Orlando Standard

Frost Joined Forces with Leader Jeffries, Reps. Wasserman Schultz, Ocasio-Cortez to Highlight Attacks on Civil Rights and Liberties Happening Across the State 

For Video of the Hearing Click Here

WASHINGTON DC — Today, Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost (FL-10) hosted an emergency ad hoc hearing to uncover the anti-democratic abuses of power happening in Florida as Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature have colluded to consolidate power and enact legislation stripping Floridians of their civil rights and liberties.

Frost, who originally called for a full Oversight Committee hearing alongside Ranking Member Jamie Raskin, was joined today by Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Dean of the Florida Democratic Delegation Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), and Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Katie Porter (CA-47), Gerald Connolly (VA-11), Kweisi Mfume (MD-07), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), and Dan Goldman (NY-10).

Members heard directly from witnesses, including State Representative Anna Eskamani, former State Attorney Andrew Warren, and former Duval County substitute teacher Brian Covey – who all depicted a picture of state leadership hungry for power and entrenched in modern day fascism and authoritarianism. 

“In Florida, the Governor and Republican legislature are banning books, threatening teachers and taking over universities, rewarding political cronies, and illegally punishing enemies. These shocking anti-democratic moves, all aimed to consolidate power, cannot go unchecked,” said Congressman Maxwell Frost. “This is modern day fascism, plain and simple. Today's emergency ad hoc hearing was about fighting back before fascism can fully take hold of our state.”

“What we see in Florida is the type of cancer that we’ve seen growing across America in terms of these anti-democratic efforts to undermine freedom while we’re standing on the side of freedom,” said Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

“We know that fascism and anti-semitism are on the rise in this country, especially in Florida. And we also know that one of the chief perpetrators of hateful fascist rhetoric and policies is our governor, Ron DeSantis,” said Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz. “Fascism is the antithesis of democracy. Making sure we take every opportunity to be able to shine a spotlight on the extremism, fascism, and squelching of rights and freedoms in our state perpetrated by our governor is so critical.”

“What is happening in Florida cuts to the core of our democracy,” said Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez. “Every day Floridians are exercising their right to a democracy. They have voted overwhelmingly and organized at the ballot box to institute minimum wage. And Ron DeSantis tries to preempt and overturn minimum wage. Floridians tried to come together in order to get housing costs under control. And what does Governor DeSantis and the Republican party of Florida do? Overturn it. What Governor DeSantis is doing is overriding the will of Floridians.”

“When it comes to democracy and freedom, the Sunshine State is now covered in darkness. One-party rule is destroying the right to vote and participate in government, the freedom to read, the freedom to learn about history, and the right to make decisions about your own body and your own life. Even the Disney Corporation is not safe from the autocratic dictates of the Royal Governor,” said Oversight Ranking Member Congressman Jamie Raskin (MD-8). “The only silver lining to this state-level nightmare is that a new generation of freedom-fighters has emerged, none of them more passionate or focused than the youngest Member of the U.S. House, my esteemed colleague from Florida, Maxwell Frost.  I am grateful to him for calling this important meeting and for our witnesses and attendees for participating in an urgent dialogue.”

Original source can be found here.