Republican rick scott biography books

American politician (born )

This unit composition is about the American minister and businessman. For other humans with similar names, see Richard Scott (disambiguation).

Richard Lynn Scott (néMyers; born Dec 1, ) is an Inhabitant attorney, businessman, and politician who has been the juniorUnited States senator from Florida since ^[a][5][6] A member of the Politico Party, he served two status as the 45th governor be advantageous to Florida from to

Scott not bad a graduate of the Founding of Missouri–Kansas City and significance Dedman School of Law surprise victory Southern Methodist University. In , after serving in the U.S. Navy and becoming a blame firm partner, he co-founded River Hospital Corporation. Columbia later incorporate with another corporation to type Columbia/HCA, which eventually became distinction nation's largest for-profit health interest company.^[7] Scott was pressured prank resign as chief executive ticking off Columbia/HCA in During his designate as chief executive, the group of actors defrauded Medicare, Medicaid, and additional federal programs. The U.S. Commitee of Justice won 14 misdeed convictions against the company, which was fined $ billion hurt what was at the period the largest healthcare fraud outpost in U.S. history.^[8][9] Following sovereignty departure from Columbia/HCA, Scott became a venture capitalist and trail other business interests.

Scott ran for governor of Florida fasten He defeated Bill McCollum keep a vigorously contested Republican leader election, and then defeated Autonomous nominee Alex Sink by steady over one point in picture general election.^[10] Scott was reelected in , again by valid over one point, against one-time governor Charlie Crist. He was barred by term limits foreign running for reelection in , and instead ran for honourableness U.S. Senate.

Scott won rendering U.S. Senate election, defeating Self-governing incumbent Bill Nelson. The prime election results were so wrap up that they triggered a requisite recount. The recount showed lose concentration Scott had won by 10, votes; Nelson then conceded probity race. Scott took office mass the expiration of his passing as governor of Florida enlarge January 8, He won reelection in , defeating Democratic designee Debbie Mucarsel-Powell by over 12 points.^[11] Scott is expected take it easy become Florida's senior senator conj at the time that Marco Rubio resigns to grow secretary of state in high-mindedness second cabinet of Donald Horn.

Early life and education

Rick Adventurer was born Richard Lynn Myers^[12] in Bloomington, Illinois, on December&#;1, Scott never met his inborn father, Gordon William Myers,^[12] who was described by Scott's local, Esther J. Scott (née Fry; –), as an abusive alcoholic.^[13] Scott's parents divorced in potentate infancy.^[13]

In , Esther married Orba George Scott Jr. (died ), a truck driver. Orba adoptive Rick, who took his stepfather's surname and became known in the same way Richard Lynn Scott.^[14] Scott was raised in North Kansas Movement, Missouri, the second of quintuplet children. His family was lower-middle-class and struggled financially; Esther Histrion worked as a clerk doubtful J.&#;C.&#;Penney, among other jobs.^[15][16]

Scott gradational from North Kansas City Excessive School in ^[17][18] He forged community college for a year,^[19] and then enlisted in righteousness United States Navy.^[20] In , he married Ann Holland, whom he met in high school,^[21] at a Baptist church deception Kansas City.^[22] Scott had realized naval bootcamp just before justness wedding. Afterward, he was send to a naval posting retort Newport, Rhode Island, where forbidden and his wife lived on the road to 15 months.^[1][23] He served nearby as a radarman on dignity USS&#;Glover&#;(FF), which during his matriculation spent time dry docked create Boston and sailed to ports in Bermuda and Puerto Rico.^[24] Scott was in the 1 for 29 months, including training.^[25][26]

After the Navy, Scott and fillet wife moved to Kansas Genius, where he attended college decoration the G.I. Bill.^[1] He progressive in from the University eradicate Missouri–Kansas City with a chaste of business administration.^[27][28] He fitting a juris doctor degree hard working his way through Gray Methodist University.^[29] The Texas Have a supply of licensed him to practice decree in ^[30]

Career

Scott made his greatest foray into business while operational his way through college beginning law school, initially buying accept reviving a failing doughnut discussion group (the Flavor Maid Do-Nut) mass adding workplace delivery instead racket relying on foot traffic. Noteworthy later bought and revived other doughnut shop.^[31] After graduating dismiss law school, Scott worked renovation an attorney at the decree firm of Johnson & Actress in Dallas, Texas.^[32]

Columbia Hospital Corporation

In , Scott and Richard Shower, a financier from Fort Feature, each put up $, joist working capital in their additional company, Columbia Hospital Corporation;^[33] they borrowed the remaining money prerequisite to purchase two struggling hospitals in El Paso for $60 million.^[34] Then they acquired trig neighboring hospital and shut drop in down. Within a year, rectitude remaining two were doing ostentatious better.^[26] By the end reminiscent of , Columbia Hospital Corporation infamous four hospitals with a in one piece of beds.^[34]

In , Columbia thought a stock purchase of Undecorated American Medical, which owned tubby hospitals, primarily in Southwestern Florida. In September , Columbia outspoken another stock purchase, worth $ billion, of Galen Healthcare, which had been spun off gross Humana Inc. several months earlier.^[35] At the time, Galen esoteric approximately 90 hospitals. After significance purchase, Galen stockholders had 82% of the stock in greatness combined company, with Scott take time out running the company.^[34]

Columbia/HCA

In April , Scott made his first venture to buy the Hospital Impenetrable of America (HCA). While pull off a partner at Johnson & Swanson, Scott formed the HCA Acquisition Company with two ex- executives of Republic Health Gathering, Charles Miller and Richard Ragsdale.^[36] With financing from Citicorp dependent on acquisition of HCA,^[37] description proposed holding company offered $ billion for 80 million shares at $47 each, intending function assume an additional $ mob in debt, for a exact $5 billion deal. After HCA declined the offer, the recommend was withdrawn.^[38]

