This week, Senator Rick Scott introduced the Data and Algorithm Transparency Agreement (DATA) Act to increase transparency by requiring big tech platforms, like Facebook, Snapchat and Twitter, to receive express consent to use Americans’ personal information. The DATA Act also provides Americans with legal recourse against these companies if they believe their right to privacy has been violated.

Big tech companies capitalize on algorithms to manipulate users, pushing them toward content the algorithm believes they would like or be interested in. These companies are also gathering massive amounts of personal data – and users have little to no control over how their data is used. That’s alarming and unacceptable, and Senator Scott’s DATA Act finally gives Americans a say in what happens with their personal information.

See more of what Senator Scott has been up to this week below.

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Sen. Rick Scott: Biden Administration Shows Dangerous Weakness on Communist China

Senator Rick Scott released the below statement following Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s recent interview on 60 Minutes. During the interview, in response to CBS’s Norah O’Donnell asking Secretary Blinken, “If [the genocide in] Xinjiang isn’t a redline with China, then what is?” he responded that the U.S. does not have “the luxury of not dealing with China.”

Senator Rick Scott said, “The United States is in a New Cold War with Communist China and it’s time that President Biden acts accordingly. Every day we see General Secretary Xi’s threats on freedom and human rights grow more intense, yet the Biden Administration remains embarrassingly and dangerously weak.

“Let’s be clear – the U.S. does not have the luxury of ignoring this threat. While Biden tries to talk tough on Communist China, there is no action to back up his words. Every American dollar spent on goods made in Communist China supports its horrific attacks on democracy in Hong Kong, aggression toward Taiwan and genocide against the Uyghurs. There is no room for compromise with a communist regime that wants most of all to dominate the world. Secretary Blinken is right that we must work with our allies to stand up to Beijing, but we must go even further and do what reality demands: completely decouple from Communist China and treat them as the enemy they are.” Read more HERE.

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Sen. Rick Scott Introduces DATA Act to Shield Americans’ Personal Information from Big Tech Companies

Senator Rick Scott introduced the Data and Algorithm Transparency Agreement (DATA) Act to increase transparency by requiring big tech platforms, like Facebook, Snapchat and Twitter, to receive express consent to use Americans’ personal information. The DATA Act also provides Americans with legal recourse against these companies if they believe their right to privacy has been violated.

Currently, tech companies capitalize on algorithms to manipulate users, pushing them toward content the algorithm believes they would like or be interested in. These companies are also gathering massive amounts of personal data – and users have little to no control over how their data is used.

Senator Rick Scott said, “The way big tech companies gather, manipulate and sell Americans’ personal data, all without consequence, is alarming. These are the same companies that censor free speech, and pick and choose which viewpoints are allowed on their platform. We have to hold these companies accountable and protect the rights of Americans. That’s why I’m introducing the DATA Act to require greater transparency in how big tech collects and uses our personal information, and to provide a recourse for Americans if their privacy is violated. The DATA Act finally gives Americans a say in what happens with their personal information.” Read more HERE.

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Sen. Rick Scott to Biden: Tell the Truth About Taxing American Families

In response to repeated claims by President Joe Biden that he won’t raise taxes on any American making less than $400,000 per year, Senator Rick Scott released the following statement urging the president to finally come clean and tell the truth about his plans to raise taxes on American families to pay for his massive spending proposals. Contrary to his statements, Biden has already broken his promise and raised taxes on American families making under $400,000.

Senator Rick Scott said, “In the just over 100 days that Joe Biden has been president, he’s proposed more than $6 TRILLION in new spending. That’s insane, even for the far left liberals. Yet Biden refuses to address the basic question I and many Americans keep asking: ‘How do you plan to pay for all of this, Joe?’

“Joe Biden claims that he won’t raise taxes on anyone making less than $400,000. Wrong. He’s already done it. Biden raised taxes on gig workers like hardworking Americans that drive for Uber and Lyft, or work for Door Dash, in his ‘American Rescue Plan.’ I tried to repeal this tax increase on the Senate floor and Democrats blocked it.

“Joe Biden claims big tax increases on American companies and the rich will pay for his liberal wish list. Wrong again. Even if Biden got to wave his liberal wand and spend the $6 trillion, we’d still fall $2.5 TRILLION short in paying for his reckless spending plans. Because Democrats refuse to live within our means, that means there is still $2.5 TRILLION left to be paid for by taxpayers making less than $400,000 over the coming years.

“Joe Biden has never met a tax increase he didn’t like. But reckless spending and high taxes hurt the American people and destroy their opportunity at the American dream. Joe Biden needs to tell the truth: more tax increase plans are coming and they won’t spare a single American family. It’s the wrong direction for our nation, and I’ll keep fighting against these foolish tax increases every day.” Read more HERE.

