairs of the Congressional Estuary Caucus.

“Because estuaries are places where fresh water mixes with salt water from the oceans, preserving the delicate balance of nature is necessary but can also be challenging,” said Rep. Bill Posey.

“This critical legislation will help protect our estuaries by ensuring that we continue to study and monitor the effects of coastal acidification and I would like to thank Representatives Bonamici and Mast for their work on this issue and their important leadership in our bipartisan estuary caucus.”

Specifically, H.R. 988 directs the Ocean Studies Board of National Academies to conduct a two-year study examining the science of ocean acidification and its impact on our estuaries.

During the mark-up, Posey offered an amendment to his bill, which was adopted, to authorize $1 million to conduct the study. The goal of the NEAR Act is to create a better understanding of coastal acidification so we can better manage and mitigate its effects on our nation’s estuaries and other natural treasures.

MELBOURNE – Congressman Bill Posey (R-Rockledge) will help kick-off the 8th Annual Cocoa Beach “Footprints in the Sand” Kidney Walk on Saturday, May 11 at the Cocoa Beach Pier in Cocoa Beach.

“It’s an honor to once again join with so many others in our community to take part in this year’s kidney walk,” said Congressman Posey, who is a member of the Congressional Kidney Caucus. “So many of us have family, friends, and loved ones who are afflicted by kidney disease and they need our strength and support. The road ahead is not easy for them, but as the kidney walk demonstrates, they do not have to travel that path alone.”

This year’s walk will honor longtime patient advocate and Kidney Walk co-founder Bill Hahn, who passed away late last year, as well as National Kidney Foundation of Florida volunteer Donna Avery.

“This year’s Kidney Walk is especially important as we honor and recognize Billy Hahn who co-founded the Walk with my twin brother and three time kidney transplant recipient, Rich Salick, in 2012,” said Phil Salick, operations manager for the National Kidney Foundation of Florida and living kidney donor. “Billy was also on our surf team growing up and as a kidney/pancreas recipient; his mission was to always spread awareness about kidney disease and transplantation. He has done so much for the NKFF, raising over $350,000 since the walks inception in 2012.”

The walk will begin at the Westgate of Cocoa Beach Pier. Registration will open at 8:30 a.m. with the walk beginning at 10 a.m. with patient stories and awards shared. Prior to registration there will be a memorial paddle-out to honor Bill Hahn and Donna Avery.

“There are currently over 5,000 patients waiting for a kidney transplant in the state of Florida alone and many of these patients will die before ever receiving that life-saving transplant. With an increase in diabetes and high blood pressure among the population, spreading awareness has never been more important for the one in three Americans who are at risk for developing kidney diseases. The Kidney Walk is an important part of our mission because it allows us to educate the population on risk factors of developing kidney disease before it’s too late. The funds raised at this event are used for critical programs such as Direct Patient Aid and free kidney screenings that we offer throughout the state,” said Savanna Lanza, NKFF CEO.

Following the Kidney Walk, a Sandcastles of Hope contest for children will take place on the beach. In addition, Translife will host a Donor Moms brunch for all families who have lost their children and became organ donors, saving many lives.

After introducing the proposal last week, U.S. Rep. Brian Mast’s, R-Fla., “Harmony’s Law” which will “help prevent hundreds of rapists—who were convicted and found guilty of rape in the military—from being freed from jail on a misconstrued technicality” has gotten strong support from the Florida delegation.

When Mast brought out the bill at the end of last week, his office offered some insights on why he had introduced it.

“The bill is named after Harmony Allen, of Port St. Lucie, Fla., who was raped during her third month in the Air Force by her instructor. Despite being found guilty and sentenced to jail time, he was subsequently freed due to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces misinterpreting the congressionally-mandated statute of limitations,” Mast’s office noted.

“I still bear the scars of what he did to me 16 years ago, and I have endured immense pain and suffering for justice, but my rapist is now free because of this absurd ruling that has now set a precedent that does not follow the intent of Congress,” Allen said.  “Knowing my rapist has been out there for the past 16 years has haunted me.  The fact that he’s been able to stay in the military that I loved so dearly, get promoted and possibly have the chance to hurt others horrifies me. What’s worse is that allowing the rapists in the military to use this unlawful technicality will not only allow my rapist to go free, but other rapists who committed rapes for nearly two decades could avoid being held accountable and go free.  They will be given a clean slate, receive medical benefits, back pay, and retirement even though they were rightfully convicted.  This is not justice and should not be allowed.”

“Harmony’s rapist was set free because of an absurd appeals court ruling that directly contradicts Congress’ intent to hold military members who commit rape accountable,” Mast said.  “This is a massive miscarriage of justice for Harmony and many others, which is why Congress needs to intervene to prevent possibly hundreds of rapists from being set free without repercussion.”

