Senator Rick Scott’s Week in Review: 7/25

This week, Senator Rick Scott worked as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee to pass the Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes nearly $778 billion in defense spending, a $25 billion increase over President Joe Biden’s inadequate budget request. Senator Scott also fought to secure needed funding for next-generation technology and capabilities for Florida’s F-35 squadrons, which are critical to Tyndall Air Force Base and Florida’s panhandle communities.

The 2022 NDAA, as passed by the Senate Armed Services Committee, includes:

• $777.9 billion in national defense spending – $25 billion above President Biden’s inadequate request;
• A 2.7% pay raise for America’s brave men and women in uniform;
• Critical funding to support the continued mission of F-35 squadrons at Tyndall Air Force Base;
• Funding and resources to improve military readiness and protect against threats from America’s enemies, including Communist China; and
• Key support for America’s allies, including Taiwan and Israel.

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Sen. Rick Scott, Leader Kevin McCarthy Lead Colleagues in Letter to Democratic World Leaders Urging Support For the Fight For Freedom in Cuba

Senator Rick Scott, joined by House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy, led members of the United States House of Representatives and United States Senate in a letter to leaders of the member nations of the Organization of American States and the European Union, as well as to other democratic nations and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, urging them to stand up and support the Cuban people in their fight for freedom. The letter, signed by 143 members of Congress including Senator Marco Rubio, Senate Minority Whip John Thune, House Minority Whip Steve Scalise, Representative Mario Diaz-Balart, Representative Carlos Gimenez, and Representative Maria Elvira Salazar highlights four actions the democratically-elected leaders of the world’s free countries must take in support of the Cuban people and their democratic aspirations. These actions include denouncing the illegitimate regime and holding it accountable for its horrific human rights abuses through an International Criminal Tribunal; ending all financial support to the regime; coordinating democratic assistance for the brave Cuban freedom advocates; and restoring telecommunications and internet access on the island. Read more HERE.

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Sen. Rick Scott Joins Sen. Marco Rubio and Colleagues in Urging Investigation into Communist Cuban Regime’s Human Rights Violations

Senator Rick Scott joined Senator Marco Rubio and colleagues in a bipartisan and bicameral letter to the Executive Secretary of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, Tania Reneaum Panszi, urging her to immediately initiate an investigation into the communist Cuban regime’s violations of the human rights of the Cuban people. Read more from Senator Rubio’s office HERE.

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Sen. Rick Scott: New Sanctions on Communist Cuban Regime Welcomed, U.S. Must Keep Holding Illegitimate Leaders Accountable

Senator Rick Scott released the below statement following the U.S. Treasury Department’s announcement of new sanctions on the Cuban Minister of Defense and Special Forces Brigade for their human rights abuses against the Cuban people fighting for freedom and democracy against the illegitimate communist Cuban regime.

Senator Rick Scott said, “At the onset of the protests in Cuba, I called for the Biden administration to enact further sanctions on the Cuban regime and do everything possible to lead the international community in full condemnation of the tyrannical oppression being forced on the Cuban people. I’m glad that President Biden has heeded my calls and welcome today’s announcement of sanctions against regime leadership and military units responsible for gross human rights abuses. This cannot just be an empty announcement. These sanctions must be fully implemented and enforced, and additional sanctions considered, to ensure the entire impact of these actions is felt by the Cuban regime. It is critical that the United States not relent in its efforts to hold the illegitimate communist regime accountable. We must continue to provide our full and unwavering support for the brave Cuban people fighting for a new day of freedom and democracy.” Read more HERE.

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Sen. Rick Scott: I’ll Always Fight to Protect National Security and Florida’s Future

Senator Rick Scott released the following statement after the Senate Armed Services Committee passed the Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes nearly $778 billion in defense spending, a $25 billion increase over President Joe Biden’s inadequate budget request, and protects national security by prioritizing the next-generation technology and capability of Florida’s F-35 squadrons – which are critical to Tyndall Air Force Base and Florida’s panhandle communities.

Senator Rick Scott said, “Florida has 20 military bases and three unified commands, more than almost any other state, and we know how important our military readiness is to America’s national security. As the United States faces increasing threats from Communist China and other adversaries around the world, it is critical that the U.S. military has every resource needed to protect America’s interests and our national security, as well as those of our allies. As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I ensured that this year’s National Defense Authorization Act included big wins for Florida’s military interests, and our national military readiness and security. I was also proud to work with Senator Marco Rubio to ensure that Tyndall Air Force Base, which is being reconstructed after Hurricane Michael as a strategic hub of the future for F-35 based air warfare, has all the resources it needs to continue this critical mission. I will never stop fighting to put national security first, protect Florida and ensure that America’s military remains the world’s most lethal fighting force as it works to defend our freedoms.” Read more HERE.

