Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis calls for special session on COVID-19 vaccine mandates

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday called for a special legislative session next month to push back against White House attempts to require workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

DeSantis said that while he and Attorney General Ashley Moody build a case to legally contest any federal mandates, the state can’t wait until the 2022 legislative session, which begins in January, to “strengthen” state laws.

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“We want to make sure that individuals in Florida have their livelihoods and their jobs protected,” DeSantis said during an appearance in Clearwater while backed by people holding signs saying, “Freedom has a home here” and “Don’t tread on Florida.”

House Speaker Chris Sprowls, R-Palm Harbor, sent a memo to members advising them of the pending special session.

“At this time, we have not received the dates or details regarding any proposed call,” Sprowls wrote. “We are in communication with the governor’s office and our partners in the Senate, and we will share details with you as they emerge.”

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Lawmakers are scheduled to be in Tallahassee for committee meetings the weeks of Nov. 1, Nov. 15 and Nov. 29.

Democrats immediately blasted DeSantis’ announcement.

“This is a purely self-serving political ploy by the governor, once again pulling out all the stops to appease --- and encourage --- extremist positions that fly in the face of science and public health instead of protecting our children, our communities, and our economy,” Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, a Democrat running for governor next year, said in a prepared statement.

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State Rep. Angie Nixon (D-Jacksonville) issued the following statement on DeSantis’ call for a special session:

“From businesses and schools, to our health care and front line workers, everyone except Florida’s failed Governor is shouldering the responsibility of keeping us free from sickness and economic disaster. Unsurprisingly, pro-pandemic Governor Ron DeSantis gives new meaning to failing up. He wants to light Florida’s tax dollars on fire with this special session in order to put public health and livelihoods at risk in exchange for his own political ambitions.”

PHOTOS: President Joe Biden gets COVID-19 vaccine booster shot

Photos: President Joe Biden gets COVID-19 vaccine booster shot President Joe Biden receives a COVID-19 booster shot during an event in the South Court Auditorium on the White House campus, Monday, Sept. 27, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Photos: President Joe Biden gets COVID-19 vaccine booster shot U.S. President Joe Biden rolls up his sleeve before receiving a third dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in the South Court Auditorium in the White House September 27, 2021, in Washington, DC. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Photos: President Joe Biden gets COVID-19 vaccine booster shot President Joe Biden buttons his sleeve after receiving a COVID-19 booster shot during an event in the South Court Auditorium on the White House campus, Monday, Sept. 27, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Photos: President Joe Biden gets COVID-19 vaccine booster shot U.S. President Joe Biden puts on his suit jacket after receiving a booster shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Monday, Sept. 27, 2021. (Ting Shen/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Photos: President Joe Biden gets COVID-19 vaccine booster shot US President Joe Biden puts on his suit jacket after receiving a third shot of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine as a booster on the White House campus September 27, 2021, in Washington, DC. (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)

Photos: President Joe Biden gets COVID-19 vaccine booster shot U.S. President Joe Biden speaks to reporters after receiving a third dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in the South Court Auditorium in the White House September 27, 2021, in Washington, DC. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Photos: President Joe Biden gets COVID-19 vaccine booster shot President Joe Biden delivers remarks on COVID-19 during an event in the South Court Auditorium on the White House campus, Monday, Sept. 27, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Photos: President Joe Biden gets COVID-19 vaccine booster shot U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks ahead of receiving a third dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in the South Court Auditorium in the White House September 27, 2021, in Washington, DC. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Photos: President Joe Biden gets COVID-19 vaccine booster shot U.S. President Joe Biden arrives to receive a third dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine in the South Court Auditorium in the White House on September 27, 2021, in Washington, DC. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)