Florida Republican Congressman Randy Fine is back in the spotlight after unveiling a bill that would bar non-citizens from receiving any form of federal welfare assistance, sparking both support and outrage across the political spectrum.

Fine announced the legislation late Thursday, saying it would strip access to programs such as food stamps, Medicaid, Section 8 housing, and cash assistance for all non-citizens. “No food stamps. No Section 8 housing. No Medicaid. No cash assistance. Not one penny. If you want free stuff, go home,” Fine wrote on X.

The proposal arrives as the ongoing federal shutdown has intensified debate over government spending and welfare eligibility. Republican leaders have praised Fine’s measure as a way to “prioritize American taxpayers,” while Democrats and immigrant advocates condemned it as cruel and politically motivated.

In a separate move, Fine joined several House Republicans in demanding a Justice Department review of the citizenship process of New York City mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani. The lawmakers allege irregularities in Mamdani’s naturalization record, though they have presented no evidence of wrongdoing.

Critics have blasted the move as racially charged, noting that Mamdani, a Muslim of Ugandan-Indian descent, has been the target of right-wing attacks since entering the race. Civil-rights groups say Fine’s involvement feeds into a broader pattern of anti-immigrant sentiment within parts of the GOP.

The Florida lawmaker also made headlines this week for clashing with Qatar’s ambassador to the United States. The ambassador issued a letter condemning Fine’s earlier comments accusing Qatar of financing unrest on U.S. campuses and supporting extremist networks. In response, Fine doubled down, writing on social media: “I am not a Jew with trembling knees.”

Diplomatic observers called Fine’s statement “undiplomatic and inflammatory,” while supporters praised his refusal to back down under foreign criticism. The controversy marks one of the first direct disputes between a freshman House member and a foreign embassy under the new Congress.

Fine, who won his seat in a special election earlier this year with backing from President Trump, has quickly established himself as one of the most combative voices in Washington. His recent legislative proposals and unapologetic rhetoric have earned him praise from populist conservatives and condemnation from Democrats, foreign diplomats, and civil-rights groups alike.

As debate over his welfare bill continues, Fine insists he is simply defending American interests. “We owe it to our citizens to stop giving away what they’ve worked for,” he told reporters Thursday. “If that offends people in other countries, so be it.”

Whether Fine’s proposals gain traction in Congress remains uncertain. But in just one day, he has again proven himself a lightning rod for controversy — a lawmaker unafraid to wage political, cultural, and even diplomatic battles all at once.