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Sen. Rick Scott: Congress Cannot Increase the Debt Ceiling Without Major Spending Reform

Senator Rick Scott released the following statement demanding Congress take action to get America’s nearly $30 trillion federal debt under control and urging his colleagues to refuse to increase the debt ceiling without also enacting true spending reform. For months, Senator Scott has been warning of the dangerous consequences of Washington’s reckless spending and the nation’s rapidly growing debt. Today, the Congressional Budget Office released a report highlighting the dire nature of the federal debt crisis.

In April, Senator Scott secured an amendment to the rules of the Senate Republican Conference resolving that any increase in the debt ceiling should be accompanied by cuts in federal spending of an equal or greater amount as the debt ceiling increase, or meaningful structural reform in spending.

Senator Rick Scott said, “America’s nearly $30 TRILLION debt crisis cannot be ignored. Today, I am urging every member of Congress to protect the fiscal security of our nation by refusing to increase the debt ceiling unless it is accompanied by true structural spending reform. We must end the reckless waste of taxpayer dollars.

“We need real spending reform before we consider increasing the debt ceiling. We need reform like my Federal Debt Emergency Control Act, which prevents Washington politicians from mindlessly spending by requiring that two-thirds of the Senate vote to increase the debt before approving any bill. This isn’t political, it’s good government and it’s commonsense. Every fiscally responsible Republican and Democrat should be focused on the debt crisis before us. We cannot allow Congress to continue mortgaging the futures of our children and grandchildren.” Read more HERE.

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Sen. Rick Scott Joins Sen. John Cornyn and Bipartisan Colleagues to Introduce Bill Enhancing U.S.-Taiwanese Defense Cooperation

Senator Rick Scott joined Senators John Cornyn, Tammy Duckworth, Roger Wicker, Kevin Cramer, James Lankford, Thom Tillis, Todd Young, Roger Marshall, Ted Cruz, Joni Ernst, Tom Cotton, and Cindy Hyde-Smith to introduce the bipartisan Taiwan Partnership Act. The Taiwan Partnership Act would establish a partnership between the U.S. National Guard and Taiwanese defense forces to ensure a well-integrated defense force capable of fast deployment during a crisis.

Senator Rick Scott said, “As Communist China escalates its aggression toward Taiwan, the United States must make clear that we stand with our great ally and the Taiwanese people in defense of its democracy. This legislation carries an important message to General Secretary Xi that we will not tolerate his threats against Taiwan’s autonomy.” Read more HERE.

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Sen. Rick Scott: Biden’s Reckless Spending Spree Could Cost American Taxpayers More than $5 Trillion

Senator Rick Scott released the below statement following an analysis by the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget showing that the Democrats’ spending plan could cost between $5 trillion and $5.5 trillion over 10 years – far more than the $3.5 trillion in spending they are advertising. For months, Senator Scott has been warning that reckless spending pushed by President Joe Biden and Washington Democrats is causing growing inflation, rising prices on everyday goods, which hurts all American families and is especially devastating to those on low and fixed incomes.

Senator Rick Scott said, “President Joe Biden and Washington Democrats led by Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi will stop at nothing to jam their reckless tax-and-spend proposals through Congress. President Biden and the Democrats don’t care that wasteful government spending causes inflation, which is hurting families across our country. Now we find out that the massive $3.5 TRILLION spending spree, funded by higher taxes on American families, is actually going to cost taxpayers as much as $5.5 TRILLION over the next decade. That is insane, but Biden and the Democrats don’t care. The only thing that matters to the White House, Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi is appeasing the radical left by fulfilling its insane socialist wish list that increases government dependency and drowns our nation in even more debt.

“We know America can’t afford this. We know that this isn’t what families in Florida want. There is a day of reckoning coming if we don’t get our fiscal house in order, and I will keep fighting every day to rein in the reckless spending that threatens the future of our children and grandchildren.” Read more HERE.

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Sen. Rick Scott: One Month After the Tragic Surfside Building Collapse, Florida Remains Surfside Strong

Ahead of the one-month anniversary of the tragic collapse of Champlain Towers South in Surfside, Florida, Senator Rick Scott released the following statement. Earlier this month, the Senate unanimously passed a resolution by Senator Scott and Senator Marco Rubio honoring the lives lost in this horrific tragedy and commending the bravery of the men and women who have risked their lives in search, rescue and recovery efforts.

