Internet blasts Biden administration for withholding of $800 million in federal funds from Florida

WASHINGTON, DC: The Biden administration is under investigation regarding the purported withholding of $800 million in federal funds from Florida due to a law that was passed but was opposed by unions in the state. 

"The Department of Labor is threatening Florida and other states that may seek to empower workers and increase union transparency, in violation of federal law. This is completely unacceptable," Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions ranking member Bill Cassidy, R-La, said in a statement, according to Fox News. 

"This is yet another example of the Biden administration weaponizing its enforcement power to tip the scale in favor of its political allies – not the American worker," he added. 

Bill Cassidy wrote a letter to Acting Department of Labor (DOL) Secretary

The lawmaker penned a letter to Acting Department of Labor (DOL) Secretary Julie Su on Thursday, June 6, requesting that she provide "any and all legal analysis justifying the DOL overriding DOT’s grant decision by withholding $800 million in federal grant funding from the State of Florida."

Florida filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration last year, claiming that DOL representatives contacted Florida entities days prior to the implementation of a state law that forbade unions from deducting dues directly from employee paychecks. According to the complaint, the department stated that the law "jeopardizes [their] continued eligibility to receive Federal Transit Administration Funding." 

What did Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody say?

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody stated in the October 2023 complaint that Florida Public Transportation Association anticipates funding through the Federal Transit Act of approximately $800 million for Florida entities over a number of years.

However, "The Department of Labor has given Florida an ultimatum: abandon the reforms enacted through SB 256 or lose hundreds of millions in federal funding," she alleged. 

What does the law focus on?

The law enacted in 2023 focuses on the freedom of employees to join and quit public employee unions. Additionally, it forbids unions from deducting dues from members' paychecks. There was strong opposition to the reform among public worker unions.

According to Moody's complaint, states have to guarantee that the arrangements are "fair and equitable" for workers and that their rights to collective bargaining are upheld in order for them to be eligible for federal funding. "To be clear, Florida has no intention of abolishing the collective bargaining rights of transportation workers," the Florida attorney general said.

But she added that "the Biden Administration reads the phrase ‘continuation of collective bargaining rights’ in § 5333(b) to mean that Florida cannot enact reasonable regulations governing the collective bargaining process."

"The Florida statute merely ensures that the state’s public employees can freely choose whether to join or remain in a union. In fact, the right to join a labor union and bargain collectively is enshrined in the Florida Constitution," Cassidy echoed in his letter. 

In addition to asking for the department's legal analysis, the senator further requested the criteria the DOL uses to determine what "fair and equitable" means in this circumstance, communications regarding the decision to withhold funding, and its reasoning as to why a temporary waiver can't be issued.

Bill Cassidy alleges Joe Biden's administration is withholding the funds to please his political allies

Cassidy claims that Biden's administration is holding back the funds in order to appease his political allies. This comes as the president seeks to strengthen his support from unions ahead of the 2024 election. When it comes to labor, the former President Trump has shown himself to be a fierce adversary, going so far as to personally attack the Democratic-leaning group of union workers.

Internet mocks Biden administration saying 'Joe must go'

Netizens slammed Biden administration for withholding $800 million in funding. One X user tweeted, "What else is Biden going to do wrong? Yet another reason out of many to vote him out in November." "What do you expect from the CRIMINAL PedoTraitorJoe?" one asked. 

"Of course they’re playing politics. They’ve got a bank as much as they can because of Trump comes in their gooses are cooked," added one. "Joe Must GO!!!" echoed a user while another backed, "Trump for president." 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.