This week, Senator Rick Scott wrote an op-ed for the Miami Herald and el Nuevo Herald on why the United States must stand up for freedom, democracy and human rights throughout Latin America to protect America’s families, national security and economic stability.

In the op-ed, Senator Rick Scott wrote, “During the State of Union address, President Trump recognized the president of Venezuela, Juan Guaidó, and later received him at the White House as a head of state. It was a significant moment in today’s hyper-partisan Washington to see near universal, bipartisan support for Guaidó.

It also underscored the commitment to a future Latin America not plagued by despots like Nicolas Maduro, Raul Castro or Daniel Ortega. For those of us who advocate the importance of Latin America to U.S. national-security interests, it renews our hope that the region may finally be prioritized in our foreign-policy agenda.…
 
The crises we face across Latin America may seem like isolated, parochial conflicts in a faraway place, but the reality is that these crises reach our shores eventually. They always do. Each time there is political, social or economic instability, a natural disaster or rising dictatorship in the region, the movement of immigrants from any given crisis puts a strain on our immigration system and resources. There also are the devastating impacts on affected families. 

It’s a geopolitical reality that requires, from a simple cost-benefit analysis, a greater commitment to the stability of the region.…
 
We must be clear-eyed about the threats and understand their origin as well as their effect on the flow of migrants to our border, of drugs into our country and the rising influence of anti-American actors in the hemisphere. The degree to which our foreign policy truly reflects a commitment to freedom, democracy and human rights in the region will have a direct impact on our stability at home.”

Read the full op-ed in the Miami Herald HERE and the el Nuevo Herald HERE.

—

See more of what Senator Scott has been up to this week below.

Sen. Rick Scott Discusses Threat of Counterfeit Goods and Coronavirus from Communist China in Miami

Senator Rick Scott visited the U.S. Customs and Border Protection International Mail Facility in Miami to discuss the work being done on the federal level to combat counterfeit goods from Communist China. Senator Scott also discussed the threat of the Chinese Coronavirus, and his call for increased screening and inspections on all products and produce coming into the United States from China. 

—

The 25th season of the The Wall That Heals national tour honoring our nation's Vietnam War veterans debuted in Marco Island this week. Thank you to the Marco Island American Legion Post #404 for hosting, and thank you to those who have served our great nation. 

—

Come Visit Us at Mobile Office Hours!

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 held at:

Indian River County
Monday, February 24, 2020
9:00AM - 11:00AM
Senior Resource Association
694 14th Street
Vero Beach, FL 32960

–

St. Lucie County
Monday, February 24, 2020
12:00PM - 2:00PM
Fort Pierce City Hall
100 N U.S. Highway 1
Fort Pierce, FL 34950

 –

Miami-Dade County 
Monday, February 24, 2020
10:00AM - 1:00PM
Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce
1920 Meridian Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33139

–

Taylor County
Monday, February 24, 2020
11:00AM - 1:00PM
Taylor Senior Citizens Center, Inc.
800 West Ash Street
Perry, FL 32347

–

Charlotte County
Tuesday, February 25, 2020
9:00AM - 11:00AM
Heritage Oaks Assisted Living & Memory Care
7374 San Casa Drive
Englewood, FL 34224

–

Madison County
Tuesday, February 25, 2020
11:00AM - 1:00PM
Madison County Board of County Commissioners
229 SW Pinckney St., Room 107
Madison, FL 32340

–

Seminole County
Tuesday, February 25, 2020
11:30AM - 1:30PM
Greater Sanford Regional Chamber of Commerce
230 East 1st Street
Sanford, FL 32771

–

Flagler County
Wednesday, February 26, 2020
9:00AM - 12:00PM
Flagler County Government Services 
1796 E. Moody Blvd., Building 2
Bunnell, FL 32110

–

Osceola County
Thursday, February 27, 2020
11:00AM - 1:00PM
Museum of Military History
5210 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy.
Kissimmee, FL 34746

–

 Palm Beach County
Friday, February 28, 2020
10:00AM - 12:00PM
Palm Beach Vet Center
4996 10th Ave N., Suite 6
Greenacres, FL 33463
 

Sen. Rick Scott Applauds Treasury Department for Sanctioning Russian Oil Firm for Supporting Maduro Regime

Senator Rick Scott issued the following statement applauding the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) for designating Rosneft Trading S.A., the Swiss-incorporated, Russian-controlled oil brokerage firm pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13850, as amended, for operating in the oil sector of the Venezuelan economy. OFAC also designated the chairman of the board of directors and president of Rosneft Trading S.A., Didier Casimiro, for purporting to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Rosneft Trading S.A.

Senator Rick Scott said, “Nicolas Maduro is not the legitimate leader of Venezuela. He is a thug and a dictator who is perpetrating a genocide on his people and profiting off their suffering. I’m glad the Treasury Department is taking action against foreign entities that prop up the corrupt Maduro regime. The quickest way to end his brutal regime is to cut of the supply of money and this is an important step in that direction. We must remain vigilant. The United States and all freedom-loving nations around the world need to do everything in our power to isolate Maduro in Venezuela.” Read more HERE.

—

El senador Rick Scott aplaude al Departamento del Tesoro por sancionar a empresa petrolera rusa por apoyar al régimen de Maduro

El senador Rick Scott hizo la siguiente declaración aplaudiendo a la Oficina de Control de Activos Extranjeros (OFAC) del Departamento del Tesoro de los Estados Unidos por designar a Rosneft Trading SA, la firma de corretaje de petróleo controlada por Rusia y constituida en Suiza de conformidad con la Orden Ejecutiva (OE) 13850, según enmendada, por operar en el sector petrolero de Venezuela. La OFAC también designó al presidente de la junta directiva y al presidente de Rosneft Trading S.A., Didier Casimiro, por su pretensión de actuar para o en nombre de, directa o indirectamente, Rosneft Trading S.A..

El senador Rick Scott dijo: “Nicolás Maduro no es el líder legítimo de Venezuela. Es un matón y un dictador que está perpetrando un genocidio contra su pueblo y aprovechándose de su sufrimiento. Me alegra que el Departamento del Tesoro esté tomando medidas contra las instituciones financieras extranjeras que apoyan al corrupto régimen de Maduro. La forma más rápida de poner fin a su brutal régimen es cortar la flujo de dinero y este es un paso importante en esa dirección. Debemos permanecer vigilantes. Los Estados Unidos y todas las naciones amantes de la libertad en todo el mundo deben hacer todo lo que esté a nuestro alcance para aislar a Maduro en Venezuela”. Lea más AQUÍ. 

WPLG Local 10 News: Sen. Rick Scott Discusses Threat of Counterfeit Goods and Coronavirus from Communist China in Miami
Watch the clip below or HERE.

—

WPLG: Sen. Rick Scott speaks about coronavirus concerns while touring CBP sorting facility

NBC 6: Senator Rick Scott Addresses Coronavirus Concerns in Miami Visit

WSVN: US Customs agents target counterfeit goods with mandatory screening

Florida Daily: Rick Scott: Medical License Verification Act Will Cut Down on Healthcare Fraud

Florida Daily: Florida Delegation Backs Sanctions on Russian Oil Company Backing the Maduro Regime

Official Website  Unsubscribe