{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where chamber = \"Senate\", state = \"FL\" and year = 2020 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases-es?ContentRecord_id=64671013-E220-4E46-B573-5F1D2E0668C4", "Rubio: Apoyo Los Pagos de $2000 Dlares a Los Necesitados", "2020-12-28", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sala de Prensa \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tInicio\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSala de Prensa\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSala de Prensa\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tMiami, FL  El senador estadounidense Marco Rubio (R-FL) emiti el siguiente comunicado sobre su apoyo de aumentar el monto del Pago de Alivio por el Impacto Econmico (EIP, por sus siglas en ingls) a los estadounidenses de $600 dlares a $2,000 dlares:\"Estoy de acuerdo con el presidente en que millones de familias de la clase trabajadora necesitan urgentemente ayuda adicional, razn por la cual apoyo el monto de $2,000 dlares en pagos directos a los estadounidenses que luchan durante la pandemia, Rubio dijo. Por meses, los republicanos intentaron aprobar un alivio adicional para los trabajadores, las familias y los pequeos comercios, solo para ser rechazados por los demcratas en todo momento. No podemos olvidar que hace meses la presidenta Pelosi y los demcratas rechazaron la oferta anterior de la Administracin Trump de $1,200 dlares por adulto y $1,000 dlares por nio. Afortunadamente, por fin, Pelosi deja de retener a las familias trabajadoras como sus rehenes\".Comparto la preocupacin de muchos de mis colegas sobre los efectos a largo plazo del gasto adicional, pero no podemos ignorar el hecho que millones de familias de la clase trabajadora en todo EE.UU. todava necesitan ayuda con urgencia, continu Rubio. \"El Congreso debera aprobar rpidamente una legislacin para aumentar los pagos directos a los estadounidenses a $2,000 dlares\".\"Tambin estoy listo para trabajar con mis colegas para realizar cambios muy necesarios a la Seccin 230 y tomar medidas para asegurarnos que el pueblo estadounidense pueda volver a tener confianza en nuestras elecciones\", concluy Rubio.Rubio introducir una legislacin para mantener las protecciones de la Seccin 230 para las pequeas empresas y las empresas que protegen la libertad de expresin, pero eliminar esa inmunidad general para las empresas de Big Tech que participan en ciertas actividades de moderacin, distribucin selectiva, o desarrollo de contenido.En junio del 2020, Rubio, junto a la senadora Kelly Loeffler (R-GA) y los senadores Kevin Cramer (R-ND) y Josh Hawley (R-MO) solicitaron que la Comisin Federal de Comunicaciones (FCC, por sus siglas en ingls) revisar la Seccin 230 de la Ley de Decencia en las Comunicaciones y defina claramente los criterios por los cuales las empresas pueden recibir protecciones en virtud de ese estatuto.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=2ED5EDD7-1C6B-4041-B86B-96348A28D221", "Rubio Urges Department of the Interior to Address Supply Chain Reliance on Rare Earth Minerals From China", "2020-12-28", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tMiami, FL  U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) urged U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary David Bernhardt to take action addressing China's domination of the rare earth element supply chain in response to President Trump's September 30, 2020 Executive Order, Addressing the Threat to the Domestic Supply Chain from Reliance on Critical Minerals from Foreign Adversaries.In addition to Rubio, Representatives Jason Smith (R-MO), Paul Gosar (R-AZ), David McKinley (R-WV), Chris Stewart (R-UT), and Pete Stauber (R-MN) signed the letter.The President's Executive Order rightly recognizes that the United States now imports more than 80 percent of our rare earth elements (REE) from China, a marked shift from an earlier era in which the United States produced more REE than any other nation in the world, the lawmakers wrote. The United States has some of the highest quality and abundant rare earth element deposits in the world. However, China has intentionally underpriced usable REE metals to extinguish global competition in the REE metallurgy sector. China's strategy ensures that any REE ores mined and processed in the United States, or elsewhere, must be sent to China to be made into usable metals and materials. The President's Order recognizes this dynamic, and the great harm that this dependence on China for processing capacity does to American national security and economic resilience.The full text of the letter is below.Dear Secretary Bernhardt:We write to express our shared concern about America's dangerous reliance on foreign sources for critical minerals. We welcome the President's September 30, 2020, Executive Order Addressing the Threat to the Domestic Supply Chain from Reliance on Critical Minerals from Foreign Adversaries. In particular, we welcome that Order's recognition that it is essential to address our nation's lack of capacity to turn processed rare earth oxides into usable metals and materials.The President's Executive Order rightly recognizes that the United States now imports more than 80 percent of our rare earth elements (REE) from China, a marked shift from an earlier era in which the United States produced more REE than any other nation in the world. The United States has some of the highest quality and abundant rare earth element deposits in the world. However, China has intentionally underpriced usable REE metals to extinguish global competition in the REE metallurgy sector. China's strategy ensures that any REE ores mined and processed in the United States, or elsewhere, must be sent to China to be made into usable metals and materials. The President's Order recognizes this dynamic, and the great harm that this dependence on China for processing capacity does to American national security and economic resilience.This Executive Order requires executive agencies to consider what additional strategies they may recommend to reduce the nation's dependence on foreign nations for sourcing and processing critical minerals, including REE. As you seek to comply with this requirement, we urge you to consider the benefits of providing a federal charter for a domestic Rare Earth Metallurgy Cooperative. A privately funded and managed utility could allow technology and manufacturing companies to share the burden of establishing the full spectrum of light and heavy rare earth metallurgy. As a cooperative, it could allow competing industries to work together. Moreover, it could operate on a cost-basis, thus being shielded from price manipulations by China. The cooperative could function as a utility which is available for use by non-member companies upstream and downstream the value chain.China's REE metals strategy maximizes its power and influence across the globe in several important ways: First, China can keep its own REE ore deposits in reserve while letting other nations invest in mining and processing to feed China's metals monopoly. China can also control the downstream and upstream REE supply chain. By controlling REE parts, China can force advanced manufacturing into its borders, and hijack the intellectual property of said manufacturing. Finally, China has the option of holding the world's defense and other advanced technologies hostage through its control of the REE parts supply chain.Without metallurgical capacity in the United States, other worthy and vital American-led efforts to promote mining and processing of REE may run the risk of being vulnerable to these dynamics. The combined resources of multiple, well-funded technology and manufacturing companies working together within a cooperative could provide an uninterruptible, global supply of the full spectrum of usable REE metals and materials. This is why this concept has growing legislative support in Congress.As you consider how to take meaningful action in response to the President's Executive Order, we urge you to consider the benefits and feasibility of government support for a privately funded REE metallurgical cooperative in the United States.Thank you for your attention to this important matter.Sincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=F2E570A9-9BF7-445E-B859-C2D3EF4EFD82", "English/ Espaol: Rubio: I Support $2000 Payments to Americans in Need", "2020-12-28", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tMiami, FL  U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) released the following statement regarding his support for increasing the amount of Economic Impact Payments (EIP) to Americans in need from $600 to $2,000:I agree with the President that millions of working class families are in dire need of additional relief, which is why I support $2,000 in direct payments to Americans struggling due to the pandemic, Rubio said. For months, Republicans tried to pass additional relief for workers, families, and small businesses  only to be rejected by Democrats at every turn. Remember, months ago Speaker Pelosi and Democrats rejected the Administration's previous offer of $1,200 per adult and $1,000 per child. Thankfully, she's finally stopped holding working families hostage.I share many of my colleagues' concern about the long-term effects of additional spending, but we cannot ignore the fact that millions of working class families across the nation are still in dire need of relief, Rubio continued. Congress should quickly pass legislation to increase direct payments to Americans to $2,000.I also stand ready to work with my colleagues to make much-needed changes to Section 230 and take steps to ensure the American people can once again have confidence in our elections, Rubio concluded.Rubio will introduce legislation to maintain Section 230 protections for small businesses and companies that protect free speech, but remove that blanket immunity for Big Tech companies that engage in certain moderation, selective distribution, or content development activities.In June 2020, Rubio, along with Senators Kelly Loeffler (R-GA), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), and Josh Hawley (R-MO) requested that the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) take a fresh look at Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act and clearly define the criteria for which companies can receive protections under the statute.Later that month, Rubio and Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO), along with Senators Mike Braun (R-IN), Tom Cotton (R-AR), and Kelly Loeffler (R-GA) introduced the Limiting Section 230 Immunity to Good Samaritans Act, which would prohibit Big Tech companies from receiving Section 230 immunity unless they update their terms of service to operate under a clear good faith standard and pay a $5,000 fine if they violate those terms.RUBIO: APOYO LOS PAGOS DE $2000 DLARES A LOS NECESITADOSMiami, FL  El senador estadounidense Marco Rubio (R-FL) emiti el siguiente comunicado sobre su apoyo de aumentar el monto del Pago de Alivio por el Impacto Econmico (EIP, por sus siglas en ingls) a los estadounidenses de $600 dlares a $2,000 dlares:\"Estoy de acuerdo con el presidente en que millones de familias de la clase trabajadora necesitan urgentemente ayuda adicional, razn por la cual apoyo el monto de $2,000 dlares en pagos directos a los estadounidenses que luchan durante la pandemia, Rubio dijo. Por meses, los republicanos intentaron aprobar un alivio adicional para los trabajadores, las familias y los pequeos comercios, solo para ser rechazados por los demcratas en todo momento. No podemos olvidar que hace meses la presidenta Pelosi y los demcratas rechazaron la oferta anterior de la Administracin Trump de $1,200 dlares por adulto y $1,000 dlares por nio. Afortunadamente, por fin, Pelosi deja de retener a las familias trabajadoras como sus rehenes\".Comparto la preocupacin de muchos de mis colegas sobre los efectos a largo plazo del gasto adicional, pero no podemos ignorar el hecho que millones de familias de la clase trabajadora en todo EE.UU. todava necesitan ayuda con urgencia, continu Rubio. \"El Congreso debera aprobar rpidamente una legislacin para aumentar los pagos directos a los estadounidenses a $2,000 dlares\".\"Tambin estoy listo para trabajar con mis colegas para realizar cambios muy necesarios a la Seccin 230 y tomar medidas para asegurarnos que el pueblo estadounidense pueda volver a tener confianza en nuestras elecciones\", concluy Rubio.Rubio introducir una legislacin para mantener las protecciones de la Seccin 230 para las pequeas empresas y las empresas que protegen la libertad de expresin, pero eliminar esa inmunidad general para las empresas de Big Tech que participan en ciertas actividades de moderacin, distribucin selectiva, o desarrollo de contenido.En junio del 2020, Rubio, junto a la senadora Kelly Loeffler (R-GA) y los senadores Kevin Cramer (R-ND) y Josh Hawley (R-MO) solicitaron que la Comisin Federal de Comunicaciones (FCC, por sus siglas en ingls) revisar la Seccin 230 de la Ley de Decencia en las Comunicaciones y defina claramente los criterios por los cuales las empresas pueden recibir protecciones en virtud de ese estatuto.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://dunn.house.gov/2020/12/congressman-dunn-supports-the-military-with-veto-override", "Congressman Dunn Supports the Military with Veto Override", "2020-12-24", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Neal Dunn", "D000628", "dunn.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "PANAMA CITY, FL Today, Representative Neal Dunn, M.D. (FL-02) issued the following statement ahead of a House vote to override the executive veto of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).\r\nOn Monday, the House will vote to override the executive veto of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Following doctors' advice, who are currently treating me for issues related to my existing asthma and a case of pneumonia, I will not be traveling to Washington for that vote as my recovery continues.\r\nI fully support the NDAA bill. It is one of the most critical pieces of legislation that Congress must pass each year, supporting our men and women in uniform and the defense of our nation. This year's bill further cements the rebuild of Tyndall Air Force Base and secures its missions for decades to come while supporting the future growth of Naval Support Activity Panama City. For these reasons, I would vote to override the veto if conditions allowed me to be present.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=12394498-DAA7-4B0B-98F1-1B31C5F1B0DB", "Rubio Secures Key Provisions Related to China in Year-End Funding Package", "2020-12-23", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) continued to build upon his legislative record securing critical provisions and funding related to China in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 omnibus appropriations bill. Among the provisions were language from Rubio's bipartisan and bicameral Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (S.3744) that requires the Secretary of State to determine, within 90 days after enactment, whether the persecution of Uyghurs, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, and members of other Muslim minority groups in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) constitutes atrocities. Additionally, the package included Rubio's Tibetan Policy and Support Act of 2019 (S.2539), telecommunications security funding to counter China's state-directed Huawei, and funding to counter malign Chinese influence.The 21st century will be defined by the U.S.-China relationship, and we must take action to address the imbalances in the relationship, as well as the systematic human rights abuses committed by the Chinese Communist Party, Rubio said. I am proud of the important work we've accomplished with both my Democrat and Republican colleagues, including the critical provisions that were included in the year-end funding bill, to hold the Chinese government and Communist Party accountable. Bringing reciprocity to our dealings with China and ending the crimes of the CCP is the geopolitical challenge of this century and is the responsibility of democracies worldwide. I look forward to building upon my record of enacting laws that do just that.As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Rubio secured a provision to prohibit any entity or owner of an entity in China, companies with PRC residents on the board, and FARA registrants from being eligible for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans.The FY 2021 omnibus appropriations bill also includes the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021. As Acting Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Rubio secured provisions to deter and uncover core threats from China and Russia, by identifying their corruption, influence operations, and information suppression.A detailed list of some China-related provisions is below:\r\n\r\nTibet: Includes Rubio's Tibetan Policy and Support Act of 2019 (S.2539), seeks to update and strengthen the Tibetan Policy Act of 2002 to address emerging human rights, religious freedom, and other challenges faced by the Tibetan people. The package also includes $18 million and language regarding the establishment of a U.S. consulate in Lhasa.\r\nTelecommunications Security: Fully funds the implementation of the Secure and Trusted Communications Network Act (P.L. 116-124), which provides assistance to small, rural telecommunications operators to rip and replace Huawei and ZTE components from their networks.\r\n\r\nOn October 2, Rubio led a bipartisan group of Senators in urging Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai to encourage the adoption of OpenRAN and other open and interoperable standards solutions by affected carriers as it works to implement the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act.\r\n\r\n\r\nCountering Chinese Influence Fund: Includes $300 million to combat malign Chinese influence and promote transparency and accountability in projects associated with the People's Republic of China's debt-trap diplomacy and the Belt and Road Initiative.\r\nRegional China Officers: Includes funds to support public diplomacy activities of Regional China Officers posted at United States missions overseas, following consultation with the Senate and House Committees on Appropriations.\r\nIllegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing: Creates a full-time position at the State Department to coordinate interagency action on IUU fishing, an activity of which China is the biggest offender.\r\nConfucius Institutes: Requires Department of Education disclosure of foreign gifts and contracts related to Confucius Institutes.\r\nTaiwan: Includes the Taiwan Reassurance Act, a bill that Rubio is an original cosponsor of that strengthens our relationship with Taiwan by requiring the Department of Defense to work to include Taiwan in bilateral and multilateral military exercises. It also requires a review of the Department of State's guidance on diplomatic practices with Taiwan.\r\nHigh-Risk Chinese Drones: Includes key report language on small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) security and directs the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) to regularly notify Congress on any security risks or challenges identified from any small UAS or UAS components.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=A02DB9FF-881F-42B9-8F34-89F33084A109", "WTAS: Key Rubio Provisions in COVID-19 Small Business Package Garner Praise", "2020-12-23", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tThe U.S. Chamber applauds the work of Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship Chairman Marco Rubio and Ranking Member Ben Cardin to ensure struggling small business owners obtain the funds necessary to keep their teams employed and survive the pandemic, said Tom Sullivan, Vice President for Small Business Policy, U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The small business provisions in stimulus legislation awaiting the President's signature represent a truly bipartisan effort by Senate and House small business committees. The ability to break through partisan gridlock and provide aid to America's Main Street employers bodes well for an economic recovery in the new year.Small business owners and entrepreneurs desperately need capital and certainty right now, and the funding provisions in the relief package will help many of them tap into a pool of capital that will help to maintain jobs and bolster local economies, said Karen Kerrigan, President & CEO, SBE Council. We are grateful that PPP will resume with needed changes to provide small businesses with flexibility and support, additional capital for businesses that need it, and remove some of the uncertainties around PPP like deductibility of forgiven expenses.The action taken by Congress today will keep tens of thousands of restaurants from closing in the coming months, said Tom Ben, President & CEO of the National Restaurant Association. A second round of PPP, combined with unique enhancements for the restaurant sector, will provide critical access to capital.The legislation contains many of the provisions AHLA has advocated for, including a second round of Paycheck Protection Program loans, increasing the size of PPP loans to 3.5 times payroll, and making PPP loan expenses tax-deductible, said Chip Rogers, President and CEO, American Hotel and Lodging Association. This will provide a critical lifeline for hotels and other businesses that have been decimated by the pandemic.\"For hoteliers, the most significant components in this package include a second round of PPP funding to help keep employees on payroll during the most difficult time of year, said Cecil P. Stanton, President & CEO, Asian American Hotel Owners Association. We also particularly appreciate that congressional leaders understood the unique challenges faced by hoteliers and provided an increase in the PPP loan amounts to our industry. In addition to addressing payroll challenges, this bill also includes critical banking relief to enable hoteliers to defer mortgage payments for the near term.U.S. movie theater owners today applauded the bipartisan COVID relief agreement that includes a $15 billion lifeline of grants to movie theaters, live entertainment venues, live theaters, and museums, said John Fithian, President and CEO, National Association of Theatre Owners. Theater owners are also gratified by the extension of the Paycheck Protection Program. The vast majority of small and mid-size U.S. movie theaters and their employees will have the resources to make it through to the end of that tunnel.This relief package provides important and much-needed help for America's franchise small businesses and their employees, said Robert Cresanti, President and CEO, International Franchise Association. The proposal makes additional funding available for small businesses in the hugely successful Paycheck Protection Program, while ensuring tax deductibility of PPP expenses and streamlining forgiveness for some businesses  all hugely important for franchises struggling to stay afloat.The Paycheck Protection Program will help companies [...] continue to protect the health and wellbeing of their workers as they support U.S. national security and the pandemic response, said Eric Fanning, President and CEO, Aerospace Industries Association.Most important, the measure reaffirms the original Congressional intent that employers that used Paycheck Protection Program loans to save jobs will not be forced to pay more taxes next year as a result, said Stephen E. Sandherr, Chief Executive Officer, Associated General Contractors of America.We applaud Congress for restoring vital tax treatment that family farms and other small businesses relied upon in using the Paycheck Protection Program to protect their workers' jobs, said RJ Andrus, Vice President for Legislative and Government Affairs, National Potato Council.