Senator Rick Scott January 9th Weekly Update - Republican Men's Club of Collier County

This week, America watched as a group of lawless thugs stormed the Capitol, incited violence, and attacked our democracy and our American ideals. Their actions were disgraceful and un-American – that is not what our country stands for. Everyone has a right to peacefully protest. No one has a right to commit violence, and those responsible for this heinous attack must be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

The Electoral College has spoken, the President has committed to an orderly transition and that process is underway. Senator Scott is urging the President to reconsider his decision to skip the inauguration, which is an important tradition that demonstrates the peaceful transfer of power to our people and to the world. It’s time to move our nation forward.

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

Sen. Rick Scott Asks President Trump to Reconsider Skipping the Inauguration

Senator Rick Scott released the below statement following President Trump’s decision not to attend the inauguration of President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris.

Senator Rick Scott said, “I am urging the President to reconsider his decision to skip the inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. He is, of course, not constitutionally required to attend and I can imagine losing an election is very hard, but I believe he should attend. I plan to attend and believe it is an important tradition that demonstrates the peaceful transfer of power to our people and to the world.” Read more HERE.

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Sen. Rick Scott Calls for Investigation into Vaccine Distribution Mismanagement

Senator Rick Scott released the below statement calling for accountability following reports that MorseLife Health System, a nursing home and assisted-living facility in West Palm Beach, Fla., offered vaccines intended for residents to members of the board and major donors.

Senator Rick Scott said, “I applaud the Administration’s tireless efforts to develop the vaccines and quickly distribute millions of doses to our states. Right now, the priority is getting these vaccines out to those that need it most. The first priority is our seniors and vulnerable population, and our healthcare and frontline workers. It is absolutely disgusting and immoral that anyone would take vaccines intended for nursing home residents to distribute them to their friends. This type of gross mismanagement will not be tolerated, and those responsible must be held accountable. We have to do everything possible to get this vaccine out in an efficient and fair manner, and I am calling for a full Congressional investigation into reports of improper vaccine distribution.” Read more HERE.

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El Senador Rick Scott pide una investigación sobre el mal manejo de la distribución de vacunas

El Senador Rick Scott hizo la siguiente declaración pidiendo una investigación luego de informes de que MorseLife Health System en West Palm Beach, Florida, ofreciera vacunas destinadas para sus residentes a miembros de su junta de directores y donantes.

El Senador Rick Scott dijo: “Aplaudo los esfuerzos de la Administración para desarrollar la vacuna y distribuir de manera rápida millones de dosis a los estados. En este momento, la prioridad es hacer llegar estas vacunas a quienes más las necesitan. La primera prioridad son las personas mayores y de poblaciones vulnerables, y nuestros trabajadores de la salud y emergencia. Es absolutamente repugnante e inmoral que alguien tome vacunas destinadas a los residentes de un hogar de ancianos para distribuirlas entre sus amigos. Este tipo de mala administración no será tolerada y los responsables deben rendir cuentas. Tenemos que hacer todo lo posible para que esta vacuna salga de una manera eficiente y justa, y pido que el Congreso lleve a cabo una investigación sobre los informes de distribución inadecuada de vacunas”. Lea más AQUÍ.

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Sen. Rick Scott Requests Additional Information on Florida’s Vaccine Distribution Plans

Senator Rick Scott sent a letter to Florida Department of Health Secretary and State Surgeon General Scott A. Rivkees, M.D. requesting additional information on the State of Florida’s plans to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine to Floridians as safely and efficiently as possible. By the end of next week, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will have delivered more than 20 million doses of vaccines to states, with Florida being allocated 1.47 million doses. Read more, including the full letter, HERE.

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Sen. Rick Scott Fights to Defend Free and Fair Elections

Senator Rick Scott released the below statement ahead of Congress’ electoral college vote count.

Senator Rick Scott said, “I’ve thought long and hard about the question before the U.S. Congress today. I’ve heard from constituents across Florida and across the country and I’ve listened to their concerns about the way this election was carried out. I share many of their concerns.

