October 26, 2024

Oct 26 2024

US Senator Rick Scott’s Week in Review 10/26/24

Dear Fellow Floridian,

As your U.S. Senator, I am committed to making sure our federal government is working in total coordination with hardworking Floridians and our businesses. In the weeks since Hurricanes Helene and Milton, my team has hosted 16 Mobile Office Hours in 12 impacted counties to help folks with federal agencies after they apply for federal assistance. If you or someone you know has applied for assistance and needs help with a federal agency, click HERE.

I’ve met with President Joe Biden, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, and USDA Secretary Vilsack about the needs I’m seeing all across our state as our families, farmers, growers, producers and businesses are seeking help from federal agencies. It’s clear that the federal government’s response to hurricanes over the last two years has left too many Floridians hurting and with unmet needs – that’s completely unacceptable.

I recently announced critical legislation with Senator Marco Rubio that will add $20 billion for FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund to ensure they can provide immediate aid to communities impacted. I am also working on important legislation to bring costs down for Florida families. That’s why, I am fighting to pass the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act, which is needed to ensure the full recovery of families in all impacted communities. I have also introduced legislation that provides a non-refundable tax break to families who purchase flood insurance coverage, and another bill that provides a $10,000 tax break for property insurance premiums. This week, I introduced the READY Account Act to help folks save for home mitigation and disaster response costs in tax-free accounts. We know that there is a significant return on investment for families that take action to strengthen their homes and protect against hurricane damage, including a reduction in insurance costs, and the READY Account Act will help millions of Floridians better afford disaster mitigation and protect their homes.

As we recover, I’m going to be here every step of the way to make sure the federal government does the right thing and shows up for YOU.

For my full Hurricane Milton resource guide, click HERE. For my full Hurricane Helene resource guide, click HERE.

Sincerely,

Rick Scott

United States Senator

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Sen. Rick Scott to POTUS: OMB Must Quickly Assess & Request Funding for USDA Block Grants

Senator Scott sent a letter to President Joe Biden on Friday, October 18, urging him to direct the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to immediately assess and submit a supplemental appropriations request to Congress for disaster relief funds, and include provisions for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to issue block grants for agricultural losses. Last week, Senator Scott was in Polk County and Hillsborough County to hear from Florida’s growers, ranchers and agricultural leaders regarding recovery and response efforts following major Hurricanes Helene and Milton and reinforce his commitment to having the federal government show up for the community. See more HERE.

Read the full letter HERE. Read more HERE.

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Sen. Rick Scott Announces READY Account Act to Provide Tax-Free Savings Accounts for Disaster Mitigation and Response

Following Major Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Senator Rick Scott announced the Residential Emergency Asset Accumulation Deferred Taxation Yield (READY) Account Act to create a tax-free savings vehicle for home mitigation and disaster response costs. This legislation would enable taxpayers to establish a READY account, similar to a Health Savings Account (HSA), for at least 12 different mitigation measures used by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), such as various measures to strengthen the connection of the roof to the home; installing impact-resistant windows and doors; and, elevating the home or constructing floodwalls to mitigate against flooding. This tax-advantaged account would help millions of Floridians better afford disaster mitigation and protect their homes. The READY Account Act is endorsed by the State of Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis.

Senator Rick Scott said, “Floridians know that during Hurricane Season preparedness saves lives, and being ready for storms can also help save your home from catastrophic damage. While I continue to fight every day to make sure FEMA is showing up for Florida families and getting them all of the federal assistance available for them to recover, there is more than can be done to make sure Floridians are able to take personal action that protects their home and makes recovery from the next storm less burdensome. Today, I am proud to partner with CFO Patronis to announce the READY Account Act to give homeowners a triple tax advantage when saving for disaster mitigation and recovery projects, and build on work done at the state level in Florida through the My Safe Florida Home program. We know that there is a significant return on investment for families that take action to strengthen their homes and protect against hurricane damage, including a reduction in insurance costs, and the READY Account Act will make it easier to save for mitigation and recovery projects through a tax-free account. I urge my colleagues to support this good bill that helps families across the country establish tax-free disaster savings accounts and be better prepared for hurricanes and other natural disasters.”

Read more HERE.

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Sens. Rick Scott & Marco Rubio Introduce Bill to Punish Colleges that Allow Antisemitism

Following the October 7, 2023 terrorist attack against Israel by Iran-backed Hamas terrorists and the rise of antisemitism on college campuses, Senator Rick Scott and Senator Marco Rubio introduced the Preventing Antisemitic Harassment on Campus Act to hold Institutes of Higher Education (IHEs) accountable by requiring enforcement of federal antisemitism prohibitions. Since the terrorist attack against Israel, cases of antisemitic harassment have increased more than 500 percent at college campuses across the United States, yet many IHEs have failed to prevent or stop antisemitism and have not been held responsible.

Senator Rick Scott said, “Jewish students deserve to be safe, and any college or university in this nation that’s enabling antisemitism on campus and leaving students terrified for their safety must be held accountable. Colleges and universities must reject all forms of hate and prejudice and hold those accountable who are complicit in the rise in antisemitism we are seeing on campuses across the country. I am proud to join Senator Rubio in introducing the Preventing Antisemitic Harassment on Campus Act to address these issues head-on.”

Find resources HERE.

