Ron DeSantis

With a bio that resembles the back story of an action hero in a Tom Clancy novel, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis touts one of the most impressive resumes of the 2024 field.

Notable Bills Signed:

In 2019, DeSantis signed an executive order that included a variety of components relating to the environment. These included a promise to spend $2.5 billion over four years on restoring the Everglades and “other water protection”, and the creation of a Blue-Green Algae Task Force, an Office of Environmental Accountability and Transparency, and a Chief Science Officer.

In June 2022, DeSantis signed into law a school safety proposal from state Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, and state Rep. Fred Hawkins, R-St. Cloud.

In June 2022, DeSantis showcased “more than $1.2 billion for Everglades restoration and the protection of Florida’s water resources” in the $109.9 billion budget he signed into law for the 2022-2023 fiscal year.

On May 9, 2022, DeSantis signed House Bill 395, mandating that schools observe the traditional Soviet October Revolution Day on November 7 as Victims of Communism Day by devoting 45 minutes to teaching about communism, the role of Joseph Stalin, Mao Zedong, Fidel Castro, and other Communist leaders in history, and “how people suffered under those regimes”.[217]

The proposal extends the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission, which had been scheduled to sunset next year, through 2025. The legislation also “authorizes the Commissioner of Education to enforce, rather than just oversee, school safety and security compliance; authorizes safe school officers to make arrests on charter school property; requires all safe school officers to complete crisis intervention and training to improve knowledge and skills for response and de-escalate incidents on school premises; requires law enforcement officers to be present and involved in active assailant emergency drills; requires school boards to adopt family reunification plans in the event of an evacuation; and requires that school districts must annually certify that at least 80 percent of school personnel have received mandatory youth mental health awareness training.”

In May, 2022, DeSantis signed a tax package into law that provides more than $1.2 billion of tax relief for Floridians. The bill provided for ten sales tax holidays for a variety of items commonly purchased by Florida families, including fuel, diapers, disaster supplies and, tools. He also signed

into law HB 95, which enhances penalties for the sale and distribution of opioids in Florida, including fentanyl.

“Floridians of all walks of life have witnessed the destruction caused by the opioid epidemic across our state,” said DeSantis. “While the Biden administration has failed to stop the flow of dangerous drugs, including fentanyl, across our southern border, we are taking action in Florida to lower both the demand and the supply of illicit and illegal drugs.”

In April 2022, DeSantis signed SB 524, an election security bill “to ensure that Florida continues to have secure and accurate elections…This legislation will strengthen election security measures by requiring voter rolls to be annually reviewed and updated, strengthening ID requirements, establishing the Office of Election Crimes and Security to investigate election law violations, and increasing penalties for violations of election laws,” the governor’s office noted.

In March, 2022, DeSantis signed a proposal that “reinforces parents’ fundamental rights to make decisions regarding the upbringing of their children” and “prohibits classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity in kindergarten through third grade and prohibits instruction that is not age-appropriate for students and requires school districts to adopt procedures for notifying parents if there is a change in services from the school regarding a child’s mental, emotional or physical health or well-being.” While DeSantis and his allies have championed the proposal as defending parental rights, critics have labeled the legislation as the “don’t say gay bill.”

In March 2022, DeSantis signed into law bill SB 1054, which requires students entering high school starting in the 2023–24 school year to take a financial literacy course. Florida is the largest U.S. state to mandate a financial literacy course.

On December 2, 2021, DeSantis announced that as part of a $100 million funding proposal for the Florida National Guard, $3.5 million would be allocated to the reactivation of the Florida State Guard, a volunteer state defense force that has been inactive since 1947.

In May 2021, DeSantis signed a deal with The Seminole Tribe of Florida to allow the tribe to offer statewide online sports betting.[89] In June 2021, DeSantis signed a bill incentivizing wildlife corridors.[90]

On May 5, 2021, Desantis announced that all Florida police officers, firefighters, and paramedics would receive a $1,000 bonus.

In April 2021, DeSantis signed into law the Combating Public Disorder Act he had been advocating. Aside from being an anti-riot statute, it forbade intimidation by mobs; penalized damage to historic properties or memorials, such as downtown Miami’s Christopher Columbus statue, which was damaged in 2020; and forbade publishing personal identifying information online with intent to harm. DeSantis had argued for this legislation by citing the George Floyd protests of 2020 as well as the 2021 United States Capitol attack, but only the former was mentioned at the signing ceremony.[92] Several months after the signing, a federal judge blocked the portion of the law that introduced a new definition of “riot”, calling it too vague.

