President Joe Biden visited Florida on Saturday to assess the damage caused by Hurricane Idalia and reassure the storm’s victims of the federal government’s response. However, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis chose not to meet with Biden during his visit. Despite this, Biden said he was not disappointed by DeSantis’ decision, stating that the governor may have had other reasons for not meeting him.
During his tour of the hardest-hit areas, President Biden commended Florida Senator Rick Scott, a Republican, for joining him despite their political differences. Biden expressed his satisfaction with Scott’s presence and praised the senator for his assistance and cooperation in planning the recovery efforts.
Earlier that afternoon, Senator Scott also complimented President Biden during a recovery effort briefing, acknowledging the president’s proactive approach and quick approval of aid through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Scott emphasized the importance of the support provided by Biden and FEMA in assisting first responders and facilitating debris cleanup.
President Biden assured Floridians that the federal government remains dedicated to the hurricane recovery effort. He stated that he had offered Governor DeSantis any necessary support and reiterated his commitment to assisting Florida throughout the entire recovery process.
Regarding his failed meeting with Governor DeSantis, President Biden revealed his lack of knowledge on the matter, stating that DeSantis would not be present. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell addressed security concerns raised by DeSantis’ office, assuring that there were no reported concerns impacting the areas visited by Biden’s team.
The White House press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, stated that the invitation to Governor DeSantis still stands, emphasizing that he is welcome to join President Biden during his visit.
It is worth noting that President Biden and Governor DeSantis had previously set aside politics during Biden’s visit to Florida after Hurricane Ian. However, the landscape has changed since then, with DeSantis announcing his 2024 campaign, potentially affecting their interactions.
In addition to DeSantis, it appears that Representative Kat Cammack, a Republican from Florida, may have also declined a meeting with President Biden. There were initial expectations that Cammack would join the president during his visit, but she was not present. Further inquiries regarding Cammack’s meeting status have not yielded a response.
In contrast, Senator Rick Scott, who is up for reelection next year, announced on Twitter that he would be joining President Biden in Suwannee County. Scott mentioned receiving a briefing from local officials and meeting with affected families. He also expressed his intention to discuss his proposed legislation, The Federal Disaster Responsibility Act, with President Biden, emphasizing the benefits it would bring to Floridians and Americans.
ABC News reached out to Senator Marco Rubio’s office to determine whether he would be joining President Biden during his tour, but there has been no response.
Overall, despite the absence of Governor DeSantis and a potential decline from Representative Cammack, President Biden remains committed to assisting Florida in its recovery efforts following Hurricane Idalia.
Image credit: AP Photo/Julio Cortez