Despite apparent decline in wealth, Rep. Vern Buchanan still one of Congress' richest members

U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota, in 2012 slipped from fifth place to sixth in the latest look at the wealth of members of the U.S. House.

Determining a lawmaker's exact wealth is difficult because representatives and senators only have to report their assets and liabilities in broad ranges. The Center for Responsive Politics, which compiles information gathered from publicly available disclosure forms, derives an average to develop its rankings.

In 2012, CRP said Buchanan's wealth was somewhere between a minimum net worth of minus $58.1 million  to more than $235.7 million, for an average of  $88.8 million, down from $108.2 million a year earlier.

On his 2012 disclosure form, Buchanan listed 142 assets, with a value of between $58.6 million and $259.6 million. His holdings include stocks, bonds, real estate, auto dealerships and an aircraft leasing firm.

He also listed 18 liabilities, mostly mortgages and other loans, worth between more than $26.9 million and $132 million.

Despite the apparent decline in his wealth, Buchanan did remain in the list of 10 wealthiest members of Congress, including both the House and Senate. On that list, he fell between Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., with an average wealth of almost $101.3 million, and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., at $88 million.

The wealthiest member of Congress, according to CRP, is Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., at more than $464.1 million.

Jeb Bush endorses Gov. Rick Scott for re-election

Here's the news release from the Florida Republican Party:

TALLAHASSEE, FL - Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush today released the following statement regarding the 2014 Florida gubernatorial race, endorsing Governor Rick Scott: 

"I'm pleased to endorse Governor Scott for re-election and look forward to supporting his campaign during the coming year. "It's simple why I'm supporting Rick Scott. He campaigned on a platform of getting Florida's economy back on track, and has delivered on that promise. 

"Governor Scott pledged to reinstate a business-friendly climate that fosters growth and job creation. Since taking office, Florida's unemployment rate has fallen 4.1 percent, more than 365,000 jobs have been created and taxes have been cut for families and businesses. 

"While President Obama and Democrats in Congress are fixated on penalizing success, Governor Scott is pursuing policies to restore prosperity for more Floridians while prioritizing core state responsibilities, including increasing the state's investment in education. 

"Rick Scott demonstrated leadership when Florida needed it most, and he is the best candidate to lead our state for four more years." 

Governor Rick Scott said, "I am grateful to have the support and friendship of Governor Jeb Bush. His time as Governor built a strong foundation for Florida's future by making our education system more accountable and our state's economy more attractive to job creators. His positive vision for Florida continues to inspire us today as we work to cut taxes and get our economy back on track." 

Tea Party group targets Rep. Vern Buchanan, other GOP 'traitors'

Upset with how they voted to end the federal government shutdown, a Tea Party-affiliated group is targeting Rep. Vern Buchanan and other Republican "traitors" for defeat in next year's elections.

The group hopes to recruit someone to challenge Buchanan, R-Sarasota, in next year's Republican primary. So far, only Democrat Mitch Mallett of Bradenton has filed to run against Buchanan.

"Help us fund primaries to oust those who caved. Join the Primaries for Traitors Fund and help us fire the showboat RINOS ("Republicans In Name Only") for good!" the Tea Party Leadership Fund said on its website.

Buchanan and the other lawmakers raised the Tea Party's ire last month when they voted to end the federal government shutdown and to raise the nation's debt limit.

For more, watch this video from Tea Party Leadership Fund:

Rep. Vern Buchanan co-sponsors bill to add oversight to National Security Agency

U.S. Vern Buchanan on Thursday signed on as a co-sponsor of the USA Freedom Act, legislation that he says would end the National Security Agency's "indiscriminate collection" of Americans' personal information.

"The National Security Agency needs to stop invading the privacy of ordinary, everyday Americans," Buchanan, a member of the Congressional Privacy Caucus, said in a news release. "Our strength as a nation flows from the values and freedoms laid out in the Constitution, including the right against unreasonable searches and seizures. The USA Freedom Act institutes the proper reforms to protect the privacy and liberties of the American people."

Buchanan, R-Sarasota, said the legislation, which was introduced by Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., includes the following reforms:

• End the bulk collection of Americans' communications records under Section 215 of the Patriot Act.
• Reform the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court by creating new and more robust reporting requirements to ensure Congress is aware of actions by the FISC and intelligence community as a whole.
• Increase transparency by requiring the government to make annual or semiannual public reports estimating the total number of individuals and U.S. persons that were subject to FISA orders authorizing electronic surveillance, pen/trap devices and access to business records.

