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Senator Rick Scott's Week in Review 9/29/2025

 
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Dear Fellow Floridian,
Our small businesses and rural communities contribute so much to our state, and this week I introduced two bills to support these communities and businesses and ensure that they have every opportunity to succeed and receive the federal resources they need.
The first was my Lifting Local Communities Act, which would ensure that religious organizations providing social services for families aren’t discriminated against when receiving federal funding and would allow them the same access to federal dollars as nonreligious nonprofits. Across the nation, religious organizations play a vital role in serving our communities with a helping hand, comfort, and guidance when families need it most. This bill would allow federal dollars intended to support families to be directed where they are needed most – whether that’s through a nonreligious nonprofit or faith-based organization.
I also joined my colleagues on the Merchant Banking Modernization Act, which would expand access to capital opportunities for small businesses in rural areas. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and this simple legislation supports job growth and long-term economic prosperity by giving flexibility to our entrepreneurs who need more time to grow and stabilize their businesses.
I’ll keep working with my colleagues to get these great bills passed as we continue working to ensure every Floridian can live their dreams in our great state.
Sincerely,
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Rick Scott
United States Senator
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Sen. Rick Scott, Rep. Elise Stefanik Lead Bicameral Letter to Global Leaders Warning Recognition of a Palestinian State is Reckless and Dangerous
Senator Rick Scott and Congresswoman Elise Stefanik led 23 of their colleagues in a bicameral letter urging the leaders of Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and France to reverse course on their anticipated efforts to unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state at the upcoming 80th United Nations General Assembly. In their letter, the members write that legitimizing a Palestinian state would put their nations at odds with long-standing U.S. policy and interests, and would be a reckless and dangerous move that would reward Hamas’s terrorism and undermine the prospects for peace and safety for Jews, not only in the Middle East, but around the world, and further destabilize the region.
Read the letter HERERead more HERE

Sen. Rick Scott Joins Colleagues on Bill Supporting America’s Small Businesses
Senator Rick Scott joined Senator Mike Rounds and their colleagues to introduce the Merchant Banking Modernization Act to expand access to capital opportunities for small businesses in rural areas by changing the holding period for merchant banking investments from 10 to 15 years. Cosponsors of the legislation include Senators Tim Scott, Thom Tillis, Bill Hagerty, Kevin Cramer, Steve Daines, Markwayne Mullin, Ted Cruz, and John Cornyn.
Senator Rick Scott said, “Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and as a former business owner, I understand firsthand how businesses are critical to the success of our economy, to creating jobs, and to sustaining everyday life. This legislation makes a common-sense change to help give investors the confidence and flexibility to support entrepreneurs who need more time to grow and stabilize -- especially in rural and underserved communities – to support job growth and long-term economic prosperity.”
Read more HERE

Sen. Rick Scott Joins Colleagues on Chloe Cole Act to Protect Innocent Children from Gender Ideology
Senator Rick Scott joined Senator Marsha Blackburn and their colleagues in announcing the Chloe Cole Act to officially prohibit the mutilation of children under the disguise of gender ideology and offer detransitioners, like Chloe Cole, with opportunities for legal action against those medical professionals. The legislation is supported by the U.S. Department of justice and will codify President Trump’s recent executive order protecting children from chemical and surgical mutilation.
Senator Rick Scott said, “It is sickening that any child would be subjected to dangerous, life-altering procedures that they are too young to understand or fully consent to. This legislation will support the victims of this disgusting practice and ensures these children and their families have the right to hold accountable medical professionals for violating their trust and causing long-term harm to their lives.”
Read more HERE

Sen. Rick Scott Joins Sen. Ted Cruz to Introduce SEVER Act; Prohibiting Iranian Officials from Entering the U.S.
Senator Rick Scott joined Senator Ted Cruz and six of their Senate colleagues in announcing the Strengthening Entry Visa Enforcement and Restrictions (SEVER) Act to restrict any Iranian officials from entering the United States as representatives to the United Nations (UN) if they have been sanctioned for supporting the Iranian regime. Cosponsors of the legislation include Senators Tom Cotton, Joni Ernst, Ashley Moody, and John Barrasso, Lindsey Graham, and Bill Hagerty. Companion legislation is being led in the House of Representatives by Congresswoman Claudia Tenney.
Senator Rick Scott said, “As President Trump and his administration have taken decisive action to secure our border and protect the American people, the SEVER Act is another critical step in closing dangerous loopholes in our visa and border security system. The United States must never become a safe haven for terrorists or those enabling the Iranian regime’s violent and destabilizing agenda. Anyone sanctioned for supporting Iran’s threats against America or our allies should be automatically denied entry – we must put our national security first.”
Read more HERE

