Dear Fellow Floridian,

For too long, the crushing heartbreak felt from losing a loved one to a drug overdose, and the opioids that cause them, have plagued American families, including my own. This epidemic, fueled by the massive amounts of fentanyl flowing illegally over our southern border into our communities, has only grown worse under Joe Biden’s failed open border policies.

Today, I met with law enforcement and community leaders in Palm Beach to discuss the impact these policies have on the local community and identify what resources they need to keep their neighborhoods safe. 

One solution I shared with them is my END FENTANYL Act, which ensures our brave CBP agents, who are on the frontlines of this battle, have every tool needed to fight back, keep dangerous drugs out of our country and save lives.

I will ALWAYS fight to get our law enforcement officers every resource they need and am committed to being the voice of EVERY Florida family in Washington. 

For a more about my work to stop deadly drugs from entering our communities, click HERE. Read more HERE. 

Sincerely,

Rick Scott

United States Senator

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

Sen. Rick Scott Leads Colleagues in Demanding Accountability for Biden’s Botched Afghanistan Withdrawal, Reintroduces Bill Establishing a Bipartisan, Bicameral Joint Afghanistan Investigation Committee

Senator Rick Scott led Senators Bill Cassidy, Kevin Cramer, Thom Tillis, Tommy Tuberville, Mike Braun, Josh Hawley and John Hoeven to introduce a bill establishing a bipartisan, bicameral Joint Select Committee on Afghanistan to conduct a full investigation into President Biden’s failed and tragic withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan that stranded hundreds of Americans behind enemy lines, left billions of dollars in U.S. military equipment in the hands of terrorists and took the lives of 13 brave U.S. service members. This joint select committee would follow the precedent set in the aftermath of the Iran-Contra affair. Since the withdrawal, Senator Scott has been calling on Congress to launch a bicameral, bipartisan investigation.

Senator Rick Scott said, “President Biden’s misguided and dangerous decisions in his botched withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan led to the United States’ most stunning, unforced and humiliating defeat in decades. Due to President Biden’s carelessness and failed leadership, 13 U.S. service members were lost, billions of dollars of U.S. military equipment were left for the Taliban, hundreds of American citizens were stranded behind enemy lines and Afghanistan has been returned to the Taliban and now rests in the hands of the same terrorist-coddling extremists who ruled it on September 11, 2001. The world is now a more dangerous place and the American people are rightfully demanding answers. For over a year, I have called for a bipartisan and bicameral investigation into the Biden administration’s failed withdrawal of American forces and my calls have been met with silence. That’s why today, I am reintroducing my bill to establish a bipartisan and bicameral Joint Select Committee on Afghanistan to conduct a full investigation and compile a joint report on the United States’ tragically failed withdrawal from Afghanistan. It’s time to put partisan politics aside and demand accountability.”

Read more HERE.

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Sen. Rick Scott to Fed Chair Powell: For the Best Interests of the American People, Pay Down Balance Sheet

Ahead of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, Senator Rick Scott wrote a letter to Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on the Fed’s inadequate action and seeming inability to follow its own plan to shrink its balance sheet. The Federal Reserve’s consistent failure to meet even the weakest of goals is infuriating for families across the nation who feel the effects of Washington’s dysfunction, and begs the question of whether the FOMC is actually committed to its word and working in the best interests of the American people.

Read the full letter HERE. Read more HERE. 

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Sens. Rick Scott & Mike Braun lead bipartisan challenge to Biden rule politicizing Americans’ 401(k)s

Senator Rick Scott joined Senator Mike Braun and 48 of their colleagues to announce their bipartisan challenge to President Biden’s environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) rule which politicizes millions of Americans’ retirement investments to favor Biden’s ideological preferences rather than getting the best returns for Americans.

Senator Rick Scott said, “Once again, Biden and his administration are putting their liberal priorities over the best interests of the American people by allowing ridiculous and illogical ESG policies into employer-sponsored retirement plans. This rule allows Wall Street fund managers to make choices on behalf of Americans based on their own beliefs and social agenda, not what’s financially sound. It jeopardizes the hard-earned nest egg millions of families rely on to retire comfortably. Families deserve better, and I’m glad to join my colleagues to fight this rule and reverse this horrible decision.”

Read more HERE.  

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Sens. Rick Scott, Roger Marshall and Colleagues Reintroduce SHORT Act to Roll Back ATF’s New Pistol Brace Rule

Senator Rick Scott joined Senator Roger Marshall and their colleagues in introducing the Stop Harassing Owners of Rifles Today (SHORT) Act, legislation that fights back against the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) recently announced federal registry for firearms with stabilizing braces.

