Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) toured Taylor and Citrus County, Florida to witness the aftermath and the impacts of Hurricane Idalia on the area.
According to Sen. Scott’s press release, the former governor will travel the Sunshine State to visit the impacted areas as well as speak with local leaders to “ensure Florida’s families and communities are getting every resource needed to respond to and recover from the storm.”
After touring Taylor, Sen. Scott’s message was simple: “We will rebuild, you will recover, and you will not be forgotten.”
“The unprecedented flooding, destruction and devastation here in Taylor County from Hurricane Idalia is absolutely heartbreaking. The Nature Coast is full of beautiful places and wonderful people and our message to them is simple: we will rebuild, you will recover and you will not be forgotten. This morning, I was glad to see President Biden quickly approve Florida’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration at my urging. This federal declaration is a big deal and will help draw down important resources to support response and recovery efforts,” said Scott.
Moreover, upon visiting Citrus County, he stated, “Hurricane Idalia hit Citrus County hard and while the folks here are facing significant damage to their homes and businesses, we’re also seeing the incredible efforts of law enforcement and local emergency management coming together and begin the road to recovery. Floridians are resilient, but disaster response and recovery is an all-hands-on-deck operation and I’m focused on making sure the federal government shows up and delivers for Florida families."
He would go on to advocate for his Federal Disaster Responsibility Act, which would provide the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) with the $12.5 billion that it needs to “ensure the federal government can uphold its obligation” to protect Americans from natural disasters and recover from them.
“While I push for even more support and the immediate passage of my Federal Disaster Responsibility Act, the folks here in Taylor County have my word that I will be fighting to make sure they have what they need from the federal government and that we ALL keep showing up to help their recovery,” Scott concluded.
Moreover, Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) accused the Biden administration of playing politics as well.
As Hurricane Idalia was fast approaching the Gulf Coast of Florida, CNN’s Jake Tapper questioned the Biden administration’s decision to couple emergency funding for the recent natural disasters with funding for the Ukraine war effort.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told Tapper that “I don’t want to get into hypotheticals,” and that “The President put forward what he thinks is incredibly important that we need.”
Sen. Scott responded, saying that the effects felt by Hurricane Idalia are not “hypothetical.”
Floridians are facing once-in-a-lifetime devastation & destruction from #Idalia. This isn’t a “hypothetical.” It’s Florida families’ livelihoods, and my Federal Disaster Responsibility Act makes sure the federal government shows up.
Stop playing politics. Floridians can’t wait. pic.twitter.com/4xz4hqbh5V
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) August 30, 2023
“Floridians are facing a once-in-a-lifetime devastation & destruction from Idalia. This isn’t a ‘hypothetical.’ It’s Florida families’ livelihoods, and my Federal Disaster Responsibility Act makes sure the federal government shows up. Stop playing politics. Floridians can’t wait,” stated Sen. Scott.
The former governor stated that when the Senate reconvenes next week, he will bring up his piece of legislation for an immediate vote.
