Feds Say DeSantis Has No Authority Over Cruise Lines

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports:

The U.S. government says the state of Florida has no legal right to force the CDC to reopen the cruise line business at the nation’s seaports.

Lawyers representing the state and federal government squared off before U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday in Tampa on Wednesday after Florida sued the CDC, claiming an agency program for cruise lines to resume sailings is “unlawful,” taking too long and creating widespread economic harm.

State government lawyers from Texas and Alaska, both of which host thousands of cruise passengers each year, listened to the Tampa hearing Wednesday by phone.

Tampa’s ABC News affiliate reports:



It’s now up to a district judge with the Middle District of Florida to return a decision on the state’s motion for a preliminary injunction in its suit against the CDC’s continued halting of cruises.

Both parties appeared in a Tampa federal courtroom Wednesday to make arguments for their case. While no follow-up hearing has been set, the state is set to file a brief.

No timeline was provided for when District Judge Steven Merryday will finalize his decision.