Senate Rejects Blocking Money For Immigration Case
TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/NSF) - The state's Senate has rejected a proposed budget amendment that would have prevented Attorney General Pam Bondi from spending money to fight a federal policy aimed at allowing millions of undocumented immigrants to stay in the country if they meet certain conditions.
Bondi said in December she would join a lawsuit challenging President Barack Obama over an executive order about the policy. The lawsuit contends Obama overstepped his legal authority.
State Sen. Darren Soto, D-Orlando, proposed the budget amendment Wednesday saying lawmakers have the "power of the purse" and that the legal challenge is hurting people in his district.
Republican leaders objected because they said the amendment would infringe on Bondi's constitutional powers and could open the door to future legislative attempts to influence the attorney general's involvement in cases.
"This is a dangerous, dangerous road to go down," Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, said.
Senators initially voted 16-15 to approve Soto's amendment. But several senators were off the floor at the time. The Senate then brought up the amendment again and rejected it in a voice vote.
The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.