In the News
U.S. Rep. Al Lawson’s statement on the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
by Bailey Husker | Action News Jax
U.S. Representative Al Lawson (FL-05) released a statement Saturday morning on the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. "We have lost an icon with the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg. She was a woman only 5′1 in stature, but moved mountains to propel our nation forward. She was a trailblazer who paved the way for so many who have come after her. Justice Bader Ginsberg provided a platform for women, and fought to ensure they had a voice at the table. From … Continue Reading
June 08, 2020
Rep. Lawson: Police Reform In The Works; RNC Must Consider 'Public Safety'
by BILL BORTZFIELD - WJCT
North Florida Congressman Al Lawson, D-FL5, has been hearing from constituents who say they want racial and religious profiling by police to end, along with more mandated racial bias training. On WJCT's First Coast Connect with Melissa Ross Monday, Lawson told guest host Charles Griggs that constituents have told him they want law enforcement to abandon no-knock warrants in drug cases and choke holds when restraining suspects. "We need the police. But we need to really make sure that we stop … Continue Reading
May 27, 2020
Congressmen Al Lawson, Neal Dunn see a lot to like in federal coronavirus stimulus plan
In a display of bipartisan agreement, two of North Florida's members of Congress - Republican Neal Dunn and Democrat Al Lawson - have endorsed a $2.2 trillion economic relief package to combat the coronavirus and calm a reeling nation. Millions of Americans are seeking unemployment benefits as businesses close and jobs disappear. By Friday morning, both Lawson, of Tallahassee, and Dunn, of Panama City, said they see a lot of good in the package negotiated by Democratic House Speaker Nancy … Continue Reading
May 21, 2020
Rep. Al Lawson Co-Sponsors ‘SOS Act’ To Help Small Businesses And Nonprofits
by Brendon Rivers | WJCT
North Florida Congressman Al Lawson (D-FL 5) is co-sponsoring the Save Our Streets (SOS) Act to give small businesses and nonprofits up to $250,000 to help them deal with the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The vast majority of the funding would go to historically underrepresented businesses, including those owned by minorities. Lawson, whose district stretches from Tallahassee to Jacksonville, says Congress made a mistake with the first CARES Act relief package, which allowed … Continue Reading
May 06, 2020
Al Lawson: USDA Sending NIFA Funds to FAMU for Scholarships
by Kevin Derby - Florida Daily
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is sending more than $750,000 in scholarships to Florida A&M University (FAMU). U.S. Rep. Al Lawson, D-Fla., announced this week that FAMU will get $752,632 in scholarships for Florida A&M University from the USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). "The grant, which was made possible through NIFA's 1890 Scholarship Program and authorized by the 2018 Farm Bill, will provide full and partial scholarships to undergraduate students in … Continue Reading
April 22, 2020
Douglas Anderson School of Arts Senior Appointed to United States Air Force Academy
by Jacksonville Free Press
U.S. Rep Al Lawson (FL-05) is proud to announce that George "Gary" Hartsfield Jr., a senior at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts in Jacksonville, received an offer of appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Hartsfield was one of Rep. Lawson's nominees for the Colorado-based service academy. "Gary's academic excellence and dedication to his community have prepared him well for the U.S. Air Force Academy," Rep. Lawson said. "I wish him the best and have no doubt he will serve our state and … Continue Reading
April 22, 2020
Al Lawson Urges Tallahassee Student Housing Companies to Let Residents Impacted by Coronavirus to Break Leases
by Kevin Derby | Florida Daily
This week, U.S. Rep. Al Lawson, D-Fla., called on student housing companies in Tallahassee to let residents who moved back home due to the coronavirus break their leases without penalty. On Monday, Lawson wrote eight student housing companies doing business in Tallahassee on the matter. "Students and families across our state and nation are experiencing extreme financial hardship caused by a global health crisis beyond their control," Lawson said. "It is unfair, while colleges and … Continue Reading
April 21, 2020
Protect the unique environment of the Okefenokee
by Florida Times Union Editorial Board
Florida is bracketed by the Everglades on the south and the Okefenokee on the north. Most of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is located in Georgia but a portion is in Baker County. Also, the swamp serves as the headwaters for the Suwannee and St. Marys rivers. The Okefenokee is a natural wonder that deserves the highest levels of protection. Yet there are concerns that mining for titanium near the Okefenokee will skirt traditional environmental reviews. The Okefenokee National … Continue Reading
April 19, 2020
CARES Act brings millions in relief to FSU, FAMU, but revenue losses are mounting
by Byron Dobson | Tallahassee Democrat
Florida's universities and state colleges will be receiving tens of millions of dollars from the CARES Act as part of the $14 billion earmarked for higher education. Florida's public universities will pull in nearly $252 million, with half of each university's share specifically designated "to provide emergency financial aid grants to students for expenses related to disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus," the U.S. Department of Education said in a release. So far, the federal … Continue Reading
April 17, 2020
Challenges for area universities amid coronavirus pandemic
by Kent Justice | News4Jax
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - On "This Week in Jacksonville," Dr. David Szymanski, president of the University of North Florida, explains the challenges facing UNF's students and faculty during the coronavirus pandemic. Rep. Al Lawson also details how the federal government is stepping in to help area … Continue Reading
April 16, 2020