Senator Rick Scott said, “I’m a proud supporter of our Constitution and the 2nd Amendment. Biden and the far-left’s blatant attempt to push overreaching policies that infringe on the rights of law-abiding Americans is completely unacceptable. Our bill, the SHORT Act, stops the ATF’s ridiculous attempt to make criminals of law-abiding gun owners and protects the constitutional rights our nation was founded on.”

Read more HERE. 

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Sen. Rick Scott & Rep. Michael Guest Reintroduce Bipartisan END FENTANYL Act to Help Border Patrol Stop Drug Smuggling

Senator Rick Scott led a bipartisan group of his colleagues in reintroducing the Eradicating Narcotic Drugs and Formulating Effective New Tools to Address National Yearly Losses of Life (END FENTANYL) Act. This legislation would require the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to update its policies at least once every three years to ensure drug interdiction guidance is up to date. This legislation builds off the 2019 GAO report, “Land Ports of Entry: CBP Should Update Policies and Enhance Analysis of Inspections,” that found drug interdiction guidance has not been updated in 20 years. The END FENTANYL Act, which passed the Senate unanimously last Congress, is cosponsored by Senators Mike Braun, Maggie Hassan, Jacky Rosen and Dianne Feinstein. Congressman Michael Guest (MS-03) is leading the legislation in the House of Representatives.

Senator Rick Scott said, “For too long, the crushing heartbreak felt from losing a loved one to a drug overdose, and the opioids that cause them, have plagued American families. This epidemic, fueled by the massive amounts of fentanyl flowing illegally over our southern border into our communities, has only grown worse under Joe Biden’s failed open border policies. Every life taken by an accidental drug overdose is a preventable tragedy and we must do everything in our power to stop them. That’s why I am once again leading a bipartisan group of my colleagues to introduce the END FENTANYL Act. We must continue to do everything possible to ensure our brave CBP agents, who are on the frontlines of this battle, have every tool needed to fight back, keep these dangerous drugs out of our country and save lives.”

Read more HERE. 

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Sen. Rick Scott Joins Colleagues to Reintroduce Legislation to Stop Government Shutdowns, Force Congress to Do Its Job

Senator Rick Scott joined Senators Ron Johnson, James Lankford, Maggie Hassan and seven of their colleagues to reintroduce the Prevent Government Shutdowns Act of 2023, which would take government shutdowns off the table and force Congress to stay in town until their work to fund the government is complete.

Senator Rick Scott said, “The most basic duty of Congress is to responsibly appropriate taxpayer dollars, but Washington has continued to max out the debt ceiling, cut corners, pile debt on American families and think only of its own short-term interests. America’s credit card is maxed out and it’s time for accountability. It is unacceptable that Congress’ dysfunction is harming hardworking Americans and their livelihoods. Shutting down the government cannot continue to be another leverage tool for Washington politicians. We must put an end to this madness so we can pay down the country’s debt and balance the budget. We must pass the Prevent Government Shutdowns Act if there is any hope of getting this country’s fiscal house back in order.”

Read more HERE. 

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Sen. Rick Scott Joins Sen. Jim Risch to Reduce Debt, Curb Wasteful Spending

Senator Rick Scott joined Senator Jim Risch and their colleagues in introducing the Zero Based Budget Act to reduce the more than $31 trillion of debt held by the general public and curb unjustified spending at the federal level. The Zero Based Budget Act would cut wasteful spending and reduce U.S. debt.

Senator Rick Scott said, “Decades of Washington’s backward budgeting and reckless deficit spending has put our nation in a $31 trillion federal debt crisis and Democrats want you to believe there is no way out. To finally get our fiscal house in order, it’s time to start living within our means – like every family and business has to. Our bill, the Zero Based Budget Act, holds the federal government accountable to help pay down our debt by reviewing the budget and prioritizing spending that truly provides a positive return on investment for American taxpayers.”

Read more HERE.

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Sen. Rick Scott & Rep. Scott Franklin Introduce Legislation to Bring Disaster Relief to Florida’s Agricultural Producers

Senator Rick Scott introduced the Block Grant Assistance Act, a critical bill to ensure the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) can provide needed relief to agriculture producers devastated by Hurricanes Ian and Nicole. This bill will provide the agriculture secretary needed authority to provide block grants to the state of Florida to assist producers affected by the two hurricanes. Senator Marco Rubio cosponsored the legislation and Representatives Scott Franklin and Wasserman Schultz co-led the legislation in the House of Representatives. Organizations supporting this legislation include the Florida Citrus Mutual and the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association.

