Rick Scott

Mr. SCOTT of Florida

Mr. SCOTT of Florida. I yield the floor.

Mr. SCOTT of Florida

Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Mr. President, currently, America's debt is barreling toward $30 trillion. This $30 trillion is hard to imagine. So think about it this way: That is more than $233,000 of debt for every American family. On July 31, the suspension on the Federal debt limit expired, and now the Democrats in Congress, who continue to pursue a purely partisan, reckless tax-and-spending spree, are pushing this as a decision point with only two options: to vote to suspend the debt limit or increase it with no reforms to control excess Federal spending. They want us to write the government a blank check to spend more money that we don't have. The Republicans have been clear: We will not do it. Now, my Democratic colleagues will say that the debt ceiling shouldn't be a partisan issue, and I completely agree, but what we have seen from the Democrats this year has been purely partisan even by Washington's broken standards. First, they passed a nearly $2 trillion so-called COVID bill that spent less than 10 percent of its funding on actually fighting COVID, without any Republican votes, and now they are pushing forward a $5.5 trillion reckless tax-and-spending spree--again, without a single Republican vote. This insane Democratic spending means we are on the dangerous path of reaching $45 trillion in Federal debt by 2031. That is not my number. That is what the Democrats' own bill says. The Democrats' own projections have their reckless spending taking the U.S. debt to $45 trillion in the next 10 years. There are major consequences to this financial irresponsibility. Like any borrower, the Federal Government pays interest on its debt. When you rack up nearly $30 trillion in debt, that means hundreds of billions of dollars in interest. Who pays for it? The taxpayers. Right now, even with interest rates at historic lows, the U.S. Government is already spending nearly $345 billion yearly on interest. Instead of funding important infrastructure, defense, or the environment, nearly $345 billion in hard-earned tax dollars is just paying interest which provides zero return for American families. Just imagine how much that will grow when the U.S. reaches $45 trillion in debt. And when interest rates return to normal levels, things will get even worse. Let's look at this. Right now, about 11 percent of what we are going to collect this year will go to pay the interest. There is no return for taxpayers on this interest. Let's look at what is going to happen by 2031, and this is the Democrats' budget: 23 percent of total Federal receipts will go toward paying the interest. Now, that is assuming that interest rates stay low. Why would we believe that interest rates are going to stay low? Let's just look. We are having unbelievable inflation right now. When inflation goes up, interest rates typically follow. Assuming we have low interest rates stay low, like the Democrats do, we could be spending over $1 trillion on just interest by 2031. Imagine, if interest rates return to historical averages, our payments will be astronomical. The Federal Government brings in less than $4 trillion in revenues. So we will be spending roughly a quarter of all tax revenue on interest that does nothing--nothing--for taxpayers. How can Congress justify that? It is clear: Democratic spending has caused this massive Democratic debt, and it is time for liberals in Washington to own the debt crisis they have created. Republicans have been clear: We won't stand for it. We won't vote to bail out the Democrats' out-of-control spending. We won't cut radical liberals in Congress more blank checks to bury our country in more debt, to drive up America's interest expense, and to fuel an already raging inflation crisis, hurting families across my State and across this country. Just last week, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the Consumer Price Index was up 5.3 percent in 1 year--from August to August, 5.3 percent. Year-over-year comparisons show that inflation has gone up each month of Biden's Presidency. Government doesn't feel the Biden inflation, but everyday Americans do. I am hearing from families all across my State--a father of three in Jacksonville, a mother of four in Wauchula--and small businesses in Miami. Another family in Kissimmee told us about how hard it is to keep food on the table because everything is getting so expensive. They are having trouble keeping their car because of the cost of maintenance and gas. Of course, without a car, they won't have a way to get to work and provide for their family. It is heartbreaking to hear these stories. I can relate to this. I grew up in a poor family. My mom would take in ironing for extra money. She would give us exact change to go to the grocery store, and if the price of something went up, we just simply couldn't get it. In the face of this hardship felt by so many families in Florida and across this great Nation, President Biden and Democrats here in Congress have zero interest in reducing the national debt and cutting their insane spending. Democrats have shown a heartless disregard for the struggles so many families in Florida and across America are dealing with right now. It is time we bring accountability to Federal spending. Unlike our Democratic colleagues, Republicans have a solution-focused approach to fixing America's debt crisis. We know that the Federal Government can and must pursue practical measures to make it easy and relatively painless to cut spending. We can start that right now. Earlier this year, I introduced the Federal Debt Emergency Control Act, which prevents Washington from mindlessly spending by requiring that two-thirds of the Senate vote to increase the debt before approving any bill with deficit spending, terminating any unobligated funding from the stimulus bills and sending it back to the Treasury General Fund for deficit reduction, and fast-tracking any bill reducing the debt by at least 5 percent over 10 years. Today, I am joining my friend Senator Pat Toomey to reintroduce the Full Faith and Credit Act. This bill ensures that the U.S. Government does not default on its debt while also prioritizing certain payments to our seniors, military, and veterans. It is commonsense policy like this that will move the United States forward and out of the massive debt crisis we are clearly already in. I welcome all fiscally responsible colleagues to join me to say: We don't accept the status quo. We won't watch in silence as Democrats try to spend us into oblivion. We can get spending under control. While I was Governor of Florida, we paid down one-third of State debt by living within our means, all while cutting taxes. We can do it here. We have to start acting responsibly, and the time to do that is now. Politicians in Washington want you to think this is so complicated. They want you to think that dysfunction is inevitable. That is a lie. It is a lie that a broken system and failed politicians up here have been telling you for decades, and it is time for that to end. Getting America back on track is simple. It starts with passing commonsense reforms that rein in reckless spending, stop Congress from getting paid when it shuts down the government, and force Congress to stay in session until it passes a balanced budget. We keep our Nation on the right financial path by making sure Congress is constantly held accountable for its spending of taxpayer money. It is taxpayer money, every dollar of it. It is time to stand up for those on fixed incomes and, of course, families whose income can't keep up with inflation. It is time to stand up for our grandkids, whose futures are being mortgaged by out-of- control Washington spending. This isn't political. It is good government, and it is common sense. The longer we ignore the debt problem, the worse it will become not just for us but for future generations. A debt crisis is here today. It will be American families who feel the effects of their government's lack of fiscal responsibility through inflation, higher costs, and rising taxes. That is not the America anyone wants. American families deserve better. Through smart legislation and responsible choices, we can be truly accountable to the American people and bring some stability back to the Federal Government's bank account.

