FLORIDA - SENATOR RICK SCOTT'S WEEK IN REVIEW 10/02/2020

 

This week, following the news that President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump tested positive for the coronavirus, Senator Rick Scott, and his wife, Ann, are keeping the President and First Lady in their prayers, and wishing them, and all those battling the virus, good health and a speedy recovery. See more in the Tweet below.  — See more of what Senator Scott has been up to this week below.

Sen. Rick Scott: I Proudly Support Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s Nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court Following a meeting with Associate Justice Nominee for the United States Supreme Court, Judge Amy Coney Barrett, Senator Rick Scott released the statement and video below expressing his support for her nomination.  Senator Rick Scott said, “I was honored to meet with Judge Amy Coney Barrett today to hear more about her judicial philosophy, and I fully support her nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court. Amy Coney Barrett has a distinguished record of service to our nation, respects the separate roles of our three branches of government and will apply and follow the law as-written, not legislate from the bench. She is highly qualified, and I look forward to the Senate moving swiftly to confirm her to the U.S. Supreme Court." Read more HERE.   — Sen. Rick Scott Urges NBA, Media and Business Leaders to Take a Stand Against Communist China’s Human Rights Abuses Senator Rick Scott sent a letter to leaders of NBA teams, Fortune 500 companies, the United Nations, and media urging them to use their respective roles to put human rights over profits, and stand with the Uyghurs and Hong Kongers living under the oppression of Communist China and General Secretary Xi Jinping. Read more, including the full letter, HERE. — Senate Dems Block Sen. Rick Scott Resolution Condemning Human Rights Abuses in Communist China Senator Rick Scott released the following statement after Senate Democrats blocked his resolution condemning the gross human rights violations in Communist China and urging the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to move the 2022 Games out of China, where more than one million Uyghurs are being held in concentration camps while the people of Hong Kong are being arrested and denied the basic rights they were promised. Watch more in Senator Scott’s speech HERE. Senator Rick Scott said, “I introduced a resolution condemning the indefensible human rights abuses in Communist China and demanding that the IOC host the games in a country that respects fundamental human rights. Unfortunately, Senator Menendez and the Democrats blocked it, because they can’t pass up an opportunity to play politics. The Democrats wanted us to choose between protecting Venezuelans and holding Communist China accountable – but if my colleagues were willing to work with me, we could do both. The Democrats don’t care about solving problems and helping those suffering under ruthless dictators; they just want to play politics and use the suffering of millions to score political points. Even though the Democrats refuse to work with me to get something done, I’m not giving up and I will never stop standing up for human rights and for those oppressed by ruthless in dictators in Venezuela, China, and around the world."  Read more HERE. — Sen. Rick Scott, Commerce Committee Vote to Subpoena Big Tech CEOs Senator Rick Scott and his colleagues on the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation voted to subpoena the CEOs of Twitter, Facebook, and Alphabet Inc., Google to be witnesses at a Committee hearing on censorship.  Senator Rick Scott said, “It’s no secret that tech companies have a history of unfairly censoring conservatives. Facebook is targeting conservative ads and putting ‘false information’ warnings on them based on information from known liberal media groups, like PolitiFact. This is about free speech, as protected by our Constitution. These companies are censoring free speech, and are picking and choosing which viewpoints are allowed on their platform. If they are going to act like publishers, and not a social media platform, they should be treated as such. We have to hold these companies accountable and protect the rights of Americans, and I’m glad we will have the opportunity to hear directly from these CEOs as to why they give terrorists like Maduro and the Ayatollah a platform, but censor Leader McConnell." Read more HERE or watch video from the hearing below. — Sen. Rick Scott to Donate Third Quarter Senate Salary to the Neighborhood Health Clinic in Southwest Florida Senator Rick Scott announced that he will donate his third quarter Senate salary to the Neighborhood Health Clinic in Southwest Florida. The Neighborhood Health Clinic delivers medical and dental care to uninsured, low income and working Collier County adults. It is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, charitable organization supported by individual donations, businesses, foundations, service clubs, civic and religious organizations, and grants. The Neighborhood Health Clinic does not accept any government funding. Senator Rick Scott said, “In times of crisis, our communities come together to support one another. The Neighborhood Health Clinic has gone above and beyond to take care of Floridians throughout the coronavirus pandemic. With the support of hundreds of selfless volunteers, the Neighborhood Health Clinic provides hope and quality medical care to those in need. Their selfless work to keep Floridians safe and healthy has made an incredible impact on the lives of so many, and I am honored to support their mission." Read more HERE. — Senators Rick Scott, Catherine Cortez Masto Introduce Bill to Connect Military Members with Helpful Resources for Transitioning Out of Service Senators Rick Scott and Catherine Cortez Masto introduced the Know Your Vets Act of 2020, which will connect military members transitioning to civilian life with veteran service officers (VSOs) to help ensure they receive the resources and support they may need following their service. Senator Rick Scott said, “As the son of a World War II veteran and a Navy veteran myself, I understand the challenges faced by our military members transitioning back to civilian life. These men and women dedicated their lives to serving our nation and protecting our way of life, and we should do everything we can to support them during and after their active service. I’m proud to introduce the Know Your Vets Act, which will help connect our veterans with any help or resources they may need.” Read more from  Senator Catherine Cortez Masto’s office HERE.

