Latest news with #MikeHaridopolos
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
GOP urges big-picture view of shrinking economy
Republicans were quick to spin a drop in gross domestic product as short-term pain for long-term gain. The US economy shrank 0.3% between January and March, the Commerce Department said Wednesday, its first contraction in three years. One big driver: firms rushing to stockpile imports before President Donald Trump's sweeping new tariffs took effect. 'It's a short-term aberration,' Rep. Mike Haridopolos, R-Fla., said. 'The president has fundamentally made changes so that we're not so reliant on so many foreign countries that might disrupt supply chains in the future.' He added: 'Once we get the tax bill done … you'll see the markets moving forward.' President Donald Trump was similarly dismissive, pointing the finger at predecessor Joe Biden before insisting China will suffer more. 'Somebody said, 'Oh, the shelves are going to be open,'' Trump said. 'Well, maybe the children will have two dolls instead of 30.'
Fox News
08-04-2025
- Business
- Fox News
Rep. Mike Haridopolos: President Trump Is Using Tariffs To Level The Playing Field With Other Countries
Florida Republican Congressman Mike Haridopolos joins Fox Across America With Jimmy Failla to give his take on the White House moving forward with its plan to impose an additional 50 percent tariff on China after Beijing did not lift its 34 percent tariffs on American imports by noon on Tuesday. 'We are in a de facto Cold War with the Chinese right now. They do not play by the rules, whether it be at the WTO, let alone their environmental regulations that simply don't exist. It's tough to compete with slave labor on top of it out of China. What the president is saying is that we are a good neighbor. We're a nation you can trade with, with trust. And we're looking out for your best interest. as we take on these this communist dictatorship around the world who manipulate markets with their Belt and Road projects for example. So what we need to do is do what the president is doing. I support him 100 percent on these tariffs because it is a long-term play. It is a way to repurpose our economy because remember, we learned the hard way that our supply chain is in jeopardy during the COVID years. We need to bring some of those jobs back or at least have relationships with nations we can trust when times get tough.' Rep. Haridopolos also goes on to stress the importance of the U.S. staying ahead of China in space technology. Listen to the podcast to hear what else they discussed!
Bloomberg
28-03-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
GOP Congressman Expects "Turbulence" From Trump Tariffs
US consumer sentiment tumbled this month to a more than two-year low and long-term inflation expectations jumped to a 32-year high as anxiety over tariffs continued to build. The final March sentiment index declined to 57 from 64.7 a month earlier, according to the University of Michigan. The latest reading was below both the 57.9 preliminary number and the median estimate in a Bloomberg survey of economists. Consumers expect prices to rise at an annual rate of 4.1% over the next five to 10 years. That's the highest since February 1993 and above the 3.9% preliminary reading. Florida Republican congressman Mike Haridopolos explains why he expects Americans to feel "turbulence" from President Donald Trump's tariff regime in the near-term and why he supports cost-cutting efforts from Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency, also known as DOGE. Mr. Haridopolos speaks with Paul Sweeney and Alix Steel on Bloomberg Radio. (Source: Bloomberg)
USA Today
10-02-2025
- Business
- USA Today
'Florida's got a great shot': Push begins to bring NASA headquarters to Space Coast
'Florida's got a great shot': Push begins to bring NASA headquarters to Space Coast Show Caption Hide Caption Haridopolos discusses Chinese threat to U.S. space interests FLORIDA TODAY's John A. Torres discusses a variety of topics with Mike Haridopolos, the Republican representing Florida's 8th Congressional district. U.S. Rep. Mike Haridopolos wants to move NASA headquarters out of its underutilized, leased building in Washington, D.C. — and he hopes to help convince President Donald Trump to bring it to Florida's Kennedy Space Center instead of potential contending states like Alabama and Texas. The week after Trump won the November election, NASA issued a press release saying it seeks options for a future headquarters building. The lease at Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters expires in August 2028. This building in the nation's capital has 545,731 usable square feet — but that space was only about 15% occupied during 2023 amid the post-pandemic work environment, according to a Public Buildings Reform Board interim report to Congress. Cape Canaveral: Is there a launch today? Upcoming SpaceX, NASA rocket launch schedule at Cape Canaveral "As a Floridian — and as the president is a Floridian — I'd love to have the NASA headquarters here at KSC. But it's one step at a time. And I think we need to make the best pitch for the (return on investment) and the effectiveness of it," Haridopolos, an Indian Harbour Beach Republican, said during an interview in his Viera district office. "And talk to not just NASA — but remember, more and more, NASA and commercial space are being tied together. The people that are making our space operations so successful, we want to get their input as well before we make this big decision," Haridopolos said. "You're talking about at least a half-a-billion-dollar building where NASA operates out of. The smart thing to do is to ask the people who are actually the boots on the ground — or in this case, the rockets taking off — of their opinion. And I'm optimistic that Florida's got a great shot to get that headquarters," he said. In its Nov. 14 press release, NASA officials said they were searching for a new headquarters with about 375,000 to 525,000 square feet of office space in Washington or the immediate surrounding area. "The NASA Headquarters building lease is up in 2028, and the agency continues to work through options," KSC News Chief Patti Bielling said in a Tuesday email. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis made headlines last month when he called for NASA headquarters to move to KSC during a press conference. Late last month, Haridopolos was appointed chair of the House Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, which is tasked with overseeing America's space policy and programs. Longtime Space Coast resident Bill Nelson stepped down as NASA administrator last month, and Trump appointee and Polaris Dawn commander Jared Isaacman awaits confirmation to replace him. "It's a two-phased fight. First phase is, we need to make sure that the NASA headquarters is taken out of Washington, D.C. There is no need to have those headquarters in Washington, D.C. The action is taking place primarily here in Florida," Haridopolos said. "The closer we are to the action, the more effective the agency's going to be," he said. How would moving headquarters impact NASA? Don Platt, director of the Florida Institute of Technology's Spaceport Education Center in Titusville, questioned the strategic effectiveness of moving NASA's headquarters to the Space Coast. Why? He said NASA's interesting and important work happens at technical sites like KSC, Johnson Space Center in Texas, and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California — while the Washington, D.C., headquarters are populated by "bean counters" and "policy wonks, if you will." "I think that a key for any government agency is the ability to interact with their funding source, and that's Congress. And I'm not sure that being located in Florida would really enable that key element of NASA's requirements," Platt said. "Congress holds the purse strings. And so, it's much easier to just run up to Capitol Hill when you need to try to lobby for more NASA funding, for instance, than being here in Florida and having to fly up there all the time," he said. Platt said the influx of jobs would benefit the Space Coast, and the addition of NASA's command post would help cement Florida's status as "the space state." But he questioned the nationwide impact across the agency. "I'm not sure that being isolated in one state is really the best for the ability for NASA to make sure that other important states — related states such as Alabama, Virginia, Texas, California — are supporting the mission as well. And so, I think there are some concerns there," Platt said. "I'm sure that Florida would offer some impressive incentives for headquarters to come here. But I think overall, for the vision and mission of NASA, I'm not sure that it's really the best fit for them," he said. Elsewhere in Florida, U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-St. Petersburg, wrote a Jan. 22 letter to Trump supporting the relocation of NASA's headquarters to Florida's Space Coast. Writing the move "would offer significant strategic, economic, and logistical advantages to NASA and the United States," Luna cited major private space industry players like SpaceX, Blue Origin and Boeing. "Additionally, the presence of the U.S. Space Force in Florida presents a unique opportunity for NASA to collaborate more closely with military space operations. Such proximity would enhance coordination on key projects like satellite technology, national security space initiatives, and advanced space exploration missions," Luna's letter said. "By co-locating NASA with the Space Force, the two agencies could share resources, streamline operations, and increase efficiency in both military and civilian space programs," the letter said. NASA HQ move draws laughter during SpaceCom SpaceCom, a major annual industry conference, took place late last month at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. During a Jan. 30 panel discussion on public-private partnerships, the No. 1 question submitted by audience members dealt with NASA headquarters relocating to Florida. Jonathan Baker, chief of spaceport development at Kennedy Space Center, was placed on the spot and asked to reply as the agency's lone representative on stage — drawing smiles and laughter from the crowd. "We're focused on exploration and innovation. And so, we want to enable that in whatever way possible, right? So however the agency deems best to accomplish that here at KSC, we're ready and on board to support that," Baker replied. "Whether that means a move for headquarters or not, we are ready to support whatever the agency needs to move forward," he said. "Excellent answer," said panel moderator Kevin Brown, eliciting more laughs. He is senior vice president of business development with All Points Logistics on Merritt Island. "I mean, it would make a lot of sense to move NASA headquarters to Kennedy Space Center. Just saying," Space Florida President and CEO Rob Long, a fellow panelist, said in return. Palm Bay leaders invite NASA to their city The Palm Bay City Council unanimously approved a resolution Jan. 16 supporting Brevard County as a permanent location for NASA headquarters, Space Force command or similar agencies. Specifically, the resolution supported expanded governmental use of the Space Force Malabar Transmitter Annex, citing the economic impact of high-skill, high-paying jobs. Military personnel occasionally conduct training at this 462-acre facility, a former U.S. Navy airfield controlled by Space Launch Delta 45. "We have a giant chunk of federal land, right off Minton Road, that is very sparsely used," Councilman Chandler Langevin said during that brief discussion. "That could be very easily converted into a federal building or an expansion of the Space Force. I just wanted to pass this resolution to send up to our congressman and our federal lobbyist to let them know in Washington, D.C., that we are on the menu," he said. The resolution was seconded by Mayor Rob Medina, who works as a case manager in Haridopolos' office. NASA HQ mentioned during county wastewater discussion Brevard County Commissioner Thad Altman also raised the topic during the county commission's discussion on $130 million in potential Space Florida upgrades to boost capacity at the Sykes Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility on Merritt Island to accommodate commercial space industry growth. "I would assume that we did include the possibility of NASA moving its headquarters to Kennedy Space Center. Would that growth be included in these numbers?" Commissioner Thad Altman asked during the Jan. 28 discussion. The wastewater expansion project could accommodate NASA's headquarters, replied Dale Ketcham, Space Florida vice president of government and external relations. "We can adjust for that. We are pursuing that, as per the governor's directive. We were looking at that even in advance," Ketcham said. Altman is president and CEO of the Astronauts Memorial Foundation at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. The spaceport project would increase the Merritt Island wastewater facility's treatment capacity by 300,000 gallons per day by 2027 and 700,000 gallons per day by 2034. For the latest news from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and NASA's Kennedy Space Center, visit Rick Neale is a Space Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Neale at Rneale@ Twitter/X: @RickNeale1 Space is important to us and that's why we're working to bring you top coverage of the industry and Florida launches. Journalism like this takes time and resources. Please support it with a subscription here.