In June 2021, DeSantis led an effort to ban the teaching of critical race theory in Florida public schools The Florida Board of Education approved the ban on June 10. On December 15, 2021, DeSantis announced a new bill, the Stop Wrongs to Our Kids and Employees (WOKE) Act, which would allow parents to sue school districts that teach their children critical race theory. DeSantis said of the bill: “No taxpayer dollars should be used to teach our kids to hate our country or hate each other.” DeSantis also signed Senate Bill 1108 introduce new requirements for civics education, including lessons on the “evil of communist and totalitarian regimes”.

In June 2021, DeSantis signed into law House Bill 919, which prohibits local governments from placing bans or restrictions on any source of electricity. Several sizable cities in Florida at that time (Orlando, St. Petersburg, Tallahassee, Dunedin, Largo, Satellite Beach, Gainesville, Sarasota, Safety Harbor and Miami Beach) were setting goals to get all their energy from renewable sources. The bill was described as similar to those in other states (Texas, Tennessee, Louisiana, Arizona and Oklahoma) that passed laws preventing cities from banning natural gas hookups.

In July, 2020, DeSantis announced that Florida would spend $8.6 million out of $166 million received by the state from a legal settlement between Volkswagen and the United States Department of Justice relating to emission violations to add 34 charging stations for electric cars. The stations would be along Interstates 4, 75, 95, 275 and 295. On June 16, 2021, DeSantis signed into law House Bill 839, which bans local governments in Florida from requiring gas stations to add electric car charging stations.

In 2019, DeSantis signed an executive order that included a variety of components relating to the environment. These included a promise to spend $2.5 billion over four years on restoring the Everglades and “other water protection”, and the creation of a Blue-Green Algae Task Force, an Office of Environmental Accountability and Transparency, and a Chief Science Officer.

Notable Bills During Congressional Tenure:

Voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as “Obamacare”

In 2013, 2015, and 2017, then Congressman DeSantis supported efforts to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare or the ACA. He voted for the American Health Care Act, a 2017 Republican replacement plan that passed the U.S. House 217-213 but did not pass the Senate.

Congressional term limit constitutional amendments

In 2015 and 2017, DeSantis introduced constitutional amendments to the House to institute term limits on members of Congress. The amendments, which died in committee, would have limited senators to two six-year terms and representatives to three two-year terms.[68] DeSantis said the following of the 2017 amendment, which he introduced with Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas):

“Term limits are the first step towards reforming Capitol Hill. Eliminating the political elite and infusing Washington with new blood will restore the citizen legislature that our Founding Fathers envisioned. The American people have called for increased accountability and we must deliver.”[69]

Military Career Background

  • Joined the United States Navy in 2004, where he was promoted to lieutenant before serving as an advisor to SEAL Team One.
  • Served as a Judge Advocate General in Iraq as a member of the U.S. Navy Seals in 2007.
  • In 2007, the U.S. Department of Justice Served as a Special Assistant U.S. attorney at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Middle District of Florida, a position he held until his honorable discharge in 2010.

Academic Background

  • Graduated with honors from Yale University in 2001.
  • Graduated with honors from Harvard Law School in 2005.

Legal Background

  • Served as a Judge Advocate General in Iraq as a member of the U.S. Navy Seals in 2007.
  • Prosecuted criminals as a US Attorney for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Middle District of Florida.

Congressional Committee Record

  • Chaired the Congressional Subcommittee on National Security.
  • Served on Congressional Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia.
  • Served on Congressional Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere.
  • Served on Congressional Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.
  • Served on Congressional Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet.
  • Served on Congressional Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, U.S. Postal Service and the Census.
  • Served on Congressional Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Job Creation and Regulatory Affairs.
  • Defeated Florida Agricultural Commissioner Adam Putnam in the 2018 Republican Primary for Florida Governor.

