The Trump administration unveiled a new plan last week to ramp up offshore drilling off the coasts of Alaska, California, and Florida as the president seeks to usher in a U.S. energy boom. But some members of President Donald Trump&#8217;s party, including the Florida governor, aren&#8217;t thrilled about the administration&#8217;s goal to drill for oil near the Sunshine State&#8217;s beaches and military bases.
The U.S. Department of the Interior <a href="https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/interior-launches-expansive-11th-national-offshore-leasing-program-advance-us-energy">directed</a> the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management last Thursday to open up seven additional lease areas in the Eastern Gulf for offshore drilling, an area in the Gulf of America around 100 miles off of Florida&#8217;s coast. The Trump administration also plans to open up 21 areas for lease off the coast of Alaska and six areas off the Pacific coast.
Florida Republicans, including Governor Ron DeSantis, Sen. Rick Scott, and Sen. Ashley Moody, are urging the administration to pump the brakes on the new plan. The Florida leaders want the federal government to reconsider the policy President Trump enacted during his first term, which banned offshore oil leasing off the coasts of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina through 2032.
&#8220;President Trump’s 2020 memorandum protecting Florida’s eastern Gulf waters represents a thoughtful approach to the issue. The Interior Department should not depart from the 2020 policy,&#8221; DeSantis <a href="https://x.com/GovRonDeSantis/status/1991648106254069903">said</a>. The governor&#8217;s office added that the Gulf coast of Florida does &#8220;not have the same oil and gas reserves as other states in the region&#8221; and that the state &#8220;has active sites where drilling occurs on land.&#8221;
Florida politicians argue that the new oil leases threaten Florida&#8217;s pristine beaches, which attract millions of tourists each year, while also interfering with &#8220;critical&#8221; U.S. military bases on the state&#8217;s coast.
Scott, Florida&#8217;s senior senator and former governor, echoed DeSantis, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RickScottSenOffice/posts/floridas-beautiful-beaches-and-coastal-waters-are-so-important-to-our-states-eco/1386895662794430/">arguing</a>, &#8220;Florida’s beautiful beaches and coastal waters are so important to our state’s economy, environment, and military community, which is why I have fought for years to keep drilling off Florida’s coasts and worked closely with President Trump during his first term to extend the moratorium banning oil drilling off Florida’s coasts through 2032.&#8221;
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&#8220;I have been speaking to Secretary Burgum and made my expectations clear that this moratorium must remain in place, and that in any plan, Florida’s coasts must remain off the table for oil drilling to protect Florida’s tourism, environment, and military training opportunities,&#8221; Scott added.
Senator Moody said the Trump administration&#8217;s move was &#8220;HIGHLY concerning,&#8221; adding that she &#8220;will be engaging directly with the [Interior Department] on this issue.&#8221;
The Interior Department&#8217;s move to free up more areas for offshore drilling is a response to former President Joe Biden&#8217;s &#8220;restrictive&#8221; oil and gas policies, according to the Trump administration.
“Offshore oil and gas production does not happen overnight. It takes years of planning, investment, and hard work before barrels reach the market,” said Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. “The Biden administration slammed the brakes on offshore oil and gas leasing and crippled the long-term pipeline of America’s offshore production. By moving forward with the development of a robust, forward-thinking leasing plan, we are ensuring that America’s offshore industry stays strong, our workers stay employed, and our nation remains energy dominant for decades to come.”
Trump&#8217;s <a href="https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/w-027-8408?originationContext=knowHow&amp;transitionType=KnowHowItem&amp;contextData=(sc.Default)&amp;firstPage=true">2020 memorandum</a> prevented areas off the Florida coast from being considered for &#8220;leasing for purposes of exploration, development, or production&#8221; until 2032. After signing the memorandum in 2020, Trump was criticized by some people who believed the president was seeking to gain political favor among Floridians ahead of the 2020 election.
During his 2024 presidential campaign and after returning to the White House in early 2025, Trump vowed to ramp up American energy production and bring down energy costs for Americans. To accomplish this, Trump said it was time for the United States to &#8220;drill, baby, drill,&#8221; and on his first day back in the White House in January, Trump <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/declaring-a-national-energy-emergency/">declared</a> a national energy emergency.
&#8220;A major focus of our fight to reduce inflation is rapidly reducing the cost of energy. The previous administration cut the number of new oil and gas leases by 95%, slowed pipeline construction to a halt, and closed more than 100 power plants,&#8221; Trump said during his address to Congress in early March.
A group of Florida GOP representatives, including some of Trump&#8217;s most loyal supporters in Congress, also <a href="https://x.com/FBSaunders/status/1991623831610618051/photo/1">signed</a> a letter urging the president to reconsider the Interior Department&#8217;s latest directive.
&#8220;While we wholeheartedly support your push for American energy independence and expanded oil and gas production, the [Eastern Gulf Test and Training Range] is critical to advanced weapons development, flight testing, and joint exercises essential to maintaining America&#8217;s military superiority,&#8221; the letter states.

