Scott doubles down on all federal programs after Biden’s push
Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) on Wednesday defended his proposal to suspend all federal laws after five years and criticized President Biden for being “confused” in response to Biden’s State of the Union claim that some Republicans want to shut down social security and Medicare.
“In my plan, I proposed the following: All federal laws expire in five years. If a law is worth upholding, Congress can re-enact it,” Scott said in a statement following Biden’s speech to a joint session of Congress.
Scott angered Republicans last year when he set out a 12-point policy agenda that included the Sunset Proposal, which Democrats immediately used as ammunition in the midterms.
“This is clearly and obviously an idea designed to deal with all the crazy new legislation that our Congress has been passing lately,” Scott added, denying Biden’s assertion that Republicans want Social Security and Medicare on Tuesday night end.
Biden said that “rather than let the rich pay their fair share, some Republicans, some Republicans want Medicare and Social Security to go under,” drawing loud boos from GOP lawmakers in the chamber.
Some House Republicans have floated the idea of entitlement program reform as part of the debt ceiling negotiations, though Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and others insist cuts are not on the table.
Over the blatant response, the President insisted, “Anyone who has any doubts contact my office, I’ll give you a copy — I’ll give you a copy of the proposal.”
“It is proposed by individuals. I’m not naming them out of courtesy, but it’s suggested by some of you,” Biden said.
That barb infuriated Scott, former chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, who called the claim “a lie” and “a dishonest move… by a very confused president.”
“I’m not intimidated when Joe Biden twists my words,” he said, and backtracked by arguing that Democrats effectively cut Medicare when they gave the federal government the power to negotiate lower prescription drug prices in the Anti-Inflation Act.
He says this will result in less money flowing to drug companies to develop new drugs and therapies.
Scott argues that his plan dictates that Congress would quickly revamp popular programs like Medicare and Social Security — as well as defense programs — before they have a chance to die.
“Does he think I intend to get rid of the US Navy too? Or the border guard? Or maybe air traffic control? That’s the wrong, gotcha BS that people hate about Washington. I have never advocated a cut in Social Security or Medicare, and I never would,” Scott said.
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