Congressional Voting History:

  • Proposed providing funding for commodity support, conservation, trade and international food aid, nutrition assistance, farm credit, rural development, research and extension activities, forestry, horticulture, and crop insurance. It also proposed modifying the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, previously known as the food stamp program.[35]
  • Voted Yea on: Securing America’s Future Act of 2018 (HR 4760) Bill Failed (193-231) on June 21, 2018
  • Proposed funding a border wall, limiting legal immigration, a mandatory worker verification program, allowing DACA recipients to apply for legal status, and preventing separation of families at the border.[36]
  • Voted Yea on: Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 (Farm bill) (HR 2) Bill Failed (198-213) on May 18, 2018
  • Proposed providing funding for agricultural subsidies and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), among other things.[37]
  • Voted Yea on: Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (HR 36) Bill Passed (237-189) on October 3, 2017
  • Proposed amending the federal criminal code to make it a crime for any person to perform or attempt to perform an abortion if the probable post-fertilization age of the fetus was 20 weeks or more. The bill provided exceptions for an abortion: (1) that was necessary to save the life of the pregnant woman, or (2) when the pregnancy was the result of rape or incest.[38]
  • Voted Yea on: Kate’s Law (HR 3004) Bill Passed (257-167) on June 29, 2017
  • Proposed increasing criminal penalties for individuals in the country illegally who were convicted of certain crimes, deported, and then re-entered the U.S. illegally.[39]
  • Voted Yea on: No Sanctuary for Criminals Act (HR 3003) Bill Passed (228-195) on June 29, 2017
  • Proposed withholding federal funds from states and localities that chose not to follow federal immigration laws.[40]
  • Voted Yea on: American Health Care Act of 2017 (HR 1628) Bill passed (217-213) on May 4, 2017
  • Proposed modifying the budgetary and fiscal provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare.[41]
  • Votes on economic affairs and regulations (click to expand)Department of Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act, 2019 (Conference report) (HR 6157) Bill Passed (361-61) on September 26, 2018 Proposed authorizing FY2019 appropriations and policies for the Departments of Defense, Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor, and Education.[42]
  • Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2019 (Conference report) (HR 5895) Bill Passed (193-231) on September 13, 2018 Proposed authorizing FY2019 appropriations and policies for the Department of Energy, water resources, the legislative branch, military construction, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, among other programs.[43]
  • Voted Yea on: Department of Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act, 2019 (HR 6157) Bill Passed (359-49) on June 28, 2018Proposed authorizing FY2019 appropriations and policies for the Departments of Defense, Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor, and Education.[44]
  • Voted Yea on: Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2019 (HR 5895) Bill Passed (235-179) on June 8, 2018Proposed authorizing FY2019 appropriations and policies for the Department of Energy, water resources, the legislative branch, military construction, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, among other programs.[45]
  • Voted Yea on: Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act (S 2155) Bill Passed (258-159) on May 22, 2018 Proposed exempting some banks from the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act[46]
  • Voted Nay on: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 1625) Bill Passed (256-167) on March 22, 2018 Proposed providing appropriations for fiscal year 2018, and for other purposes.[47]
  • Voted Yea on: The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (HR 1892) Bill Passed (240-186) on February 9, 2018 Proposed providing appropriations through March 23, 2018.[48]
  • Voted Yea on: Further Extension Of Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 1892) Bill Passed (245-182) on February 6, 2018Proposed providing appropriations through March 23, 2018.[49]
  • Voted Yea on: Making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2018, and for other purposes. (HR 195) Bill Passed (266-150) on January 22, 2018 Proposed providing further continuing appropriations through February 8, 2018.
  • Voted Yea on: Making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2018, and for other purposes. (HR 195) Bill Passed (230-197) on January 18, 2018Proposed providing further continuing appropriations through February 16, 2018.[51]
  • Voted Yea on: Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 1370) Bill Passed (231-188) on December 21, 2017 Proposed providing further continuing appropriations through January 19, 2018.[52]
  • Voted Yea on: Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (HR 1) Bill Passed (227-203) on December 19, 2017 Proposed providing for reconciliation pursuant to titles II and V of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2018.[53]
  • Voted Yea on: Making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2018, and for other purposes (HJ Res 123) Bill Passed (235-193) on December 7, 2017 Proposed funding the government until December 22, 2017.[54]
  • Voted Yea on: Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (HR 1) Bill Passed (227-205) on November 16, 2017Proposed amending the Internal Revenue Code to reduce tax rates and modify policies, credits, and deductions for individuals and businesses.[55]