Mr. SCOTT of Florida

Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the bravery and selfless service of the individuals who responded to the building collapse in Surfside, FL, on June 24, 2021. I want to thank Florida's brave law enforcement community for responding when the Champlain Towers South condo building in Surfside, FL, suddenly collapsed in the middle of the night. They swiftly heeded the call of duty and came rushing in to save lives. In the face of tremendous tragedy, they ran into danger. They are heroes. Florida's law enforcement officers were on site within minutes of the collapse, and their rapid response saved lives. These brave men and women worked around the clock to support search and rescue efforts and provide protection and comfort to the entire Surfside community. They worked tirelessly, and they never gave up hope. I would also like to thank the law enforcement chaplains who did everything they could to support the needs of those responding to the collapse and all of the families that were impacted by this tragedy. The chaplains were a source of comfort and ensured that the emotional and religious needs of families and first responders were met. The chaplains were instrumental in making sure families were constantly updated and that all of their questions were answered in both a timely and efficient manner, to the greatest extent possible. They provided as much transparency and kindness as they could during this unimaginable tragedy. We cannot thank them enough. Law enforcement teams worked to recover personal property and religious artifacts and followed careful collection protocols. They worked around the clock to ensure all recovered personal property and family heirlooms were treated with the utmost respect and with great consideration for faith traditions when recovering items of religious significance. So many came together, as one, in the relentless pursuit to save lives. We honor the precious lives lost and pay homage to loved ones and all those that have suffered immensely. Our law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to keep Floridians, and this was no exception. We can never thank them and their families enough for their bravery, self-sacrifice, and determination in the face of this terrible tragedy. Ann and I are praying for the Surfside community, our Jewish community, the families and loved ones of the lost, and all of those who worked tirelessly to serve the Surfside community.

Mr. SCOTT of Florida

Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Madam President, I call up amendment No. 3383 and ask that it be reported by number.

Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Madam President, earlier this year, we saw Hamas rockets rain down on Israel for 11 straight days. Children, like 5-year-old Ido Avigal, died in these attacks. Following these attacks on Israel, President Biden's State Department said it couldn't guarantee that funding wouldn't go to Hamas. That is unacceptable. We have seen horrible anti-Israel sentiment permeate the Halls of Congress. But we cannot, and I will not, accept the ignorance of some of my colleagues to the evil and devastation Hamas terrorists bring to Israel. My amendment will ensure that any money authorized to the territory of Gaza will not end up in the hands of Hamas terrorists and allows for further sanctions against these terrorist groups. This amendment is a commonsense way to protect American tax dollars, stand with our great ally Israel, and to continue our fight against the evils of Hamas terrorism. I hope all of my colleagues will vote for this amendment.

Mr. SCOTT of Florida. I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. SCOTT of Florida

Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the bravery and selfless service of the individuals who responded to the building collapse in Surfside, FL, on June 24, 2021. I want to thank the FL-1 Urban Search and Rescue Task Force--FL-TF1-- for responding when the Champlain Towers South condo building in Surfside, FL, suddenly collapsed in the middle of the night. They swiftly heeded the call of duty to provide search, rescue, and recovery efforts following the collapse. In the face of tremendous tragedy, they ran into danger. They are heroes. FL-TF1 is one of 28 Federal search and rescue task forces overseen by FEMA, and its capabilities include search and rescue, emergency care, engineering expertise, and logistics. When they are not being dispatched to countries in crisis, many of them work for Miami-Dade Fire Rescue as local firefighters. FL-TF1 has responded to some of the world's most notable disasters, including earthquakes, terrorist attacks, and plane crashes, among others. They responded once before in their own community, when Hurricane Andrew hit south Florida in 1992. Their expertise and range of skills has made them invaluable in disasters and well-known internationally. These brave men and women dropped everything to selflessly assist in Surfside, a particular challenge since the tragedy affected their own community, and some had missing friends or loved ones. FL-TF1 worked nonstop and with heavy hearts following the collapse in Surfside to provide comfort and closure for the families. They worked tirelessly, even when smoke and heat from a fire inside the building's standing portion hampered their efforts. They persisted when the temperatures escalated so much that some needed IVs to replenish fluids. They continued on when Tropical Storm Elsa passed nearby and dumped torrential rain. They left the pile only when they absolutely had to. They braved conditions the likes of which we could never imagine. I also want to thank FL-TF1 dogs for their hard work to support search, rescue, and recovery efforts. We cannot thank these brave men and women of the FL-TF1 enough. They are heroes who stepped up to serve the community in the wake of an unprecedented and unimaginable disaster. Not only did they help lead the search, rescue, and recovery operation, they also provided endless care and compassion to the families of Surfside and did everything they could to bring closure to those who lost loved ones. We are incredibly grateful to these heroes and their families for their bravery, self-sacrifice, and determination in the face of this terrible tragedy. Ann and I are praying for the Surfside community, our Jewish community, the families and loved ones of the lost, and all of those who worked tirelessly to serve the Surfside community.

