DeSantis’ most controversial laws, from Disney to banning abortion

Six-week abortion ban in Florida

In April, DeSantis enacted a six-week abortion ban. The six-week ban will only go into effect if the state’s current 15-week ban is upheld in the state Supreme Court.

The ban allows exceptions for victims of rape and incest if they provide evidence such as a police report. Some Republicans have called the six-week ban too strict, including South Carolina GOP Rep. Nancy Mace, who questioned whether rape victims would have the foresight to preserve evidence or file reports with law enforcement officials. authorities.

“Protecting an unborn child when there is a detectable heartbeat is something that almost probably 99% of pro-lifers support,” DeSantis said at a bill-signing press conference this month. this. “It’s something that other states like Iowa under Governor Kim Reynolds have embraced.”

Former President Donald Trump, who is Desantis’ main rival for the GOP nomination, said in an interview with digital news startup The Messenger, “if you look at what DeSantis has done, a lot of people don’t even know if he knew what he was doing, but he signed six weeks, and many people in the pro-life movement think that was too hard.

Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) danced around the idea on NBC’s “Meet The Press” when asked if he would sign the bill if he were governor. Donalds has openly stated that he would be interested in running for Governor of Florida.

“Honestly, it’s something where you have to deal with your legislature about it,” Donalds said Sunday.

In a statement, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre called the ban “extreme and dangerous” and said the administration “will continue to fight to protect access to abortion and defending reproductive rights”.

Prohibition of gender-affirming care for minors and extension of the “Don’t say gay” law

Earlier this month, DeSantis signed into law a bill banning gender-affirming medical care such as puberty blockers or hormone therapy for transgender youth. The governor also signed law extensions to the state’s rules on parental rights, which critics have called “don’t say gay.”

A group of parents of transgender children immediately challenged the gender-affirming care law, filing an emergency petition in federal court to block its implementation.

The governor also signed extensions to the “Don’t Say Gay” bill to include banning school employees from asking students for their preferred pronouns and preventing school staff from sharing their pronouns with students if they “do not match” their gender.

At a press conference ahead of the bill’s signing, DeSantis said teaching kids that “they can be whatever they want to be” is “not something that’s right for everyone.” place, but especially not in Florida”.

“Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill is outrageous and absurd, and now they’re inexplicably extending it to grade 12,” said Sen. Bob Menendez (DN.J.) wrote on Twitter. “Children deserve to feel safe and supported in school. As Americans, we must reject these harmful policies and prioritize inclusive education.

The “Don’t Say Gay” bill has drawn copycat action from congressional Republicans, who in October introduced a bill banning the use of “federal funds to develop, implement, facilitate or fund any program, event or literature of a sexual nature”. for children under 10 and for other purposes.

Florida State Education: DEI Programs, Pronouns, AP Courses

Last week, DeSantis signed a bill banning Florida colleges and universities from spending their money on most diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

“Florida is getting out of this game,” DeSantis said during a bill signing at New College of Florida in Sarasota. “If you want to do things like gender ideology, go to Berkeley – go to some of these other places.”

The governor had said such programs attempted to indoctrinate students into leftist ideology and that educational institutions should be free from political bias.

The NAACP issued an official travel advisory in response to what the group described as “DeSantis’ aggressive attempts to erase black history and restrict diversity, equity and inclusion programs in schools across the country.” Florida”.

In response to the law, Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom took a subtle jab at DeSantis on Twitter.

“ICYMI: Six University of California campuses ranked among the top 10 public universities in the United States last year, with UC Berkeley and UCLA tied for first place and all nine undergraduate campuses in the UC in top 45,” the California governor tweeted.

Shortly after DeSantis’ objections to the College Board’s African American AP course, the Legislature agreed to spend $2.8 million to develop a local program allowing students to take a “conventional exam” instead of the SAT or of the ACT.

Hundreds of people, including black lawmakers and clergy, demonstrated at the Florida State Capitol against the DeSantis administration in February, and civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump threatened to sue the course’s dismissal by the governor.

Concealed transport without permit

Floridians will be able to carry concealed weapons without a permit under a bill DeSantis signed last month.

DeSantis signed the bill because he believes “you don’t need government permission to exercise your constitutional rights.”

“They don’t care about our kids,” Newsom said in an interview on MSNBC’s “Inside With Jen Psaki.” “Because if they did, they would ban those damned weapons of war. They would have background checks that require a lot of common sense.

“It is shameful that so soon after another tragic school shooting, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law an unlicensed concealed carry bill behind closed doors,” Jean-Pierre added. “It’s the opposite of common sense gun safety.”

Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Florida) said in a statement, “Republican leaders in Florida have decided that the NRA is more important than Floridians.

“Let’s be clear, Floridians will die if this legislation becomes law,” Frost said.

DeSantis’ feud with Disney

DeSantis in February signed legislation that ended Disney’s self-governing status, and months later signed new legislation that gave the board the power to rescind development deals that Disney had previously agreed.

DeSantis sought to end Disney’s special privileges that were held for more than half a century after Disney spoke out against the “Don’t Say Gay” measure.

Many potential GOP presidential candidates have criticized DeSantis’ handling of his ongoing feud with Disney this week, with Trump calling the feud “so unnecessary.”

“If Disney wants to move their hundreds of thousands of jobs to South Carolina and bring the billions of dollars with them, I’ll let them know that I’d be happy to meet them in South Carolina and introduce them to the Governor and the Legislature. .that would welcome him,” Nikki Haley, GOP presidential candidate and former United Nations ambassador, told Fox News.

Immigration

DeSantis has signed a bill that will secure an additional $12 million for a controversial program the governor used to ferry migrants from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard. The bill also requires employers with more than 25 employees to verify their immigration status using a federal database known as E-Verify.

DeSantis and his Republican allies argue the law sends a “message” to the Biden administration after the state saw an influx of migrants.

“The DeSantis government’s new anti-immigrant bill attacks DREAMers, hurts small businesses and farmers, and will increase costs for Fla families,” said Rep. Darren Soto (D-Fla.) said in a tweet. “It is also deeply unpopular nationally. It will harm our diverse state and do nothing to help its failed presidential race.

The League of United Latin American Citizens, a Latin American civil rights organization, reminded Latinos traveling to Florida to exercise caution when entering the state and encountering police.

“We have no doubt that if Abuelita or Tia are with us and we are profiled, DeSantis enforcement regulations will treat us like criminals, transporting a dangerous person who only wanted to visit family or enjoy Disneyworld” , said the president of LULAC, Domingo Garcia.