A judge ordered Florida and the CDC into mediation today, telling the two sides in the state's case against the agency over its cruise ban to resolve their differences out of court.
Florida sued the Biden administration in federal district court on April 8 to overturn the ban on cruising, saying the yearlong lockdown of the cruise industry by the federal government had "directly harmed the state of Florida, its citizens and their families, resulting in the loss of billions of dollars in economic activity." Alaska and Texas both joined Florida's lawsuit.
Related: Senate signals support for Alaska sailings. What's next?
U.S. District Court Judge Steven Merryday heard arguments in the case on May 12. Today, he appointed Tampa trial lawyer Joseph Varner III to begin mediation before June 1.
ASTA plans to file an amicus curiae, or "friend of the court," brief on Wednesday related to Florida and Alaska's lawsuit against the federal government and the CDC seeking to overturn its Conditional Sailing Order.
An earlier version of this report said ASTA had filed an amicus brief in the lawsuit over the government's cruise ban. The Society plans to file the brief today. The report has been updated to include new information about ASTA's amicus brief.