Florida House and Senate GOP Leaders Clash on Major Issues

Disagreements over property insurance, agriculture bills, and budget timing lead to public sniping between legislative leaders.

Feb. 6, 2026 at 3:23pm

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Near the midway point of the legislative session, Florida's Republican-controlled House and Senate are at odds on several key issues, including property insurance legislation, agriculture bills, and the timing of unveiling their budgets. The public sniping between House and Senate leaders has heightened tensions, with the chambers already likely pushing major disagreements to special sessions outside of the regular session.

Why it matters

The clashes between the House and Senate GOP leaders highlight the partisan divides and policy disagreements within the Republican party in Florida, even as they control both chambers of the legislature. These disputes could delay the passage of important legislation and the state budget, impacting Floridians.

The details

House Budget Chair Lawrence McClure, R-Dover, has publicly chided Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Ed Hooper, R-Clearwater, and Senate Rules Committee Chair Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, over delays in the budget process and an agriculture bill. Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, has also expressed disagreement with the House's push for major property insurance legislation, saying the market is already improving.

  • The legislative session is currently at the midway point.
  • The regular 60-day legislative session is scheduled to end on March 13, 2026.

The players

Lawrence McClure

Republican member of the Florida House of Representatives and Chair of the House Budget Committee.

Ed Hooper

Republican member of the Florida Senate and Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Kathleen Passidomo

Republican member of the Florida Senate and Chair of the Senate Rules Committee.

Ben Albritton

Republican member of the Florida Senate and President of the Florida Senate.

Daniel Perez

Republican member of the Florida House of Representatives and Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives.

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What they’re saying

“With respect to Senator Hooper, during this term the Florida Senate has demonstrated little interest in respecting legislative traditions. Any timing issues they are having in pulling together their Senate budget have absolutely nothing to do with the Florida House.”

— Lawrence McClure, Chair, House Budget Committee (X)

“To call only opponents to speak, while one of the greatest advocates for FL Ag is in the hospital. It wasn't politics, it was intentionally mean.”

— Lawrence McClure, Chair, House Budget Committee (X)

“The legislation was on the agenda (Jan. 27), and I was prepared to hear it. The bill sponsor (postponed) the bill, and when he's ready to present it again, I look forward to a thoughtful discussion on the proposed policy.”

— Kathleen Passidomo, Chair, Senate Rules Committee (Statement)

“Why would I mess around with that when we're moving in a great direction?”

— Ben Albritton, President, Florida Senate (Reporters)

What’s next

The House and Senate will need to negotiate on the final state budget, with the likelihood of extending the legislative session beyond the scheduled March 13 end date to pass the spending plan.

The takeaway

The clashes between the Republican-controlled House and Senate in Florida highlight the partisan divides and policy disagreements within the GOP, which could delay the passage of important legislation and the state budget, impacting Floridians.