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Miami, FL — U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) joined Fox and Friends to discuss the protests and riots in Kenosha, the Republican National Convention, recovery for small businesses in the next COVID-19 relief package, and the upcoming NFL season. See below for highlights and watch the full interview here.
On the shooting of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin:
“It’s all terrible. You never want to see anybody shot and hurt that way. I think we also need to wait to know all the facts about that incident and not jump to conclusions in one direction or another, and in the meantime I think we should all be in agreement that no one should be tolerating, celebrating, supporting, or allowing riots, or allowing these armed groups to show up, no matter what their ideology might be, because you have scenes like what you saw there last night. More people have now been killed. More people have been shot.
“It’s just a terrible toxic brew that is being allowed to continue, in city after city and it’s a terrible tragedy. I think we should all be united behind the idea that rioting and/or showing up with all these guns into the street is just not acceptable behavior. It’s only going to lead to more violence and suffering for more families.”
On partisan divide over the continued violence and unrest:
“I don’t have an answer to it other than to say that because they [Democrats] think or suspect that the ideology of some of the people that are out there doing this aligns with theirs — they don’t want to be seen as taking them on. I think there should be a consensus in this country that burning things down, attacking courthouses, shooting at police officers, rioting, arson, vandalism, none of these are appropriate responses to whatever quarrel or complaint you might have about our society.
“We’re a nation that has rule of law. We have court systems, we have a legislative process. It isn’t perfect but it is an outlet, the best outlet for litigating and fighting on these topics. What is not appropriate is for anyone, I don’t care if you’re coming from the right, left or wherever, it’s not appropriate to take to the streets and attack innocent people and burn things down and attack police officers and try to burn down a courthouse. That’s not an appropriate response and all of us should be in agreement on that.”
On the naturalization ceremony held during the RNC:
“I thought it was a very powerful moment. I think it reminded us of three things. Number one, being a citizen in this country is a tremendous blessing, one I was born into, but one that millions of people, throughout our history, have actually chosen. In fact, I find that some of the most patriotic Americans, the most appreciative Americans, the most active Americans are the ones who actually chose to be Americans because they know how valuable it is. It was also a reminder that we have a process in this country by which every year hundreds of thousands of people become citizens, and they come from every corner of the globe of every race, of every religion, ethnicity, and no other nation can say that.
“The great thing about America is American is not a race, is not a skin color, is not a religion or how your last name is pronounced. American is an identity rooted in the equality of opportunity for life, for liberty, to pursue happiness. It’s unique among the nations and the history of the world, and I hope last night was a reminder of how special that is.”
On the next COVID-19 relief package:
“We’re very close to having a bill that Republicans are prepared to move on, hopefully as early as next week. Unfortunately, right now, it appears at least that the leaders of the Democratic party in Congress, Senator Schumer and Speaker Pelosi have, at least for the moment, decided that electorally it benefits not to do them anything at all. They think the more people hurting, the more it helps them in November. I hope they’ll change their mind, I don’t think that reflects the feeling of the rank-and-file Democrats. I think if it was up to the members of the House and Senate, they would want a deal too but being held back by their congressional leaders, who I imagine are coordinating that with the Biden campaign.
“We’ve got a great plan for a second round of PPP. It’s targeted to the businesses that have been most hurt. It will allow them another shot at retaining their employees and paying these overhead costs. Unfortunately, I think if it was a bill all by itself, it would get 90 votes in the Senate. Unfortunately it’s being held up, they are not allowing it to move forward, but I’m confident if we do something, if we do a next round of assistance, PPP will be part of it, but if we don’t, we’ve got to really push hard to have it pass on its own.
“The holdup is that they don’t want any bill to move forward. They are saying we want PPP, the Democrats, Democrat leaders, but we’re not going to let you vote on it on its own. In essence, it has to be a part of something broader that includes money for state and local governments, the $3 trillion plan that they passed out of the house. They are saying it’s all, everything they want, or nothing at all and that includes nothing on PPP. I hope that will change. I hope we can get a deal. We’re ready to go on another round. we need another round, small business needs another round of PPP.”
On the upcoming football season:
“I’m looking forward to the season. I’m grateful they are going to be able to play, them and everybody else… Nothing will be normal. It’s a new normal, we have to do it as safely as possible. I do think it’s important for those kinds of things to happen to the extent that we can do it. It’s just good for everybody’s wellbeing I think, to be able to do some of these things and enjoy some of these things.”
Watch the full interview here.