Rick Scott blames Schumer for potential government shutdown over voting issue

During the Republican Jewish Coalition annual leadership meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada, Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) addressed the potential for a government shutdown linked to voting legislation. He criticized Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) for not allowing a vote on the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, which mandates proof of citizenship for voter registration in federal elections. Scott indicated that if the government were to shut down over this issue, it would be Schumer's responsibility. Scott mentioned that Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) is contemplating attaching the SAVE Act to a stopgap spending measure that must be approved by September 30 to prevent a government shutdown. He expressed confidence that Johnson has the necessary support in the House to move forward with this plan. The urgency of this legislation is underscored by the approaching deadline for government funding. In the context of the upcoming presidential election, Scott suggested that a shutdown over non-citizen voting would negatively impact Democrats rather than Republicans. He also took the opportunity to criticize his Democratic opponent in the Florida Senate race, Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, for her stance on illegal voting, labeling her as a socialist and accusing her of avoiding critical discussions on various issues. Additionally, Scott commented on the situation in Israel, expressing his belief that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is doing everything possible to secure the release of hostages, countering claims made by President Joe Biden. This highlights Scott's engagement with both domestic and international issues as he campaigns for a second term in the Senate.