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=0004ECB0-5468-4E16-9924-6803543C6F59", "Rubio and McCaul Call for Strengthening of Entity List Rules for SMIC", "2020-12-22", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Representative Michael McCaul (R-TX) urged Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross to strengthen rules regarding the Entity Listing for Semiconductor Manufacturing International Company (SMIC)a company with strong ties to the military of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The lawmakers expressed concern that the current rules will not effectively cut SMIC off from U.S. technology and innovation, risking our national security.SMIC is a clear threat to U.S. national security, because of its integration into the defense establishment of the PRC and its national strategy for military-civil fusion, the lawmakers wrote. We are deeply concerned that SMIC's placement on the Entity List by the Bureau of Industry and Security was done for show and parochial commercial interests at the expense of U.S. national security The SMIC Entity List rule must be rewritten immediately to close these dangerous loopholes that would allow nearly all sales to SMIC to continue without restriction and support the CCP's stated goal of military preeminence.Rubio is Cochair of the bipartisan and bicameral Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee that oversees human rights, and a member of the Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy. Representative McCaul is the Lead Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Chairman of the China Task Force.The full text of the letter is below.Dear Secretary Ross:We appreciate the Department of Commerce's designation of 77 companies, including 60 from the People's Republic of China (PRC), to its Entity List to restrict access of U.S. technology to entities that threaten our national security and foreign policy interests. However, we are deeply concerned that the rules pursuant to the Entity Listing for the Semiconductor Manufacturing International Company (SMIC) will be utterly ineffective in addressing this growing national security threat.SMIC is a clear threat to U.S. national security, because of its integration into the defense establishment of the PRC and its national strategy for military-civil fusion. These linkages are well-documented by both the Department of Defense, which identified SMIC as a Chinese Communist Party (CCP) military company earlier this month, and private sector researchers at SOS International LLC. It is in the U.S. national security interest to prohibit the transfer of goods that might support SMIC's production of semiconductors, because of the company's role in helping the CCP military's pursuit of [displacing] the United States to achieve global preeminence in the future.As written, the SMIC Entity Listing does not effectively mitigate that national security risk. By limiting the presumption of denial only to those items that are uniquely required to produce semiconductors at 10 nanometers and below, the Department of Commerce seems to be allowing SMIC access to nearly all semiconductor manufacturing equipmentundercutting the effectiveness of its nominal intent. Based on public commentary by the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, nearly 95 percent of the tools SMIC needs to make advanced semiconductor chips below 10 nanometers can be reused from older generations. In effect, SMIC will not face serious restrictions, because very few tools are uniquely capable of producing a certain chip size. Indeed, SMIC publicly stated that its designation has no material adverse effect on the company's short-term operations. Consequently, we are deeply concerned that SMIC's placement on the Entity List by the Bureau of Industry and Security was done for show and parochial commercial interests at the expense of U.S. national security.Moreover, we fully expect companies to alter their supply chains to exploit shortcomings in the de minimis and Foreign-produced Direct Product Rule (FDPR) to continue sales to SMIC despite the Entity Listing. Your department must apply the same lessons from the Huawei Entity Listing and expand the FDPR for SMIC to cover any semiconductor manufacturing equipment that is built with or incorporates any U.S.-origin technology. We must ensure that SMIC is unable to access semiconductor manufacturing equipment from any location in the world. In addition, we are confused why the Department of Commerce did not apply recent lessons in how to use these controls.Commercial considerations cannot outweigh national security obligations. The SMIC Entity List rule must be rewritten immediately to close these dangerous loopholes that would allow nearly all sales to SMIC to continue without restriction and support the CCP's stated goal of military preeminence. Specifically, Commerce must mitigate these risks by immediately amending the SMIC rule to set the threshold at 16 nanometers and replace the phrase uniquely required with capable of producing. Any subsequent undersecretary overseeing Bureau of Industry and Security will need to explain how they intend to write policy with real consequences for CCP companies.We look forward to working with you promptly to correct the problems in SMIC's placement on the Entity List to best ensure U.S. national security.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=26C31FF2-5B50-4B3A-ADC5-2AD537D04813", "Rubio Applauds Passage of Legislation to Combat Invasive Species in Conjunction With Everglades Restoration", "2020-12-22", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) applauded the passage of the Suppressing Looming Invasive Threats Harming Everglades Restoration (SLITHER) Act (S.3603), which was included in the Fiscal Year 2021 omnibus appropriations bill. The SLITHER Act authorizes and directs the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force to develop innovative technologies and approaches to identify, target, and eliminate invasive animal and plant species that threaten Everglades restoration. Native bird and mammal populations are indicators of whether Everglades restoration is effective. Invasive species, such as the Burmese python, are decimating native animal populations, obfuscating efforts to assess the success of restoration.Everglades restoration has an extraordinary impact on the State of Florida, Rubio said. Not only is the SLITHER Act a positive step forward in combating harmful species that threaten the ecological health of South Florida's ecosystem, but it will also make it easier to measure the progress of state and federal investment in Everglades restoration. I am proud that Congress has passed this legislation, and I remain committed to fighting for policies that protect, improve, and restore Florida's water quality and environment.Background on Rubio's efforts to fix Florida's water quality issues and restore the Everglades can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=33703E49-1A13-488C-8350-0B8EB8AF9281", "Rubio, Menendez, Leahy, Coons, Shaheen, Praise Passage of Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act", "2020-12-22", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) joined Senators Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Chris Coons (D-DE), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) in releasing the following statements after the passage of the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act (S.712), which was included in the Fiscal Year 2021 omnibus appropriations bill.Named in honor of former FBI agent and Floridian Robert Levinson, whose unlawful detention by the Iranian regime left him the longest held hostage in American history, the bipartisan legislation bolsters U.S. government resources to bring back Americans held hostage or unlawfully detained abroad. Levinson is presumed to have died in Iranian custody earlier this year.This bipartisan bill, named in honor of Floridian Bob Levinson, the longest held American hostage who is believed to have died while detained by the brutal regime in Tehran, strengthens our nation's resources to bring back American hostages, Rubio said. We must ensure that no American family will ever endure what the Levinson family went through. I am proud to have co-led this legislation and I look forward to it becoming law.Earlier this year, we learned that Bob Levinson, the longest-held hostage in American history, died while in Iranian custody, far from his loving family, friends and colleagues. In March 2007, after decades of service to the United States, Bob Levinson was cruelly and mysteriously taken from his family, who have spent the past 13 years tirelessly fighting for his safe return home. Their indefatigable dedication to Bob has inspired me and my colleagues over the years to pursue various legislative efforts, leading to the passage of this bill to ensure that the United States has the resources to safeguard American lives abroad and reunite hostages with their loved ones, Menendez said. I commend my colleagues for helping enact this bill, and I continue to stand with the Levinson family in the long march towards achieving justice for Bob.This bill is a fitting tribute to Bob Levinson, who gave his life for this country, and to his family who did everything humanly possible to try to save his life. Americans wrongfully imprisoned overseas deserve whatever support and assistance our government can give them. This bill, which I am very proud to have taken part in drafting, will help ensure that future victims and their families receive that help, Leahy said.The passage of this bipartisan bill is an important step in seeking justice for the unlawful detention and death of Bob Levinson, an American who was taken hostage by Iran over a decade ago and died in Iranian custody, Coons said. The Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act honors Bob by strengthening our ability to bring Americans detained abroad home safely and hold their captors accountable.Any time an American citizen is unjustly held against their will, the U.S. government must do everything in its power to bring them home. Too many lives have been taken and too many Americans remain unjustly imprisoned around the globe today, which is why our legislation is so urgently needed, Shaheen said. Our bipartisan effort reaffirms U.S. commitment to secure the freedom of Americans detained abroad and enhances diplomatic authority for the President and administration to force their release. I'm glad Congress is clearing this legislation and delivering it to the President's desk to be signed into law. This bill is a fitting tribute to Robert Levinson, an FBI agent who was detained by the Iranian regime and died in their custody. He will not be forgotten and through this legislation, we will help ensure Americans who are still unjustly held are not forgotten either. Every tool must be at our disposal to bring Americans home.The full text of the resolution is here.Timeline of Rubio's Actions in Support of Bob Levinson:\r\n\r\nJune 16, 2020: Senate approves Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-taking Accountability Act\r\nJanuary 22, 2020: Rubio leads Call for More action on American hostages in Iran\r\nMarch 12, 2019: Rubio introduces resolution marking the 12th anniversary of Bob Levinson's disappearance.\r\nMarch 7, 2019: On the 12th anniversary of Bob Levinson's disappearance in Iran, Rubio and Colleagues introduce bill to assist Americans held hostage or unlawfully detained abroad.\r\nNovember 18, 2019: Rubio renews call for Bob Levinson's immediate release\r\nMarch 9, 2018: Rubio commented on the 11th anniversary of Bob Levinson's disappearance.\r\nMarch 12, 2018: Rubio, Senator Bill Nelson, and U.S. Congressman Deutch call out Iran for denying commitment to assist with Bob Levinson's case.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=3CF1C3DC-FD1D-4ABC-AB42-10BE3E61485A", "Florida Wins Big in Year-End Spending Measure", "2020-12-22", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) released a list of provisions in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 omnibus appropriations bill that will be critical to the State of Florida in the months and years to come.Floridians are rightly frustrated by the gridlock, chaos, and partisanship in Washington, Rubio said. It took far too long for Congress to pass much-needed coronavirus relief and spending bills. But even with the dysfunction, we were able to secure dozens of critically important provisions for the State of Florida and our nation on issues ranging from small business relief and environmental protection to funding our military and combatting China.In addition to another $285 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program, which former Congressional Budget Office Director Doug Holtz-Eakin called the single most effective fiscal policy ever undertaken by the United States Government, the FY 2021 omnibus appropriations bill contained dozens of Rubio-led provisions related to China, the Western Hemisphere, our intelligence community, Florida water resources, and beyond.Critical provisions for the State of Florida in the fiscal year 2021 omnibus spending bill include:Military Readiness, Training, and Security\r\n\r\n$1.62 billion for P-8A Poseidon procurement\r\n$1.129 billion for F-35A aircraft and report language\r\n$525 million for F-35B\r\n$10 million in funding for Rapid Advanced Deposition (RAD)\r\n$73 million for Iron Dome missile defense funding\r\n$18 million for SOUTHCOM MMSV operations costs from their UFR\r\n$8.5 million for SOUTHCOM Overland Airborne ISR from their UFR\r\n$45 million for a SOF Special Tactics Ops Facility at Hurlburt Field\r\n$38 million for a SOF Combat Aircraft Parking Apron at Hurlburt Field\r\n$36 million for a ECS TEMF/Warehouse in Gainesville\r\n\r\nEnvironmental Protection and Restoration\r\n\r\n$250 million for South Florida Ecosystem Restoration (Everglades)\r\nExpedites progress on PPA North, PPA New Water, and PPA South\r\nClarifies that the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Storage Reservoir is an element of CEPP\r\nModified report language and funding increase of $1.16 million included for the South Florida Geographic Program\r\nModified report language and a funding increase of $100,000 are included for Coral Disease Health\r\nFunding increase of $1.99 million is included for the National Estuary Program\r\n$33 million for Coral Reef Conservation; including $8.5 million for Mission: Iconic Reefs\r\n\r\nSchool Safety\r\n\r\n$132 million for STOP School Violence\r\n\r\nSpace\r\n\r\n$590 million for Exploration Ground Systems, $74 million of which is for a second mobile launch platform\r\n$2.586 billion for the Space Launch System\r\n$28 million for FAA Office of Commercial Space Transportation\r\n\r\nCoast Guard\r\n\r\nAgriculture\r\n\r\n$69.5 million for APHIS's citrus health programs, including projects for Huanglongbing and support for the HLB Multi-Agency Coordination Group\r\nIncludes Rubio report language for Citrus Disease Research Program\r\nMaintains funding for ARS's Marine Aquaculture Seedstock research\r\nIncludes requested report language for Agricultural Quarantine Inspection Treatment Monitoring Fees\r\nReport language is included for the Florida Grasshopper Sparrow\r\nAllows for $200 million in payments to timber harvesting and hauling\r\n$100 million for Specialty Crop Block Grants\r\nProvides $1.5 billion for the Secretary of Agriculture to purchase food and agriculture products, including seafood.\r\nEstablishes a livestock dealer trust to benefit unpaid sellers of livestock\r\n\r\nTransportation\r\n\r\nProvides $16 billion in additional assistance through March 31, 2021. This includes $15 billion for passenger air carrier workers and $1 billion for the employees of contractors that provide ground services directly to air carriers, such as catering services or on-airport functions\r\nProvides $2 billion for passenger transportation services, such as the bus, motor coach, and passenger vessel industries\r\nProvides $2 billion for airport operations, personnel, and debt service to keep facilities open and staff on payroll through the pandemic\r\n\r\nBroadband\r\n\r\nProvides over $7 billion for connectivity-related initiatives, including broadband access for unserved Americans, telehealth programs, and telecommunication network security\r\n\r\nVirus Research\r\n\r\nIncreased funding to CDC vector-borne disease programs by $4 million\r\nZika surveillance report language included to continue the CDC's study on the long-term effects of Zika\r\nEpidemiology and Lab Capacity program funding increased $7.5 million, in line with Rubio's SMASH Act to reduce mosquito-borne diseases", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=4777B151-1919-4BDC-B6BC-BB9A464190AD", "Rubio, Schatz, Scott, Hirono Applaud Passage of Restoring Resilient Reefs Act", "2020-12-22", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) released the following statement after the Senate passed his bipartisan Restoring Resilient Reefs Act (S. 2429). First introduced in August 2019 with Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI), Rick Scott (R-FL), and Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and Representatives Darren Soto (D-FL) and Jenniffer Gonzlez-Coln (R-PR), the Restoring Resilient Reefs Act would reauthorize and modernize the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000, strengthen NOAA's Coral Reef program, and give innovative new tools and resources to the non-federal partners who are closest to the crisis in American coral reefs: states, territories, and local communities.The Coral Reef Conservation Act, which expired more than 15 years ago, was designed to promote the conservation of our nation's reefs. In recent years, the decline in the nation's coral reefs has only become more severe. The Restoring Resilient Reefs Act directs federal funding and technical assistance to states for the restoration and management of coral reef ecosystems, while incentivizing increased state and local investment in coral reef management capacity. The bill encourages innovative public-private Coral Reef Stewardship Partnerships among agencies, research centers, and community stakeholders; codifies and updates the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force; ensures that our national coral strategy is informed by a robust local stakeholder engagement process; and allows for emergency grants for coral disasters, among other measures.I saw the devastated condition of our coral reefs firsthand when touring the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, and I promised a comprehensive response, Rubio said. I am grateful the U.S. Senate came together to pass this important and bipartisan bill that will ensure federal agencies are partnering effectively with state and local governments, as well as the communities who rely on the vitality of these critical natural treasures in Florida.I urge my colleagues in the House to pass this bill, Rubio continued. We must protect and restore this integral component of the economic and ecological character of Florida, and ensure future generations will be able to enjoy this natural wonder.\"Ocean warming and acidification have pushed our corals to the brink of extinction, Schatz said. Time is running out, but we can save them if we act now. Our bill deploys federal resources to the local governments and community organizations that are in the water right now working to restore our reefs.During my eight years as Governor, Florida's annual investments to preserve the environment increased by $1 billion, Scott said. As Senator, I was proud to build on our efforts to protect our environment by joining Senator Rubio and my colleagues to introduce and pass the Restoring Resilient Reefs Act. People from across the world come to Florida because of the state's natural beauty, and I will keep working to preserve Florida's environment for generations to come.In Hawaii, healthy oceans and coral reefs are critical to our way of life, Hirono said. This bipartisan bill provides much needed resources to help our communities preserve and improve coral ecosystem health, and includes my coral reef prize competition, a provision I have introduced over the last three Congresses. I am proud that the Senate has passed our bipartisan bill and look forward to seeing this become law.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=7AB71E63-0F70-4203-801A-340CF77D818D", "Rubio and Merkley Applaud Inclusion of Their Provision to Require Administration to Determine Whether Crimes Against Uyghurs Constitute Atrocities", "2020-12-22", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) welcomed the inclusion of a critical provision in the fiscal year 2021 omnibus spending bill that requires the Secretary of State to determine, within 90 days after enactment, whether the persecution of Uyghurs, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, and members of other Muslim minority groups in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) constitutes atrocities. Similar language is also included in their bipartisan and bicameral Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (S.3744, H.R.6210).\r\nEvidence is mounting of the horrific and systematic human rights abuses and crimes against Uyghurs and other predominantly Muslim minorities by the CCP in Xinjiang, Rubio said. It is time for the U.S. government to clearly assess the evidence and issue a formal determination of the atrocities. Yesterday, the U.S. Senate took a stand in support of justice, and I hope the Trump Administration and any future administrations will be clear about the nature of these crimes and hold those responsible accountable. I also urge free nations to do the same and recognize these atrocities for what they are.\r\nThe Chinese Communist Party is committing crimes against humanity in Xinjiangand we can't stay silent in the face of those atrocities, Merkley said. You can't fix a problem without naming it, and it's a positive step that this legislation will require the U.S. government to assess this behavior for what it is. Now we must continue the fight, and do all that we can to hold the CCP accountable for its horrific actions. Forced labor, arbitrary detention, intrusive surveillance and policing, political indoctrination, and forced cultural assimilation of ethnic minorities should have no place anywhere in the world.\r\nRubio is Co-Chair of the bipartisan and bicameral Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations' Subcommittee that oversees human rights, and is a member of the Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy.\r\nMerkley is a member of the CECC, the Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations' Subcommittee that oversees multilateral institutions, and a member of the Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy.\r\n\r\nRelated:\r\n \r\n\r\nOctober 27, 2020: Rubio Joins Cornyn, Risch, Menendez and Bipartisan Colleagues In Introducing Resolution to Designate Uyghur Atrocities as Genocide\r\n\r\n\r\nOctober 17, 2019: Rubio Co-Chairs CECC Hearing Highlighting Chinese Government Atrocities in Xinjiang\r\n\r\n\r\nJuly 2, 2020: Rubio, Menendez, McGovern, Smith Lead Bipartisan, Bicameral Letter on Chinese Government Atrocities in Xinjiang\r\n\r\n\r\nMarch 12, 2020: Rubio, McGovern Lead Bipartisan, Bicameral Group Introducing Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act\r\n\r\n\r\nDecember 3, 2019: Rubio, Menendez Applaud House Passage of Senate Uyghur Bill\r\n\r\n\r\nSeptember 11, 2019: Rubio, Menendez Applaud Senate Passage of the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act\r\n\r\n\r\nMay 22, 2019: Senate Foreign Relations Committee Passes Rubio-Menendez Uyghur Human Rights Bill\r\n\r\n\r\nJanuary 17, 2019: Rubio, Menendez, Colleagues re-introduce Legislation In Response To China's Human Rights Abuses Of Uyghurs\r\n\r\n\r\nNovember 14, 2018: Rubio, Menendez, first introduce the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=7E1537A5-F952-4814-98F0-B98FC6C27E32", "Rubio Applauds Inclusion of Western Hemisphere Initiatives in Year-End Spending Measure", "2020-12-22", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) welcomed the inclusion of multiple Western Hemisphere initiatives in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 omnibus appropriations bill. As Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations' Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere and as a member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Rubio has helped secure key funding to advance economic and rural development initiatives in Latin America, as well as secured funding for the support of democracy in Cuba and Venezuela, as well as for the Office of Cuba Broadcasting (OCB). It also included Rubio's required report language on Cuba's use of foreign medical missions, which constitute a form of modern day slavery.The United States remains a reliable partner to countries facing severe challenges in our hemisphere, Rubio said. Whether by providing security assistance and training, to funding initiatives that deter violence against women and children in El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala, or continuing to support the efforts of the Office of Cuba Broadcasting and democracy programs for Venezuela and Cuba, I remain committed to leading efforts and working with my colleagues in support of a safer and more democratic region.Critical Western Hemisphere provisions, supported by Rubio, included in the Fiscal Year 2021 omnibus appropriations bill:\r\n\r\nCompact language from the Central American Women and Children Protection Act of 2019.