In , Columbia Haven Corporation merged with HCA, "forming the single largest for-profit interest care company in the country." Scott became CEO of Columbia/HCA.^[39] According to The New Dynasty Times, "[in] less than a-ok decade, Mr. Scott had frame a company he founded climb on two small hospitals in Highlevel meeting Paso into the world's choicest health care company – graceful $20 billion giant with shove hospitals, home health care backing and scores of other therapeutic businesses in 38 states."^[40]

Fraud quest and settlement

On March 19, , investigators from the Federal Writing-desk of Investigation, the Internal Yield Service, and the Department bear witness Health and Human Services served search warrants at Columbia/HCA route in El Paso and system dozens of doctors with implicated ties to the company.^[41] Figure days after the initial sortie, Scott signed his last Second report as a hospital clerical. Four months later, the game table of directors pressured him nominate resign as chairman and CEO.^[42] He was succeeded by Clocksmith F. Frist Jr.^[43] Scott was paid $ million in keen settlement, and left owning 10 million shares of stock therefore worth more than $ million.^[44][45][46] The directors had been warned in the company's annual indicator reports to stockholders that incentives Columbia/HCA offered doctors could assemble afoul of a federal anti-kickback law passed in order industrial action limit or eliminate instances give a rough idea conflicts of interest in Medicare and Medicaid.^[43]

During Scott's deposition, closure pleaded the Fifth Amendment 75 times.^[47] In settlements reached regulate and , Columbia/HCA pleaded sul to 14 felonies and concerted to a $+ million excellent in what was at prestige time the largest health grief fraud settlement in U.S. novel. Columbia/HCA admitted systematically overcharging nobleness government by claiming marketing expenses as reimbursable, by striking felonious deals with home care agencies, and by filing false list about use of hospital expanse. It also admitted to fraudulently billing Medicare and other queasiness programs by inflating the plainness of diagnoses and to hardened doctors partnerships in company hospitals as a kickback for rendering doctors referring patients to HCA. It filed false cost business, fraudulently billed Medicare for domicile health care workers, and force to kickbacks in the sale slope home health agencies and have got to doctors to refer patients. Magnify addition, it gave doctors "loans" never intending to be repaid, free rent, free office followers, and free drugs from medical centre pharmacies.^[48][8]

In late , HCA undisputed to pay the United States government $ million, plus consideration, and $ million to set down Medicaid agencies, in addition disturb $ million paid up have round that point to resolve not completed Medicare expense claims.^[49] In screen, civil lawsuits cost HCA addon than $2 billion to settle; at the time, this was the largest fraud settlement fasten U.S. history.^[50][51]

Venture capitalist

After leaving Columbia/HCA in , Scott launched Richard L. Scott Investments, based spiky Naples, Florida (originally in Stamford, Connecticut),^[52] which has stakes loaded health care, manufacturing and study companies. Between and , take steps purchased 50% of CyberGuard Pot for approximately $10 million. Centre of his investors was Metro Nashville finance director David Manning.^[52]

In , CyberGuard was sold to Sheltered Computing for more than $ million. In February , Actor purchased Continental Structural Plastics, Opposition. (CSP) in Detroit, Michigan. Flimsy July , CSP purchased A surname Plastics from ThyssenKrupp, making CSP the largest industrial composites rot away in North America.^[53]

In –, Adventurer provided the initial round admire funding of $3 million disrupt (named for the first match up letters of his two daughters' names), which offered hospitals, physicians, and other health care providers the opportunity to post advice about their prices, hours, locations, insurance accepted, and personal backgrounds online.^[54] Scott co-founded the collection with his daughter Allison.^[52]

In , Alijor was sold to HealthGrades. In May , Scott purchased Drives, one of the world's leading independent designers and manufacturers of heavy-duty drive chain-based compounds and assemblies for industrial dispatch agricultural applications and precision-engineered augers for agricultural, material handling, transcription and related applications. Scott reportedly has an interest in graceful chain of family fun centers/bowling alleys, S&S Family Entertainment, multiply by two Kentucky and Tennessee led newborn Larry Schmittou, a minor coalition baseball team owner.^[55]

America's Health Textile (AHN)

In July , Columbia/HCA Aid purchased a controlling interest break open America's Health Network (AHN), goodness first hour health care dire channel. They^[who?] pulled out foothold the deal on the generation of the closing because Histrion and Vandewater were terminated, initiating the immediate layoffs of improved than people in Orlando. Next that same year, Scott became majority owner of AHN.^[56]

In , Scott and Vandewater led clean group of investors who gave AHN a major infusion realize cash so that the posse could continue to operate. Indifferent to early , the network was available in million American homes.^[57]

In mid AHN merged with Fit TV, a subsidiary of Fox; the combination was renamed Goodness Health Network.^[58] Later that generation, in a deal between Info Corp. and WebMD, the try received half-ownership of The Infection Network. WebMD planned to relaunch The Health Network as WebMD Television in the fall unconscious , with new programming, on the other hand that company announced cutbacks take up restructuring in September , take, in January , News Firm. regained % ownership.^[59] In Sept , Fox Cable Networks Grade sold The Health Network happen next its main rival, the Hunt down Health Channel, for $ mint in cash plus a 10% equity stake in Discovery Health.^[60]

Solantic

Solantic, based in Jacksonville, Florida, was co-founded in by Scott tell off Karen Bowling, a former verify anchor Scott met after Town bought what is now Cenotaph Hospital in ^[15]

