A measure to keep Gov. Ron DeSantis’s (R-FL) travel records largely under wraps was approved by the Florida state House Tuesday.
In an 84 to 31 vote, the state House successfully cleared the two-thirds threshold needed to amend the state’s public records law to create a carveout for DeSantis on both future and past travels as speculation of his 2024 ambitions mounts.
RON DESANTIS’S POSSIBLE 2024 BID SHAPES UP AS POLITICAL HEADACHES MOUNT
Supporters of the legislation argue it is important for his personal security, while critics point to questions about who is paying for his travels. Already, the state Senate has passed its own version of the bill. With its advancement in the House, it is expected to head to DeSantis’s desk.
“It’s not necessarily something that I came up with,” DeSantis previously said on the travel record issue. “With the security situation, how you do patterns of movements, if you’re somebody that is targeted, which unfortunately I am … that could be something that could be helpful for people that may not want to do good things.”
Republican backers have also noted that campaign finance laws apply to DeSantis that require him to disclose the use of political committees or campaigns for travel. DeSantis has maintained a brisk itinerary over recent months as he gears up for a potential 2024 bid.
Former President Donald Trump’s campaign has needled him over this hectic schedule, questioning whether taxpayers were funding his swings through early primary states. DeSantis’s office has denied taxpayer funds were used in some of those travels.
Over recent months, DeSantis has stopped by Iowa, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas, Japan, South Korea, Israel, the United Kingdom, and more. As his national profile grows, the state legislature is also moving to beef up his security.
State lawmakers have moved to set aside over $3.8 million for “Protected Operations Services,” which is expected to provide funding for DeSantis’s security, Florida Politics reported.
That comes on top of a recent move by the legislature to nix a resign-to-run law that would have compelled DeSantis to step down as governor in order to vie for the presidency.
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The Washington Examiner contacted the governor’s office for comment.
DeSantis is expected to unveil his 2024 plans after the Florida legislature concludes its session later this month.
