FLORIDA - SENATOR RICK SCOTT'S WEEK IN REVIEW 02/19/2021

 

This week, Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation leaders announced the new Commerce subcommittee structure and leadership for the 117th Congress, including Senator Rick Scott’s new role as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Tourism, Trade, and Export Promotion. Senator Rick Scott said, “I’m proud to continue serving on the Senate Committee for Commerce, Science and Transportation, and as Ranking Member on the new Subcommittee on Tourism, Trade, and Export Promotion. Tourism is essential to the success of Florida’s economy and supports millions of jobs in communities of every size across our state. While I was Governor, we proudly welcomed hundreds of millions of visitors every year, shattering tourism records. Each of these visitors supported small businesses, fueled job growth and helped us increase our state and local investments in the environment, transportation, public safety and education. “Today, as our state and nation work to recover from the coronavirus and get our economy back on track, I remain committed to doing everything I can to support our tourism industry in Florida and across the United States. I also look forward to continuing my work on the committee to improve our nation’s infrastructure, maintain the United States’ role as a leader in commerce and space exploration, and protect our national security, citizens and networks from the threat of Communist China.” Read more from the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation HERE. — See more of what Senator Scott has been up to this week below.

Sen. Rick Scott: It’s Time to Get Back to Work  Following the acquittal of former President Donald Trump on Saturday, Senator Rick Scott released the below statement. Senator Rick Scott said, “The attack on the Capitol we all witnessed on January 6 was horrific and the lawless thugs who are responsible for the disgusting violence we saw do not represent America. They should all be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. However, this week, instead of addressing the serious issues facing our nation, Democrats in Congress put our work for the American people on hold and pushed forward with an unconstitutional impeachment trial. The Democrats’ political theater was better suited for the Kennedy Center than the U.S. Capitol. It was a waste of everyone’s time and tax dollars.  "It’s time to get back to work. I am more focused than ever on battling the coronavirus pandemic, addressing our nation’s unsustainable $27 trillion debt, holding our adversaries and the brutal dictators that lead them accountable and finding real solutions that protect DACA and tackle America’s border security problem. I’ll continue fighting to make Washington work and get things done for Florida families." Read more HERE. — Sen. Rick Scott: Charges Against Hong Kong Pro-Democracy Activists Must Be Dropped  Following the start of a sham trial against Jimmy Lai and 8 pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong, Senator Rick Scott released the below statement calling on Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam to drop all charges and respect the civil liberties of Hong Kongers. In December, Senator Scott wrote a letter to Chief Executive Lam calling on her to release Jimmy Lai and other pro-democracy activists arrested under the “National Security Law.” In September 2019, Senator Scott was the first U.S. Senator to travel to Hong Kong after the protests began to meet with Jimmy Lai and other pro-democracy activists.  Senator Rick Scott said, “This trial is a sham and is only meant to silence opposition and stop the progress of democracy. These brave activists have not committed actual crimes. They have only dared to stand for freedom, offending the fragile sensibilities of General Secretary Xi. Chief Executive Lam should stop serving as Beijing’s puppet and actually stand up for her people. Prosecuting freedom-loving citizens like Jimmy Lai is a dangerous move that threatens the freedoms of all Hong Kongers. This trial cannot go forward and all charges must be dropped immediately." Read more HERE. — Senate Armed Services Committee Announces Subcommittee Leadership for 117th Congress Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) Chairman Jack Reed (D-RI) and Ranking Member Jim Inhofe (R-OK) announced the subcommittee assignments for the 117th Congress. Senator Rick Scott has been assigned to: Subcommittee on Airland Subcommittee on Seapower Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities Senator Rick Scott said, “I’m honored to continue serving on the Senate Armed Services Committee and on the subcommittees for Airland, Seapower and Emerging Threats and Capabilities. Florida has 20 military bases and three unified commands, more than almost any other state, and I will always do everything I can to support our armed services and the brave individuals who serve our nation. As a Navy veteran myself, I will never forget my most important job as U.S. Senator is to protect and serve the families of our nation, and we must continue to invest in America’s greatest asset — the men and women of our armed forces.” Read more from the Senate Armed Services Committee HERE. — Sen. Rick Scott Applauds Unanimous Passage of Resolution Congratulating Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Super Bowl Championship Senator Rick Scott applauded the Senate’s unanimous passage of his resolution with Senator Marco Rubio congratulating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the team’s loyal fans, on winning the National Football League’s 55th Super Bowl hosted this year in Tampa, Florida.  