A bill filed by Florida Sen. Ilena Garcia that would have set aside $5 million in public funds to help pay legal fees for “Florida residents running for president” is set to be withdrawn from the Florida legislature.

Garcia made the announcement on X, formerly known as Twitter, shortly after Gov. Ron DeSantis made a post coming out against the bill and threatening to veto it.


What You Need To Know

  • In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Gov. Ron DeSantis alluded that he would likely veto a proposed bill could set aside $5 million in public funds to help pay legal fees for “Florida residents running for president”

  • The bills sponsor, Florida Sen. Ilena Garcia, said she would withdraw the bill after DeSantis' statement

  • Earlier Monday, Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis said he and Garcia would "work hard to ensure President Trump has the support he needs to make our country great again."

During her push for the legislation, Garcia made it clear that former President Donald Trump was the focus, saying "anything we can do to support Florida presidential candidates, like President Trump, will not only benefit our state, but our nation." The funds would have been known as the “Florida Freedom Fighters Fund.”

In a post on X late Monday, DeSantis responded to a POLITICO headline about the subject, which read, ‘Some Florida Republicans want taxpayers to pay Trump’s legal bills.’ DeSantis’ quote reply states, “But not the Florida Republican who wields the veto pen…”

State Sen. Garcia followed up shortly on X, quoting DeSantis' post and stating: "While Jimmy Patronis brought me this bill at a time when all candidates were committing to campaign through the primary, one frontrunner now remains, and he can handle himself. I will be withdrawing the bill."

Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis spoke about the measure earlier Monday, saying he and Garcia would “work hard to ensure President Trump has the support he needs to make our country great again.”

According to information from Patronis’ office, the $5 million would have been paid from Florida’s Public Campaign Finance — Matching Funds Program, which, according to the Florida Division of Elections website, is currently only available to candidates running for governor or state cabinet positions.