\r\nLatin America and the Caribbean: Requires the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to expand engagement in Latin America and the Caribbean that spurs private sector investment in initiatives to increase distributed energy generation systems and expands economic opportunities with partners in the region, including with minority and women-owned businesses.\r\nUnited States-Colombia Growth Initiative: Requires the DFC CEO shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees describing and assessing the implementation and impact of the United States-Colombia Growth Initiative, including the amounts provided by the DFC and the Government of the Republic of Colombia.\r\nCuba Democracy Programs: $20 million\r\nVenezuela Democracy Programs: Provides $33 million for democracy programs for Venezuela\r\nOffice of Cuba Broadcasting: Provides $12 million for the Office of Cuba Broadcasting (OCB), and continues the authority to transfer up to $7,000,000 from USAGM's Buying Power Maintenance Account (BPMA) to help manage the cost of OCB reform.\r\n$506 million for assistance for Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama, including through the Central America Regional Security Initiative.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=92E0E927-505B-4269-BB4B-09CEBD5A4D0D", "Rubio Releases Critical Provisions for Florida in Additional COVID-19 Relief Package", "2020-12-22", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) released a list of provisions in the $900 billion COVID-19 relief package that will be critical to the State of Florida during the coronavirus pandemic. These important provisions include relief to workers, families, and small businesses impacted by the coronavirus pandemic and state and local lockdowns, including Rubio's $325 billion small business relief package that includes nearly $285 billion for a second round of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to help the hardest-hit small businesses.This past year, Americans all across the country have had their lives, jobs, and communities upended by a global pandemic that has claimed the lives of far too many, Rubio said. While I am confident that there are brighter days ahead and that Americans will persevere, it's clear that people need help right now. Although I believe Congress could have acted much sooner to provide additional relief to the American people, I am grateful that Congress was once again able to act in an overwhelmingly bipartisan manner to help workers, families, and small businesses.The package also extends a number of unemployment provisions in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act until March 14, 2021, that would otherwise expire at the end of the year. Additionally, the COVID-19 relief package includes Rubio and Senator Thom Tillis's (R-NC) American Citizen Coronavirus Relief Act (S.4071) to ensure that a U.S. citizen is eligible to receive an Economic Impact Payment (EIP) if he or she is married to a foreign national who is not currently a citizen of the United States.Critical provisions for the State of Florida in the COVID-19 relief package include:Small Businesses:\r\n\r\nPPP Second Draw:\r\n\r\nAuthorizes a second draw of PPP loans.\r\nDefines eligibility for the PPP second draw as small businesses that have no more than 300 employees and demonstrate at least a 25 percent reduction in gross revenues between comparable quarters in 2019 and 2020.\r\nEstablishes a maximum loan size of 2.5X average monthly payroll costs, up to $2 million.\r\n\r\nAllows small businesses assigned to the industry NAICS code 72 (Accommodation and Food Services) to receive PPP second draw loans equal to 3.5X average monthly payroll costs in order to help these businesses combat onerous State and local restrictions.\r\nMaintains existing expansions in eligibility for businesses assigned to the industry NAICS code 72 (Accommodation and Food Services).\r\n\r\n\r\nBorrowers receive full loan forgiveness if they spend at least 60 percent of their PPP second draw loan on payroll costs over a time period of their choosing between 8 weeks and 24 weeks.\r\nAffirms the eligibility of churches and religious organizations and prohibits a future administration from making them ineligible.\r\n\r\nPreserves the application of affiliation rules to nonprofits, which makes Planned Parenthood ineligible.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nEIDL:\r\n\r\nMitigates fraud by requiring new measures for the SBA to verify eligibility for EIDL Advance grants.\r\nAppropriates $20 million to the SBA Inspector General to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse in the Targeted EIDL Advance grant program\r\n\r\n\r\nLive Venues:\r\n\r\nCreates a $15 billion grant facility for shuttered venues, theaters, museums, and zoos.\r\nProvides enhanced verification and requires increased transparency of SBA's oversight plans to ensure funds are directly benefiting eligible entities.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nEconomic Impact Payments: Includes language from the American Citizen Coronavirus Relief Act both for eligibility of mixed-status families for the second round of Economic Impact Payments (EIPs) worth $600 per person, as well as a retroactive tax rebate for the original CARES Act of $1,200 for adults and $600 per person. Furthermore, the second round of EIPs will be the same for both adults and children, which is consistent with Rubio's Coronavirus Assistance for American Families Act.Unemployment Relief: Extends a number of unemployment provisions in the CARES Act until March 14, 2021. This includes restoring Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) payments at $300 per week on top of normal benefits; extending and phasing out Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), which covers those not eligible for normal UI benefits like the self-employed and gig workers; and extending the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program, which provides additional weeks of assistance when state unemployment runs out, as well as other extensions of CARES Act and Family First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) measures as detailed below.\r\n\r\nExtension and Phaseout for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)\r\n\r\nExtends Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) to March 14, 2021 and allows individuals receiving benefits as of March 14, 2021 to continue through April 5, 2021, as long as the individual has not reached the maximum number of weeks.\r\nIncreases the number of weeks of benefits an individual may claim from 39 to 50.\r\nProvides for appeals to be at the state level.\r\nIncludes a Rubio provision that provides states authority to waive overpayments made without fault on the part of the individual or when such repayment would violate equity and good conscience.\r\n\r\n\r\nExtension of Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC)\r\n\r\nRestores the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) supplement to all state and federal unemployment benefits at $300 per week, starting after December 26 and ending March 14, 2021.\r\n\r\n\r\nExtension and Phaseout for Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC)\r\n\r\nExtends Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) to March 14, 2021 and allows individuals receiving benefits as of March 14, 2021 to continue through April 5, 2021, as long as the individual has not reached the maximum number of weeks.\r\nIncreases the number of weeks of benefits an individual may claim through the PEUC program from 13 to 24.\r\nProvides rules for states about sequencing these benefits with other unemployment benefits.\r\n\r\n\r\nExtension of Temporary Financing of Short-Time Compensation Payments\r\n\r\nExtends through March 14, 2021 the CARES Act provision which provided temporary federal financing for state Short-Time Compensation (worksharing) programs\r\n\r\n\r\nExtension of Temporary Assistance for States with Advances\r\n\r\nExtends through March 14, 2021 accumulation of interest on federal loans states have taken in order to pay state unemployment benefits. The loans allow states with low balances in their unemployment trust funds to delay employer tax increases or other employer surcharges while the economy is struggling.\r\n\r\n\r\nExtension of Full Federal Funding of Extended Unemployment Compensation\r\n\r\nExtends through March 14, 2021 the provision in FFCRA which provided temporary full federal financing of Extended Benefits (EB) for high-unemployment states. States are normally required to pay 50 percent of the cost of EB, which is a program in permanent law.\r\n\r\n\r\nRequirement to Substantiate Employment or Self-Employment Confirm Eligibility for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)\r\n\r\nEffective January 31, 2021, requires new applicants for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) to submit documentation to substantiate employment or self-employment within 21 days, and current recipients within 90 days (instead of the current requirement to merely self-certify). Provides for such deadline to be extended when an individual has shown good cause.\r\n\r\n\r\nRequirement for States to Verify Identity of Applicants for PUA\r\n\r\nRequires states to have procedures in place to verify or validate the identity of Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) applicants, and for timely payment of benefits.\r\n\r\n\r\nReturn to Work Reporting for CARES Act Agreements\r\n\r\nRequires states to have methods in place to address situations when claimants of unemployment compensation refuse to return to work or refuse to accept an offer of suitable work without good cause.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nNutrition:\r\n\r\nIncreases SNAP's monthly benefits for 6-months and requires a report on redemption rates during the period of increased benefits.\r\nTemporarily suspends work requirements for SNAP-eligible college students while work-study programs may not be operating during the COVID emergency.\r\nProvides $100 million in FY21 for state SNAP agency administrative costs to process increased SNAP applications and implement COVID emergency measures.\r\nProvides $614 million for nutrition assistance grants to Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.\r\nProvides additional $400 million for The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP).\r\nProvides additional $13 million for Commodity Supplemental Food Program.\r\nClarifies Pandemic EBT covers each child under 6-years old in SNAP households where a local school or covered daycare has been closed or has reduced hours.\r\nPartially (55%) reimburses school food authorities and covered daycare centers for costs incurred during sudden COVID-19 emergency school closures in spring 2020.\r\nProvides additional $175 million for Older Americans Act Meals on Wheels Nutrition Services and extends certain nutrition flexibilities.\r\n\r\nHealthcare:\r\n\r\nThe relief package includes $22.5 billion for testing and contact tracing for states, localities, territories, and tribes, including a $2.5 billion set aside to improve testing in high-risk and underserved communities.\r\nProvides $19.7 billion for the Biomedical Advancement Research and Development Authority (BARDA) to produce and purchase vaccines, and $3.25 billion for the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS).\r\nThe CDC will receive $8.75 billion for vaccine distribution, including $4.5 billion for states, localities, territories, and tribes to carry out their vaccination plans.\r\nProvides $4.25 billion for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).\r\nAllocates an additional $3 billion for healthcare providers under the Provider Relief Fund.\r\nThe NIH also gets an additional $1.25 billion for COVID research.\r\nThe package extends the suspension of the 2 percent annual Medicare payment cuts to hospitals and doctors through March 31, 2021.\r\nExtends mandatory funding for community health centers, the National Health Service Corps, the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education (GME) Program, and the Special Diabetes Programs through FY23. The National Health Service Corps will receive $310 million each year for FY21-FY23. Rubio worked to secure this funding, which is an effort he led with Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) as part of the Strengthening America's Health Care Readiness Act.\r\nProvides an additional delay of the Radiation Oncology (RO) model under the Medicare program to January 1, 2022, ensuring cancer patients continue to have access to critical innovative cancer treatments such as Proton Beam Therapy. \r\nExtends Medicare coverage of immunosuppressive drugs prescribed to kidney transplant patients who solely qualified for Medicare due to End Stage Renal Disease, and it extends eligibility for these drugs beyond the 36-month coverage limit under Medicare for post-kidney transplant recipients who do not have other insurance coverage. Rubio is a cosponsor of this bill: Comprehensive Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage for Kidney Transplant Patients Act of 2020 (S.3353).\r\nDelays cuts to the Medicaid Disproportionate-Share Hospital (DSH) payments through FY23, which intended to help offset uncompensated care costs for hospitals that serve a disproportionate number of low-income and uninsured patients. ObamaCare mandated that DSH payments be cut by about $36 billion between FY21-FY25.\r\n\r\nContractor Relief Extension:\r\n\r\nExtends until March 31, 2021, section 3610 of the CARES Act, which provides relief to certain federal contractors who cannot perform work at their duty-station or telework because of the nature of their jobs due to COVID-19.\r\n\r\nThis provision has major impacts on the workforce at NASA Kennedy Space Center.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nCoronavirus Relief Fund: Extends the deadline to December 31, 2021 for spending already appropriated money. No additional flexibility or funding.Education:\r\n\r\nSchools:\r\n\r\nIncluded in the $82 billion for colleges and universities is more than $4 billion for a governors' relief fund, $54.3 billion for public K-12 schools, $2.5 billion for Emergency Assistance to nonpublic schools, and nearly $23 billion for a higher education fund.\r\n\r\nSeparately, the child care sector will receive about $10 billion in emergency cash.\r\n$250 million has been allocated to Head Start programs to address additional costs related to COVID-19.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nHigher education: The legislation includes a bipartisan agreement to forgive nearly $1.3 billion in federal loans to historically Black colleges and universities, deliver Pell grants to incarcerated students after a 26-year ban, and simplify financial aid forms.\r\n\r\nTransportation:\r\n\r\nProvides $16 billion in additional assistance through March 31, 2021.\r\n\r\nThis includes $15 billion for passenger air carrier workers and $1 billion for the employees of contractors that provide ground services directly to air carriers, such as catering services or on-airport functions.\r\n\r\n\r\n$2 billion for passenger transportation services, such as the bus, motor coach, and passenger vessel industries.\r\n$2 billion for airport operations, personnel, and debt service to keep facilities open and staff on payroll through the pandemic.\r\n$10 billion for highways including $9.8 billion for Surface Transportation Block Grants.\r\n$14 billion for Transit Infrastructure Grants to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus, including $13.3 billion for grants to urbanized areas and $679 million for grants to non-urbanized areas.\r\n\r\nAgriculture:\r\n\r\nProvides $11.18 billion for COVID-related assistance to support agricultural producers, growers, processors, specialty crops, non-specialty crops, dairy, livestock, poultry, and contract livestock and poultry producers and other purposes. Within this amount notable items include:\r\nProvides supplemental assistance to price trigger crops and flat rate crops of $20 per acre.\r\nDirects the Secretary to make payments to producers for losses incurred due to the depopulation of livestock and poultry due to insufficient processing access.\r\nProvides support for cattle producers.\r\nProvides $1 billion for contract growers of livestock and poultry to cover losses.\r\nProvides $20 million for animal disease prevention and response capacity.\r\nAssists domestic users of upland cotton and extra-long staple cotton and allows for support to processors for losses of crops due to insufficient processing access.\r\nProvides $1.5 billion for the Secretary to purchase food and agriculture products, including seafood, and to purchase and distribute agriculture products including fresh dairy, produce and meat products through NGOs\r\nProvides for grants and loans to small or mid-sized food processors or distributors, seafood processing facilities and processing vessels, farmers markets, producers, or other organizations to respond to COVID-19 and protect workers.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=A66A0A1A-C6EF-46AA-8270-C7C6EED45A5E", "Rubio Secures Record Everglades Funding, Critical Water Projects in Spending Bill", "2020-12-22", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) released the following statement after Congress agreed to appropriate $250 million for South Florida Ecosystem Restoration, which funds a suite of Everglades projects, including the Central Everglades Planning Project, in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 omnibus appropriations bill. Rubio, a member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, previously secured $200 million in FY 2020 federal appropriations for Everglades restoration, a three-fold increase from the previous fiscal year.    After decades of delays and underfunding, it is clear there is now an overwhelming bipartisan commitment to restoring our nation's Everglades, Rubio said. I am grateful to the President, the Governor, and all my colleagues in the House and Senate for their tireless efforts, and I look forward to working to further advance restoration efforts in the months and years to come so we can finally deliver on these long overdue promises of a healthy, thriving ecosystem in Florida.    The FY 2021 omnibus appropriations bill also includes the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). Rubio secured numerous key provisions in WRDA 2020, including authorization and funding for critical U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects related to Everglades restoration, beach renourishment, flood control, and environmental protection.    Not only does this bill authorize a number of projects that will benefit Florida, but it includes language to fix the bureaucratic mess that has caused unnecessary delays to the construction of the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Storage Reservoir, Rubio continued. The EAA reservoir is a critical piece of infrastructure that will move Everglades restoration forward and reduce the threat that harmful discharges from Lake Okeechobee pose to our coastal communities. Overall, the Water Resources Development Act takes significant steps to improve Florida's ecosystems, ports, flood-prevention infrastructure, reservoirs, and water systems.    A detailed list of Florida-related WRDA 2020 authorization is below:  \r\nProject Modifications\r\n \r\nEAA Reservoir  Clarifies that the EAA Reservoir is part of Central Everglades Planning Project (CEPP) and authorizes the Secretary to carry out the project at the full amount of $4,362,091,000.\r\nCharlotte County, Florida  Authorizes the Secretary to review Charlotte County's proposed modification of the wastewater infrastructure.\r\n \r\nProject Authorizations\r\n \r\nCERP, Loxahatchee River Watershed Restoration Project, Martin and Palm Beach Counties  ecosystem restoration\r\nCaloosahatchee River West Basin Storage Reservoir (C-43 WBSR)  ecosystem restoration\r\nC-111 South Dade  flood risk management and ecosystem restoration\r\nFort Pierce, St. Lucie County  hurricane and storm damage reduction\r\nHarmful Algal Bloom Demonstration Program  Authorizes the Secretary to conduct a $25 million demonstration program to determine causes and develop effective monitoring, prevention, and response actions related to HABs associated with Corps projects in eight regions, including Lake Okeechobee.\r\nShingle Creek and Kissimmee River, Osceola County  Authorizes a feasibility study for a project for ecosystem restoration and water storage.\r\nSt. Johns River and Lake Jesup  Authorizes a feasibility study for a project for ecosystem restoration.\r\nLake Okeechobee Regulation Schedule  Directs the Corps to evaluate the implications of prohibiting releases to the St. Lucie River and Indian River Lagoon on the operation of the Lake.\r\nMiami River  Deauthorizes 1,000 linear feet at the upstream end of the project for navigation.\r\nJulian Keen, Jr. Lock and Dam, Moore Haven  Renames the lock and dam at Moore Haven, Florida, as the Julian Keen, Jr. Lock and Dam in honor of a fallen FWC officer.\r\n \r\nPolicy Improvements\r\n \r\nSouth Atlantic Coastal Study  Requires annual state-by-state reporting on the South Atlantic Coastal Study to Congress. Senator Rubio authored this study in 2016, with full funding in 2018, which requires the Army Corps of Engineers to study Florida's coast and offer recommendations to better protect our coasts.\r\nCERP Project Deauthorization Exclusion  Excludes eligibility of CERP projects from inclusion on the Secretary's proposed deauthorization list to protect them from premature deauthorization.\r\nNon-Federal Project Implementation Pilot Program  Reauthorizes the pilot program for non-Federal project implementation and clarifies the eligibility of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan projects for the pilot program, which is an important step toward allowing Florida's outstanding local sponsors of projects to assume responsibility for a wider range of work.\r\nHarbor Maintenance Trust Fund  Unlocks the appropriation of additional funds for harbor maintenance needs from the current $10 billion balance in Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF), as well as makes changes to better meet the needs of donor and energy-transfer ports like Port Miami and Port Everglades.\r\n \r\nProject Deauthorizations\r\n \r\nBig Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation  Deauthorizes the Big Cypress Critical Project.\r\nTaylor Creek Reservoir and Levee L-73 (Section 1), Upper St. Johns River Basin  Deauthorizes the Taylor Creek Reservoir and Section 1 of the L-73 Levee within the Upper St. Johns River Basin, Florida.\r\n \r\nExpedited Project Documents  Congress urges the expedited completion of ongoing feasibility studies for:\r\n \r\nLake Okeechobee Watershed Restoration Project (LOWRP)\r\nWestern Everglades Restoration Project (WERP)", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=C349109B-9EFF-4964-AA42-FD2F6DEA05FC", "Rubio Applauds House Passage of Bill to Extend Bankruptcy Judgeships", "2020-12-22", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) applauded the House passage of legislation to extend 25 temporary bankruptcy judgeships across the country  including two in Florida  for five years. Rubio joined Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Chris Coons (D-DE) in introducing the bill earlier this month. The bill previously passed in the Senate on December 9, 2020, and it will now head to the President for signature.In addition to Rubio, Coons, and Graham, Senators Tom Carper (D-DE), Ben Cardin (D-MD), and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) cosponsored the legislation.As America's businesses struggle with the challenges of operating during the COVID-19 pandemic, the ability for businesses to efficiently reorganize in bankruptcy is critical, Rubio said. Any obstacle to resolving these cases is an undue burden for both our judicial system and businesses. This legislation ensures that our courts have the resources necessary to manage these critical caseloads.This legislation will better equip our bankruptcy system, helping courts, businesses and consumers by allowing these cases to be addressed in a timely manner, Graham said. I'm glad to see these important changes passed into law.Businesses and individuals are facing profound financial stress as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and this bipartisan bill will ensure they can go through bankruptcy efficiently, Coons said. When they can't, jobs and revenue are lost. Delaware has earned its reputation for having one of the most highly regarded bankruptcy courts in the country, and this law ensures that our court has the resources it will need to manage pressing caseloads and provide relief to businesses and employees.In these challenging times, our legal system shouldn't be another source of uncertainty for businesses and workers, Carper said. This common-sense bill will ensure our courts including those in Delaware, have the adequate resources to fairly and expeditiously process bankruptcy cases. Specifically, this bill will maintain the number of judgeships in Delaware's bankruptcy courts, which remain some of the busiest and handle some of the important cases in our country. I thank Senator Coons for his leadership in bringing Republicans and Democrats together to pass this important piece of legislation.This legislation will ensure that Marylanders have continuing access to our bankruptcy courts during the ongoing pandemic, Cardin said. Congress must provide our courts with the judges and resources they need to serve Maryland companies, employees, and individuals who have been impacted by severe economic challenges.The COVID-19 pandemic has put an enormous strain on American businesses and the economy, Blackburn said. As we fight to preserve lives, we must also take steps to protect our livelihoods. This legislation will ensure that our bankruptcy courts can provide relief to American businesses and employees to get them back on their feet.