WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Rick Scott released the below statement applauding fiscally-responsible local leaders following reports that they are rejecting billions in unused, unneeded funding received in the COVID-19 relief packages passed by Congress. This also follows a report that states have only spent 2.5% of their initial allotment and large cities have spent 8.5%, after claiming to be in desperate need of this funding just months ago.

In March, Senator Scott sent an open letter to governors and mayors across the United States urging them to commit to reject any federal funding in excess of their federally-reimbursable COVID-19 related expenses so this funding can be used to pay down the federal debt. Senator Scott and Senator Cynthia Lummis also introduced the Pay Down the Debt Act to allow any federal grant funds refused by a fiscally responsible state government to be used instead to reduce our nearly $30 trillion national debt.

Senator Rick Scott said, “America’s credit card is maxed out, and this dangerous cycle of taxing and spending that Washington Democrats are obsessed with is not sustainable. I applaud the fiscally responsible local leaders across America who are rejecting the federal government’s reckless spending and handouts they don’t need. This is exactly why Congress must immediately pass my and Senator Lummis’ Pay Down the Debt Act so that these tax dollars can be used to pay down the debt, pay our past-due bills and put this country back on a path to economic freedom.”

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