Major Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall in Florida, bringing with it devastating storm surge, winds, and inland flooding. The Seminole Tribe of Florida should have access to the federal resources required for emergency response and recovery preparations on...
Major Hurricane Milton is forecasted to potentially hinder or obstruct the Port of Tampa Bay, which receives more than 40 percent of Florida’s petroleum products. It’s crucial for the federal government to expedite all requested measures to protect Florida’s economy...
Major Hurricane Milton is forecasted to impact Florida with devastating storm surge, winds, and inland flooding. After just being hit by Hurricane Helene, it’s crucial for the State of Florida to have the support of the federal government. U.S. Senators Marco Rubio...
This year marks the first anniversary of the October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks against Israel. 32 Americans died in those attacks, and four of the Americans taken hostage that day remain in captivity. U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) released a video remembering the...
Following Hurricane Helene’s catastrophic damage throughout Florida’s gulf coast, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) met with the Florida Farm Bureau as well as local agricultural producers, farmers, and growers to discuss the storm’s impact. Photos are courtesy of...
Following Hurricane Helene’s catastrophic damage throughout Florida’s Gulf Coast, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) met with local officials and volunteers from the barrier islands to discuss the storm’s impact and current recovery efforts. Photos are courtesy of...
Today marks the sixth anniversary of the devastating Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. On April 20, 2010, an explosion from the Deepwater Horizon Macondo oil well caused the largest accidental oil spill in history. The resulting 87-day flow of oil from the sea floor became a human, economic, and environmental catastrophe for the Gulf of Mexico and its bordering states, including my home state of Florida.
First and foremost, it is important that we never forget the eleven lives lost on this tragic day. I keep the families so permanently affected by this tragedy in my prayers.
In Florida, the spill occurred in the midst of the state’s busiest beach and fishing seasons. When 88,500 square miles of the Gulf were closed off to fishing, the 131,000 jobs that support the $12.8 billion a year fishing and tourism industry were negatively impacted, and small businesses that relied on the tourism and fishing dollars suffered greatly. Hotel reservations were cancelled, restaurants sat empty, and beaches remained desolate. In addition to economic devastation, the Macondo spill was also one of the worst environmental disasters our nation has ever faced. For 87 days, an estimated 4.9 million barrels of oil flowed through the habitat of over 15,000 species.
Today, the Gulf Coast and surrounding states continue to recover after this devastating event. Just this month, a federal judge approved a settlement of $20 billion between the Obama Administration and BP. I was proud to be an original cosponsor of the RESTORE Act, legislation that was ultimately enacted to ensure that the majority of this settlement money is provided to Gulf states to address the outstanding impacts of the spill on both the environment and the economy. While I believe this conclusion is fitting, it is important that the entirety of the money is issued and spent appropriately so that our state and local partners will be ready to move forward with several projects to continue restoring the Gulf Coast.
During a time of tragedy, those in the region were hopeful and proved to be resilient. In the past six years, an immense amount of progress has been made through ongoing recovery efforts. Businesses have resumed and tourism is once again flourishing.
As we reflect on the past six years, the tragedy of the Macondo oil spill will never be forgotten, and the eleven men who lost their lives will forever live on in our hearts. As a nation, we must continue to look to the future and I stand ready to assist in any way possible in the ongoing recovery efforts.