Steven Merryday

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Steven Douglas Merryday is a federal judge for the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. He joined the court in 1992 after being nominated by President George H.W. Bush (R). From 2015 to 2020, Merryday served as chief judge of the district court.

Prior to appointment, Merryday was a private practice attorney in Florida.^[1]

Early life and education

A native Floridian, Merryday graduated from the University of Florida with both his bachelor's and Juris Doctorate degrees in 1972 and 1975.^[1]

Professional career

Merryday spent his entire pre-judicial legal career in private practice in the State of Florida from 1975 to 1992.^[1]

Judicial career

Middle District of Florida

On the recommendation of U.S. Senator Connie Mack III, Merryday was nominated by George HW. Bush (R) on September 23, 1991, to a new judgeship created by 104 Stat. 5089 which was authorized by Congress. Merryday was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on February 6, 1992, on a Senate vote and received commission on February 10, 1992. He served as chief judge of the court from 2015 to 2020.^[1]

Noteworthy cases

Florida v. Becerra (2021)

See also: Lawsuits about state actions and policies in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

Florida v. Becerra: On June 18, 2021, Judge Steven Merryday, of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, temporarily suspended cruise industry restrictions issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC). The CDC’s challenged provisions established testing, vaccination, quarantine and isolation, and social distancing requirements. In its complaint, the state of Florida argued that the "CDC does not have the authority to issue year-and-a-half-long nationwide lockdowns of entire industries," adding that "even if it did, its actions here are arbitrary and capricious." Merryday, a George H.W. Bush (R) appointee, sided with Florida, finding that the CDC had exceeded its authority: "Never has CDC implemented measures as extensive, disabling and exclusive as those under review in this action." Under the terms of Merryday's ruling, the CDC’s restrictions were set to become guidance after July 18, 2021. Merryday gave the CDC until July 2, 2021, to propose narrower restrictions.^[2]^[3]