Mr. SCOTT of Florida

Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the bravery and selfless service of the individuals who responded to the building collapse in Surfside, FL, on June 24, 2021. I want thank all of Florida's first responders who responded when the Champlain Towers South condo building in Surfside, FL, suddenly collapsed in the middle of the night. They immediately answered the call to serve, and firefighters, law enforcement officers, search and rescue crews, emergency medical technicians, physicians, nurses, and others from across the State of Florida came rushing in to try to save lives. In the face of tremendous tragedy, they ran into danger. They are heroes. Some of these responders lost family in the collapse; yet they still answered the call. Rescue crews worked tirelessly, even when smoke and heat from a fire inside the building's standing portion hampered their efforts. They persisted when the temperatures escalated so much that some needed IVs to replenish fluids. They continued on when Tropical Storm Elsa passed nearby and dumped torrential rain. They conducted their searches with enormous care and diligence and closely worked with faith leaders to make sure that rescue and recovery efforts were done with the respect. They left their families and faced dangerous and life-threatening conditions, and they never gave up hope. Their work to recover victims gave closure to so many families, and I am so proud of these Florida heroes. We can never thank them and their families enough for their bravery, self-sacrifice, and determination in the face of this terrible tragedy. Ann and I are praying for the Surfside community, our Jewish community, the families and loved ones of the lost, and all of those who worked tirelessly to serve the Surfside community.

Mr. SCOTT of Florida

Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the bravery and selfless service of the first responders and community members who responded to the horrific tragedy in Surfside, FL, on June 24, 2021, when the Champlain Towers South condo building suddenly collapsed in the middle of the night. Our Jewish Community, particularly Orthodox Jews, have been especially affected by this tragedy. We are incredibly grateful to Chesed Shel Emes for immediately rushing in to respond following the building collapse. They swiftly heeded the call of duty to aid in rescue and recovery efforts. In the face of tremendous tragedy, they ran into danger. They are heroes, and we can never thank them enough for their bravery and determination in the face of this terrible tragedy. I would also like to thank Rabbi Mark Rosenberg, who serves as director of Chesed Shel Emes, and all of those who worked selflessly to support our Jewish community and provide comfort during this time of need. Chesed Shel Emes did everything possible to make sure that search, rescue, and recovery efforts upheld Jewish law. Chesed Shel Emes worked tirelessly and relentlessly, offering resources, support, and comfort to the survivors and community in Surfside and to make sure that the needs of the Jewish community were met. This work was critical in helping to bring comfort to families who lost relatives, giving them faith that their loved ones were being cared for appropriately and respectfully. The pain these families are experiencing is unimaginable, and Chesed Shel Emes was there every step of the way to make ensure the Jewish community's beliefs and faith were honored. They exemplify true loving kindness in both words and actions. Chesed Shel Emes provided strength amidst tragedy. The community leaned on them to advocate for their needs and to be their voice. They helped every person who turned to them. They worked diligently, sensitively, and efficiently to help mourners cope with the unknown and provide assistance and guidance. Ann and I continue to pray for the Surfside community, our Jewish community, the families and loved ones of the lost, and all of those who worked tirelessly to serve the Surfside community.

Mr. SCOTT of Florida

Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the bravery and selfless service of the first responders and community members who responded to the horrific tragedy in Surfside, FL, on June 24, 2021, when the Champlain Towers South condo building suddenly collapsed in the middle of the night. Our Jewish Community, particularly Orthodox Jews, have been especially affected by this tragedy. Hatzalah is a volunteer emergency medical service organization serving Jewish communities around the world. We are incredibly grateful to Hatzalah of South Florida for immediately rushing in to try to save lives following the building collapse. They swiftly heeded the call of duty to aid in rescue and recovery efforts. In the face of tremendous tragedy, they ran into danger. They are heroes, and we can never thank them enough for their bravery and determination in the face of this terrible tragedy. Hatzalah of South Florida had a steady presence in Surfside, helping with the search, rescue, and recovery operation. They offered resources, support, and comfort to the survivors, families of the victims, and the entire community in Surfside. They provided medical services to evacuees, families of missing persons, and personnel involved in the search and rescue operations. They worked tirelessly and relentlessly to make sure that the needs of the community were met. Ann and I continue to pray for the Surfside community, our Jewish community, the families and loved ones of the lost and all of those who worked tirelessly to serve the Surfside community.

Mr. SCOTT of Florida

Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the bravery and selfless service of the individuals who responded to the horrific tragedy in Surfside, FL, on June 24, 2021, when the Champlain Towers South condo building suddenly collapsed in the middle of the night. Our Jewish Community, particularly Orthodox Jews, have been especially affected by this tragedy, and immediately following the collapse, Israel mobilized resources and personnel to help in the response. We are incredibly grateful to Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett for deploying the joint Israel Defense Forces--IDF--and Ministry of Foreign Affairs delegation to Surfside following the collapse. I want to thank commander of IDF's National Rescue Unit in the Home Front Command, Colonel Golan Vach, for leading the search and rescue delegation and Israeli Diaspora Affairs Minister, Nachman Shai, who helped to make sure the needs of the Surfside community were addressed. I am eternally grateful for their hard work and quick response to this terrible tragedy. I also want to thank Israel's Consul General, Maor Elbaz-Starinsky, and his team, who were on site working tirelessly to address the needs of the community and who worked alongside first responders and rescue crews to respond to the collapse. Israel Defense Forces Home Front Command operates search and rescue missions in Israel and around the world, aiding in rescue and recovery efforts for disasters. Using building information modeling tools and technologies and careful measurements taken on site, the Home Front Command was able to generate 3D digital models of the building before and after its collapse. This, combined with information gathered from surviving family members and friends, produced highly accurate information to help the search, rescue, and recovery efforts. Their efforts gave search teams from across the United States and around the world the most accurate and up-to-date information on where they should target their search efforts. Israel responds immediately to emergencies around the world, and our gratitude is immense. Israel is a partner in every sense of the word. Their presence was greatly appreciated by the people of Surfside, the State of Florida, and the entire Nation. The Israeli rescue team demonstrated once again the kindness and strength that Israel provides. They swiftly heeded the call of duty to help local, State, Federal, and international counterparts with rescue and recovery efforts. In the face of tremendous tragedy, they ran into danger. They are heroes. They worked tirelessly and relentlessly to make sure that the needs of the community were met. We can never thank them enough for their bravery and determination. The Israeli delegation succeeded in alleviating suffering and demonstrated what the Jewish state can mean to people thousands of miles away during the worst moment of their lives. The tragedy in Surfside shows the strength of the connection between American Jews and the Jewish state and that Israel is a great ally and friend to the United States. Ann and I continue to pray for the Surfside community, our Jewish community, the families and loved ones of the lost, and all of those who worked tirelessly to serve the Surfside community.