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Sen. Rick Scott to Labor Inspector General: We Need Answers on Fraud and Abuse of Enhanced Federal Unemployment

Senator Rick Scott wrote a letter to Larry Turner, Acting Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) urging him to provide answers on what the Department is doing to prevent, detect and address fraud, waste and abuse of federal unemployment benefits, which were enhanced through the CARES Act. Senator Scott’s letter comes as leaders and businesses across the nation are fighting to get Americans back to work. Just this week, Montana Governor Greg Gianforte announced an incentive program providing bonuses to people who return to the workforce.

Last week, Senator Scott posed the same questions in a letter to DOL Secretary Marty Walsh, but has yet to receive a response. Read more HERE.

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Sen. Rick Scott: Families on the Hook for $16,000 in Tax Hikes this Decade to Pay for Biden’s Spending

As President Joe Biden keeps promising not to raise taxes on any American making less than $400,000 per year, Senator Rick Scott released the following statement calling attention to the president’s faulty math. Earlier this week, Senator Scott pointed out that Biden’s current plans to tax American businesses and the wealthy falls $2.5 TRILLION short of paying for his entire $6 TRILLION in proposed spending. That means additional tax increases on American families are coming. According to data from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), to pay for Biden’s current plan, the average taxes owed by families making less than $500,000 would need to increase by $1,600 per year for ten years – a total of $16,000 in new taxes owed over the next decade.

Contrary to his statements, Biden has already broken his promise and raised taxes on American families making under $400,000.

Senator Rick Scott said, “President Biden has already announced his misguided plans to raise taxes on the ‘rich’ and America’s job creators. But we know that those tax hikes alone won’t cut it. Even if he gets his wishes, we still fall $2.5 TRILLION short in paying for the $6 TRILLION in wasteful spending he’s proposed. There’s only one group left for Biden to raise taxes on – hardworking American families. Sure, he promised he wouldn’t do it, but he’s already gone back on his word.

“The numbers don’t lie. Making up $2.5 TRILLION in revenue to pay for Biden’s far-Left agenda is going to cost American families. On average, taxpayers reporting adjusted gross incomes of less than $500,000 will see their tax bills spike by $1,600. That’s $1,600 every year, for the next 10 years.

“Earlier this week, I asked Biden to tell the truth about his plans to raise taxes on American families. We know he won’t come clean, so I’ll tell you what I’m going to do. I’m going to fight Biden’s radical tax and spend agenda every day. With inflation rising and America speeding toward $30 TRILLION in federal debt, the last thing we need is more taxes and more reckless spending. It is time for fiscally responsible Democrats to stand with fiscally responsible Republicans on getting our debt under control and our house in order. The American people deserve accountability.” Read more HERE.

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Sen. Rick Scott Urges Fairness for Floridians in NFIP Reform

Senator Rick Scott sent a letter to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell and Deputy Associate Administrator of Insurance and Mitigation and Senior Executive of National Flood Insurance Program David Maurstad requesting information regarding the new National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) rating system, Risk Rating 2.0. As FEMA works to make much-needed changes to NFIP and implement its new rating system, Senator Scott is urging the agency to make improvements to ensure fairness for Florida’s families and businesses. Read more HERE.

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Sen. Rick Scott Applauds G7 Foreign Ministers for Standing Up to Communist China

Senator Rick Scott released the following statement after G7 foreign ministers urged Communist China to refrain from ramping up “tensions” in the East and South China Seas amid concern about open conflict with Taiwan, scolded China for their human rights abuses and backed Taiwan’s “meaningful participation” in the World Health Organization and the World Health Assembly.

This action follows Senator Scott’s Taiwan Invasion Prevention Act to further reinforce the U.S.-Taiwan relationship and strengthen Taiwan’s ability to resist Communist China’s aggressive policies and military actions, and his World Health Organization (WHO) Accountability Act to hold the WHO responsible for its role in helping Communist China cover up information regarding the threat of the coronavirus and withhold American taxpayer dollars from the WHO until it accepts Taiwan as a member state.

Senator Rick Scott said, “I applaud the action by the G7 foreign ministers to stand up to Communist China’s overreach and grotesque human rights abuses, and join the U.S. in our commitment to Taiwan. Earlier this year, I introduced the WHO Accountability Act to hold them accountable and urge the acceptance of Taiwan as a member state. It’s time that the Senate passes this important legislation.

“It is no secret that General Secretary Xi is bent on world domination. The United States and the world community cannot sit back and let this happen, and that starts with supporting our peaceful and democratic partner Taiwan. We all must join together in the fight for freedom and human rights, and make clear to General Secretary Xi that his genocide and oppression won’t be tolerated.” Read more HERE.

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Sen. Rick Scott Outlines Priorities in Letter to HUD Secretary Fudge

Senator Rick Scott sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Marcia Fudge outlining his priorities for the department. In his letter, Senator Scott stresses the importance expanding the availability of affordable housing, ensuring housing projects support American jobs and working to make sure every tax dollar spent provides the highest possible return on investment. Read more HERE.

