U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., has drawn heavy fire over his 11-point “Rescue America” plan with critics insisting it will raise taxes on many Americans.
Critics point to a part of Scott’s plan where the Florida Republican opened the door to having all Americans pay income taxes. Research shows a majority of U.S. citizens did not pay income tax in 2021.
“All Americans should pay some income tax to have skin in the game, even if a small amount,” Scott wrote in the plan. “Currently over half of Americans pay no income tax.”
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) quickly took aim at Scott’s proposal.
“We could not have imagined a better rollout for Florida Senator and National Republican Senate Committee Chair Rick Scott’s 2022 plan for the Republican Party. The blueprint confirmed the Republican agenda is about raising taxes on half of Americans, including seniors and retirees, and doing nothing to lower costs – a painful reminder of how out of touch Republican leaders are with America’s working families.,” the DNC noted.”This is probably not the attention Florida Senator Rick Scott was hoping to garner.”
Politico found little support for Scott’s proposal from Republicans, including those running for the U.S. Senate.
“I agree with former Missourian Sen. Rick Scott that we need a plan before we take back the Senate, and while I agree with 95 percent of it, this suggested income tax hike is ill advised,” U.S. Rep. Billy Long, R-Mo., who is running for the Senate, told Politico.“Inflation is a huge tax increase on all Americans already, so Joe Biden already beat Rick to the punch on raising taxes.
“I vote no to any income tax increase.” Long added.
Scott’s team fired back on Wednesday by showcasing the support his proposal had garnered from the Republican National Committee (RNC), Heritage Action, former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich, R-Ga., and other GOP leaders.
“Rick Scott has had a plan and implemented it his whole life,” said former Gov. Rick Perry, R-Texas. “He had a plan to make Florida one of the most competitive states in our Union. It worked. His plan to rescue America is the vision our country needs. I’m in…..are you??”
Scott also launched a new ad which will begin airing on Friday showcasing his plan.
“Great nations don’t automatically last forever. Our border’s being invaded, inflation’s raging and our shelves are empty. Crime’s rampant. Police are being killed. And God-fearing people are being silenced. I’m Rick Scott. We’ve put together a plan to rescue America after Republicans win this year. Official Washington won’t like this plan, but you will. Read it for yourself at RescueAmerica.com. I approve this message and this plan because I want my country back. How about you?” Scott says in the ad.
