Following Hurricane Milton’s catastrophic impact on communities throughout Florida, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) met with county and local officials, emergency personnel, small business owners, and members of the National Guard in Sarasota County to discuss the...
Following Hurricane Milton’s catastrophic impact on communities throughout Florida, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) met with Charlotte County emergency management personnel, local officials, and small business owners to discuss the storm’s impact and current recovery...
Following Hurricane Milton’s catastrophic landfall, Governor Ron DeSantis has requested an Expedited Major Disaster Declaration to support Florida's response and recovery efforts. U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), U.S. Representative Vern Buchanan (R-FL), and members...
Following Hurricane Milton’s catastrophic landfall in Florida, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) joined the U.S. Coast Guard to survey impacted areas across the State. Photos are courtesy of Senator Rubio’s office. Senator Rubio joins the U.S. Coast Guard for a flyover...
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio’s (R-FL) office will host in-person Mobile Office Hours next week to assist constituents with federal casework issues in their respective local communities. These office hours offer constituents who do not live close to one of Senator Rubio’s...
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...
This month, we mark National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), a tradition first started in 1945 by the U.S. Congress. NDEAM celebrates the skills and talents of workers with disabilities and their contributions to our country as part of the American workforce. Equal opportunity is a key part of the American Dream, and when workers with disabilities are empowered by their employers, it’s yet another example of what makes America great.
It’s important to remember that not all disabilities are visible. Many Americans persevere in their daily lives with a disability that usually goes unnoticed by those around them. That’s why I encourage businesses to create welcoming environments for our loved ones, friends and neighbors who have an impediment beyond their control. We should help every worker achieve their full potential, regardless of the obstacles they face. About 13 percent of Floridians live with some sort of disability, and I applaud the numerous companies in our state that collectively employ 370,000 residents with disabilities.
In the U.S. Senate, I’ve supported efforts to help people with disabilities. I voted for the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), which President Obama signed into law in July 2014. This legislation requires state vocational rehabilitation programs to set aside at least 15 percent of their federal funding to help young people with disabilities transition from secondary school to postsecondary education programs and employment.
I also cosponsored the Able Act, which was signed into law that same year. It allows individuals with disabilities to create tax-advantaged savings accounts to cover qualified disability expenses like education, housing and transportation. And I’ve been a champion for people with spinal cord injuries, annually sponsoring a resolution along with Senator Bill Nelson designating September as National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month.
I’ve also focused on disability benefits for our veterans. In addition to my efforts to improve and reform the Department of Veterans Affairs, I’ve sponsored legislation such as the Protect Our Disabled Heroes Act. It creates criminal penalties for anyone who solicits or receives a fee or compensation from a veteran for advice on how to file a benefits claim.
As your representative in the U.S. Senate, I’m proud to support National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and I will continue working to ensure people with disabilities are treated fairly and have the opportunity to pursue the American Dream. We must strive to strengthen our economy and promote policies that create more good-paying jobs for all Floridians.