Senator Rick Scott’s Week in Review

This week, Senator Rick Scott introduced a bill to repeal the hidden provision in the Democrats’ $1.9 trillion “COVID” spending bill increasing reporting requirements, effectively increasing taxes, on gig workers and self-employed Americans. The Democrats’ bill, which dedicated less than 10% of funding to fighting COVID-19 and 1% to vaccines, included this tax hike despite President Biden’s repeated promise to not raise taxes on any family making under $400,000. Democrats blocked passage of Senator Scott’s bill.

See more in Senator Scott’s speech on the Senate floor HERE or below.

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

Biden Responds to Sen. Rick Scott’s Call to Visit the Border

Senator Rick Scott released the below statement after President Biden acknowledged that he will visit the Southern border “at some point” as the crisis caused by his policies of open borders and amnesty intensifies. This follows Senator Scott’s visit to the border with Arizona Governor Doug Ducey on Friday, March 19, where he called on the President to visit the border himself and see the crisis he created.

Senator Rick Scott said, “Last week, I traveled to the Southern border to meet with federal, state and local law enforcement officers and Arizona Governor Doug Ducey to see how President Biden’s open borders and amnesty policies are wreaking havoc and incentivizing illegal immigration. While at the border, I made it clear that President Biden needs to get to the border and see the crisis he has created for himself. Following my calls, he has pledged to do that.

“There were over 100,000 detentions in February, compared to 37,000 in February 2020 – a 170% increase. Now, it’s being reported that the Biden Administration is spending $86 million in American taxpayer dollars on hotel rooms to house illegal aliens near the border. This is insane. Biden needs to take some accountability, see his crisis in person now and start taking real steps to secure the border and enforce legal immigration.” Read more HERE.

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Sen. Rick Scott to Social Media Companies: We Need Answers on Impacts to Young Adults

Senator Rick Scott sent a letter to the CEOs of Twitter, Facebook, Alphabet and Snap Inc. requesting information from the companies on the extended use of their platforms by American children and young adults, and its potential impact on their health and well-being. Read more HERE.

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Sen. Rick Scott to Olympic Sponsors: Stand up for Human Rights, Join My Call to Move 2022 Games Out of Communist China

Senator Rick Scott sent a letter to sponsors of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) urging them to stand up for freedom and join the Senator’s calls to move the 2022 Olympic Games out of Beijing. Communist China is committing genocide against the Uyghurs and stripping civil liberties from the people of Hong Kong, and should not be given a platform to whitewash its crimes.

In his letter, Senator Scott highlights the unique opportunity these sponsors have to publicly urge the IOC to move the games to a nation that values human dignity and freedom. Read more HERE.

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Sen. Rick Scott Leads Colleagues in Introducing Federal Agency Sunset Commission Act to Fight Washington’s Waste

Senators Rick Scott, Joni Ernst, Mike Braun, Mike Crapo and Thom Tillis introduced the Federal Agency Sunset Commission Act to help streamline operations and identify inefficiencies of bloated federal agencies in order to reduce waste and save taxpayer dollars. The Federal Agency Sunset Commission Act creates a review process to routinely evaluate the efficiency of federal agencies, justify their existence in their current structure, and offer recommendations for change in the form of proposed legislation. Representative Michael Cloud introduced the companion bill in the House of Representatives.

Senator Rick Scott said, “Our nation is on track to reach $30 trillion in debt and reckless, unaccountable spending by politicians in Washington has put us on a path of economic self-destruction. We have to take action. One way we can actually protect the American taxpayer is by routinely evaluating the usefulness of our government agencies and identifying their inefficiencies. I did it as Governor of Florida, and it saved Florida taxpayers millions of dollars. The Federal Agency Sunset Commission Act will help eliminate waste and redundancies throughout the federal government, and make Washington work better for American families.” Read more HERE.

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Sen. Rick Scott to Federal Reserve: What’s Your Plan to Address America’s Debt Crisis?

Senator Rick Scott sent a letter to members of the Federal Open Market Committee asking them to address the risk that rising inflation, caused by Democrats’ reckless spending, poses to the economy, and to families and small businesses across the nation. Senator Scott is requesting details on the Federal Reserve’s plan to address America’s growing debt crisis. Read more HERE.

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Sens. Rick Scott, Marco Rubio and Colleagues Applaud Foreign Relations Committee’s Unanimous Passage of Resolution Condemning Venezuela’s Fraudulent Election

Senator Rick Scott, Senator Marco Rubio and colleagues applauded the Senate Foreign Committee on Relations’ unanimous approval of their resolution, which condemns last year’s fraudulent legislative elections by the Maduro regime. The bipartisan resolution also denounces the lack of free, fair, and transparent elections in Venezuela, as well as the continued erosion of the nation’s democracy and the rule of law.

