WASHINGTON — Outgoing Florida Gov. Rick Scott is preparing for his new role as senator, kicking off this transition process with a trip to the nation's capital Tuesday.
- Gov. Rick Scott prepares for his new role as Florida senator
- Senator-elect met with Puerto Rico Rep. Jenniffer Gonzalez
- Scott to soon have meeting with Florida Sen. Marco Rubio
The senator-elect had a jam-packed day full of meetings to prepare to take on this new challenge come January -- legislating a role much different than the job he currently holds.
“I’ve been basically a chief executive officer most of my life. This will be different," Scott said in an interview with Spectrum News.
The outgoing governor met with Puerto Rico’s sole representative in Washington, Rep. Jenniffer Gonzalez Colon, who endorsed Scott shortly after he announced his bid for Florida’s U.S. Senate seat.
The governor's outreach to Puerto Rican evacuees who resettled in Florida following Hurricane Maria became a key centerpiece of his senate campaign.
“Congresswoman Jenniffer Gonzalez Colon has become a good friend. I took eight trips to Puerto Rico after Maria to try to be helpful, and I will continue to try to be helpful," Scott said.
Making sure Puerto Rico is well represented in Congress has been a top priority for Democratic Rep. Darren Soto (D-Florida).
“I was in the Florida House and the Florida Senate when he was governor. I’m always ready to work with people, but I’m always quick to criticize if I believe our values are being compromised," Soto said.
Before every Congress officially begins, lawmakers have a chance to ask for specific committee assignments. Freshman lawmakers usually are last in line and don’t always get what they want, but Senator-elect Scott has his eye on a few possibilities.
“I’d like to be on a committee that has a positive impact on the military," Scott said. "I want to be involved where we can continue to build the economy, lower taxes, less regulations. Those are the types of committees I’d like to be on.”
The senator-elect will spend a few more days here on Capitol Hill for meetings. One notable meeting was with his soon-to-be senior senator from the state, Marco Rubio.