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=E72EBBDC-9F6F-46AA-9427-63AD6A679C51", "Rubio, Cardin, Risch, Feinstein Welcome Passage of Their Bipartisan Bill in Support of Tibet", "2020-12-22", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Jim Risch (R-ID), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), welcomed the passage of their bipartisan Tibetan Policy and Support Act of 2019 (S.2539). The legislation, included in the fiscal year 2021 omnibus spending bill, seeks to update and strengthen the Tibetan Policy Act of 2002 to address emerging human rights, religious freedom, and other challenges faced by the Tibetan people. Representative Jim McGovern (D-MA) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives (H.R. 4331).\r\nRubio is Co-Chair of the bipartisan and bicameral Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations' Subcommittee that oversees human rights, and is a member of the Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy.\r\nPassage of the Tibetan Policy and Support Act sends an important message that the United States stands with the Tibetan people and against any effort by the Chinese Communist Party to interfere with the religious process of identifying Tibetan Buddhist leaders, such as the Dalai Lama, Rubio said. We must continue to shine a light on the grave assaults against the Tibetan people's religion, culture, and language by the Chinese Communist government, both inside Tibet and outside the PRC. I applaud the passage of this bipartisan legislation and urge the State Department to use the tools it provides to address escalating human rights abuses in Tibet.\r\nBipartisan passage of the Tibet Policy and Support Act sends a strong message to Chinese officials that the U.S. will not stay silent in the face of inference in the Tibetan Buddhist practices, including the deeply spiritual process of selecting the next Dalai Lama. Such actions will be met with consequences, such as the possibility of targeted Global Magnitsky sanctions, Cardin said. Congress stands united in its support for the human rights, religious freedom and genuine autonomy of the Tibetan people.\r\nWe have come together with one voice by passing the Tibetan Policy and Support Act, Risch said. I have long supported the rights and freedoms of the people of Tibet. I am particularly proud that this legislation reaffirms U.S. efforts to ensure that the next Dalai Lama is appointed solely by the Tibetan Buddhist faith community without interference from the Chinese Communist Party.\r\nI'm very pleased that our bill to update the Tibet Policy Act will soon become law, Feinstein said. It addresses the worsening human rights conditions and limitations on religious freedom in Tibet as well as China's efforts to intrude on matters best left to the Tibetan people. I thank Senator Rubio for his partnership on this bill and hope it brings about positive change for the Tibetan people.\r\nRelated:", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://posey.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=396854", "Rep. Poseys Statement on His Vote Against the $2.3 Trillion Omnibus Bill", "2020-12-21", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Bill Posey", "P000599", "posey.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Posey's Statement on the $2.3 Trillion Omnibus Bill\r\n                    \r\n                    \r\n                        \r\n                    \n\r\n                    \r\n                    \r\n                    \r\n                    \r\n                        \r\n                            Washington,\r\n                            December 21, 2020-\r\n                        Congressman Bill Posey (R-Rockledge) released the following statement regarding his vote against the 5,500-page, $2.3 trillion omnibus bill:\r\n\r\n\r\n    \r\n        \r\n            \r\n        \r\n    \r\n\r\nTonight, the House considered two bills comprising over 5,500 pages of spending totaling $2.3 trillion, all of which was made public just four hours before the 1.1 million word bill was put to a vote on the House floor with little time to read the legislation. Congressional leaders put off what could have been done months earlier, instead waiting until the eleventh hour to bring forward important legislation to fund our government and provide economic relief that was saddled with thousands of pages in unrelated legislation. I'm pleased that there are some very good provisions in the bills  including provisions I have voted for previous COVID relief bills - like the approval of additional relief to those suffering the economic and health effects of COVID, as well as the additional unemployment benefits.\r\n\r\nHowever, the real process of negotiating this legislation should have taken place long ago on the House floor through spirited, transparent debate and votes on amendments from both sides of the aisle, not written behind closed doors by a handful of people. We must end the practice that allows a small number of people in a back room to rewrite the laws of this nation and spend trillions of dollars with no transparency or oversight.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases-es?ContentRecord_id=8EBD495A-31C0-4A9A-99AD-6E3D79D8570D", "Rubio, Tillis Aplauden Correccin del CARES Act Para Permitirle Cheques de Estmulo a Ciudadanos de EE. UU.", "2020-12-21", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. Los senadores estadounidenses Marco Rubio (R-FL) y Thom Tillis (R-NC) aplaudieron la inclusin de su legislacin, La Ley de Alivio al Ciudadano Americano por el Coronavirus (S.4071), en el paquete de ayuda federal por el coronavirus. Esta medida asegurar que un ciudadano de EE.UU. sea elegible para recibir un Pago de Alivio por el Impacto Econmico (EIP, por sus siglas en ingls) si l o ella est casado con un extranjero que actualmente no es un ciudadano de EE.UU. Esta inclusin se aplicar retroactivamente como una devolucin de impuestos reembolsable y la elegibilidad tambin se incluye para la prxima ronda de cheques de estmulo econmico. A principios de este ao, durante una entrevista con Telemundo Network, el senador Rubio expres su inters en remediar esta inelegibilidad en la Ley CARES.\r\n\"Arreglar la provisin que le negaba a algunos ciudadanos de EE.UU. elegibles para recibir un cheque de estmulo econmico bajo la Ley CARES era una omisin que tena que ser corregida\", Rubio dijo. \"Ningn americano tuvo que ser bloqueado de recibir asistencia federal durante la pandemia global del COVID. Le agradezco al senador Tillis y a mis otros colegas en el senado por su liderazgo para lograr que esto fuese una realidad\".\r\nRelacionado:", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=8F002DEB-E4E9-49F3-9BAD-CE8930C384E0", "Rubio, Warner Applaud Passage of Intelligence Authorization Act in COVID-19 Package", "2020-12-21", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWashington, D.C.  Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Acting Chairman Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Vice Chairman Mark Warner (D-VA) applauded the upcoming passage of the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (IAA) as part of the bipartisan, targeted COVID-19 relief package. The bill, which was approved by the Committee on a bipartisan 14 - 1 vote on June 8, 2020 and passed the Senate on July 23, 2020 as part of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 National Defense Authorization Act, authorizes funding, provides legal authorities, and enhances Congressional oversight for the U.S. Intelligence Community.Recent events make it all too clear that our nation continues to face ever-expanding threats from hostile foreign actors, including China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, Rubio said. It is vital that our Intelligence Community has the necessary resources, authorities, and personnel to protect America's national security, and the Senate Intelligence Committee's strong, bipartisan legislation does just that. Our bill also increases government efficiency and represents comprehensive Congressional oversight to ensure that these tools are executed responsibly and cost-effectively.I am happy to say that the Intelligence Authorization Act (IAA) for Fiscal Year 2021 was included in the compromise legislation. The IAA ensures that the women and men of America's Intelligence Community have the tools and resources they need to keep our country safe, and to ensure that decision makers are presented with the best intelligence, regardless of fear or favor. Passage of the IAA also ensures that Congress fulfills its mission of providing robust oversight of the nation's intelligence agencies. This bipartisan bill includes key measures to improve our national security and America's technological edge, Warner said.Background:The IAA for Fiscal Year 2021 ensures that the Intelligence Community can continue its critical work for our country while Congress continues its oversight, including in the following key areas:\r\n\r\nDeterring and uncovering core threats from China and Russia, by identifying their corruption, influence operations, and information suppression;\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nCountering our adversaries' attempts to compromise telecommunications and cybersecurity technology, and requiring complex, extensive assessments of our current critical technologies and their supply chains;\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nStrengthening open source intelligence capabilities for improved collection and analysis across the entire Intelligence Community;\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nEnhancing recruitment and hiring for our Intelligence Community, by giving the agencies the resources and tools they need to advance their talented workforce that protects our nation day in and day out; and\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nEnsuring accountability and integrity from our Intelligence Community agencies, which undertake our most sensitive intelligence programs and activities.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=CFFE9FDB-3448-4349-8E05-1FC37C1FB367", "English/Espaol: Rubio, Tillis Applaud CARES Act Fix to Allow Stimulus Money for U.S. Citizens", "2020-12-21", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) applauded the inclusion of their legislation, The American Citizen Coronavirus Relief Act (S.4071), in the coronavirus relief package. This measure will ensure that a U.S. citizen is eligible to receive an Economic Impact Payment (EIP) if he or she is married to a foreign national who is not currently a citizen of the United States. This inclusion will apply retroactively as a refundable tax rebate and eligibility is also included for the next round of EIPs. Earlier this year, during an interview with Telemundo Network, Senator Rubio expressed his interest in remedying this ineligibility under the CARES Act.\r\n\"Fixing the provision that denied some eligible American citizens from receiving a federal stimulus check under the CARES Act was an oversight that needed correction, Rubio said. No American should have been blocked from receiving federal assistance during a global pandemic because of who they married. I thank Senator Tillis and my other Senate colleagues for their leadership in getting this across the finish line.\r\nEvery eligible American citizen should receive the direct economic stimulus payment from the CARES Act and this new COVID-19 relief package as we continue to battle this pandemic, Tillis said. I am proud this bipartisan legislation to fix this oversight will become law so hard-working North Carolinians receive the stimulus payment they deserve.\r\nRelated:\r\n\r\nRUBIO, TILLIS APLAUDEN CORRECCIN DEL CARES ACT PARA PERMITIRLE CHEQUES DE ESTMULO A CIUDADANOS DE EE. UU.\r\nWashington, D.C. Los senadores estadounidenses Marco Rubio (R-FL) y Thom Tillis (R-NC) aplaudieron la inclusin de su legislacin, La Ley de Alivio al Ciudadano Americano por el Coronavirus (S.4071), en el paquete de ayuda federal por el coronavirus. Esta medida asegurar que un ciudadano de EE.UU. sea elegible para recibir un Pago de Alivio por el Impacto Econmico (EIP, por sus siglas en ingls) si l o ella est casado con un extranjero que actualmente no es un ciudadano de EE.UU. Esta inclusin se aplicar retroactivamente como una devolucin de impuestos reembolsable y la elegibilidad tambin se incluye para la prxima ronda de cheques de estmulo econmico. A principios de este ao, durante una entrevista con Telemundo Network, el senador Rubio expres su inters en remediar esta inelegibilidad en la Ley CARES.\r\n\"Arreglar la provisin que le negaba a algunos ciudadanos de EE.UU. elegibles para recibir un cheque de estmulo econmico bajo la Ley CARES era una omisin que tena que ser corregida\", Rubio dijo. \"Ningn americano tuvo que ser bloqueado de recibir asistencia federal durante la pandemia global del COVID. Le agradezco al senador Tillis y a mis otros colegas en el senado por su liderazgo para lograr que esto fuese una realidad\".\r\nRelacionado:", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=DA23B5EB-A1F8-4740-AD86-7896C9B58786", "Chairman Rubio: Help Is Finally on the Way", "2020-12-21", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, applauded the agreement of a $325 billion small business relief package, which includes nearly $285 billion for a second round of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to help the hardest-hit small businesses. The package includes a higher PPP forgivable loan calculation for restaurants, hotels, and other businesses in related services, and increased assistance for live venues in order to aid industries that have been severely impacted by state and local restrictions. The legislation also includes enhancements and a direct infusion of working capital in SBA's lending programs, PPP set-asides for the smallest businesses and community lenders, and extension of debt forbearance in order to help minority-owned and underserved borrowers access grants and the working capital they need.Last week, former Congressional Budget Office Director Doug Holtz-Eakin called PPP the single most effective fiscal policy ever undertaken by the United States Government.A summary can be found here. A section by section can be found here.To all of the small business owners who have worked hard to make ends meet and to all the employees left in limbo: help is finally on the way, Chairman Rubio said. The Paycheck Protection Program was the single most effective relief program passed by Congress, and I am proud that this legislation will provide enough funds for a second round of PPP and additional relief measures to help the hardest-hit and underserved small businesses weather the second, and hopefully last, wave.Importantly, this package includes targeted assistance to aid restaurants and live venues who have been devastated by the impacts of the pandemic and state and local lockdowns, Chairman Rubio continued. Even though the days of 2020 are numbered and the vaccine distribution is beginning, we know that the economic devastation of the pandemic is ongoing and will continue into the new year. That is why I have been urging Democratic congressional leadership to pass bipartisan small business relief since the summer. I appreciated working with my colleagues, Ranking Member Cardin, Chairwoman Velzquez, and Ranking Member Chabot on this bipartisan, bicameral effort to save America's small businesses.This $325 billion title would provide additional assistance to the hardest-hit small businesses, nonprofits, and venues that are struggling to recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The title would provide funding for a second round of forgivable loans through the Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses and nonprofits experiencing significant revenue loss, make programmatic improvements to PPP, fund grants to shuttered venues, and enact emergency enhancements to other SBA lending programs. It would also simplify the PPP forgiveness process for loans under $150,000, including not requiring extraneous documentation for loan forgiveness when the borrower submits its one-page attestation form. Documents would only be required by the lender or SBA in the event of an audit or investigation. This critical assistance will provide small business owners with the capital they need to survive an impending second wave of the pandemic, including critical resources for the smallest businesses.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://demings.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-demings-supports-new-covid-relief", "Rep. Demings Supports New COVID Relief", "2020-12-21", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "FL", "Val Demings", "D000627", "demings.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "ORLANDO, FL  Today Rep. Demings will vote for new emergency COVID-19 relief legislation for struggling Americans, small businesses and communities. A summary is below.\nSaid Rep. Demings, Today's COVID relief deal is long-overdue and much-needed. Americans are desperate for financial assistance, and hospitals and communities need immediate support. We have been fighting for additional COVID relief since March, only to see it delayed and reduced over and over by the Senate. $600 per American is important, but it won't cover rent or other major expenses. I am voting for this relief in the hopes that it can provide a short-term aid to struggling Americans, but I strongly believe that we must do more, and soon.\nSince last spring, House Democrats have offered multiple deals and compromises to get more assistance into the bank accounts of struggling families and small businesses. Our efforts have been denied at every turn, and the American people have paid the costs. Even in recent weeks, multiple bipartisan deals were torpedoed by Senate Republicans seeking to undermine President-Elect Biden's work to help our economy recover. It is impossible to justify why our Republican colleagues refused over and over to give help to people in crisis. As we move into the new year, I pray that they will remember why they are here: to help people, especially during times of crisis.\nBackground\nIn addition to the fiscal year 2021 appropriations bills, the spending package contains $900 billion in emergency coronavirus relief to protect the lives and livelihoods of the American people. Among its provisions, the bill provides:\n Funding to distribute safe vaccines to crush the virus;\n\t$13 billion in increased SNAP and child nutrition benefits to help relieve the COVID hunger crisis;\n\tA new round of direct payments worth up to $600 per adult and child;\n\tExtends the eviction moratorium through January 31 and provides $25 billion in rental assistance;\n\tA $300 per week UI enhancement for Americans out of work;\n\t$82 billion in funding for colleges and schools and $10 billion for child care assistance to help get parents back to work and keep child care providers open;\n\tAn additional $3.36 billion for GAVI, the international vaccine alliance.\n In addition, the legislation funds the ongoing operation of the federal government, including several priorities on which Rep. Demings has led:\n $386 million for the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Program\n\t$132 million for the STOP School Violence Act\n\t$85 million for grants to improve the NICS firearms background check system.\n\tItems related to MCO:\n\t\t$100 million for TSA scanning equipment\n\t\t\tFully funds the Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response teams (VIPR); staffing at exit lanes; and the Law Enforcement Officer reimbursement program.\n\t\t\t$30 million for reimbursements to airports for legacy purchases of in-line explosive detection systems.\n\t\t\n\t$705 million for the Urban Areas Security Initiative, which has funded security projects in Orlando since 2018.\n One-page fact sheets on critical Democratic priorities included among the appropriations provisions, the coronavirus relief provisions, and the authorizing matters arehere,here, andhererespectively.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://gaetz.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-matt-gaetz-issues-statement-following-house-omnibus-legislation", "Congressman Matt Gaetz Issues Statement Following Stimulus Package and Omnibus Bill House Votes", "2020-12-21", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Matt Gaetz", "G000578", "gaetz.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. Today, US Congressman Matt Gaetz (FL-01) issued the following statement in response to the US House of Representatives' passage ofa government funding bill for fiscal year 2021 and a COVID-19 reliefpackage:\n\n\"Democrats quietly acknowledged the outlandish provisions in their omnibus legislation tonight by splitting their original legislation into two separate votes. I voted yes on the half of the bill which funds our military and provides a pay raise for the brave men and women who serve America. I voted no on the second half of the spending bill, which provides windfalls to corporate special interests, while simultaneously shortchanging American citizens .\n\nWhile the Defense/Homeland Security/CJS/FSGG bill is not perfect, it provides crucial support for our servicemembers, and it gives America's armed forces the tools they need to succeed, both now and in the future. It also did not place arbitrary and unfair limits on the President's authority to withdraw troops  and to draw down endless, unconstitutional wars.\n\nThe other half of the Democrats' bill, however, denies a simple truth  no amount of government-sponsored generational theft will do our people better than an open economy. It continues to subsidize the heartless, reactionary lockdown ideology of Speaker Pelosi and Leader Schumer's political allies.\n\nAmerica's struggling workers should be prioritized over gender-specific programs in Pakistan or anti-narcotics programs in Bruma, or money for Ukraine (all of which are funded in this bill). It doubles down on many failed Democrat policies, giving special interests billions of dollars in perks, while giving our fellow Americans a paltry payment of only $600. America deserves better than this swamp sludge,\"Congressman Gaetz said.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/covid-relief-bill-includes-diaz-balart-s-fix-to-a-cares-act-discrepancy", "COVID Relief Bill Includes Diaz-Balarts Fix to a CARES Act Discrepancy", "2020-12-21", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Mario Diaz-Balart", "D000600", "mariodiazbalart.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25) issued the following statement regarding his provision included in the new COVID relief bill that allows U.S. Citizens and Legal Permanent Residents to receive stimulus checks even if they are married to an undocumented immigrant.\nUnder current law, the CARES Act specifies that taxpayers who file with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), rather than a Social Security Number (SSN), are ineligible for the Economic Impact Payment. The IRS assigns an ITIN to nonresident and resident aliens who are ineligible to receive Social Security Numbers or are in the process of applying for legal status. This provision in the CARES Act also applies to ITIN holders who file jointly with a U.S. Citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse, but in this case, the U.S. Citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse is also ineligible to receive the Economic Impact Payment for themselves or their children.