Republican Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) has taken steps to clarify his position on Social Security and Medicare amid vocal criticism from both Republicans and Democrats.

• Scott has formally revised his “12 Point Plan to Rescue America,” which proposed “sunsetting” all federal programmes every five years, to clarify that he never intended it to be applied to Medicare, Social Security and other essential services.
• Scott's plan, repeatedly attacked by President Biden on the midterm campaign trail last year, has served to underpin a Democrat accusation, during the current debt limit showdown, that the GOP plans to “put Social Security and Medicare on the chopping block.”
• Scott amended his plan with a note to President Biden, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) saying, "as you know, this was never intended to apply to Social Security, Medicare, or the U.S. Navy.”
• The move may blunt one of the White House’ most effective attack messages but is unlikely to force a re-write from Democrat speechwriters.
• White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said: “Make no mistake, [Scott’s] true colours are undeniable and on the record.”