Florida Oil Drilling

Florida Republicans Aren’t Happy With Trump’s Offshore Drilling Plan

Florida Republicans Aren't Happy With Trump's Offshore Drilling Plan

Donald Trump

Florida

Oil and Gas

Republicans

Rick Scott

Ron DeSantis

Senator Marsha Blackburn (TN) introduced a bill on Thursday that would make President Donald Trump’s withdrawal from the World Health Organization permanent, barring massing reform. 
The <a href="https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/services/files/E5F2FE62-438C-4157-98FE-439FA3126326" target="_blank" rel="noopener">bill</a> would block taxpayer dollars from either funding WHO programs or American membership in the organization unless the organization took significant steps to demonstrate independence from China and root out leftist ideology. Blackburn&#8217;s fellow Republican Senators John Barrasso (WY), Rick Scott (FL), and Ted Cruz joined Blackburn in putting the legislation forward.
“The World Health Organization has long been a puppet for the Chinese Communist Party, grossly mismanaging the COVID pandemic and taking over a billion dollars of U.S. funding without advancing our interests,” Blackburn told The Daily Wire. “We must support President Trump’s actions to hold the WHO accountable by ensuring any future president who wants to rejoin meets concrete conditions of improvement.”
The bill would codify Trump’s <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-orders-u-s-to-withdraw-from-world-health-organization" target="_blank" rel="noopener">day one executive order</a> withdrawing the United States from the organization, citing WHO handling of COVID and demands for &#8220;onerous&#8221; and unfair payments. 
Under certain conditions, the legislation said that it would be possible for the United States to rejoin WHO. These conditions include the WHO adopting reforms to ensure that humanitarian aid is not politicized, demonstrate independence from the Chinese Communist Party, grant observer status to Taiwan, and end funding or promotion of things like abortion, climate change, and sex-change procedures. 
Another condition would stipulate that humanitarian aid and medical supplies could not be diverted to Iran, Syria, and North Korea. 
“American tax dollars cannot be used to fund the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) and World Health Organization’s (WHO) cover-up of the COVID-19 pandemic. The mismanagement, failed transparency, and lack of independence at the WHO is inexcusable,” Barrasso told The Daily Wire. “Our bill ensures that not one penny of taxpayer money is spent rejoining the WHO if serious reforms aren’t made to prevent another failed pandemic response.”
A companion version has been introduced in the House by Republican Representatives Jodey Arrington (TX), Ron Estes (KS), Greg Steube (FL), and Anna Paulina Luna (FL).
When Trump issued the executive order last month to pull America out of WHO, he said that the country was paying too much to be a member of the United Nations-backed organization in comparison to other countries like China. 
“So we paid $500 million to World Health when I was here and I terminated it,” Trump said, adding that it “seemed a little unfair” because China was paying around $39 million to the organization. 
Trump ended American participation in WHO back in 2020, but that decision was later reversed by Joe Biden.

Twitter Whistleblower Testifies Before Senate Judiciary Committee

EXCLUSIVE: Blackburn Bill Would Make Trump’s World Health Organization Exit Permanent

China

COVID-19

John Barrasso

Marsha Blackburn

Ted Cruz

United Nations

World Health Organization

Senate Republicans on Wednesday elected South Dakota Senator John Thune as the next leader of the conference. 
Thune defeated Texas Senator John Cornyn by a vote of 29 to 24. Florida Senator Rick Scott, an outsider candidate favored by prominent Trump allies including Elon Musk, was eliminated on the first ballot. Thune, 63, is the current Senate Republican Whip. Cornyn, 72, had been the whip in the past.
Thune will be the first new head of the Republican conference in nearly two decades, taking over after Senate Minority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced earlier this year that he would step down from the post after 18 years. McConnell leaves the role as the longest-serving conference leader in Senate history.
Senate Republican leadership elections are “first past the post,” meaning the eventual leader must receive a majority of the votes. Scott received the least amount of votes on the first ballot and dropped from the race. Thune received a majority on the second ballot. 

The new GOP leadership team will enter the Senate alongside Republican President Donald Trump in the White House and a Republican majority in the House. The Senate team will be primarily responsible for working with the White House to staff the incoming Trump administration and enact Republicans’ legislative priorities.
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Despite the anticipation and public pressure, few senators revealed how they planned to vote in the secret ballot ahead of time.
Trump, who did not publicly weigh into the race, said on Sunday that he expected whoever won the leadership race to support recess appointments for his administration, which could allow the president to fill top roles in the government for two years without a vote in the Senate.
“Any Republican Senator seeking the coveted LEADERSHIP position in the United States Senate must agree to Recess Appointments (in the Senate!), without which we will not be able to get people confirmed in a timely manner,” Trump wrote in a post on X. “Sometimes the votes can take two years, or more. This is what they did four years ago, and we cannot let it happen again.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Any Republican Senator seeking the coveted LEADERSHIP position in the United States Senate must agree to Recess Appointments (in the Senate!), without which we will not be able to get people confirmed in a timely manner. Sometimes the votes can take two years, or more. This is…
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1855692242981155259?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 10, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 
McConnell <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/28/us/politics/mitch-mcconnell-senate.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> in February that he would finish his current term as leader before stepping aside for someone else to lead the conference. McConnell’s decision came amid concerns about his health. The senator appeared to freeze multiple times in front of reporters, appearing confused and unable to function.

Sen. John Thune (R-SD)

John Thune Elected Senate Majority Leader

Congress

John Cornyn

John Thune

Politics

U.S. Senate

Washington D.C.

