As he starts his second term in Congress, Florida Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney is increasingly visible as he focuses on federal spending.

As the battle to become the next chairman of the Republican Party of Florida enters its final week, candidates angling for the post continue to unveil endorsements.

In a widely expected move, former Sen. Rod Smith was selected to lead the Florida Democratic Party on Saturday in Orlando, replacing former U.S. Rep. Karen Thurman, who has served as chairwoman for almost six years.

Besides outgoing Gov. Charlie Crist, there were three former governors attending Rick Scott’s inauguration as the state’s 45th governor: Claude Kirk, who was elected in 1966; Bob Martinez, who won office in 1986; and Jeb Bush, who was elected in 1998 and 2002.

A poll from Public Policy Polling (PPP), a firm with connections to national Democrats, shows that Florida Republicans can expect close primary battles in the presidential race as well as the contest to take on Democratic incumbent U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson.

A poll released Tuesday from Public Policy Polling (PPP), a firm with ties to Democrats at the national level, reveals that Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson is ahead of most of his potential opponents, but remains vulnerable: He could not muster more than 50 percent against a pack of mostly unknown Republicans. 

After stalling in the afternoon, the U.S. House voted just after midnight Friday to extend tax cuts initially backed by George W. Bush in 2001 and 2003 for all Americans. The bill, which also extends jobless benefits, now moves to President Barack Obama’s desk.

The deeply unpopular, $1.1 trillion spending bill -- including its more than 6,700 earmarks -- went down in flames Thursday night. And Florida Republicans in Congress can claim their opposition as some of the ammunition that shot it out of the sky.

Incoming Gov. Rick Scott continues to meet with as many legislative members as possible before he takes office in January.

While the jury may be out on whether U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan will enter what could be an increasingly crowded Republican primary field to take on U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in 2012, the Florida congressman has raised his profile significantly in recent weeks.

While negotiations continued to extend all tax cuts supported by President George W. Bush in 2001 and 2003, the U.S. House extended some of those cuts Thursday. The measure passed with 234 votes, 188 congressmen opposing it.