US Senator Rick Scott’s Week in Review 12/22/23

Dec 24 2023

US Senator Rick Scott’s Week in Review 12/22/23

Dear Fellow Floridian,

Over the past few months, I have grown more and more concerned by the uptick in antisemitism in our communities, on our campuses and even in our nation’s capital.

I will always stand with Israel and Florida’s Jewish community. I’ve met with the families of so many of those still in being held hostage by Iran-backed Hamas terrorists, and their dedication to spreading their family members’ stories and standing with Israel is inspiring. It’s why I am dedicated to doing everything I can to help bring them ALL home.

But we must also address the hatred in our own nation. It’s why I introduced the Antisemitism Awareness Act, which directs the Department of Education to use of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of antisemitism when investigating antisemitic acts on campus. I’m also demanding an immediate vote on my Stop Antisemitism on College Campuses Act. This bill would rescind federal education funding for colleges and universities that peddle antisemitism or authorize, fund or facilitate events that promote violent antisemitism.

Ann and I were also proud to donate my Senate salary to causes across our state and country, like the Florida Holocaust Museum, the Jewish Federations of North Americaand the Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center, that help educate Florida families on the horrors of antisemism and how we can better stand with our great friend, Israel.

I will NEVER tolerate this hate, and will ALWAYS stand with the Jewish people and support Israel. This holiday season, I hope that you will join my family in praying for these families and all in Israel and around the world who has been hurt by terrorism and hate.

Read more HERE.

Sincerely,

Rick Scott

United States Senator

P.S. Christmas costing more this holiday season? Here’s why.

To be the first to find out about Senator Scott’s actions and statements, follow him on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

—

Sen. Rick Scott Joins Colleagues in Calling for a Meeting of the Conference to Discuss Border Security Negotiations

Senator Rick Scott joined Senator Ron Johnson and 13 of their Senate GOP colleagues in sending a letter to Conference Chair John Barrasso requesting a meeting of the Conference the week of January 8, 2024 to discuss the negotiations with President Biden and Senate Democrats regarding border security.

Read more HERE.

—

Sens. Rick Scott and Gary Peters Applaud Passage of Bipartisan Bill to Mitigate Waste, Fraud and Abuse Following Natural Disasters

Senator Rick Scott applauded the passage of his bipartisan Disaster Contract Improvement Act with Senators Gary Peters and Jacky Rosen to improve the disaster contracting process on the federal, state and local levels of government following natural disasters and mitigate waste, fraud and abuse. The bill aims to protect victims of natural disasters by ensuring post-disaster services are delivered quickly and taxpayer dollars are spent solely on helping impacted communities. The Disaster Contract Improvement Act was approved by the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) earlier this year.

Senator Rick Scott said, “Florida is no stranger to natural disasters. But thankfully, Florida is resilient because of the intense preparation that goes into our disaster readiness planning. Sadly, even when we prepare, all too often we have seen waste, fraud and abuse following storms. It hurts our families, local governments, and the American taxpayer. My bill, the Disaster Contract Improvement Act, will help stop this waste and make sure that every dollar is spent with care, preserving resources for future disaster response efforts. I want to applaud its passage and thank Chairman Peters and Senator Rosen for joining me in this good, bipartisan bill. The Disaster Contract Improvement Act is a win for American taxpayers.”

Read more HERE.

—

Sen. Rick Scott Announces Senate Salary Donation to The Florida Holocaust Museum in St. Petersburg

Senator Rick Scott and Mrs. Ann Scott announced they will donate a portion of his 4^th quarter Senate salary to The Florida Holocaust Museum. The Florida Holocaust Museum, located in St. Petersburg, honors the memory of millions of innocent men, women and children who suffered or died in the Holocaust. The museum is dedicated to teaching all people the inherent worth and dignity of human life to prevent future genocides. Senator Scott has donated his Senate salary since taking office in 2019, and will be making additional donation announcements later this week.