Senator Rick Scott said, “Following an amazing regular season with plenty of hard work, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ historic hometown Super Bowl win gave Floridians a much-needed reason to celebrate. I was proud to join my colleague, Senator Rubio, to introduce this resolution congratulating the Buccaneers for bringing the Lombardi Trophy back to Tampa Bay, and I applaud its unanimous passage in the Senate. Go Bucs!" Read more HERE. — Sen. Rick Scott: American Taxpayers Need Transparency on Green Climate Fund Spending Senator Rick Scott wrote a letter to Dr. Yannick Glemarec, Executive Director of the Green Climate Fund (GCF), requesting answers and transparency on how the GCF spends American taxpayer dollars. The GCF is an element of the Paris Climate Agreement. This letter follows President Biden’s recent Executive Order on the United States’ intent to rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement. Senator Scott is committed to addressing the impacts of climate change and protecting the environment while ensuring that every American tax dollar spent provides a measurable and acceptable return on investment and serves the interests of the United States. Read more, including the full letter, HERE. — Sen. Rick Scott Reintroduces Taiwan Invasion Prevention Act to Support our Ally Against Communist China’s Aggression Senator Rick Scott reintroduced the Taiwan Invasion Prevention Act, sponsored by Congressman Guy Reschenthaler in the U.S. House of Representatives, to protect Taiwan from Communist China’s growing aggression. The Taiwan Invasion Prevention Act further reinforces the U.S.-Taiwan relationship and strengthens Taiwan’s ability to resist Communist China’s aggressive policies and military actions. Senator Rick Scott said, “It is no secret that General Secretary Xi is bent on world domination. The United States cannot sit back and let this happen, and that starts with supporting our peaceful and democratic ally Taiwan. The Taiwan Invasion Prevention Act discourages Communist China from using military force against a peaceful democratic power and strongly demonstrates our commitment to Taiwan and to the importance of freedom and democracy. The Biden Administration’s appeasement policy toward Communist China is dangerous. If President Biden fails to stand up to General Secretary Xi, it will have absolutely devastating consequences for the national security of the U.S. and our allies. I urge my Democratic colleagues and the Biden Administration to take a stand for democracy and join Representative Reschenthaler and me in holding Communist China accountable and protecting Taiwan." Read more HERE. — Sen. Rick Scott Outlines Priorities in Letter to Secretary of State Blinken Senator Rick Scott sent a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken outlining his expectations for the Department of State and the Biden Administration’s foreign policy agenda. In his letter, Senator Scott stresses the importance of the Department of State’s role in protecting and expanding freedom and democracy across the globe and holding dictators in Cuba, Venezuela, Iran and Communist China accountable for their oppression and human rights abuses. Read more, including the full letter, HERE. — Sen. Rick Scott: Communist China Must be Held Accountable for Horrific Genocide Senator Rick Scott released the below statement following new reports revealing the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is guilty of systematic sexual assault against Uyghur women. Senator Rick Scott said, “The CCP, under the direction of General Secretary Xi, is systematically persecuting Uyghurs. The alleged crimes committed in concentration camps in Xinjiang, especially against women, are unspeakable. Absolutely no woman, child or human should have to live under those conditions. It’s an abomination and a genocide. “Americans can no longer stay silent about what is happening in Communist China. We must stand up for human rights and say enough is enough. We need to stop buying products made with slave labor and stop buying from Communist China, period. We need to move the 2022 Olympic Games out of Beijing. We need to remove Communist China from the UN Human Rights Council. We need to stop sending any taxpayer money to Communist China or any companies backed by their government or military. At today’s G7 meeting, President Biden must make it clear that the United States will not tolerate these atrocities. All freedom-loving nations must join together to hold Communist China accountable and condemn the CCP for its horrific genocide. These crimes must end now." Read more HERE. — Sen. Rick Scott Outlines Priorities in Letter to DHS Secretary Mayorkas Senator Rick Scott sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas outlining his priorities for DHS to enhance national security and advance American interests. Senator Scott remains gravely concerned by President Biden’s plan of open borders and amnesty, which has already led to a notable increase of apprehensions and illegal crossings at the Southern border. In his letter, Senator Scott urges Secretary Mayorkas to focus on securing the Southern border, ensuring legal immigration, finding a long-term solution for individuals in America on Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and stemming the influx of illegal immigration. Read more, including the full letter, HERE.

