by Former head of the US International Trade Commission, Peter Morici, discusses what the nation needs to know about the economic policies of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on “Varney & Co.”
EXCLUSIVE: Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has issued a stark warning about the growing calls for corporations to adopt environmental, social and governance (ESG) investment priorities, describing them as a way for the political left to use corporate power to achieve their goals .
In his new book, “The Courage to be Free: Florida’s Blueprint for American Revival,” DeSantis writes that the trend of corporations entering “culture wars” is driven by left-wing company employees pushing their political values ​​on their executives. demonstrated and “woke up” CEOs using their corporate bully pulpits to exert their influence.
“This is especially true as the (ESG) responsibility movement has gained traction within corporate America,” he wrote.
ALL GOP SENATORS, MANCHIN CHALLENGE BIDEN’S CLIMATE INVESTMENT RULE ‘POLITICISING’ AMERICAN 401(K)S
Florida Gov. speaks. Ron DeSantis with police officers in maintaining law and order during his visit to New York City on February 20, 2023. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images/Getty Images)
ESG, short for environmental, social and governance investing, is based on the concept that investors should use these three broad categories when evaluating where to put their money, prioritizing progressive values ​​and your “social responsibility” when making financial decisions.
“ESG gives CEOs an excuse to use shareholder assets to focus on issues like reducing fossil fuel use and restricting Second Amendment rights. It’s really a way for the political left to get what they can’t through achieving corporate power through corporate power. ballot box,” DeSantis wrote.
Other Republicans, and some Democrats, have joined DeSantis in pushing back against ESG, including those in Congress who want to end a controversial rule the Biden administration’s Labor Department put in place earlier this month which allows private retirement plan trusts to consider ESG factors when investing. decisions for their clients: more than 150 million Americans.
BIDEN NOTES ‘HEAVY-HANDED’ ESG POLICIES WINNING COMPANIES, FAMILIES
Biden’s Department of Labor is allowing private retirement plan fiduciaries to consider ESG factors when making investment decisions for their clients. (Alex Edelman/AFP via Getty Images/File/Getty Images)
Senate Republicans, along with Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., have introduced a resolution challenging the rule, and the Republican-led House is expected to vote this week using the act. Congress reviews to try to roll it back.
DeSantis’ new book is to be released Tuesday by publisher HarperCollins and aims to show his ruling thesis that Florida’s fight for conservative principles has paid off and could benefit other states and even the entire country.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis new book this week. (Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images/File/Getty Images)
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This is also the latest move by the Florida governor fueling rumors that he is closer to launching a 2024 presidential bid.
As a rumored candidate, he is leading former President Donald Trump, and several other candidates, in some early primary polls. He has not yet hinted at what decision he will make in the end.
Fox News’ Aaron Kliegman and Thomas Phippen contributed to this report.
