WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Rick Scott sent a letter to the House and Senate conferees of the $250 BILLION COMPETES Act. Senator Scott urged the conferees to include his proposal to make all taxpayer funds in the $250 BILLION COMPETES Act subject to a comprehensive return-on-investment analysis with claw-back provisions and also urges conferees to include publication of reports to Congress and the public on how every tax dollar is spent. The Senate agreed by voice last week to Senator Scott’s motion to instruct conferees to include these provisions.

Senator Scott’s motion to instruct was endorsed by the National Taxpayers Union.

Read the full letter HERE or below:

May 12, 2022

Dear COMPETES Act Conferee:

            As you meet to confer over the America Creating Opportunities for Manufacturing, Pre-Eminence in Technology and Economic Strength (COMPETES) Act, I write to remind you of the importance of stewarding taxpayer dollars well.

            Last week, the Senate agreed by voice to my motion to instruct conferees that all taxpayer funds in the COMPETES Act should be subject to a comprehensive return-on-investment analysis with claw-back provisions and should include publication of timely reports to Congress and the public on how every tax dollar is spent. Unfortunately, the vast majority of the existing spending in both the House and Senate versions of the COMPETES Act lack accountability to the taxpayer. As stewards of American tax dollars, legislators must always support accountability, especially in massive spending packages like this bill.

When I was Governor of Florida, we used taxpayer dollars to incentivize private sector growth. It helped create jobs and bring business to my state, but we always had return-on-investment metrics and claw-backs for when those metrics weren’t met. We should implement the same measures here.

Considering that our government is already $30 trillion in debt, inflation is at a record high, and prices on everyday goods are skyrocketing, Congress must ensure any spending we pass is responsible and doesn’t further hurt American families. I have attached with this letter draft legislative language to implement this needed accountability. With billions of dollars at stake in this bill, I urge you to include my proposal alongside any spending in your final conference report.

Sincerely,

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