Sen. Rick Scott in the Tampa Bay Times: America Can’t Keep Spending Without Consequence, We Must Address Our Debt Crisis Now Senator Rick Scott wrote an op-ed for the Tampa Bay Times on how the Biden Administration and Congress must take significant, immediate action to address our nation’s federal debt crisis, which currently sits at a massive and unsustainable $27 trillion. Since becoming Senator, Senator Scott has been calling for the federal government to address this crisis and rein in the out-of-control spending that is putting our country’s future at risk. In the op-ed, Senator Rick Scott wrote, “Since being elected to represent Florida in the United States Senate, I’ve fought hard to call out wasteful spending and offer solutions to make our government more efficient and accountable to the taxpayers. This should be the foundation of our work and service to our constituents. We can’t forget that every dollar the federal government spends is borrowed from the American people. Sadly, over the past two years that I’ve been in Washington, I’ve realized that while many politicians make promises to uphold these values, very few put their words into practice. It’s no wonder then that our national debt continues to grow out of control. In 2020 alone the federal government increased its debt by more than $4 trillion. Today, it sits at a massive and unsustainable $27 trillion. … Congress’ decades of failure to think and act responsibly has led to enormous deficits, insurmountable debt, and out-of-control spending. Right now, our country is spending out of control. And even before the pandemic, when the economy was booming, the federal government was running trillion-dollar annual deficits. … This summer, Congress and President Joe Biden will face the critical choice of raising or suspending the debt ceiling. Congress has made a habit of maxing out America’s credit card with no plan to pay off our debts. Failure to reign in deficit spending will inevitably cause high inflation, devastating the purchasing power of all Americans and disproportionately impacting low and fixed income families. Since the Biden administration doesn’t have a plan to address this crisis, I hope they’ll join me in fighting for fiscal restraint, the adoption of sustainable and responsible debt reduction measures and passage of reforms that produce concrete, enforceable limitations of deficit spending. Americans understand they can’t spend without consequence. It’s time for government to embrace this same mentality." Read the full op-ed in the Tampa Bay Times HERE. — Senador Rick Scott en Diario Las Américas: Es hora de afrontar la crisis de la deuda nacional El Senador Rick Scott escribió un artículo de opinión esta semana para el Diario Las Américas sobre como el Congreso y la Administración Biden deben actuar para resolver la crisis de la deuda nacional la cual actualmente asciende a 27 billones de dólares. Desde que se convirtió en Senador, el Senador Scott le ha solicitado al gobierno federal que aborde esta crisis y controle el gasto descontrolado que está poniendo en riesgo el futuro de nuestro país. En el artículo de opinión el Senador Rick Scott escribió, “Lamentablemente, durante los últimos dos años que he estado en Washington, me he dado cuenta de que, si bien muchos políticos prometen defender estos valores, muy pocos ponen sus palabras en práctica. No es sorprendente entonces que nuestra deuda nacional continúe creciendo sin control. Solo en el 2020, el gobierno federal aumentó su deuda en más de $4 billones (“trillions” en inglés). Hoy asciende a 27 billones de dólares. Esta cifra es masiva e insostenible. … Las décadas de fracaso del Congreso de pensar y actuar responsablemente han llevado a enormes déficits, una deuda insuperable y un gasto descontrolado. En este momento, nuestro país está gastando fuera de control. Incluso antes de la pandemia, cuando la economía estaba en auge, el gobierno federal tenía déficits anuales de billones de dólares. Esto tiene que terminar. … Este verano, el Congreso y el presidente Biden enfrentarán la decisión crítica de aumentar o suspender el techo de la deuda. El Congreso se ha acostumbrado a maximizar la tarjeta de crédito de los Estados Unidos sin ningún plan para pagar nuestras deudas. No controlar el gasto deficitario inevitablemente provocará una alta inflación, devastando el poder adquisitivo de todos los americanos y afectando de manera desproporcionada a las familias de ingresos bajos y fijos. Las familias americanas entienden que no pueden gastar sin consecuencias. Es hora de que el gobierno adopte esta misma mentalidad”. Puede leer el artículo completo en el Diario Las Américas AQUÍ. —   Orlando Sentinel: Rick Scott: Environmental record as governor set high standard | Letters WPLG: Bipartisan group in Miami asks Biden to avoid lifting sanctions on Cuba WCTV: ‘It’s disastrous for American families’: Sen. Rick Scott urges Congress members to address U.S. debt WPTV: Former President Donald Trump, Florida lawmakers react to Rush Limbaugh’s death WFLX: Trump, Florida lawmakers react to Rush Limbaugh’s death WTXL: Sens. Rubio, Scott vote to acquit Trump, want to move on from trial WEAR: Florida Senators Scott and Rubio vote to acquit former president Trump Florida Daily: Rick Scott Urges Antony Blinken Stand Up to China, Cuba, Venezuela, Iran Regimes Florida Daily: Rick Scott Announces Armed Services Subcommittee Assignments Florida Daily: Florida’s Senators Honor Super Bowl Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers Florida Daily: Rick Scott Calls for More Transparency from Green Climate Fund Florida Daily: Marco Rubio, Rick Scott Vote to Acquit in Second Trump Impeachment Univision: Políticos demócratas y republicanos hacen recomendaciones a Biden sobre la política hacia Cuba La Patilla: Rick Scott pidió a la ONU que se retracte sobre la propuesta de levantar sanciones al régimen de Maduro Miami Diario: Rick Scott pidió a la ONU retractarse tras propuesta de levantar sanciones a Maduro EVTV: Rick Scott rechazó propuesta de la ONU para levantar sanciones a Maduro

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