Sen. Rick Scott Calls for Military Action Against Iran as Trump Issues Stark Warning

Florida Sen. Rick Scott voiced strong support for decisive U.S. action against Iran, stating that President Donald Trump may need to “bomb the living daylights out of Iran” to achieve a lasting change in the regime’s behavior and end its “death to America” posture.

Scott made the remarks while discussing the ongoing conflict with Iran, as Trump warned Tehran on Truth Social that “the clock is ticking” and urged Iran to “get moving fast, or there won’t be anything left of them.” Trump is expected to meet with top national security advisers to review potential further military operations. Scott noted that a supplemental funding bill will be required for the military regarding the war in Iran.

The senator emphasized that Trump is working to prevent a nuclear threat while also engaging Chinese President Xi Jinping on reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Scott described Xi as untrustworthy, accusing China of killing Americans with fentanyl, stealing technology, and spying. He acknowledged Trump’s efforts in the talks but expressed skepticism about meaningful change from Beijing.

On the domestic legislative front, Scott pushed for Republicans to remain in Washington and work intensely—including five-day weeks and weekends if necessary—to pass key measures before the August recess and ahead of the midterms. Priorities include funding for ICE and Border Patrol this week, improvements to FISA to prevent improper surveillance of Americans, and advancing reconciliation bills to cut government spending while funding critical needs such as Pentagon requirements and addressing fraud.

Scott pushed back on concerns about timing, arguing that a slim reconciliation bill could reach the president’s desk by June and additional legislation—including potential elements of the Save America Act—could follow if lawmakers focus. He highlighted the need to stay in session as long as required to complete the work.

The senator also addressed Florida-specific issues. He responded to Gov. Ron DeSantis’s push for a special session on a proposed constitutional amendment to reduce or eliminate property taxes, making the state more affordable. Scott expressed support for lowering or removing property taxes but stressed the importance of identifying replacement revenue sources for transportation, education, and environmental needs. He pointed to Florida’s efficient budgeting—projected at $114-115 billion—and past efforts under his governorship to reduce millage rates as property values rose. He praised a low-regulation, low-tax environment for enabling the “Florida Dream.”

Additionally, Scott discussed his introduction of the bipartisan BLAST Act, which would ban former members of Congress from lobbying after leaving office, closing the current cooling-off period loophole. “People don’t trust Congress anymore,” Scott said. He argued that the Founders did not intend for members to serve and then immediately become lobbyists, potentially for foreign interests such as China. The bill aims to restore trust in government by preventing the use of congressional relationships for lobbying.

Scott’s comments followed remarks by Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman, who opposed a government shutdown over DHS funding amid the World Cup and high migration, and California Rep. Ro Khanna, who called for a negotiated settlement to remove enriched uranium from Iran and protect economic interests including U.S. farmers, consumers, food and gas prices, and Federal Reserve rate policy. Sen. Jeff Merkley stated that Democrats are prepared to challenge any changes to the reconciliation bill intended to appease Trump.

The Senate parliamentarian previously rejected a $1 billion addition to the reconciliation bill for White House ballroom upgrades. Scott indicated openness to such projects in principle but stressed that bigger fiscal priorities must take precedence.