Section 203 C&SF Flood Resiliency Study For Broward Basins
We support seeking the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) authorization of the project
recommendations and appropriations to advance final design and construction of recommended
improvements. The requested funding cannot be estimated at this time and will be available in early 2026.
Bipartisan Charitable Giving Act
We request support for the Bipartisan Charitable Giving Act—U.S. Senate Bill S.566 and U.S. House Bill H.R.3435—sponsored in the Senate by Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) and Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE), and in the House by Rep. Blake Moore (R-UT) and Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL).
Transitional Housing for Individuals Experiencing Street Homelessness
In 2025 alone, more than 1822 individuals in Broward County experienced homelessness, with 979 residing within the City of Fort Lauderdale. These sobering statistics underscore the profound impact of escalating housing costs, inflationary pressures, and an ever-increasing demand for affordable housing.
This legislation proposes a tax code policy amendment to 26 U.S. Code Section 170 (“Charitable, etc., contributions and gifts”) by amending Section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code. Specifically, the bill would allow a universal above-the-line deduction for charitable contributions for all taxpayers, including those who do not itemize deductions.
$500 million for design and construction of a tunnel. Specifically, the construction of a tunnel, if it is
economically feasible, as it promotes the unobstructed mobility of regional commuter rail while keeping
communities united. If we are unable to secure federal funding for a tunnel option, we request funding
for a 55-foot bascule bridge.
Port Everglades Navigation Improvement Program (PENIP)
To retain Port Everglades as a port of national significance, PENIP, led by the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers (USACE), is a project to deepen and widen the Port’s navigational channels and turning basins.
The investment cost of this project, which in FY24 exceeded $1.35B, is not just about addressing safe
shipping requirements, but also about further boosting economic activity at the Port, the state of
Florida, and the entire United States. Decades of delays have forced the port to turn away business
today that would benefit the community and our national supply chain. Nearly half of the construction
cost of this project will be allocated to minimizing, mitigating and monitoring during construction to
reduce environmental impacts. The USACE and Port Everglades has proposed the most extensive coral
mitigation effort and the largest coral restoration project in the United States’ history.
Continued Funding for Children’s Hospital Graduate Medical Education (CHGME)
The Children’s Hospital Graduate Medical Education (CHGME) program provides essential federal support for the training of pediatric residents at freestanding children’s hospitals like Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. Despite training nearly half of the nation’s pediatric subspecialists in over 1000 training programs, these 59 hospitals receive significantly less federal GME support compared to adult teaching hospitals. Continued CHGME funding is vital to ensuring access to a robust pediatric workforce nationwide.
Engagement Center for Individuals Experiencing Homelessness
Since the 1990s, downtown Fort Lauderdale has faced recurring homeless encampments near Stranahan Park and the Broward County Main Library. Early enforcement efforts failed to address root causes, but by 2017 the city shifted to a housing-first model, successfully transitioning 82 individuals into permanent housing through the Home for the Holidays initiative.
Today, homelessness remains a pressing challenge, with more than 1,800 individuals affected in Broward County amid rising housing costs, inflation, and limited affordable options. A major gap is the lack of a centralized daytime hub for coordinated services. The proposed Engagement Center would provide comprehensive, low-barrier support—behavioral health, substance abuse treatment, counseling, recovery, workforce readiness, and housing connections—through an integrated, wraparound approach.
This project aligns with federal goals to end homelessness, reduce system-wide costs, and improve health equity. Expected outcomes include fewer public disturbances, reduced emergency reliance, declines in encampments, stronger agency collaboration, and greater community well-being—ultimately fostering long-term stability for Broward County’s most vulnerable residents.
NSU Oceanography Wharf Renewal
NSU is launching the Wharf Renewal and Seagrass Mitigation Project to address environmental and
operational challenges to its wharf and breakwater areas (also referred to as a groin). This initiative aims
to create a dedicated berth for research vessels and enhance the long-term utility of the wharf, while
also mitigating the seagrass habitats proximate to the proposed Port Everglades navigational
improvements.