Senator Rick Scott’s Week in Review
Dear Fellow Floridian,
Over the last few weeks, I’ve been traveling the state and meeting with the hardworking folks that make Florida the best state in the nation to live, work and raise a family. It’s clear that we all agree it’s time to end the dysfunctional status quo in Washington and make sure every family has the opportunity to live in a safe community, get a great education and live the American dream. But we can’t do that unless we stop Democrats’ reckless spending and economy-killing policies and END WASHINGTON’S WAR ON FLORIDA’S SENIORS.
President Biden and the Democrats have done more to hurt seniors than I ever thought possible. One example? They cut $280 billion from Medicare last year. I wouldn’t be surprised if you hadn’t heard about this. Biden and the Democrats lie about it every chance they get, and the liberal media covers for them.
But this shouldn’t surprise anyone. When he was a senator, Biden fought for DECADES to cut entitlement programs like Medicare and Social Security. He even wanted to cut veterans’ benefits. HE ACTUALLY BRAGGED ABOUT THIS ON THE SENATE FLOOR!
Let me be very clear: I’ll NEVER allow cuts to Social Security or Medicare, and outside of Joe Biden, I don’t know too many other folks in Washington that want to see these programs be cut or go away either. That’s why I’m fighting to pass a new bill to protect these programs. My Protect Our Seniors Act proposes a rule to prevent cuts to Medicare and Social Security, stops Washington politicians from using Medicare savings to bankroll their woke wish list and rescinds funding for 87,000 new IRS agents and redirects those funds to Medicare and Social Security to keep those programs funded longer.
I’m in Washington to make it work for YOU, and I won’t stop fighting to stop Washington’s failures from hurting your wallet and our seniors.
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 Announces Protect Our Seniors Act to Preserve & Protect Social Security & Medicare
At a roundtable discussion with Florida community leaders and seniors in Sun City Center, Senator Rick Scott announced his Protect Our Seniors Act to preserve and protect Social Security and Medicare. During the roundtable, Senator Scott discussed his work to protect seniors from Washington’s dysfunction and the pain caused by President Joe Biden’s raging inflation crisis, and two years of failed leadership that have endangered critical entitlement programs and pushed Social Security and Medicare closer to insolvency.
Senator Scott has never supported cuts to Social Security or Medicare and NEVER will. Joe Biden on the other hand has, and he can’t hide from his nearly 50-year record of supporting cuts to Social Security and Medicare. Download high resolution photos from Senator Scott’s roundtable in Sun City Center HERE.
Senator Rick Scott said, “I have been fighting since day one to protect and preserve programs like Social Security and Medicare for Florida’s seniors, and today I am proud to announce new legislation, my Protect Our Seniors Act, to safeguard the benefits of these critical entitlements.
“My bill will do three important things: first, the Protect Our Seniors Act will rescind funding for Joe Biden’s new 87,000 IRS agent army and redirect those funds to Medicare and Social Security to shore up these programs and address threats of insolvency.
“Second, my bill establishes a ‘Keep Medicare Savings in Medicare’ requirement. That means that if any bill makes changes to Medicare that result in a ‘savings’ every dollar of those savings must remain in Medicare and are prohibited from being used to fund woke projects as Democrats have recently done in their so-called Inflation Reduction Act.
“Finally, it establishes a rule to prevent cuts to Medicare and Social Security. If it is determined that any legislation will cause a cut or reduction in Medicare or Social Security, this rule will force two thirds of Congress to vote to approve it, making it much more difficult for Congress to make cuts or reduce benefits.
“While Democrats howl and lie about made-up threats to Social Security and Medicare, the reality is they haven’t done one thing to protect them. In fact, Joe Biden and Democrats in Congress have done more to hurt Social Security and Medicare than anyone I can think of. While Joe Biden had legislation to actually cut entitlements, my record shows that I’ve been 100% committed to protecting them from the start. I welcome Biden and anyone else who truly cares about protecting seniors to support this good bill.”
Read more HERE.
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Sen. Rick Scott Announces Miami Shores Police Chief David Golt as State of the Union Guest
Senator Rick Scott announced that he will bring Miami Shores Police Department Police Chief David Golt as his guest to President Biden’s State of the Union address on Tuesday, February 7 at the U.S. Capitol.
