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This week, following a recent report on how some Florida school districts are refusing to enact safety measures Senator Rick Scott signed into law as Governor after the tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Senator Scott sent a letter to school district leadership demanding action to keep schools safe. In the letter, Senator Scott wrote:
"I am not writing to you just as a current U.S. Senator and as your former Governor; but as a parent, a grandfather, and a Florida resident. The recent report from the Grand Jury on the progress of many school districts’ implementation of the safety measures passed by the state for our students can only be described as disheartening...
We worked together to provide the support needed to make our schools the safest in the nation. As the report notes, many districts have not followed through on what we fought so hard to secure. It appears many districts have abandoned the most critical mandate constituents expect from you: to make sure our schools are safe....
I am deeply disappointed in how many school districts failed to respond in the wake of a tragedy when presented with an opportunity. Just remember, 17 lives were lost at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on February 14, 2018, and the lives of their families and loved ones are forever changed."
Senator Scott also attended a Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee hearing on enhancing school safety this week to discuss what federal resources and actions must be taken to make sure our students and teachers are protected. Watch video from the hearing below or HERE. 
See more of what Senator Scott has been up to this week below.
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Senator Rick Scott released the second episode of his series in partnership with the Heritage Foundation: How Washington Wastes Your Money. Every Wednesday, Senator Scott highlights how Washington is failing the American people with its wasteful spending. See previous Washington Waste Wednesday features HERE and HERE.
This week's episode focuses on return on investment. Every year, Washington automatically spends 70% of its total spending – $3 trillion in taxpayer dollars – on programs that do not receive regular Congressional review. In the video, Senator Scott highlights the “Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program,” which received $8.2 billion in federal funding and was expected to create 3,384 jobs for families in rural areas. The program ended up creating only 415 jobs – a horrible return on investment for American taxpayers. See more in the video below or HERE. 
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Senator Rick Scott introduced the Promoting Responsibility In Markets and E-Retailers (PRIME) Act of 2019 to require online retailers to list the country of origin for each product they sell. Following recentprivacy concerns surrounding a popular Russia-based app, the bill also requires digital apps to disclose their country of origin.
Senator Rick Scott said, “We have to get serious about where our money is going. There are nations around the world, like China, that are trying to compete with America. By buying products made by our adversaries, we are sending them money without a second thought and supporting their efforts to compete with us on the global stage. Consumers should know where the products they buy online are made and where the apps they download to their phones are developed. I introduced the PRIME Act to create more transparency in the online retail space so consumers can make informed choices for themselves and their families.” Read more HERE.
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Senator Rick Scott released the below statement following Senate confirmation of Mark Esper as Secretary of Defense.
Senator Rick Scott said, “I was proud to support Mark Esper’s confirmation as Secretary of Defense today. Secretary Esper’s years of dedicated service to this country have prepared him to lead in this role, and I am confident he will continue to serve our nation well. I look forward to working with him to keep American families safe. Now, we need to make sure he has the resources needed to do the job we’ve hired him to do. It’s time for the House of Representatives to move forward on a NDAA bill that the Senate and the White House can support.” Read more HERE.
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Senator Rick Scott released the following statement after the Senate voted overwhelmingly to pass theNever Forget the Heroes: Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act. This bipartisan legislation, co-sponsored by Senator Scott, provides funding for the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, which supports 9/11 survivors and first responders who have experienced health issues following the attack.
Senator Rick Scott said, “I applaud the passage of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, which supports survivors, our brave first responders, and the families and loved ones of the innocent victims who were lost in the attack. I was in New York City on September 11, 2001, and saw the terror and devastation inflicted on our nation. The tragedy continues each and every day for the survivors, first responders, and families of the victims. We must continue to do everything we can to honor the heroes lost, and stand with the victims and their families – and I’m glad we were able to pass this important funding today.” Read more HERE.
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Senator Rick Scott announced his co-sponsorship of the Student Empowerment Act to allow all students – including public, private, religious, and homeschool students – to use tax-exempt distributions from qualified tuition programs (known as 529 plans) to cover eligible educational expenses, including books, tutoring, and testing fees.
Senator Rick Scott said, “During my time as Governor of Florida, I worked to make Florida a national leader in school choice options for all students, with hundreds of thousands of families taking advantage of these opportunities. The Student Empowerment Act builds on our efforts by expanding access to 529 savings accounts so that all Florida families have the opportunity for the best education for their children.” Read more HERE.
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Senator Rick Scott and Congresswoman Jenniffer González-Colón sent a letter to President Trump asking the Administration to appoint a Federal Coordinator to oversee responsible implementation of Puerto Rico’s disaster funding. The Coordinator will ensure disaster relief funding gets to the Island’s families in a transparent and efficient manner.
Senator Rick Scott said, “Recent events in Puerto Rico demonstrate just how much the Island needs real leadership. A Federal Coordinator will make sure that families in Puerto Rico get the help they need following the devastation of Hurricane Maria and that U.S. taxpayer money is spent wisely. I was proud to work with Congresswoman Jenniffer González-Colón to secure disaster relief funding for Puerto Rico, and I’m proud to work with her and the Administration to make sure that funding gets to those who need it.” Read more HERE.
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Senator Rick Scott made the below statement following the announcement of Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rosselló’s resignation.
