Washington, D.C.- Senator Rick Scott (R) has lauded Congress’s passage of a temporary budget bill that averted a government shutdown by allocating funds until November 17.
Senator Scott had been demanding that the next appropriations measure include provisions proposed in his Federal Disaster Responsibility Act.
In total, Scott was requesting $16.5 billion to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to replenish its Disaster Relief Fund (DRF), as well as provide block grants to Florida’s citrus growers affected by natural disasters.
“Today’s vote was a major win for Florida & America. We kept government funded while securing the $16B in disaster aid that I’ve demanded since #Idalia hit FL,” said Scott.
Today’s vote was a major win for Florida & America. We kept government funded while securing the $16B in disaster aid that I’ve demanded since #Idalia hit FL.
Now, we must actually start considering & passing spending bills to avoid a massive omnibus ⬇️ https://t.co/NvZd2ylZ0N
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) October 1, 2023
According to a press release from Scott’s office, the temporary funding bill represents a win for conservatives as disaster relief funds, previously conditioned on approval of Ukraine funds, were able to pass without the latter.
In effect, as Sec. 129 of the 71-page temporary funding bill demonstrates, Scott’s $16 million in requested funding for FEMA’s DRF was obtained without any additional Ukraine funding.
Notwithstanding Scott’s appraisal of the bill, a political divide among congressional republicans, especially in the House of Representatives, has erupted in response to the bill’s passage. Some Republicans are frustrated at the omnibus temporary funding bill they believe contained separate funding issues that should have been individually considered.
Representative Matt Gaetz of Florida (R) is leading such criticism, even going as far as claiming he will file a motion to vacate current House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
Rep. Gaetz is accusing Speaker McCarthy of “violat(ing) our conference rules” by filing the temporary spending bill.
.@SpeakerMcCarthy passed today’s Continuing Resolution on suspension.
He violated our conference rules by doing so 👇
“Rule 29—Guidelines on Suspension of House Rules
(a) The Republican Leader shall not schedule, or request to have scheduled, any bill or resolution for…
— Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) September 30, 2023
McCarthy is seemingly undisturbed by Gaetz’s challenge, claiming Gaetz is only interested in media attention.
Whether McCarthy survives this internal Republican row, the overarching funding disagreement will remain. Unless Congress agrees on another funding measure, the government could again be headed towards a shutdown.
