Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) spoke harshly against members of the International Longshoremen’s Association, port workers who are striking along East and Gulf coasts, stating that the strike is “intentionally” preventing hurricane relief from getting to those who need it.
The ILA strike started Tuesday after the union was unable to reach a new deal with the United States Maritime Alliance and comes only a few days after Hurricane Helene ravaged several states in the Southeast. The Florida governor deemed the strike “totally unacceptable” in the wake of the hurricane, adding that officials need to do everything in their power to ensure these necessary supplies can be delivered.
“Now is not the time,” DeSantis said Wednesday. “You already have people that are reeling, you have people that are on their backs. Let’s do everything we can to accelerate the relief. Make sure that they have the equipment, make sure they have the supplies that they need to be able to rehab their properties and rebuild their homes.”
‘TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE!’: DeSantis scathes port troubles as supplies are needed for Hurricane Helene recovery
“Now is not the time. You already have people that are reeling […] Let’s do everything we can to accelerate the relief.”
“Anything I can do, I’m gonna do.” pic.twitter.com/RnfRntJDA2
— Florida’s Voice (@FLVoiceNews) October 2, 2024
DeSantis said he would do anything within his ability to make sure the supplies continue arriving, as this is “a big concern.”
The Florida governor also contended that it would be “a really, really bad look” for the Biden administration not to do anything to expedite the process of ensuring the supplies held up along the East and Gulf coasts get delivered. Previously, President Joe Biden said he would not invoke the Taft-Hartley Act to force workers to work the ports because he does not believe in it.
“So it is a concern, it’s not something that will be good if they allow this to happen, and I’ll do whatever I can to avert it,” DeSantis said.
DESANTIS: “It would be a really, really bad look for the Biden-Harris administration to allow supplies to just be sitting in the Atlantic ocean [when] you have people [who] need [supplies].”
“I’ll do whatever I can to avert [delays].” pic.twitter.com/RMnETB0dRn
— Florida’s Voice (@FLVoiceNews) October 2, 2024
Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) has called for Biden to utilize the Taft-Hartley Act to address the port strike, citing how “the health of our economy” requires quick action.
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While Biden is not taking direct action to resolve the port strike, he is conducting flyover tours of North Carolina and South Carolina to survey Hurricane Helene’s damage. The president assured that his administration is “not leaving until the job’s done.”
I’m on my way to South Carolina and North Carolina.
Once there, I’ll take an aerial tour of areas impacted by the storm, receive briefings, and meet with first responders and local officials.
The Biden-Harris Administration is here. And we’re not leaving until the job’s done.
— President Biden (@POTUS) October 2, 2024
Former President Donald Trump, meanwhile, visited Valdosta, Georgia, on Monday to assess the damage and residents’ well-being. The Trump campaign has also started a fundraiser to help the storm victims, which has raised over $4 million so far.