US Senator Rick Scott’s Week in Review 01/13/2023
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Dear Fellow Floridian,
This week, I continued my statewide tour to hear from YOU and learn how I can continue to Make Washington Work for Florida’s families.
Throughout our conversations, one thing is clear: Florida families are FED UP with Washington’s dysfunction and wasteful spending of OUR tax dollars. And honestly, nobody can blame us. While families face record-high inflation, failed politicians in Washington keep passing MASSIVE spending bills with NO ACCOUNTABILITY. It’s why I’m laser-focused on getting our fiscal house in order because reckless spending that drives up costs for hardworking families is unsustainable.
We also discussed the tremendous importance of supporting our great friends, like Israel, and standing strong against evil regimes and human rights abusers. The United States must always fight for freedom and democracy around the globe for the sake of our national security and global stability.
I’m fighting EVERY DAY to make sure Florida’s families are heard in Washington and we’re only getting started.
Follow me on social media to keep up with my Make Washington Work Tour. Plus, don’t forget to let me know if you or someone you know needs help with casework or a federal agency by clicking HERE.
Sincerely,
Rick Scott
United States Senator
To be the first to find out about Senator Scott’s actions and statements, follow him on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
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See more of what Senator Scott has been up to this week below.
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Senator Rick Scott continued his ‘Make Washington Work Tour’ and hosted a roundtable in Tampa to hear directly from freedom and democracy advocates and community leaders about their efforts to stand for freedom and democracy around the globe, and the challenges they’re facing in this important fight. Senator Scott discussed several of his proposals to fight for freedom and democracy and stand against evil regimes in Communist China, Venezuela, Cuba and around the world. He also spoke to the need for the U.S. to stand with our allies, including Israel and Taiwan, for the betterment of U.S. national security.
Senator Scott was joined by freedom and democracy advocates, including representatives from Casa Venezuela, Casa Cuba and Venezuela USA Foundation.
Senator Rick Scott said, “It was great to be in Tampa today and hear from great community leaders who care so deeply about preserving and protecting freedom, democracy and human rights around the world. We all must unfortunately acknowledge that America’s enemies, like Iran, Communist China, Venezuela, Cuba and Russia, want to destroy our way of life. Uniting these evil regimes is their shared commitment to stamp out freedom and democracy wherever it is found. Today, we once again heard why the fight for freedom and democracy is not just a noble cause for us, it is an essential one. America’s national security depends on it. Where freedom and democracy exist, America has strong allies. Where freedom and democracy exists, America has trusted trade partners. Where freedom and democracy exist, America has stability. And where there is tyranny and oppression, America has none of these things. These are facts and while Joe Biden has ignored them and focused on appeasing dictators and dangerous regimes, I’ll keep fighting for freedom, democracy and human rights in Latin American and around the globe, stand up for our great ally, Israel, and stand with Taiwan as it counters Communist China’s aggression.”
Read more HERE. Lea más en español AQUÍ.
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Senator Rick Scott continued his statewide ‘Make Washington Work Tour’ in Jacksonville and hosted a roundtable discussion with higher education and school choice leaders, as well as parent advocates, to hear directly from them and discuss his actions to make higher education affordable for every family and ensuring access to educational opportunities that fit students best by maximizing school choice for all K-12 students. Senator Scott discussed several of his proposals to bring Florida’s educational success nationwide, keep tuition affordable, and ensure parents, not the government, have a say in their child’s education.
Senator Scott was joined by Belinda Keiser, Vice-Chancellor, Keiser University; Lisa Marie Winslow, President of Keiser University Jacksonville Campus; Dr. John Avandano, President, Florida State College at Jacksonville; Dr. Moez Limayem, President, University of North Florida, and other Northeast Florida Education leaders.
