Jul 18, 2021 - Politics & Policy

Appeals court allows CDC to enforce rules for cruise ships in blow to DeSantis

Ivana Saric

Cruise ship in Miami port. Photo: Eva Marie Uzcategui/Bloomberg via Getty Images

A federal appeals court ruled Saturday night that the CDC can enforce its framework for cruise ships returning to operation, overturning an earlier district court ruling that would have made the CDC's guidelines mere suggestions.

Why it matters: The resumption of cruise ship activity has been a political flashpoint in Florida. The industry is worth billions of dollars for the state's economy and Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) has aggressively campaigned for its resumption.

State of play: DeSantis sued the CDC in April and last month U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday granted a temporary injunction against the CDC framework for cruise ships, per the Miami Herald.

At the time DeSantis cheered the ruling as a "victory for Florida families."

The big picture: By a 2-1 vote, the three-judge panel on the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals noted that the federal government had demonstrated "requisite showing" to obtain the stay order allowing the CDC regulations to remain in place, but did not elaborate further.

But, but, but: The state can appeal the order to the full circuit.

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Appeals court allows CDC to enforce rules for cruise ships in blow to DeSantis

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