Saturday, January 18, 2020

FLORIDA - SENATOR RICK SCOOT'S WEEK IN REVIEW 01/18/2020

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While the House Democrats focus all their attention on trying to impeach the President, Senator Scott continues to push hard to get things done for the people of Florida. This week, the Senate passed the USMCA to support American businesses, President Trump released disaster funding for Puerto Rico at Senator Scott’s urging, and Senator Scott continued to push for answers on exactly what led to the terrorist attack at NAS Pensacola so we can make sure our men and women in uniform are safe. 

Also this week, Senator Scott co-sponsored:

See more of what Senator Scott has been up to this week below.
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Senator Rick Scott released the following statement after an update on the findings of the FBI investigation into the shooting at NAS Pensacola last month. 
 
Senator Rick Scott said, “I’m glad federal officials are taking steps to make our bases safer, including sending a number of potentially dangerous individuals back to their home country. This is a positive step, but more must be done when it comes to addressing the failures in this program that led to the tragic terrorist attack at NAS Pensacola. Given the FBI’s confirmation that a number of Saudi nationals engaged in troubling conduct, it’s clear we need a hard reset. I’m calling on the Saudi government to recall all Saudi nationals training in the U.S. back to their home country until the Department of Defense can conduct a full review of the program. I will continue to work with Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Inhofe and administration officials to get to the bottom of exactly what went wrong so we can figure out if these training programs are safe to continue.” Read more HERE.
Senator Rick Scott sent a letter to the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions recognizing their significant and historic role in World War II and thanking them for their work to protect our nation, our allies, our families and our freedoms. Senator Scott visited Belgium and Luxembourg last month to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge and honor the soldiers who proudly served our nation during World War II, including the Senator’s father. Read more, including the full letters, HERE.
Senator Rick Scott released the below statement following his letter to Florida university presidents requesting information on the steps they have taken to safeguard technology and intellectual property from the influence of foreign adversaries, including Communist China. 

Senator Rick Scott said, “We cannot take the threat from Communist China lightly. They are actively trying to use strategic relationships to advance their geopolitical and economic goals, which threatens our nation’s security. I appreciate the responses I’ve received from some Florida universities detailing the steps they are taking to protect their information from Communist China. But I’m still waiting to hear from many universities in Florida. Everyone needs to understand this risk, and I look forward to hearing back from every institution as we work to protect our universities and our students.” Read more HERE.
Senator Rick Scott released the below statement following the President’s signing of Phase 1 of the China trade deal. 
 
Senator Rick Scott said, “I applaud the President for trying to negotiate deals that put American businesses first. But Communist China never lives up to its commitments and I don’t believe they will honor this deal. Communist China is militarizing the South China Sea, breaking the agreement to give Hong Kong autonomy and freedom, and attacking religious freedom by detaining possibly more than one million Uyghurs in internment and re-education camps. Our relationship with China is about more than just trade. We have to talk about human rights and we have to talk about China’s growing influence around the world. The United States has been down this road before with Communist China. They never live up to their agreements, so why should we believe them now?” Read more HERE.
Senator Rick Scott released the following statement after the Peace Corps announced its decision to wind down operations in Communist China. This decision follows months of Senator Scott calling for the Peace Corps to get out of Communist China, and the introduction of Senator Scott’s Peace Corps Mission Accountability Act, which prohibits all Peace Corps activity in hostile countries, including Communist China.

Senator Rick Scott said, “I’m glad the Peace Corps has finally come to its senses and sees Communist China for what it is: the second largest economy in the world and an adversary of the United States. Communist China continues to be a horrible human rights violator, one of the largest polluters in the world and a geopolitical threat. There is no reason we should prop up our adversaries with U.S. tax dollars. I’ve repeatedly asked the Peace Corps to pull all volunteers and resources from Communist China immediately, and I’m glad they finally decided to start protecting both taxpayer money and the American people. I will also be asking the Peace Corps to present their plan to me to ensure a speedy withdrawal of their resources in Communist China.” Read more HERE.
Senator Rick Scott applauded the Senate’s passage of the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA). Senator Rick Scott spoke about his support of the USMCA in a meeting of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation this week after receiving commitment from U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer that Florida’s seasonal produce growers will be protected. Watch video from the hearing HERE.
 
Senator Rick Scott said, “I’m proud the Senate passed the USMCA as we work with the Administration to negotiate trade agreements that put American businesses first. I want to thank President Trump and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer for all the work they did to get this deal done. While the deal is not perfect, I have received written commitments from USTR that they will work to make sure all Florida growers’ concerns are properly addressed and domestic seasonal producers in Florida are protected. I will not stop fighting until Florida growers have what they need to succeed.” Read more HERE.
Senator Rick Scott joined Senator Steve Daines and colleagues to introduce a resolution designating January 16th as Religious Freedom Day.