President-elect <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/donald-trump" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Donald Trump</a> weighed in on the race for <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/u-s-senate" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Senate</a> leader, declaring on Sunday he wants whoever takes on the role — now that the GOP has won back control of the upper chamber — to allow recess appointments.
If his demand is met, it would break with what has become the routine under both parties for years: scheduling <a href="https://www.senate.gov/about/research-tools/glossary.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pro forma sessions</a> during extended off-periods, essentially keeping the Senate from entering a recess and thus <a href="https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R42977" target="_blank" rel="noopener">preventing</a> the president from making appointments in their absence.
&#8220;Any Republican Senator seeking the coveted LEADERSHIP position in the United States Senate must agree to Recess Appointments (in the Senate!), without which we will not be able to get people confirmed in a timely manner,&#8221; Trump <a href="https://x.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1855692242981155259" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said in a post to X</a>.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Any Republican Senator seeking the coveted LEADERSHIP position in the United States Senate must agree to Recess Appointments (in the Senate!), without which we will not be able to get people confirmed in a timely manner. Sometimes the votes can take two years, or more. This is…
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1855692242981155259?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 10, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
&#8220;Sometimes the votes can take two years, or more,&#8221; he added. &#8220;This is what they did four years ago, and we cannot let it happen again. We need positions filled IMMEDIATELY! Additionally, no Judges should be approved during this period of time because the Democrats are looking to ram through their Judges as the Republicans fight over Leadership. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. THANK YOU!&#8221;
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/now-schumer-demands-senate-act-bipartisan-heres-his-bipartisan-history" target="_blank" rel="noopener">RELATED: Now Schumer Demands Senate Act ‘Bipartisan.’ Here’s His ‘Bipartisan’ History.</a>
Trump has not publicly endorsed any candidate for the role as of press time, but multiple GOP lawmakers are vying for the spot in the upcoming leadership elections. Sen. <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/mitch-mcconnell" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mitch McConnell</a> (R-KY), who is the current leader of the Senate GOP, is not competing this time. Three other Republicans are running: Sens. <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/rick-scott" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rick Scott</a> (R-FL), <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/john-cornyn-announces-bid-to-replace-mcconnell-as-senate-gop-leader" target="_blank" rel="noopener">John Cornyn</a> (R-TX), and <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/thune-enters-race-to-become-senate-gop-leader" target="_blank" rel="noopener">John Thune</a> (R-SD).
Scott responded to Trump&#8217;s post on X, saying he agreed with the president-elect&#8217;s demand. &#8220;100% agree. I will do whatever it takes to get your nominations through as quickly as possible,&#8221; Scott <a href="https://x.com/SenRickScott/status/1855693759281053758" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>.
Thune, the sitting Senate Republican whip, said in a statement obtained by The Daily Wire: &#8220;I’ve spent eight months carefully listening to my colleagues about their vision for the next chapter of the Senate Republican Conference, especially as we hit the ground running with President Trump. One thing is clear: We must act quickly and decisively to get the president’s Cabinet and other nominees in place as soon as possible to start delivering on the mandate we’ve been sent to execute, and all options are on the table to make that happen, including recess appointments. We cannot let Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats block the will of the American people.&#8221;
On Saturday, before Trump called for allowing recess appointments, Cornyn said in <a href="https://x.com/JohnCornyn/status/1855424788358897926" target="_blank" rel="noopener">posts to X</a> that he would keep the Senate in session until Trump&#8217;s Cabinet is filled if elected majority leader.
&#8220;The first order of business in the new Senate should be confirming President Trump’s cabinet. If I am the majority leader, I will keep the Senate in session until those confirmations occur,&#8221; Cornyn said. &#8220;No weekends, no breaks. Democrats can cooperate in the best interest of the country, or continue the resistance, which will eventually be ground down. Take your pick.&#8221;
In a <a href="https://x.com/JohnCornyn/status/1855730861028569391" target="_blank" rel="noopener">post to X</a> on Sunday, after Trump expressed his position, Cornyn said: &#8220;It is unacceptable for Senate Ds to blockade President @realDonaldTrump‘s cabinet appointments. If they do, we will stay in session, including weekends, until they relent. Additionally, the Constitution expressly confers the power on the President to make recess appointments.&#8221;
He added: &#8220;Article II, Section 2, Clause 3: The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End of their next Session.&#8221;
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/mike-johnson-running-again-for-speaker-readies-gops-biggest-offense-of-our-lives" target="_blank" rel="noopener">RELATED: Mike Johnson Running Again For Speaker, Readies GOP’s ‘Biggest Offense Of Our Lives’</a>
Democrats still control the Senate for now, with Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) as majority leader. They <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/08/us/politics/senate-democrats-judges.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">can move forward</a> with confirming judges, although their narrow majority could make a final blitz difficult. President Joe Biden has <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2024/11/08/president-biden-names-fifty-sixth-round-of-judicial-nominees/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">continued to announce</a> judicial nominees after his vice president, Kamala Harris, lost the 2024 presidential contest to Trump.
Tech executive Elon Musk, who owns X and supported Trump&#8217;s 2024 campaign, also replied to Trump with an explanation for why he supports the call for recess appointments.
&#8220;Without recess appointments, it will take two years or more to confirm the new administration!&#8221; Musk <a href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1855694053268169146" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>. &#8220;This would make it impossible to enact the change demanded by the American people, which is utterly unacceptable.&#8221;

Trump Demands Next GOP Senate Leader Allow Recess Appointments

U.S.