\nIn June, Congressman Diaz-Balart introduced the Economic Impact Payment Fairness Act to address this discrepancy within the CARES Act by allowing all those with a valid SSN who meet the income requirements to receive the EIP and the child tax credit if their children meet the current criteria.\nAs I have stated before, there is no reason to justify why a U.S. Citizen or Legal Permanent Resident should be excluded from receiving a benefit meant for Americans simply due to the legal status of a spouse. I am thrilled to see that this provision was taken into consideration in this new COVID relief bill, and I look forward to seeing the great impact this will make in helping the American people.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/diaz-balart-remarks-on-the-house-passage-of-critical-covid-relief", "Diaz-Balart Remarks on the House Passage of Critical COVID Relief", "2020-12-21", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Mario Diaz-Balart", "D000600", "mariodiazbalart.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25) issued the following statement regarding the House passage of approximately $900 billion in critical COVID relief.\nThis bill closely resembles proposals that Republicans tried to pass multiple times in the last few months to no avail or support from House Leadership. It is a shame that during all this time, the livelihoods of the American people were compromised because of Speaker Pelosi's partisan agenda. Every time a bipartisan proposal was shot down, a small business had to close its doors, an American worker was left unemployed, and thousands of families were left struggling.\nAlthough this legislation could have been signed into law months ago, I am pleased that we have reached a COVID relief bill thatprovides critical assistance for small businesses, enhances funding for vaccine distribution, and delivers aid for families that need it.\nClick here for additional information on key provisions included in this bill.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/diaz-balart-secures-critical-funding-in-fy2021-bill", "Diaz-Balart Secures Critical Funding in FY2021 Bill", "2020-12-21", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Mario Diaz-Balart", "D000600", "mariodiazbalart.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25) issued the following statement after the House passage of the FY2021 funding bill.\nThe FY2021 funding bill includes big wins for our nation and for Florida. This bill prioritizes funding to enhance our infrastructure, support our military and law enforcement, and strengthen our national security. In addition, school safety remains a top priority, Everglades Restoration receives a significant influx of funding, and programs that our farmers and growers rely on will continue. It also supports critical housing programs such as the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Homeless Assistance Grants.\nAttached to this bill are several legislative priorities, including an end to surprise billing patients will now know the real cost of a scheduled procedure before it takes place. Additionally, this bill includes the final version of WRDA 2020, thereby ensuring the Moore Haven Lock and Dam is renamed in honor of fallen FWC Officer Julian Keen, Jr.\nWe have already seen Florida capitalize on the programs these bills fund, and with its passage today, our state will continue to benefit from them moving forward.\nCongressman Diaz-Balart, a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, was successful in including the following items in the 2021 appropriations omnibus.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/el-proyecto-de-ley-de-alivio-del-covid-19-incluye-la-soluci-n-de-d-az", "El proyecto de ley de alivio del COVID-19 incluye la solucin de Daz-Balart a una discrepancia en la Ley CARES", "2020-12-21", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Mario Diaz-Balart", "D000600", "mariodiazbalart.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.El congresista Mario Daz-Balart (FL-25) emiti la siguiente declaracin con respecto a su provision la cual fue incluida en el nuevo proyecto de ley de alivio del COVID-19 que permite a los ciudadanos estadounidenses y residentes legales permanentes recibir cheques de estmulo incluso si estn casados con un inmigrante indocumentado.\nLa actual Ley CARES especifica que los contribuyentes que presenten un Nmero de Identificacin Personal de Contribuyente (ITIN), en lugar de un Nmero de Seguro Social (SSN), no son elegibles para el Pago de Impacto Econmico. El IRS asigna un ITIN a los extranjeros no residentes y residentes que no son elegibles para recibir Nmeros de Seguro Social o estn en proceso de solicitar estatus legal. Esta disposicin de la Ley CARES tambin se aplica a los titulares de ITIN que presenten sus impuestos conjuntamente con un ciudadano estadounidense o un cnyuge residente permanente legal; pero en este caso el ciudadano estadounidense o un cnyuge residente permanente legal tampoco es elegible para recibir el pago de impacto econmico, para ellos o sus hijos.\nEn junio, el congresista Daz-Balart present laLey de Equidad de Pago por el Impacto Econmicopara abordar esta discrepancia dentro de la Ley CARES al permitir que todos aquellos con un SSN vlido y que cumplan con los requisitos de ingresos reciban el Pago de Impacto Econmico y el crdito tributario por hijos, si sus hijos cumplen con los criterios actuales.\nComo he dicho antes, no hay razn para justificar por qu un ciudadano estadounidense o un residente legal permanente debe ser excluido de recibir un beneficio destinado a los estadounidenses simplemente por el estado legal de un cnyuge. Estoy encantado de ver que esta provision se tom en consideracin en este nuevo proyecto de ley de alivio del COVID-19, y espero ver el gran impacto que esto tendr para ayudar al pueblo estadounidense.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=B88F56EC-543D-41C1-97C9-5BC810E4C199", "Rubio Condemns CCPs Broken Promises on Anniversary of Signing of the Sino-British Joint Declaration", "2020-12-19", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) released the following statement on the 36th anniversary of the signing of the Sino-British Joint Declaration on the Question of Hong Kong in Beijing. This United Nations-registered treaty committed the People's Republic of China (PRC) to afford Hong Kong with a high degree of autonomy, allow local elections, and provide legal protections for the rights and freedoms of all residents.In 1984, Beijing promised that the social, economic, and political conditions that made Hong Kong far freer than mainland China would remain unchanged for 50 years, but after only 23 years, the Chinese Communist Party has crushed Hong Kong's long-cherished freedom and autonomy, Rubio said. On the anniversary of the signing of the Sino-British Joint Declaration, we should remember the long trail of Beijing's broken promises. The CCP will continue to violate any agreement, treaty, or law necessary to maintain or expand its power. Any future administration should be clear-eyed about the futility of entering into future agreements with the CCP. The U.S. must continue to stand with Hong Kongers and advance policies that counter the CCP's aggression and promote Hong Kong's autonomy.Rubio is the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations' Subcommittee that oversees human rights and is a member of the Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=0498277E-353F-44BE-8D60-A617DB3EEAC0", "Rubio on The Ingraham Angle", "2020-12-18", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) joined The Ingraham Angle to discuss Chinese espionage, Chinese interference in the presidential election, and the cyber attacks against the U.S. government. See below for highlights and watch the full interview here.\r\n\r\nOn Chinese espionage:    We've been talking about this for a long time. I remember four years ago when I started going after the Confucius Institutes  we now have none left in Florida  we got a lot of pushback because universities would say this is just a group that teaches Chinese language, or these are just people that sponsor trips.    And when you explain to people that the Chinese are the most holistic, whole of society threat this country has ever faced in terms of espionage  they will try to create relationships with a small town mayor who they think may one day grow up to be a governor or senator, a U.S. member of Congress, they will cultivate business relationships. They use businesspeople, they take them to China, they let them make some money, then they unleash them back in the U.S. and use them as lobbyists here in this country for their interests and against our national interest.    They are in academia. You talked about students, especially at the graduate level, a lot of these students that are spying don't consider themselves spies. They're here. They're serving their country. Many are even linked to the military. Their researchers. They steal secrets and take them back. And then you've got American researchers who have openly sold their research, and oftentimes leaving to China with it, other times just selling it to them. And in many cases, it wasn't illegal or wasn't prosecuted. This is a big, big challenge. We have a lot of work ahead of us.    On China's interference in the 2020 presidential election:    \"Months ago we started saying the fact that China wanted to or had intentions to at least be in a position to interfere in elections ... We also know that they had people out there trying to work and inject things in the public discourse or potentially be in a position to do it.    I'm not in a position to talk about all of it, but suffice it to say that the Chinese are capable of doing anything any other country in the world can do, and I would argue that in some cases they have the ability to do far more. The Russians are proficient at cyber warfare, they're proficient at hacking, and they're proficient at information and propaganda. But the Chinese, they can do all of that, plus they actually have reporters. They actually have people in the media and academia and in think tanks that will further their narrative, that will further the Chinese narrative because they are funded by them, because they've been co-opted from years of travel to China, you name it. And so, I think their capabilities are greater than any other country in the world at messing around with us, not just in our elections, but in everything.    On cyber attacks:    Let me just say this, what we know so far, and it's publicly available, a company named SolarWinds, a private company, provides a lot of security  online security in the private sector, a lot of agencies of government, including at the state and local level. And that was the method by which they got into these systems. Even as I speak to you now, we are learning more every single day about the scope of this intrusion. It is massive. It is still, I would argue, probably persistent. It is still ongoing. It probably is unprecedented.    You saw the bulletin tonight, it went out, it's a grave risk to federal, to state, to local governments, to critical infrastructure, to the private sector. And as far as attribution, when you attribute it to somebody, you have got to know it for sure because it's a very  this is almost, I would argue  an act of war, absolutely.    But let me just say, it was a patient effort, it was sophisticated, it was well-funded and well-resourced. And that indicates it was a nation state. This wasn't two guys in a basement in North Korea somewhere looking to steal some cryptocurrency. This is a very serious intrusion, and we are learning a lot more about it. And we need to learn a lot more about it, and we need to take action.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=0F7E79C9-A5FB-4ED1-B64C-B5631EBD4926", "Rubio Joins Scott, Colleagues in Resolution Defending Right to Freely Exercise Religion", "2020-12-18", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) joined Rick Scott (R-FL) and Senate colleagues in introducing a resolution defending the right to freely exercise one's religion, as protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.    In addition to Rubio and Scott, Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC), Roger Wicker (R-MS), John Boozman (R-AR), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), David Perdue (R-GA), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Tom Cotton (R-AR), John Hoeven (R-ND), Mike Braun (R-IN), Kelly Loeffler (R-GA), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), and James Lankford (R-OK) cosponsored the resolution, which is supported by the Family Research Council and Alliance Defending Freedom.    The full text of the resolution is below.    Whereas the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States clearly, plainly, and unequivocally states that Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof'';    Whereas the constitutional protection of this bedrock principle of religious liberty was extended to the actions of the several States through the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States;    Whereas, despite the clear prohibition against laws infringing upon the free exercise of religion, houses of worship and religious organizations have been frequent targets of asymmetric restrictions by State and local government officials during the coronavirus pandemic;    Whereas irrespective of compliance with mask mandates, social distancing, and other protective measures to limit the spread of the coronavirus, houses of worship and religious organizations have been subjected to size restrictions or outright bans on in-person gatherings which severely infringe upon the right of their members to freely exercise their religion;    Whereas, while houses of worship and religious organizations are subjected to severe restrictions under the guise of limiting the transmission of the coronavirus, businesses and secular activities enjoy substantially more favorable treatment by some State and local government officials, including  \r\n(1) New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who severely restricted the number of members who could enter a church or synagogue in color-designated zones, but imposed no size restrictions on essential'' businesses, like acupuncture facilities, hardware stores, and liquor stores, and permitted other non-essential'' businesses to define their own size restrictions;\r\n\r\n(2) North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, who required worship services involving more than 10 people to be held outdoors unless a church demonstrated doing so would be impossible'', but commercial shopping centers could allow people into the stores without limitation;\r\n\r\n(3) California Governor Gavin Newsom, who prohibited or severely limited in-person worship services in counties with large numbers of coronavirus cases, but secular businesses and activities such as shopping malls,swap meets, and card rooms were permitted higher attendance;\r\n\r\n(4) New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, who prohibited or severely restricted indoor services by houses of worship because they were not deemed essential'', but commercial establishments like marijuana dispensaries and liquor stores were permitted to remain open;\r\n\r\n(5) Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak, who imposed strict numerical attendance caps on houses of worship because they were not deemed essential'', but allowed casinos and amusement parks to operate at half-capacity without specific numerical limits on people within those facilities; and\r\n\r\n(6) Mayor of the District of Columbia Muriel Bowser, who prohibited even outdoor religious services attended by more than 100 people, regardless of compliance with face-covering and social distancing requirements, but actively encouraged and participated in crowded political demonstrations attended by thousands of individuals;\r\n\r\nWhereas the United States Supreme Court recently granted injunctive relief to 2 houses of worship in New York against the discriminatory actions by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, and declared even in a pandemic, the Constitution cannot be put away and forgotten''; and    Whereas, for millions of people of the United States, churches, synagogues, and houses of worship are more than just buildings, and the ability to gather together in prayer for people of all faiths, creeds, and beliefs must not be diminished or impeded by the whims of government officials: Now, therefore, be it    Resolved, That the Senate  \r\n(1) affirms its support for the rights, liberties, and protections enshrined in the United States Constitution; and\r\n(2) commits to vigorously defend the right of all people of the United States to engage in the free exercise of religion.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=172A093E-1C92-4A54-993F-01499B335DFF", "Rubio Names Aunt Catfishs on the River of Florida as the Senate Small Business of the Week", "2020-12-18", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, named Aunt Catfish's On the River of Port Orange, Florida as the U.S. Senate Small Business of the Week.Rubio released the following video message to congratulate Aunt Catfish's on the Riveras the Senate Small Business of the Week. A broadcast quality version can be found here.Hello, I'm Senator Marco Rubio, the Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.And today, it is my honor to recognize Aunt Catfish's On the River of Port Orange, Florida as the Senate Small Business of the Week.Jim Galbreath founded Aunt Catfish's in 1979, following in his mother's footsteps into the restaurant industry.Today, this family-owned small business is run by his son Brandon, who started working there as a teenager.Through his service with the Chamber of Commerce and the City of Port Orange COVID-19 Reopening Task Force, Brandon has proven himself to be a tireless advocate for his local small business community.Like many of Florida's small businesses, especially those in the restaurant industry, Aunt Catfish's experienced a drop in revenue due to the coronavirus shutdowns.But the restaurant was approved for a Paycheck Protection Program loan, a small business relief program I was proud to be the author of.And as a result, they were able to keep their employees paid while maintaining the highest health and safety standards for their customers.So congratulations to the entire team at Aunt Catfish's On the RIver on being named the Senate Small Business of the Week! I look forward to your continued success and your community leadership!As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Senator Rubio continues the tradition of honoring America's small businesses and entrepreneurs. The Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship oversees proposed legislation on matters relating to the Small Business Administration and investigates all problems relating to America's small businesses.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=6C5A9E83-E052-4643-B2D7-540617C92809", "Rubio, Peters, Tillis Applaud House Passage of Bipartisan FACE Act", "2020-12-18", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) applauded the House passage of S. 979, which he introduced in April 2019 with Senators Ron Johnson (R-WI), Gary Peters (D-MI), and Thom Tillis (R-NC). The Federal Advance Contracts Enhancement (FACE) Act passed the Senate unanimously on November 7, 2019. With today's action by the House of Representatives, where the bill passed 386-1, the legislation now heads to the President for signature.The FACE Act will require the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to ensure more effective use and management of its advance contracts for goods and services. The bill requires federal preparedness actions to be coordinated with states and localities to prevent gaps in recovery efforts from occurring. A one-pager of the bill is available here.After the past few hurricane seasons, which produced devastation in Florida, and its neighboring states, I thank my colleagues in the House for passing this important bill that will better assist in responding to future storms, Rubio said. The FACE Act will ensure that federal response will be more effective and efficient, and I urge President Trump to swiftly sign it into law.Planning ahead to respond to natural disasters can help streamline recovery efforts and save taxpayers in Michigan and across the country millions of dollars in the long run, Peters, Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, said. I was proud to work with my colleagues on these bipartisan and commonsense reforms to help communities be better prepared to respond when disaster strikes and ensure they can quickly access the resources they need for a speedy recovery.North Carolina has faced extensive recovery efforts from destruction left by hurricanes over the last few years, and coordination between FEMA and state governments is key to assist those affected by the storm, Tillis said. I am proud this bipartisan legislation is now headed to the President's desk to improve coordination and ensure future recovery efforts are seamless.Background:The FACE Act will require FEMA to ensure more effective use and management of its advance contracts process by incorporating the U.S. Government Accountability Office's (GAO) recommendations from its report titled,2017 Disaster Contracting: Actions Needed to Better Ensure More Effective Use and Management of Advance Contracts. These recommendations will ensure that federal preparedness actions are coordinated to prevent gaps in recovery efforts from occurring. The bill also requires FEMA to regularly update the appropriate committees of Congress on the progress of the agency's implementation of these recommendations.Following Hurricane Katrina, Congress required FEMA to establish advance contracts for goods and services to enable the federal government to quickly mobilize resources to affected areas in the aftermath of a disaster. The 2017 disaster season was historically destructive, and FEMA was forced to rely heavily on advance contracts in its response to Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, as well as the 2017 California wildfires. GAO was asked to review the federal government's response to the 2017 hurricanes and California wildfires and assess a number of issues.In its report, GAO found a number of issues with FEMA's handling of advance contracts and made nine recommendations. FEMA concurred with all nine of GAO's recommendations.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=D9CA5B3F-385C-4D41-9F43-4D38E4EEC4AA", "Rubio, Duckworth, Durbin Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Fix Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Overpayment Issue", "2020-12-18", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced bipartisan legislation that would help fix an error that caused individuals receiving Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) to forcibly repay, while potentially unemployed, overpayments they received unknowingly. The Relief for Working Families Act would provide states discretion to waive PUA overpayments for individuals who acted in good faith and played no role in securing surplus benefits. U.S. Representatives Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA) and Stephanie Murphy (D-FL) introduced companion legislation in the House.American families are struggling with lost jobs, home schooling, and more amid a global pandemic, and the last thing they need is to find out they owe money to their state because of a bureaucratic error, Rubio said. This legislation gives states the necessary flexibility to ensure individuals will not be forced to repay unemployment overpayments that are not their fault. It will be one less worry for hardworking families during these uncertain times.Hardworking Americans already struggling during this pandemic shouldn't be forced to pay for a bureaucratic error they had nothing to do with, Duckworth said. I'm proud to introduce this legislation that will ensure working families don't bear this additional burden of financial distress and states have the tools and flexibility they need to remedy this problem for thousands of Americans across the country.No one should have to pay back thousands of dollars they thought they were getting in good faith, Durbin said. Our bill gives States flexibility to provide relief to families that are in need and fixes this error for countless Americans across the country.Under current law, state unemployment offices are not provided hardship waivers for PUA benefits, despite having such authority for the other major unemployment insurance programs included in the CARES Act. The new legislation introduced today would provide states the flexibility they need to handle PUA overpayments within their own state unemployment offices.