Jacksonville area congressman, NAACP have conference call on small business and COVID-19
by Ryan Nelson l Action News Jax
A Jacksonville area congressman and the NAACP have conference call concerning small business during COVID-19 closures. Conference call included Jacksonville area congressman Al Lawson, NAACP Jacksonville President Isaiah Rumlin, and North Florida Deputy District Director of the U.S. Small Business Administration Gilbert Colon. Lawson said in the conference call, he's advocating for minority businesses to be prioritized in a second wave of federal loan assistance, as congressional leaders … Continue Reading
April 11, 2020
Lawson introduces Iranian anti-corruption legislation in U.S. House
by Gadsden County Times
WASHINGTON, D.C. - This week, U.S. Rep. Al Lawson (D-Fla.) and French Hill (R-Ark.) introduced H.R. 6081, the Holding Iranian Leaders Accountable Act. The legislation would make public the funds obtained in an illegal or corrupt manner held by Iran's authoritarian theocratic regime. "The Holding Iranian Leaders Accountable Act will ensure compliance and require transparency regarding the financial involvement of Iranian leaders," Lawson said. "It is imperative that we properly hold the … Continue Reading
March 30, 2020
Housing insecurity — Lawson’s lived it and wants to give back
by By Nathan Ouellette and Jim Saksa I Roll Call
Fire took Rep. Al Lawson's home as a child, and his family spent years recovering. The loss of a house and possessions and the insecurity that came along with that gave the Florida Democrat a unique perspective as he heard testimony at a House Financial Services hearing on Jan. 14. Tenant advocate Jeffrey Williams spoke of his family's struggle with homelessness at the hearing, which addressed the affordable housing crisis. Lawson sat down with Jim Saksa to talk about his story and how it … Continue Reading
March 30, 2020
Witness stirs painful memories for two lawmakers
by By Jim Saksa / Roll Call
Al Lawson and Denver Riggleman don't have a lot in common, other than the shame. Lawson is a laconic Democrat and veteran lawmaker who represents two of Florida's largest cities. Riggleman is a chatty Republican and Air Force veteran who first won his rural Virginia district in 2018. Lawson has a moderate, pro-business reputation despite voting with Democrats on 97 percent of floor votes last year; Riggleman is a Freedom Caucus populist who fell in line with the GOP 94 percent of the … Continue Reading
March 27, 2020
Congressmen Al Lawson, Neal Dunn see a lot to like in federal coronavirus stimulus plan
by James Call, USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida Capital Bureau
In a display of bipartisan agreement, two of North Florida's members of Congress - Republican Neal Dunn and Democrat Al Lawson - have endorsed a $2.2 trillion economic relief package to combat the coronavirus and calm a reeling nation. Millions of Americans are seeking unemployment benefits as businesses close and jobs disappear. By Friday morning, both Lawson, of Tallahassee, and Dunn, of Panama City, said they see a lot of good in the package negotiated by Democratic House Speaker Nancy … Continue Reading
March 24, 2020
Al Lawson: Stop Debt Collection During the Coronavirus Crisis
by By KEVIN DERBY l Florida Daily
On Monday, U.S. Rep. Al Lawson, D-Fla., brought out the "Debt Collection Moratorium Act" which, he insists, "would suspend debt collection activity on personal loans, and loans to small businesses and non-profits during the coronavirus epidemic." Lawson weighed in on why he thought the bill was needed. "In light of the global coronavirus pandemic, and the economic hardship it will bring, my bill would suspend debt collections activity for 120 days (6 months) to allow families and businesses … Continue Reading
March 13, 2020
FL Congressional Delegation Urges Trump To Authorize Emergency Coronavirus Funding
by Brendan Rivers / WJCT
Congressmen Al Lawson (left) and John Rutherford (right). U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES On Thursday, Local U.S. Representatives Al Lawson and John Rutherford, along with the entire Florida Congressional Delegation, sent a bipartisan letter to President Donald Trump asking him to prioritize Florida and send the state emergency resources as it fights to contain the spread of the coronavirus. "As President Trump's Administration disperses critical resources to combat … Continue Reading
March 02, 2020
Mining opposition crosses state line
by Gordon Jackson / News Brunswick News
A congressman in Florida wants to make sure any proposal submitted for mining swampland his state shares with Georgia receive proper review. U.S. Rep. Al Lawson, D-Fla., sent a letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers asking it for an environmental impact statement that evaluates projects with the potential to "significantly affect the quality of the human environment." Twin Pines Minerals withdrew a permit request to mine titanium and other heavy minerals near the Okefenokee National … Continue Reading
February 29, 2020
Parade celebrates Black History Month
by Adahlia Thomas | Staff writer
QUINCY - On the sunny and windy morning of the last day of February, folks were lined up along Stewart and Crawford streets to witness the 2020 Black History Month Parade, coordinated by the City of Quincy. Quincy is a small, close-knit town of about 7,000 people. It is the county seat of Gadsden County just northwest of Leon County. It is about 20 miles west of Tallahassee. Florida-Backroads-Travel.com states, "The town is a good example of Southern architecture from the era before the … Continue Reading
February 24, 2020
Congressman Al Lawson working to get proper burial for veteran after remains found by workers
by Joe Daraskevich
Congressman Al Lawson is working to get a proper burial for a veteran whose remains were disturbed last week during a construction project. Lawson says he's pushing for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to allow the veteran to be buried in the Jacksonville National Cemetery, but he's also working to figure out why the remains were disturbed in the first place. "It's interesting," Lawson tells our news partner Action News Jax. "What I'm trying to figure out from the DOT … Continue Reading