Hurricane Helene is expected to increase in strength as it approaches <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/florida" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Florida</a>, bringing with it dangerous storm surges, flooding, and torrential rain.
The National Hurricane Center <a href="https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCPAT4+shtml/261139.shtml" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> Thursday morning that Helene is expected to move across the eastern Gulf of Mexico and cross Florida’s Big Bend coast later in the evening or early Friday morning. Currently a Category 2 hurricane, Helene is expected to increase in power before it slams into Florida. 
&#8220;Additional strengthening is forecast, and Helene is expected to be a major hurricane when it reaches the Florida Big Bend coast this evening,” the National Hurricane Center announced. “Weakening is expected after landfall, but Helene&#8217;s fast forward speed will allow strong, damaging winds, especially in gusts, to penetrate well inland across the southeastern United States, including over the higher terrain of the southern Appalachians.”
After landfall, Helene is expected to go northwestward and head toward the Tennessee Valley on Friday and Saturday. 
Authorities are warning Floridians about a “life-threatening storm surge” that “will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline.”
In some areas of Florida, like from Carrabelle to Suwannee River, the surge could produce a wall of water 20 feet high. Other areas could get surges as high as 15 feet, while Tampa Bay is expected to see a surge of somewhere between 5-8 feet. 
“Persons located within these areas should take all necessary actions to protect life and property from rising water and the potential for other dangerous conditions,” the National Hurricane Center said. “Promptly follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials.”
Florida Republican Senator Rick Scott warned Floridians on Wednesday that the storm surge could be deadly.
“In the Big Bend, they’re talking about possibly 18-foot of storm surge,” he <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/weather/live-blog/storm-helene-live-updates-rcna172604" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>. “I’m a little over 6 feet — that’s three times my height. None of us are living that.”
“You’re not going to survive. I mean, you’re not going to live through this stuff,” he added. 
<a href="https://www.amiracist.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amiracist.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1726313279401000&amp;usg=AOvVaw115_qPFFEePDP86-Fvo-Vd">Am I Racist? Is In Theaters NOW — Get Your Tickets Here!</a>
Helene is also predicted to bring heavy rainfall over portions of the Southeastern United States and the Southern Appalachians, with rain totals expected to be between six to 12 inches, with isolated areas getting around 18 inches. 
“This rainfall will likely result in catastrophic and potentially life-threatening flash and urban flooding, along with significant river flooding. Numerous landslides are expected in steep terrain across the southern Appalachians,” the National Hurricane Center warned. 
Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency in 61 of Florida’s 67 counties, pointing people to get <a href="https://www.floridadisaster.org/disaster-updates/storm-updates/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">current guidance</a> from Florida’s disaster management division. 
“Florida is preparing for widespread impacts from Hurricane Helene,” DeSantis s<a href="https://x.com/GovRonDeSantis/status/1839055250298122751" target="_blank" rel="noopener">aid</a>. Wednesday. “Do not get wedded to the ‘cone,’ as hazards such as tornados, flooding, and storm surge can create dangerous conditions far beyond the cone.”

Floridians Prepare As Tropical Storm Helene Heads Toward State’s Gulf Coast

Hurricane Helene To Hit Florida With ‘Life-Threatening’ 20-Foot Storm Surge

Hurricane

Severe Weather

Tennessee

On Wednesday, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/u-s-senate" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Senate</a> Republicans blocked a Democrat bill that sought to codify the right to access <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/contraception" target="_blank" rel="noopener">contraception</a> in federal law, with many arguing that it would infringe on religious and parental rights.
Fifty-one members, including two Republicans, <a href="https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1182/vote_118_2_00190.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">voted</a> to advance the legislation — an insufficient number to reach the three-fifths majority needed to break the filibuster. Thirty-eight Republicans voted against moving forward. Nine other GOP members and <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/democrat-senator-bob-menendez-to-change-party-status-amid-his-corruption-trial" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ)</a> did not vote.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) <a href="https://x.com/CraigCaplan/status/1798457646502261075" target="_blank" rel="noopener">switched</a> his vote to &#8220;Nay,&#8221; a move that allowed him to file a <a href="https://x.com/SenateCloakroom/status/1798455388783964209" target="_blank" rel="noopener">motion to reconsider</a> the failed cloture vote at some point in the future. He has set up a vote next week for an IVF bill with a <a href="https://www.democrats.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/transcript-majority-leader-chuck-schumer-delivers-remarks-at-press-conference-with-senate-democrats-after-senate-republicans-blocked-the-right-to-contraception-act" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stated goal</a> of putting Republicans on the record on reproductive rights.
<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/4381/text" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The contraception bill</a>, introduced by Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA), would &#8220;protect an individual’s ability to access contraceptives and to engage in contraception and to protect a health care provider’s ability to provide contraceptives, contraception, and information related to contraception.&#8221;
Democrat lawmakers are pressing the birth control debate in a presidential election year. They argue Markey&#8217;s legislation is necessary because the 2022 Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade — a ruling that returned the issue of abortion access to the states — also <a href="https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/markey-hirono-duckworth-statement-on-the-right-to-contraception-act-floor-vote" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&#8220;threatened&#8221;</a> contraception.
Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL), who is <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/rick-scott-joins-race-for-senate-gop-leader" target="_blank" rel="noopener">running</a> to become the next leader of the Senate GOP, led 21 of his Republican colleagues in a <a href="https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/2024/6/sen-rick-scott-leads-colleagues-in-slamming-democrats-attacks-on-religious-freedoms-parental-rights-political-games-on-contraception" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a> that disparaged the contraception bill. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), considered a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-campaign-requests-documents-from-some-vp-contenders-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener">contender</a> for former President Donald Trump&#8217;s running mate in the 2024 election, was among them.
&#8220;There is no threat to access to contraception, which is legal in every state and required by law to be offered at no cost by health insurers, and it&#8217;s disgusting that Democrats are fearmongering on this important issue to score cheap political points,&#8221; the GOP lawmakers said.
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&#8220;This bill infringes on the parental rights and religious liberties of some Americans and lets the federal government force religious institutions and schools, even public elementary schools, to offer contraception like condoms to little kids,&#8221; they added. &#8220;It’s just another way for Democrats to use activist attorneys and our courts to advance their radical agenda and that is why we oppose this bill.&#8221;
The pair of GOP lawmakers who joined with the majority of Democrats and the independents who caucus with them voting to advance the legislation included Susan Collins (R-ME) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK).
&#8220;This is not a perfect bill,&#8221; Murkowski <a href="https://x.com/lisamurkowski/status/1798457352930357587" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> in a video posted to X. &#8220;This isn&#8217;t a bill that has gone through committee. Leader Schumer has decided that he&#8217;s just going to put it on the floor to move to it. That&#8217;s a lousy process, actually. This is unfortunately yet another messaging bill &#8230; but if it is going to be a messaging bill, I want my message to be very clear: that a woman should have a right to contraception.&#8221;

