U.S. Senator for Florida, Marco Rubio

My Vote On The Export-Import Bank

By Senator Marco Rubio — Wed, 16 May 2012 10:00:00 EST

On Tuesday, I voted against funding the Export-Import (Ex-Im) Bank. Taxpayer money should not be used as corporate welfare. Instead, we should focus on negotiating free trade agreements with other countries to benefit all U.S. industries and businesses.

Bipartisan Group Of Senators Urge Chinese President To Guarantee Chen Guangcheng's Safety

Tue, 15 May 2012 05:30:00 EST

"We urge your government to guarantee their security and fully protect their human rights in accordance to China's international commitments."

Happy Mother's Day

Sat, 12 May 2012 11:30:00 EST

As Mother's Day approaches, Marco takes a moment to thank mothers in Florida, across America and serving overseas for the difficult and important job they do.

Teacher Appreciation Week

By Senator Marco Rubio — Fri, 11 May 2012 02:00:00 EST

As we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, my wife Jeanette and I would like to acknowledge the teachers in my family, in Florida, and around the country for their hard work and dedication to educating America's youth.

ICYMI: Senator Rubio Discusses Immigration with Laura Ingraham

Thu, 10 May 2012 06:00:00 EST

Interview with Laura Ingraham
Senator Marco Rubio
May 10, 2012
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRzbkqspQY4&feature=youtu.be

Senator Marco Rubio: “On the immigration issue one of the great injustices that’s happening in the American debate today is the idea that somehow Hispanics are in favor of illegal immigration. The enormous majority, the overwhelming majority, of Hispanics in this country are here legally. I think sixty percent of the Hispanics in this country were born here and so that’s number one. Number two is Hispanics support everything that the general population supports. Hispanics support border security. Hispanics support employment security. Hispanics support enforcing our immigration laws. These are facts. This notion that’s been created that somehow Hispanics are in favor of illegal immigration and that the way to win Hispanic votes is to support illegal immigration is not just wrong, I think it’s offensive and so I want to begin by that.

“Now, I believe that the most important thing we need to do in the illegal immigration issue that our country faces is a combination of enforce our laws and modernize our legal immigration system. We are not the anti-immigration party. We are not the anti-illegal immigration party. We are the pro-legal immigration party. We, meaning Republicans. And we need a legal immigration system that works, that honors our heritage both as a nation of immigrants and also as a nation of laws. That’s the way I think we should approach this issue.

“The Democrats have said that they’re going to make a push on the DREAM Act again this year, something that I do not support. And so I said well, if you’re going to make a push on the DREAM Act and they control the Senate, then we Republicans should figure out an alternative to your flawed approach to the DREAM Act. An alternative that tries to help kids who find themselves as victims. These are young people that came into America through no fault of their own. But how can we help them without rewarding those who have broken the law and not encouraging people to break the law in the future?

“The case that I always cite is the one in Miami of a girl who entered the United States when she was 4 years old. She was brought here by her parents. When you’re 4, you go where your parents go, even if what they’re doing is wrong. And she’s grown up here her whole life. She’s a valedictorian who’s been accepted to Dartmouth to study molecular biology and most Americans say it doesn’t feel right if she’s lived here her whole life to deport her. So what can we do to help her without rewarding illegal immigration or encouraging it in the future? And that’s what I’ve been trying to figure out. What we can do, as a response to the DREAM Act that the Democrats have offered. And we’re working on it, we’re trying to find something that, as I said, accomplishes that. Treats this in a humanitarian way but does not in any way open the door in the future for illegal immigration and doesn’t have some of the problems the DREAM Act has in it. So, it’s not going to be an easy endeavor.”

Laura Ingraham: “And your idea, again it’s just formulating, but your idea would not mean that people who are in other countries now doing everything they can to get here now illegally, so they can be the beneficiary of it, because they wouldn’t be included, is that right? People who come in now illegally?”

