The incumbent Republican, U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, is seeking another term to represent Florida in Washington, D.C. He faces a formidable challenger in the November general election against the former Democratic U.S. Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell.
RICK SCOTT
What do you believe is the biggest threat facing Congress and the federal government at the moment?
Washington is completely dysfunctional. The country is nearly $35 trillion in debt, and reckless government spending has caused out-of-control inflation that’s crushing Florida families. The federal government is spending 76% of Americans’ hard-earned tax dollars on interest payments on our debt. This is unacceptable. American families and businesses have to balance their budgets every month, so the federal government should do the same thing. We turned our economy around and paid down state debt while I was Governor, and I’m fighting every day to rein in Washington’s wasteful spending and stop efforts by Washington elites to raise taxes, costs, and government regulations on the American people.
With unprecedented migrant events in recent years, many Keys residents are unsure about what happens to those who reach our shores. What can you do to ensure transparency about current procedures and the reality for those who cross our borders?
With Joe Biden and his “Border Czar” Kamala Harris at the helm, we have seen an unprecedented crisis at the border. Millions of illegal immigrants, deadly drugs, terrorists and criminals continue to flood our southern border while the Biden-Harris administration does nothing. No new laws have to be passed for Biden-Harris to secure the border, they could do it today but are purposely refusing to do so. That’s why I signed on to a resolution denouncing the Biden administration’s open border policies and calling on them to immediately enforce the law.
I support immigration, but it has to be legal immigration. I’m fighting for accountability and transparency on the waste, fraud and abuse we’ve seen at the southern border. I also introduced a bill to address reports of unaccompanied migrant children being released to unvetted sponsors. We must start enforcing our laws and encouraging migrants to come here legally.
What is your plan to ensure federal funding (please include any specific grants or federal programs) for pressing infrastructure needs in the Keys as our islands combat aging bridges, sea level rise and saltwater intrusion?
Since my time as governor, I have been fighting to strengthen Florida’s infrastructure and preserve our natural resources. In the Senate, I’ve continuously fought to secure construction funding for South Florida Ecosystem Restoration (SFER). I am currently fighting for funding for several essential storm and water management projects by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that will benefit the Keys. I will continue to fight for funding for Florida’s infrastructure and natural resources when I’m re-elected.
DEBBIE MUCARSEL-POWELL
What do you believe is the biggest threat facing Congress and the federal government at the moment?
We must end the gridlock in Congress, and that starts with electing leaders who are willing to put partisan politics aside and come to the table to deliver for Floridians. Rick Scott, one of the least bipartisan Senators, has been in elected office for 14 years and all he has done is push an out-of-touch agenda to take away our freedoms, put Social Security and Medicare on the chopping block, and raise taxes on the middle class. Time after time, he has tanked bipartisan pieces of legislation – even voting against Veterans’ benefits – and refused to compromise to solve the issues facing Florida. I am ready to work with anyone to tackle the rising cost of living in Florida, expand Medicare and Social Security, and protect our fundamental freedoms.
With unprecedented migrant events in recent years, many Keys residents are unsure about what happens to those who reach our shores. What can you do to ensure transparency about current procedures and the reality for those who cross our borders?
We have to solve the crisis at the border and at our ports. That’s why I supported the Border Patrol Union-backed, bipartisan border security bill this year, which would have secured our border, stopped the flow of illegal drugs, and strengthened our asylum process. I believe the bill was a good step towards protecting our national security, but we cannot solve the border crisis without also addressing violence and authoritarianism in Latin America. Immigrants don’t want to leave their homes – they do so when they have no other choice. It’s fundamental to address the violence forcing millions to flee Latin America. But Rick Scott voted against this bill to secure the border twice.
What is your plan to ensure federal funding (please include any specific grants or federal programs) for pressing infrastructure needs in the Keys as our islands combat aging bridges, sea level rise and saltwater intrusion?
I’m proud to have advocated for hundreds of millions of dollars in resiliency funding and infrastructure investments in South Florida while representing the Keys. As climate change worsens, I will fight for federal funding to protect our state from severe flooding – unlike Rick Scott, who voted against over $1 billion in infrastructure resiliency funding. In Congress, I was proud to co-sponsor the Coastal Communities Adaptation Act and the Restoring Resilient Reefs Act, helping our coastal communities prepare for extreme weather and conserving our coastal environment, which contributes hundreds of millions of dollars for our economy. As Senator, I will continue this work to ensure our infrastructure can withstand rising sea levels, flooding, and extreme storms.