In the release, Buchanan citied examples of what he called the NSA's "unprecedented invasion into the personal lives of American citizens," including the collection of hundreds of millions of Americans' telephone records, even though they are not under suspicion or investigation; and the extraction of personal information from Google, Facebook and other Internet companies.

Buchanan heading into re-election campaign with a big fund-raising advantage

Democratic candidate Mitch Mallett of Bradenton promises a hearty challenge of U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan in next year's election, presuming he wins his party's nomination.

But already, he faces a daunting challenger: Buchanan's ability to raise campaign money, a prowess reinforced by his position on the House Ways & Means Committee, which among other things oversee's the nation's tax policies.

The latest campaign finance reports filed with the Federal Elections Commission show that as of Sept. 30, the end of the most recent reporting period, Buchanan had almost $543,000 cash on hand, a measure of a candidate's viability.

Mallett, who just filed his paperwork, has not reported any financial activity for his campaign.

Buchanan built up his campaign account by taking in $167,225 in contributions between July 1 and Sept. 30, including $89,340 from individuals and $77,885 from political action and other committees.

So far this election cycle, Buchanan has raised a total $984,410 -- more than $623,000 from individuals and almost $362,000 from political committees.

Disturbed by reports of 'government overreach,' Rep. Vern Buchanan calls for reform of National Security Agency

Here is the news release:

U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-FL, today called on congressional leaders to take immediate action to reform the National Security Agency’s (NSA) surveillance programs following reports of “thousands of violations” of Americans’ privacy. 

Last week, an internal NSA audit obtained by the Washington Post cited 2,776 incidents where the spy agency engaged in the “unauthorized collection, storage, access to or distribution of legally protected communications.” 

“These latest revelations of government overreach are extremely disturbing,” said Buchanan, a member of the Congressional Privacy Caucus. “Our strength as a nation flows from the values and freedoms laid out in the Constitution, including the right against unreasonable searches and seizures. It’s imperative the both parties work together and institute reforms to protect the privacy and liberties of the American people.” 

Last month, Buchanan voted for an amendment to the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act, offered by Congressman Justin Amash of Michigan, to prevent the NSA from collecting the phone records of Americans who are not under investigation. 

The chief author of the Patriot Act, Congressman James Sensenbrenner, also supported the amendment which was narrowly defeated 205-217. The U.S. House is expected to consider the intelligence reauthorization bill this Fall, legislation Buchanan says is the appropriate vehicle for broader NSA reforms. 

“It is a slippery slope if we allow our basic freedoms to be eroded in the name of security,” said Buchanan.  “The time has come for Congress to address these issues in a transparent, public manner.”

Democrat withdraws from Florida CFO race after news of his bankruptcies

Via the Herald/Times Tallahassee Bureau:

Democrat Allie Braswell, a political unknown and Urban League official, dropped out of the race against Republican Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater on Monday, after a weekend of news reports about his three personal bankruptcies. 

The stories were first reported by the Jacksonville Times Union. 

Here's the press release from the Democratic Party: 

Tallahassee, FL — Today, CFO candidate Allie Braswell made the following statement: 

Against all odds, a boy who played on dirt roads in Oviedo grew up to serve this great nation as a US Marine, and work as an senior leader at one of America's most admired companies. That is what has always inspired me to serve, to ensure that today's boys and girls can live the American Dream. 

At the Urban League, I work every day with people who are struggling to make it. As I have experienced struggles in my life, so many people are struggling, and that is what inspired me to run for Florida's Chief Financial Officer -- to be a champion, standing up for the poor and middle class. 

Before I started this campaign I talked with supporters and friends and family. This weekend, I have again discussed this campaign with those I love, and have reached a decision. Today, I am withdrawing from the race for Florida's Chief Financial Officer. 

I have, at times, faced challenges in life that have not met with the outcomes I have desired. I take full responsibility for my actions, and apologize to my supporters. 

The bright spotlight of a statewide campaign has cast the ups and downs of my life into harsh relief, and I now know that this campaign is not the way I was meant to serve my community. 

Running statewide is a daunting challenge for any candidate; as a political outsider, I have now learned that I underestimated how my campaign would affect those I care about most.