Florida Republican leaders in the state Legislature pushed back on Gov. Ron DeSantis’s (R) call for a special session to implement President-elect Trump’s immigration agenda, calling the move “premature.”
In a letter addressed to their fellow legislators, state Senate President Ben Albritton (R) and state House Speaker Daniel Perez (R) said they were not aware of any specific guidance to the states about any action state legislatures can take to support the federal agenda.
“Florida’s constitution compels our attendance at a special session unilaterally called by the Governor,” the leaders wrote. “However, the power to convene a special session also resides with the presiding officers. As the people’s elected representatives, the Legislature, not the Governor, will decide when and what legislation we consider.”
Albritton and Perez said they supported Trump’s agenda, adding that it would be “irresponsible” to get out ahead of any announcements Trump could make.
“When we receive specific guidance that may necessitate our state’s legislative action to complement President Trump’s efforts, we stand ready to act at the appropriate time,” the two wrote.
The letter comes hours after DeSantis called for a special session to implement Trump’s immigration agenda during a press conference on Monday.
“I’m going to call the Legislature into special session starting the week of Jan. 27,” DeSantis said at a press conference Monday. “We have the next president taking office Jan. 20, we anticipate executive orders to be issued immediately after the swearing-in and the inaugural address.”
Additionally, DeSantis called for lawmakers to work on legislation related to the state’s condominium market and hurricane relief efforts. Albritton and Perez said the matters did not need to be dealt with during a special session.
“With regard to the additional issues outlined by the Governor this morning, the fact is there are ample funds accessible and available to pay for the State’s ongoing disaster response efforts and additional funds do not have to wait until July 1,” the two wrote. “Condominium safety and ballot initiatives proposing constitutional amendments are complex subjects and should be considered during the regular session, not a truncated special session.”
Not all Republicans in the Florida Legislature are on board with the letter. State Sen. Blaise Ingoglia said in a post on the social platform X that the issues outlined by DeSantis during the press conference are time sensitive.
“The sooner we tackle these issues, the better,” Ingoglia said. “Florida should always lead from the front, especially on illegal immigration issues.”
Democratic state Sen. Jason Pizzo (D) wrote in a post on X, “Here’s what an autonomous branch of government looks like.
DeSantis responded to the criticism in a post on X, saying “State and local officials in Florida will actively facilitate the Trump Administration’s policies against illegal immigration, and to do that we need to immediately set aside and approve the necessary funding and resources now.
“As part of the special session I called for January 27, the week after President Trump is sworn in, I am calling on the legislature to appropriate funding for detention, relocation, transportation infrastructure, local law enforcement support, and everything else needed for Florida to carry out this mission.”
Updated at 7:19 pm ET.
