A.G. Gancarski
Florida Gov. Rick Scott spent much of the last week clearing debris created by a storm that hit the Tallahassee area. This week, he turns his attention, again, to a storm not of his making.
Scott finds himself flying up to Washington, D.C. on Tuesday to address a familiar topic: the lack of federal help for the Sunshine State relative to fighting the Zika virus, which is still an issue in Florida and points far beyond.
He plans to lobby, among others, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell while in the nation’s capital.
Scott’s talking points, issued in a Jacksonville gaggle Tuesday morning ahead of the trip, were familiar: the feds aren’t doing their part relative to Zika.
Scott reminded the media Zika is an “international issue … a national issue, not just a Florida issue,” with 64 non-travel related cases in the state.
“The federal government has not been a good partner. I have a request in with the CDC right now. We need 10,000 more Zika prevention kits for pregnant women,” Scott said.
“Think about it — when we’re fighting Zika, we’re fighting for children, for babies, for pregnant women,” Scott added. “That’s where it has the biggest impact.”
Scott noted Florida is doing its part, but “the president and the Congress haven’t showed up.”
“We’re doing everything we can to not have any more cases,” Scott said.
“It’s frustrating that the federal government has not been a good partner,” the governor added, and that includes FEMA.
When asked about playing “whip for the day” by a reporter, Scott noted that “it’s frustrating that the president and the Congress haven’t figured out how to work together. In my case, whether I agree or disagree with my Legislature, I work with them to get things done.”
“The president and Congress have to come together and be a partner. The CDC needs to give us the 10,000 prevention kits for pregnant women. FEMA needs to give us a plan on how to work with them,” Scott continued.
“Whether the federal government does its part or not, the state’s going to do its part,” Scott said.
Scott noted state funding has gone to free assessments for pregnant women as a preventive measure.
Gov. Scott will be in the District for the next two days.
On Tuesday, he will meet with Sen. Marco Rubio and House Speaker Paul Ryan.
On Wednesday, he will meet with the Florida delegation and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