“During today’s proceedings, I will listen to any and all objections that are raised. I will pay careful attention to the evidence and arguments presented by both sides.

“The situation in Pennsylvania is of particular concern to me, and I will likely vote to sustain the objection to their slate of electors. The actions of the Governor’s Administration and the courts in Pennsylvania pose a serious threat to the integrity of future elections. The Democrat Governor of Pennsylvania, along with state courts, made a decision to allow votes to be counted that came in after election day, even if they did not have a postmark, in defiance of state law. This is absurd, and cannot be tolerated. It also appears that Pennsylvania enacted policies in direct conflict with its own state constitution, which is also unacceptable. We simply cannot tolerate partisan political attempts to change the rules and tip the scales in our elections. In October, Supreme Court Justices Alito, Gorsuch and Thomas warned that the reckless actions of Pennsylvania’s Governor and Secretary of State might result in ‘serious post-election problems’ and they were right. Both of these matters are still pending at the United States Supreme Court and it would be prudent for Congress to object to Pennsylvania’s electors until these important constitutional questions are resolved.

“Democrats who are arguing that Republicans fighting to protect the integrity of every vote are a threat to democracy are the same people who tried to overturn the election of Donald Trump every day since he was sworn into office after winning legitimately in 2016. Democrat efforts to impeach President Trump – aided by their allies in the media – were a political coup attempt, an illegitimate effort to remove a president from office because Democrats didn’t like the result of the election.

“In September, I introduced the VOTER Act, which would address systemic problems in voting systems across the country and rebuild trust in our electoral process. It would mandate Voter ID in every state, institute measures to ensure timely results and create uniform national standards for voting by mail. I believe it is a strong path forward to prevent a repeat of the 2020 election and I will be reintroducing this bill at the earliest opportunity.” Read more HERE.

Fox News: Rick Scott calls for congressional probe of allegations rich donors got nursing home COVID-19 vaccines

In case you missed it, Senator Rick Scott is calling for accountability and a Congressional investigation following reports that MorseLife Health System, a nursing home and assisted-living facility in West Palm Beach, Fla., offered vaccines intended for residents to members of the board and major donors.

Read more in the Fox News article, Rick Scott calls for congressional probe of allegations rich donors got nursing home COVID-19 vaccines, below:

“Sen. Rick Scott said the alleged actions of a Florida nursing home to distribute vaccines to wealthy donors instead of elderly residents is ‘absolutely disgusting,’ and called for a congressional investigation.

‘It is absolutely disgusting and immoral that anyone would take vaccines intended for nursing homes to distribute them to their friends,’ the Florida Republican wrote on Twitter. ‘I am calling for a full Congressional investigation into reports of improper vaccine distribution by MorseLife Health System.’

… According to first-hand accounts published by The Washington Post, MorseLife offered vaccines allocated by the federal government not only to its residents and staff but also to board members and those who had made generous donations to the facility, including members of Palm Beach Country Club. Some reportedly accepted the offer…”

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AP: ‘Absolutely Disgusting’: Rick Scott Criticizes Florida Company Accused of Steering Vaccines to Rich Donors

Politico: Scott demands federal probe of Florida’s vaccine distribution

New York Post: Sen. Rick Scott, staff won’t take COVID vaccine before at-risk groups

The Hill: GOP Sen. Rick Scott, staff to wait to get COVID-19 vaccine

Newsmax: Rick Scott Urges Trump to Attend Biden Inauguration

The Hill: Rick Scott urges Trump to reconsider skipping Biden’s inauguration

WFLA: Sen. Rick Scott asks Trump to reconsider skipping Biden’s inauguration

Tallahassee Democrat: Rick Scott to Surgeon General Scott Rivkees: Explain Florida COVID vaccine plan

Tampa Bay Times: Rick Scott says he’s ‘likely’ to reject Pennsylvania electors when Congress votes

Sun Sentinel: Florida Sen. Rick Scott votes to uphold objection to Pennsylvania results; Marco Rubio rejects objection there and in Arizona

WTXL: Sen. Rick Scott urges Trump to reconsider attending inauguration