After OSHA’s announcement that it would be suspending the enforcement of the Biden Administration’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate directed at large private businesses, the Special Session concluded with the Florida House passing the “Keep Florida Free” joint agenda. In turn, four bills will be sent to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R), who will be signing the bills in Brandon, Florida as a political jab to President Joe Biden (R).
- HB 1B – COVID-19 Mandates
- CS/HB 3B – Public Records
- HB 5B – Florida Occupational Safety and Health State Plan
- HB 7B – Vaccinations During Public Health Emergencies
The bill signing will take place at 11:30 am in Brandon.
Senate President Wilton Simpson (R) praised the passage of the agenda, calling it “a clear message that Florida stands for freedom.”
“To our health care workers, law enforcement, first responders, farmers, truckers, and every other worker who never got a day off and couldn’t work from home during the pandemic – thank you for getting us through this crisis,” Simpson added.
House Speaker Chris Sprowls (R) also praised the effort, commenting that “working together with Governor DeSantis, Senate President Simpson, House members, and our Senate colleagues, we have passed the smartest, strongest legislation in America to combat the Biden Administration’s unlawful vaccine mandate.”
“We are proud to stand alongside every Florida parent and worker and say that forced masking of our kids in schools and forced vaccinations to keep your job stops here in Florida,” Sprowls said, adding that they were “proud to stand alongside businesses and provide some sanity and options to treat their employees as the individuals they are instead of succumbing to a one-size-fits all federal mandate.”
The culmination adds further tension in the rivalry between President Biden and Governor DeSantis after the Governor has openly expressed his opposition to vaccine mandates and mask mandates.
Critics of the President have often used the catchphrase “Let’s go, Brandon” as an insult to the President.
The Governor has referred to the Biden Administration as the Brandon Administration in the past, and the Governor will be signing the bills into law in Brandon, Florida.