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and other senators Speak To The Press After The “Right To Contraception Act” Failed Passage

Senate Republicans Block Dem Contraception Bill

Abortion

Birth Control

Chuck Schumer

Contraception

Ed Markey

Lisa Murkowski

Marco Rubio

Senate Democrats

Susan Collins

U.S. House of Representatives

A group of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/u-s-senate" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Senate</a> Republicans vowed to do what they can to stand in the way of President <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/joe-biden" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Joe Biden</a>&#8216;s priorities after the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/verdict-trump-found-guilty-on-all-charges-in-hush-money-case" target="_blank" rel="noopener">guilty verdict</a> in <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/donald-trump" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Donald Trump</a>&#8216;s New York hush money trial, marking the first time a former U.S. president has been convicted of a crime.
Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) revealed on Friday that he and seven of his GOP colleagues — Sens. Rick Scott (R-FL), J.D. Vance (R-OH), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), and Roger Marshall (R-KS) — had signed onto a pledge.
Vance and Rubio are <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-surrounds-himself-with-potential-vps-at-mar-a-lago?topStoryPosition=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reportedly in the mix</a> to become Trump&#8217;s running mate in the 2024 presidential election. Scott is <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/rick-scott-joins-race-for-senate-gop-leader" target="_blank" rel="noopener">campaigning</a> to become the next leader of the Senate GOP, along with Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Senate Minority Whip Sen. John Thune (R-SD).
&#8220;The White House has made a mockery of the rule of law and fundamentally altered our politics in un-American ways,&#8221; <a href="https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/2024/5/following-democrats-mockery-of-u-s-judicial-system-sen-rick-scott-joins-sen-mike-lee-colleagues-in-pledge-against-white-house-s-partisan-priorities" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the pledge says</a>. &#8220;As a Senate Republican conference, we are unwilling to aid and abet this White House in its project to tear this country apart.&#8221;
The pledge continues, &#8220;To that end, we will not 1) allow any increase to non-security related funding for this administration, or any appropriations bill which funds partisan lawfare; 2) vote to confirm this administration’s political and judicial appointees; and 3) allow expedited consideration and passage of Democrat legislation or authorities that are not directly relevant to the safety of the American people.&#8221;
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Later that day, Lee <a href="https://x.com/SenMikeLee/status/1796650441545073147" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> that the list of GOP senators who joined the pledge had grown. Two other members—Sens. Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Ron Johnson (R-WI)—added their signatures, giving the group <a href="https://www.senate.gov/history/partydiv.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">nearly one-fifth representation</a> in the Republican caucus of the upper chamber. Despite the increase in numbers, a fraction of the minority party is limited in what they can do alone to stop Democrat leadership from making forward progress.
A jury returned a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/verdict-trump-found-guilty-on-all-charges-in-hush-money-case" target="_blank" rel="noopener">guilty verdict</a> against Trump on all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to allegedly cover up payments in a bid to conceal a tryst with adult film star Stormy Daniels as part of a “catch-and-kill” scheme to influence the 2016 election. Trump, who denied the affair and pleaded not guilty to the charges, said he would be <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/us/white-house-race-plunges-into-uncharted-territory-trump-awaits-july-sentencing-2024-05-31/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&#8220;appealing this scam.&#8221;</a> Sentencing is scheduled for July 11.
&#8220;Strongly worded statements are not enough,&#8221; Lee <a href="https://x.com/SenMikeLee/status/1796600766691672394" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> on X. &#8220;Those who turned our judicial system into a political cudgel must be held accountable. We are no longer cooperating with any Democrat legislative priorities or nominations, and we invite all concerned Senators to join our stand.&#8221;
RELATED: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-shrugs-off-possible-jail-sentence-after-scam-trial-wont-beg-for-leniency">Trump Shrugs Off Possible Jail Sentence After ‘Scam’ Trial, Won’t ‘Beg’ For Leniency</a>

