U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) released a statement following the death of former Florida Governor and U.S. Senator Bob Graham. “Bob Graham was a selfless public servant, whose legacy and impact will live on. From his days in the state House to his days in the...
News
Latest News
Rubio: Investigate Shein and Temu for Slave Labor
Fast fashion retailer, Shein, and e-commerce company, Temu, have exploded in popularity despite evidence that both companies are exporting goods to the United States made with Uyghur slave labor. U.S. Senator Marco Rubio’s (R-FL) Uyghur Forced Labor...
Rubio y Kaine Aplauden Aprobación del Comité de Relaciones Exteriores de su Legislación para Imponer Sanciones a Nicaragua
Durante una reunión del Comité de Relaciones Exteriores, la Ley de Restauración de la Soberanía y los Derechos Humanos en Nicaragua, de autoría de los senadores estadounidenses Marco Rubio (R-FL) y Tim Kaine (D-VA), pasó favorablemente. El proyecto de ley bipartidista...
Rubio, Kaine Applaud Committee Passage of Nicaragua Sanctions Bill
During a Senate Committee on Foreign Relations business meeting, the Restoring Sovereignty and Human Rights in Nicaragua Act, co-led by U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Tim Kaine (D-VA), was favorably reported. The bipartisan and bicameral bill now heads to the...
Rubio, Padilla Applaud Committee Passage of MAHSA Act
During a Senate Committee on Foreign Relations business meeting, the Mahsa Amini Human Rights and Security Accountability (MAHSA) Act, co-led by U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Alex Padilla (D-CA), was favorably reported. The bipartisan and bicameral bill now...
Rubio, Colleagues Applaud Committee Passage of SHIP Act to Crack Down on Illicit Iranian Oil Trade
During a Senate Committee on Foreign Relations business meeting, the Stop Harboring Iranian Petroleum (SHIP) Act, co-led by U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and Jacky Rosen (D-NV), was favorably reported. The bipartisan and bicameral bill now...
Rubio Welcomes Senate Passage of Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2018
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) welcomed the Senate’s passage of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2018, which reauthorizes and includes several other reforms to bolster U.S. Coast Guard maritime operations and missions through Fiscal Year 2019.
Notably, the legislation contains a bipartisan compromise of the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act (VIDA), previously championed by Rubio, who served as the Chairman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee overseeing the Coast Guard during the 114th Congress. VIDA will create a national, uniform standard for regulating ballast water and other incidental discharges from vessels and exempts small commercial vessels from burdensome regulations. The Coast Guard Authorization Act now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.
“The Coast Guard plays a vital role in protecting our homeland’s security throughout our nation and across Florida’s waterways,” Rubio said. “Enacting the VIDA provision I championed will allow American vessel operators to do their jobs without burdensome regulations and bureaucratic red tape. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I look forward to securing more funding for the men and women of the Coast Guard so that we can continue to provide critical disaster relief, prevent drug smuggling and promote our national security interests.”
Bill Highlights:
- Vessel Incidental Discharge Act: Tasks the Environmental Protection Agency the authority for establishing a national, uniform standard for regulating ballast water and other incidental discharges from vessels; and gives the U.S. Coast Guard the sole authority for monitoring and enforcing such standards. Includes language exempting small commercial vessels (79 feet and under) from such regulations.
- Increases authorization levels for the U.S. Coast Guard for fiscal years 2018 ($10.1 billion) and 2019 ($10.6 billion).
- Authorizes funding for three Fast Response Cutters.
- Includes new authorities related to enhancing maritime drug and border enforcement.
- Includes a provision to transfer Coast Guard property in Jupiter Island, FL, for inclusion in the Hobe Sound Wildlife Refuge.
- Includes a provision to allow the use of a wider variety of logbooks, including electronic, and exempts ferries and certain passenger vessels from logbook requirements.
- Includes a requirement that the mandatory use of factory installed cut-off switches for recreational vessels less than 26 feet in length, without a cabin, and only when underway.
- Includes a requirement that the USCG to develop a performance standard for the alternative use and possession of distress signals, including authorizing electronic position indicating radio beacons (EPIRB) and Personal Locating Beacons (PLBs).