DeSantis Sends Troops To Keep Ports Open Amid Strike As South Reels From Hurricane

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis authorized state troops to go to ports throughout the state that are being impacted by dock worker strikes so that they can stay open and functioning as the southern part of the country reels from a deadly hurricane that has killed hundreds.

DeSantis, who made the remarks during a press conference early on Thursday, said that the Florida National Guard and Florida State Guard were being deployed to “critical ports affected to maintain order and, if possible, resume operations which would otherwise be shut down during this interruption.”

The announcement comes after Hurricane Helene ripped through several southern states late last week, leading to severe flooding that has devastated numerous communities and killed at least 200 people.

“And I would say that this is something that would have significant impacts on the nation’s economy anyways, but to have this happen in a way that could negatively impact people that are reeling from a Category 4 Hurricane, that is just simply unacceptable,” DeSantis said. “So it really is incumbent upon the Biden-Harris administration to do everything in their power to ensure that these goods are where we need to be, that people are not left hanging out in the cold waiting for these goods if they’re sitting in the ocean somewhere and they’re not being able to be used here in the state of Florida or in Georgia or in North Carolina, or where people are going to desperately need this.”

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He said that Biden-Harris had a “responsibility to stand up for the storm victims, stand up for the people who have had their homes damaged or who have lost their homes, and make sure they have what they need to get back on their feet.”

The governor also announced the following measures to help the flow of goods from ports to consumers:

• “The Florida National Guard and Florida State Guard will be deployed to ports affected by the strike to maintain order and, where possible, resume operations at ports which are otherwise shut down.”
• “The Florida Department of Transportation will waive the collection of tolls and fees as well as size and weight restrictions for commercial vehicles, which will help expedite the transportation of goods from our ports while offsetting operational costs.”
• “The Florida Highway Patrol will manage the flow of traffic from all Florida seaports as needed to further expedite the flow of goods held up by the strike. FHP will provide law enforcement escorts for commercial motor vehicles upon request.”

“Unlike the federal government, Florida is taking decisive action to ensure that our economy continues to function and that victims of Hurricane Helene will have access to what they need to rebuild,” he added in a statement.

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At my direction, the Florida National Guard and the Florida State Guard will be deployed to critical ports affected by the strike to maintain order and, where possible, resume operations.

It is unacceptable for the Biden-Harris administration to allow supply chain interruptions… pic.twitter.com/KfzVbBgI10

— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) October 3, 2024