Democratic Party representatives in Florida warned that renaming Palm Beach International Airport to Donald J. Trump International would have long-term consequences for the state.
Senate Minority Leader Lori Berman urged caution when giving in to Trump's demands, with the president's name set to be featured on the airport after the legislation was passed by a Republican supermajority. A funding request of $5.5million has already been submitted by Florida state Senator Debbie Mayfield.
Mayfield, the bill's sponsor, is hoping the requested funds are used to swap out signage, as well as provide new uniforms to staff members at Palm Beach Airport, Bloomberg reported. The bill to rename the South Florida airport passed through the state Senate yesterday (February 19) with 25 votes in favor, and 11 votes against.
Florida state Senator Danny Burgess said during the legislative debate, "Fifty years from now, when we’re all not in this chamber and maybe not here on this earth, we’re going to look back and recognize what this president, this sitting president, did to save America."
Berman said, "This bill exists for one reason, to satisfy one large ego, and satisfying that ego isn't free." Fellow Dem rep Lois Frankel warned that the vote outcome is absurd.
She said in a statement, "It’s misguided and unfair that the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature ignored the voices of Palm Beach County by pushing forward a bill to rename Palm Beach International Airport without giving County residents a real opportunity for input."
Florida must now seek approval for the naming of the airport from The Trump Organization, the family's real estate development firm, which recently filed a trademark application to control and monetize the airport's name.
Democratic Florida state Sen. Shevrin Jones tried to counter The Trump Organization from monetizing the name by filing an amendment to the Senate companion bill preventing profit from the trademark, but this failed, CNN reported.
Jones said, "No president, Democrat or Republican, should be able to benefit" from the airport trademark license.
Kimberly Benza, Trump Organization director of executive operations, said, "To be clear, the President and his family will not receive any royalty, licensing fee, or financial consideration whatsoever from the proposed airport renaming."