Wasserman Schultz: DeSantis needs to "unclench his fist" and "grow a spine."

Tuesday morning's media telecall with several of Florida's House Democratic members of Congress regarding the Coronavirus pandemic affecting the world turned out to be an anti-Ron DeSantis event, as congressional participants took aim at the first-term governor.

In the call, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) was accused of shutting down all communication with Florida’s congressional delegation, meaning that he is not speaking to either Democrats or Republicans.

The Florida Democrats were on the attack, arguing that the Governor has been difficult to work with, but they still expressed that they are committed to working on behalf of their constituents to ensure that Floridians remain safe.

However, in response to the accusation that DeSantis was ignoring Republican members of the House of Representatives, several Republican congressmen argued the false or misleading accusation, rather saying that they have been working closely with the Governor.

Still, the Democratic lawmakers stressed that they are hard at work to find a way for small businesses and for Florida citizens to survive during this difficult process.

Florida Rep. Donna Shalala (D) stated about the Paycheck Protection Program Loans, that “the small businesses that need the help the most don’t have the credit lines that the banks are requiring.”

Rep. Ted Deutch (D) added that he had directed a letter to Secretary Mnuchin this week, asking him to clarify some information because “under the CARES Act, the banks cannot impose additional restrictions and cannot make decisions that they only intend to provide these paycheck protection loans to their very best customers.”

Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (D) also mentioned that the Democratic caucus is “working through a fourth economic relief package because we anticipate… that a lot of… especially working-class families that are not getting those benefits fast enough are gonna be needing more assistance in the next few weeks.”

In the telecall, The Floridian asked the congressional members if there was a silver lining to the work the Governor has done thus far, adding that they could also give suggestions as to where he needs to make improvements.

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D) who earlier in the call, stated that DeSantis needed to "unclench his fist" and grow a spine," responded to the question.

“I wish I had more that could say that I think Governor DeSantis is doing well,” she admitted.

Rep. Wasserman Schultz expressed that she’s “very concerned about the lack of communication, about the fact that he still doesn’t have a tight enough statewide stay-at-home order, still hasn’t closed the beaches, has too many loopholes and exemptions in what businesses are considered essential and is… very likely lengthening the time that Floridians are gonna have to deal with this.”

Also, she noted that the state has “people from all over the world still landing in the state.”

 “I struggle to find something that I can praise him on,” said Rep. Wasserman Schultz