Senator Rick Scott: Florida Stands with Israel ✡

Sen. Rick Scott to Columbia University: Protect Jewish Students NOW

Following the ongoing antisemitic attacks against Jewish students at Columbia University, Senator Rick Scott sent a letter to the University's Board of Trustees demanding it force leadership to take action that stops antisemitic actions and protects Jewish students, or replace the administration. Senator Scott has been adamant about protecting students at American colleges and universities who continue to be threatened by terrorist sympathizers calling for the eradication of Jewish people and the destruction of Israel. Senator Scott is fighting to pass his and Senator Tim Scott's Stop Antisemitism on College Campuses Act, which he mentions in his letter. This bill would rescind federal education funding for colleges and universities that peddle antisemitism or authorize, fund or facilitate events that promote violent antisemitism. Additionally, Senator Rick Scott joined Senators Bob Casey and Tim Scott to introduce the Antisemitism Awareness Act. The bill will help address antisemitic sentiment and action on college campuses—which has been rising across the nation for years and spiked in the wake of Hamas' terrorist attack on October 7, 2023—by requiring the U.S. Department of Education to consider the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism when enforcing federal anti-discrimination laws. Read more HERE. Read the full letter HERE. Read more HERE. — Senators Rick Scott, Bob Casey & Tim Scott Introduce Bill to Take On Antisemitism on College Campuses Senator Rick Scott joined Senators Bob Casey and Tim Scott to introduce the Antisemitism Awareness Act. The bill will help address antisemitic sentiment and action on college campuses—which has been rising across the nation for years and spiked in the wake of Hamas' terrorist attack on October 7, 2023—by requiring the U.S. Department of Education to consider the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism when enforcing federal anti-discrimination laws. Senator Rick Scott said, "Antisemitism is ABSOLUTE hatred, and any college or university that fails to condemn it MUST be held accountable and stripped of all federal funding. Since the October 7th attack by Iran-backed Hamas terrorists, we must ensure that our Jewish students feel safe from any antisemitic behavior, and it is disgusting how some of the colleges and universities have responded to this evil we have seen spike recently. We can start holding people accountable today by passing legislation like the Antisemitism Awareness Act. Hatred of this kind has no place on college campuses." The Antisemitism Awareness Act would make permanent the Department of Education's usage of the IHRA's definition of antisemitism, which is a vital tool helping to clarify and identify the various manifestations of antisemitism. Since 2018, the Department of Education has used the IHRA definition when investigating violations of title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This definition is supported by President Biden's Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, was included in President Biden's National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism, and has been used by the State Department since the Obama Administration.  The Antisemitism Awareness Act builds off of Senator Rick Scott's resolution condemning antisemitism and embracing the widely-accepted IHRA definition of antisemitism. This resolution reinforces that any hatred toward the Jewish community or delegitimization of the state of Israel is indeed antisemitism and sends a strong message that the full force of the federal government is leading the charge against antisemitism of any kind. This resolution, announced back in June, followed the Biden administration's decision not to codify this commonly-used and widely-accepted definition in its national strategy to counter antisemitism, and is endorsed by the Republican Jewish Coalition, the Zionist Organization of America and NORPAC. Read more HERE.  — Sen. Rick Scott: Schumer Must Immediately Allow Vote on House-Passed Israel Aid Bill & Stop Taxpayer Funding of Hamas Act As Iran, the world's largest state sponsor of terrorism, launches an evil attack against Israel, Senator Rick Scott released the following statement demanding that Majority Leader Chuck Schumer immediately put the House-passed Israel aid bill, as well as his Stop Taxpayer Funding of Hamas Act, on the Senate floor for a vote when the Senate returns to Washington on Monday. Earlier this week, Senator Scott wrote an op-ed for Fox News highlighting the need for the United States to stand strongly with Israel in its fight against Hamas and demanding that President Biden do more to hold Qatar accountable in its hostage negotiations role. This op-ed immediately follows Senator Scott's visit to Israel, during which he met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other high-ranking officials to discuss the United States' and Israel's shared priority of destroying Iran-backed Hamas terrorists that have killed thousands of individuals, and continue to hold hundreds hostage, including Americans, since the October 7, 2023 attacks. Senator Rick Scott said, "Israel is once again under attack and the United States must clearly and strongly stand with our great ally and fully support its right and obligation to defend itself by any means necessary. I was just in Israel to meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu and see the terror and devastation that Iran-backed Hamas terrorists unleashed on the Jewish State on October 7th firsthand. More than 1,200 were murdered and hundreds are still being held hostage by Hamas. Americans are among the hostages and those murdered that day. The horrors of that attack are difficult to describe and can never happen again. Today, I am praying for the safety of the Israeli people and call on every Republican and Democrat to stand unequivocally with Israel as it fights for its very existence against evil terrorism. Again and again, Democrats have blocked the passage of aid for Israel. The House has passed a good bill that is ready for Senate passage right now. I urge Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to immediately put the House-passed clean Israel aid bill on the floor, as well as my Stop Taxpayer Funding of Hamas Act, the moment we return to Washington on Monday. Nothing before the Senate is more important and I will do everything in my power to make sure that vote happens. "Let us all remember who the enemy is and has always been: the evil, terror-supporting regime in Iran. Since its first days, the Biden administration has emboldened Iran with appeasement, freeing billions of dollars to fuel Iran's support of terrorism and turning its back on Israel. Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East and one of America's strongest allies, but it took President Biden months to meet or speak with Prime Minister Netanyahu after he took office, and the world took notice. Since October 7th, President Biden and Democrats in Washington have continued to undermine Israel's fight against Iran-backed Hamas terrorists, further isolating our ally in its greatest time of need. America and the freedom-loving nations of the world are less safe and secure because of President Biden's weakness and appeasement of evil regimes and the terror each support. I will always stand with Israel and again demand that the Biden administration and every member of Congress make clear today that they will do the same." Read more HERE.