Senator Rick Scott said, “I am honored to have Miami Shores Police Chief David Golt as my guest to the State of the Union address. I’ve had the chance to work closely with Chief Golt, who has tragically been forced to deal with this deadly crisis as both a leader in law enforcement and a parent. In December 2021, Chief Golt lost his son, Zachary, to fentanyl, and joined the hundreds of thousands of American families who have had their hearts broken and loved ones taken away by this deadly drug. While we cannot reverse the damage fentanyl has done, we can and must keep working to tell these stories, make sure families like Chief Golt’s know they are not alone and finally end this devastating epidemic. Fentanyl is a killer that does not discriminate by race, political party, age or background and the wide open southern border we have today is allowing it to pour into our communities like never before. The Golt family and every American who whose been hurt by this terrible drug deserve better and I won’t stop fighting until we end the lawlessness, death and suffering that fentanyl has caused across our nation.”
Miami Shores Police Department Police Chief David Golt said, “I cannot emphasize enough the importance of legislation to help stop the horrific plague that fentanyl has caused on our society and the many families that it affects. This includes my family as we lost our son Zachary on December 26, 2021 to the scourge of fentanyl; it can happen to any family. My family and I express heartfelt gratitude to Senator Scott for his efforts and concerns.”
Read more HERE.
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Sens. Rick Scott, Tim Scott Reintroduce Bill to Protect Parental Rights, Combat Indoctrination in Schools
Senator Rick Scott joined Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) to introduce the Parental Rights Over the Education and Care of Their (PROTECT) Kids Act to protect parental rights and prevent school administrators from concealing information about students’ gender from their parents. Senators Mike Crapo, Lindsey Graham, Cindy Hyde-Smith and Marco Rubio joined as cosponsors.
The PROTECT Kids Act would restrict federal funding for any elementary or middle school that allows students to change their pronouns, gender markers, or sex-based accommodations, including locker rooms and bathrooms, without the consent of their parents. Representative Tim Walberg (MI-05) will be introducing the companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Senator Rick Scott said, “I have long believed that parents, not the government, know what is best for their children. It is time for schools to stop pushing these woke ideologies on our kids and let them focus on reading, writing and arithmetic. I am proud to stand with my colleagues in supporting the PROTECT Kids Act to stop the indoctrination and ensure parents have a say in what happens at their kids’ school.”
Read more HERE.
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Sen. Rick Scott, Colleagues Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation To Strengthen Domestic Semiconductor Manufacturing
Senator Rick Scott joined Senators Gary Peters and Marsha Blackburn to reintroduce bipartisan legislation that would strengthen federal efforts to expand domestic manufacturing of semiconductor chips. The Securing Semiconductor Supply Chains Act would direct the U.S. Department of Commerce’s SelectUSA program – in collaboration with federal agencies and state economic development organizations – to develop strategies to attract investment in U.S. semiconductor manufacturers and supply chains.
Senator Rick Scott said, “As Communist China’s influence in the semiconductor market continues to grow and some corporations in the industry, like Intel, put profits over American national security interests, it is beyond time to boost domestic production. The Chips and Science Act did nothing to strengthen American manufacturers while propping up business in Communist China—that is unacceptable. Now more than ever, we must be laser focused on producing American-made semiconductors and the Securing Semiconductor Supply Chains Act is a good place to start.”
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 Leads Colleagues in Reintroducing the Upholding the Law at Our Border Act
Senator Rick Scott led Senators Ron Johnson, Tommy Tuberville, James Lankford, Thom Tillis, Bill Cassidy, Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz in reintroducing the Upholding the Law at Our Border Act. 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. This legislation would require the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to investigate the vetting and processing of migrants apprehended along the southwest border and to ensure that all laws are being upheld.
Last year, Senator Rick Scott and Congresswoman Elise Stefanik led more than 100 of their colleagues in sending a letter to the DHS Inspector General to conduct a comprehensive review of the decisions by the Biden administration that have led to the worst border crisis in United States history.
Senator Rick Scott said, “Thanks to the Biden administration’s open border and amnesty policies, more than 5 million known migrants have illegally crossed the southern border. President Biden is laying out a welcome mat for human traffickers and savage cartels bringing drugs, like fentanyl, and crime to our communities. The administration is either intentionally keeping local law enforcement and communities in the dark, or willfully breaking U.S. laws by letting unvetted immigrants roam freely across America. We can’t allow them to continue recklessly ignoring U.S. law and putting families at risk. Our bill, the Upholding the Law at Our Border Act, requires an immediate investigation to ensure the proper vetting and processing of anyone that comes into our country, and holds the administration accountable for its basic duty of upholding U.S. laws. I urge the rest of my colleagues in the Senate to support and help quickly pass this good bill.””
