GOP lawmakers "flying blind" ahead of DeSantis' immigration special session
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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at a campaign event on June 26, 2023, in Eagle Pass, Texas. Photo: Brandon Bell/Getty Images
Days before they're due to meet in Tallahassee, some Florida GOP lawmakers remain unsold on Gov. Ron DeSantis' immigration-focused special session, which they describe as hastily called and poorly planned.
Why it matters: The special session has emerged as a test of DeSantis' sway over the Legislature as he enters his final two years in office.
- The resistance he's facing from within his own party could foreshadow trouble for his agenda in the years ahead.
What they're saying: "This is a stunt. This isn't real," said state Sen. Randy Fine (R-Melbourne Beach), an immigration hardliner who has legislation pending to address one of DeSantis' priorities.
- "To call a special session for five days without even having a bill ready to go himself, it just shows the entire exercise was never serious," Fine added. "It was about getting on Fox News."
The other side: The governor's office did not respond to Axios' request for comment. But he and his allies aren't backing down.
- In recent days, DeSantis has blasted his GOP critics in press conferences, social media posts and TV appearances.
- The Republican Party of Florida sent an email blast this week that urged people to call their state lawmakers and urge them to act on the governor's recommendations.
Catch up quick: DeSantis called for the special session on Jan. 27 to boost President Trump's planned crackdown on undocumented immigration.
- DeSantis threatened to suspend local sheriffs and state attorneys who refuse to enforce federal immigration law and urged lawmakers to end in-state tuition for undocumented immigrants.
- Senate President Ben Albritton and House Speaker Daniel Perez said in a memo that the special session is "premature" and noted that DeSantis didn't offer "any actual bill language" to consider.
State of play: State Sen. Ed Hooper (R-Palm Harbor), chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said lawmakers are "flying blind here," with no "bills to look at, no agenda to look at, no committee reference to look at."
- DeSantis released draft bills for some of the issues he pitched for the special session just days after the announcement, but none have been assigned a bill number or an official sponsor.
- "I have never been part of a special session that was not prepackaged," said Fine, for whom this will be the fifth special session under DeSantis. "The process of designing, discussing and collaborating on bills ... takes time."
Between the lines: Bob Jarvis, a professor of law at Nova Southeastern University, said that while the governor can convene the Legislature, he can't force it to debate or pass legislation.
- He expects lawmakers to call DeSantis' topics important but too complex for a special session, plan to revisit them in March's regular session, and then adjourn.
- DeSantis warned that if the Legislature doesn't move the issue next week, he'll keep calling them back to Tallahassee until they do.
Flashback: This wouldn't be the first time that happened.
- In the 1980s, Gov. Bob Martinez called repeated special sessions until the Legislature sued. The Florida Supreme Court ruled that he could call as many as he wanted, but that the Legislature was only required to show up.
- In 2010, Gov. Charlie Crist called a session to create a constitutional amendment banning offshore drilling. Republicans saw it as a stunt, and lawmakers adjourned without a vote in under an hour.
Reality check: Hooper and Fine do not intend to vote for adjournment, and political experts tell Axios that Republicans who do could give their primary opponents material to use against them.
The bottom line: Lawmakers will meet in Tallahassee on Monday, but what comes out of this session is anybody's guess.