Senator Rick Scott said, “We know Maduro is a ruthless dictator that is committing a genocide against his own people. Venezuela’s election, coordinated by the Maduro regime, is nothing more than a sham. I’m proud to stand with my colleagues and make clear that we won’t stand for it. The United States and freedom-loving countries around the world must continue their unwavering support of interim President Juan Guaidó and denounce Maduro’s murderous regime.” Read more from Senator Rubio’s office HERE.

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Sen. Rick Scott to SBA Administrator: Fight Fraud in PPP to Help Small Businesses in Need

Senator Rick Scott sent a letter to Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman asking for her plan to prevent waste and abuse in the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) while ensuring small businesses hurt by the coronavirus pandemic are getting the help they need. Read more HERE.

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Sens. Rick Scott, Mike Lee and Colleagues Introduce U.S.-U.K. Free Trade Resolution

Senator Rick Scott joined Senators Mike Lee, James Lankford, Kevin Cramer, Jerry Moran and Mike Braun to introduce a resolution recognizing the mutual history and special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom, and expressing how President Biden should lay the groundwork for a mutually advantageous future trade agreement between the U.S. and the U.K.

Senator Rick Scott said, “The United States and United Kingdom have a unique opportunity to grow our economies and cement a free and equitable trade agreement. As our nations face growing threats, including that of Communist China, we must work together and stand united for freedom and democracy. Our resolution stresses the need for a strong free-trade agreement with one of our nation’s greatest allies, and urges President Biden to pursue this great opportunity and reach a deal that is positive for both our nations.” Read more from Senator Lee’s office HERE.

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Sen. Rick Scott: We Cannot Allow Biden’s Reckless Spending to Bankrupt Our Nation

Senator Rick Scott released the below statement following reports that President Biden will unveil his massive infrastructure plan next week, which could cost as much as $4 trillion in American taxpayer dollars and is expected to raise taxes on American families and businesses. President Biden has already broken his promise to not raise taxes on any family making under $400,000 by sneaking a tax hike on gig workers and the self-employed into his American Rescue Plan Act.

Senator Rick Scott said, “It looks like Biden and the Democrats’ massive and wasteful $1.9 trillion spending package this month was just a warm up. First they pushed through a ‘COVID’ bill that dedicated less than 10% of its funding to fighting COVID-19 and just 1% to vaccines – putting our nation on track to reach $30 trillion in debt. Now, they are floating another huge liberal monstrosity under the guise of infrastructure with a $4 trillion price tag. My first question: how can you possibly pay for this? Of course, the Democrats’ answer is needless and harmful tax increases on families and businesses. The Democrats lied when they promised they wouldn’t raise your taxes. They already did it in the last spending package and now they want to do it again. It’s the wrong approach. You can invest in things Americans care about, like infrastructure, but you have to focus on growing the economy. The playbook already exists, just look at Florida. Biden’s binge spending jeopardizes American jobs and the future of our nation, and it has to end.” Read more HERE.

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Sen. Rick Scott, Colleagues Reintroduce Bipartisan No Budget, No Pay to Hold Members of Congress Accountable

Senators Rick Scott, Joe Manchin, Mike Braun, John Barrasso, Richard Burr, Shelley Moore Capito, Joni Ernst, Maggie Hassan and Kyrsten Sinema reintroduced their No Budget, No Pay legislation. The common-sense No Budget, No Pay bill requires members of Congress to do their job and work together to pass a budget and meet appropriations bill deadlines, or forgo their own salaries until the job is done.

Senator Rick Scott said, “There is no reason members of Congress should be held to a different standard than any other American family or business. In the real world, if you don’t do your job, you don’t get paid. Our No Budget, No Pay bill simply requires Congress to pass an annual budget and meet appropriations bill deadlines, or forgo their taxpayer-funded salaries until the job is done. Accountability shouldn’t be controversial.” Read more HERE.

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Sen. Rick Scott Leads Colleagues in Urging Biden Administration to Issue Clear Guidelines for Resumption of Cruise Industry Operations

Senators Rick Scott, Marco Rubio, Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski sent a letter to Jeffrey Zients, the White House COVID Response Coordinator, urging the Biden Administration to immediately issue clear guidance for the resumption of operations for the cruise industry. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the cruise industry has continued to face a strict “No Sail” order, even as many other industries safely returned to operations. Senator Scott’s letter was also signed by Representatives Gus Bilirakis, Mario Diaz-Balart, Carlos A. Gimenez, Bill Posey, John Rutherford, Maria Salazar, Michael Waltz and Don Young. Read more HERE.