Senator Rick Scott said, “Ann and I are proud to support the mission of the Florida Holocaust Museum and its dedication to educating Floridians on the horrors of the Holocaust. Our country is witnessing a disgusting rise in antisemitic events, and these terrible incidents have only grown more frequent and vile since Iran-backed Hamas terrorists attacked Israel on October 7^th. The Florida Holocaust Museum serves as a beacon of light and a reminder that while the Jewish people have endured thousands of years of hate and persecution, we will never let hate win and destroy Israel or the Jewish people. The Florida Holocaust Museum was also a cause so important to our dear friend, Mel Sembler, who we lost earlier this year. Mel spent so much of his life as a voice for the Jewish people and supporting Israel. We are proud to honor his legacy with this donation today.”

Read more HERE.

—

Sen. Rick Scott, Sen. Mike Rounds, Chair Patrick McHenry & Rep. Warren Davidson Lead 76 Colleagues in Bicameral Letter to FinCEN Demanding Delay of Red-Tape Rule on Small Businesses

Following concerns from constituents and small business groups about a new financial reporting requirement expected to take effect in just a few weeks, Senators Rick Scott and Mike Rounds, House Financial Services Chairman Patrick McHenry and Representative Warren Davidson led 76 of their colleagues in sending a bicameral letter to Janet Yellen, Secretary of the Treasury, and Andrea Gacki, Director of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), requesting a delay in the implementation of new reporting requirements for small businesses. The new federal reporting requirements would expand FinCEN to collect and store confidential personal information about small businesses that have fewer than 20 full-time employees. This substantial regulation that impacts nearly every small business in America is expected to take effect January 1^st and impact 32.6 million small businesses who are largely unaware of the new requirements that carry significant criminal and civil penalties for non-compliance.

Read more HERE.

—

Sen. Rick Scott to America’s Grocery Stores: Protect Customers, Stop Selling Sewage Garlic From Communist China

Senator Rick Scott sent letters to America’s major grocers urging them to proactively take Chinese Sewage Garlic off their shelves to reduce risk to their customers and demonstrate that they will only sell products that are verifiably safe for consumption. This letter follows the recent letter Senator Scott sent to Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo urging the Department of Commerce to investigate the food safety of garlic grown in Communist China following reports that the garlic is being grown in human sewage, then bleached and harvested in abhorrent conditions, often with slave labor. In the coming weeks, Senator Scott is introducing the SEWAGE GARLIC Imports Act and the SEWAGE GARLIC Imports Tariff Act to address the growth practices and safety of garlic produced in China for human consumption.

Read more HERE.

—

Sens. Rick Scott and Joe Manchin Lead introduction of Iran SDR Exchange Prohibition Act

Senator Rick Scott and Senator Joe Manchin announced the introduction of their Iran SDR Exchange Prohibition Act to prohibit the U.S. Treasury Secretary from exchanging dollars for International Monetary Fund (IMF) Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) held by Iran. SDRs allow countries to lay claim to dollars, euros, and other major currencies to use with no strings attached. Iran’s SDRs currently total more than $6.7 billion and represent unconditional liquidity for Iran to back terrorist organizations, like Hamas, that are attacking a United States ally, Israel. The amount an IMF country gets from an SDR allocation is largely based on a country’s position in the world economy, meaning most of the money goes to wealthy countries and rogue regimes, and not the countries that need it most. Congressmen French Hill and Brad Sherman introduced the companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

Senator Rick Scott said, “As Iran-backed Hamas terrorists attack our greatest ally in the Middle East, Israel, the United States cannot be in the business of allowing IMF to be a piggy bank to Iran, funding these attacks or any future ones. Iran is the world’s largest state sponsor of terror. Its leaders chant, ‘Death to America’ and want to destroy Israel. Iran is behind the brutal terrorists that beheaded babies, raped and killed young women, burned people alive and are still holding Americans hostage. This legislation closes the door for Iran to receive U.S. support through the IMF, which has grossly acted as an open financial channel to Iran for too long. I am proud to join Senator Manchin, Congressman Hill and Congressman Sherman to lead this bipartisan, bicameral effort, and look forward to it becoming law.”

