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"We all remember where we were 50 years ago watching history in the making as the Apollo 11 astronauts first landed on the moon. Since then, the space industry has become an important and iconic part of Florida’s history and economy. That’s why, throughout my eight years as Governor, I worked to position Florida as a national and global leader in space exploration by investing more than $230 million in spaceport projects. These investments supported the creation of more than 1,100 high-paying aerospace jobs since the end of the Shuttle program. 

As Senator and member of the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, I’ll continue to work with my colleagues, along with President Trump and NASA Administrator Bridenstine, to support our growing space industry and ensure the U.S. continues as a leader in the space industry.”
- Senator Rick Scott

This week, Senator Rick Scott joined Senator Marco Rubio and Congressman Michael Waltz at Kennedy Space Center for a Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship field hearing on Moon Landings to Mars Exploration: The Role of Small Business Innovation in America’s Space Program.

Also this week, Senator Rick Scott sponsored:

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

NASA Administrator Bridenstine: Florida’s Space Industry Thrived Under Senator Scott’s Leadership

During a meeting of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation on NASA’s Plans for Deep Space Exploration, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine thanked Senator Rick Scott for investing in Florida’s Space Coast as they work to continue supporting the space industry – an important part of Florida’s history and economy. Watch video from the hearing below or see more HERE.

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Sen Rick Scott: Still Waiting on Answers from PhRMA

Senator Rick Scott released the response from the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) to a letter sent by the Senator and colleagues last month asking that they provide solutions to address the rising cost of prescription drugs.

Senator Rick Scott said, “I want to thank PhRMA for their letter responding to the request from me and seven of my colleagues, in which we asked for information on their solutions to lower the cost of prescription drugs. Unfortunately, their response didn’t provide a single answer or solution to our questions. Not one. Families across the country are struggling to afford life-saving medication, and the industry cannot come up with one idea about how to lower list prices of prescription drugs. That’s unacceptable. This is a crisis that demands immediate attention. All talk, no action is the old Washington way – but not anymore. I’m focused on real solutions like my America First Drug Pricing Plan to address the soaring costs of prescription drugs right now.” Read more, including the full response from PhRMA, HERE.

Scott, Rubio, Diaz-Balart Urge Miami to Keep China Out of Our Critical Infrastructure

Senator Rick Scott joined Senator Marco Rubio and U.S. Representative Mario Diaz-Balart in a letter to Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez urging him to consider the national security risks posed by contracting with Chinese-linked companies. This letter follows a Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners vote to consider proposals to build a monorail system between Miami and Miami Beach, including a bid from Chinese manufacturing company BYD. Read more from Senator Rubio's office HERE

Sen. Rick Scott: New York Times Refuses to Run Pro-Border Agent Letter

Senator Rick Scott released the following statement after the New York Times refused to publish his letter to the editor defending U.S. Border Patrol Agents.

Senator Rick Scott said, “The New York Times is comfortable publishing an op-ed shaming the men and women of Customs & Border Protection, but has so far refused to publish my response. Our brave border patrol agents and ICE officials wake up every day and work to defend and protect our nation – and all the extreme far left politicians and media want to do is vilify them. The New York Times won’t even publish the other side because it doesn’t fit their narrative. This is low, even for the New York Times.”

Read more, including Senator Scott’s response to “The Treatment of Migrants Likely ‘Meets the Definition of a Mass Atrocity," HERE.

Sen. Rick Scott Applauds EU for Stepping Up in Fight for Freedom for Venezuela

Senator Rick Scott released the following statement after the European Union announced its plan to sanction Venezuelan security forces involved in human rights violations.

Senator Rick Scott wrote, “I called on the EU to join the United States and do more to help the Venezuelan people, and I applaud them for stepping up to answer that call. With the EU as a partner in this fight, we have a real shot at getting Maduro to step aside. But we can’t stop here. The United States and freedom-loving nations around the world need to do everything in our power to isolate Maduro in Venezuela and cut off the supply of money from Cuba to Caracas. Every free nation must join us now to fight for freedom and demand Maduro leave power.” Read more HERE.

Sen. Rick Scott to SecDef Nominee Esper: What More Can DOD Do to Put Pressure on Maduro?

During the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Defense Secretary Nominee Mark Esper, Senator Rick Scott asked how well the United States forces are prepared to deter enemies across the globe. Senator Scott also asked Defense Secretary Nominee Esper what more the United States military can do to force Maduro to step aside and bring a new day of freedom to the people of Venezuela. See more, including the video from the hearing, HERE.


Sen. Rick Scott, Bipartisan Group of Senators Push White House Budget Office to Publish Comprehensive List of Federal Programs

Senator Rick Scott joined Senate Budget Committee Chairman Mike Enzi and a bipartisan group of Senators in a letter to the White House Office of Management and Budget. In the letter, Senator Scott and colleagues request a publicly available list of all federal programs, which will help Congress identify and eliminate duplicate programs and prevent wasteful federal spending. Read more, including the full letter, from the Senate Budget Committee HERE.

Sen. Rick Scott: Americans Need Real Solutions from Washington, Not Wasteful Spending

Senator Rick Scott spoke on the Senate Floor for Washington Waste Wednesday, highlighting how the Democrats’ far left proposals would fail the American people and bankrupt our nation. Last week, Senator Scott released the first episode of his new series in partnership with the Heritage Foundation. 
 
Watch Senator Scott’s speech below and read his full remarks as prepared for delivery HERE.

