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Next Week: Rubio Staff Hosts Mobile Office Hours

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio’s (R-FL) office will host in-person and virtual 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...

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Rubio Habla en Maxima 92.5 de Tampa Bay

El senador estadounidense Marco Rubio (R-FL) habló con Nio Encendio de Maxima 92.5 de Tampa Bay, sobre cómo la inflación ha impactado a las familias, sobre las olas de migración ilegal, sobre el juicio político de Biden vs. el de Trump, sobre el canje de prisioneros...

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ICYMI: Rubio Joins All Things Considered

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) joined National Public Radio’s All Things Considered to discuss his plan to expand the child tax credit for working families. See below for the full transcript and listen to the edited interview here. On the connection between the child...

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ICYMI: Rubio Joins Wake Up America

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) joined Wake Up America to discuss the U.S. House of Representatives’ impeachment inquiry and the hypocritical reaction by Democrats. See below for highlights and watch the full interview on YouTube and Rumble. On the U.S. House of...

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Rubio Urges POTUS to Grant Naval Academy Football Player Waiver to Play in the NFL

Jun 20, 2021 | Press Releases

Miami, FL U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) sent a letter to President Joe Biden urging him to grant a waiver for Cameron Kinley, a recent graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, to temporarily delay his military service in order for him to pursue his dream of playing in the National Football League (NFL) for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
 
“In years past, the U.S. Department of Defense has issued many waivers to allow athletes to temporarily delay their service to our nation to pursue their professional sports dreams,” Rubio wrote. “Unfortunately, Mr. Kinley seems to be the exception, and without reason.” 
 
“Mr. Kinley is not seeking to terminate his commitment to the Navy,” Rubio continued. “He wishes to promote service to our great nation from one of the country’s largest stages. I implore you to right this wrong.”
 
The full text of the letter is below. 
 
Dear Mr. President:
 
I write to you, as our Commander in Chief, on an issue of great unfairness. A talented and patriotic young man, Cameron Kinley, recently graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, serving as president of his class. Mr. Kinley was also a captain of the Naval Academy’s football team, where he excelled, and ultimately signed as a free-agent by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In years past, the U.S. Department of Defense has issued many waivers to allow athletes to temporarily delay their service to our nation to pursue their professional sports dreams. Unfortunately, Mr. Kinley seems to be the exception, and without reason.
 
Previous administrations have enacted policies that would allow athletes from the Navy, Air Force and Army academies to delay their commissions to live out their dreams of playing a professional sport. In fact, just this year, it has been reported that four other academy graduates did receive a waiver to play in the National Football League (NFL). These athletes serve as incredible role models for our youth – service members who share a love of country on and off the field. 
 
Mr. Kinley was permitted to train and participate in a Pro Day, which was hosted at the Naval Academy. He was also allowed to attend a Rookie Minicamp with the Buccaneers. Yet, Acting Secretary Harker denied his request for deferment without cause, and will not allow for an appeal.
 
Mr. Kinley is not seeking to terminate his commitment to the Navy. Far from it. He wishes to promote service to our great nation from one of the country’s largest stages. I implore you to right this wrong. Grant Mr. Kinley’s waiver to play in the NFL, and send a message to future academy graduates that the United States is a country where Americans can follow their dreams and be true to their commitment.
 
Thank you for your prompt attention.
 
Sincerely,