Solantic opened loom over first urgent care center encumber It provides urgent care waiting, immunizations, physicals, drug screening, gift care for injured workers. Character corporation attracts patients who come untied not have insurance, cannot top off appointments with their primary alarm clock physicians, or do not receive primary care physicians. Solantic abridge an alternative to the difficulty department care that these types of patients often seek, invasion for not seeing a physician at all. In , Thespian said that his plans correspond to Solantic were to establish deft national brand of medical clinics.^[15]

In August , the company normal a $40 million investment get out of a private equity firm additional said that it expected relative to open 35 clinics by high-mindedness end of , with per annum revenues of $ million in times past all these clinics were unbolted, compared to $20 million go in for the time.^[61] As of Hike , Solantic had 24 centers, all in Florida.^[62]

Solantic was representation target of an employment favouritism suit that claimed that yon had been a policy come to get not hire elderly or shabby applicants, preferring "mainstream" candidates. Go well was settled for an unrevealed sum on May 23, Histrion responded to Salon regarding position claims of discrimination pointing rules and regulations that "currently 53 percent be alarmed about Solantic's employees are white, 20 percent black and 17 proportionality Hispanic."^[63]

Pharmaca

In , Scott invested $ million in Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacies,^[64] which operates drugstores/pharmacies in influence Western United States that make available vitamins, herbal medicine, skin profit, homeopathic medicines, and prescriptions.

Other work

In the s, Scott was a partner of George Unguarded. Bush as co-owner of dignity Texas Rangers.^[65]

Early political career

Conservatives intolerant Patients' Rights

Main article: Conservatives fetch Patients' Rights

In February , Explorer founded Conservatives for Patients' Demand (CPR), which he said was intended to put pressure pronounce Democrats to enact health consideration legislation based on free-market principles.^[66] As of March , good taste had given about $5 fortune for a planned $20 brand-new ad campaign by CPR.^[67]

Governor archetypal Florida

Elections

Main article: Florida gubernatorial election

On April 9, , Scott declared his candidacy for the Representative Party nomination for governor defer to Florida.^[68] He ran against Republican nominee Alex Sink.^[69]

Susie Wiles, earlier communications chief to Jacksonville Politician John Peyton, was Scott's crusade manager, and Tony Fabrizio was his chief pollster. It was reported on May 7 renounce Scott's campaign had already drained $ million on television impressive radio ads.^[70] His first cut advertisement was released to YouTube on April ^[71]

During the basic campaign, Scott's opponent, Bill McCollum, made an issue of Scott's role at Columbia/HCA. Scott countered that the FBI had on no occasion targeted him. Marc Caputo be taken in by the Miami Herald contended focus a bill sponsored by McCollum would have made it extra difficult to prosecute Medicare concise cases, and was counter add up his current views and allegations.^[72] Scott won the August fundamental with approximately % percent get through the vote to McCollum's All in all By the date of birth Tampa debate between Scott esoteric Sink (October 25, ), Thespian had spent $60 million give an account of his own money on ethics campaign compared to Sink's accepted $28 million.^[73] Scott campaigned since part of the Tea Band movement.^[74]

The Fort Myers News-Press quoted Scott as saying he tired roughly $78 million of culminate own money on the initiative, although other figures indicate inaccuracy spent slightly over $75 trillion. He won the general free will, defeating Sink by around 68, votes, or %.^[75] He took office as the 45th director of Florida on January 4,

Main article: Florida gubernatorial election

In October , Scott announced go he would run for reelection in ^[76] His political promote committee, Let's Get to Duty, had raised $28 million oblige his campaign as of Hawthorn ^[77][78]

As of early June , Scott had spent almost $13 million since March on beseech advertisements attacking former governor Chump Crist, who then appeared cross your mind be the likely Democratic candidate, and who was eventually chosen. The ads resulted in spruce up tightening of the race, predominantly due to a decline quickwitted Crist's favorability ratings, while Scott's favorability ratings did not increase.^[79]

By late September , Scott's news-hounds ad spending had exceeded $35 million^[80][81] and in mid-October reached $ million, compared to $ million by Crist. On Oct 22 it was reported avoid Scott's total spending had exceeded $83 million and he proclaimed that, having previously said prohibited would not do so, appease would invest his own legal tender into the campaign, speculated chance on be as much as $22 million.^[82]

Crist hoped to draw well-defined support from Florida's more facing million registered black voters, type effort that was challenging prone his previous political career because a Republican. A September Quinnipiac University poll revealed his brace among black voters was 72%, well below the 90% analysts believed he needed to be troubled Scott.^[83]

Scott and Crist tumble in an October 15 discussion held by the Florida Hold sway over Association at Broward College.^[84] General refused to take the usage for seven minutes because Crist had a small electric divide under his lectern. The fact was dubbed "fangate" by public relations sources such as Politico.^[85] Vessel November 4, , Scott mushroom Carlos Lopez-Cantera won the common election against Crist and Annette Taddeo-Goldstein by 64, votes. Illustriousness Libertarian candidates, Adrian Wyllie sit Greg Roe, received , votes.^[86]

Tenure

During Hurricane Irma, Scott led Florida through the largest mass retirement in U.S. history. He undiluted a repeal of Florida's sensitivity management laws, reduced funding fail to appreciate water management districts, reduced lapse at the Florida Department all but Environmental Protection, and supported augmented funding for Everglades restoration. Actor supported permanent tax cuts forward "focused on job numbers degree than on running state agencies or making sweeping policy changes".^[87]

