Duval Times

Senator Rick Scott, in collaboration with Senator Tommy Tuberville, hosted a roundtable discussion during National Police Week. The dialogue revolved around the pressing issues faced by state and local law enforcement agencies, including escalating crime rates, President Biden's immigration policies, the fentanyl crisis, sanctuary cities, recruitment challenges, and the role of the federal government as a partner.

The roundtable was attended by an array of notable figures such as former Acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Chad Wolf, Florida’s former Attorney General Pam Bondi, Senator Katie Britt, Senator Marsha Blackburn, Senator Eric Schmitt, along with local law enforcement officials.

In his address at the event, Senator Rick Scott stated: “Every day, America’s law enforcement officers are placed in dangerous situations and place their lives on the line to protect our families. Unfortunately, in Democrat-run states and cities around the country, their jobs are made even harder and more dangerous by lawless district attorneys, mayors and governors who are letting criminals off the hook while President Biden encourages an invasion at our southern border by terrorists, criminals and drug and human smugglers."

He continued to express concern over how these issues affect his home state: "While Florida is a law and order state, we are not immune to the crime and drugs coming across Biden’s open border. In the face of these challenges, I will always stand with our brave law enforcement officers." He pledged to continue fighting for tighter border security measures and provide all levels of government with resources necessary to tackle the fentanyl crisis.

Senator Scott also took pride in his recently enacted END FENTANYL Act but emphasized that efforts should not stop there. He called for collective action to restore law and order across all American communities while supporting uniformed personnel who ensure public safety every day.

Previously in the week preceding this roundtable discussion, Senator Scott had led another discussion on the fentanyl crisis affecting Florida families at Kissimmee Police Department. This discussion brought together parents personally impacted by the crisis, law enforcement representatives, and subject-matter experts.