Mr. SCOTT of Florida

Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the bravery and selfless service of the individuals who responded to the building collapse in Surfside, FL, on June 24, 2021. I want to thank all eight of Florida's Urban Search and Rescue Task Force teams from Miami-Dade County, the city of Miami, Hillsborough County, Central Florida, Northeast Florida, Southwest Florida, North Florida, and North Central Florida for responding when the Champlain Towers South condo building in Surfside, FL, suddenly collapsed in the middle of the night. They swiftly heeded the call of duty to assist in search, rescue, and recovery efforts following the collapse. In the face of tremendous tragedy, they ran into danger. They are heroes. Florida's Urban Search and Rescue Task Force teams are deployed to aid communities following a natural or manmade disaster, and all eight deployed to Surfside to aid in the search, rescue, and recovery efforts. Nearly 370 urban search and rescue members worked on-site, making this the largest nonhurricane deployment in Florida's history. Some of these responders lost family in the collapse; yet they still answered the call. Rescue crews worked tirelessly, even when smoke and heat from a fire inside the building's standing portion hampered their efforts. They persisted when the temperatures escalated so much that some needed IVs to replenish fluids. They continued on when Tropical Storm Elsa passed nearby and dumped torrential rain. They left their families and faced dangerous and life-threatening conditions, and they never gave up hope. Their work to recover victims gave closure to so many families, and I am so proud of these Florida heroes. I also want to thank Florida's Urban Search and Rescue Task Force teams dogs for their hard work to support search, rescue, and recovery efforts. Florida's Urban Search and Rescue Task Force teams are heroes who stepped up to serve the community in the wake of unprecedented and unimaginable disaster. Not only did they help lead the search, rescue, and recovery operation, they provided endless care and compassion to the families of Surfside and did everything they could to bring closure to those who lost loved ones. We can never thank them and their families enough for their bravery, self-sacrifice, and determination in the face of this terrible tragedy. Ann and I are praying for the Surfside community, our Jewish community, the families and loved ones of the lost, and all of those who worked tirelessly to serve the Surfside community.

Mr. SCOTT of Florida

Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the bravery and selfless service of the individuals who responded to the building collapse in Surfside, FL, on June 24, 2021. I want to thank the out-of-State Urban Search and Rescue--USAR--teams from Virginia, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and emergency specialists from California for responding when the Champlain Towers South condo building in Surfside, FL, suddenly collapsed in the middle of the night. They swiftly heeded the call of duty to provide search, rescue, and recovery efforts following the collapse. In the face of tremendous tragedy, they ran into danger. They are heroes. More than 440 USAR members from New Jersey, Ohio, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Indiana were on the ground in Surfside to help supplement the search and rescue efforts. Florida is grateful for the outpouring of support from our fellow Americans. We are grateful for the task force teams that came from all over the country, traveling thousands of miles to work alongside local, State, Federal, and international counterparts in the relentless search for survivors. Their presence and efforts brought great comfort to the community and helped provide closure to the families of the victims. Rescue crews worked tirelessly following the collapse, even when smoke and heat from a fire inside the building's standing portion hampered their efforts. They persisted when the temperatures escalated so much that some needed IVs to replenish fluids. They continued on when Tropical Storm Elsa passed nearby and dumped torrential rain. They left the pile only when they absolutely had to. They left their families back home and put it all on the line for the Surfside community. They braved conditions that the likes of us couldn't ever imagine. I also want to thank the search and rescue dogs for their hard work to support search, rescue and recovery efforts. We cannot thank these brave men, women, and canine units enough. They are heroes who stepped up to serve the community in the wake of unprecedented and unimaginable disaster. Not only did they help lead the search, rescue, and recovery operation, they provided endless care and compassion to the families of Surfside and did everything they could to bring closure to those who lost loved ones. We are incredibly grateful to these heroes and their families for their bravery, self-sacrifice, and determination in the face of this terrible tragedy. Ann and I are praying for the Surfside community, our Jewish community, the families and loved ones of the lost, and all of those who worked tirelessly to serve the Surfside community.

Mr. SCOTT of Florida

Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the bravery and selfless service of the individuals who responded to the building collapse in Surfside, FL, on June 24, 2021. I want to thank Miami-Dade Fire Rescue for swiftly heeding the call of duty to provide search, rescue, and recovery efforts following the collapse. In the face of tremendous tragedy, they ran into danger. They are heroes. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue responded within minutes of the collapse, and their rapid response saved lives. They worked around the clock, and they were tireless in their pursuit to try and find survivors. These first responders braved extremely dangerous conditions to find those missing and to bring comfort and closure to the families of the victims. Many of these responders had friends or family lost in the collapse; yet they still answered the call. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue never quit, even when smoke and heat from a fire inside the building's standing portion hampered their efforts. They persisted when the temperatures escalated so much that some needed IVs to replenish fluids. They continued on when Tropical Storm Elsa passed nearby and dumped torrential rain. They left their families and faced dangerous and life- threatening conditions, and they never gave up hope. Their work to recover victims gave closure to so many families, and I am so proud of these Florida heroes. Not only did they help lead the search, rescue, and recovery operation, they also provided endless care and compassion to the families of Surfside and did everything they could to bring closure to those who lost loved ones. I also want to thank the search and rescue dogs that helped this mission, along with the therapy dogs from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, who worked in shifts to provide relief and comfort to the victims and to their loved ones. We can never thank them and their families enough for their bravery, self-sacrifice, and determination in the face of this terrible tragedy. Ann and I are praying for the Surfside community, our Jewish community, the families and loved ones of the lost, and all of those who worked tirelessly to serve the Surfside community.