Senator Mike Lee

10 Senate Republicans Sign Pledge To Oppose Biden’s Agenda Following Trump Guilty Verdict

10 Senate Republicans Sign Pledge To Oppose Biden's Agenda Following Trump Guilty Verdict

2024 Election

JD Vance

Joe Biden

Mike Lee

On Wednesday, Sen. <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/rick-scott" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rick Scott</a> (R-FL) entered the race to replace Sen. <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/mitch-mcconnell" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mitch McConnell</a> (R-KY) as leader of the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/u-s-senate" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Senate</a> GOP.
Scott, who is also running for <a href="https://www.cookpolitical.com/ratings/senate-race-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a second term</a> in the Senate this year, joins Sen. <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/john-cornyn-announces-bid-to-replace-mcconnell-as-senate-gop-leader" target="_blank" rel="noopener">John Cornyn</a> (R-TX) and second-ranked Sen. <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/thune-enters-race-to-become-senate-gop-leader" target="_blank" rel="noopener">John Thune</a> (R-SD) in vying for the top position.
&#8220;I believe that our voters want us to use this leadership election to make a choice to upend the status quo in Washington,&#8221; Scott said in a <a href="https://x.com/FBSaunders/status/1793391902630297637" target="_blank" rel="noopener">letter to colleagues</a>.
&#8220;If you also believe this to be true and want a leader dedicated to that principle, I would be honored to have the opportunity to earn your support,&#8221; he added.
Scott is a former governor of Florida who first won a Senate seat in 2018. He served two years as National Republican Senatorial Committee chairman.
In 2022, Scott ran a <a href="https://www.npr.org/2022/11/16/1137104129/mitch-mcconnell-wins-minority-leader-rick-scott-senate-republicans" target="_blank" rel="noopener">campaign</a> to take the Senate GOP leadership position from McConnell, but <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2022/11/16/senate-gop-reelects-mcconnell-as-leader-00067541#:~:text=Mitch%20McConnell%20handily%20dispatched%20Rick,leader%20in%20the%20next%20Congress." target="_blank" rel="noopener">lost 37-10</a> in a secret-ballot election.
Scott endorsed former President Donald Trump in the 2024 election <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/florida-sen-rick-scott-endorses-trump-for-president-says-gop-should-unite" target="_blank" rel="noopener">last fall</a> and <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/us/politics/donald-trump-vp.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">has been talked about</a> as a potential running mate.
&#8220;As Republican leader, I will protect senators&#8217; interests while helping President Trump accomplish his goals,&#8221; Scott said in his letter.
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&#8220;Our country&#8217;s success and our Conference&#8217;s success will be dependent on President Trump&#8217;s success,&#8221; he continued.
McConnell, who is 82, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/mcconnell-to-step-down-as-senate-republican-leader" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> in February that he would step aside as GOP leader after <a href="https://www.senate.gov/senators/longest-serving-party-leaders.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">16 years</a>, but plans to remain in the Senate until his term ends in early 2027.
Leadership elections are expected to take place in November, including for the No. 2 whip position, which Sen. <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/barrasso-ducks-senate-gop-leader-race-will-run-for-no-2-spot" target="_blank" rel="noopener">John Barrasso (R-WY) is seeking</a>. Winners will take over their new roles in January.
In his letter to colleagues, Scott called for more transparency between senators and the public, saying, &#8220;There have been far too many backroom deals cut in secret.&#8221;
Scott said he believes a leader should be limited to a six-year term and envisioned a &#8220;realistic schedule&#8221; to prevent continuing resolutions and omnibus spending bills.
&#8220;This is not a time to make small adjustments, I believe we need a dramatic sea change to save our country and that&#8217;s why I&#8217;m running to be Republican leader,&#8221; Scott said.

Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL)

Rick Scott Joins Race For Senate GOP Leader

Mitch McConnell

President <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/joe-biden" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Joe Biden</a> has joined the &#8220;pro-Hamas wing of his party,&#8221; Sen. <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/rick-scott" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rick Scott</a> (R-FL) said on Sunday, reacting to a controversy over the Democrat commander-in-chief&#8217;s threat to withhold arms from Israel.
Scott argued during <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/video/6352794888112" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a &#8220;Fox News Sunday&#8221; interview</a> that Biden was bowing to the Left wing of his party out of concern that he would lose their support and be defeated by former President Donald Trump in the 2024 election.
&#8220;I’ve always believed that, you know, Biden is unfortunately now part of the pro-Hamas wing of his party — that&#8217;s all they&#8217;re worried about is — he&#8217;s worried about winning a presidential election,&#8221; Scott said.
&#8220;Thank God for President Trump, he is one of the most pro-Israel presidents in our history and I hope he wins so, you know, we can get somebody in there that&#8217;s going to support Israel,&#8221; he added.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Senator <a href="https://twitter.com/SenRickScott?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SenRickScott</a> SCORCHES Biden&#39;s political move to abandon Israel to appease pro-Hamas leftists: Biden is now a part of the pro-Hamas wing of his party — all he’s worried about is the 2024 election. <a href="https://t.co/54j82XuPzL">pic.twitter.com/54j82XuPzL</a>
&mdash; Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) <a href="https://twitter.com/TrumpWarRoom/status/1789653601423397067?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Biden drew controversy for suggesting last week that the United States could halt weapons going to <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/israel" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Israel</a> if it launches a full-scale ground operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah to root out a suspected Hamas stronghold.
During a <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/08/politics/joe-biden-interview-cnntv/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CNN town hall</a> on Wednesday, Biden said he &#8220;made it clear&#8221; to Israel that if it conducts a major ground operation in Rafah, &#8220;we’re not going to supply the weapons and artillery shells.&#8221;
Scott said Biden&#8217;s comments send a &#8220;horrible message&#8221; to Israel. Noting he was in the country several weeks ago after Hamas conducted a deadly attack on Israel in October, Scott said the Israeli leaders he met &#8220;don&#8217;t have a choice&#8221; when it comes to sending troops into Rafah.
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&#8220;The last battalions are in Rafah,&#8221; he said. &#8220;If they&#8217;re going to destroy Hamas, which they have to do for any security, they have to go in. And they said they&#8217;re going to do everything they can to get the civilians out.&#8221;
He added, &#8220;Israel has no choice but to destroy Rafah.&#8221;
Scott&#8217;s colleague in the upper chamber, Sen. <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/tom-cotton" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tom Cotton</a> (R-AR), has <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/cotton-urges-house-to-impeach-biden-over-israel-weapons-controversy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">called</a> on the House to impeach Biden in response to the president&#8217;s foreign aid ultimatum.
Rep. Cory Mills (R-FL) told Fox News that he was <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/house-gop-drafting-biden-impeachment-articles-israel-aid-cutoff-threat" target="_blank" rel="noopener">preparing</a> articles of impeachment, saying, &#8220;The House has no choice but to impeach President ‘Quid pro-Joe’ Biden.&#8221;