Read more HERE. Lea más en español AQUÍ.
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Sen. Rick Scott: Lyin’ Biden Can’t Hide From His Own Attacks on Social Security and Medicare
Senator Rick Scott released the below statement following President Joe Biden’s State of the Union speech last night.
Senator Rick Scott said, “Last night, Joe Biden rambled for a while, but it seems he forgot to share the facts: In my plan, I suggested the following: All federal legislation sunsets in five years. If a law is worth keeping, Congress can pass it again. This is clearly and obviously an idea aimed at dealing with ALL the crazy new laws our Congress has been passing of late. Joe Biden is confused… to suggest that this means I want to cut Social Security or Medicare is a lie, and is a dishonest move… from a very confused President. Does he think I also intend to get rid of the U.S. Navy? Or the border patrol? Or air traffic control, maybe? This is the kind of fake, gotcha BS that people hate about Washington. I’ve never advocated cutting Social Security or Medicare and never would. I will not be intimidated by Joe Biden twisting my words, or Chuck Schumer twisting my words – or by anyone else for that matter. HOWEVER, Biden and Democrats did, in fact, cut Medicare just last year. They lie about it and the liberal media covers for them. If they think they can shut me up or intimidate me by lying… I’m here for it… I’m ready to go. I will not be silenced by the Washington establishment.”
Read more HERE.
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Sens. Rick Scott and Gary Peters Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Mitigate Waste, Fraud and Abuse Following Natural Disasters
Senators Rick Scott and Gary Peters reintroduced the bipartisan Disaster Contract Improvement Act to improve the disaster contracting process on the federal, local and state 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) last Congress. Senator Jacky Rosen joined as a cosponsor of the bill.
Senator Rick Scott said, “Florida is no stranger to natural disasters. Almost every year, hurricanes bring devastation to families and businesses across the state, 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 Contracting 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 thank Chairman Peters and Senator Rosen for joining me in introducing this good, bipartisan bill. The Disaster Contracting Improvement Act is a win for American taxpayers.”
Read more HERE.
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Senator Rick Scott Named Ranking Member of Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel
Senator Rick Scott was named Ranking Member of Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel. Moreover, Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) Chairman Jack Reed (D-RI) and Ranking Member Roger Wicker (R-MS) announced SASC subcommittee assignments for the 118th Congress. In addition to his responsibilities as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Personnel, Senator Rick Scott will serve on the Subcommittee on Airland and the Subcommittee on Seapower.
Senator Rick Scott said, “Florida is proud to be the place where 21 military installations, three unified commands, nearly 67,000 active duty members, 36,000 reservists and over 1.5 million veterans call home. As Ranking Member on the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee for Personnel, I am looking forward to working with my colleagues to come to solutions that have a direct positive impact on the brave men and women who have sacrificed so much for our great country and their families that support that mission each and every day. There are critical issues, from housing to childcare to military health care that are in desperate need of improvement and deserve the full attention of this committee and the Congress. As Ranking Member, I’ll be fighting harder than ever to make sure the Sunshine State, America’s national security initiatives, our military, veterans and their families are supported, and I want to thank Chairman Reed and Ranking Member Wicker for this great honor.”
Read more HERE.
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Amid Democrats’ Debt Ceiling Crisis, Sen. Rick Scott & Colleagues Urge Biden to Ensure Payments for Social Security, Medicare
As the debt ceiling crisis continues and Democrats refuse to discuss structural spending reforms to address America’s $31 trillion debt in good faith, Senator Rick Scott led Senators Mike Lee, Cynthia Lummis, Jim Risch, Mike Braun, Ted Budd, Katie Britt and John Barrasso in sending a letter to President Joe Biden urging his support of the Full Faith and Credit Act. This bill would prevent a default and ensure the benefits of government-funded programs that primarily impact seniors, service members, and veterans, such as Social Security and Medicare, are prioritized and protected.
Read the full letter HERE. Read more HERE.
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Sen. Rick Scott Requests Full Funding for Everglades Restoration in Biden Budget Recommendations
Senator Rick Scott wrote a letter to President Joe Biden urging him to continue critical funding for projects to restore the Everglades, including for the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration, in the president’s upcoming budget requests to Congress. Senator Scott has always been a champion for the Florida Everglades. By the end of Senator Scott’s eight years as Florida’s governor, the Sunshine State had invested more than $2 billion to restore the Everglades, resulting in the acceleration of 16 Everglades projects, sending more water south and providing billions of gallons of water storage around Lake Okeechobee. Now as U.S. Senator, Senator Scott continues his fight to preserve and protect the Everglades at the federal level.
