Rick Scott

Richard Scott was born in 1952 and is currently serving as the junior United States Senator from Florida. Senator Scott was elected in 2018 and his seat is up for election in 2024.

Born in Bloomington, Illinois, Scott is a graduate of the University of Missouri, Kansas City, later receiving his law degree from Southern Methodist University’s Dedman School of Law. Scott enlisted in the Navy, where he served in active duty. Scott ran for Governor of Florida in 2010. After winning in the vigorously contested Republican primary election, he won a close general election. Gov. Scott was reelected in 2014. The State of Florida has limited terms and Gov. Scott could not run for reelection in 2018, and instead ran for the Senate, defeating incumbent Bill Nelson.

Senator Scott is currently serving on the Homeland and Governmental Affairs Committee; Armed Services Committee; Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee; Budget Committee; and the Special Committee on Aging.

Below is Senator Scott’s voting record and public positions on issues important to the Jewish Community

Senator Scott opposed the Iran nuclear deal arguing that it did not ultimately stop Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons and that it was dangerous for the safety of Israel. He supported the moving of the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem and participated in the opening ceremony. As Governor, he signed legislation that countered discriminatory boycotts of Israel and argued that such boycotts are exhibits of anti-Semitism.

While governor, Scott was vocal about the threats of rising anti-Semitism and advocated for increased spending on the safety of Jewish schools. In 2019, he voted for the Strengthening America’s Middle East Security Act which, among other things, strengthened Israel’s security and allowed a state or local government to adopt measures to divest its assets from entities that boycott Israel.

Senator Scott is a cosponsor of the Anti-Semitism Awareness Act of 2019, which aims to provide for the consideration of a definition of anti-Semitism for the enforcement of Federal antidiscrimination laws concerning education programs or activities.