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://alceehastings.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=402478", "Hastings Fights to Put a Stop to Imminent Offshore Drilling Project", "2020-12-17", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "FL", "Alcee Hastings", "H000324", "alceehastings.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Fort Lauderdale, FL) Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) led a letter to Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Bahamas, Dr. Hubert Alexander Minnis and the Minister of the Environment and Housing, Romauld Sotario Ferreira, expressing opposition to theBahamas Petroleum Company's (BPC) offshore drilling project, the Perseverance No. 1 oil well, off the coast of The Bahamas, a mere 150 miles from South Florida. The letter urges the government of The Bahamas to reconsider allowing the BPC drilling project to continue, given the immediate and long-term impacts an oil spill and carbon emissions have on natural ecosystems, local economies, and the global climate crisis. This letter has been endorsed by Oceana. Joining Hastings in sending the letter include: Representatives Ted Deutch (D-FL), Gerald E. Connolly (D-VA), Kathy Castor (D-FL), Darren Soto (D-FL), Charlie Crist (D-FL), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Lois Frankel (D-FL), Nydia M. Velzquez (D-NY), Francis Rooney (R-FL), A. Donald McEachin (D-VA), Al Lawson (D-FL), Alan Lowenthal (D-CA), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Abigail D. Spanberger (D-VA), David Scott (D-GA), Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (D-FL), and Donna E. Shalala (D-FL). (Please find the letter below and attached):  \r\n\r\nDecember 17, 2020  \r\n\r\nThe Honorable Dr. Hubert Alexander Minnis, ON, M.P. \r\nPrime Minister of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas \r\nOffice of the Prime Minister\r\nSir Cecil Wallace Whitfield Centre \r\nNassau, N.P., The Bahamas \r\n\r\nThe Honorable Romauld Sotario Ferreira\r\nMinister of the Environment and Housing \r\nCharlotte House, Second Floor \r\nShirley & Charlotte St. \r\nNassau, N.P., The Bahamas\r\nVia electronic correspondence.\r\nDear Prime Minister Minnis and Minister Ferreira,\r\nWe write regarding the Bahamas Petroleum Company's (BPC) offshore drilling project, the Perseverance No. 1 oil well, off the coast of The Bahamas. We believe you should reconsider the agreement established between your government and BPC to protect the beauty and longevity of our fragile and shared ecosystems, the economies that depend on them, and the future of our planet.\r\nAs coastal and near-coastal Members of Congress, we have long fought to prevent oil spills, but the success of this work is directly dependent on the cooperation of other states, our federal government, and nearby nations. We and countless Americans remember the devastation and loss of life caused by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon spill,[1] for which Florida continues to require restoration funding.[2] That well, similar to that which BPC plans to bore, claimed 11 lives and spewed more than 200 million gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, destroying whole ecosystems and halting tourism and fisheries across the region. It has become clear that oil companies such as BPC have every intention to plow ahead despite red flags, which warn of the grave health, natural disaster, and environmental risks of drilling.\r\nShould BPC's project move forward, we will be justified in fearing that the Atlantic coast is at risk of severe, even catastrophic, impact from any spills that might occur  essentially undermining the recent offshore drilling ban extension from President Trump, and futureoffshore drilling restrictions. It is unclear whether BPC has the capacity to help mitigate a serious disaster, let alone prevent one in the first place. Should a calamitous event occur, the Bahamian government and BPC's clean-up efforts will undoubtedly require financial assistance from neighbors, including the United States, to address any spill that would spread throughout domestic and international waters. For perspective, Deepwater Horizon cost an estimated $65 billion to clean up and the effects have yet to be fully alleviated.[3] What's worse, the ship arriving on your shores to begin drilling has a track record of safety issues on previous jobs, including incidents in March 2016,[4] September 2016,[5] and October 2017.[6]\r\nUnfortunately, we believe the agreement reached between BPC and the Bahamian government is directly contrary to the urgent call made at the United Nations just last year.[7] In that speech, Prime Minister, you cited the contribution carbon emissions have made to the climate crisis and the devastating impacts this crisis continues to have on island nations like The Bahamas,[8] including those wrought by Hurricane Dorian, rising sea levels, and natural barrier degradation. These events are felt deeply by Americans and communities around the world, and expanding offshore drilling is fundamentally against their interests.\r\nWe stand ready to work with your government to fight the climate crisis, a looming mass-extinction event, and oil and gas interests that seek only to profit off activities that truly put our respective communities at great risk. The health of our constituencies, oceans, and planet hinges on what actions we take here and now.\r\nSincerely, \r\n\r\nAlcee L. Hastings \r\nMember of Congress\r\n\r\nKathy Castor\r\nMember of Congress\r\n\r\nDarren Soto \r\nMember of Congress\r\n\r\nCharlie Crist\r\nMember of Congress \r\n\r\nGerald E. Connolly \r\nMember of Congress\r\n\r\nDebbie Wasserman Schultz\r\nMember of Congress\r\n\r\nLois Frankel \r\nMember of Congress\r\n\r\nNydia M. Velzquez\r\nMember of Congress\r\n\r\nTed Deutch \r\nMember of Congress \r\n\r\nFrancis Rooney\r\nMember of Congress\r\n\r\nA. Donald McEachin\r\nMember of Congress\r\n\r\nAl Lawson\r\nMember of Congress\r\n\r\nAlan Lowenthal\r\nMember of Congress\r\n\r\nChellie Pingree\r\nMember of Congress\r\n\r\nAbigail D. Spanberger\r\nMember of Congress\r\n\r\nDavid Scott\r\nMember of Congress\r\n\r\nDebbie Mucarsel-Powell\r\nMember of Congress\r\n\r\nDonna E. Shalala\r\nMember of Congress  \r\n\r\nCC: \r\nSecretary Mike Pompeo \r\nU.S. Department of State \r\n2201 C Street, NW \r\nWashington, DC 20520\r\n\r\nMs. Stephanie Bowers \r\nCharg d'Affaires \r\nU.S. Embassy in The Bahamas \r\n42 Queen St. \r\nNassau, The Bahamas\r\n\r\n[1] Deep Water Horizon. Damage Assessment, Remediation, and Restoration Program. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Updated: August 17, 2020.\r\n[2] Florida receives additional $73 million from Deepwater Horizon settlement. Karl Schneider. Naples Daily News. Updated: October 29, 2020.\r\n[3] BP Takes $1.7 Billion Charge on Deepwater Horizon; Costs Now Top $65B. Alex Lardieri. U.S. News & World Report. January 16, 2018.\r\n[4] Shell offshore team loses Styrofoam pipe floats at sea. Brett Ruskin. CBC. March 22, 2016.\r\n[5] Shell Canada offshore drill fell within 12 metres of oil exploration well. Michal Tutton. CBC. September 29, 2016.\r\n[6] Scottish oil worker Colin Gillespie dies in Gran Canaria. BBC News. October 23, 2017.\r\n[7] Treat climate crisis with greatest urgency', Bahamas leader tells UN Assembly. The United Nations. September 27, 2019.\r\n[8] [statements.unmeetings.org/GA74/BS_EN.pdf]National Statement at the 74th Session of the United Nations' General Assembly. The Most Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis Prime\r\n\r\nCongressman Alcee L. Hastings serves as the Vice Chairman of the House Rules Committee, Chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, and Dean and Co-Chairman of the Florida Delegation.\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://alceehastings.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=402479", "Hastings, Lee, McGovern, Frankel, and Deutch Call for an Immediate Boost to Hunger Relief for Struggling Families in COVID Relief Package", "2020-12-17", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "FL", "Alcee Hastings", "H000324", "alceehastings.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Washington, D.C.) Representative Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL), along with Representatives Barbara Lee (D-CA), James McGovern (D-MA), Lois Frankel (D-FL), and Ted Deutch (D-FL), led 62 of their colleagues in sending a letter urging House and Senate Leadership to include a funding increase for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other nutritional programs in the upcoming COVID-19 relief package under negotiation. As our nation faces a hunger crisis worsened by the growing toll this pandemic has taken, $5.5 billion in emergency food aid is dwindling despite the increasing number of families struggling to put food on the table. Bolstering federal nutrition programs like SNAP will provide short-term hunger relief, while preventing long-term health and economic harm to our most vulnerable. (Please find the letter below and attached).  \r\n\r\nThe letter was endorsed by: Feeding America, Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, Feeding South Florida, California Association of Food Banks, United Way of Palm Beach County, Alameda County Community Food Banks. \r\nDecember 17, 2020\r\nThe Honorable Nancy Pelosi  \r\nSpeaker of the House of Representatives  \r\nH-232, U.S. Capitol  \r\nWashington, D.C. 20515 The Honorable Mitch McConnell  \r\nSenate Majority Leader  \r\nS-230, U.S. Capitol  \r\nWashington, D.C. 20510 The Honorable Steny Hoyer  \r\nHouse Majority Leader  \r\nH-107, U.S. Capitol  \r\nWashington, D.C. 20515 The Honorable Chuck Schumer  \r\nSenate Minority Leader  \r\nS-221, U.S. Capitol  \r\nWashington, D.C. 20510 The Honorable Kevin McCarthy  \r\nHouse Majority Leader  \r\nH-204, U.S. Capitol  \r\nWashington, D.C. 20515 Dear Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader McConnell, Majority Leader Hoyer, Minority Leader Schumer, and Minority Leader McCarthy: As we navigate simultaneous health and economic crises, we respectfully urge you to increase the maximum Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit by 15 percent for all participants as part of future funding and COVID19 relief legislation. Doing so will help address deep systemic inequities in access to food and other daily necessities that have been laid bare in our most vulnerable populations and it is crucial that we utilize every option available to eliminate these gaps in the near and distant future.[1] SNAP is one of the most important tools to meet the needs of our most vulnerable populations, with 85.3 percent of all benefits reaching households with children, seniors, and disabled residents.[2] An increase in the maximum SNAP benefit for all participants would provide a modest 15 percent boost in benefits. With grocery prices increasing at the fastest rate in 50 years, SNAP is the nation's greatest defense against hunger and helps stimulate local economies.[3]\r\nWe have all seen the lines of Americans waiting for hours to receive food due to the struggles imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing economic crisis.[4] Even before the pandemic, 37 million American households struggled with food insecurity, lacking consistent access to nutritious meals despite residing in the richest country in the world.[5] While over 90 percent of food assistance in the U.S. comes from federal programs, charitable and community organizations on the frontlines are responding to tremendous need across the country. Additional federal relief from increasing SNAP and providing additional federal commodities for emergency food providers will feed hungry Americans and help food banks and other community partners keep pace with growing demand for nutritious meals. SNAP is proven to not only lift people out of poverty, but to deliver critically needed jobs and economic stimulus.[6]\r\nEarlier this year, Congress passed legislation to expand capacity to meet the surge in demand for food assistance caused by the COVID-19 crisis through Families First Coronavirus Response Act (Families First) and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. As approximately $5.5 billion in emergency food aid through food banks and other channels are winding down, the need to expand federal nutrition programs is increasingly urgent.[7] The initial response to the pandemic provided much needed temporary assistance, but many of these short-term infusions are ending as the need for food assistance is at an all-time high. Congress must act swiftly to provide additional assistance by increasing benefits for SNAP, along with additional funding for programs such as TEFAP, as well as those that address child and senior nutrition, childcare and school nutrition, and food access for Indian Reservations and U.S. territories. Puerto Rico was already recording higher rates of food insecurity and poverty than the 50 states and the economic crisis means they are relying on federal food assistance more than ever, with capped funding that is insufficient to fully meet the significant and growing needs of residents of Puerto Rico.\r\nThe need is clear, and emergency and immediate funding as well as crucial administrative flexibilities have proven to alleviate the hunger crisis on our hands. Bolstering federal nutrition programs like SNAP will provide short-term hunger relief, while preventing long-term health and economic harm to our most vulnerable. These provisions should not sunset until the national and state emergency declarations are lifted. We must address the hunger crisis, while anticipating a long-term need for nutrition aid as we combat and recover from the immense economic and social upheaval.\r\nWith the holiday season and winter upon us, we cannot neglect one of the most basic needs. We look forward to working with you to get relief to those who need it most until we can be certain of a strong recovery.\r\nSincerely, Alcee L. Hastings  \r\nBarbara Lee  \r\nJames P. McGovern  \r\nLois Frankel  \r\nTed Deutch  \r\nJan Schakowsky  \r\nJim Costa  \r\nJimmy Panetta  \r\nNanette Diaz Barragn  \r\nJuan Vargas  \r\nChellie Pingree  \r\nSalud Carbajal  \r\nBobby L. Rush  \r\nCheri Bustos  \r\nMike Thompson  \r\nDanny K. Davis  \r\nJoseph D. Morelle  \r\nDebbie Dingell  \r\nKathy Castor  \r\nSheila Jackson Lee  \r\nEleanor Holmes Norton  \r\nHenry C. Hank Johnson, Jr.  \r\nZoe Lofgren  \r\nAl Lawson  \r\nEmanuel Cleaver, II  \r\nMarcy Kaptur  \r\nJerrold Nadler  \r\nJerry McNerney  \r\nAlan Lowenthal  \r\nMark Pocan  \r\nRuben Gallego  \r\nMark DeSaulnier  \r\nRo Khanna  \r\nWm. Lacy Clay  \r\nScott H. Peters  \r\nJason Crow  \r\nDina Titus  \r\nThomas R. Suozzi  \r\nJ. Luis Correa  \r\nAdam B. Schiff  \r\nKim Schrier, M.D.  \r\nEric Swalwell  \r\nBonnie Watson Coleman  \r\nDarren Soto  \r\nPeter Welch  \r\nDebbie Wasserman Schultz  \r\nJim Langevin  \r\nDon Young  \r\nTony Crdenas  \r\nAnna G. Eshoo  \r\nJared Huffman  \r\nAdam Smith  \r\nRaja Krishnamoorthi  \r\nDwight Evans  \r\nSteve Cohen  \r\nAnthony G. Brown  \r\nFrederica S. Wilson  \r\nAbigail D. Spanberger  \r\nAndr Carson  \r\nAlma S. Adams, Ph.D.  \r\nBennie G. Thompson  \r\nEd Case  \r\nDonald M. Payne Jr.  \r\nTed Lieu  \r\nLinda T. Snchez  \r\nGrace F. Napolitano  \r\nRobin L. Kelly\r\n[1]'No end in sight': hunger surges in America amid a spiraling pandemic. Nina Lakhani and Maanvi Singh.The Guardian.November 25, 2020. Visualizing Food Insecurity. Diane Schanzenbach and Natalie Tomeh. Northwestern University Institute for Policy Research. July 14, 2020.\r\n[2]Facts | SNAP Strengths.Food Research & Action Center (FRAC). 2020.\r\n[3]Economic Linkages: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Linkages with the General Economy. USDA Economic Research Service. August 20, 2019.\r\n[4]Thousands in Texas line up in cars to receive food before Thanksgiving. Danielle Garand. CBS News. November 16, 2020.\r\n[5]Food scarcity is on the rise in America as the economy reels. Aimee Pinchee.CBS News.June 19, 2020.\r\n[6]The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Economy: New Estimates of the SNAP Multiplier. USDA Economic Research Service. July, 2019.\r\n[7]A $4.5 billion Trump food program is running out of money early, leaving families hungry and food assistance charities scrambling. Laura Reiley & Gregg Jeffe.The Washington Post. December 8, 2020.\r\nCongressman Alcee L. Hastings serves as Vice-Chairman of the House Rules Committee, Chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, and Co-Chairman of the Florida Delegation.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases-es?ContentRecord_id=1434F550-61A3-4B37-867F-61EDDF22A5A4", "Rubio Habla con Alex Otaola", "2020-12-17", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sala de Prensa \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tInicio\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSala de Prensa\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSala de Prensa\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWashington, D.C.  El senador estadounidense Marco Rubio (R-FL) habl con Alex Otaola de Cubanos por el Mundo sobre diversos temas de actualidad. Durante su charla, abordaron como la dictadura de Cuba activamente culpa a EE.UU. por la realidad de la isla y sobre cmo una administracin Biden cambiara la poltica del presidente Trump hacia Cuba.Una transcripcin parcial de la entrevista est a continuacin:Con el tema de Cuba y es importante hablar de esto porque yo creo que dentro de Cuba obviamente [hay] un bombardeo constante de parte del rgimen hablando de nosotros. Mira, mi deseo siempre ha sido lo siguiente: poner en manos del pueblo dentro de Cuba, no de la gente en Washington, de ninguna otra parte del mundo, del pueblo dentro de Cuba su propio destino.Y es por eso que el presidente Trump, a nuestra sugerencia, simplemente hizo el siguiente cambio: si eres una compaa controlada por militares cubanos como GAESA-que controla todos los hoteles y todas las grandes empresas que hacen todo el dinero en Cuba, bueno pues no puedes hacer negocios con EE.UU. Si eres alguien independiente, pues entonces s. Y es el gobierno cubano que ha decidido no permitir eso.Y en fin, [el rgimen] no lo quieren permitir obviamente porque la independencia econmica trae independencia poltica, ese es el control..Entonces el pueblo cubano puede decidir qu modelo de gobierno y qu modelo econmico quiere tener. Ese siempre ha sido nuestro inters y siempre lo seguir siendo y estamos buscando la manera de cmo podemos de nuestra parte poder apoyar eso y tratar de llevar eso a cabo.Me alegra mucho ver que se est despertando de nuevo el joven cubano que entiende y que est entendiendo, en mi opinin, que la gran parte del sufrimiento y la falta de oportunidad que existe es culpa de un rgimen que controla todo aspecto de la vida dentro de Cuba. Pero maana mismo eso se puede cambiar, pero es el rgimen que no lo permite.Embargo de EE.UU. a CubaBueno si eres una compaa controlada por el rgimen, es decir, una compaa controlada por GAESA por ejemplo... Se han quitado los trajes de militares y se han puesto un traje italiano pero en fin, es la misma gentuza que quieren mantener el control econmico para poder mantener su control poltico.Pero yo le digo a la gente lo siguiente: Cuba puede hacer negocios con Canad, con Inglaterra, con toda Europa, con Japn, con Corea. Porque Cuba no est llena de inversiones o est llena de carros japoneses? Hay turistas que van y visitan un sitio los llevan a un sitio y lo devuelven al aeropuerto y se van. Pero porque no est llena de actividad econmica de todos estos otros pases? Por la simple razn que el rgimen no permite. El rgimen no quiere que el cubano, por ejemplo, pueda ser dueo de su propio negocio. No entiendo porque cuando un cubano llega a Miami, al ao ha montado un negocio y le va muy bien. El cubano tiene la capacidad, en todas partes del mundo, lo ha hecho donde el cubano va en todas partes del mundo va pa'lante.Cuba es un pas que tiene una [gran capacidad de produccin], lo que pasa es que no lo est haciendo. Cuba es un pas que puede, en gran parte, darle comida a todo su pueblo con su propio territorio y ha tenido pocas en que lo hizo. Tambin le dir, las remesas que mandan las personas a casa: el gobierno cubano se lleva un gran porcentaje de eso para sus propios bolsillos.El rgimen cubano no quiere que el cubano tenga independencia econmica, es decir ellos no quieren que un cubanos pueda decir: a m no me importa lo que dice el gobierno, lo que yo me gano, es mi propia vida, tengo mi propio dinero, mi propio negocio. Ellos lo que quieren poder tener es ese control.Yo lo que les pido, es que vean el ejemplo del cubano que viene al extranjero y cmo estn logrando en el exterior lo que no pueden lograr en su propia patria. Es muy triste. Eso tiene que cambiar.Sobre cambios de la poltica de EE.UU. a Cuba bajo una administracin demcrata Todo lo que tiene el nombre Trump lo van a cambiar. Aunque sea una buena idea, eso es ridculo. Tambin, la prensa se presta mucho a eso. Yo vi aqu el otro da un artculo que deca, ahora se abre la tecnologa en Cuba'. Aqu nunca hubo sanciones sobre la tecnologa. La nica sancin contra la tecnologa entrando a Cuba fue del rgimen que no quiere permitirlo. Ojal que maana ellos digan mira aqu hay internet abierto para todo el mundo.' Ellos no van a permitirlo, ellos no quieren que el cubano se pueda comunicar con otro cubano que pueda leer prensa en el extranjero.De mi parte, nosotros tenemos el papel aqu del nombramiento de ciertas personas y oponernos al nombramiento de individuos que van a tener que seguir la lnea. .Yo te dir que en Caracas, en La Habana, en Managua, estn celebrando la victoria de Biden. No porque yo te diga que Biden es un comunista, porque ellos saben que la lnea y los que los rodean a l es una lnea que va a ser mucho ms flojo sobre todos estos temas.Pero si te puedo decir que en nuestro sistema tenemos opciones y eso empieza con cuestionar a todas estas personas que se han nombrado a diferentes puestos. Qu es lo que van a hacer? Cul va a ser su posicin? que tomen una posicin abierta y pblica sobre cules son sus intenciones si llegan a ese puesto. Yo le dir que muchas de estas personas ya tienen un historial sobre este tema. Aqu no se trata de lo que dicen, ya lo han hecho. Y en muchos casos me voy a oponer fuertemente a su nombramiento porque ya han hecho cosas en el pasado.Aqu hay mucha gente que lo nombran a una posicin y ellos van a una audiencia pblica y dicen todo lo que uno quiera escuchar, te lo dicen todo lindo. Y despus hacen lo que se les da la gana cuando entran a esa posicin. Eso siempre pasa, pero en este caso hay muchas personas que pueden estar pensando nombrar que ya tienen historial que fueron miembros de la administracin Obama y que por cuatro aos han estado hablando y criticando todo lo que haca el presidente. En fin, aqu hay dos cosas: ellos tienen su lnea, que obviamente es distinta a la nuestra. Pero segundo, tambin son personas que le tienen un odio, que no es razonable, al presidente.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=F5EAA643-8B81-4C4D-9165-121864FAD119", "Rubio Asks Department of Commerce to Answer Questions About Huawei Business Dealings With U.S. Companies", "2020-12-17", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross requesting information concerning Huawei's orders of semiconductors from American companies.I strongly support the actions taken by the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) on August 17, 2020, which closed certain loopholes to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) related to Huawei, Rubio wrote. These actions were meant to prevent U.S.-developed technology from being used to undermine our own national security. It has been brought to my attention that Huawei is ordering semiconductors from certain U.S.-based chip companies, or through others stockpiling them, with the intent to ship them in the event that those companies are granted individual export licenses (IVLs), or if Huawei is removed from the Entity List.The full text of the letter is below.Dear Secretary Ross:As you are well versed, due to its ties to the Chinese Communist Party, Huawei continues to pose a significant threat to the U.S. economy, national security, and our critical infrastructure. I strongly support the actions taken by the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) on August 17, 2020, which closed certain loopholes to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) related to Huawei. These actions were meant to prevent U.S.-developed technology from being used to undermine our own national security.It has been brought to my attention that Huawei is ordering semiconductors from certain U.S.