Read his full letter to President Biden HERE. Read more HERE.
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Senator Rick Scott Joined Senator Marco Rubio to Demand Felony Murder Charges for Distribution of Deadly Fentanyl
In the response to the surge of illicit fentanyl being trafficked across the southern border and into our communities, Senator Rick Scott joined Senator Marco Rubio and their colleagues to reintroduce their Felony Murder for Deadly Fentanyl Distribution Act. The bill makes the distribution of fentanyl, resulting in death, punishable by federal felony murder charges.
Senator Rick Scott said, “People who knowingly distribute lethal fentanyl deserve the strictest sentence possible. For too long, people have suffered addiction and death because of this evil drug that is pouring across Joe Biden’s open southern border. Fentanyl has skyrocketed to the number one killer of young people, and to put an end to this crisis, strong actions must be taken. I am proud to join Senator Rubio in standing up for victims of this crisis, and urge the immediate passage of this critically important bill.”
Read more HERE.
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Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio Urge Army Corps to Fund Critical Florida Projects
Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio sent a letter to Michael Connor, Assistant Secretary of the Army – Civil Works, detailing critical projects in Florida that merit new and continued funding. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers must submit a Work Plan for the Fiscal Year 2023 funds appropriated by Congress no later than February 27, 2023. Those decisions will have long-term implications for communities around the country, especially in Florida.
In the letter, the Senators said, “[I]t is our expectation that, of the funds allocated for the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration (SFER) program, significant funding for the construction of the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir will be allocated in the Work Plan. Continuing contract clause authority for the Central Everglades Planning Project (CEPP) and the EAA Reservoir should be approved in addition to major investment through the Work Plan to expedite reservoir construction and reduce the long-term cost of the project. Additionally, the CEPP North Validation Report must be delivered as soon as possible so a project partnership agreement with the South Florida Water Management District.”
Read the full letter HERE. Read more HERE.
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT… Fox News Gives History Lesson: Calls Out Lyin’ Biden for Supporting Cuts to Social Security and Medicare
Fox News called out President Joe Biden for his continued lies and long track record of trying to cut Social Security and Medicare. Last night, during the State of the Union, Joe Biden lied to the American people and suggested that Republicans wish to eliminate or cut entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare. Senator Scott has never supported cuts to these programs and NEVER will. Joe Biden on the other hand has, and he can’t hide from his nearly 50-year record of supporting cuts to Social Security and Medicare.
Read more HERE. Read the Fox News story HERE. Watch the full clip HERE.
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Fox News: Rick Scott responds to Biden doubling down on Medicare claim: ‘What a hypocrite’
Newsmax: Sen. Rick Scott Pressures McConnell on Debt Limit Deal
Newsmax: Sen. Rick Scott to Newsmax: DirecTV Must Treat Everyone Fairly
The Hill: GOP critic dials up pressure on McConnell: ‘Tired of caving’
The Floridian: Scott, Manchin Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Stop Sale of Crude Oil to China
The Floridian: Scott Urges Passage of his American Security Drone Act
Tampa Free Press: Sen. Scott, Republicans Seek To Rein In ATF’s New Rule On Pistol-Bracing Devices
Florida Daily: Rick Scott Brings Back END FENTANYL Act
Florida Daily: Marco Rubio, Rick Scott Call on Army Corps to Fund Florida Project
Florida Daily: Rick Scott Continues Push for Committee to Investigate Withdrawal of U.S. Forces From Afghanistan
Senator Scott in Sun City Center
Today, Senator Scott hosted a roundtable discussion with Florida community leaders and seniors in Sun City Center. Senator Rick Scott announced his Protect Our Seniors Act to preserve and protect Social Security and Medicare. During the roundtable, Senator Scott discussed his work to protect seniors from Washington’s dysfunction and the pain caused by President Joe Biden’s raging inflation crisis, and two years of failed leadership that have endangered critical entitlement programs and pushed Social Security and Medicare closer to insolvency.
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Senator Scott’s Team in Pensacola
This week, Senator Scott’s team attended the groundbreaking for Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition’s new project, IHMC Healthspan, Resilience and Performance complex.
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Senator Scott’s Team in Orlando
Senator Scott’s team also attended the Experience Kissimmee and Visit Orlando welcome meeting and reception.
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Another Orlando event Senator Scott’s team attended was the 2023 PR Parade Press Conference with other members of congressional offices and Sheriff Marcos Lopez.
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