Tim Mahoney (D) was recently recognized by Congress.org for his success in pushing important legislation regarding senior housing, biofuels, homeowners insurance, and Everglades Restoration.

The National Journal has called him "Man in the Middle" after an analysis of more than one hundred votes on immigration, tax policy and fiscal responsibility, the war in Iraq and the war on terror, and our foreign policy revealed that Mahoney sat square in the middle of his congressional colleagues.

His voting record supports a higher minimum wage and embryonic stem-cell research. His vote in favor of redeploying our troops to Iraq is accompanied by his support to eliminate the alternative minimum tax, a tough immigration policy, and more funding for our national defense and arms resources for our troops.

In response to this recognition, Mahoney says, "Politicians that call me a liberal are grasping at straws. I am a conservative Democrat which makes me a common sense moderate. The nation has seen what a generation of partisan ‘conservative' Republican leadership has done for our nation. I don't care which party sponsors a bill, I just try to do the right thing for the people of Florida's 16th District and that philosophy put me right dead in the middle of the current United States Congress."

http://www.mahoney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task;=view&id;=419&Itemid;=1

As a Representative for a district that contains the Everglades on the Atlantic Coastline, Lake Okeechobee and the Indian River Lagoon, Mahoney understands how important it is to 16th district Floridians that the natural habitat remain preserved, especially with oil speculators licking their chomps at the idea of getting drilling permits off of the coast line.

The value of the coastline also plays a major part in Florida's economic growth because it builds up Florida's tourist industry. Mahoney believes that by striking a balance between businesses looking to capitalize on tourism and Florida activists who want to protect it, everyone can enjoy the natural beauty.

By supporting legislation through the Comprehensive Everglades Project Mahoney wants to restore the Everglades and keep them available to future generations.

Last week, Tim Mahoney voted to uphold the 2nd amendment by supporting The Second Amendment Enforcement Act H.R. 6691 which significantly revises the gun ban in effect for the District of Columbia. The legislation passed with a vote of 266-152.

The bill's revisions include allowing DC residents to purchase guns that are legal under federal law from a federally licensed firearm dealer in Maryland or Virginia, repealing criminal penalties that prohibit a lawful gun owner from possessing a gun in his home or business and prohibiting felons, mentally ill individuals, and persons convicted of domestic violence offenses from owning a firearm.

Mahoney:''The right to bear arms is one of the timeless founding principles we enjoy as citizens of the United States. Today’s legislation sends a message to our nation that the Constitution comes first and our fundamental rights will not be compromised.”

After voting to pass the economic bailout bill, HR 1424, Mahoney gave a statement on why he felt so strongly about supporting the controversial legislation.

Mahoney: “America’s economic crisis is real and the global financial markets are faltering. While I was disappointed to find that the Senate version of the Emergency Economic Stabilization package contained several tacked-on unpaid measures that increased the cost of the bill and created even greater confusion about its purpose, failure to take action today would have had serious consequences for all Floridians."

Mahoney voted for the first version of the bill last month and faced an uproar from his constituency. Though he says he is not at all thrilled with the current draft, something must be done. Mahoney says that the two bills differ greatly and he feels more comfortable supporting this one that gives $45 million in tax relief to 50,000 people in the 16th district.

Mahoney:"The bill I supported today is not the handout plan that the Bush Administration originally proposed two weeks ago. This turns the Administration’s plan into one that holds Wall Street accountable. It provides for independent oversight and transparency. It protects taxpayers by requiring the Administration to report back on the program’s progress and allows for corrections to be made if the program doesn’t work as intended. It eliminates excessive CEO compensation and, once we are through this crisis, the legislation ensures that any taxpayer losses are repaid by the financial industry."