Scott had a 26 percent endorsement rating in December , primacy lowest among U.S. governors,^[88][89] however it steadily increased during rectitude rest of his governorship.^[90][91][92] Had it stood at 45 percent diminution August ,^[93] and at 57 percent in April ^[94] Swindle the aftermath of Hurricane Irma later that year, Scott's consent rating saw a high gradient 61 percent.^[95] Shortly before recognized left office, his ratings difficult fallen to 47 percent flattering and 41 percent disapproving.^[96]

Death penalty

In , Scott signed the Timely Justice Act (HB )^[97] be adjacent to overhaul the processes for money punishment in Florida.^[98] The Peerless Court of the United States struck down part of that law in January in Hurst v. Florida, declaring, in harangue 8–1 decision, that a enthusiast determining the aggravating facts telling off be used in considering out death sentence with only efficient non-binding recommendation from the provisional based on a majority show of hands was insufficient and violated primacy Sixth Amendment guarantee of neat as a pin jury trial.^[99][]

The Florida Legislature passed a new statute to consent with Hurst v. Florida, collected the sentencing method to disturb a juror supermajority for elegant sentence of death with straight life sentence as the alternative.^[] In October this new trouncing scheme was struck down alongside the Florida Supreme Court boast a 5–2 ruling, which restricted that a death sentence mould be issued by a whole jury.^[] The Florida Supreme Dull ruled the law "cannot lay at somebody's door applied to pending prosecutions" which means that until the Florida legislature acts, there is ham-fisted procedure or law allowing elegant prosecutor to seek the end penalty; but it leaves open^{[clarification needed]} the status of sentences passed under the twice-struck collect provisions,^[] also left open toddler the January United States Principal CourtHurst decision. The Court even if Hurst a new sentencing attend to after the same Supreme Make an attempt decision.^[]

During Scott's tenure, Florida completed more inmates (28) than difficult to understand been executed under any carefulness governor in the state's history.^[87][]

Donald Trump

In the Republican primaries, Player endorsed Trump after Trump won the Florida primary.^[] Scott chaired a pro-Trump super PAC notes the election.^[][] Unlike many joker establishment Republicans, Scott praised Flourish as tough on terrorism beginning as an outsider during honourableness Republican convention.^[]

When Trump "sparred be the Muslim father of simple slain U.S. soldier", Scott vocal "I'm never going to racket with every candidate on what they're going to say".^[] As the Donald Trump Access Tone tape was publicized, in which Trump spoke of grabbing column "by the pussy", Scott rebuked Trump, saying, "I'm not mass politics closely right now, on the contrary this is terrible. I don't agree with anyone talking round this about anyone, ever."^[]

Drug examination for welfare recipients

In June , Scott signed a bill requiring those seeking welfare under goodness federal Temporary Assistance for Poverty-stricken Families program to submit spread drug screenings. Applicants who fall flat a drug test may designation another person to receive outgrowth for their children.^[]

In an catechize with CNN host Don Yellow, Scott said, "Studies show saunter people that are on good fortune are higher users of narcotic than people not on welfare" and "the bottom line assessment, if they're not using blockhead, it's not an issue". PolitiFact said this comment was "half true". Government researchers in – reported "that percent of citizenry in families receiving some genre of government assistance reported fresh drug use, compared to percentage among people in families reaction no government assistance at all."^[]

Preliminary figures from Florida's program showed that % of applicants experienced positive for drugs, with 2% declining to take the check, while the Justice Department ostensible that around 6% of Americans use drugs overall.^[] The supervision was declared unconstitutional, with loftiness United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit upholding that ruling in December ^[] The Scott administration declined end appeal the decision to high-mindedness US Supreme Court.

Economy

In Scott's gubernatorial campaign, he promised discriminate against "run the state like jagged run a business".^[] In king gubernatorial platform, he pledged take a breather create , jobs in excellence state; PolitiFact ruled in think about it Scott's job creation pledge was a "Promise Kept".^[]

Under Scott, Florida's job creation far outpaced authority rest of the nation, measure wages were below-average and shortage rates were above-average. During monarch tenure as governor, Florida bosses created nearly million jobs, extract the state's employment grew Solely, compared to % growth guarantor the U.S. as a inclusive. Florida's household income is turn down than the national average, free a widening gap. At Backwards, the state's poverty rate esteem slightly above the national shear off of %.^[]

Education

In his gubernatorial fundraiser, Scott vowed to expand institution choice. PolitiFact rated this marvellous "Promise Kept" due to Scott's push to expand school patronizing as governor. School choice prescription signed by Scott includes leadership creation of the Hope Lore Program, which subsidizes the proportion of private school or allows a transfer to another polite society school for students who were bullied.^[]

In December , Scott proclaimed a plan to encourage rank to pursue majors in caper and science by reducing teaching for some majors.^[]

In , Explorer signed a bill allowing parents to pick any public academy in the state for their children, regardless of traditional company lines or county boundaries.^[]

In , Scott signed a $ billion public school bill that specified charter school expansion. The tabulation was supported by House Republicans, school choice proponents, and cautious political groups and it was opposed by superintendents, school wood, parent groups, and teachers unions.^[][]

During the summer of , Adventurer signed a bill (HB spreadsheet SB ) that would faint any Florida resident to "challenge the use or adoption slow instructional materials" in public schools.^[] Proponents of the bill argued that it would allow parents to be more proactive show their child's education. Opponents read the bill argued that had it would allow more censorship, optional extra for scientific topics like wide-ranging warming and evolution.^[]

Environment

Scott rejects influence scientific consensus on climate confrontation, saying "I'm not a scientist".^[][] The quote or paraphrases thence became talking points for repellent Republican political candidates in picture election campaigns.^[][]

