Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a bill that authorizes the use of the death penalty against convicted pedophiles.
On Monday, DeSantis signed H.B. 1297, which allows Floryda to seek capital punishment for convicted sex abusers of children under 12. The new law will take effect on Oct. 1.
“We’re really delivering a big agenda,” he said during the bill signing ceremony. “So this is one important — but admittedly very small part — of an overall large agenda and very bold agenda that’s really setting the terms of the debate for the country, quite frankly.”
Surprisingly, the Republican-led bill was co-sponsored by a Democrat and passed with bipartisan support.
Despite a 2008 U.S. Supreme Court decision finding it unlawful for states to use the death penalty for crimes less than murder, DeSantis signed the bill anyway, paving the way for a potential Supreme Court confrontation.
The governor said last month that capital punishment is the “only appropriate” sentence for child rapists.
“My view is, you have some of these people that will be serial rapists of six, seven-year-old kids,” DeSantis said during an interview on “Good Morning Orlando”. “I think the death penalty is the only appropriate punishment when you have situations like that.”
The new law is part of a series of measures to toughen up the criminal justice system in DeSantis’ second term as governor.
This comes as DeSantis, who is poised to announce his presidential campaign soon, has been ramping up travel out of state, attending events to secure donations from Republican constituents.
The Washington Post reported earlier this year that his political committee will serve as the launching pad for the governor’s higher office ambitions. Sources familiar with the situation said that DeSantis plans to announce his candidacy once Florida’s legislative session ends in May.
A new poll from Mason-Dixon Florida also suggests that DeSantis could beat former President Donald Trump in the Republican presidential primaries. According to the survey, 59 percent of registered voters approve of DeSantis’ performance as governor since his reelection last year, while only 39 percent say otherwise.
Meanwhile, Trump’s camp has started to attack the governor in an effort to deter him from running or sink his favorable ratings with Republicans.