Senator Rick Scott said, “I have long believed that parents, not the government, know what is best for their children. That’s why, in Florida, I’ve fought to make sure that school choice isn’t just for the elites—it is for everyone. Every family deserves the chance to send their child to the school that best meets their needs: whether that’s public school, homeschooling or a private school. And no family or student should worry that attending a college or university will break the bank or rack up mountains of debt. When I was governor of Florida, I fought every day to make our education system the best in the nation, from K-12 to our colleges and universities. Our hard work with the leaders of Florida’s colleges and universities allowed us to maximize school choice and educational outcomes for K-12 students, while keeping higher education affordable by holding the line on tuition and demanding cost transparency. These actions not only make sense for Florida families, they helped improve our school systems and make Florida the #1 state in the nation for higher education, according to U.S. News and World Report. It was great to be with so many education leaders in Jacksonville today to hear their ideas and share my plans to bring the Florida model nationwide.”
Read more HERE. Lea más en español AQUÍ.
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Senator Rick Scott continued his statewide ‘Make Washington Work Tour’ in Naples by hosting a roundtable discussion with Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA) CEO Tarren Bragdon and chamber, economic and businesses leaders to hear firsthand how Washington’s dysfunction and burdensome regulations are impacting the success and growth of Florida job creators. Senator Scott discussed his work to end Washington’s broken status quo and hold government accountable for its basic duties, like passing a budget, and getting things done that will benefit American families and protect the future prosperity of our nation.
Senator Scott was joined by Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA) CEO Tarren Bragdon, CEO of Foundation for Government Accountability; Michael Dalby, President of Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce; Lauren Melo, FL State Representative and small business owner; Bill McDaniel, Collier County Commissioner and small business owner; Matt Caldwell, Lee County Property Appraiser; Bernardo Barnhart of First1Bank, Vice President of Immokalee Eastern Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors; Bill Poteet, President of Poteet PropertiesLiesa Priddy, Owner JB Ranch; Grant Phelan, Owner Phelan Family Brands; Amelia Vasquez, Executive Officer Collier Building Industry Association; Lisa Swinto, SWFL Regional Director for Associated Builders and Contractors FL Gulf Coast Chapter; Gary Griffin, President & CEO of B&I Contractors; and Kathy Curatolo, Consulting Legislative Liaison, Collier Building Industry Association.
Senator Rick Scott said, “Right now, it’s clear to Florida families that the only thing Congress is really good at is wasting billions, sometimes trillions, of your tax dollars with no accountability. Reckless federal spending is killing our country, driving inflation higher and must be stopped. I’ve been traveling the state, talking to small business and economic leaders, including here in Naples today, and they’re FED UP. They can’t run their businesses like this, and it’s not how they expect their government to run either. We can’t keep going down the path of business as usual and status quo in Washington with career politicians refusing to stand up for the principles they ran on and taxpayers who elected them. It’s time to force leaders in Washington to DO OUR JOB, stand strong on our principles and be accountable to those that elected us to actually get things done that will benefit American families and protect the future prosperity of our nation. It’s time for Republicans to be a BRICK WALL against Democrats’ socialist agenda and do everything we can to get things done and save this country.”
Read more HERE. Lea más en español AQUÍ.
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Following reporting that the U.S. Treasury Department may soon notify Congress that it is approaching the federal government’s borrow authority, or debt ceiling, Senator Rick Scott issued the below statement making clear that he will demand that any action on the debt ceiling be accompanied by significant, structural spending reform. Senator Scott has fought every day since being elected to the Senate to end Washington’s reckless spending, make Congress accountable to American taxpayers and bring fiscal sanity back to the federal government.
Senator Rick Scott said, “In April 2021, the Senate Republican Conference unanimously adopted my proposed amendment to our rules and committed to only raise the debt ceiling if also securing significant, structural spending reform. A day of reckoning is coming. It’s long past time for Washington to end the reckless spending of taxpayer dollars and start living within its means. I’ll be fighting with every tool at my disposal to enforce this rule that every Republican in the Senate agreed to follow. I look forward to working with House Republicans so we can stop caving to the Democrats, finally end Biden’s raging inflation crisis and bring fiscal sanity back to Washington.”
Read more HERE. Lea más en español AQUÍ.