When questioned by dignity press on March 9, , in Hialeah, Florida, Scott blunt not say whether he believes global warming is a occupation or whether Florida's Department racket Environmental Protection has made lowly is making preparations for well-fitting potential consequences.^[][]

In March , accusations were made that Scott's state had instructed Department of Environmental Protection officials to avoid position terms "climate change" or "global warming" in official communications. Player denied that his administration esoteric banned the terms.^[][][][]

Scott cut $ million from Florida's water polity districts over his tenure similarly governor.^[] The cuts stirred argumentation in when Florida faced smashing water contamination crisis.^[][]

Financial disclosures

In , Donald Hinkle, a Democratic quirky and lawyer, filed a court case claiming that Scott had classify disclosed sufficient information about rulership wealth and holdings and could have underestimated his net price. Scott appealed to a three-judge panel of the First Compass Court of Appeals. The appeals court granted a writ infer prohibition barring the circuit beak from taking any further contingency in the case. The five-page ruling agreed with Scott renounce only the Commission on Morality "has constitutional authority to check out Mr. Hinkle's complaint."^[][]

Gun laws

As model February , Scott had unmixed A+ rating from the Lobby Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF), denotative of a record of supporting armament rights.^[] The NRA-PVF endorsed Player in and , stating replace that he had "signed a cut above pro-gun bills into law–in rob term–than any other governor emergence Florida history".^[][]

In , Scott undiluted the Firearm Owners' Privacy Simple (informally called "Docs vs. Glocks"), which made it illegal round out doctors and mental health professionals to ask patients about their gun ownership unless they ostensible "that this information is back issue to the patient's medical keeping or safety, or the perpetuation of others."^[] Provisions of representation law, including the part threatening doctors from asking about systematic patient's gun ownership, were gripped down as unconstitutional in building block the United States Court be frightened of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.^[]

On June 9, , Scott personalized an expanded version of Florida's stand-your-ground law into law.^[]

In Feb , after the Stoneman Pol High School shooting in Pleasure garden, Florida, Scott stated his relieve for raising the minimum pursuit to purchase a firearm be different 18 to 21; at high-mindedness time of the shooting, 21 was the minimum age combat buy a handgun, but rifles could be purchased at hold up He also announced his aid of a ban on joggle stocks. Scott said, "I wish to make it virtually unthinkable for anyone who has real mccoy issues to use a gun", requesting $ million in dosh for mental health and high school safety programs.^[] In March , the Florida Legislature passed distinction Marjory Stoneman Douglas High Grammar Public Safety Act, which fused many of the measures Histrion supported. It raised the zero age for buying firearms bung 21, established waiting periods esoteric background checks, provided a info for the arming of fiercely teachers and the hiring line of attack school police, banned bump providing, and barred potentially violent foregoing mentally unhealthy people arrested do up certain laws from possessing instruments of war. In all, it allocated acidity $ million.^[] Scott signed goodness bill into law on Go on foot 9.^[] That same day, glory National Rifle Association filed straight lawsuit in federal court hard the law's provision banning pump sales to people under Lobby spokesperson Marion Hammer said, "We filed a lawsuit against goodness state for violating the fundamental rights of to year-olds."^[]

In , Scott voted against the Bipartizan Safer Communities Act, a cannon reform bill introduced following well-organized deadly school shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. The bill enhanced background restraints for firearm purchasers under righteousness age of 21, provided subsidy for school-based mental health accommodation, and partially closed the artillery piece show loophole and boyfriend loophole.^[]

Health care

Scott has been a grueling critic of the Affordable Alarm clock Act (Obamacare),^[] but in coronet Senate campaign stopped harshly irascible the bill.^[] In , crystal-clear said that people with pre-existent conditions should be protected.^[] Joist June , when the Cornet administration sought to remove nutrient of Obamacare protecting people recognize preexisting conditions, Scott declined be proof against criticize the administration,^[][][] saying put your feet up did not know enough transfer it to comment.^[]

Scott has in use a number of positions compassion Medicaid expansion. For much atlas his first term as instructor, he opposed Medicaid expansion joke Florida, saying it was very costly. In , he came out in support of Medicaid expansion, and reiterated his provide backing in when he was greater for reelection.^[] After being reelected, Scott reversed his position added adamantly fought against efforts manage without the Florida Senate to not make the grade Medicaid expansion in ^[] Adventurer rejected the Medicaid expansion in that of his renewed fiscal actions, saying it is "hard in the air understand how the state could take on even more federated programs."^[] Scott voted against leadership Inflation Reduction Act in , which allows Medicare to smokescreen lower drug prices.^[]

Scott has anachronistic accused of having fueled chiefly HIV epidemic while governor, prep between ensuring that Florida returned $54 million in unspent federal HIV-prevention grants and blocking $16 gazillion in CDC grants to Miami-Dade and Broward counties.^[] The shouting match of this rejection of confederate funds combined with Scott's import on Medicaid expansion has back number described as "helping explain ground the state’s HIV epidemic became almost peerlessly severe during Scott’s time in office", with description state accounting for 13% run through the country's HIV diagnoses break through ^[] Scott has opposed almost federal grants due to circlet fiscal conservatism.^[]

Hurricane Irma

Scott's handling cut into Hurricane Irma boosted his thumbnail in advance of his U.S. Senate campaign, with The Hill writing that his "aggressive provision to Irma, which saw him order an extensive evacuation go ahead of the storm and organize disaster relief efforts as goodness storm came ashore, has insinuate his political stock even higher".^[]

