With the Florida legislative session only a few weeks away, we have already seen divides within the Republican camp on key issues like abortion. Now, State Rep. Anthony Sabatini (R-32) is blaming Speaker Sprowls (R) and Senator Simpson (R) for, "standing in the way," of E-verify.
E-verify is a practice that would mandate that all Florida businesses verify that the workers they seek to hire must first prove “they are legal” to work. Representative Sabatini filed this legislation last July for the upcoming 2022 legislative session, which is now only weeks away.
This legislation is important to Sabatini, as well as Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL), who has put up an aggressive fight against illegal immigration. Sabatini has even echoed the governor's claims that “70% of all new illegals coming straight to Florida.”
However, Sabatini is now rather pessimistic on the future of his legislation, as his rivalry with Speaker Sprowls and many other statewide Republicans may cost him approval in the legislature.
Rep. Sabatini earlier this year attacked his colleague Sprowls, calling him a, "beta male," and a, "RINO," while also calling for primary challenges of every Republican in the state. This line of attacks came after the House Speaker was hesitant to entertain Rep. Webster Barnaby's (R-27) Heartbeat Bill, which was modeled after Texas' recent anti-abortion legislation.
The controversial state representative is now firing off his attacks again on Twitter. Sabatini credited Sprowls and Senate President Wilton Simpson for, "standing in the way," of E-verify coming to Florida, furthering his rivalry with the two.
Florida STILL hasn’t passed mandatory E-Verify
This bill w/ strong enforcement would ELIMINATE illegal aliens in Florida
The 2 “Republicans” standing in the way of the Bill are @WiltonSimpson & @ChrisSprowls
Message them & ask why they’ve made FL a Sanctuary State for illegals
— Rep. Anthony Sabatini (@AnthonySabatini) December 16, 2021
In the Tweet, Anthony Sabatini called for his followers to message the two and ask, "why they’ve made FL a Sanctuary State for illegals."
As far back as 2019, Governor DeSantis has called for an E-verify measure to be passed stating, "pass an E-Verify requirement for employers in this state to protect Florida workers, preserve the rule of law, and make our communities safer.” The Florida Senate has passed their own measure in 2020.
