Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) on Wednesday defended his proposal to end all federal laws after five years and called President Biden “confused” in response to Biden’s assertion during the speech on the State of the Union that some Republicans want to end social life. Security and health insurance.
“In my plan, I suggested the following: All federal laws expire in five years. If a law is worth obeying, Congress can pass it again,” Scott said in a statement following Biden’s speech to a joint session of Congress.
Last year, Scott angered Republicans when he rolled out a 12-point policy agenda that included the sunset proposal, which Democrats quickly began using as midterm ammunition.
“This is clearly and obviously an idea to deal with all the crazy new laws that our Congress has been passing lately,” Scott added, denying Biden’s assertion Tuesday night that Republicans want to put end to social security and health insurance.
Biden said that “instead of making the rich pay their fair share, some Republicans, some Republicans want Medicare and Social Security gone,” prompting loud boos from GOP lawmakers in the chamber .
Some House Republicans have floated the idea of rights program reforms as part of the debt ceiling negotiations, though Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and others insist that the reductions are not on the table.
Speaking about the raucous response, the president insisted: “Anyone in doubt, contact my office, I’ll give you a copy – I’ll give you a copy of the proposal.”
“It is offered by individuals. I politely don’t name them, but some of you are suggesting it,” Biden said.
That beard infuriated Scott, the former chairman of the Republican National Senate Committee, who called the claim a “lie” and a “dishonest move…by a very confused president.”
“I won’t be intimidated by Joe Biden twisting my words,” he said and pushed back, arguing that Democrats effectively cut Medicare when they gave the federal government the power to negotiate lower prices for prescription drugs in the Inflation Reduction Act.
He says it will mean less money for pharmaceutical companies to develop new drugs and therapies.
Scott argues that his plan calls for Congress to quickly renew popular programs such as Medicare and Social Security — as well as defense programs — before they have a chance to end.
“Does he think I also intend to get rid of the US Navy? Or border patrol? Or air traffic control, perhaps? It’s the fake, gotcha BS that people hate about Washington. I’ve never advocated cutting Social Security or Medicare and I never would,” Scott said.