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Following the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) release from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Senator Rick Scott released the below statement highlighting the need to implement substantive fiscal reforms to end the ongoing inflation crisis fueled by the Biden administration’s reckless tax-and-spend agenda. December’s CPI data shows that there has been a significant rise in inflation during Biden’s presidency, with CPI increasing 6.5% in December 2022 and 13.5% since Biden was elected.
Senator Rick Scott said, “This CPI is a shameful reminder that Americans have endured rising inflation for two full years under Joe Biden. Two full years of hardworking and poor families, like mine growing up, having to make tough choices when it comes to gas, groceries, and paying the bills. Biden will pretend to care about the hardworking families across this country, but I know firsthand how difficult it can be, so let me make this clear: I stand with you and will never stop fighting against Biden and Democrats’ reckless tax and spending spree that has caused families so much pain. It’s time for Congress to buckle down and focus on paying down the debt, living within our means, and getting our fiscal house in order. That’s what I’m working on and I won’t stop until we get it done.”
Read more HERE.
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Following calls this week with U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Admiral Linda Fagan and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Senator Rick Scott released the below statement regarding the ongoing migrant crisis impacting the Florida Keys. Senator Scott was joined by Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay on his calls with Admiral Fagan and Secretary Mayorkas so these officials could hear directly from the sheriff on the problems this crisis is causing and what the Biden administration needs to do to support local law enforcement. Senator Scott will be traveling to the Florida Keys soon to receive briefings from local and federal officials on this crisis. More details on Senator Scott’s visit to the Keys will be released in the coming days.
Senator Rick Scott said, “President Joe Biden has brought the crisis he created on our southern border to Florida’s front door. With U.S. Customs and Border Protection reporting a 400% increase in migrant encounters in South Florida since October 2022, and recent mass arrivals of hundreds of migrants in the Florida Keys and the islands making up Dry Tortugas National Park, Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay and I spoke with Coast Guard Admiral Linda Fagan and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to press for answers and resources to address the migrant crisis confronting the Keys. Florida families are already dealing with a massive increase in deadly fentanyl coming over the border and into our communities and it is unacceptable that folks in the Sunshine State are now facing yet another devastating consequence of President Biden’s commitment to keep America wide open to illegal migration. It’s clear we need answers and action now and I sincerely hope Secretary Mayorkas will go to the Keys to hear from local officials and tell us exactly how he is going to help and ultimately stop illegal immigration from continuing to hurt Florida’s communities.”
Read more HERE. Lea más en español AQUÍ.
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Senator Rick Scott sent a letter to Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Christopher Wray following disturbing reports that the Chinese Communist Party is running illegal police operations on American soil. In his letter, Senator Scott demands immediate action and coordination between the FBI, State Department and local law enforcement to end these illegitimate and illegal operations and provide the American people with full transparency on the threats posed by Communist China’s “overseas police service centers.”
Read the full letter HERE. Read more HERE.
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Sen. Rick Scott Issues Weekly Update on Biden’s Inflation Crisis
Senator Rick Scott released a weekly update on his actions to address America’s debt crisis and rising inflation. Since being elected to the U.S. Senate, Senator Scott has urged government accountability to the American taxpayer. Following this week’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) release from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Senator Scott released the following statement:
This CPI is a shameful reminder that Americans have endured rising inflation for two full years under Joe Biden. Two full years of hardworking and poor families, like mine growing up, having to make tough choices when it comes to gas, groceries, and paying the bills. Biden will pretend to care about the hardworking families across this country, but I know firsthand how difficult it can be, so let me make this clear: I stand with you and will never stop fighting against Biden and Democrats’ reckless tax and spending spree that has caused families so much pain. It’s time for Congress to buckle down and focus on paying down the debt, living within our means, and getting our fiscal house in order. That’s what I’m working on and I won’t stop until we get it done.
Read more HERE.