USA Today
30-01-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Torres: Haridopolos tapped to lead Space subcommittee is a win for the Space Coast
In what can only be seen as a major positive for the Space Coast, the county's own freshman congressman, Mike Haridopolos, has been tapped to chair the congressional Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics. The subcommittee is part of the congressional Science, Space and Technology Committee, which oversees agency budgets totaling more than $42 billion. The subcommittee basically has jurisdiction over all things related to space. More importantly for us, it means someone who lives in Brevard and knows first-hand the importance of a healthy space industry to the area will be a leading voice when it comes to policy and decision-making. Haridopolos replaces Republican Texas Congressman Mike Babin, who on Jan. 11 was selected to chair the Science, Space and Technology Committee. Chairing subcommittees is not typically the norm for first-year lawmakers. "It's so important to our community and I'm optimistic that we can really move the ball and just continue the good work that's happening at (Kennedy Space Center)," Haridopolos said Thursday. "It's a huge honor and and I know there's some big opportunities for us to really make the most of." End of shuttle program paved the way Haridopolos was just finishing his tenure as Florida Senate President when the shuttle program came to an end. The economy in Brevard spiraled. That was when Haridopolos and other Florida lawmakers worked to put a chunk of money into the Economic Development Commission. "We even changed laws, we put the seed money there and we enticed companies like Embraer and L3Harris to stay or come here (to Brevard)," Haridopolos said. "We didn't know what would come next and fortunately those investments are paying off now." The huge number of SpaceX rockets launched from here and the recent successful launch of Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket are surely proof of that now. "As NASA has has proven, there is a role for each and so as we as we're waiting on the Artemis program we need to have the ability to get men and women into space, let alone our satellite technology and other military needs into space, and fortunately the commercial sector is leading the charge," Haridopolos said. "It's an ever-changing world and I'm honored to be the chairman of that committee and I'm optimistic that that we can continue to grow Florida." NASA to Florida? Speaking of NASA, Haridopolos said he might just try and influence fellow Floridian, President Donald Trump, to move the NASA headquarters ― right now in Washington D.C., where, according to Haridopolos, only 8 percent of the building is occupied ― to Florida and maybe even the Space Coast. Those sentiments have been brought up recently by Gov. Ron DeSantis as well, who said "no one goes to it," meaning the NASA headquarters building. But first things first. "First and foremost, there is unanimous support from at least the leadership in this that we need to move the NASA headquarters out of Washington DC, that's job number one," Haridopolos said. "There's no need to have NASA headquarters in Washington DC. We need to build this facility where the action is as opposed to where the bureaucrats are. I think President Trump is spot on when he said we need to get people out of Washington D.C. and into the real world." So, what does Trump think about NASA coming to Brevard County? "I hope I can lobby him successfully to get that done," Haridopolos said. "But that's a fight for another day. The first fight is getting NASA out of Washington." Space dominance and the military In a conversation with Haridopolos in mid-January, he spoke candidly about the growing escalations with China and the need to find and keep an advantage, at least militarily, in space. "We are in a de facto Cold War with China right now. Just a few years ago they actually collided some satellites up in space to see what the debris effect might be and they're working with different type of propulsion systems and laser systems to try to get the upper hand of the over the United States," he said. Haridopolos said that it was more important than ever to stay vigilant and keep progressing further with all things related to space. "We can't just be space strong, we have to be space dominant and when you have a strong United States of America, the world is a safer place," he said. "I would not be surprised if they (China) make even more territorial ambitions in order to grow communism around the world and so I remain 100% committed to our space industry for both commercial and military needs and what we need to do." It was another Cold War that sparked the creation of space-related congressional committees in the first place. NASA, and the permanent House Committee on Science and Astronautics, was created in 1958 as part of the Space Act only because the former Soviet Union launched the first satellite, Sputnik 1, into orbit in 1957. Now as another Cold War plays out in the cosmos, it's nice to know someone with real ties to the Space Coast is helping lead the way. Contact Torres at jtorres@ You can follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter @johnalbertorres or on Facebook at