Rubio: “That’s right. It’s a very narrow criteria and we’re still working on it, but it would basically be people that have come here at some point in the past, at a very young age, have lived here consecutively, have no felony record, graduated from high school, are going to go to school or serve in the military, they have to finish school. And then what they would get basically is a non-immigrant visa. What I’ve tried to do is use the existing immigration system to accommodate them. You get a non-immigrant visa, which we do now for student visas and things of that nature. Then, afterwards, if you graduate, you can renew that and convert it into some sort of a work visa. And then at some point in the future, again we don’t know what that date is, that’s one of the things we’re working through, they would not have a special pathway to citizenship. They would have the same rights as anybody else in the world with a non-immigrant visa, which is the existing legal immigration system. Not a special pathway, not anything less, not anything more than legal immigration holders have.

“That’s kind of the general concept. We’re working through it. I mean, the devil is always in the details, but if that’s what the Democrats are going to push on this year, I feel like the Republicans should have an alternative.”

Ingraham: “And you believe that the Democrats are going to push this quote DREAM Act, I can’t stand the name, but DREAM Act in October to try to spike the Hispanic vote and pick a fight with Republicans, and make you look like a hater.”

Rubio: “I have no doubt about the fact that they would use this for that. In fact, one of the things that’s already been documented is that the White House – and articles have been written, two or three now – the White House has been calling in DREAM Act advocates and asking them, almost ordering them not to work with me on this issue because they have been counting on using this issue as a wedge issue in October to drive up turnout.

“I mean how do you get Hispanics that voted for you in 2008 – who now have higher unemployment, who have lost their businesses, lost their homes, and lost their jobs – how do you convince them to vote for you again? You need an issue like this.”

Ingraham: “Yeah, that people like you and Mitt Romney are haters. That’s what they’re going to use. You and Mitt Romney and people on talk radio are all haters. And this is the same tactic they always use. Senator Rubio, thank you for your analysis on all these issues. We really appreciate it.”

Rubio: “Thank you Laura.”

Rubio Discusses Student Loans On The Senate Floor

Wed, 09 May 2012 08:00:00 EST

Rubio: "The interest rate is a problem. Not having a job is a catastrophe. The interest rate could be zero, but if you don't have a job how are you going to pay it? And that's the number one issue facing these graduates, and no one is doing anything about it."

The Second Amendment Sovereignty Act

By Senator Marco Rubio — Wed, 09 May 2012 02:00:00 EST

Our Second Amendment rights are not negotiable. The Constitutional rights of Americans cannot be undermined by the UN.

Senator Rubio Statement On Student Loans Vote

Tue, 08 May 2012 05:30:00 EST

Senator Rubio released the following video statement after today's vote regarding interest rates for new subsidized Stafford college loans, which will soon double if Congress does not act:

ICYMI: Student Loans Are A Burden But It's The Lack of Jobs That Hurts America More

Tue, 08 May 2012 12:00:00 EST

"Let's take care of this student loan issue, so that we can move on to the more challenging work of reinvigorating our economy. But to do this, the president must rise above election year politics to help solve this easily solvable issue."

Military Appreciation Month

Mon, 07 May 2012 05:30:00 EST

Each May our nation celebrates Military Appreciation Month. It is a special time for us honor the men and women who have served our country. My wife Jeanette and I would like to thank all of our nation's service members and veterans for their great dedication and sacrifice.

Puerto Rico's Future

Mon, 07 May 2012 02:30:00 EST

This November, Puerto Rico will hold a plebiscite to determine its long-term status. The vote will consist of two questions.

Senator Rubio Visits Air Force Bases in the Panhandle

Fri, 04 May 2012 01:30:00 EST

This week, Senator Rubio had the privilege of touring Tyndall and Eglin Air Force Base. Below are pictures from his visits.

Rubio's Staff to Co-Host Fraud Prevention Workshops

Tue, 01 May 2012 06:30:00 EST

Washington, D.C. – This week, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio’s staff will be co-hosting fraud prevention workshops throughout Florida, in partnership with the Federal Trade Commission. Topics to be discussed include, identity theft and telemarketing; medical discount plans; charities and fundraising fraud; credit and loan offers; sweepstakes and lotteries; government grant scams and travel scams.

“The ‘Being Scam Smart’ series will help further educate Floridians on how to protect their money and identity from fraud,” said Rubio. “I encourage constituents to take advantage of the many ways my staff can help them both in Florida and during their visits to Washington.”

