Congressman John Rutherford

Fun fact: Florida has more landscape companies than any other state in the country and Florida’s nursery and landscape industry employs over 279,000 Floridians! That’s why I was happy to meet with the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association in Washington this week to talk about issues their industry faces, the importance of legal temporary immigration programs, and the need for a reliable workforce. We must continue to support Florida’s growers, nurseries, and landscapers.

The House passed Fiscal Year 2027 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act to support our rural communities, strengthen our national security and food supply, and promote the safety of food, drugs, and medical devices nationwide.

Every day, American farmers and producers work hard to feed us. Proud to pass this legislation to support their efforts while protecting the American people.

Today marks the 82nd anniversary of D-Day. Today, we remember and honor the American heroes who parachuted into the fields and stormed the beaches of Normandy to protect the free world. Let us never forget their sacrifices. 🇺🇸

Every dollar lost to fraud is a dollar stolen from a working parent, a child in need, or a taxpayer who already paid the bill. I voted YES on the Stop Child Care Scams Act and Preventing Waste, Fraud and Abuse in TANF Act to crack down on waste, fraud, and abuse within child care and assistance programs nationwide. Child care fraud alone costs American taxpayers at least $600 million a year and diverts critical resources away from working families who actually need them. This week, House Republicans voted to protect American families, not bankroll fraud.

Today, we remember those brave souls who stood up to the Chinese Communist Party in the Tiananmen Square protests 37 years ago. Their courage in the face of tyranny will NEVER be forgotten.

🌀 Florida’s hurricane season is here!🌀

First step of being prepared is making a plan!

Visit https://rutherford.house.gov/issues/hurricane-preparedness for more information & hurricane preparedness tips.

One of my greatest privileges as a member of Congress is nominating talented young men and women from Northeast Florida to attend America’s military service academies.

Calling high school students in Florida's Fifth District interested in serving our country to apply now! Applications close September 30, 2026.

U.S. Service Academy Nominations Amongst the Ivy Leagues in terms of educational quality, and rigor. United States Service Academies offer a tuition free, fully paid for education with a guaranteed job after graduation. You can expect to Fly, Sail, Compute, Engineer, Protect, Teach, and more for as a potential career path.

I was proud to join Gold Star families at the Jacksonville National Cemetery Remembrance on Saturday morning to honor our nation’s brave servicemen and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice to keep the air we breathe free.

I was also proud to be part of the St. Johns County Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday. It was an honor to personally thank two Gold Star moms, Krista Joseph and Joy Plant, for the service and sacrifice of their sons, Charlie Keating and Seth Plant. May we all live the rest of our lives worthy of their sacrifice. 🇺🇸

On this Memorial Day, we honor the brave men and women who paid the ultimate price for our freedom. May their sacrifices never be forgotten.

As many of you know, this morning was supposed to be the opening day of the 2026 recreational South Atlantic red snapper season. I, along with many anglers, was excited to see red snapper fishing once again off of our coast, especially after years of fighting for more days.

Unfortunately, yesterday the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia halted activities under the exempted fishing permits (EFPs) that authorized the 2026 state recreational red snapper seasons in the South Atlantic. The EFPs for Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina are no longer in effect until further order from the Court, and the recreational harvest of red snapper in the South Atlantic remains closed.

I stand with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Lutnik against this delay tactic.

We are not giving up on this year’s 39-day season. I hope to see this resolved quickly.

NOAA Fisheries Update: Effective Immediately, No Recreational Red Snapper Fishing is Authorized Under the South Atlantic Exempted Fishing Permits - South Atlantic Red Snapper Fishing in Federal Waters Remains Closed FB26-025: Southeast Fishery Bulletin