  • Voted Yea on: Establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2018 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2019 through 2027. (H Con Res 71) Bill Passed (216-212) on October 26, 2017Proposed establishing the congressional budget for the federal government for FY2018 and setting forth budgetary levels for FY2019-FY2027. (This bill proposed adopting the Senate’s budget resolution.)[56]
  • Did not vote on: Establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2018 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2019 through 2027. (H Con Res 71) Bill Passed (219-206) on October 5, 2017
  • Proposed establishing the congressional budget for the federal government for FY2018 and setting forth budgetary levels for FY2019-FY2027.[57]
  • Voted Nay on: Make America Secure and Prosperous Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 3354) Bill Passed (211-198) on September 14, 2017Proposed providing FY2018 appropriations for the federal government. It combined 12 appropriations bills.[58]
  • Did not vote on: Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, 2017 (Included amendments to suspend the debt ceiling and fund the government) (HR 601) Bill Passed (316-90) on September 8, 2017 
  • Proposed suspending the debt ceiling and funding the government until December 8, 2017, and providing funding for Hurricanes Harvey and Irma relief efforts.[59]
  • Voted Yea on: Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, 2017 (HR 601) Bill Passed (419-3) on September 6, 2017Proposed providing $7.85 billion for disaster relief requirements, including response and recovery efforts from Hurricane Harvey.[60]
  • Voted Yea on: Financial CHOICE Act of 2017 (HR 10) Bill passed (233-186) on June 8, 2017
  • Proposed amending the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, among other acts.[61]
  • Voted Nay on: Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2017 (HR 244) Bill passed (309-118) on May 3, 2017 
  • Proposed a $1.2 trillion budget to fund the government through the end of the fiscal year on September 30, 2017.[62]
  • Votes on foreign policy and national security issues
  • Voted Yea on: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (HR 5515) Bill Passed (351-66) on May 24, 2018
  • Proposed authorizing FY2019 appropriations and policies for Department of Defense (DOD) programs and activities[63]
  • Voted Yea on: Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 695) Bill Passed (250-166) on January 30, 2018Proposed providing appropriations for military functions administered by the Department of Defense and for other purposes, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2018.[64]
  • Voted Yea on: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018—Conference report (HR 2810) Bill Passed (356-70) on November 14, 2017 Proposed authorizing FY2018 appropriations and setting forth policies for Department of Defense (DOD) programs and activities, including military personnel strengths.[65]Voted Yea on: Make America Secure Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 3219) Bill Passed (235-192) on July 27, 2017Proposed making appropriations for defense, military construction, Veterans Affairs, the Legislative Branch, energy and water development, and for other purposes for the fiscal year ending on September 30, 2018.[66]Voted Yea on: Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (HR 3364) Bill Passed (419-3) on July 25, 2017 Proposed providing congressional review and measures to counter aggression by the governments of Iran, the Russian Federation, and North Korea, and for other purposes.[67]Voted Yea on: Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (HR 3180, second vote) Bill Passed (380-35) on July 28, 2017Proposed authorizing appropriations for fiscal year 2018 for intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United States Government, the Community Management Account, and the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System, and for other purposes.[68]
  • Voted Yea on: Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (HR 3180) Bill Failed (241-163) on July 24, 2017
  • Proposed authorizing appropriations for fiscal year 2018 for intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United States Government, the Community Management Account, and the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System, and for other purposes.[69]
  • Voted Yea on: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (HR 2810) Bill Passed (344-81) on July 14, 2017
  • Proposed authorizing fiscal year 2018 appropriations and setting forth policies for Department of Defense (DOD) programs and activities, including military personnel strengths. It did not provide budget authority.[70]
  • Voted Yea on: Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2017 (HR 1301) Bill passed (371-48) on March 8, 2017
  • The $577.9 billion fiscal year 2017 defense spending bill proposed $516.1 billion in base budget funding and $61.8 billion for Overseas Contingency Operations/ Global War on Terrorism funding.[71]

Issues

National security

American response in Syria

See also: United States involvement in Syria

After taking part in the questioning of Secretary of State John Kerry in a House committee hearing, DeSantis said he was unconvinced the United States should attack Syria.[138]

“The Obama administration has not articulated a clear objective for using military force in Syria, much less a plan to achieve that objective,” DeSantis said in a statement released September 6, 2013.[138]

Economy

Pay during government shutdown

See also: United States budget debate, 2013

“I don’t believe we should be paid until this is resolved and I have requested that my pay be withheld,” DeSantis said on Twitter.[139]