Mr. SCOTT of Florida

Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the bravery and selfless service of the first responders who responded to horrific tragedy in Surfside, FL, on June 24, 2021, when the Champlain Towers South condo building suddenly collapsed in the middle of the night. We are incredibly grateful to Mexico for sending its search and rescue specialists to aid in the response, including the ``Go Team'' of Cadena International, a Jewish nonprofit which has responded to more than 1,000 natural disasters and humanitarian crises since 2005. The Mexico-based team worked tirelessly in Surfside with search, rescue, and recovery efforts. We cannot thank them enough for their willingness to risk their lives for others in this incredibly dangerous work. They are heroes. Their commitment and willingness to serve will never be forgotten. In the face of tremendous loss, the Cadena International team heeded the call to action, and for that, we will be eternally grateful. We are incredibly grateful to these heroes and their families for their bravery and determination in the face of this terrible tragedy. Ann and I continue to pray for the Surfside community, our Jewish community, the families and loved ones of the lost, and all of those who worked tirelessly to serve the Surfside community.

Mr. SCOTT of Florida

Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the bravery and selfless service of the individuals who responded to horrific tragedy in Surfside, FL, on June 24, 2021, when the Champlain Towers South condo building suddenly collapsed in the middle of the night. Our Jewish Community, particularly Orthodox Jews, have been especially affected by this tragedy. We are incredibly grateful to United Hatzalah for rushing in to respond following the building collapse. They swiftly heeded the call of duty to help provide emergency medical services. In the face of tremendous tragedy, they ran into danger. They are heroes, and we can never thank them enough for their bravery and determination in the face of this terrible tragedy. International rescue crews and emergency support organizations from Israel responded to the site to aid in the search, rescue, and recovery efforts. United Hatzalah is an Israeli volunteer-based emergency medical services organization based in Jerusalem. Its mission is to provide immediate medical intervention during the critical window between the onset of an emergency and the arrival of traditional ambulance assistance. It is one of many Hatzalah organizations in various parts of the world. United Hatzalah of Israel sent a team to Surfside to assist the community and provide psychological support and stabilization to all those affected by the tragedy. Ann and I continue to pray for the Surfside community, our Jewish community, the families and loved ones of the lost, and all of those who worked tirelessly to serve the Surfside community.

Mr. SCOTT of Florida

Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Mr. President, ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. ALS causes progressive degeneration of these motor neurons leading to their death. There is no cure for ALS, and although the mean survival time with ALS is 3 to 5 years, some people live 5, 10, or more years. While ALS is considered a ``rare'' disease, the reality is that 500,000 people alive today will eventually die from the disease. I have seen how devastating and heartbreaking an ALS diagnosis is for families. Over time, this disease robs people of the ability to walk, talk, move, and breathe. In most cases, members of a patient's family eventually need to become full-time caregivers to help navigate all the challenges that ALS creates. I want to commend the Florida chapter of the ALS Association for their work to fight ALS on all fronts and support the 1,300 families in Florida who are battling this disease each day. They work closely with a network of 10 ALS multidisciplinary clinics in the State to ensure those families have access to critical support as they fight this disease. Additionally, they provide a variety of programs and services that are designed to help ease the burden of ALS. I want to thank the ALS staff and their many volunteers for their service to the community. I want to specifically recognize three individuals who are battling ALS. John Robinson is a recently retired, 32-year veteran of the U.S. Army. Most recently, he served as the chief warrant officer of the Army's field artillery branch. In the same way that he served in the military to protect our freedom here at home, he serves in the ALS community to help those coming along behind him with ALS. Just as John protected our freedom, he is a staunch protector of hope in the ALS community. John wants the next generation of those diagnosed with this dreadful disease to have better care, more effective treatments, and the possibility of improved prognosis and quality of life. Troy Fields is a husband and father of four living with ALS in Tampa, FL. Prior to his diagnosis, Troy worked at a global financial technology company for 26 years. Troy believes acceptance never means that having ALS is okay. It simply means one is willing to deal with it. Whether he is talking about advocacy with the ALS community and encouraging others to take action or talking one on one with a chapter board member about outlining strategic goals, Troy's strategy for coping is to live in the moment, accept what he cannot control, and work to change what he can. Diane Mummaw is from Deltona, FL, and is the mother of two children and a recently retired small business owner. Despite battling ALS, she considers herself lucky because she is one of the precious few who has survived more than 5 years since her diagnosis. ALS affected her ability to function but it did not take away her ability to work for improvement. As an entrepreneur, she took on living with ALS with the very same grit, fortitude, and determination that she used to build and grow her business. These three Floridians show so much strength and hope in the face of adversity, and I thank them for their many contributions to the ALS community and to our State. Last year, Congress passed the ALS Disability Insurance Act to eliminate the 5-month waiting period for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits for disabled workers with ALS. I was proud to support this important legislation and will keep working to support Floridians with ALS and help to fight this horrible disease on all fronts.

Mr. SCOTT of Florida

Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the bravery and selfless service of the first responders who responded to the horrific tragedy on June 24, 2021, when the Champlain Towers South condo building in Surfside, FL, suddenly collapsed in the middle of the night. Our Jewish Community, particularly Orthodox Jews, have been especially affected by this tragedy. We are incredibly grateful to ZAKA for immediately rushing in to respond following the building collapse. They swiftly heeded the call of duty to aid in rescue and recovery efforts. In the face of tremendous tragedy, they ran into danger. They are heroes. International rescue crews and emergency support organizations from Israel responded to the site to aid in the search, rescue, and recovery efforts. ZAKA Search and Rescue, a nonprofit based in Israel, specializes in search and rescue and recovering remains for proper burial under Jewish law. ZAKA sent rescue workers to Surfside to provide critical support and assist with identifications and burial preparation. They worked tirelessly and relentlessly to make sure that the needs of the community were met. ZAKA offered resources, support, and comfort to the survivors and community in Surfside. In the face of tremendous loss, ZAKA heeded the call to action, and for that, we will be eternally grateful. We can never thank them enough for their bravery and determination in the face of this terrible tragedy. Ann and I continue to pray for the Surfside community, our Jewish community, the families and loved ones of the lost, and all of those who worked tirelessly to serve the Surfside community.