Read more HERE.

—

Sen. Rick Scott Announces Senate Salary Donation to Jewish Federations of North America’s Israel Emergency Fund

Senator Rick Scott and Mrs. Ann Scott announced they will donate a portion of his 4^th quarter Senate salary to the Jewish Federations of North America for its Israel Emergency fund. The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) represents nearly 400 independent Jewish communities, and works closely with the Government of Israel and a variety of agencies to secure the Jewish State; help the most vulnerable groups, including immigrants and Holocaust survivors; and strengthen and rebuild Jewish life throughout the world. Yesterday, Senator Scott announced a donation to The Florida Holocaust Museum and will be making an additional announcement tomorrow. Senator Scott has donated his Senate salary since taking office in 2019.

Senator Rick Scott said, “Ann and I are proud to support the incredible work of the Jewish Federations of North America, which has a direct impact on Jewish populations in Florida, Israel, across America and worldwide. The wide network of JFNA is a support system for Jewish families, protecting them when needed, helping develop strong communities, and providing safe places for them to worship and grow their faith. This is especially critical as our Jewish communities face attacks from Iran-backed Hamas terrorists in Israel and increased threats and anti-Semitic attacks around the world. I’ve had the opportunity to visit Israel several times, and my wife Ann and I visited Kfar Aza, a kibbutz that was site to a complete massacre. These communities need the strong support, protection and assistance of groups like JFNA, and we’re incredibly humbled to make this announcement today.”

Read more HERE.

—

Sen. Rick Scott to E-Commerce Platforms & Retailers: Share Country of Origin to Protect Consumers

Senator Rick Scott sent letters to e-commerce platforms and retailers reiterating his calls for the companies to prominently display the country of origin for all goods sold online. Senator Scott is urging the platforms to display this information so American consumers can make informed choices for themselves and their families and protect themselves against purchasing goods from countries, like Communist China, that have a history of producing and exporting faulty and dangerous goods.

Read more HERE.

—

Sen. Rick Scott Announces Senate Salary Donation to Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center in Naples

Senator Rick Scott and Mrs. Ann Scott announced they will donate a portion of his 4^th quarter Senate salary to the Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center in Naples, Florida. The Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center’s mission is to teach the lessons of the Holocaust to inspire action against bigotry, hatred and violence. It also offers education programs focused on middle and high school students in Southwest Florida and the community at large. Earlier this week, Senator Scott announced donations to The Florida Holocaust Museum and the Jewish Federations of North America. Senator Scott has donated his Senate salary since taking office in 2019.

Senator Rick Scott said, “Ann and I are grateful for the opportunity to support the Holocaust Museum and Cohen Education Center in our home town of Naples. This important organization reaches thousands of students and visitors every year, and is a staple in the Southwest Florida community. I remember when Ann and I brought our daughters to the Auschwitz memorial and museum in Poland. We spent two days walking the grounds, learning and confronting the horrors that occurred there – and understanding the meaning of the promise ‘never again.’ The Holocaust Museum and Cohen Education Center is committed to shining a light on these horrors, and ensuring students learn the history of the Holocaust and see for themselves why antisemitism is disgusting, evil and has no place in our society.”

Read more HERE.

—

Sen. Rick Scott & Colleagues to NOAA: Implement the FREDI Act & Increase Transparency for Disaster Relief

Senator Rick Scott and Senators Roger Wicker, Marco Rubio and Bill Cassidy sent a letter to Janet Coit, Assistant Administrator for Fisheries at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), urging the implementation of the Fishery Resource Disasters Improvement Act (FREDI). This law, if it is implemented properly, has the potential to improve the fishery disaster assistance process at the NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service and restore confidence and faith in the fishery disaster assistance process by increasing transparency and user experience when applying for relief.