Florida Sens. Rubio and Scott vote against aid package, Democratic Senate candidate decries

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Florida Republican Sens. Marco Rubio and Rick Scott both voted against the $95.3 billion aid package – the majority of which was for Ukraine – drawing ire from the top Democratic Senate challenger in Florida, Debbie Mucarsel-Powell.

“Rick Scott voted against aid to Ukraine AGAIN,” Mucarsel-Powell said. “This should be the easiest vote but once again, Scott is putting the pro-Putin caucus before democracy and our allies. If he’s not on the side of democracy and liberty, he’s not fit to serve. It’s a disgrace.”

The legislation involved over $60 billion for Ukraine, $26.4 billion for Israel and “humanitarian” aid for Gaza and other regions, and over $8 billion for the Indo-Pacific.

Scott stated his reasoning on his “no” vote Tuesday, saying he prefers a standalone Israel aid package and opposes other provisions that could potentially help Hamas in the region.

“Without safeguards, like my Stop Taxpayer Funding of Hamas Act, which Dems blocked again today, we can’t trust Biden to stand with Israel as he appeases the radical pro-Hamas extremists in his party to get their votes,” the Florida senator said.

Rick Scott warns ‘stupid and dangerous’ American foreign aid could fuel Hamas

Rubio also scathed the aid package, calling it “legislative blackmail” for combining everything into one package.

“So if I don’t drop my demands that the President enforce our immigration laws & agree to spend billions to help bring migrants Israel, Ukraine & Taiwan do not get the help they need & TikTok won’t be banned?” Rubio said. “This is legislative blackmail & I will not vote for blackmail.”

While Rubio won reelection by nearly 20 points in 2022, Scott is up for reelection this November.

Mucarsel-Powell is his likely Democratic challenger, and recent polling suggests the race won’t be competitive.