Upcoming Florida special session will include DeSantis’ sanctions against Iran
Owen Girard contributed to this report.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – House Speaker Paul Renner and Senate President Kathleen Passidomo announced a special session will take place the week of Nov. 6 to implement sanctions against Iran.
The news comes as Israel fights a war against the terrorist organization Hamas.
“We can, and we must, do everything within our authority as a state government to support Israel and condemn terror, hatred, and violence,” Passidomo said in a memo to senators.
The special session will also consider legislation related to:
- Providing tax relief and other financial assistance related to damages resulting from Hurricane Idalia.
- Expanding and funding recovery resiliency efforts related to natural disasters, including but not limited to, assisting agriculture and aquaculture producers and extending local government assistance.
- Providing a mechanism to increase the number of students served under the Family Empowerment Scholarship for students with disabilities.
- Expanding the designation criteria for scrutinized companies having business operations in the Islamic Republic of Iran to include additional industry sectors.
- Limit the circumstances under which the State Board of Administration may no longer list scrutinized companies having business operations in the Islamic Republic of Iran.
- Provide financial assistance for security infrastructure to entities located in this state which arc at high risk for violent attacks or hate crimes.
“I can confirm that the strongest sanctions against Iran by any state in the nation, as proposed by Governor DeSantis, will be part of an upcoming special session,” governor spokesperson Jeremy Redfern told Florida’s Voice earlier Friday.
DeSantis had announced Oct. 10 a proposal to implement more sanctions against Iran.
Florida Republican leadership on Wednesday announced it would support the governor’s proposal. Hamas is reportedly backed by Shi’ite Iran.
“We are going to rollout during the next legislative session a proposal to increase on Iran and to block Iranian business in our state,” DeSantis said.
DeSantis vowed to eliminate Iranian entities including financial, construction, manufacturing, textile, technology, mining, mettle, shipping, ship building and port sectors.
He added that any state and local governments would be forbidden to contract with the businesses.
GOP leadership files bipartisan proclamation supporting Israel, pushes for sanctions on Iran
“Today the senate president and I have filed a joint proclamation condemning the barbaric attack by Hamas and unequivocally supporting the right of the state of Israel to exist as a sovereign nation and defend itself in this moment,” Renner recently said at a press conference.
Renner noted during the Wednesday press conference that the relationship between Florida and Israel has “never been stronger,” citing that Florida had $650 million in bilateral trade with Israel in 2022.
Passidomo said she is proud to stand with Renner and Senate Minority Leader Lauren Book, D-Davie, and other legislative colleagues to show support for Israel.
“As a state government, under the leadership of Governor DeSantis, we are doing everything within our authority to protect Floridians from the dangerous regimes that fund these terrorist operations,” Passidomo said.
Redfern said details, including the date and scope of the session, are still being worked out between legislative leadership and the governor’s office.
“We look forward to working with the legislature to show Florida’s continued support for Israel,” he said.
House Democratic Caucus Leader Fentrice Driskell, D-Tampa, claimed the special session is a way to help his presidential campaign.
“DeSantis’ policy failures at home have left Floridians paying the most for homeowner’s insurance, auto insurance, and rent in the country,” Driskell said. “I think Floridians would prefer their Governor spend as much time addressing these pocketbook issues here as he spends on his ambitions.”
