Rick Scott amends plan to make exceptions for Social Security and Medicare

Republican Sen. Rick Scott of Florida has amended his plan to overhaul how the federal government works after Democrats, including President Biden, repeatedly invoked it to accuse Republicans of looking to cut Medicare and Social Security benefits.

Scott unveiled his original plan last year when serving as chair of the campaign committee for Senate Republicans. It called for all federal legislation to sunset in five years, and if a law is worth keeping, Congress can pass it again.

His revised plan specifies exceptions for Social Security, Medicare, national security, veterans benefits, and other essential services. The change comes as Democrats work to drive a wedge between GOP lawmakers and their base of older voters who rely on government programs for income and health insurance.