Jimmy Patronis

To amend title 10, United States Code, to include installations of the Coast Guard in the defense community infrastructure program, and for other purposes.

in committee

Save for Success Act

in committee

PROTECT Act

in committee

“Mr. PATRONIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with great pride to recognize and commend the exceptional accomplishments of the Pace High School Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) program, a group of young leaders who continue to make Northwest Florida proud. Recently, the cadets of Pace High School NJROTC competed at the NJROTC National Championship held in Pensacola, Florida, where they earned an outstanding second place finish among the very best programs in the Nation. This achievement reflects not only their hard work and determination, but also the countless hours of preparation, discipline, and teamwork they have demonstrated throughout the year. The NJROTC program is a nationally respected initiative dedicated to developing leadership, citizenship, and character among high school students. With more than 580 units across the country, only a select number advance through rigorous regional competitions to reach the national stage. Pace High School's continued success at this level is a clear testament to the strength and consistency of its program. It also reflects the spirit of Northwest Florida's proud military tradition, where homegrown talent rises to meet the highest standards of service, leadership, and excellence. Over the past five years, Pace High School NJROTC has distinguished itself as a national powerhouse, earning three national championships and multiple top three finishes, including this year's impressive second-place result. This sustained excellence speaks volumes about the commitment of the cadets, the leadership of their instructors, and the strong support of their school and community. I am especially proud of these cadets. They exemplify the very best of Northwest Florida and act as outstanding ambassadors for Pace High School, Santa Rosa County, and the State of Florida. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Pace High School NJROTC cadets, their instructors, and their leadership team on this extraordinary accomplishment. I wish them continued success as they carry forward this proud tradition of excellence. ____________________”

2026-04-16 · Education

“Mr. PATRONIS. Mr. Speaker, Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act insulates ``Big Tech'' from most liability for the digital fentanyl promoted on their sites. Time and time again, drugs are sold, sexually suggestive and/or explicit content is posted without consent, algorithms promote and normalize suicide and self-harm, and chatbots tell children how to cope with their emotions. All of these things are harming our vulnerable and impressionable youth. Chatbot usage is now so widespread that nearly three quarters of teens have used AI companions, and of these users approximately one in three have used them for social interactions and relationships to include the more than one in ten who sought emotional or mental health support. That is why I proudly introduced H.R. 7045, the Promoting Responsible Online Technology and Ensuring Consumer Trust (PROTECT) Act, to immediately repeal Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act and to restore accountability for online platforms. The question we must ask ourselves is: can there be any accountability when there is no liability. The answer is no. Without liability there is no accountability. When was the last time you saw revenge porn or fentanyl marketed on a billboard? The answer is you have not seen it because of a well-crafted system that punishes wrongdoing. Why do we see this content online constantly? The answer is Section 230. Let us stop pretending like the internet is new, novel, and worthy of special treatment when 96 percent Americans access it. When the law passed in 1996, the internet was in its early days long before the average American spent nearly half the month online and nearly one in six sales occurred online. Congress can no longer ignore the fact that the average American spends nearly 60,000 percent more time online than during the year of the law's passage. To be clear, this law lets the large companies that dominate the areas where Americans spend almost half their time generally face no consequences for the content these platforms share, actively promote, and generate billions from. Worse yet, the law also deprives states of the power to protect their own citizens through state law. I am deeply troubled by alarming national trends and the proliferation of AI chatbots, providing advice to our children. Increasingly, children have been suffering, and parents have been unable to pursue an effective means of encouraging the industry to police itself. Sadly, one in five children receive an unwanted sexual solicitation annually online. Despite Section 230 continuing to insulate online predation, I am proud of the work multiple sheriff offices, as well as state and federal agencies did to arrest 13 suspects during an online child sexual predator operation in my district and in surrounding communities last fall. Imagine how much more ``Big Tech'' would be willing to do to shut down the predator superhighway if they faced actual consequences. While I could fill hundreds of pages with stories about how social media is harming our youth and supplement it daily, I want to focus on stories from my district and my home state of Florida. As a successful Section 230 defense often results in the court granting dismissal early in the litigation, the facts are often accepted as plead. In these instances, the excerpts below reflect the claims as plead by the victims and their families. Only Fans Parent Company Faces No Liability for Allegedly Profiting Off Rape of a Miami Teenager In April 2022, Michelson Romelus and Bendjy Charles allegedly filmed each other on video while they forcible raped and sodomized the teenage victim in Miami. Several weeks later, the footage was allegedly edited and uploaded to OnlyFans.com where the footage was allegedly sold as part of a monthly subscription. Despite these facts, the case was recommended for dismissal based on Section 230, meaning the alleged victim could not recover from the platform. Omegle Immune From Liability for Allegedly Connecting a Minor With a Predator Who Coerced an 11-Year-Old Into Undressing On March 31, 2020, an 11-year-old girl and user of the Omegle platform, which allowed users to connect with people randomly and anonymously allegedly connected the child with a predator. This predator allegedly informed the victim that he knew where she lived and provided specific details about where she lived to prove it. He allegedly threatened to hack the victim and her family's devices if she did not disrobe and comply with his demands. The predator allegedly filmed the incident. The case was dismissed by the Court as the victim's family ``failed to plead claims that withstand Omegle's Section 230 immunity.'' The platform has since ceased operations. OfferUp Found Not Liable for Allegedly Connecting Buyer With Seller Who Robbed and Shot Buyer On June 13, 2018, the victim allegedly arranged to meet with the seller in Palmetto, Florida to consummate the contemplated sale of goods. The meeting was alleged”

2026-02-03 · Technology

“Mr. PATRONIS. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the following proclamation honoring the 50th Annual Governmental Prayer Breakfast: Whereas, the Governmental Prayer Breakfast in Pensacola, Florida, marks its 50th anniversary, reflecting a half- century tradition of bringing together citizens, faith leaders, and public servants in a spirit of prayer, unity, and reflection; and Whereas, prayer has long served as a source of strength, guidance, and moral clarity for individuals, families, and communities, particularly during times of uncertainty and challenge; and Whereas, the United States of America was founded on the principle that all people are created with inherent dignity and worth, endowed by God with unalienable rights that no government may grant or take away; and [[Page E82]] Whereas, the freedom to live out one's faith openly and without fear remains essential to the character of our Nation and the vitality of our democratic institutions; and Whereas, faith communities play a vital role in fostering compassion, service, and responsibility, strengthening families and supporting those who serve in positions of public trust; and Whereas, elected officials, members of the judiciary, law enforcement, military personnel, and civic leaders bear significant responsibility in serving their communities with integrity, wisdom, and humility; and Whereas, the Governmental Prayer Breakfast serves as an opportunity to pause from the demands of public life to seek guidance, express gratitude, and reaffirm a shared commitment to the common good; Now, therefore, be it proclaimed, that the 50th Annual Governmental Prayer Breakfast in Pensacola, Florida, is hereby recognized and commended for its enduring contribution to the spiritual and civic life of the community; and Be it further proclaimed, that this occasion stands as a reminder of the importance of faith, prayer, and moral conviction in public service, and the value of unity, humility, and service to others; and Be it further proclaimed, that all participants are encouraged to continue praying for our Nation, our State, our community, and all those entrusted with the responsibilities of leadership, that they may serve with wisdom, courage, and compassIon. In witness whereof, this proclamation is issued in recognition of the 50th Annual Governmental Prayer Breakfast and the enduring role of faith in strengthening our community and our country. ____________________”

2026-01-30 · Government Reform