Senator Rick Scott said, “As countries around the world, like Communist China and Iran, refuse to respect religious liberty. It is more important than ever that the United States recognize this basic right, and I will always fight to protect our religious freedoms.” Read more from Senator Daines’ office HERE.
Senator Rick Scott released the below statement following the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) release of $8.3 billion in disaster relief funding to help Puerto Rico’s ongoing recovery after Hurricane Maria. HUD will also appoint a Federal Financial Monitor, which follows Senator Scott and Congresswoman Jenniffer González-Colón’s 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, “I am proud the Trump Administration is releasing disaster aid funding for Puerto Rico to help the Island recover from the devastation of Hurricane Maria. I’ve spoken to President Trump multiple times about the importance of getting Puerto Rico the resources they need in a transparent and efficient manner. I’m glad the Administration decided to appoint a Federal Financial Monitor, which I fought for to 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 will continue to do everything I can to support our brothers and sisters on the island.” Read more HERE.
El senador Rick Scott hizo la siguiente declaración luego de que el Departamento de Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano de los Estados Unidos (HUD) liberara $8.3 billones en fondos de ayuda para desastres y así continuar ayudando a Puerto Rico en la recuperación en curso luego del huracán María. HUD también designará un monitor federal, como solicitado en la carta del Senador Scott y la Congresista Jenniffer González-Colón al Presidente Trump pidiéndole a la administración que designara un coordinador federal para supervisar la implementación responsable de los fondos para desastres en Puerto Rico. El coordinador se asegurará de que los fondos de ayuda para desastres lleguen a las familias de la isla de manera transparente y eficiente.

El senador Rick Scott
 dijo: “Estoy orgulloso de que la administración Trump esté liberando fondos de ayuda para desastres para Puerto Rico y así continuar ayudando a la isla a recuperarse de la devastación del huracán María. He hablado varias veces con el presidente Trump sobre la importancia de que Puerto Rico obtenga los recursos que necesita de manera transparente y eficiente. Me alegra que la administración haya decidido nombrar un monitor federal, el cual solicité para asegurarme de que las familias en Puerto Rico reciban la ayuda que necesitan después de la devastación del huracán María y que el dinero de los contribuyentes estadounidenses se gaste sabiamente. Continuaré haciendo todo lo posible para apoyar a nuestros hermanos y hermanas en la isla”. Lea más AQUÍ.  
Senator Rick Scott released an open letter to all European and Canadian tourists traveling to Cuba. The letter urges all tourists to stand for freedom and reconsider plans to visit Cuba, since a trip to Cuba supports the ruthless Cuban regime, which denies Cubans their basic rights and controls everything and everyone on the island. Read more, including the full letter, HERE.
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Senator Rick Scott wrote an op-ed for Fox News about his father, a World War II hero, who inspires him to fight for freedom every day.

In the op-ed, Senator Rick Scott wrote, “My dad’s story is the story of many in his generation. Born in 1925. Kicked out of his house at 9 because his parents got divorced and neither could afford to feed him. He grew up during the Depression with almost nothing by moving in with family and friends. He joined the Army as a teenager.…

But I often wonder if he recognized how important he, and those like him, were to the fabric of American society. I think for my dad, a man who never had any financial success, World War II was a time he felt important.

We seldom give credit to the men and women who struggle financially and simply show up, day in and day out, doing the best they can. I think that’s a mistake. They are the foundation of a country that always yearns for more, for better. The forgotten men and women not only must not be forgotten, but they must also be appreciated, valued.…

Last month, I went to Luxembourg for the 75th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge. 

I learned about the German surprise attack on American troops. About how American troops were initially outnumbered three to one. About Germans massacring unarmed American prisoners of war. About the lack of food and medicine. About the bitter cold and snow. About sleeping in foxholes with no winter clothing.…

I always loved my dad. I was always proud of him. But as I learned more about what he and others did to make sure we have the freedoms we enjoy, I was even more awe-inspired.…

Freedom is fleeting and worth fighting for. I hope we will never forget the primary goal of the federal government is to provide for the common defense, so our children and grandchildren live in freedom and peace, and our sons and daughters and grandsons and granddaughters never have to fight in the dead of winter for American freedom.”

Read the full op-ed in Fox News HERE.
Senator Rick Scott wrote and op-ed reflecting on his first year in the United States Senate and thanking Floridians for the opportunity to fight for them in Washington. 
In the op-ed, Senator Rick Scott wrote, "...This year, we got some big wins for Florida. Following my questions at a Homeland Security Committee hearing, the FBI finally acknowledged they held their employees accountable for mistakes prior to the Parkland shooting, and revamped and improved their tip center process.

The Federal Department of Transportation made significant investments in Florida’s infrastructure and I fought to secure the full $200 million for Everglades restoration.

In December, President Trump signed into law the National Defense Authorization Act, which included a number of provisions that I fought for, such as an authorization of over $1.5 billion to rebuild Tyndall Air Force Base, a well-deserved raise for our military, a provision to hold Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro accountable and a restriction on buying Chinese products that are a risk to our safety and security.

I know my job: make life better for the 22 million who call Florida home.

Forcing the federal government to embrace competence, efficiency and common sense will not be easy. But we have to do it. Thank you for the opportunity to work on your behalf."
Read the full op-ed in the Florida Times-Union HERE.
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Congratulations to the Wounded Warriors who participated in this year's Soldier Ride through the Florida Keys last Saturday! Thank you to everyone involved, and to our veterans - thank you for your service. 
It's no secret that the space industry has long been an important and iconic part of Florida’s history. Last week, Kennedy Space Center's Vehicle Assembly Building was designated a National Historic Civil Engineering landmark last week - congratulations! 
Congratulations to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University on being named #1 in the nation among 97 schools providing online undergraduate degree programs specifically tailored for veterans, and thank you for your work to support our American heroes.
Thank you to all of Florida's law enforcement officers who work every day to serve and protect our families. A special thank you to Martin County Sheriff's Office Sgt.Timothy Baltes and Walton County Sheriff’s Office’s newest K-9 officer, Colt, for going above and beyond the call of duty! Keep up the good work! 
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