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Sen. Rick Scott Urges NOAA to Work With FWC on Investigation of Shark Abuse in Florida

Senator Rick Scott sent a letter to Benjamin Friedman, Deputy Under Secretary for Operations for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), urging the agency to work directly with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to provide any federal assistance needed in its investigation into allegations of tiger shark abuse in Citrus County. Read more HERE.

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Sen. Rick Scott to Peace Corps: Allegations of Sexual Assault on Volunteers are Shocking and Unacceptable

Senator Rick Scott sent a letter to Peace Corps Acting Director Carol Spahn requesting more information on the Peace Corps’ plans and actions to address serious and unacceptable allegations of sexual assault against volunteers. In his letter, Senator Scott asks how the Peace Corps will work to ensure the safety and wellbeing of its volunteers and trainees around the world. Read more HERE.

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Sen. Rick Scott: It’s Time to Get Americans Back to Work

Senator Rick Scott released the below statement following the announcement that the U.S. economy created only 266,000 jobs in April, well below the anticipated million-jobs increase, and unemployment rose for the first time since April 2020. This comes as the level of Americans receiving unemployment benefits remains elevated and businesses across the nation are still struggling to hire enough workers.

This news follows Senator Scott’s letter this week to Larry Turner, Acting Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Labor, urging him to provide answers on what the Department is doing to prevent, detect and address fraud, waste and abuse of federal unemployment benefits, which were enhanced through the CARES Act. Last week, Senator Scott asked Department of Labor Secretary Marty Walsh for information on the Department’s plans to combat fraud and abuse of enhanced federal unemployment benefits and get Americans back to work.

Senator Rick Scott said, “Since the beginning of the pandemic, I have supported the effort to get targeted aid to struggling families and businesses, but I have been clear that the federal government cannot be paying Americans more to stay home than go back to their jobs. I fought to include a provision in the CARES Act to ensure we weren’t creating a disincentive to return to work, but the Democrats blocked it. Now we are seeing the consequences. I’ve spoken to countless businesses in Florida and across the nation that have reopened but are struggling to find enough workers. We cannot ignore their voices.” Read more HERE.

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Sen. Rick Scott on Bloomberg: Democrats’ Push for “Free Everything” Means Government Will Control Your Life
Watch the full interview HERE or below

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Sen. Rick Scott in the Wall Street Journal: Inflation Is More of a Threat Than the Fed Says

Senator Rick Scott wrote a letter to the editor of the Wall Street Journal in response to a recent op-ed, The Fed in the Sand as Inflation Threatens, about the Federal Reserve’s reluctance to address the very real threat of inflation, and refusal to release a plan to curb the effects of inflation on American families.

In the letter, Senator Rick Scott said, “…There must be a clear plan to address rising inflation. Fiscal policy makers should be transparent with American families and offer solutions to those who may be hurt by their decisions. Eighty-seven percent of Americans are already concerned about the rising costs of everyday goods. Mr. Powell needs to get real about inflation and stop brushing off this serious issue as ‘temporary’ pain.”

Read the full letter to the editor in the Wall Street Journal HERE.

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The Epoch Times: GOP Senators Propose Curbs on Low-Rate World Bank Loans to Beijing

Townhall: Rick Scott Fact Checks Biden on Tax Increase Claim

Newsmax: Rick Scott Demands Answers on Any Abuses of Enhanced Jobless Benefits

Jewish Insider: Lawmakers reintroduce bill to enable Holocaust-era insurance claims

WFTV: EXCLUSIVE: One on one with Florida Senator Rick Scott

WFTV: VIDEO: Florida Senator Rick Scott urging fellow Republicans to demand spending cuts

WTXL: Sen. Rick Scott introduces DATA Act to shield personal info from Big Tech companies

Florida Daily: Rick Scott Outlines Priorities for Interior Department in Letter to Deb Haaland

Florida Daily: Rick Scott Takes Aim at Big Tech With the DATA Act

Florida Daily: Rick Scott Wants Fairness for Florida as FEMA Reforms National Flood Insurance Program

Weekly Wrap-Up with

Congressman Byron Donalds

May 3, 2021

The House of Representatives remained in recess this past week, which means I had to opportunity to stay in Florida and meet with local leaders, statewide leaders in Tallahassee, and constituents like you, who I am honored to serve.

During the week, the CDC finally lifted mask mandates for indoor and outdoor use, which is many weeks behind the eight ball from states like Florida and Texas, which ended these mandates without consequences of dangerous increases in infection and, more importantly, hospitalization or deaths. But, unfortunately, the Democratic leadership in Washington is continuing in their show games by refusing to follow CDC guidance by continuing to engage in extreme and unnecessary COVID-19 protocols.