Senator Rick Scott

Biden Got Sucked Into ‘Pro-Hamas Wing Of His Party,’ Sen. Rick Scott Says

Biden Got Sucked Into 'Pro-Hamas Wing Of His Party,' Sen. Rick Scott Says

Executive

Hamas

Israel

The federal government made nearly a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/money" target="_blank" rel="noopener">quarter of a trillion dollars</a> in &#8220;improper payments&#8221; in the last fiscal year, a congressional watchdog agency estimated.
A Government Accountability Office (GAO) <a href="https://www.gao.gov/assets/d24106927.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">report</a> unveiled last week said 14 agencies reported a total of $236 billion in botched payments in fiscal 2023.
Here, &#8220;improper payments&#8221; were defined as &#8220;those that should not have been made or were made in the incorrect amount.&#8221;
GAO said agencies reported that $175 billion, or over 74% of the total, were attributed to overpayments.
The total represented an $11 billion decrease from fiscal 2022, but GAO demonstrated in a graphs how &#8220;improper payments&#8221; have, on average, risen over the past 20 years.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
The federal government has made an estimated $2.7 trillion in improper payments in the last 20 fiscal years—including $236 billion in FY23.
Today’s WatchBlog post looks at our new report on what is causing these errors &amp; what can be done to prevent them: <a href="https://t.co/tbSrZG882J">https://t.co/tbSrZG882J</a> <a href="https://t.co/axpRrhNNtr">pic.twitter.com/axpRrhNNtr</a>
&mdash; U.S. GAO (@USGAO) <a href="https://twitter.com/USGAO/status/1772685603185815899?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 26, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Since fiscal 2003, the cumulative amount has totaled $2.7 trillion. GAO said improper payments have &#8220;consistently&#8221; been an issue across the government.
The $236 billion figure for fiscal 2023 is just an estimate, GAO cautioned, and it does not include some programs that agencies have determined to be &#8220;susceptible&#8221; to mismanaged payments.
GAO listed the Health and Human Services Department&#8217;s Temporary Assistance for Need Families program as an example.
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An analysis found that problematic expenditures were &#8220;concentrated&#8221; in five program areas, including $51.1 billion for Medicare and $50.3 billion for Medicaid.
There was also $43.6 billion for Federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, $21.9 billion for Earned Income Tax Credit, and $18.7 billion for Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness.
All other programs from which there was data accounted for $50.1 billion in &#8220;improper payments.&#8221;
Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) commented on the topline $236 billion estimate for fiscal 2023 by taking a swipe at the Biden administration.
&#8220;We need accountability here! This is YOUR money the Biden admin took out of your wallet and wasted,&#8221; he <a href="https://twitter.com/SenRickScott/status/1774172902755123374" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> in a post to X.
GAO said it provided a draft of its report to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment, but &#8220;OMB did not have any comments on the report.&#8221;
In fiscal 2022, 14 of 24 agencies covered by the Chief Financial Officers Act of 1990 &#8220;complied with applicable improper payment criteria, as reported by their agency inspectors general,&#8221; GAO said.
That number marked an increase from 2021, when GAO said inspectors general reported 10 agencies were compliant.
GAO <a href="https://www.gao.gov/blog/federal-government-made-236-billion-improper-payments-last-fiscal-year?utm_source=twitter&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_campaign=blogsm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> it has made &#8220;numerous&#8221; recommendations and suggestions to Congress on ways to reduce payment errors.

US dollars banknotes

Federal Agencies Made $236 Billion In ‘Improper Payments’ In Fiscal 2023, GAO Finds

Federal Agencies Made $236 Billion In 'Improper Payments' In Fiscal 2023, GAO Finds

Biden Administration

General

Inspector general

Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

Rep. <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/marjorie-taylor-greene" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Marjorie Taylor Greene</a> (R-GA) said on Wednesday that she plans to introduce legislation that would make it easier to combat <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/swatting" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&#8220;swatting&#8221;</a> incidents that have impacted her and many others across the country.
The announcement came as Greene, also known as &#8220;MTG,&#8221; and other elected officials were targeted this holiday season by calls to <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/law-enforcement" target="_blank" rel="noopener">law enforcement</a> involving fake reports of an emergency.
&#8220;The dangerous swatting harassment continues, as tonight, one of my family members was swatted at their house,&#8221; Greene <a href="https://twitter.com/RepMTG/status/1740193293965902021" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said in a post</a> to X. &#8220;I will be introducing legislation to make it much easier for law enforcement to arrest and prosecutors to prosecute these criminals.&#8221;
Swatting incidents can already lead to <a href="https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R47557#_Toc135223786" target="_blank" rel="noopener">charges</a>, but they have become increasingly commonplace with the <a href="https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/the-crime-of-swatting-fake-9-1-1-calls-have-real-consequences1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">rise of technology</a> that makes it easier to trick people. <a href="https://www.13abc.com/2023/12/28/multiple-schools-hospitals-synagogues-targeting-swatting-hoaxes/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Schools, religious institutions</a>, hospitals, online gamers, and public figures are among the many targets of the hoax calls. In <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/US/la-man-arrested-swatting-incident-led-police-killing/story?id=52057251" target="_blank" rel="noopener">some</a> <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/14/us/swatting-sentence-casey-viner/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cases</a>, the result can be deadly. The FBI has formed a <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/US/fbi-creates-national-database-track-swatting/story?id=100527427" target="_blank" rel="noopener">national database</a> to help track swatting.
This week, multiple elected officials reportedly became victims of swatting calls, including <a href="https://www.bostonherald.com/2023/12/26/boston-mayor-michelle-wus-home-swatted-on-christmas-day/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Boston Democratic Mayor Michelle Wu</a>, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/second-house-republican-gets-swatted-on-christmas" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rep. Brandon Williams (R-NY)</a>, and <a href="https://www.naplesnews.com/story/news/crime/2023/12/28/rick-scott-reports-swatting-attempt-at-florida-home-what-is-swatting/72046922007/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL)</a>.
&#8220;Last night, while at dinner with my wife, cowards &#8216;swatted&#8217; my home in Naples. These criminals wasted the time &amp; resources of our law enforcement in a sick attempt to terrorize my family,&#8221; Scott said in a <a href="https://twitter.com/SenRickScott/status/1740355797190934542" target="_blank" rel="noopener">post to X</a> on Thursday. The senator also said he and his wife Ann wanted to thank local law enforcement &#8220;for all they do to keep us safe.&#8221;
In a post to X on Monday, Greene announced that she had just been <a href="https://twitter.com/RepMTG/status/1739312209996497293" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&#8220;swatted&#8221; for &#8220;like the 8th time&#8221;</a> while celebrating the Christmas holiday with her family.
Police in Rome, Georgia, said someone in Rome, New York, called the suicide hotline claiming to have shot his girlfriend at Greene&#8217;s address and warning he would kill himself next, according to <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/police-confirm-christmas-swatting-incident-marjorie-taylor-greenes-hou-rcna131131" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NBC News</a>. A Rome police spokesperson <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/this-is-not-the-first-incident-marjorie-taylor-greene-swatted-at-her-home-on-christmas" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said her department</a> called Greene&#8217;s security team and a police response to the congresswoman&#8217;s home was cancelled at their behest.
“My local police are the GREATEST and shouldn’t have to deal with this,” Greene <a href="https://twitter.com/RepMTG/status/1739312209996497293" target="_blank" rel="noopener">added</a> in her post to X. “I appreciate them so much and my family and I are in joyous spirits celebrating the birth of our savior Jesus Christ!”

