Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Florida Republicans like Senator Rick Scott have slammed Democratic Governors like Andrew Cuomo (D) and Gavin Newsom (D) for their handling of the pandemic in their respective states. The former governor of Florida shared his views in an Op-Ed, expressing that “we should not have Florida taxpayers bailing out New York.” After President Joe Biden’s COVID relief bill was passed, Senator Scott slammed the bill as an excuse to “bailout” blue states, and now the Florida lawmaker is criticizing Governor Cuomo’s decision to direct. $15,000 to undocumented workers, calling it “a shameful misuse of American taxpayer dollars.”
This week, the state of New York announced that it was dedicating $2.1 billion for undocumented workers. This means that individuals could receive up to $15,000, which is the equivalent of $300 each week.
In response to the announcement, Republicans across the country have shared their disapproval, calling it a “misuse” of COVID funds.
“The federal government should reimburse states and local governments for expenses related to COVID-19 response, but it is irresponsible and reckless of Biden and the Democrats to take billions from American taxpayers and use it for handouts so liberal politicians like Andrew Cuomo in New York can fund their radical priorities,” said Senator Scott in a statement. He added that “New York’s decision to take taxpayer money from citizens of fiscally responsible states like Florida and send $15,600 checks to illegal aliens is unfathomable.”
Questioning the legality of the state deciding to do this, Scott called for Democrats and Governor Cuomo to “answer to American taxpayers,” saying that “as our nation recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, this insane plan cannot be allowed to move forward.”
On Twitter, Scott further criticized Democrats for passing “a massive $2T ‘COVID’ spending bill with $360B. for blue state bailouts.”
Democrats pass a massive $2T “COVID” spending bill with $360B for blue state bailouts and this is the result: @NYGovCuomo spends $2B of the "COVID" funds cutting checks to illegal aliens. This is a shameful misuse of tax dollars and I won't stand for it: https://t.co/F70ZCb8lBP
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) April 8, 2021