|
Sen. Rick Scott Applauds Final National Defense Authorization, Including His Amendments to Hold Venezuela and China Accountable
Senator Rick Scott applauded the release of the final 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which was reported out by the conference committee on Monday. The final NDAA includes:
- Nearly $750 billion in defense spending;
- A 3.1% pay raise for military members;
- Senator Scott’s amendment to cut off funds to the Maduro regime;
- Senator Scott’s amendment to hold China accountable;
- More than $1.5 billion to rebuild Tyndall Air Force Base following Hurricane Michael; and
- A ban on the purchase or use of foreign-made drones by the Department of Defense.
Senator Rick Scott said, “This year’s NDAA is a great win for our military and gives our men and women in uniform the resources they need to protect our nation. I’m proud we included nearly $750 billion to fund our military this year, including more than $1.5 billion in funding to rebuild Tyndall Air Force Base and a pay raise for military members, which are key components of my Fighting for Florida budget agenda. I’m also glad my amendments to hold China accountable and prohibit the DOD from doing business with anyone that supports the oppressive Maduro regime were included in the final version. We must always fight to make sure our military has every resource it needs to protect our nation, support our allies and stand up for freedom across the globe – and I look forward to the swift passage of this year’s NDAA.” Read more HERE.
—
Sen. Rick Scott: It’s Time to Hold Washington Accountable - Pass No Budget, No Pay Now
Senator Rick Scott spoke on the Senate floor about all the things Congress is not doing while Democrats in the House continue their obsession with impeaching the President to overturn the results of the 2016 election, like passing a budget. Senator Scott is working to hold members of Congress accountable by passing No Budget, No Pay to prevent them from getting paid if they fail to pass a budget. Watch Senator Scott’s speech HERE or below.
—
Sen. Rick Scott Statement on Call with Saudi Arabian Ambassador to the U.S.
Senator Rick Scott released the below statement following his call with the Ambassador to the United States from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Senator Rick Scott said, "I spoke with the Ambassador to the United States from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Reema Al-Saud. I expressed my concern about the tragic shooting at Naval Air Station Pensacola on Friday. I was glad to learn of the Kingdom’s commitment to cooperate fully with the United States in investigating Friday’s terrorist attack. Most importantly, the Ambassador expressed the Saudi government’s commitment that all Saudi students at NAS Pensacola will remain in the United States until the investigation is concluded.”
—
Sen. Rick Scott Calls for More Transparency, End to Training of Foreign Nationals Who Haven’t Been Fully Vetted by U.S. Intelligence Agencies
Senator Rick Scott released the below statement calling for more transparency following last week’s attack at NAS Pensacola.
Senator Rick Scott said, “The safety and security of American men and women in uniform is my number one priority. It should be the number one priority of our entire government. While our alliances around the world are invaluable in defending American national security and our interests abroad, the tragic terrorist attack in Pensacola last week revealed an unnecessary risk. This terrorist should never have been allowed in our country, let alone on an American military base with easy access to American military men and women.
“Federal agencies have not been transparent about the vetting process used for foreign nationals training on U.S. military bases. I’m calling to end the training of any foreign nationals who haven’t been fully vetted by U.S. intelligence agencies. Any foreign national currently training on U.S. military bases that hasn’t been fully vetted by U.S. intelligence agencies should immediately be sent back to their home country, with the exception of those being held in connection with the terrorist attack in Pensacola. Every federal agency has a responsibility to be clear and transparent with the American people about what processes we use to vet foreign nationals training on our bases. We cannot continue to take unnecessary risks.” Read more HERE.
—
Sen. Rick Scott to Attorney General Barr: Keep Huawei Out of U.S. Markets
Senator Rick Scott sent a letter to Attorney General William Barr following Huawei’s challenge to the FCC’s ruling that bans government funds from being used to buy Huawei equipment. Read more, including the full letter, HERE.
—
Senator Rick Scott Calls for Hearing on Inadequacies in Vetting of Foreign Nationals
Senator Rick Scott called for a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, with a classified session if necessary, with U.S. law enforcement and intelligence agencies, as well as military leaders, to examine the failures in the vetting of foreign nationals training on U.S. military bases.
Senator Rick Scott said, “The terrorist attack at Naval Air Station Pensacola was entirely preventable. It’s clear that there were failures in the vetting of this individual. What’s not clear is how the vetting process works, who does the vetting, and how much we’re able to monitor foreign nationals training in the U.S. We need to seriously reconsider the value of training foreign nationals on U.S. military bases, but in the meantime, it’s important that we get to the bottom of what went wrong so we can figure out how to improve the vetting process.” Read more HERE.
—
Senator Rick Scott Leads Colleagues in Urging Congressional Leadership to Pass His No Budget, No Pay Proposal
Senator Rick Scott, Senator Kyrsten Sinema, Representative Jack Bergman and Representative Gil Cisneros led a bipartisan, bicameral letter to Congressional leadership urging them to pass No Budget, No Pay to prevent members of Congress from getting paid if they don’t pass a budget. Read more, including the full letter, below or HERE.
  
|