WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Rick Scott joined Senator Marco Rubio in sending a letter to President Joe Biden urging his immediate approval of the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s request for a pre-landfall emergency declaration. Major Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall in Florida, bringing devastating storm surge, winds, and inland flooding. The senators are urging President Biden to provide The Seminole Tribe of Florida access to the federal resources required for emergency response and recovery preparations on tribal lands.

The senators wrote, “Hurricane Milton is expected to bring damaging wind, rain, and flooding to Florida, including Seminole Tribal lands. Ensuring the Tribe has access to the federal resources needed for emergency response is imperative to protecting members of the tribe, their communities and property.”

Read the full letter HERE or below.

Dear Mr. President:

We write in support of the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s request for a pre-landfall emergency declaration for Hurricane Milton, which is forecasted to make landfall in Florida as a major hurricane.  

Hurricane Milton is expected to bring damaging wind, rain, and flooding to Florida, including Seminole Tribal lands. Ensuring the Tribe has access to the federal resources needed for emergency response is imperative to protecting members of the tribe, their communities and property. As such, we urge you to promptly approve the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s request for a pre-landfall emergency declaration.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,

MORE…     

Ahead of Major Hurricane Milton, which is forecast to potentially hinder or obstruct operations at the Port of Tampa Bay, Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio sent a letter to President Joe Biden urging the direction of federal agencies to expedite plans to respond to potential obstruction. The Port of Tampa Bay receives more than 40 percent of Florida’s petroleum products and it is crucial for the federal government to expedite all requested measures to protect Florida’s economy and ensure a swift recovery. 

Yesterday, at the urging of Senators Scott and Marco Rubio, President Joe Biden approved the State of Florida’s request for a pre-landfall emergency declaration ahead of Hurricane Milton’s landfall. Sunday, Senator Scott was joined by Attorney General Ashley Moody, Commissioner of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Wilton Simpson, Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, Congresswoman Laurel Lee and Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna at the Hillsborough County Emergency Operations Center in Tampa to receive a briefing from local law enforcement leaders and emergency management officials regarding preparation efforts for Hurricane Milton. Earlier today, Senator Rick Scott received a briefing in Sarasota County from Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt Hoffman, Sarasota Police Chief Rex Troche, local law enforcement leaders and emergency management officials regarding preparation efforts for Major Hurricane Milton and to urge Floridians to prepare for landfall tomorrow along Florida’s Gulf Coast. Additionally, Senator Scott has received regular briefings from National Hurricane Center (NHC) Director Dr. Michael Brennan.

Senator Scott encourages all Floridians to visit his website at www.rickscott.senate.gov/hurricane-preparedness to get prepared today. See the latest on Hurricane Milton from the National Hurricane Center at nhc.noaa.gov or @NHC_Atlantic on X, formerly known as Twitter, and from the Florida Division of Emergency Management at floridadisaster.org or @FLSERT. Additionally, Senator Scott encourages those recovering from Hurricane Helene and are in need of assistance with a federal agency, including FEMA and the SBA, or any other federal issue to contact his office at www.rickscott.senate.gov/contact/casework.

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