Senator Rick Scott’s Week in Review

This week, Senator Rick Scott sent an open to letter to governors and mayors across the United States urging them to commit to reject and return any federal funding in excess of their federally-reimbursable COVID-19 related expenses. This commitment will serve the best interests of hardworking American taxpayers and send a clear message to Washington: politicians in Congress should quit recklessly spending other people’s money.

Senator Scott’s letter comes as Congressional Democrats passed President Biden’s massive, partisan and wasteful $1.9 trillion “COVID” spending package without a single Republican vote in support. This bill dedicates less than 10% of its funding to actually fight COVID-19 and raises the federal debt to $30 trillion.

Also this week, Senator Rick Scott sponsored:

The Sunshine Protection Act to make Daylight Saving Time (DST) permanent across the country;
A resolution to condemn Communist China’s actions to militarize the South China Sea, applaud the United States Navy and Coast Guard for their efforts to ensure freedom of navigation operations, and send a clear message that the United States will not tolerate Communist China’s extension of power in waters beyond its legitimate territorial sea boundaries;
The Fighting Oppression until the Reign of Castro Ends (FORCE) Act which would prevent President Joe Biden or Secretary Antony Blinken from removing Cuba from the State Sponsor of Terrorism List; and
The Banning Operations and Leases with the Illegitimate Venezuelan Authoritarian Regime (BOLIVAR) Act which holds Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro accountable by prohibiting federal agencies from doing business with anyone that supports the oppressive Maduro regime.

Sen. Rick Scott: I’ll Never Stop Fighting Against Washington’s Dysfunction

Senator Rick Scott released the following statement after Senate Democrats voted to pass their massive and wasteful $1.9 trillion “COVID” spending package, of which less than 10% actually goes to help fight COVID.

Senator Rick Scott said, “Washington is completely dysfunctional. I’ve said all along that I want targeted relief for families and businesses suffering from the pandemic. That’s why Republicans just spent the entire night trying to work with Senate Democrats to get something done that will actually help Floridians and Americans across our nation who are still struggling due to COVID-19. But that’s not what the Democrats wanted. This was never about helping the American people. Instead, they’re using trillions of American taxpayer dollars, under the guise of COVID relief, to fund their liberal priorities and pay back their blue state Governor pals. They really should be ashamed of this political theater.

“Our nation is $28 trillion in debt. With the passage of this bill, Senate Democrats have increased the debt to $30 trillion, knowing that they and President Biden have no plan to address it or its devastating consequences for American families. At this rate and the direction Democrats are taking us, there is no way our nation will ever be able to pay off this unsustainable debt without significant change. It’s time to get serious about what this means for our nation moving forward. I will never stop fighting to ensure accountability to American taxpayers and get Washington’s insane spending under control.”

Sen. Rick Scott Urges Florida Congressional Delegation to Vote Against Wasteful $1.9 Trillion “COVID” Spending Bill

Senator Rick Scott sent a letter to the Florida Congressional Delegation urging them to vote against President Biden’s massive and wasteful $1.9 trillion “COVID” spending package which now heads back to the U.S. House of Representatives following its completely partisan passage in the Senate last week. The $1.9 trillion spending package dedicates less than 10% of its funding to actually fight COVID-19 and raises the federal debt to $30 trillion.

—

Democrats Block Sen. Rick Scott’s No Budget, No Pay Proposal

As Democrats pushed their massive $1.9 trillion “COVID” spending bill that includes billions for wasteful liberal priorities, Senator Rick Scott fought against Washington’s dysfunction by securing a vote on his No Budget, No Pay proposal, which requires Congress to meet appropriations bill deadlines, or forgo their own salaries until the job is done.

Senator Rick Scott said, “Washington’s dysfunction is at an all-time high, and that was on full display as Democrats delayed voting all day so they could push their massive, wasteful and partisan $2 trillion spending package in the middle of the night. It’s clear Democrats don’t want to work with Republicans to get things done, but I will never stop fighting to make Washington work for the American people. Today, my No Budget, No Pay amendment received a vote on the Senate floor, which says if members of Congress cannot work together to pass a budget, they should not get paid.

“I grew up in a poor family, and I’ve been blessed to live in this country and enjoy the opportunities it provides. I’ve owned a business and I can tell you that in the business world, if you don’t do your job, you don’t get paid. There’s no reason members of Congress shouldn’t be held to the same exact standard as the American people. If they can’t do their most basic job, they shouldn’t get a taxpayer-funded salary. Accountability shouldn’t be controversial. It’s ridiculous that my Democrat colleagues would block a simple measure to make sure they do their jobs, but I’ll keep fighting to get this common-sense proposal passed.”

Sen. Rick Scott Applauds Biden Administration for Granting TPS Status for Venezuelans Fleeing Maduro’s Ruthless Dictatorship

Senator Rick Scott released the following statement applauding action taken by the Biden Administration to grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Venezuelans fleeing Nicolas Maduro’s murderous regime. For years, Senator Scott has been calling for a long-term solution for the TPS program, and has twice pushed legislation on the Senate Floor to extend to TPS for Venezuelans who came to the United States to escape Maduro’s regime. Last month, he sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas outlining his priorities for DHS, including TPS for Venezuelans.

Senator Rick Scott said, “Hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans are fleeing the violence and starvation of Maduro’s socialist regime and the United States must stand with them. For years, I’ve been calling for this action, as well as a long-term solution for TPS and I applaud the Administration for heeding my calls to grant TPS for Venezuelans. I have tried to pass legislation on the Senate Floor multiple times that would immediately grant TPS to Venezuelans and make much needed reforms to the program, but Senate Democrats have repeatedly blocked it. Today’s announcement builds on President Trump’s action to give temporary legal status for Venezuelans through the Deferred Enforced Departure program, and is great news for the Venezuelan people. We must continue to do everything in our power to save Venezuela from this tyrannical dictator.”