Workshops will be held at the following locations (please note that Rubio will not be in attendance):

Wednesday - May 2, 2012
St. John’s County
10:30am - 12:00pm EDT
Glenmoor Resort Retirement Community Clubhouse
Crichton Hall
235 Towerview Drive
St. Augustine, FL 32092

Friday - May 4, 2012
Miami-Dade County
10:30am - 12:00pm EDT
The Palace Kendall
11377 SW 84th Street
Miami, FL 33173

Palm Beach County
3:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Devonshire at PGA National
350 Devonshire Way
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418

ICYMI: Rubio Discusses Immigration Reform on "The Huckabee Report"

Tue, 01 May 2012 04:00:00 EST

Interview with Governor Mike Huckabee Senator Marco Rubio May 1, 2012

The Past & the Future of America's National Defense

By Senator Marco Rubio — Tue, 01 May 2012 12:00:01 EST

One year ago, America's persistence and bravery resulted in a moment nearly ten years in the making, the death of Osama Bin Laden. That was an especially proud day for America, one that will always be remembered for the hard work that led to that moment, the President's decision to move forward and the successful mission executed by Seal Team Six.

MEDIA ADVISORY: Rubio to Attend Series of Events in Florida Panhandle

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 05:00:00 EST

Washington, D.C. – This week, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio will participate in a series of events in the Florida Panhandle. On Tuesday, the Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce will host a constituent coffee for Rubio, where he will meet with business and community leaders. Later in the day, he will tour Tyndall Air Force Base and the Naval Surface Warfare Center. On Wednesday, Rubio will be touring both Eglin Air Force Base and Hurlburt Field. Media availabilities will be held on both days.

The following events are open to the press:

Tuesday, May 1, 2012
10:00 a.m. CDT
Constituent Coffee hosted by Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce
Wyndham Bay Point Resort
St. Andrews Ballroom
4114 Jan Cooley Drive
Panama City Beach, FL 32408

Approximately 10:50 a.m. CDT (following Constituent Coffee)
Media Availability
Wyndham Bay Point Resort
St. Andrews Ballroom
4114 Jan Cooley Drive
Panama City Beach, FL 32408

Wednesday, May 2, 2012:
12:50 p.m. CDT
Media Availability
Air Armament Museum
100 Museum Drive
Eglin AFB, FL 32542

Rubio looks to amend NLRB rules on merit pay

By Pete Kasperowicz, The Hill — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 11:30:00 EST

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), seen as a possible vice presidential candidate for GOP presidential front-runner Mitt Romney, proposed legislation on Thursday that would amend rules issued by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) that put limits on merit pay for union members.

"It is a sad day in America when no matter how hard an employee works, he or she is blocked from higher earning potential," Rubio said. "This bill fixes this arbitrary ceiling placed on these workers and allows the free market to function as it is supposed to.

"These kind of actions by the NLRB are the very root of the larger issue at hand: a board of unelected government bureaucrats dictating to businesses what employees are worth."

Keep reading here.

We Should Reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act

By Senator Marco Rubio — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 06:00:00 EST

Earlier today, I cast several votes regarding the Violence Against Women Act.

Senator Rubio Introduces Bill Allowing Employers To Award Performance-Based Raises To Union Members

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 11:30:00 EST

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) today introduced the Rewarding Achievement and Incentivizing Successful Employees (RAISE) Act, with Senators Jim DeMint (R-SC), Mike Lee (R-UT), and David Vitter (R-LA) as original co-sponsors. The RAISE Act would amend the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) Act provision that blocked employers from giving deserving employees performance-based raises or bonuses. Under the current law, 8 million Americans who are union members have capped salaries.

“It is a sad day in America when no matter how hard an employee works, he or she is blocked from higher earning potential,” said Rubio. “This bill fixes this arbitrary ceiling placed on these workers and allows the free market to function as it is supposed to. These kind of actions by the NLRB are the very root of the larger issue at hand: a board of unelected government bureaucrats dictating to businesses what employees are worth.”

This bill is the Senate version of the House Bill, H.R. 4385 introduced by Rep. Todd Rokita.