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ICYMI: Sen. Rick Scott: Senate Republicans Must Stand by Commitment to Fight for Significant Structural Reform to Debt Ceiling
Following reporting that U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen announced the United States will reach its borrowing authority, or debt ceiling, on Thursday, January 19th, Senator Rick Scott reissued the below statement, originally released on January 11th, making clear that he will demand that any action on the debt ceiling be accompanied by significant, structural spending reform. Senator Scott has fought every day since being elected to the Senate to end Washington’s reckless spending, make Congress accountable to American taxpayers and bring fiscal sanity back to the federal government.
Senator Rick Scott said, “In April 2021, the Senate Republican Conference unanimously adopted my proposed amendment to our rules and committed to only raise the debt ceiling if also securing significant, structural spending reform. A day of reckoning is coming. It’s long past time for Washington to end the reckless spending of taxpayer dollars and start living within its means. I’ll be fighting with every tool at my disposal to enforce this rule that every Republican in the Senate agreed to follow. I look forward to working with House Republicans so we can stop caving to the Democrats, finally end Biden’s raging inflation crisis and bring fiscal sanity back to Washington.”
Read more HERE.
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Sens. Rick Scott and Ron Johnson Demand OPM Take Action to End Wasteful Spending, Fix Federal Employees Health Benefits Program
Senators Rick Scott and Ron Johnson issued the following statements following the release of a study conducted by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) at their request. The GAO study reveals that the Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM) mismanagement of the Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) program allowed ineligible individuals to obtain employer-sponsored health coverage. OPM’s own estimate is that these improper payments could be costing the FEHB program approximately $1 BILLION in American taxpayer money each year. Although aware of this issue, President Biden’s OPM has failed to fix it or commit to take corrective action. As the largest employer-sponsored health insurance program in the country, the FEHB Program covers more than eight million federal employees, retirees and family members at an annual cost of more than $59 billion.
Senator Rick Scott said, “I am appalled that OPM is wasting $1 BILLION of taxpayer dollars every year by failing to properly monitor the FEHB program and has no plan to fix it. Federal funds do not belong to Congress or the Executive Branch, they belong to the American people. While too many in Washington seem to forget that it is hardworking taxpayers funding these programs, I won’t. We cannot allow the Biden administration to continue the wasteful spending that’s led to raging inflation and $31 TRILLION in debt. OPM, and every government entity, should have zero tolerance for any waste or misuse of tax dollars and should immediately adopt GAO’s recommendations to end this wasteful spending. When I was governor, I ordered a Dependent Eligibility Verification Audit of Florida’s group health insurance program that resulted in over $20 million saved. I know we can do the same at the federal level.”
Read more HERE.
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Senator Rick Scott joined Representative María Elvira Salazar (FL-27) and their colleagues in announcing the reintroduction of their Fighting Oppression until the Reign of Castro Ends Act also known as the FORCE Act. This bill prevents President Biden from normalizing relations with the illegitimate, communist Cuban regime unless freedom and democracy are restored on the island.
Senator Rick Scott said, “Cuba has played a significant role in exploiting the United States by stoking instability across Latin America, supporting ruthless dictators like Nicolás Maduro and Daniel Ortega and driving mass migration that benefits the illegitimate regime and its evil allies in Communist China, Russia and Iran for decades. Sadly, the Obama-Biden appeasement policies have only made it worse, giving more power to the evil communist regime and funding the continued oppression, imprisonment and torture of hundreds of peaceful Cubans, including freedom activists like José Daniel Ferrer and teenage boys and girls. Removing Cuba from the State Sponsor of Terrorism List before it is truly a free and democratic nation would be a dangerous misstep and a play right into the hands of evil dictators—we cannot let it happen. The Biden administration needs to ditch it’s shameful and failed appeasement agenda that is threatening America’s national security and standing in the way of progress and stability for the Cuban people and stability in our hemisphere.”
Read more HERE. Lea más en español AQUÍ.
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CBS 12: Florida Sen. Rick Scott introduces Border Crisis Bill to address influx of Fentanyl
“More than 6,000 people died from Fentanyl overdoses in Florida in 2020…
…29 year old Jenny Esposito of Lake Worth was one of them.
