Sen. Rick Scott Invites Biden to Debate Medicare and Social Security

Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) listens during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, on Jan. 25, 2023. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) invited President Joe Biden for a debate after the president insisted congressional Republicans were wanting to cut Social Security and Medicare.

“Since you can’t stop talking about me and lying to Floridians about Social Security and Medicare, I’m sure you’ll accept my invitation to debate the issue,” the senator wrote Thursday on Twitter. “I’ll be back in Florida tonight. You pick the time and place.”

The comment came amid a dispute over the characterization of Republican lawmakers’ economic proposal. On Tuesday night, Biden accused some GOPs of threatening to cut social security and Medicare in debt-limit negotiations.

“Some of my Republican friends want to take the economy hostage unless I agree to their economic plans. All of you at home should know what their plans are,” Biden said during his second State of the Union address.

“Instead of making the wealthy pay their fair share, some Republicans want Medicare and Social Security to sunset.”

The president’s claim met with jeers from the Republicans, with many sitting in the House chamber shouting backing “no.” Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) shouted, “we never said that!” while Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) stood up and yelled “liar!”

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) gives a thumbs down during President Joe Biden's State of the Union address during a joint meeting of Congress in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Feb. 7, 2023. Win McNamee/Getty Images

‘Twisting My Words’

Scott issued a statement Wednesday defending his legislative agenda and arguing Biden misrepresented it.

“In my plan, I suggested the following: All federal legislation sunsets in five years. If a law is worth keeping, Congress can pass it again,” read the statement. “This is clearly and obviously an idea aimed at dealing with ALL the crazy new laws our Congress has been passing of late.”

Scott, who later said he never wanted Medicare or Social Security to be cut, accused Biden of “twisting” his words.

“I will not be intimidated by Joe Biden twisting my words, or Chuck Schumer twisting my words—or by anyone else for that matter,” he said.

Republicans insisted that they never wanted the two popular social programs to end. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) reiterated on Wednesday, “Social Security and Medicare are off the table.” A day after Biden’s State of the Union address, House Republicans announced a proposed bill to guarantee Medicare and Social Security payments could continue even if the debt limit is reached.

‘Somewhat Outrageous’

Biden seized the opportunity to hammer his Republican opponents. Onstage at the University of Tampa on Thursday, Biden mentioned Scott by name multiple times. He even held up a pamphlet with pieces from Scott’s plan, which was distributed to the audience, and read it to roughly 100 guests.

“I reminded them that Florida’s own Rick Scott, the guy who ran the Senate Campaign Committee for Republicans last year, had a plan to sunset—maybe he’s changed his mind, maybe he’s seen the Lord—but he wanted to sunset it. Meaning if you don’t reauthorize it, it goes away,” Biden said.

“The very idea the senator from Florida wants to put Social Security and Medicare on the chopping block every five years I find to be somewhat outrageous, so outrageous that you might not even believe it. ”

President Joe Biden reads from a pamphlet by Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) while delivering remarks on his plan to protect and strengthen Social Security and Medicare, as well as lower healthcare costs, at the University of Tampa in Tampa, Fla., on Feb. 9, 2023. Mandel Ngan / AFP via Getty Images

In a likely attempt to win over voters in the deep red state, Biden vowed to defend Social Security and Medicare and will veto plans that put these benefits under threat.

“I know that a lot of Republicans—their dream is to cut Social Security and Medicare,” Biden said. “If that’s your dream, I’m your nightmare.”

Thursday’s visit to Florida is part of Biden’s post-State of the Union “blitz” to over 20 states. The two-day tour is aimed to highlight the president’s achievement in creating jobs, rebuilding the nation’s infrastructure, and tackling climate change, according to the White House.

While he had publicly said he intended to run for reelection, Biden has yet to formally announce his 2024 campaign.