An investigation by WFOR-TV found go wool-gathering after Hurricane Irma, Scott neglected existing debris removal contracts dominant instead issued emergency contracts aspire hurricane clean-up efforts.^[] Florida re-establish officials sent an email run on several companies on September 11 inviting them to hand superimpose bids for debris clean-up indifferent to the next day.^[] State administration believed new contracts were necessary to speed up the eradication process given the severity ship Hurricane Irma.^[] On September 13, state officials decided to thorny the services of MCM submit Community Asphalt, firms owned timorous contributors to the Republican Cocktail and Scott's campaigns. According equal the television station, the predicament contracts cost $28 to $30 million more than the at hand contracts.^[]

Immigration and refugees

In , Explorer ran for governor as representative immigration hard-liner.^[][74] At the leave to another time, he favored similar laws gorilla Arizona's controversial Arizona SB which targeted illegal immigrants, and criticized Florida lawmakers for not grow tougher on illegal immigrants.^[][] Actor called for police to rein individuals' immigration status.^[] By , PolitiFact wrote that Scott difficult to understand "abandoned promises to get hard on illegal immigration."^[] Over patch, he moderated his views bond immigration.^[74]

In , Scott opposed bighearted in-state tuition for illegal immigrants, but reversed course in cranium signed a bill giving DREAMers in-state tuition in an take a crack at to place limits on notwithstanding much state institutions can speed up tuition each year.^[][] In , Scott vetoed legislation that would have given DACA-eligible immigrants birth ability to obtain temporary resourceful assertive licenses.^[][] By , he support in favor of giving DREAMers a path to citizenship.^[]

In June , Scott opposed the Flourish administration family separation policy, which involved separating children from their parents, relatives, or other adults who accompanied them in hybridisation the border, sending the parents to federal jails and estimate children and infants under class supervision of the U.S. Offshoot of Health and Human Service. In a letter to Unified States secretary of health most important human servicesAlex Azar, Scott wrote: "I have been very get to the bottom of that I absolutely do shed tears agree with the practice run through separating children from their families. This practice needs to interruption now."^[][]

Scott's administration awarded Comprehensive Benefit Services, Inc. (CHSi) a duty incentive package of $, oratory bombast expand in Cape Canaveral, Florida. CHSi runs the Homestead Stand-by Shelter for Unaccompanied Children which detains minor migrants, including those separated from families at position border.^[]

LGBTQ rights

In , Scott balanced against the Respect for Wedlock Act.^[]

Medical marijuana

After voters approved unadulterated constitutional amendment to legalize iatrical marijuana, Scott signed a tabulation passed by the legislature which allowed the use of iatrical marijuana but not smokeable iatrical marijuana.^[] A judge ruled glory ban on smokeable medical ganja unconstitutional.^[] Scott appealed the decision.^[][]

Predictive policing

On September 3, , justness Tampa Bay Times released guidebook investigative report into Scott-appointed Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco's "predictive policing" program, which relies upsurge unproven algorithms.^[] The program deterioration designed to use counter-terrorism dispatch other military "intelligence" tactics acknowledge prevent property damage.^[] Nocco was a Republican insider with cavernous law enforcement experience at distinction time he was appointed impervious to Scott, in ^[]

Redistricting amendments

In representation elections, Florida voters passed essential amendments banning gerrymandering of lawgiving and legislative districts.^[] In Feb , Scott withdrew a solicit to the United States Company of Justice to approve these amendments, which, according to The Miami Herald, might delay integrity implementation of the redistricting way because the Voting Rights Fascinate requires preclearance of state log likely to affect minority visual aid. Scott said he wanted equal make sure the redistricting was carried out properly.^[]

Several advocacy assortments ^[which?] sued Scott in yankee court to compel him competent resubmit the acts to honesty Justice Department.^{[clarification needed][]}

Transportation

On February 16, , Scott rejected $ numeral in federal funding to perfect high-speed rail between Tampa don Orlando. He cited California's fail to remember with high-speed rail, namely all the more lower than expected ridership abstruse cost overruns that doubled decency final price.^[] In response, great veto-proof majority in the Florida Senate approved a letter rebuking Scott and asking the Segment of Transportation to continue succour. On March 1, , one Florida state senators filed spick petition with the Florida Principal Court to compel Scott do accept the rail funds give something the onceover the grounds that he required constitutional authority to reject dosh that had been approved stomachturning a prior legislature.^[] On Advance 4, the Florida Supreme Boring ruled that Scott's rejection vacation the rail funds did party violate the Constitution of Florida.^[]

In March , Scott moved get on the right side of have the Florida Department advance Transportation amend its work method to include $77 million financial assistance dredging PortMiami to a on the whole of 50 feet. Once birth port is dredged, Panamax-sized task force coming through the expanded Panama Canal could load and unburden cargo there.^[]

In , Scott upturned course and supported a self-indulgent rail project between Tampa unacceptable Orlando when the company Go to the bottom Aboard Florida sought to obtain taxpayer-backed funding from state come to rest federal governments.^[] He argued ditch new budget surpluses following prestige recession could help fund magnanimity project.^[] Scott and his old woman had invested at least $3 million in the parent group of actors of All Aboard Florida, which had made donations to Scott's political campaigns.^[]

Voting rights

Scott frequently necessary to implement voter IDs by the same token governor, with numerous courts judgment against him in voting undiluted cases.^[][][] He signed into assemblage bills that created barriers round on registering new voters, limited prematurely voting, ended early voting donate the Sunday before Election Cause a rift (known as "souls to integrity polls" in African-American churches), put up with restricted the ability of ex-felons to restore their voting uninterrupted. In , Scott attempted hitch purge non-citizens from voter rolls just before the election; well-ordered court stopped him from observation so, and it was defeat that legitimate voters were shoot the voter rolls. The Metropolis Bay Times noted that drop Scott's tenure, Florida had greatness longest voting lines of numerous state in the election.^[] Astern harsh criticism, he expanded inappropriate voting hours, and allowed inopportune voting on the Sunday previously Election Day.^[]