Also, President Biden addressed Congress to lay out his priorities and outline what he’s done over the past 100 days in office. While many thought Biden would operate moderately and in a bipartisan fashion, his first 100 days were anything but that. When you receive an A+ rating from Sen. Sanders, Reps AOC, Omar, and Raskin, you know one thing is for sure, you are noting governing moderately, and it’s not bipartisan. Biden’s speech was hard to take seriously when he’s been in office for nearly 50 years, and he has yet to accomplish any of which he says he will now do. Following Biden’s speech, Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) outlined a rebuttal to the Democrats’ calls for increased taxes, more spending, unfettered immigration, and an America last plan with a vision for the future that represents conservative principles and commonsense policies.

In response to his speech, the Left joined in unison, calling the Senator an “Uncle Tim” and other disgraceful comments directed toward Black conservatives. We can disagree on policy and politics, but the Lefts’ tactics of race batting and reverse racism are shameful.

Lastly, during the difficult times our nation faces, I came to Washington not to resist but represent the people of FL19. While partisan gridlock is the norm around Washington, D.C, I did not go there to contribute to that failed system. Last week, I was proud to partner with my colleague Chair of the Small Business Committee, Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D-NY), to protect small business contractors who do business with the federal government.

Rest assured, my team and I are devoted to working, even when Congress doesn’t. Continue reading below for critical legislative briefings, the latest news out of Washington, D.C., and events in Southwest Florida!

Meeting with Florida Secretary of State

Last week, I had the opportunity to meet with Florida Secretary of State Laurel Lee to discuss Florida’s success in conducting elections with transparency and efficiency, and how we scale that success throughout the nation. Thank you for the opportunity to meet, Madam Secretary!

Secretary Lee

Legislative Updates

Small businesses are the lifeblood of our national economy, and as a member of the House Small Business Committee, it’s imperative members come together to ensure small businesses have the protection they deserve.

I’m proud to work with Chairwoman Nydia Velazquez (D-NY) on this common-sense, bipartisan legislation to bring real solutions to American business owners.

Small Construction Firm Bill

I proudly joined my colleagues in calling for the U.S. Department of Transportation to provide the necessary funding to complete construction on the wall at our Southern Border.

This infrastructure is critical to the safety of all Americans, will provide countless jobs, and is a cost-efficient solution to curb illegal immigration. To read the full letter, click below:

Rep. Donalds Joins Congressional Colleagues in a Letter to U.S. DOT Secretary

In the Media

ICYMI: Earlier this week I was honored to join the great Sean Hannity on Fox News’ “Hannity” in a panel alongside former Trump Administration House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany to discuss the partisan biased CNN reporter Jim Acosta. Click below to watch the fiery interview below:

Byron Donalds and Kayleigh McEnany join “Hannity”

I joined Lara Trump for a panel on Fox News’ “Justice with Jeanine” hosted by Judge Jeanine Pirro to “woke” liberals demonizing Senator Tim Scott with racial slurs, the hypocrisy surrounding the Democrats message of “unity”, and the importance of the 2022 elections. Click below to watch the full interview:

Rep. Byron Donalds and Lara Trump join ‘Justice with Jeanine’

I joined Fox News’ John Roberts “America Reports” to discuss the ignorant and racist comments by Hollywood elites like Joy Behar regarding Senator Tim Scott and his Republican Response to President Biden’s first address to a joint congress. Watch the interview by clicking below!

Byron Donalds Joins “America Reports” with John Roberts

I was happy to join the “Chris Salcedo Show” on Newsmax to discuss the intolerance and ignorance I’ve experienced from “woke” liberals and to shine a light on the racist history of President Joe Biden. Watch the exchange by clicking the link below:

Byron Donalds Tells Newsmax About Intolerance from the Left

Congressional Art Competition

Reminder to all high school artists throughout Southwest Florida, Wednesday, May 5th is the deadline to submit your artwork for the Congressional Art Competition. For details on how to enter, please visit my website: donalds.house.gov/forms/submitartwork/

art competition

FreedomWorks Member of the Month

I was honored to be named the April 2021 ‘Member of the Month’ by FreedomWorks- an organization focused on the grassroots efforts of preserving and education the foundational principles of individual liberty.

I came to Congress to protect and defend the Constitution, above all else. I’m looking forward to working alongside FreedomWorks to promote policies that enhance economic freedom, limit the size and scope of the federal government, and fight unnecessary tax increases. Click below to read the profile in its entirety:

FreedomWorks April 2021 Member of the Month: Rep. Byron Donalds

Serving the hardworking men and women of Florida’s 19th Congressional District is my distinct honor and privilege. It’s time Washington works for our community’s values, and every day I will always strive to ensure your government is working for you.

Sincerely,

Byron Donalds Signature

Byron Donalds
Member of Congress