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Sens. Rick Scott, Deb Fischer and Colleagues Reintroduce Bipartisan PAWS Act to Help Connect Veterans with Service Dogs

Senator Rick Scott joined Senator Deb Fischer and colleagues in reintroducing bipartisan legislation to help U.S. veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The bill, known as the Puppies Assisting Wounded Service members (PAWS) Act, would help improve the quality of life for veterans suffering from PTSD by providing them with access to service dogs.

Senator Rick Scott said, “Our veterans have dedicated their lives to serving our nation, many times at great personal sacrifice, and they deserve every chance to live full and happy lives after their service to our nation. Our bill, the Puppies Assisting Wounded Service (PAWS) Members Act, helps connect our veterans with a service dog, and friend, to provide the support, love and connection they need after their active duty. I’m proud to introduce this bill today and will always work to support our brave American heroes.” Read more from Senator Fischer’s office HERE.

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Sen. Rick Scott Outlines Priorities in Letter to HHS Secretary Becerra

Senator Rick Scott sent a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra outlining his expectations for the agency. In his letter, Senator Scott details the importance of HHS remaining as transparent and informative as possible as our nation continues to combat the coronavirus pandemic, distribute the vaccine, and provide a safe path to reopen our economy. Senator Scott also highlights the need for HHS to protect life, address the rising cost of health care and enhance the health and well-being of all Americans. Read more HERE.

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Sen. Rick Scott: Companies Right to Stand up Against Communist China; Support Human Rights

Senator Rick Scott released the following statement after Communist China called for boycotts against H&M and other clothing companies for expressing concern about reports of forced labor in Xinjiang. Senator Scott sponsored the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act to ensure that goods made with Uyghur forced labor in Xinjiang do not enter the United States. Senator Scott encourages all Americans to take a stand against the Communist Party of China, buy products made in the United States and support companies that stand up for human rights.

Senator Rick Scott said, “The Communist Party of China, at the direction of General Secretary Xi, uses the forced labor of Uyghurs in concentration camps to pick and export cotton. I applaud H&M and other clothing retailers for doing the right thing by publicly expressing concern over forced labor and auditing their supply chains to ensure they are not complicit in this genocide and torture of Uyghurs. Every company needs to follow this example and stand up for human rights. I also encourage every American to stop buying products made in Communist China and support companies that stand up for human rights. Reshoring supply chains back to the U.S. helps create American jobs and build up America’s manufacturing sector. We cannot relent in our efforts to send a clear message to General Secretary Xi that we will not tolerate his horrific human rights abuses.” Read more HERE.

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Fox News: GOP Sen. Rick Scott Calls on Olympic Sponsors to Demand 2022 Games Be Moved Out of China

Senator Rick Scott sent a letter to sponsors of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) urging them to stand up for freedom and join the Senator’s calls to move the 2022 Olympic Games out of Beijing. Communist China is committing genocide against the Uyghurs and stripping civil liberties from the people of Hong Kong, and should not be given a platform to whitewash its crimes.

See more from Fox News HERE or in the article, GOP Sen. Rick Scott calls on Olympic sponsors to demand 2022 games be moved out of China, below:

“Republican Sen. Rick Scott is urging Olympic sponsors to demand the 2022 Winter Games be moved from Beijing amid human rights abuses and alleged genocide against Uyghur Muslims and ethnic minorities in China.

… ‘As a sponsor of the IOC, you are uniquely positioned to join in this fight and demand the IOC stand for human rights and remove the games from Communist China, or lose your sponsorship and support,’ Scott wrote to the companies Tuesday.

… In an exclusive interview with Fox News Tuesday, Scott said he believed the sponsors would join in the calls to move the Olympic Games out of Beijing.

‘I don’t think anybody should want to be affiliated with a government that commits genocide against its own people,’ Scott told Fox News, calling the abuses toward Uyghurs ‘disgusting.’

‘I am hopeful that the sponsors will see it is not in their best interest to be affiliated with a despicable government like this,’ he said.

Scott said if the companies work with the Chinese Communist Party, ‘they are turning a blind eye to genocide.’

Scott has been vocal in leading the push to move the Olympic Games out of Beijing but maintained that the United States should not boycott the competition, as some Republican lawmakers have called for.

‘Boycotts hurt our athletes,’ he said. ‘We need to move these games. It is not fair to expect our athletes to boycott something they’ve planned their whole lives around.’

Last month, Scott requested a meeting with President Biden to discuss moving the Olympic Games but told Fox News he has yet to receive any response from the White House.”

Read the full article in Fox News HERE.