Sen. Rick Scott: I Voted Against Borrowing $95 Billion to Fund Hamas & Pay Ukrainian Politicians

February 13, 2024

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last night, Senator Rick Scott spoke on the Senate floor for nearly two hours fighting to stop Senate Leadership’s doomed, $95 BILLION foreign aid legislation. This bill, which ultimately passed without the support of a majority of the Senate Republican Conference, fails to address the invasion on the U.S. southern border and would allow President Biden to send tens of billions in borrowed money into Hamas-dominated Gaza and to pay the salaries of Ukrainian politicians.

 

During consideration of this legislation, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer allowed zero amendment votes and Democrats blocked Senator Scott’s request that the Senate hold a vote on adding his Stop Taxpayer Funding of Hamas Act. This marks the third time that Senate Democrats have blocked this bill from consideration or passage in the Senate.

 

Senator Rick Scott said, “Today, Senate Democrats and a minority of Senate Republicans chose to prioritize the national security of Ukraine over the national security of the United States. Every American should be disgusted with what is happening in Washington.

 

“Let’s be clear about what this $95 billion bill doesn’t do. It does not combat inflation that's up 17.9% since Biden took office or reduce America's nearly $35 trillion debt—it borrows more money that will keep inflation raging. It does not bring home Americans still being held hostage by Hamas—Democrats made sure it allows Biden to send billions to Gaza that will directly benefit these terrorists by blocking consideration of my Stop Taxpayer Funding of Hamas Act. This bill does nothing to force accountability for the $60 billion in borrowed money it authorizes for Ukraine, $10 billion of which can be used to pay the salaries of Ukrainian politicians. Most importantly it does nothing to secure Joe Biden’s wide-open border. This bill is dead on arrival in the House for good reason. Floridians expect Washington to fight for their interests and I voted against this bad bill because it completely fails to responsibly address the threats to our great nation.”

 

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