-based chip companies, or through others stockpiling them, with the intent to ship them in the event that those companies are granted individual export licenses (IVLs), or if Huawei is removed from the Entity List. Accordingly, I respectfully request responses to the following questions:\r\nSince August 17, 2020, how many IVLs has BIS approved to U.S. semiconductor manufacturers for the purpose of export, re-export or transfer of any item subject to the EAR to Huawei?\r\n\r\nFor each IVL, please explain your policy rationale for approval.\r\n\r\nAbsent an IVL, would it be legal for a U.S. semiconductor company to stockpile items subject to the EAR for ultimate export, reexport or transfer to Huawei after September 14, 2020, or to receive compensation from Huawei for doing so?\r\n\r\nIf so, what is the policy rationale for allowing such stockpiling?\r\n\r\nDoes the Administration have any intent to remove Huawei from the Entity List?\r\nFor purposes of this inquiry, Huawei means Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd, Huawei Investment and Holding Co. Ltd., or any entity with more than 20 percent of the shares of which are ultimately owned by either of the aforementioned. I would appreciate responses to this before December 31, 2020.Thank you for your attention to this important matter.Sincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/diaz-balart-welcomes-florida-s-approval-to-implement-clean-water-act-cwa", "Diaz-Balart Welcomes Floridas Approval to Implement Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 404 program", "2020-12-17", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Mario Diaz-Balart", "D000600", "mariodiazbalart.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25) joined Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler, EPARegion 4 Administrator Mary S. Walker, Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Secretary Noah Valenstein, and members of the Florida delegation as they announced that Florida is the first state in more than 25 years to apply for and receive approval to implement a Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 404 programformally transferring permitting authority from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to the State of Florida for a broad range of water resources within the State.\nToday's announcement is a tremendous accomplishment for Florida, especially as we continue our Everglades restoration efforts,said U.S. Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25). Allowing the state to take over the 404 permitting process will significantly streamline restoration projects, while still protecting the greater environment. I thank Administrator Wheeler and Regional Administrator Walker, as well as all the other key players who worked diligently to make this happen. I have no doubt that we will see the benefits of this decision for years to come.\nA considerable amount of effort has gone into Florida's assumption of the Clean Water Act 404 program,said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler.Federal authorities don't delegate this type of permit often, but Florida has, beyond question one of the greatest environmental records of any state, and I couldn't be happier that Florida has shown it can meet the strict national standards EPA sets to protect human health and the environment.\nAfter a rigorous review, analysis and coordination process, EPA is pleased that the state of Florida will assume responsibility of its Clean Water Act Section 404 program,saidEPARegion 4 Administrator Mary S. Walker.This approval is truly a reflection of the high-level scientific and regulatory expertise of the environmental professionals at the state, federal and tribal levels who ensured a legally and technically sound program. This monumental milestone will allow Florida to administer this program to best fit enhanced protection of its natural resources.\nFlorida continues to be a pioneer of environmental protection. This is a historic moment for our agency and our state,said FDEP Secretary NoahValenstein. We appreciate EPA's stringent, public review and approval of DEP's assumption of this program. Our waters and wetlands are critical to our economy and way of life in Florida. As such, it is important for the state to be in charge and take the lead in their protection. We are pleasedthatwith the assumption, Florida scientists and permitters will now be accountable for state and federal wetlands permits. DEP staff know the state's resources best and have the expertise to ensure their protection.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=8141B973-236F-46E1-BDE3-1B38C54F7D82", "Rubio and Markey Applaud Senate Passage of Bill Awarding Congressional Gold Medal To American Heroes Killed in 2012 Benghazi Consulate Attack", "2020-12-16", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Bill honors selfless sacrifice of Ambassador Christopher Stevens, Glen A. Doherty, Tyrone Woods, and Sean Smith\r\n\r\nWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Senators Edward J. Markey (D-MA), along with Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), and Shelley Moore Capito (D-WV) applauded the Senate's passage of their bipartisan bill (S. 2054) to posthumously award the Congressional Gold Medal to J. Christopher Stevens, Glen A. Doherty, Tyrone Woods and Sean Smith in recognition of their service and defense of the United States of America. Stevens, Doherty, Woods, and Smith were killed in the attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya in September 2012.\r\nAmbassador Christopher Stevens, a member of the Career Foreign Service, was serving as U.S. Ambassador to Libya during the attack. Glen Doherty, a former combat-decorated Navy SEAL. Tyrone Woods, was also a former combat-decorated Navy SEAL. Sean Smith, a native of San Diego, had served in the Air Force where he was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal.\r\nHonoring our fallen fellow Americans, who were murdered during a terrorist attack in our nation's consulate in Benghazi, commemorates not only their legacy but also their sacrifice, Rubio said. We owe Ambassador Stevens, Navy SEALS Doherty and Woods as well as Airman Smith a great debt of gratitude. I am proud to have joined Senator Markey in introducing this bipartisan bill and urge the members of the House to quickly pass it and send it to the President's desk for signature.\r\nThe bravery of Glen Doherty, Tyrone Woods, Sean Smith and Ambassador Stevens' must be remembered and honored. Our diplomats, armed forces, and all who proudly serve our country overseas deserve our utmost respect, recognition, and gratitude. I am honored to have led the effort that will honor them as the American heroes we know them to be, Markey said. The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest honor the legislative branch can bestow upon any individual, and I look forward to awarding them and their families with this rare distinction that will honor their legacy for generations to come. I urge the House of Representatives to prioritize the bill's swift passage.\r\nPassage in the U.S. Senate of legislation to honor the four brave Americans who lost their lives in the Benghazi terrorist attack with a Congressional Gold Medal is a tremendous honor for our family, the Doherty family said. We will remember these men always as patriots and true heroes who gave their lives for the safety and protection of other Americans. We thank Senator Markey, Senator Rubio, Senator Duckworth and so many other leaders in the U.S. Senate who supported this effort.\r\nRelated:", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=9A294805-1422-40A6-9D26-36E580C9FB9F", "Rubio Joins Menendez, Cruz, Colleagues for Respect for Nicaraguan Civil Society and Press Freedoms", "2020-12-16", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Senators express solidarity with Nicaraguan people and call on the Ortega government to respect democratic ideals and fundamental human rights\r\nWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) joined Senators Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Ted Cruz (R-TX) and eight of their Senate colleagues in urging the U.S. Ambassador to Nicaragua Kevin K. Sullivan to leverage all diplomatic tools to ensure the safety of journalists, civil society, and political leaders in Nicaragua.\r\nIn their letter to Ambassador Sullivan, the Senators expressed concern about recent actions to codify press censorship and further restrict activities of civil society and political opponents ahead of November 2021 presidential elections, including the recent passage of the so-called Foreign Agents Law and the Special Law on Cybercrimes.\r\nThe Senators also raised concerns about the harassment of independent news media in Nicaragua, including the recent court seizure of assets belonging to the owner of Nicavision Canal 12  one of only two independent channels still on open air in the country.\r\nSenators Rubio, Menendez, and Cruz were joined by Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Chris Murphy (D-CT), and John Cornyn (R-TX).\r\nThese efforts by the Ortega government represent a clear attempt to stifle political opponents and restrict citizen mobilization, wrote the Senators. We are deeply concerned that the recently enacted legislation constructed to silence voices critical of the Ortega government will lead to increased arrests and persecution of political opponents.\r\nSince April 2018, Nicaraguans have witnessed arbitrary detentions of journalists and censorship of outlets such as 100% Noticias and Nicavision Canal 12, while Ortega allies maintain control over the majority of domestic news media, added the Senators.\r\nRubio is the Chairman of the Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women's Issue.\r\nThe full text of the letter is below.\r\nDear Ambassador Sullivan:    We write to express our concern regarding the Ortega government's harassment of Nicaragua's political opposition, civil society, and independent media. Respect for fundamental freedoms is essential for the preservation of a vibrant democracy, and the exercise of free speech requires that opposition members, activists, and journalists be permitted to operate in a safe environment.    We are particularly troubled that, ahead of November 2021 elections, Nicaraguan legislators have begun to codify press censorship and further restrict activities of civil society and human rights groups. Recently, members of the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) in the Nicaraguan Congress passed legislation that mandates civil society, nongovernmental organizations, and citizens who receive funds originating from abroad to register as foreign agents and bars them from engaging in domestic political activities.    The Nicaraguan Congress also approved a Special Law on Cybercrimes, which would allow the Ortega government to prosecute individuals accused of spreading false and/or misrepresented information at its discretion. These efforts by the Ortega government represent a clear attempt to stifle political opponents and restrict citizen mobilization. We are alarmed by these efforts to provide legal justification to harass and criminalize any entity critical of the Ortega government. Moreover, despite early 2019 commitments to release all political prisoners, at least 113 political opponents remain incarcerated as arbitrary detentions and kidnappings continue. We are deeply concerned that the recently enacted legislation constructed to silence dissent will lead to increased arrests and persecution of political opponents.    The enactment of these laws is deeply concerning, especially in light of the fact that harassment of the independent news media in Nicaragua has increased dramatically in recent years. Since April 2018, Nicaraguans have witnessed arbitrary detentions of journalists and censorship of outlets such as 100% Noticias and Nicavision Canal 12, while Ortega allies maintain control over the majority of domestic news media.[1] That year, journalists documenting protests throughout the country faced intimidation, theft of personal property, and assault. In one tragic case, journalist ngel Gahona was killed while broadcasting live on the events of April 2018. The Ortega government's violent response to these protests reportedly resulted in upwards of 325 deaths, more than 2,000 injured, and prompted at least 70 journalists to flee Nicaragua.[2] Following a raid of the digital newspaper Confidencial and a series of threats, respected journalist Carlos Fernando Chamorro was forced to seek safety in Costa Rica in January 2019 for nearly a year.    More recently, a Managua court ordered the seizure of assets belonging to Mariano Valle Peters, the owner of Nicavision Canal 12which is one of only two independent channels still on open air in Nicaragua.[3] Dating back to 2011, Mr. Valle's outlet has experienced repeated theft of equipment, police intimidation and assault of reporters, as well as frequent tax auditsall of which seems to be targeted intimidation toward the channel.    We urge you to utilize all diplomatic tools to ensure the safety of journalists, civil society, and political opponents. In closing, we reaffirm our solidarity with the Nicaraguan people. Press freedom and freedom of expression are integral to the preservation of democracy, and we call on the Ortega government to respect democratic ideals and the fundamental human rights of all Nicaraguans.    Sincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=ACB7A542-6B69-4182-877F-7DCF3FCD1751", "Rubio Statement on MSCI Removing Chinese Military Companies From Its Indexes", "2020-12-16", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) released a statement following MSCI, Inc.'s (MSCI) announcement that it would remove seven Chinese companies connected to the People's Liberation Army from its indexes. In June 2019, Rubio requested information from MSCI regarding the company's controversial decision to add Chinese companies in its equity indexes, including whether MSCI examined the potential for funding Chinese companies involved in the Chinese government and Communist Party's military, espionage, human rights violations, and Made in China 2025 industrial policy when it performed due diligence on the Chinese firms that it includes in its indexes.More than a year ago, I highlighted how index providers like MSCI funnel U.S. dollars, including from American mom and pop investors and Wall Street, to hostile Chinese companies that are involved in the Communist Party's military, espionage, human rights violations, and Made in China 2025 industrial policy, Rubio said. I was proud to work with the Trump Administration on their Executive Order to prohibit investment in Chinese military firms, and MSCI's decision to remove these dangerous companies from their indexes is a result of that good work.It is regrettable but unsurprising that nothing short of an Executive Order would move an American firm to eliminate from its indexes securities of companies classified by the U.S. government as Communist Chinese military companies' and human rights abusers, Rubio continued. MSCI's stated decision not to remove these firms' subsidiaries and affiliates underscores the need for Congress to take further action and further justifies the decision made by the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board to abandon the use of an MSCI All-World Index. If any future Administration were to reverse course, it would be a clear signal that they are putting the interests of the Chinese Communist Party and Wall Street above the interests of American workers and mom and pop investors.However, there is much more work to be done to address the clear and ongoing risk posed to U.S. economic and national security from the Chinese Communist Party's exploitation of U.S. capital markets, Rubio added. Congress should move swiftly to pass my American Financial Markets Integrity and Security Act, which will ban malicious Chinese companies, as well as their subsidiaries and affiliates, from operating in U.S. capital markets. Passing this bill will make clear to the Communist Party that they will no longer be able to exploit our financial system.Last month, Rubio welcomed an Executive Order by President Trump to prohibit U.S. investments in Chinese firms that are on the U.S. Department of Defense list of Communist Chinese military companies. The move closely resembles legislation that Rubio introduced last month, the American Financial Markets Integrity and Security Act, which would prohibit malign Chinese companies  including the parent, subsidiary, affiliate, or a controlling entity  that are listed on the U.S. Department of Commerce Entity List or the U.S. Department of Defense list of Communist Chinese military companies from accessing U.S. capital markets. A one-pager of the legislation is available here.Earlier this month, Rubio welcomed news that the House will pass an amended version of Senator John Kennedy's (R-LA) Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act (S.945), which included key provisions from Rubio and would increase oversight of Chinese and other foreign companies listed on American exchanges and delist and ban over-the-counter trading for firms that are out of compliance with U.S. regulators for a period of three years. The legislation is currently awaiting signature by the President to become law.In May 2020, Rubio and Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) welcomed the announcement by the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (FRTIB) that it would halt its short-sighted decision to invest billions of dollars from the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)  the retirement assets of federal government employees, including members of the U.S. Armed Forces  in opaque Chinese firms engaged in human rights abuses and a wide range of military-related activities.Rubio and Shaheen also led a group of lawmakers in introducing the bipartisan, bicameral Taxpayers and Savers Protection (TSP) Act, which would prevent the FRTIB from steering federal retirement savings to China. Specifically, the FRTIB plans to shift the TSP's International Fund Index to the MSCI All Country World ex-U.S. Investable Market Index that includes Chinese companies under U.S. sanctions and U.S. export bans.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=DC87A289-28D0-4A1C-BE12-0B01858AB6A4", "Rubio, Gillibrand, Rosen Welcome Senate Passage of Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen State Dept Role in Combating Anti-Semitism", "2020-12-16", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) applauded the Senate passage of the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism Act of 2019 (S.238, H.R. 221), a bipartisan and bicameral bill that would enhance the State Department's role in combating and monitoring anti-Semitism around the world. The bill now heads to the U.S. House of Representatives for consideration.\r\nSenators Rubio and Gillibrand were joined by Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) as original co-sponsors of the bill. U.S. Representatives Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Eliot Engel (D-NY) introduced the companion bill in the House of Representatives.\r\nAnti-Semitism, unfortunately, is on the rise and we must do all we can to combat this ancient evil, Rubio said. I welcome the passage of this important bipartisan bill that will ensure that the U.S. remains a leader in the fight against anti-Semitism worldwide. I commend my Senate colleagues for passing this legislation, and look forward to the House quickly passing it and sending it to the President to be signed into law.\r\nAs we have seen far too often, anti-Semitism is surging in New York state, our country, and across the world, Gillibrand said. We must do everything in our power to confront, and end, this growing threat. I am proud that we were able to pass this bipartisan bill to elevate the position of special envoy to the rank of ambassador in order to ensure that the State Department can monitor and help combat anti-Semitism across the globe. I will always stand with the Jewish community, and fight against hatred and prejudice in all its forms.\r\nAnti-Semitism continues to rise at an alarming rate across the globe. To equip the State Department to better address rising anti-Semitism, it is critical that we elevate the role of the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism to Ambassador-at-Large, Rosen said. I am proud to see that this important bipartisan bill has passed the Senate and is one step closer to becoming law, ensuring that the United States remains a leader in combating anti-Semitism internationally and has the tools needed to track and respond to this growing scourge. I will continue working to put a stop to anti-Semitic hatred and bigotry, whether at home or abroad.\r\n\"Congress has taken an important step today to ensure that our government can better fight rising antisemitism around the world, said Jonathan A. Greenblatt, ADL CEO and National Director. We thank Members of Congress for their leadership in bolstering the Office of the U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism, and for doing so in such a commendable, bipartisan manner.\"\r\nCongress recognized the need for a focused approach to address the resurgence of antisemitism when it created the position of the Special Envoy in 2004. Elevating the position to the rank of Ambassador, which this legislation does, will enable the U.S. to enhance our leadership addressing the scourge of antisemitism across the globe, said Rabbi Andrew Baker, AJC Director of International Jewish Affairs.\r\nThe Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism Act will:\r\n \r\n\r\nElevate the position of special envoy to monitor and combat anti-Semitism to the rank of ambassador;\r\n\r\n\r\nDirect the special envoy to report directly to the secretary of state;\r\n\r\n\r\nProhibit the special envoy from being double-hatted with another portfolio of issues;\r\n\r\n\r\nEmphasize that the special envoy should be a person of recognized distinction in the field of combating anti-Semitism or religious freedom; and\r\n\r\n\r\nClarify that the special envoy shall be the primary advisor and coordinator for U.S. government efforts to monitor and combat anti-Semitism and anti-Semitic incitement in foreign countries.\r\n\r\n \r\nRelated:", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://buchanan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/buchanan-applauds-deal-end-surprise-medical-billing", "Buchanan Applauds Deal to End Surprise Medical Billing", "2020-12-16", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Vern Buchanan", "B001260", "buchanan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Congressman Vern Buchanan today applauded a bipartisan agreement reached by congressional leaders on legislation to protect patients from receiving surprise medical bills. He called for the measure to be included in an end-of-the-year spending package.\nEvery year millions of Americans are socked with exorbitant bills for services they discover theirinsurancedoesn't cover. This is an all-too-common practice known assurprisemedicalbilling, often stemming from emergency room visits.\nThe bill would prohibit out-of-network providers from billing patients without receiving consent 72 hours prior to any appointments or procedures.\nNo patient should ever walk out of a hospital and get blindsided by medical bills they never authorized, Buchanan said.\nThe bill also sets up a process for doctors and hospitals to go to arbitration to resolve billing disputes, removing patients from the billing process.\nA study conducted earlier this year found that more than 20 percent of patients had received a surprise medical bill averaging $2,000 each.\nThe newly-announced No Surprises Actwould ensure for the first time that patients receive a true and honest cost estimate in advance of any scheduled procedures, strengthen transparency requirements for emergency room procedures and reduce patients'healthcare costs.\nSpecifically, the legislation will protect patients from surprise bills by ensuring they are only responsible for their health insurance plan's in-network costs. This includes preventing patients from being hit with a surprise bill for care from an out-of-network doctor at an in-network hospital, another common cause of surprise medical bills.\nThe Kaiser Family Foundation found that 18 percent of emergency room visits and 16 percent of in-network hospital stays resulted in a surprise bill.\nThe No Surprises Act is similar to the Consumer Protections Against Surprise Medical Bills Act which Buchanan co-sponsored and supported when it passed the House Ways and Means Committee in February of this year.