Senator Rick Scott said, “The loss and devastation caused by Hurricanes Ian and Nicole has forever changed communities across our state and the lives of so many Florida families and businesses. Folks in the Sunshine State are still picking up the pieces, and I’ve continued to work closely with USDA, FEMA and SBA to ensure they remain a top priority during this time of recovery. As we work to get the citrus and agriculture community back on their feet, I won’t stop fighting to make sure that the federal government keeps showing up. Our Block Grant Assistance Act is a step in the right direction to ensure Florida’s agriculture industry gets the help they need.”

Read more HERE.

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Sen. Rick Scott Reintroduces Bipartisan BOLIVAR Act to Hold Maduro Accountable

Senators Rick Scott, Jacky Rosen, Marco Rubio and Thom Tillis reintroduced the Banning Operations and Leases with the Illegitimate Venezuelan Authoritarian Regime (BOLIVAR) Act. This legislation holds Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro accountable by prohibiting federal agencies from doing business with anyone that supports the oppressive Maduro regime. Last Congress, the Senate unanimously passed the BOLIVAR Act. Congressman Michael Waltz introduced the companion bipartisan bill in the House of Representatives.

In 2019, Senator Scott’s amendment to cut off funds to the Maduro regime was included in the National Defense Authorization Act and Senator Scott signed similar legislation into law as Governor of Florida.

Senator Rick Scott said, “Nicolás Maduro is committing a genocide against the people of Venezuela. Not one cent of U.S. taxpayer money can be used to prop up this murderous regime. We can never stop fighting for freedom and democracy, especially in our own hemisphere. Today, I’m proud to lead my colleagues and continue this important work to prohibit all federal agencies from doing business with anyone that supports Maduro. We can’t stand by and let this crisis continue, and that starts with restricting the money Maduro uses to hold onto power. I call on all of my colleagues to once again pass this legislation in this new Congress to support those fighting for freedom and an end to Maduro’s ruthless regime.”

Read more HERE. 

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Sen. Rick Scott Hosts Roundtable with Law Enforcement in West Palm Beach on Border Security & Ending the Fentanyl Crisis

Senator Rick Scott hosted a roundtable discussion with local police chiefs, sheriffs and law enforcement leaders to discuss his efforts to secure the southern border and end the deadly fentanyl crisis. Under President Biden’s failed agenda of amnesty and open borders, more than 5 million known migrants have illegally crossed the southern border and tons of deadly drugs, like fentanyl, have flooded into U.S. communities and taken more than 100,000 American lives in the last year alone. 

Earlier this week, Senator Scott led a bipartisan group of his colleagues in reintroducing the Eradicating Narcotic Drugs and Formulating Effective New Tools to Address National Yearly Losses of Life (END FENTANYL) Act to help stop drug smuggling by requiring U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to update its policies at least once every three years to ensure drug interdiction guidance is up to date.

Senator Rick Scott said, “I had the opportunity today to hear directly some of Florida’s brave law enforcement leaders in West Palm Beach about their efforts to keep our communities safe and combat the dangerous effects President Biden’s open border crisis has brought to our state. I’ve heard story after story about how hard the jobs of our law enforcement and CBP agents have become thanks to Joe Biden’s radical open border policies, and I’ve seen the impacts of the mass migration myself on our southern border and in the Florida Keys just last month. Sadly, I’ve also heard from too many families who have lost children, parents and loved ones to deadly fentanyl. We cannot continue to allow Biden’s failed border policies to let drug traffickers and deadly fentanyl into our communities. As this crisis gets worse, and fentanyl deaths rise, we can’t wait. We must take action. That’s why I’m continuing to fight to SECURE THE BORDER, hold the administration accountable, and pass critical legislation like my END FENTANYL Act to combat the heartbreaking fentanyl epidemic.”

Read more HERE. Lea más en español AQUÍ. 

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Senators Rick Scott, Ted Cruz Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Prohibit Sale of Oil from SPR to China

Senator Rick Scott joined Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) to introduce a bipartisan bill to prohibit the sale of American crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to any company under the control of the Chinese Communist Party, and prohibit the export of any crude oil from the SPR to China. 

Senators John Boozman (R-Ark.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Angus King (I-Maine), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.), and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) cosponsored the legislation. The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed similar legislation by an overwhelming, bipartisan vote of 331-97, with 113 House Democrats voting in support of the bill.