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Sen. Rick Scott Joins Sen. Jim Risch to Lead 26 Colleagues in Introducing Stand with Israel Act to Combat Israel’s Persecution at UN

Senator Rick Scott joined Senators Jim Risch and Tom Cotton, Chuck Grassley, Bill Cassidy, Dan Sullivan, Steve Daines, Mike Lee, Kevin Cramer, John Barrasso, Pete Ricketts, Eric Schmitt, John Kennedy, Mike Crapo, Roger Wicker, Shelley Moore Capito, Marco Rubio, Joni Ernst, Ron Johnson, Markwayne Mullin, Thom Tillis, Ted Budd, Susan Collins, Tim Scott, Josh Hawley, James Lankford, John Thune and Deb Fischer to announce their intent to introduce the Stand with Israel Act when the Senate and House reconvene in November. This legislation would cut off U.S. funding to United Nations (UN) agencies that expel, downgrade, suspend, or otherwise restrict the participation of the State of Israel. This is companion legislation to bipartisan House bill HR 9394 led by Representative Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.).

Senator Rick Scott said, “Unfortunately, the UN has lost almost all credibility on human rights. They coddle regimes like Iran while allowing the extremists to condemn Israel, and it is absurd that U.S. taxpayer dollars are helping fund this dysfunctional organization. The U.S. must stand with Israel and Congress must make that clear by passing this commonsense bill.”

Read more HERE.

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Sen. Rick Scott Joins Sens. Mike Crapo, Jim Risch & Pete Ricketts to Introduce Bill to Protect Ag Supply Chains from China

Senator Rick Scott joined Senators Mike Crapo, Jim Risch and Pete Ricketts to introduce the Securing American Agriculture Act, which would protect domestic agriculture supply chains and reduce America’s reliance on foreign adversaries. Senators Tammy Baldwin, Mike Braun, John Barrasso, John Cornyn, Shelley Moore Capito, Deb Fischer, Cynthia Lummis and Eric Schmitt joined the senators in cosponsoring the legislation.

Senator Rick Scott said, “Food security is national security and that is why I strongly support our American farmers, ranchers and growers and an American-grown food supply chain. In order to protect our nation’s food supply, we must ensure the CCP is out of the process. We cannot allow them the opportunity to hold the food supply chain hostage and that is why I am partnering with my colleagues to introduce the Securing American Agriculture Act. This is commonsense legislation and I urge its immediate passage.”

Read more HERE.

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Senator Rick Scott & Congressman Josh Brecheen Introduce Debt-Per-Citizen Transparency Act

Senator Rick Scott and Congressman Josh Brecheen introduced the Debt-Per-Citizen Transparency Act, which requires all Congressional Budget Office (CBO) cost estimates to include how much the bill will affect the total debt-to-citizen ratio.

Senator Rick Scott said, “The national debt has reached an unsustainable $35+ trillion dollars and it is beyond time for some accountability to the American people. When you break it down, that works out to over $104,000 per child born today—we cannot continue to saddle our next generation with this debt. It is taking away their chance at the American Dream right before our eyes. I will not stand for it, and that is why I am introducing a bill that notifies Congress and the American people just how much a piece of legislation will impact the American people’s financial burden before they vote and continue to grow the debt-to-citizen ratio. They have a right to know.”

Read more HERE.

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Sen. Rick Scott Joins Sen. Marco Rubio in Letter to Biden-Harris Officials: Individuals Tied to Cuban Regime Are Not Welcome

Following reports that the Biden-Harris administration’s mass immigration program has allowed individuals tied to the illegitimate Cuban regime to enter and reside in the U.S., Senator Rick Scott joined Senator Marco Rubio in sending a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas calling for a review of the procedures for making determinations on entry and promptly removing those Cuban regime members from our country. Under U.S. law, any individual who has been, or is affiliated with a Communist Party is deemed inadmissible for entry into our nation. Joining the senators on the letter are Representatives Carlos Giménez and María Elvira Salazar.

The members wrote, “The United States must ensure that former Cuban regime members involved in the oppression of innocent Cuban citizens or the transnational persecution of Cuban-Americans are not welcome into our country. Additionally, applicants who have been found to have similar troubling backgrounds, and links after arrival, should not be allowed to continue to remain in the United States… We urge the administration to publicly communicate the vetting procedures and standards by which these immigration decisions are made, in order to ensure the utmost transparency and accountability.”

Read the full letter HERE. Read more HERE. Lea más en español AQUÍ.

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Sen. Rick Scott Releases Fall 2024 Economic Snapshot, Shares Weekly Update on Biden-Harris Price Hikes

Senator Rick Scott released a weekly update on his actions to address America’s debt crisis and rising inflation and shared a copy of his Fall 2024 Economic Snapshot. Every day, Senator Scott is hearing from constituents about how much of a struggle it is for them to make ends meet due to the historic inflation caused by Biden-Harris Price Hikes. Last year, Senator Scott began distributing a report to his colleagues in the Senate, shedding light on America’s current concerning economic conditions. This report highlights the fiscal cliff the country is quickly approaching in the hopes of beginning a productive dialogue in Congress on how members can work together to fix the economic mess our country finds itself in today. Senator Scott releases this report on a quarterly basis. Since President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris took office, CPI inflation is up 20.5%, while PPI inflation has risen 20.0%.

Senator Rick Scott said, “We can all feel the impact of the ongoing inflation crisis caused by the failed policies of the Biden-Harris administration, and the goal of this report is to bring in-depth attention to the fiscal cliff our nation is quickly approaching. Since Vice President Harris and President Biden took office, inflation has skyrocketed more than 20% and Biden-Harris Price Hikes are crushing hardworking American families. In Washington, it is my job to ensure we are fighting every day to leave this country in a place where future generations can achieve the American Dream. It is personal for me. I grew up in public housing and watched my mom struggle to make ends meet. It breaks my heart that families are having to make the tough decisions and go without. It is time for a sea change in Washington so that we can get families back on their feet, this country back on the path to fiscal sanity and make Washington work for everyone.”

Read Senator Rick Scott’s Fall 2024 Economic Snapshot HERE or below.