WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Rick Scott released the below statement following Senator Chuck Schumer’s conference call briefing, where he joined the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees to call on the Senate "to immediately pass at least $1 trillion in aid to states, cities and towns upon return from a two-week July recess." To date, states and local governments have received over $1 trillion in funding, including $150 billion to directly respond to the crisis through the Coronavirus Relief Fund.

Senator Rick Scott said, “Last month, I wrote to Senator Schumer’s state asking how New York had spent the CARES Act money they had already received from taxpayers…I’m still waiting on a reply. Now, Senator Schumer wants to spend another $1 TRILLION in taxpayer money to bail out states without even knowing how they have spent the money we’ve already given them!

“Congress has spent more than $3 trillion of taxpayer money to keep employees on payrolls and help the workers who lost their jobs during this pandemic. The federal government should continue to reimburse states and local governments for expenses related to coronavirus response, which is already outlined in law. But it’s irresponsible and reckless that Schumer wants to take money from American taxpayers and use it to save liberal politicians like Governor Cuomo from the consequences of their poor budget choices. Floridians shouldn’t have to backfill New York’s state budget and pension fund, and I won’t let it happen.”

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