Watchdog Group Jumps on Sen. Scott’s “Absurd” Biden Nominee Attack: “He Thinks Budgets Should Prioritize His Wealthy Donors and Special Interest Allies” 

Sen. Scott claimed to be worried about “more debt” — but had no problem confirming Trump’s Budget nominee as tax cuts for rich added trillions to national debt 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Accountable.US’s Senate War Room responded to comments from Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) on President-elect Biden’s recently announced nominees in which he expressed knee-jerk partisan opposition and claimed to be concerned about “big spending” and “more debt.” The Accountable Senate War Room plans to continue holding Sen. Scott and others accountable for attempting to obstruct the incoming Biden administration and overturn the will of the voters on behalf of their corporate donors and special interest allies.

“This is an absurd attack from a politician who has never met a budget-busting tax cut for the rich that he didn’t like,” said Accountable.US President Kyle Herrig. “It’s clear from Senator Scott’s  record that he thinks budgets should prioritize his wealthy donors and special interest allies, so it’s not too surprising that he isn’t happy with a nominee from the incoming administration who would prioritize investing in working families and calling on the wealthiest Americans and biggest corporations to pay their fair share.”

Senator Scott claims to be concerned about “more debt” and “big spending,” but never had a problem with that when it came to handing out tax breaks to the wealthy and well-connected:  

Senator Scott supports tax cuts for big spenders across the state of Florida. Then-Florida Gov. Rick Scott bestowed the tax break on a Florida marina replete with superyachts and floating mansions that could cost over $100 million owned by a rich GOP donor. [Pro Publica, 11/2019] 

“Opportunity zones — which were created as part of the 2017 federal tax cut package — were pitched as a way to help stimulate new development in low income communities” Senator Scott rubberstamped multiple high-end, GOP-tied investments to receive the tax breaks that accompany an Opportunity Zone designation. [Herald Tribune, 11/2019] 

As governor in 2017, Scott’s proposed budget was $4 billion higher than what he proposed a year prior and $21 billion more than his first budget seven years prior. “Rick Scott’s big-spending ways draw Republican resistance at Capitol.” [Tampa Bay Times, 12/2017] 

Sen. Scott’s $87.4 billion state spending plan drew strong contention…“This is my final budget,” Scott said on the Florida House floor. [Tampa Bay Times, 12/2017]

Senator Scott’s “concerns” certainly didn’t stop him from supporting Trump’s Budget nominee who oversaw trillions in debt increases and tax breaks for the rich.

Sen. Scott votes for Russ Vought, President Trump’s nominee for Office of Management and Budget. [Senate Vote 131, 7/20/20]

Scott-supported Trump Budget Director released budget adding trillions to debt, cutting taxes for rich. “The president’s $4.8 trillion spending plan, posted to the White House’s website Monday afternoon, would increase debt partly because of tax cuts and billions more in spending on defense.” [Bloomberg, 2/10/20]

Trump’s Budget Director “stunningly disingenuous” when it comes to tax cuts for rich. “What Vought skips over, though, is that the $1 trillion in deficits were precisely what the CBO expected would happen shortly after the tax cuts passed, thanks in part to the drop in projected revenue from tax receipts. [Washington Post, 2/25/19]

“Under Trump’s Administration, America’s National Debt Has Increased by Nearly $7 Trillion.” [Newsweek, 9/16/20]

Watchdog group Accountable.US recently launched the Accountable Senate War Room to fight back against those lawmakers who seek to overturn the will of the people by standing in the way of the smooth transition of power and the swift approval of nominees to ensure that the government can function and deliver results for the American people.

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