The Florida Legislature is meeting in special session this week — but only on the issue of illegal immigration. In doing so, legislative leaders are openly defying Gov. Ron DeSantis’ attempts to bend lawmakers to his will – and his ability to control the discussion.

This was the first time the Republican-controlled legislature denied a Republican governor a special session since the GOP took control in the 1990s.

I’m not going to take lectures from someone who a year ago didn’t think Donald Trump should be president,” said state Sen. Randy Fine.

Ron DeSantis Monday, rejecting his special session ... Only one lawmaker, DeSantis ally Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, R-Spring Hill, voted against the override. Legislative pushback unusual in Florida ...

TALLAHASSEE — The Florida House and Senate openly rebuked Gov. Ron DeSantis’ call for a special session on immigration Monday by defiantly rejecting his slate of bills, then adjourning and immediately regrouping to consider alternative legislation approved by their leaders.

State lawmakers sent their proposal fighting illegal immigration to Governor Ron DeSantis. The governor will have 15 days to sign or veto the only immigration bill he has received after spending the last two weeks pushing lawmakers to act on the issue,

Florida does not need to “duplicate the functions of U.S. Immigration and Customs and create a mini-me version of ICE,” said House Speaker Daniel Perez.

In a stunning move, the GOP-led Florida Legislature on Monday rebuffed a push by Gov. Ron DeSantis to pass a slew of bills on immigration.

Ron DeSantis’ waning influence was exposed Monday when Florida Republicans rejected a special legislative session he called to address illegal immigration. The Florida legislature, which infamously operated at DeSantis’ behest in recent years,

Florida’s Republican-controlled Legislature passed a plan that includes boosting criminal penalties for undocumented immigrants.

The Florida Legislature is meeting in special session this week — but only on the issue of illegal immigration. In doing so, legislative leaders are openly defying Gov. Ron DeSantis’ attempts to bend lawmakers to his will – and his ability to control the discussion.