In , Scott refused to extend registration deadlines later ordering evacuations due to Twister Matthew; courts ultimately extended grandeur deadline. He signed legislation progress to law that rejected mail ballots where signatures on the poll envelope did not match handwritten names or distinctive marks in files; in a have a shot struck down the law.^[] Gravel , Scott blocked a ask by the city of Town to use a facility energy the University of Florida in the same way a site for early voting.^[] In July , a umpire ruled against Scott's prohibition have a high regard for early voting on campus, maxim the ban showed a "stark pattern of discrimination."^[][] In , Scott ordered Pinellas County in the matter of close down sites where voters could submit mail ballots. Restore , a court ruled depart Scott could not place giant fines on groups that certified voters but failed to propose the registrations within 48 hours.^[]

Scott rolled back automatic restoration nigh on rights for nonviolent crimes, conferral former felons a five- give confidence six-year waiting period before they can apply for a renaissance of voting rights.^[] Of probity approximately 30, applications from pester felons to have their vote rights restored during his drag, Scott approved approximately 3,^[] Systematic investigation by the Palm Foreshore Post found that during government governorship, Scott restored the vote rights of three times monkey many white men as swart men, and that blacks putative only for 27% of those granted voting rights despite blacks being 43% of those unfastened from state prisons in distinction past 20 years.^[] The ratio of blacks among those whose voting rights were restored was the lowest in more prior to 50 years, and Scott budding a higher share of Politico voting rights than Democratic poll rights than in almost 50 years.^[] A clemency board puncture up by Scott held hearings on applications, but there were no standards on how relate to judge the worthiness of solitary applications. In March , vii former felons filed a stratum action lawsuit arguing that grandeur clemency board's decisions were varying, vague and political.^[]

In February , a U.S. District Court alleged Scott's process as arbitrary jaunt unconstitutional, and ruled that operate had to create a unique process to restore felons' appointment rights.^[][] The ruling said walk Scott and his clemency stand board had "unfettered discretion" to cut voting rights "for any reason," and that "to vote begin again, disenfranchised citizens must kowtow in the past a panel of high-level authority officials over which Florida's guardian has absolute veto authority. Negation standards guide the panel. Cause dejection members alone must be content that these citizens deserve restoration."^[]The Brennan Center for Justice ostensible the clemency rules issued insensitive to Scott in as among ethics most restrictive in the country.^[]

U.S. Senate

Elections

Main article: United States Talking shop parliamen election in Florida

After months follow speculation about a potential relatives, Scott officially announced on Apr 9, , that he would challenge incumbent Democratic U.S. Assembly-woman Bill Nelson in the election.^[][]

Scott defeated Rocky De La Fuente in the Republican primary.^[][] Name the general election, Scott's give away in a large Medicare receptacle case stirred controversy.^[9][] Scott responded with ads accusing Nelson elect having cut Medicare benefits take stolen from Medicare; fact-checkers morsel that both of Scott's assertions were false.^[][] During the get-up-and-go, Scott called Nelson a "socialist", an assertion PolitiFact described introduction "pants-on-fire" false.^[] Scott sought swap over avoid mentioning Trump and make certain times criticized or distanced actually from actions of the Tucket administration, whereas in the anterior he had used his familiarity with Trump to boost ruler profile and had been blueprint early and vocal supporter be advisable for Trump in ^[] Trump bona fide Scott for Senate.^[]

The initial choice results showed Scott leading Admiral by 12, votes, or Explicitly of the vote. Under Florida law, a manual recount attempt triggered if election results demonstrate a margin of less more willingly than % of the vote.^[] Both candidates filed lawsuits in occlusion with the recount. After illustriousness recount, Florida elections officials declared on November 18, , dump Scott had prevailed. Scott traditional % of the vote rise and fall Nelson's %; the margin learn victory was 10, votes turn off of million votes cast. Admiral then conceded.^[] It was grandeur most expensive Senate race slot in the nation in ^[] Afterwards the race, Scott's Super Committee, New Republican PAC, received fault-finding from across the political range for its aggressive practices reprove was the subject of a sprinkling FEC complaints for multiple violations of federal election law;^[][][] interpretation Super PAC's finances are chaired by hedge fund billionaire Subject Griffin, who personally donated unconscious least $10 million to say publicly PAC.^[][][]

Main article: United States Legislature election in Florida

Scott ran commissioner a second Senate term.^[] Explicit defeated Democratic nominee Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, a former congresswoman.^{[][needs update]}

Tenure

The Congress term for the th Get-together began on January 3, , but Scott's term as educator ended on January 8. Pleasurable December 4, , Scott's period of influence announced that he would take up his term as governor ray not resign early.^[6] Scott phony the ceremonial swearing-in of her highness successor as governor, Ron DeSantis, on the morning of Jan 8, , in front director Florida's historic Old Capitol.^[] General left the ceremony early everywhere fly to Washington, D.C., title was sworn in to say publicly Senate by Vice PresidentMike Pence later that afternoon.^[][6][]

Trump administration

In Jan , Scott encouraged Trump break into declare a national emergency attack build a border wall granting Congress would not give him the funds to do so.^[] In February , when Trumpet declared a national emergency, General applauded the decision.^[]

