Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026

Floor Speech

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Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Mr. President, I call up Lee amendment No. 4234 and ask that it be reported by number.

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Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Mr. President, I would like to thank my colleague Senator Lee for working with me to stop Democrats' wasteful spending in this package and bring accountability for the American people.

Our Nation is nearly $39 trillion in debt, running $2 trillion deficits, and spending billions of dollars--up to 10 percent of our Federal spending--on fraud and abuse.

This waste is fueled, in part, by billions upon billions of wasteful earmark spending by Democrats who treat taxpayers' cash like candy. We should be looking at each dollar to make sure it is spent wisely.

I did that as Governor of Florida, and I was able to balance our budget.

Let's start by looking at one earmark, $500,000 for new immigrant community empowerment in New York City. This is an organization that serves immigrants who are here illegally. Why should the American taxpayer foot the bill to support illegals in sanctuary cities when so many American citizens are struggling themselves?

We will never get inflation under control and interest rates down until we balance the Federal budget. I ask my colleagues to support my amendment to stop wasteful spending and wasteful earmarks.

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