Senator Rick Scott said, “In only two years as president, Joe Biden has managed to cozy up to Communist China AND wage a war on American energy. Families are facing historically high prices when it comes to gas and groceries and it is forcing them to make tough choices. The LAST THING Joe Biden should be doing with America’s strategic petroleum reserve is giving it away to our adversaries. We must focus on unleashing American energy for America—NOT Communist China.”

Read more HERE.

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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Sen. Rick Scott to Fed Chair Powell: For the Best Interests of the American People, Pay Down Balance Sheet

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.

Earlier this week, ahead of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, Senator Rick Scott wrote a letter to Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on the Fed’s inadequate action and seeming inability to follow its own plan to shrink its balance sheet. The Federal Reserve’s consistent failure to meet even the weakest of goals is infuriating for families across the nation who feel the effects of Washington’s dysfunction and the inflation its created, and begs the question of whether the FOMC is actually committed to its word and working in the best interests of the American people.

Read the full letter HERE.  Read more HERE. 

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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT… Sen. Rick Scott in Fox News: How to save America from death by debt? Run it like a business

As the federal government continues to run trillion-dollar-plus deficits and Congress considers the debt ceiling, Senator Rick Scott wrote an op-ed for Fox News on how the federal government can achieve the economic success Florida did while he was governor and ran the state with a business mindset.

In the op-ed, Senator Rick Scott wrote, “Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer recently told the press that, ‘We’ll win,’ the debt ceiling fight. ‘We’ll’ meaning Democrats, of course. A ‘win’ for him is to increase the nation’s debt, increase the prices you pay and increase mortgage rates you pay. So, his ‘win’ is a loss for you.

Here’s why: When Schumer was elected to Congress 43 years ago, in 1980, the federal debt was $914 billion and America’s debt to GDP ratio was 32%. Since then, the federal debt has grown by more than 3,000% and now sits at $31.38 TRILLION.

…Unlike any career politician here in Washington, I was governor of a large state and led it out of an economic recession. And I did it by using my decades of business experience to guide my decisions.

…In January 2011, we went to work. From day one, we scrutinized how every taxpayer dollar was spent, made cuts where the spending didn’t make sense and wasn’t providing a return for Florida families, and pushed more money into the things that people truly cared about.

…Because we focused on growing our economy, the state’s GDP reached $1 trillion for the first time in our history, our state annual general revenue grew by nearly 50% and our reserves jumped 71%. And again, we did it while cutting taxes and paying down the debt.

This wasn’t rocket science, but it does require something that is hard to find in Washington – courage. You have to be willing to get a ton of bad press and have the Democrats scream like stuck pigs. They’ll say the world is ending and that America is doomed. All lies that they’ve been trying to sell for years to protect that reckless spending and massive debt that keeps them and their friends on Wall Street happy and rich. 

…Today, the U.S. federal government is bringing in record revenues. Over the last four years, federal revenues have grown by 40%, from $3.4 trillion to $4.8 trillion, and yet we continue to run trillion-dollar-plus deficits…

The dirty little secret in Washington is this – we can grow our way out of debt, and we can protect Social Security and Medicare at the same time.

…Anyone who says that America is best served by changing nothing and raising the debt ceiling with zero reform to how Congress is recklessly spending taxpayer money is too incompetent to serve in elected office. As long as Democrats treat this like a game they can win, you lose.”

Read the full op-ed in Fox News HERE.

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Newsmax: Sen. Rick Scott Slams McConnell for Booting Him Off Commerce Panel

Washington Examiner: Bipartisan group of senators reintroduce bill to eliminate government shutdowns amid budget battles

Keiser University: Senator Rick Scott Visits Keiser University Jacksonville

The Floridian: Rick Scott Introduces Bill to Create Bicameral Committee to Investigate Afghanistan Withdrawal

The Floridian: Florida’s Congressional Caucus Condemns Jerusalem Synagogue Shooting 

Florida Daily: Rick Scott to Fed Chair: For the Best Interests of the American People, Pay Down Balance Sheet

Florida Daily: Rick Scott Brings Back Resolution to Ensure Congress Reads Bills Before Passing Them

Senator Scott in West Palm Beach

Today, Senator Scott had the had the opportunity today to hear directly some of Florida’s brave law enforcement officers in West Palm Beach about their efforts to keep Florida’s communities safe and combat the dangerous effects Joe Biden’s open border crisis has brought to our state. 

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Senator Scott’s Team in Pensacola

This week, Senator Scott’s team attended the Wawa Community Partnership event where Wawa announced its expansion into the Florida Panhandle and several new locations.

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Senator Scott’s Team in Defuniak Springs

Senator Scott’s team also held Mobile Office Hours at the Walton County Sheriff’s Office in Defuniak Springs.

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