WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, as American ports continue to experience severe cargo delays while families prepare for the holiday season, and inflation has jumped to its highest rate in more than 30 years, Senator Rick Scott wrote a letter to Senator Maria Cantwell, Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, to request she immediately schedule and hold an oversight hearing with Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo to address the growing supply chain crisis. For weeks, Senator Scott has been calling for Secretary Buttigieg and Secretary Raimondo to come before Congress and address this crisis. They have been totally absent. Until a hearing is held, Senator Scott will hold all Department of Transportation and Department of Commerce nominees that have been reported favorably by the Committee on the Senate Floor.

Read the full letter HERE or below.

November 18, 2021

The Honorable Maria Cantwell

Chair

U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

Russell Senate Office Building 254

Washington, D.C., 20510

Dear Chair Cantwell:

As President Joe Biden continues to push failed policies and unconstitutional vaccine mandates, the United States is facing a major supply chain crisis. The higher prices and product shortages resulting from this crisis are hurting families and businesses in my state of Florida and across the nation. American ports are experiencing severe cargo delays as we head into the holiday season. Worse, inflation has jumped to its highest rate in more than 30 years. Restoring our supply chains is critical to getting the American economy rolling again. Since President Biden has so far refused to address this crisis, Congress must act.

Instead of creating a friendly business environment to ensure a strong rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic, President Biden has made it a priority of his administration to add burdensome regulations that have stifled economic growth. These failed policies, coupled with lingering employment issues due to the Democrats’ inexplicable decision to pay people more to stay at home than go back to work, have exacerbated labor shortages and further fueled inflation. Meanwhile, it has been months since the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, the committee of jurisdiction for these issues, has received testimony from the Secretary of Transportation or the Secretary of Commerce.

I have heard from families and businesses in my state that simply keeping shelves stocked is an everyday challenge, and I find it extremely concerning that members of the Biden administration seem to be focused more on playing TV commentator than finding real solutions to address these problems. Small business owners and families aren’t able to afford drastic price increases and shipping delays, but if President Biden has his way, then these transportation difficulties are going to become even worse and prices will rise even higher.

Today, I’m requesting that you immediately schedule and hold an oversight hearing in the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee to address the current supply chain crisis, and call on Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo to testify about the Biden administration’s plans to solve this crisis. Until this hearing occurs, it is my intention to hold all Department of Transportation and Department of Commerce nominees, that have been favorably reported by the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, on the Senate Floor.

The Biden administration continues to show a total lack of concern about the harmful impact its policies, mandates and rhetoric have on families, and the American people deserve better. Hardworking families deserve leadership that is accountable and responsive to their needs. That is what I’m fighting for every day. I hope we can work together to address these supply chain shortages caused by President Biden and his administration’s failed policies, and find real solutions to help the American people.

Sincerely,

Rick Scott

United States Senator

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