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Sen. Rick Scott Introduces Bipartisan Coast Guard Drug Detection and Interdiction Act

Senators Rick Scott, Kyrsten Sinema and Todd Young introduced the Coast Guard Drug Detection and Interdiction Act, which expands the United States Coast Guard’s (USCG) use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) to help identify and interdict illicit drugs. Currently, the USCG has actionable intelligence on over 80% of drugs being smuggled into the United States from South America, but it only has the ability to interdict less than 10%. Senator Scott also co-sponsored a bill to require the USCG to coordinate with the Secretary of Defense and other relevant agencies to identify and report on resource gaps that contribute to low interdiction rates of illicit drugs.

Senator Rick Scott said, “The U.S. Coast Guard keeps families in Florida safe by patrolling the beaches, shore waters, and maritime territory of our state and by conducting search and rescue operations. But one of their most important jobs is to intercept boat shipments of illegal drugs and the victims of human trafficking. By providing our U.S. Coast Guard members with additional ways to identify and prevent drugs from coming into our country, we are keeping American families safe.” Read more HERE.

Sen. Rick Scott Introduces Resolution to Condemn Turkey’s Dealings with Russia

Senator Rick Scott and Senator Todd Young introduced a resolution to condemn Turkey’s continued dealings with Russia. The resolution calls for sanctions against Turkey for purchasing the S-400 air and missile defense system from the Russian Federation and questions Turkey’s membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). 

Senator Rick Scott said, “Turkey’s purchase of military systems from Russia threatens our national security and the stability of NATO. We cannot allow Russia – which tries to interfere in elections across the globe, supports Maduro’s genocide in Venezuela, and threatens the peace and security of democratic nations – to interfere in Turkey. It is our responsibility to protect the safety of American families and our allies, and we must call upon members of NATO to determine if Turkey presents a danger to the alliance.” Read more HERE.

Sen. Rick Scott in Fox News: Europe Needs to Stand for Freedom in Venezuela

Senator Rick Scott wrote an op-ed calling on all European nations to join together to end Nicolás Maduro’s ruthless regime in Venezuela. 
 
In the op-ed, Senator Rick Scott wrote, “Seventy-five years ago, the United States fought to free Europe. It’s time for Europe to step up and champion the cause of freedom in Venezuela.

To date, The United States has sanctioned more than 100 people and business entities in Venezuela in an effort to cut off funds to the Maduro regime. Europe needs to step up its efforts and show that it is committed to cutting off funds to human rights abusers and to pushing hard for the restoration of democracy in Venezuela.

EVERY EU country should join the United States and recognize Juan Guaidó as the legitimate president of Venezuela. EVERY EU country should impose significant sanctions on Venezuela and the Maduro Regime.

EVERY EU country should immediately stop doing business with the Cuban regime propping up Maduro and his genocide. And EVERY EU country should demand that Maduro leave power to allow for free, fair, and democratic elections without accepting a Maduro crony or clone to take his place.

History has shown that at important moments, the world community has the ability to come together, to put our differences aside and fight for the common good. This is one of those moments.”

Read the full op-ed in Fox News HERE.

Reuters: U.S. Lawmakers Urge Trump to Sanction Turkey

Military Times: Lawmakers want to boost Coast Guard’s land-based drone program to interdict more drugs

Sunshine State News: Rick Scott: Give Coast Guard More Drones, Planes to Fight Drugs

The Hill: Rick Scott: PhRMA hasn't provided 'a single answer' on lower drug prices

Breitbart: Rick Scott to Healthcare Industry: Lower Drug Prices, or Congress Will

Florida Daily: Rick Scott Pushes Back at Critics of Border Patrol and New York Times

Florida Politics: Rick Scott joins senators seeking to ‘prevent wasteful government spending’

The Well News: Senators Make Bipartisan Push for Transparency from White House Budget Office

Bloomberg: Sen. Rick Scott Doesn't Expect a Trade Deal With China to Happen

The Epoch Times: Sen. Scott: Why Does Peace Corps Spend Millions in China?

Miami Herald: Florida senators call Miami-Dade monorail plan “alarming” over ties to China

WKMG: 12-Year-Old Takes Campaign for Type 1 Diabetes Cure to DC

Sunshine State News: Rick Scott's Efforts to Get EU to Sanction Maduro Regime Pay Off

El Nacional: Rick Scott exigió la liberación inmediata de ex directivos de Citgo

El Nacional: Rick Scott: Maduro le ha permitido al ELN aterrorizar a Venezuela

 

Sen. Rick Scott Attends Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Meggitt’s New Facility Expansion in Miami

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Senator Rick Scott attended the ribbon cutting ceremony for global aerospace company, Meggitt, in Miami to celebrate the company's success and growth in Florida. 

Sen. Rick Scott Holds Roundtable Discussion with Veterans in Brevard

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Senator Rick Scott met with local veterans in Brevard County to discuss ways he will continue to support our veterans, military members, and their families. 

Also this week in Florida...

After 7 months away on deployment, the USS Fort McHenry and the 300 sailors on board will return home to Jacksonville to be greeted by family and friends. Thank you for your service and welcome home!

Great news for our Panhandle! The U.S. Department of Commerce announced a $10 million grant to the Port of Panama City for infrastructure improvements to enhance the port’s capacity and resiliency for future storms, as well as a $12.25 million grant to the Pensacola International Airport for critical infrastructure improvements needed to establish a maintenance training facility.

Academy Nominations

Interested in serving our great country? Senator Scott has the honor to nominate candidates for appointment to U.S. Military Academies.Visit our website HERE and spread the word to all individuals seeking appointment to a service academy TODAY!

Judicial Vacancies 

Senator Scott remains committed to filling Florida's federal judicial vacancies in Florida’s Southern District and Middle District with the best-qualified candidates to serve our state and nation. Interested candidates may contact our office or find more information on current federal judicial vacancies HERE.

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