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Sen. Rick Scott Blasts IOC’s Shameful Disregard for Human Rights in China
Senator Rick Scott released the below statement following a speech by International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach, who claimed that “boycotts and discrimination because of political background or nationality are once again a real danger” and warned about what he called “the growing misuse of sport for political purposes." For nearly a year, Senator Scott has been urging the Committee to reconsider its decision to host the 2022 Winter Olympics in Communist China as General Secretary Xi Jinping commits genocide against the Uyghurs in Xinjiang and restricts the human rights of Hong Kongers.
Senator Rick Scott said, “Uyghur prisoners in Communist China are being rounded up, blindfolded, shaved and loaded onto trains to be taken to concentration camps, and all IOC President Bach is concerned about is his claim that people are using sports for political purposes. This is nonsense and reveals a shameful disregard for the victims of General Secretary Xi and the Chinese Communist Party’s crimes.
"Beijing is committing genocide against the Uyghurs simply because of their religious beliefs and is cracking down on the human rights of Hong Kongers. The world must unite against this horrific injustice. This isn’t about politics or a boycott. It’s about basic human rights. The IOC should find a new home for the 2022 Olympic Games, and if Bach continues to refuse to acknowledge Communist China’s human rights abuses, then the IOC should find a president who does." Read more HERE.
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Sen. Rick Scott: We Must Do More to Protect American Vaccine Efforts from Communist China
Senator Rick Scott released the below statement following the Justice Department’s indictment of two Chinese hackers for stealing hundreds of millions of dollars of trade secrets from companies across the world and more recently targeting firms developing a vaccine for the coronavirus.
In May, Senator Scott led his colleagues in introducing the COVID-19 Vaccine Protection Act to prevent Communist China from stealing or sabotaging American COVID-19 vaccine research. The bill requires a thorough national security evaluation and clearance by the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of State, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation of all Chinese student visa holders taking part in activities related to COVID-19 vaccine research.
Senator Rick Scott said, “I am glad the Justice Department is taking action to protect American research from Communist China. For months, I’ve been warning about Communist China’s attempts to steal or sabotage American vaccine efforts, and today’s announcement demonstrates the reality of this threat. Communist China’s lies and misinformation led to the spread of the coronavirus, and now they want to inhibit our recovery. We can’t allow that, which is why I introduced the COVID-19 Vaccine Protection Act. I’m disappointed Senate Democrats blocked this bill from passing last month, even as American lives depend on the rapid development of this vaccine. We all need to open our eyes to the threat of this Communist nation that refuses to be an honest partner." Read more HERE.
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Sen. Rick Scott: Congress Needs to Say “No” to Bailouts for Poorly-Managed States
Senator Rick Scott released the below statement as Congress considers additional coronavirus relief measures.
Senator Rick Scott said, “For months, I have been fighting to make sure Congress doesn’t bail out states for their poor fiscal decisions. I have worked aggressively to stop bills that would backfill states’ lost revenue or give poorly-run, liberal states like New York and Illinois a blank check to pay for their years of fiscal mismanagement. Every time a Senator tried to allow states to use taxpayer funds specifically meant to respond to coronavirus for other purposes, I personally fought and blocked it from seeing the light of day. I’m very disappointed that the Republican proposal outlined today includes provisions that allow states to use coronavirus-related funding for unrelated purposes.
“I will continue to fight any and all proposals that will allow poorly-run states to use money set aside for coronavirus response to backfill their poorly-managed budgets.
“I am also concerned that it appears that this proposal may spend upwards of $1 trillion when we don’t even understand how much is still unspent from the previous coronavirus response packages that Congress passed earlier this year. There’s no such thing as free money - American families will have to pay this money back in the future. Congress needs to understand that if we don’t get our fiscal house in order, we will simply create another crisis down the road. Our nation is trillions of dollars in debt, and while it is imperative that we respond to the devastation of this pandemic, it is short-sighted to have a conversation on spending even more money when we know so much of the funding we already allocated hasn’t been touched." Read more HERE.