Sen. Rick Scott, LIBRE Initiative President Garza in Orlando Sentinel: Don’t Use Taxpayer Dollars for State Bailouts Senator Rick Scott and Daniel Garza, President of the LIBRE Initiative, wrote an op-ed for the Orlando Sentinel on why Congress should be focused on helping individuals impacted by the coronavirus by growing the economy, not spending trillions to bail out states that have been fiscally irresponsible for decades. In the op-ed, Senator Rick Scott and LIBRE Initiative President Daniel Garza wrote, “As America continues to work to reopen the economy and end the coronavirus, Congress must focus on three things to help us recover stronger: suppressing the pandemic, getting people back to work safely, and preparing for the next potential crisis. Unfortunately, many lawmakers are trying to use this crisis to push their irresponsible spending priorities that have nothing to do with the coronavirus, including a massive taxpayer bailout of poorly managed states. … That’s not fair to states like Florida, where we’ve made the tough choices to put our state on a financially secure path. Bailing out the bad budgets and pension plans of poorly run states would impose a huge burden on Florida taxpayers, and do severe damage to our economic recovery. We have worked too hard to give every family in Florida a chance to live their American dream and should not be bailing out states that have been fiscally irresponsible for decades. … American taxpayers must ultimately bear the cost of all this proposed new spending — quite possibly in the form of tax increases. And the tab is already intimidating. The national debt is currently at nearly $27 trillion — with the last $3 trillion coming in just the last few months. And even if no new federal bailouts are approved, the Treasury Department expects to add another $2 trillion to the debt in the second half of this year. … We know every American family has been impacted by the coronavirus. This virus was something none of us could control. As families try to figure out how to make ends meet and how to ensure their kids get the best education they can, the last thing they need is to worry about bigger tax increases down the road. No-growth policies and irresponsible spending is a virus Congress can control." Read the full op-ed in the Orlando Sentinel HERE. — Fox News: Sen. Rick Scott introduces bill requiring mail-in ballots be counted within 24 hours of Election Day Fox News: Barrett begins visits with senators as several Dems refuse to meet with her ABC News: Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett meets with GOP senators CBS News: Amy Coney Barrett meets with GOP senators ahead of confirmation hearings Full Court Press with Greta Van Susteren: Sen Rick Scott: Precedent on filling SCOTUS seats consistent, Schumer ‘dishonest’ and ‘hypocritical’ The Hill: Barrett to sit with McConnell and other GOP senators in back-to-back meetings WJAX: Senator Rick Scott speaks on meeting Judge Amy Barrett Florida Daily: Rick Scott Doubles Down on Support of Amy Coney Barrett Florida Daily: Florida’s Senators Back Amy Coney Barrett Being Named to the Supreme Court WJAX: Florida, Georgia leaders respond to President Trump nomination of Judge Amy Barrett Fox News: US Senator Rick Scott says he ‘absolutely’ has confidence in Florida mail-in ballot Full Court Press with Greta Van Susteren: Overtime: Sen Rick Scott: ‘if you’re going to use a mail-in ballot, do it as early as you can’ The Union Journal: Sen. Rick Scott Introduces Legislation Prohibiting Mail-In Ballots From Being Counted More Than 24 Hours After Election Day WOFL: Sen. Scott wants all ballots counted within 24 hours of polls closing Florida Daily: Rick Scott Champions VOTER Act to Offer Vote-By-Mail Reform WTSP: Florida lawmakers send President Trump well wishes after he and the first lady test positive for COVID-19 Florida Daily: Rick Scott Calls on NBA, Media and Business Leaders to Stand Up Against China’s Human Rights Abuses

As Florida’s Panhandle works to recover from the impacts of Hurricane Sally, every Florida family should take the opportunity to make sure they are prepared for any future storms throughout the 2020 Hurricane Season. Severe weather can approach quickly and should never be underestimated. Although preparing for a storm might look a little different amid the coronavirus, we cannot let our guards down, and must do everything we can to ensure our families stay safe. See more in Senator Scott’s Hurricane Season PSA, in partnership with The Weather Channel, HERE.  Read more on how to protect yourself and others from the coronavirus while preparing for hurricane season from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) HERE, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) HERE, or by visiting www.RickScott.senate.gov/Hurricanes. Floridians in need of assistance with federal resources following the impacts of Hurricane Sally can contact Senator Scott’s office HERE.

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