WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Senator Rick Scott received the following letter from the Trump Administration’s Office of Management and Budget Acting Director Russell Vought affirming their commitment to fight for $200 million in construction funding for the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration (SFER) in the budget. This commitment follows a letter Senator Rick Scott, Senator Marco Rubio and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis sent in February urging President Trump to include the funding in his budget request to Congress.

Senator Rick Scott said, “I was the first Governor to put state funding towards fixing the dike at Lake Okeechobee. I’ve consistently fought for the federal government to match the state’s investment. I applaud President Trump for working with the Florida delegation to commit to fight for $200 million in federal funding for Everglades restoration projects this year. Everglades restoration is critically important to the State of Florida and enjoys broad bipartisan support in Congress. I applaud the Administration’s commitment to protecting Florida’s natural treasures for generations to come.”

Read the full letter HERE or below.

Dear Senator Scott:

Thank you for your letter to the President regarding the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works' (Corps) South Florida Ecosystem Restoration (SFER) program and, specifically, sustained annual budget requests to Congress of $200 million in SFER construction funding. I am responding on his behalf. I appreciate the time you took to share your views and interest.

Just as with President Trump's previous budgets, the FY 2020 Budget, A Budget for a Better America, was written with the everyday American in mind. Across the country, hardworking taxpayers have to balance their household budgets, find ways to do more with less, and save for the future. This year. President Trump directed the Federal government to do the same by requesting most executive departments and agencies to cut their budgets by 5 percent. The Budget reflects the President's priorities to ensure that all Americans can benefit from the nation's historic economic boom and continues the pro-job creation policies, keeps taxes low, combats the opioid epidemic, protects our veterans, defends our nation, secures our borders, and keeps the Administration's promises to support working families and protect seniors' Medicare and Social Security benefits.

The Administration understands the importance of the Florida Everglades and supports its restoration. In the Budget, the Administration proposes funding for South Florida Ecosystem Restoration. Specifically, the Budget includes $63.255 million for SFER construction and $5.454 million for SFER operations and maintenance. The Budget also includes $56 million in Department of the Interior funding for Everglades-related activities. On May 13, 2019 the President transmitted an FY 2020 budget amendment increasing the total FY 2020 funding request for SFER by $136.745 million for a total of $200 million.

Finally, President Trump's FY 2020 Budget builds on the tremendous progress we have made over the past few years and provides a clear roadmap for the Congress to bring Federal spending and debt under control. We must protect future generations from Washington's habitual deficit spending.

I look forward to working with you throughout the Budget process. Thank you again for your letter. If you or your staff have any questions, please contact the Office of Legislative Affairs at LegislativeAffairs@omb.eop.gov.

Sincerely,

Russell T. Vought

Acting Director

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