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Senators Scott and Johnson to Colleagues: We Need More Info on Coronavirus Relief Spending Before Next Package
Senators Rick Scott and Ron Johnson asked their Senate colleagues to urge their respective states to immediately provide information about how they have allocated billions of dollars received from the CARES Act and other federal coronavirus response measures. This information is critical as Congress considers additional relief measures. The Senators also wrote a letter to the National Governors Association requesting a quick response from its members. Read more, including the Senators’ letters, HERE.
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Sen. Rick Scott Applauds Committee Passage of Bill with Senator Hawley to Ban TikTok on Government Devices
Senator Rick Scott released the below statement applauding the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee’s unanimous passage of his and Senator Josh Hawley’s bill to ban all federal employees from using TikTok on government devices. Several government agencies have already banned TikTok on federal government devices due to cybersecurity concerns and possible spying by the Communist Chinese government. The Administration also recently announced it is considering a ban on Chinese social media apps, including TikTok following reports the app shared data with the Communist Chinese government.
Senator Rick Scott said, “Companies influenced and controlled by the Chinese government, like TikTok, must adhere to the Communist government’s demands to spy, steal user data and censor any content the government wishes. There is absolutely no reason any American should subject themselves to this risk, especially on government devices, which poses a risk to U.S. networks and a threat to national security. I’m proud to work with Senator Hawley and my colleagues on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee to put an end to it, and I look forward to the full Senate quickly passing this important bill." Read more HERE.
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Sen. Rick Scott Asks Secretary Esper for Plan to Hold Communist China Accountable Ahead of Any Visit
Senator Rick Scott wrote a letter to Secretary of Defense Mark Esper following reports that the Secretary is considering visiting Communist China. In the letter, Senator Scott requested that the Secretary outline his plan to hold Communist China accountable for its blatant human rights abuses and its role in the spread of the coronavirus. Read more, including the letter, HERE.
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Sen. Rick Scott Applauds Passage of NDAA, Including His Secure U.S. Bases Act
Senator Rick Scott released the following statement applauding the Senate’s passage of the fiscal year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
The FY2021 NDAA includes:
- $740.5 billion in defense spending;
- A 3% pay raise for our troops;
- Senator Scott’s Secure U.S. Bases Act to reform and improve foreign military student training programs following the terrorist attack at Naval Air Station Pensacola on December 6th, 2019; and
- Senator Scott’s amendment to help keep oil drilling off Florida’s coasts by recognizing the importance of the Gulf Test Range, which is currently used for vital military testing and training, and is critical to our national security.
Senator Rick Scott said, “This year’s National Defense Authorization Act is a great win for our national security. As threats around the world continue to grow – including the threat from Communist China – it’s imperative we are providing our brave men and women in uniform the resources they need to protect our nation and our allies. I’m proud my Secure U.S. Bases Act was included in the NDAA, which will make sure foreign military students training at U.S. bases are thoroughly vetted and monitored and that our troops are protected. This is a huge step to ensuring the safety of our military members and their families so we never have to experience a tragedy like NAS Pensacola again." Read more HERE.
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Sen. Rick Scott Applauds President Trump’s Efforts to Lower Prescription Drug Costs
Senator Rick Scott released the below statement following President Trump’s announcement of a series of executive orders aimed at lowering drug prices for American families.
Senator Rick Scott said, “Families across the country are struggling to afford life-saving medication. I’ve spoken to President Trump and the Administration at length about this, and I’m glad the President is focused on taking action to lower health care costs for Americans. Drug companies should not charge American consumers more for prescription drugs than they charge consumers in other industrialized nations, like Great Britain, Canada or Germany. That’s what my America First Drug Pricing Plan would change, and I’m glad to see the President leading this charge. It’s common sense.
"It’s time for Congress to get off the sidelines and pass real solutions to drive down the cost of health care, so all families can get the care they so desperately need. Soaring prescription drug costs are hurting Americans, and it is incumbent upon my colleagues in Washington to finally stand up and fight for what is right." Read more HERE. |