‘Jenny had a really bad weekend, and I think she needed something to take the edge off,’ Jenny’s mother, Karen, told CBS 12 News. ‘She went upstairs at my house and took something that she didn’t realize was 100 % Fentanyl. I went upstairs to get her because we were going shopping and she was just laying there like an angel.’
…In 2021, ten thousand pounds of fentanyl were seized at the southern border…
Florida Senator Rick Scott is doing something, recently introducing the ‘End Fentanyl Act.’
The centerpiece of the legislation deals with making sure all border agents are conducting the same rigorous inspections at our border crossings.
‘The Secretary of Homeland Security and Joe Biden have decided to have a completely open border, so it makes every city a border city,’ Sen. Scott said…
Earlier this week, Scott was meeting with sheriffs from around the state, and the group discussed the urgent need for more man-power and tougher policy.
‘Ultimately, we have to secure the border, it’s just a simple as that. The Biden Administration, at some point, I hope people demand that their federal government does what it’s supposed to do, have a secure border,’ Sen. Scott told CBS 12 News…
In Florida, drug dealers can be charged with first degree murder if they sell to a person who then dies of an overdose. That’s a mandatory life sentence.
Senator Scott and Senator Rubio are now pushing another bill that would expand that policy nationwide…”
Read the full article from CBS 12 HERE.
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“Republican U.S. Sen. Rick Scott hosted a roundtable Monday in Jacksonville that was focused on education. It’s part of a tour through Florida that his team calls ‘Make Washington Work.’
Scott says the nation’s government has to make changes to get the economy turned around.
‘The ultimate goal is to make sure every citizen has the opportunity to fulfill their dream because everyone has got a different dream,’ Scott told listeners at Keiser University.
He spent more than an hour there with leaders in education from Northeast Florida, including the presidents of the University of North Florida, Florida State College Jacksonville and educators from Duval County Public Schools.
…The educators spoke about partnering, internships, per-student funding and school choice.
Part of the conversation turned to finding solutions outside of leaning on the federal government.
Scott says that’s something he learned from his mother.
‘What we have to do is put the family back in the responsibility business. Don’t rely on the government’s gonna set up some rules. It’s gonna solve your problem. How can you solve these problems on your own? And there’s some things government has to do, but a lot of it you can do yourself and you should take advantage of that,’ Scott said. …”
Read the full article from News4 Jax HERE.
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The Floridian: Scott Warns of ‘Grave Threat’ CCP Police Stations Pose in the U.S.
Florida Daily:Rick Scott Plans to Fight for School Choice, Affordable Higher Education in 118th Congress
Florida Daily: Rick Scott: ‘I’ll Keep Fighting for Freedom, Democracy and Human Rights’
Florida Phoenix: In Tampa, Rick Scott again calls for resignation of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas
The Floridian: Scott Sends Twitter Firestorm at Biden over Border
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Senator Scott in Tampa
This week, Senator Rick Scott continued his ‘Make Washington Work Tour’ in Tampa to hear directly from community leaders about their efforts to stand for freedom and democracy around the globe.
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Senator Scott in Jacksonville
Senator Rick Scott also hosted a roundtable discussion with higher education and school choice leaders, as well as parent advocates, to hear directly from them and discuss his actions to make higher education affordable for every family and ensure access to educational opportunities that fit students best by maximizing school choice for all K-12 students.
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Senator Scott in Plant City
Senator Scott also enjoyed visiting Plant City’s famous Parkesdale Strawberry Farm & Market, where the Parke family gave him a farm tour.
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Senator Scott in Naples
Another stop on Senator Scott’s ‘Make Washington Work Tour’ included a roundtable discussion with Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA) CEO Tarren Bragdon and chamber, economic and business leaders to hear firsthand how Washington’s dysfunction and burdensome regulations are impacting the success and growth of Florida job creators.
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Senator Scott in Ft. Myers
Senator Scott also visited with the Lee County Sheriff’s Department to receive an update on the communities recovery following Hurricane Ian and learn more about Home Front Heroes.
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