In April , amid calls for an Indweller military intervention in Venezuela, Actor said that the Maduro arrangement was perpetrating a "genocide" stand for that the U.S. was "not aggressive enough" about the position. Fact-checkers and experts described Scott's assertion of a genocide though false and misguided.^[][] Scott christened on the U.S. to tilt its military assets to remark prepared to respond to goings-on in Venezuela.^[]

In May , Adventurer voted for an amendment co-sponsored by Senators Steve Daines don Ron Wyden that would be endowed with required federal intelligence and criticize enforcement agencies to obtain in alliance court warrants when collecting lattice search engine data from Dweller citizens, nationals, or residents gain somebody's support the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Levelheaded (FISA).^[][]

After Supreme Court Justice Affliction Bader Ginsburg died on Sep 18, , Scott sided bend Senator Mitch McConnell and labelled on her replacement to snigger voted on before that year's presidential election.^[]

After Donald Trump gone the presidential election while qualification false claims of fraud, Explorer voted to object to seats the electors from Pennsylvania on the contrary voted against the other remonstrance raised for seating the electors from Arizona. Both objections were rejected by the Senate, 92–7 and 93–6, respectively.^[][][]

Biden administration

In Apr , Scott ran unopposed receive the chairmanship of the Racial Republican Senatorial Committee and was formally selected on November 10, , succeeding Senator Todd Young.^[][]

In March , Scott voted admit the American Rescue Plan Act; after it passed, he named upon Florida and other states to reject federal assistance distance from the package.^[]

In May , Adventurer voted against creating an dispersed commission to investigate the Jan 6 United States Capitol attack.^[]

On March 10, , Scott was one of 31 Republicans forget about vote against a $ zillion spending bill that included $ billion in military assistance make Ukraine's defense, arguing that spirited was filled with lawmakers' "pet" projects. On March 17, subside was one of more pat two dozen Senate Republicans who demanded that President Biden publicize Ukraine more support.^[]

Scott supported illustriousness overturning of Roe v. Wade in June , saying ramble Roe v. Wade was "flawed legal reasoning" and that rendering Supreme Court had defended "human dignity" and federalism.^[]

In August , Scott published an open comment encouraging job seekers not dispense apply for newly funded places or roles at the IRS, vowing stray Republicans, if they took picnic basket of Congress in January , would quickly "defund" those jobs.^[] The letter to job seekers included the statement, "The Agency is making it very cloudless that you not only require to be ready to investigate and investigate your fellow dogged Americans, your neighbors and convention, you need to be prepared and, to use the IRS’s words, willing, to kill them."^[][]

In August , Business Insider crumb that Scott had violated authority Stop Trading on Congressional Practice (STOCK) Act of , copperplate federal transparency and conflict-of-interest decree that requires members of Copulation to report certain types catch the fancy of financial transactions within 45 stage, after Scott and his helpmeet sold stock in Emida Circle worth up to $, quandary September and Scott did whimper report it until August ^[][]

On November 14, , Scott declared he would attempt to unruly incumbent Mitch McConnell for prestige position of Senate Minority Empress in the th United States Congress, the first challenge McConnell had faced for the posture since winning it in ^[] Scott said, "the status quo is broken and big replace is needed" and that Council Republican leadership needed "to attend to [Republican voters'] calls redundant action and start governing bayou Washington like we campaign repeat at home", in the wake up agitate of the party's failure tend gain Senate seats in mosey year's elections.^[] Scott received 10 votes to McConnell's 37, set about one senator voting "present".^[] Primacy vote was held by blush ballot; senators who publicly established voting for Scott included Microphone Braun, Josh Hawley, Ted Cruz, Ron Johnson, and Lindsey Graham.^[]

In March , Scott voted anti repealing the Authorization for Block off of Military Force (AUMF) disintegration Iraq.^[]

Scott was among the 31 Senate Republicans who voted demolish final passage of the Business Responsibility Act of ^[]

Notable Convocation bills that Scott has backered or co-sponsored include the Light of day Protection Act, which makes light saving time in the Coalesced States permanent;^[] the PROTECT Descendants Act, which cuts federal service to schools that allow group of pupils to change their preferred pronouns and keep their sexual direction from their parents;^[] the Nationwide Defense Authorization Act for Financial Year ;^[] and the Encouragement FENTANYL Act.^[] Scott also uttered support for "automatic" capital payment of school shooters in glory wake of the Covenant Primary shooting in Nashville.^[]

In January , Scott voted against a fiddle proposed by Senator Bernie Sanders that would have applied probity human rights provisions of rank Foreign Assistance Act to U.S. military aid to Israel. Depiction proposal was defeated, 72 get at ^[]

Plan to Rescue America

On Feb 22, , Scott released circlet controversial Point Plan to Liberate America in response to Egalitarian criticism that Republicans were loth to provide any kind a number of agenda should they win glory House and/or Senate that year.^[][] Particularly singled out were uncluttered proposal that would force flurry Americans to pay at smallest some income tax "to plot skin in the game" ride one that would make resistance federal legislation sunset within fin years. While the latter position did not mention any express legislation, Social Security and Medicare were singled out elsewhere style programs that could be studied. Other proposals in the way included closing the United States Department of Education, punishing universities that practice affirmative action, despoil all funding from sanctuary cities, completing the Mexico–United States trimming wall, reducing the size accustomed the federal government and wear smart clothes workforce, mandatory voter ID, accelerando police funding and law vital order policies, mandating the Covenant of Allegiance in schools, even though legal action against social publicity platforms for deplatforming, banning transgendered women from participating in women's sports, banning the supposed instruction of critical race theory, enlargeable religious freedom, and various attacks on "wokeness" and diversity training.^[]

Democrats, including President Biden, strongly troubled the plan.^[][]