Senator Rick Scott said, “My focus is on the families of Puerto Rico. I vowed to be their voice in the United States Senate and that will never change. I’m glad Governor Rosselló finally made the decision to resign. The conduct from the island’s leadership has been unacceptable. Puerto Rico has the opportunity to move forward with new leadership. My hope and my prayer is that the new leaders focus on improving the lives of Puerto Rican families and rebuilding trust by creating jobs, improving education and enhancing security. I will always stand with the families of Puerto Rico and do everything I can in the United States Senate to fight for them.” Read more HERE.
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El senador Rick Scott hizo la siguiente declaración luego del anuncio de la renuncia del gobernador de Puerto Rico, Ricardo Rosselló.
El senador Rick Scott dijo: “Mi enfoque está en las familias de Puerto Rico. Juré ser su voz en el Senado de los Estados Unidos y eso nunca cambiará. Me alegra que el gobernador Rosselló finalmente haya decidido renunciar. La conducta del liderazgo de la isla ha sido inaceptable. Puerto Rico tiene la oportunidad de seguir adelante con un nuevo liderazgo. Mi esperanza y mi oración es que los nuevos líderes se enfoquen en mejorar la vida de las familias puertorriqueñas y en reconstruir la confianza del pueblo creando empleos, mejorando la educación y la seguridad de la isla. Siempre estaré con las familias de Puerto Rico y haré todo lo posible en el Senado de los Estados Unidos para luchar por ellos”. Lea más AQUÍ. | ||||
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Senator Rick Scott wrote an op-ed on his efforts to make healthcare more affordable for families across the nation, and that starts with addressing the soaring cost of prescription drugs.
In the op-ed, Senator Rick Scott wrote, “…As a member of the U.S. Senate, it is my job to protect Floridians every day, and especially in times of crisis. The soaring costs of prescription drugs are hurting Americans, and it is incumbent upon my colleagues in Washington to stand up and fight for what is right. There are solutions to this problem. I’m working on four that we can and should get done now, and I will not stop fighting until healthcare is affordable and accessible for all Americans.” Read the full op-ed in RealClearPolitics HERE.
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Wall Street Journal: Lawmakers Press Trump on Sanctions Against Turkey
Sunshine State News: Rick Scott Would Sanction Turkey for Increased Ties to Russia
The Verge: A new bill would make online sellers and app stores post their products’ origin countries
Tampa Bay Times: After Russian FaceApp goes viral, Rick Scott wants online stores to say where apps came from
Florida Daily: After FaceApp Questions, Rick Scott Wants More Transparency From Online Retailers and Apps
Florida Daily: Rick Scott Backs Ted Cruz’s Student Empowerment Act
Florida Daily: Members of the Florida Delegation Glad to See Ricardo Rosselló Resign as Puerto Rico’s Governor
CBS Miami: Florida Senators Marco Rubio & Rick Scott On Puerto Rico Governor Richardo Rosselló’s Resignation
El Nuevo Dia: Jenniffer González, Rick Scott y Sean Duffy piden a Trump un coordinador federal de reconstrucción
Florida Daily: Florida Senators Back 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund Bill Which Now Heads to President’s Desk
Sunshine State News: Rick Scott: Florida Districts Need to Enact School Safety Measures
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Senator Rick Scott attended the grand opening of OneWeb Satellite’s new manufacturing facility in Merritt Island. This new facility will create 250 new jobs on Florida’s Space Coast and support the creation of 3,000 indirect jobs. Read more from OneWeb HERE.
Senator Rick Scott said, “As Governor, I had the opportunity to join OneWeb to announce its plans to expand here in Brevard County. Today as Senator, I’m proud to celebrate the grand opening of OneWeb’s new state-of-art manufacturing facility and the creation of 250 high-tech, high-paying jobs for local families. This is great news for our state, and I’ll keep fighting to support the continued growth and success of companies like OneWeb, so even more Floridians have the opportunity to get a great job and live their dreams.”
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Sen. Rick Scott Holds Roundtable Discussion with Asian American Community Members in Orlando
 
Senator Rick Scott held a roundtable with Asian American community members in Orlando to discuss how he can continue to support the Asian American community as a U.S. Senator.
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Senator Rick Scott met with Venezuelan community leaders in Orlando to discuss the United States’ continued efforts to force Nicolas Maduro aside and bring a new day of freedom to the Venezuelan people.
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Also this week in Florida...
If you're in Hillsborough County this weekend, consider joining Homes For Our Troops on Saturday to kick off construction on a home for Army SPC Michael Monthervil! More info HERE.
The U.S. Department of Transportation announced $90 million in funding to reinforce necessary infrastructure and continue supporting Florida’s space industry - great news for Florida's Space Coast!
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Come Visit Us at Mobile Office Hours!
Next week, the staff of Senator Rick Scott will be holding Mobile Office Hours to assist Floridians with federal services, including help with federal agencies and veterans' resources. See a full list of federal services HERE.
Next week's Mobile Office Hours will be on:
Wednesday, July 31st, 2019
at the following locations:
The Courthouse in Bronson
11:00AM - 2:00PM 355 S. Court Street Bronson, FL 32621
AND
West Flagler Branch Library 11:30AM - 3:00PM5050 W. Flagler Street Miami, FL 33134 —
Interested in serving our great country? Senator Scott has the honor to nominate candidates for appointment to U.S. Military Academies.Visit our website HERE and spread the word to all individuals seeking appointment to a service academy TODAY!
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Senator Scott remains committed to filling Florida's federal judicial vacancies in Florida’s Southern District and Middle District with the best-qualified candidates to serve our state and nation. Interested candidates may contact our office or find more information on current federal judicial vacancies HERE.
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