Senator Rick Scott said, “One month ago tomorrow, the Surfside community, our Jewish community, and the entire State of Florida experienced a tremendous loss when Champlain Towers South tragically and unexpectedly collapsed, taking 97 innocent lives and devastating hundreds of families. Immediately following this horrific tragedy, and in the face of great danger, our brave first responders answered the call. These heroes came from across Florida, the United States, and from Israel and Mexico and worked around the clock on search, rescue, and recovery. We also saw volunteers pour into Surfside, bringing a tremendous amount of love and support to lift up the affected families and this heartbroken community. Following unimaginable loss, those responding to the collapse showed the world what it means to be Surfside Strong. We can never thank them enough.

“Today, we continue to pray for and mourn with the affected families. As we mark this somber moment, we also know the work in Surfside is far from over. I will be relentless in the search for answers to make sure this never happens again and remain fully engaged with our local, state, and federal agencies to ensure every available resource is provided to these families and the Surfside community.” Read more HERE.

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Sen. Rick Scott: We’re Rooting for Team USA & All Floridians Competing in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

Senator Rick Scott released the following statement as the 2020 Summer Olympic Games begin in Tokyo.

Senator Rick Scott said, “As the 2020 Olympic Games begin, I join everyone in Florida and across the nation in proudly cheering on our fellow Floridians and Americans representing the United States in Tokyo. The Olympic Games are a wonderful opportunity to unite the world’s nations in athletic competition and give the world’s best athletes a chance to represent their countries, and I thank Japan for their hard work to make this event a success amid challenging circumstances. I couldn’t be more proud of the more than 60 Floridians representing our state and nation on Team USA and I wish them the very best of luck. I look forward to seeing their success and celebrating big wins for Team USA.

“As we look to future games, we must keep human rights top of mind. Communist China is committing a genocide against the Uyghurs, and has built up a network of detention camps in Xinjiang capable of imprisoning a million Uyghurs at any given time. With the 2022 games less than a year away, I will not relent in my calls for the International Olympic Committee to move the games out of Beijing and strip Communist China of this platform to whitewash its crimes.” Read more HERE.

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Sen. Rick Scott Issues Weekly Update on Biden’s Inflation Crisis

Senator Rick Scott released a weekly update on his actions to address America’s debt crisis and rising inflation. As the wasteful, reckless spending of the Biden administration and congressional Democrats leads to growing inflation and rising prices of every day goods, Senator Scott is urging the president to end his failed economic policies and address rising inflation on American families. Read more HERE.

Sen. Rick Scott, Leader Kevin McCarthy Lead Colleagues in Letter to Democratic World Leaders Urging Support For the Fight For Freedom in Cuba

Senator Rick Scott and House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy led more than 140 members of the United States Senate and House of Representatives in a letter to leaders of democratic nations and Secretary of State Antony Blinken urging them to stand up and support the Cuban people in their fight for freedom. In the letter, the members highlighted several actions the world’s free countries should take to support the Cuban people, including denouncing the illegitimate regime and holding it accountable for its horrific human rights abuses through an International Criminal Tribunal; ending all financial support to the regime; coordinating democratic assistance for the brave Cuban freedom advocates; and restoring telecommunications and internet access on the island.

Read more from The Hill’s article, Republicans call for criminal tribunal for human rights abuses in Cuba, below:

“A group of more than 140 Republican lawmakers are calling on the U.S., governments of Central and South America and the European Union (EU) to hold an international criminal tribunal to investigate alleged human rights by the Cuban government amid historic protests in the island nation. 

The Republicans, led by Sen. Rick Scott (Fla.) and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (Calif.) included the demand in a letter sent to the Organization of American States, the EU, and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. 

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The letter specifically called on world leaders to probe reports that ‘Cuban activists have been regularly kidnapped, unjustly jailed, physically mutilated and murdered.’

‘We encourage you to work with us in forming an International Criminal Tribunal for Cuba for crimes against humanity and work to hold the communist regime accountable,’ they added. 

The GOP senators and House members also urged the international community to ‘emphatically denounce the illegitimate Cuban regime, hold it accountable for its human rights abuses and immediately end diplomatic relations,’ as well as ‘end all financial support to the regime.’

Additionally, the lawmakers wrote that the ‘world’s democracies must work collaboratively to coordinate democratic assistance for the brave Cuban freedom advocates,’ and ‘do everything in our power to make sure the people of Cuba can communicate with each other and the outside world through unfettered internet access, cellular service, cellular and satellite phones, and other technology that may assist the democratic opposition.’”

Read the full article in The Hill HERE.

Sen. Rick Scott Speaks at Escambia County Bicentennial Celebration

Senator Scott joined local and state leaders in Pensacola for Escambia County’s Bicentennial Celebration to celebrate 200 years since the county’s establishment on July 17, 1821.