Mast’s office offered some of the legal details on Friday.

“Although Congress has made its intent clear in the National Defense Authorization Acts (NDAA) of Fiscal Years 1987 and 2006 that these heinous offenses will have no statute of limitations in the military, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces ruled in U.S. v. Mangahas that the statute of limitations for sexual assaults that occurred before 2006 is five years. In doing so, the court incorrectly overruled the military’s standard in place from 1986 to 2006 that rape could ‘be tried and punished at any time without limitation’ and misinterpreted the congressional intent of the 2006 NDAA by failing to apply it to cases that occurred prior to 2006,” Mast’s office noted.

“As a result, starting last year, convicted sexual offenders in the military are now able to appeal their convictions and be set free if they committed the offense before 2006 but were not charged within 5 years,” the congressman’s office continued. “Two convictions have already been overturned, including Harmony Allen’s case, and there are dozens more in the appellate queue. There may well be hundreds of convicted rapists released early from their sentence and acquitted of their crimes by the time the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces has an opportunity to rule on every Mangahas appeal.”

Mast’s proposal would have the House Office of General Counsel “represent the interests of Congress in any cases related to the Mangahas decision” and have Congress ensure that “the passage of time should not bar the prosecution of rape or sexual assault under the Uniformed Code of Military Justice.” The bill also ends statutes of limitations for sexual offenses in the military against children.

This week, U.S. Rep. Bill Posey, R-Fla., and freshman U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Mich., threw their support behind Mast’s proposal.

“I am glad to join Congressman Mast to cosponsor this bipartisan legislation because survivors of sexual assault deserve justice,”Stevens said. “I am appalled that through a legal technicality, victims who were assaulted while serving our country may see their attacker walk free. Congress must clarify this misinterpretation of the statute of limitations for sexual assault in the military, and Harmony’s Law will ensure that those found guilty are held fully accountable for their heinous actions.”

“This important legislation will increase accountability and help better ensure that there is justice for victims of sexual assault in the military,” Posey said. “I was happy to partner with Reps. Mast and Stevens on this bill, and I commend all of my colleagues who have joined us in supporting this critical issue.”

Posey isn’t the only member of the Florida delegation to get behind the bill. Other cosponsors include U.S. Reps. Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla., Kathy Castor, D-Fla., Val Demings, D-Fla., Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., and Darren Soto, D-Fla.

BREVARD COUNTY • PORT CANAVERAL, FLORIDA – U.S. Rep. Bill Posey praised the soon-to-be-completed Canaveral Harbor Sand Bypass Project as a unified effort that keeps Port Canaveral’s economic engine running while restoring 3.5 miles of shoreline south of Canaveral Inlet to the pre-inlet levels of the early 1950s.

Canaveral Port Authority Commission Chairman Micah Loyd led a tour by water of Port Canaveral for the Congressman to review progress on the nearly completed Sand Bypass Project and to highlight critical current and future Port infrastructure projects.

Joining the tour was U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Colonel Andrew Kelly, Commander and District Engineer for the Jacksonville District. The Corps is the federally authorized agency that funded, administered and managed the project.

“The Sand Bypass Project is a very important project to our community and critical to preserving this coastal region,” Loyd said.

“We are thankful for the support from Congressman Posey and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for their support and commitment to coastal resiliency.”

Speaking on Earth Day 2019, Posey said the sand bypass effort captures the spirit of this year’s Earth Day theme to protect plant and animal species from extinction.

“Our port is a leader, not only in economic development but also is a pioneering leader in caring for our environment,” said Posey, who is a founder and co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Estuary Caucus.

“We have learned that our economic well-being depends upon the health of our ecology. We take care of ourselves when we take care of our environment.”

When completed in early May, the six-month-long Canaveral Harbor Sand Bypass Project – the largest volume effort in the Port Canaveral area since the first in 1995 – will have pumped almost 1.4 million cubic yards of sand taken from the shoreline north of Port Canaveral along Cape Canaveral Air Force Station to beaches south of the Canaveral Inlet from Jetty Park to less than a half-mile south of the Cocoa Beach Pier.

“The Sand Bypass Project is a key element of the Port’s long-term inlet management plan to protect our coastal environment while ensuring continued economic growth,” Posey said at a press conference at Jetty Park after a boat tour of the replenished coastline.

“Now, residents and visitors alike enjoy restored beaches and benefit from the recreation and storm protection that the beaches provide.”

Locally sponsored by the Canaveral Port Authority and funded and administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the federally authorized $18-million effort is bringing the Jetty Park shoreline and points south in Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Beach to pre-Port levels of the 1950s.