Mr. SCOTT of Florida

Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the selfless service of the individuals who responded to horrific tragedy in Surfside, FL, on June 24, 2021, when the Champlain Towers South condo building suddenly collapsed in the middle of the night. Our Jewish Community, particularly Orthodox Jews, have been especially affected by this tragedy. We are incredibly grateful for the service and compassionate care of Rabbi Sholom Lipskar, Rebbetzin Chani Lipskar, Rabbi Schneur Lipskar, community leaders, The Shul members, volunteers, and all of those who worked selflessly to support our Jewish community and provided comfort during this time of need. In the days following the Surfside tragedy, the world watched as our Jewish community united to assist and console friends, neighbors, and the countless families and individuals affected by the collapse. The outpouring of love and support was absolutely incredible, even amidst such tragedy. Hundreds gathered every day at The Shul of Bal Harbour to pray that survivors would be found. The Surfside Jewish community has always held service and generosity to others in high regard and practiced giving daily. When the tragic collapse took place, the community quickly sprang into action. The Shul became a resource center for survivors, family members of victims, as well as first responders and rescue teams. Hundreds were hosted by The Shul for Shabbat meals. Folding tables set up in The Shul were piled high with clothing, toys, food, electronics, and household goods for those who lost everything in the collapse. An emergency fund set up by The Shul raised funds to be disbursed directly to the victims and families. The Surfside Jewish community was a vital lifeline of support and comfort in the midst of unimaginable pain and tragedy. There were numerous members of the synagogue that were victims of this terrible tragedy, and our hearts are heavy for them. We pray for those who were unexpectedly lost. They had great faith and served their synagogue faithfully. They will be missed greatly. Let us pray that their memory be a blessing. Ann and I continue to pray for the Surfside community, our Jewish community, the families and loved ones of the lost, and all of those who worked tirelessly to serve the Surfside community.

Mr. SCOTT of Florida

Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the bravery and selfless service of the individuals who responded to the building collapse in Surfside, FL, on June 24, 2021. I want to thank the Miami-Dade Police Department--MDPD--for responding when the Champlain Towers South condo building in Surfside, FL, suddenly collapsed in the middle of the night. In the face of tremendous tragedy, they ran into danger. They are heroes. The MDPD responded within minutes of the collapse and their rapid response saved lives. These brave men and women worked around the clock to support search and rescue efforts and provide protection and comfort to the entire Surfside community. They worked tirelessly, and they never gave up hope. We are grateful for the MDPD's efforts to lead the investigation into the collapse and the challenging work of sifting through millions of pounds of debris, searching for remains and personal items to bring closure to families. They worked closely with faith leaders to ensure search and rescue efforts were done with respect. I also would like to personally thank MDPD Director Alfredo Ramirez III, Chief Rosanna Cordero-Stutz, Officer Deborah Valdes, as well as every law enforcement officer, victim advocate, and individual at the MDPD for heeding the tremendous call of duty to assist with missing persons reports and identification and notification processing for the victims and their families. This was an extremely difficult task, and they worked around the clock to bring order, comfort, and often closure to the families. Our hearts go out to all of those that lost loved ones. I would also like to thank the MDPD chaplains who did everything they could to support the needs of those responding to the collapse and to all of the families that were impacted by this tragedy. The chaplains were a source of comfort and ensured that the emotional and religious needs of the families and first responders were met. The MDPD also offered countless resources to the community, ensuring that short-term and long-term needs were met, including counseling and comfort, shelter, and assistance to all who needed it. They were instrumental in making sure that families were constantly updated and that all of their questions were answered in a timely and efficient manner, to the greatest extent possible. They provided as much transparency and kindness as they could during this unimaginable tragedy. The MDPD teams worked to recover personal property and religious artifacts and followed careful collection protocols. They worked around the clock to ensure all recovered personal property and family heirlooms were treated with the utmost respect and with great consideration for faith traditions when recovering items of religious significance. So many came together, as one, in the relentless pursuit to save lives. We honor the precious lives lost and pay homage to loved ones and all those that have suffered immensely. Our law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to keep Floridians safe, and this was no exception. We can never thank them enough for their bravery, self-sacrifice, and determination in the face of this terrible tragedy. Ann and I are praying for the Surfside community, our Jewish community, the families and loved ones of the lost, and all of those who worked tirelessly to serve the Surfside community.

Mr. SCOTT of Florida

Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Mr. President, our Nation is nearly $30 trillion in debt. That is $233,000 in debt for every American family. The American people are already feeling the pressure of rising inflation thanks to reckless government spending. And, make no mistake about it, inflation is a tax, a tax that hurts our families on low and fixed incomes the most. I am hearing it from families across Florida who are worried. I heard from a dad in Jacksonville with three kids who is helping to temporarily take care of two other kids because their father is out of work. As a result of having five kids in his home, he has started working a second job to pay for all of the groceries that are rapidly increasing in price. His second job is driving Uber, and that is less and less profitable by the day because of the rising price of gas. Over the weekend, the suspension on the Federal debt ceiling expired. That leaves Congress with two choices: Continue this reckless, wasteful spending with no accountability to the American people, or start making the tough choices to put our Nation on a successful path. I know we can make the right choices and start moving America in a better direction. That is exactly what I did when I was Governor of Florida. Our State was on a bad path. I had to make difficult choices, but I paid down one-third of State debt, all while cutting taxes 100 times. It can be done. Washington's choice to keep raising or suspending the debt ceiling is like raising the limit on your credit card, month after month, with absolutely no plan to pay it off. It is irresponsible, and it is no way to operate. You would never run your business or family the way Washington runs. It is wasteful and dysfunctional. I came to Washington to rein in this exact type of dysfunction. We have to get our debt and spending under control. We need to make Washington work for families in Florida and all across the Nation. That is why I am leading my colleagues in a proposed rule change that would require every piece of legislation passed by a Senate committee to include a report on how it will impact inflation. It is very simple. When legislation, directly or indirectly, raises the cost of living or raises taxes on American families, families deserve to know. Too many in Washington believe the lie that inflation is impossible, debt doesn't matter, and spending has no consequences. That is why this rule change is needed. This rule change is to protect that father in Jacksonville who is struggling to get by. It is to protect those living on fixed incomes, low-income earners, and small businesses that can't absorb cost increases. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Rules be discharged from further consideration and that the Senate now proceed to S. Res. 327. I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon table.

Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Mr. President, while I am disappointed that my colleague won't accept this measure, we do need to start doing something about inflation, and we can do that today with the infrastructure spending bill. We can all get behind real infrastructure--like roads, bridges, airports, and seaports--but we have to acknowledge that $1.2 trillion is a massive amount of taxpayer dollars, and we have to know exactly how this will impact families. I have been told by supporters of this infrastructure bill that it will not cause inflation. I will not support anything that increases inflation on American families. I have an amendment to the infrastructure package that will require the Congressional Budget Office to certify that the spending in this bill will not increase inflation on the American people. If CBO does not certify that the spending authorized and appropriated in the bill would not increase inflation, my amendment would prohibit the funding from being obligated or spent, and the funds would instead be transferred to the Treasury Department for deficit reduction. I hope that everybody will get behind this amendment.

Mr. SCOTT of Florida

Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Mr. President, reserving the right to object, let me just read this. All I am saying is, the resolution would add ``condemns the murderous Communist party of Cuba for decades of oppression against the Cuban people, the destruction of the Cuban economy, and the destructive spread of communism in the Western Hemisphere.'' I wish my colleague from New Jersey would accept my simple but important, friendly amendment, but I will consent to allowing this resolution to move forward. I will always stand proudly with the brave people in Cuba, fighting for their freedom, and against the brutal communist regime which continues to oppress them. I yield the floor.

Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Mr. President, I rise today in solidarity with the brave Cuban people fighting for freedom. For decades, the Cuban people suffered atrocities, oppression, and misery at the hands of the illegitimate communist Castro regime. I have repeatedly told the story of Sirley Avila Leon, a Cuban woman who was attacked by communist Cuban security forces in 2015. They cut off her hand and stuck her arm in the mud to make sure it got infected. Her crime? She complained that the regime was going to shut down a school in her neighborhood. I have spoken to brave leaders like Jose Daniel Ferrer and the courageous members of his Patriotic Union of Cuba, who are fighting every day to defend human rights, freedom, and the democratic movement in Cuba. Jose Daniel Ferrer is currently being detained by the communist regime, and his family doesn't know where he is. Activists like Jose Daniel Ferrer and the artists of the San Isidro Movement are the future of Cuba, not the ruthless communist regime. This is the same communist regime that for decades has been the root of the instability we see across Latin America. The communist Cuban regime props up other dangerous dictators, like Maduro in Venezuela and Ortega in Nicaragua, threatening the region and the national security of the United States. What we are seeing now in Cuba should send a clear message to the world: Communism is a failed ideology that does nothing but lead to suffering and oppression. Communism doesn't work. Socialism doesn't work. The people of Cuba are crying out for freedom. They are denouncing the oppressive communist rule that has brought ruin to their nation for more than 60 years. This disgusting assault on the people of Cuba cannot go unchecked. I very much appreciate my colleague's efforts to condemn the atrocities of the regime, but this resolution is missing one thing: These atrocities are undeniably linked to communism. I stand today to offer a friendly amendment that simply condemns communism in this resolution, labeling the Cuban dictators Diaz-Canel and Raul Castro what they are: a ruthless, communist Cuban regime. In America, we understand the value and importance of freedom in our everyday lives, and it is our duty to support and stand up for those who are oppressed by dictators and denied the right to live freely. It is our duty to speak the truth about communism. I stand proudly with the heroic freedom fighters across Cuba who have taken to the streets, determined to regain their freedom and put an end to the communist Castro dictatorship. To the people of Cuba: You are not alone. Together, we will defeat communism. The freedom of Cuba is closer than ever, and we are not going to stop until we see a new day of freedom, democracy, and ``Patria y Vida'' in Cuba. I urge my colleagues to support my important amendment today. Therefore, I ask that the Senator modify his request to include my amendment, which is at the desk; that the resolution, as amended, be agreed to; that the preamble, as amended, be agreed to; and that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mr. SCOTT of Florida

Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Mr. President, after weeks like this, I find it hard to explain to Floridians back home how Congress is actually working on behalf of their families. I think it is safe to say that every Member of the Senate believes we should be investing in infrastructure. For me, it is pretty simple. I believe we should invest in real infrastructure: roads, bridges, airports, and seaports. As Governor of Florida, I did just that. Over my 8 years as Governor, Florida invested $85 billion in real infrastructure across our State, and we did it while cutting taxes and fees 100 times and paying off a third of our State debt. In other words, we paid for these big investments in infrastructure by growing our economy and supporting job creation. That is what is important to Floridians, and I am immensely proud of our accomplishments. So I support doing the exact same thing at the Federal level. But what we are doing here just doesn't make any sense. Nowhere in the world does business happen like it does here in the U.S. Congress. We started this week with ongoing negotiations about a big infrastructure deal. Of course, outside of the small group involved in these negotiations, no one here had any clue what was actually being debated. We had no text; we had no real information on how much was being spent; and we certainly had no idea how this was all supposed to be paid for. Then, on Wednesday, we got the big news: A deal had been reached. Well, that might be great, but we still had no real details. We still don't have the text of the bill. Now the majority leader expects us to start voting on amendments, and maybe even this whole package, this weekend. This is insanity. Nowhere in the world would this be the process. We are expected to make a decision on spending $1.2 trillion of American taxpayer dollars, and no one in the U.S. Senate has had the chance to even read the bill. Typically, the Congressional Budget Office would score a bill like this before the Senate considers it. That score gives us important information about the true cost and financial impact of the legislation on the Federal Government and the American people. Of course, that is not the case with this bill. The CBO hasn't had the chance to review it at all. Do you think any company would sign off on a massive expense without all the details? Would a family make a huge purchase without knowing exactly what it is for? Of course not. But that is how things work here in Congress, and that is not right. This is exactly why I ran for the U.S. Senate, to make Washington work for Florida families and stop this madness of reckless spending and backroom deals that don't deliver and aren't paid for. Speaking of pay-fors, well, they just don't exist in this bill. This is how backward and awful Washington is. People up here think they can just make big, empty promises and sell it to the American people. They think families will just buy whatever they are selling, no questions asked. Nope. It is time for some accountability. My friend from Indiana, Senator Braun, recently did a great job of laying out the claims and facts of the so-called pay-fors in this bill, so I am going to borrow from him a bit to show what is really going on here. Here are just a few of the most ridiculous examples. First, half of this bill is supposedly paid for with $550 billion from the highway trust fund. That fund is $100 billion in the red. The money isn't there. So that is not real. The bill also proposes using billions of repurposed COVID relief funding. I am all for repurposing this money, but we borrowed it to begin with, so this is robbing Peter to pay Paul. It is not like it is free money. They also want to use $49 billion in savings for delaying a Medicare Part D rebate rule and another $9 million paid for another year of mandatory sequester. Why would we cut Medicare to pay for roads? The 4.6 million seniors in Florida deserve better. Any savings in the Medicare Program should stay in the Medicare Program. Let's all remember, the Medicare trust fund is actually heading toward bankruptcy. And, of course, there are a handful of other fee increases thrown in there with lofty and unrealistic revenue estimates that they will claim will get us fully paying for this $1.2 trillion package. What they won't say is that these fees will almost certainly increase the costs of everyday goods and make it more expensive to get a mortgage and afford a home. There is no shame in Washington; just greed. Everyone wants so badly to say that they have given you something, but they always forget to mention the cost and that you actually have to pay for it. The cost is important. I have said it a million times, and I will say it again: Reckless government spending causes higher inflation. It is a proven fact. And we are seeing the consequences of reckless spending across America right now. Eighty-seven percent--eighty-seven percent--of Americans are worried about inflation. Low- and fixed-income families are having to cut back on purchases because of rising costs. I am hearing it from families across Florida who are worried. A father of three in Jacksonville is temporarily helping take care of two other kids because their father is out of work. He has started working a second job driving Uber just to pay for groceries that are rapidly increasing in price. Now his Uber job is becoming less and less profitable because of the rising price of gas. Gas is up over 50 percent in 1 year. A mother of four in Wauchula said that she used to be able to go to the grocery store and spend a certain amount for an entire month's groceries. Now she can't. Two hundred dollars in meat is no longer enough to feed her family of five. She has been forced to choose between gas to get to work and groceries for her family and is picking up extra jobs just to make ends meet. I can relate to this. I grew up in a poor family. My mom would take in ironing for extra money. She would give either my older brother or me the exact change to go to the grocery store, but she said: You have to check the price of everything because things are going up in price, and if we don't have enough money, you cannot buy it. A restaurant owner in Tampa told me that the cost of meat has gone up from $9 a pound to $18. Gas prices and food prices, coupled with the struggle to find workers, have been very hard on his business. Another family in Kissimmee told me how hard it is to keep food on the table because everything is so expensive. They are having trouble keeping their car because of the cost of maintenance and gas, but if he doesn't have a car, he wouldn't have a way to get to work to take care of his family. The price of gas affects nearly everyone. Right now, average gas prices are up nearly a dollar since last year. For a family who fills up their gas tank once a week, if they drive a car, that means Joe Biden raised their expenses $600 a year. If they drive a truck, Joe Biden raised their expenses by $1,000 a year. So next time you hear a big promise, remember these stories. These are real people bearing the real cost of the Democrats' reckless spending in Washington. Biden and the Democrats say they care about people, but they have done absolutely nothing to help families struggle to keep up with inflation. Their plan is to spend more money, not less. We have nearly $30 trillion in debt, and there are no plans to slow down. And that is exactly what we are seeing in this bill. We can't forget that this is just the start. Chuck Schumer said it on the floor yesterday. This is just part one and leads to Biden's and the Democrats' $5.5 trillion tax-and-spending spree on their liberal priorities. These two bills are together. They are welded together. There is no separating them. Right now, the message that President Biden and Democrats here in Washington are sending to the American people is clear: They don't care about inflation. They don't care that their reckless spending is causing prices to skyrocket. If that is the cost of getting their liberal wish list, so be it. They aren't focused on inflation or spending, just on more government dependency and control. Just look at what is happening this week with new COVID mask and vaccine mandates. I had COVID, and I got the vaccine. I think people should get vaccinated. But that is not what this is about. It is not about taking a measured approach and following the science and telling exactly how they came to the conclusion. It is about creating fear and chaos to grab power and control you. I am here to say that enough is enough. It is time to wake up to reality. It is time for every fiscally responsible Member of the Senate to join me to say we don't accept the status quo. We won't watch in silence while the futures of our children and our grandchildren are mortgaged and this Nation is driven deeper in debt with reckless and wasteful spending. We won't stand by while inflation wreaks havoc on our families and businesses. We can get spending under control, but we have to start accepting responsibility, and the time to do that is now. This isn't political. It is good government, and it is common sense. I yield the floor.