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene

MTG Vows To Introduce Legislation To Crack Down On ‘Swatting’

MTG Vows To Introduce Legislation To Crack Down On 'Swatting'

Crime

Law Enforcement

Marjorie Taylor Greene

Swatting

Florida Republican Senator Rick Scott endorsed former President Donald Trump’s re-election bid on Thursday, adding to Trump’s support from the Sunshine State’s congressional delegation. 
Scott made the endorsement in a Newsweek <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/rick-scott-its-time-unite-behind-donald-trump-opinion-1840060" target="_blank" rel="noopener">op-ed</a>, where he called on Republicans to unite behind Trump to defeat President Joe Biden. The Florida senator, who has <a href="https://www.news-journalonline.com/story/news/politics/elections/2023/11/02/senator-rick-scott-backs-donald-trump-over-florida-gov-ron-desantis/71420992007/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reportedly</a> refrained from primary endorsements in the past, touted Trump’s accomplishments in his first term and blasted Biden’s failures. 
“I am optimistic that we can return America to its rightful position of economic and military strength and the undisputed moral leader of the free world, but only with strong leadership in the White House,” Scott wrote. “That is why I support my friend President Donald J. Trump to be the 47th president of the United States and encourage every Republican to unite behind his efforts to win back the White House.”
“It&#8217;s time for the Republican Party to come together, behind one candidate, and declare with one voice that we are united in our efforts to defeat Joe Biden and rescue America,” he added. 
Scott said that the country was &#8220;safer and more prosperous” while Trump was in office, citing the economy, energy independence, and the 45th president’s tough stance against China and adversarial leaders across the world. 
The Florida senator also praised Trump’s support for Israel during his term, saying he did “more for Israel than any other president in our history” and ushered in a period of peace in the Middle East. The current administration, according to Scott, is doing everything in its power to reverse Trump’s successes. 
Scott, who served as Florida’s governor until 2019, when he became senator, said he and Trump had a strong relationship during Trump&#8217;s first term, working “hand in hand” to improve Florida. He added that they “accomplished a lot together” and must do the same in 2024 to reverse Biden’s policies. 
“Here&#8217;s the honest truth. It&#8217;s not morning in America today. It&#8217;s midnight in America,” Scott said. “In my view there is one person running who has the strength to bring America back, who is well-positioned to win the Republican primary, and who will win the general election. And that is why I am supporting Donald Trump for president.”
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Trump has the <a href="https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/trump-is-racking-up-endorsements-in-florida-should-desantis-be-worried/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">support</a> of most of Florida’s Republican congressional delegation. As of April, Trump landed the endorsements of 11 of the state’s 20 Republican representatives, <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/trump-runs-score-desantis-backyard-endorsements-rcna80332" target="_blank" rel="noopener">including</a> Byron Donalds, Greg Steube, John Rutherford, Matt Gaetz, Anna Paulina Luna, and Brian Mast. 
According to the RealClearPolitics <a href="https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2024/president/fl/2024_florida_republican_presidential_primary-7852.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">average</a> of polls, Trump – the GOP frontrunner nationally – leads the field for the Florida Republican primary at 46.3%. Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, his next closest challenger, is at 36%, while the remainder of the candidates are in the low single digits. 
“I&#8217;d never demand or even ask that another candidate drop out of a political contest,” Scott wrote. “That&#8217;s a decision for every candidate to make for themselves. But I&#8217;m supporting Donald Trump for president because the stakes are too high. The future of our country depends on our ability to come together and throw Joe Biden and these radical Democrats, who are intent on destroying our country, out of office.&#8221;

Donald Trump, Rick Scott

Florida Sen. Rick Scott Endorses Trump For President, Says GOP Should ‘Unite’

Florida Sen. Rick Scott Endorses Trump For President, Says GOP Should 'Unite'

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