Sen. Rick Scott Leads Lifting Local Communities Act to Ensure Faith-Based Organizations Have Access to Federal Funds
Senator Rick Scott led Senators James Lankford and Tim Scott in announcing the Lifting Local Communities Act to ensure religious organizations are treated equally under federal law and can receive federal funding for social service programs on the same basis as private, nonreligious organizations. This will ensure federal support reaches communities that rely heavily on faith-based organizations that play a vital role in protecting and providing for families in need.
Senator Rick Scott said, “Across the nation, religious organizations play a vital role in serving our communities for a helping hand, comfort, and guidance when families need it most. My Lifting Local Communities Act will ensure religious organizations that provide social services for families aren’t discriminated against in receiving federal funding, and allow them access to the same federal dollars as non-religious nonprofits. This bill makes a simple change that allows federal dollars intended to support families in need are directed exactly where it is needed – whether that’s a nonreligious nonprofit or faith-based organization.”
Read more HERE

Sen. Rick Scott in Letter to DOT: We Must Review CA Disaster Funding After State and Local Botched Response to Wildfires
Senator Rick Scott sent a letter to Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Sean Duffy thanking him for his tireless efforts fulfilling President Trump’s agenda and requesting information about DOT’s response to California wildfires. In the letter, Senator Scott requests the DOT provide information on federal funding that has been given to California over the past decade, observing that California’s state and local governments appear to have mismanaged resources designed to support wildfire preparedness, suppression, and recovery. Senator Scott also requests information regarding reports of fire response resources that were allegedly grounded during a visit to the area by former president Joe Biden in January.
Read the letter HERE. Read more HERE

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT… Chairman Rick Scott Highlights Key Testimonies from Hearing on America’s Dangerous Reliance on Foreign-Manufactured Generic Drugs
Chairman Rick Scott held a recent hearing of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging sounding the alarm on the growing threats to the safety and reliability of foreign-manufactured generic drugs. The hearing: “Prescription for Trouble: Drug Safety, Supply Chains, and the Risk to Aging Americans,” examined how America’s extreme reliance on foreign generic pharmaceutical manufacturing, particularly in Communist China and India, has exposed critical weaknesses in our drug supply chain.
Watch the full hearing HERE. Read more HERE
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Sens. Rick Scott and Ted Cruz in Washington Examiner: Trump Can Fix the Federal Reserve with Our FAIR Act
Senators Rick Scott and Ted Cruz wrote an op-ed in the Washington Examiner calling for the full passage of their FAIR Act to support President Trump’s efforts to fix the Federal Reserve. The FAIR Act stops the Federal Reserve from wasting $1 trillion over the next decade on bank reserves. Instead, these dollars could be used to actually benefit American families.
Read more HERE

Forbes: Rick Scott: FDA Is Not Inspecting Foreign Drug Manufacturers Frequently Enough
Forbes: 'Communist China Is Not Our Friend': Rick Scott Warns Of U.S. Reliance On Chinese Prescription Drugs
The Floridian: Rick Scott, Ron Johnson launch Palisades Wildfires Investigation
The Floridian: Rick Scott, Ted Cruz Introduce ‘SEVER Act’ Barring Iranian Officials From Entering the U.S.
Florida's Voice: Sen. Rick Scott cosponsors ‘Chloe Cole Act’ to prohibit gender-affirming care for minors
Spectrum News 1: Scott, Johnson launch investigation into preparations, response to Palisades Fire
Gulf Coast News:Sen. Rick Scott visits Pine Island with other special guests
West Side Current: Congress Launches Investigation Into Deadly Palisades Fire, Citing Government Failures
Tampa Free Press: Florida, Tennessee, And Missouri Lawmakers Seek To Ban “Life-Altering Procedures” On Children
Tampa Free Press: Florida, New York Lawmakers Warn Of ‘Reckless And Dangerous’ Recognition Of Palestinian State
Tampa Free Press: Florida, Texas Senators Lead ‘SEVER Act’ To Block Sanctioned Iranian Officials From U.S. Soil
Tampa Free Press: Florida, South Carolina, And Oklahoma Senators’ Act Unlocks Federal Funds For Faith Groups
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Senator Rick Scott in Pine Island
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Senator Scott joined local leaders with the Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Control District for a tour of the island and a briefing on their work to serve and protect local residents.

Senator Rick Scott in Fort Myers
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Senator Scott toured the new Lee County Public Safety Center this week with local officials and law enforcement to hear about their work to prepare for any potential storms and keep families safe year-round.

Senator Rick Scott in Naples
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Senator Scott was honored to meet with veterans in Florida and thank them for their incredible service and sacrifice to our nation.

Senator Scott's Team in Miami
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Senator Scott's team attended the VII World Summit for Peace and Education hosted by MICAD Christian University and Fundación Emprendedores de Luz.

Senator Scott's Team in Orlando
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Additionally, Senator Scott's team attended the National Salsa Day Festival in Orlando

Senator Scott's Team in Spring Hill
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Senator Scott’s team held mobile office hours at United Way of Hernando County.

Senator Scott's Team in Tampa
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Senator Scott’s team visited the Tampa Police Department Museum.