\nThis bipartisan proposal should be included in any must-pass government funding bill by the end of the year, Buchanan said. Patients and their families need to be protected from these unauthorized and unanticipated costs.\nEarlier this Congress, Buchanan's bill to provide greater transparency in drug pricing passed the Ways and Means Committee and awaits action before the full House. TheReporting Accurate Drug Prices Actwould require all drug manufactures to submit information to the Health and Human Services Department (HHS) on the average sales price of drugs administered under Medicare Part B.\nIn 2016, the president signed into law Buchanan's proposal to preserve Medicare Advantage plans.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=233D8030-2784-405B-A394-6F10982EC40D", "Rubio Secures Provision in Defense Bill to Better Manage Coast Guard Assets", "2020-12-14", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tMiami, FL  U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) secured a provision in the Senate-passed Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act that will help the U.S. Coast Guard to reduce and better manage the maintenance backlog for its vast and aging shore infrastructure assets. The FY21 NDAA includes and builds upon Senator Rubio's Coast Guard Shore Infrastructure Improvement Act, which he first introduced in July 2019, and which seeks to implement recommendations from a Government Accountability Office report. Improvements are critical to the Coast Guard's operational mission, as shore infrastructure is unfortunately vulnerable due to past weather events, as well as planning for future natural disasters.Florida is proud to host critical Coast Guard personnel and infrastructure, including vital shore infrastructure assets, Rubio said. I am pleased that the FY21 NDAA conference report includes my provision to address the Coast Guard's maintenance backlog. The men and women of the Coast Guard constantly stand ready to protect our nation, and we must ensure the infrastructure they rely on is up to par.Related:", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=3B794889-B528-4EED-90F0-9FF7E5C1DB68", "Tomorrow: Rubio Staff to Host Virtual Hurricane Sally FEMA Appeals Clinic", "2020-12-14", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tPensacola, FL  Starting tomorrow, the office of U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) will host a virtual Hurricane Sally FEMA Appeals Clinic for those individuals who have been denied by FEMA for Individual Assistance.December 15 and 16, 20209:00 AM to 3:30 PM CSTTo register for the clinic, click here.Individuals can make an appointment to speak with a member of Senator Rubio's staff regarding how to appeal the FEMA denial. Appeals can relate to initial eligibility decisions, the amount or type of assistance provided, late applications, requests to return money, or a denial of continued Temporary Housing Assistance.For questions regarding this event, please contact Senator Rubio's Orlando Regional Office via phone: 1-866-630-7106 or via email at: Recovery@rubio.senate.gov.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=EE3C89CA-DAAD-4B5B-A2FA-EC50A1341B07", "ICYMI: Rubio says patriotic, pro-worker Republican Party is emerging", "2020-12-14", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "A Patriotic, Pro-Worker Republican Party Is EmergingBy U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL)December 2020The Ripon Forum  Political coalitions have proven to be remarkably dynamic over the past twenty years, and November's historic turnout suggests the political coalitions that constitute our two-party system are once again shifting.  As Republicans, we have many reasons for optimism. To seize the realignment, we cannot simply fall back on decades-old policy white papers. We must instead embrace a pro-American capitalism  one that promotes the common good, as opposed to one that prioritizes Wall Street and Beijing  and become a patriotic, pro-worker party that fights for dignified work, strong families, and vibrant communities.   Over the last four years, the Republican Party has taken the lead in attempting to rebuild that capacity, and we cannot afford to let up. America's future prosperity requires that we recognize when market forces place our nation at a distinct disadvantage with our international competitors. And it will require federal policymakers to step in and create the conditions in which private investment and the vast power of American capitalism flow into critical industries for the good of our entire nation.  Voters rejected the Democrats vision of America  an irredeemably racist country that can only be saved by a revolution led by radical left-wing activists and funded by wealthy elites in the media, Silicon Valley, and Wall Street  and are looking for a home. And these voters weren't just the white-working class Appalachians the media told us would alone shift red. They were my Cuban-American neighbors in my home state of Florida. They were Mexican-Americans in Texas. They were Native Americans in North Carolina and African-Americans all around the nation. The Democratic Party of 2020 has alienated all of them. Republicans need to compete for every voter it has left behind. Going forward, the GOP must be a multi-ethnic, multi-racial coalition of hard-working Americans who love their country. ... Read the rest.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=FEF59523-4E00-467F-9601-220F8B41BE74", "ICYMI: Rubio: After Decades of Delay, Everglades Restoration Is Starting to Yield Real Results", "2020-12-14", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tAfter 20 years, progress on the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan is starting to yield resultsBy U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) December 11, 2020 Sun SentinelThis month, Floridians mark 20 years since Congress approved a federal-state framework to guide our efforts to restore the Everglades, a framework known as the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, or CERP.Unfortunately, in the early years, each CERP project required congressional approval, which meant initial progress was slow. As a result, headlines like the 2008 Sun Sentinel story Red tape, lack of money stall Everglades work regularly appeared on our doorsteps.That changed in 2016, after my good friend and then-chairman of the Senate Committee on Environmental and Public Works, Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK), became a proponent of Everglades restoration. In an op-ed supporting a package of CERP projects called the Central Everglades Planning Project (CEPP), Inhofe wrote, [m]y opposition to this important project has since changed, largely in part to my friend and colleague Sen. Marco Rubio.Securing passage of CEPP greenlit new projects in support of restoration goals and allowed us to make real progress over the past several years. Once complete, these components will be critical tools for directing more clean water south to the central Everglades, Everglades National Park, and ultimately, Florida Bay, where it's desperately needed.In 2018, Congress improved the CEPP and approved construction of the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Storage Reservoir. Not only will the reservoir assist with the distribution of clean water to Everglades National Park, it will also minimize the threat that harmful discharges from Lake Okeechobee pose to our coastal communities.Breakthroughs have also extended to the Tamiami Trail project, where we have succeeded in raising miles of road to allow water to flow freely, reducing disruption to the ecosystem. ...In 2017 and 2018, I worked to expedite and secure full funding for the Herbert Hoover Dike renovation, which is on track to be completed in 2022. Reinforcing the dike will provide additional flexibility to water managers, and help prevent harmful discharges to the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie rivers.And the Kissimmee River Restoration Project is nearly complete. This project is designed to restore the flow of the river along its natural path and replenish nearly 20,000 acres of wetlands along the river's floodplain to remove excess nutrients before waters empty into Lake Okeechobee. This will greatly help in healing the greater Everglades system.If we can continue this momentum, we will realize our long-sought goal of restoring, preserving and protecting south Florida's singular ecosystem while equitably and effectively managing our region's water resources.Congress also needs to pass a new Water Resources Development Act to authorize the Loxahatchee River Watershed Restoration Project, allow the completion of the Caloosahatchee Storage Reservoir, support progress on the South Dade project, and fight the threat of invasive species.We also need this bill to correct the errors made by the Army Corps of Engineers, which decided the EAA Reservoir project must pass through additional bureaucratic obstacles before construction can commence. As this year ends, I am fighting to reiterate Congress' intent for this critical project and allow construction to begin without delay.The tasks ahead are substantial, but the goal is too important to stop fighting. Make no mistake: After decades of delay, Everglades restoration is starting to yield real results.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases-es?ContentRecord_id=B555F113-F099-4CD6-9837-B35D3D7F7F5F", "Una Administracin Biden No Debe Repetir Las Concesiones de Obama a Cuba", "2020-12-11", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Por el senador estadounidense Marco Rubio (R-FL)  10 de diciembre del 2020  El Nuevo Herald\r\n  El rgimen cubano vuelve a tomar medidas severas al seguir arrestando a disidentes pacficos. Esta vez, la medida involucr el despliegue de oficiales vestidos con batas mdicas bajo el falso pretexto de las restricciones a raz del COVID-19. Este es un claro recordatorio del cinismo del rgimen y evidencia hasta dnde llegarn para acabar y censurar la protesta pacfica.\r\nLa represin se produce cuando el rgimen de Castro y Daz-Canel enfrenta una mayor presin por parte del pueblo cubano, que exige que se respeten sus derechos a la libertad de expresin y otras libertades bsicas.\r\nA medida que la situacin en Cuba empeora, una administracin de Biden enfrentara una decisin crtica sobre cmo ser su poltica hacia la isla. Ser que Biden apoyar a los disidentes y continuar las reformas claves de la administracin Trump? No olvidemos que estas acciones han paralizado financieramente al rgimen y priorizado las demandas del pueblo cubano. O, volvera Biden a la fallida poltica de la administracin Obama de recompensar a Ral Castro y Miguel Daz-Canel limitando las sanciones y brindndole legitimidad poltica al rgimen por sus dcadas de comportamiento represivo?\r\n  Ya sabemos cmo responde el rgimen cubano cuando cree que la ayuda puede estar en camino.\r\nEn la actualidad, la dictadura se ha movido agresivamente para censurar a los artistas y los medios independientes, incluyendo los ataques continuos contra los miembros del Movimiento San Isidro. Sern ms los cubanos inocentes que pagarn el precio si volvemos a una poltica unilateral hacia Cuba y le brindamos un salvavidas al rgimen dictatorial de Ral Castro.\r\n...\r\nCualquier gobierno de EE.UU., especialmente uno liderado por Joe Biden, debe dejar explcitamente claro que comprende la desastrosa decisin que lider el presidente Obama de haber accedido a la liberacin e indulto del espa condenado por el rgimen por el asesinato de un residente de EE.UU. y a tres ciudadanos americanos, miembros de la organizacin humanitaria Hermanos al Rescate.\r\n\r\nAl contrario, una poltica ms responsable hacia Cuba seguira los pasos del presidente Trump y promovera polticas destinadas a proteger los derechos fundamentales de los cubanos. En los prximos aos, eso significar especialmente trabajar para promover el acceso al internet en la isla, para que los cubanos estn mejor conectados con fuentes de informacin independientes.\r\n  Tambin implicara el compromiso de garantizar la compensacin de los estadounidenses a quienes el rgimen corrupto de los Castro les expropi sus propiedades injustamente. La formulacin responsable de las polticas, tambin ser el asegurarse que los pases que actualmente estn involucrados en actividades que constituyen la trata de personas de profesionales de la salud cubanos contraten directamente y compensen plenamente a estos individuos, as como tambin cumplan con todas las normas y protocolos laborales bajo la ley internacional.\r\n  La autoridad con la que el rgimen cubano sigue aferrado hoy es insostenible a largo plazo. Sus miembros lo saben. La generacin antigua del Partido Comunista est desapareciendo y sus sucesores enfrentarn problemas importantes porque el pueblo cubano no aceptar su actual comportamiento represivo.\r\n  La poltica hacia Cuba de la prxima administracin ser una prueba para demostrar cmo realmente priorizan los \"valores\" hacia la poltica exterior de EE.UU. El destino de Cuba le pertenece nicamente al pueblo cubano, pero el rol de nuestro pas en ayudar a mejorar las vidas del pueblo cubano no puede volver a repetir el comportamiento que exista bajo la administracin Obama.\r\n  Lea ms aqu.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=5882943B-B941-4367-8178-7EFC68C1E4BC", "Rubio Secures Provision in Defense Bill to Combat Financial Crime by Ending Anonymous Shell Companies", "2020-12-11", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) secured a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2021 (H.R. 6395) conference report that passed the Senate that will help stop criminals, including sophisticated criminal organizations, from using anonymous shell corporations to engage in illicit activities like money laundering, sex trafficking, fraud, and terrorist financing. The anti-money laundering provisions in the FY21 NDAA conference report includes and builds upon the Corporate Transparency Act (S. 1978), bipartisan legislation he reintroduced last year. The Senate's action sends the final conference report to the President.Senator Rubio first introduced the bipartisan Corporate Transparency Act with Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) in August 2017. In August 2018, Rubio, Wyden, and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) succeeded in passing bipartisan legislation to lay the groundwork to expand a U.S. Department of the Treasury initiative to curb foreign nationals laundering money through high-end real estate. The Miami Herald also published an in-depth report on Rubio's continued efforts to crackdown on dirty money in real estate.In my home State of Florida, including in Miami, our law enforcement professionals know all too well that criminals readily use shell companies to remain anonymous and hide nefarious activity, Rubio said. I was proud to help secure this important provision in the NDAA that targets criminals hiding behind shell companies to engage in illicit activities like human trafficking, healthcare fraud, transnational corruption, and terrorist financing. It is imperative that law enforcement has the basic information, tools, and authorities at its disposal to identify and disrupt criminal acts that put our communities and our national security at risk.Last December, Rubio chaired a Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women's Issues hearing titled Illicit Mining: Threats to U.S. National Security and International Human Rights. The hearing examined how anonymous shell corporations are used to engage in illicit activity, including money laundering.Specifically, the Corporate Transparency Act will:\r\n\r\nGenerally require basic information, including name, address, date of birth, and a driver's license number or other identification of the beneficial owner be reported to the Treasury Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) upon the creation of a company, with some exceptions. No financial information, business details, or proprietary information is required;\r\nEnsure government authorities accessing beneficial ownership information do so only for authorized purposes;\r\nMinimize reporting burdens for companies; and\r\nProvide for civil and criminal penalties for willful violations of the requirements under this law.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=B9620B5C-716E-44FF-9E98-226A3D161D0A", "Rubio, Warner Secure Critical 5G Provisions in Defense Bill", "2020-12-11", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Mark Warner (D-VA) secured a provision (Sec. 9202) in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2021 (H.R. 6395) conference report that passed the Senate to support the development of a 5G wireless network by establishing the Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund and the Multilateral Telecommunications Security Fund. The Senate's action sends the final conference report to the President.    It is in our national security interests to support American competition in the 5G market and take action to counter efforts by Chinese state-directed telecommunications companies to dominate wireless technology supply chains, Rubio said. I was proud to secure this critical provision in the FY21 NDAA conference report that will support the development of an innovative 5G wireless network that leverages American strengths and creates American jobs in the industries of the future without relying on malign Chinese state-directed actors like Huawei and ZTE.    For too long we've called for our allies and trading partners to reject Huawei digital infrastructure  without providing competitively-priced, innovative alternatives that address their needs. I'm pleased to see my bipartisan, bicameral legislation included in this year's defense funding bill, Warner said. I look forward to working with Senate Appropriators next year to ensure that these programs  which advance major national security priorities  receive full funding in the coming year.    Rubio and Warner's provision builds upon the bipartisan legislation they introduced earlier this year to encourage and support U.S. innovation in the race for 5G by providing more than $1 billion to invest in Western-based alternatives to Chinese equipment providers Huawei and ZTE, malign state-directed telecommunications companies that pose a clear and growing threat to the economic and national security of the U.S. and our allies.    In July, Rubio and Warner supported an amendment that was adopted to the Senate passed FY 2021 NDAA that supports the development of secure 5G networks in open-standards to compete with our adversaries.    In a CNBC op-ed earlier this year, Rubio highlighted the importance of why the United States and its allies must reject China's Huawei and lead on 5G development:    \r\nCountries cutting out Huawei and its cheap, high-risk hardware will have to look for trusted alternatives, such as newer, interoperable open radio access networks (ORANs), which bypass the need for Huawei's end-to-end proprietary gear and thus are more open to market innovation.\r\n\r\nGovernments should support innovative telecom companies that are leading the way when it comes to ORAN solutions. In the United States, I have worked with my colleagues on bipartisan legislation, the USA Telecommunications Act, which would provide $750 million in federal funding for research and development of these open and adaptable technologies.\r\n\r\nDefending against Huawei -- and other Chinese state-directed companies -- will require an aggressive, global effort to support innovative technologies, grow our economies, and increase secure 5G access. To that end, my legislation devotes $500 million specifically to encourage the spread of open-access technologies.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=D7CC4262-A5C7-4F1A-B71E-149C417265FE", "ICYMI: Rubio: A Biden Administration Must Not Repeat Obamas Concessions to Cubas Regime", "2020-12-11", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tA Biden Administration must not repeat Obama's concessions to Cuba's regimeBy U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL)December 10, 2020The Miami HeraldThe Cuban regime is once again cracking down and arresting peaceful dissidents. This time, the move involved deploying officers dressed in medical gowns under the false pretext of COVID-19 restrictions. It is a stark reminder of the cynical lengths the fledgling regime will go to stamp out and censor nonviolent protest.The ongoing crackdown comes as the Castro-Daz-Canel regime is facing increased pressure from the Cuban people, who are demanding that their rights to free speech and other basic liberties be respected.As the situation in Cuba worsens, a Biden Administration would face a critical decision when it comes to its policy toward the island. Would Biden stand with the dissidents and continue the Trump Administration's key reforms, which have financially crippled the regime and prioritized the demands of the Cuban people? Or would he return to the failed Obama Administration policy of rewarding Ral Castro and Miguel Daz-Canel with sanctions relief and political legitimacy for decades of repressive behavior?...We can already see how the Cuban regime responds when it thinks relief may be on the way.It has aggressively moved to censor artists and independent media, including its ongoing assault against members of the San Isidro movement. More innocent Cubans will pay the price if we return to a one-sided Cuba policy -- and throw a life-line to Ral Castro's dictatorial regime....Any U.S. administration  especially one led by Joe Biden  must make explicitly clear that it understands what a disastrous decision it was for President Obama to accede to the release and pardon of the regime's convicted spy for murdering four Cuban-American nationals, members of the humanitarian organization Brothers to the Rescue....By contrast, a more responsible policy towards Cuba would follow in the footsteps of President Trump and advance policies meant to protect the fundamental rights of Cubans. In the coming years, that will particularly mean working to promote internet access on the island, so Cubans are better connected with independent sources of information.In addition, it would entail a commitment to securing compensation for Americans who had their property wrongfully stolen by the corrupt Castro regime. Responsible policymaking will also mean ensuring that nations currently engaged in activities that constitute the human trafficking of Cuban medical professionals instead directly contract and fully compensate those individuals, as well as abide by all international labor standards and protocols.The authority to which the Cuban regime continues to cling today is unsustainable in the long run. Its members know that. The Communist Party's older generation of hard-liners is dying out, and their successors will face significant problems because the Cuban people will not accept their current repression and behavior;The next administration's Cuba policy will be a test to prove how they truly prioritize values in U.S. foreign policy. The fate of Cuba belongs to the Cuban people alone, but our nation's role in bettering their lives cannot fall back to what it was under the Obama Administration.Read More Here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=E249ED77-E194-4BC7-838E-AFCABAC238AA", "Rubio, Coons Praise Passage Of Their Bipartisan Bill To Strengthen U.S.-Israel Strategic Alliance", "2020-12-11", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Chris Coons (D-DE) applauded the passage of their bipartisan United States-Israel Security Assistance Authorization Act (S.3176), which was included in the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This bipartisan bill will strengthen the U.S.-Israel strategic alliance by authorizing $3.3 billion in annual security assistance consistent with the U.S.-Israel Memorandum of Understanding and ensures that Israel has what it needs to defend itself and is able to address both conventional and emerging threats.This bipartisan legislation has now overwhelmingly passed the Senate on a couple of occasions. The Senators previously introduced this legislation in 2018, and it was then included in the Senate-passed Strengthening America's Security in the Middle East Act of 2019 (S.1).The inclusion of this important and bipartisan bill in this year's NDAA reaffirms our nation's unwavering support to our strongest ally in the Middle East: the Jewish State of Israel, Rubio said. As Israel faces unprecedented threats from Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas, and other malign actors, we must continue to advance initiatives that protect and support our mutual security interests.A strong U.S.-Israel relationship remains a bipartisan priority, Coons said. The $3.3 billion in annual security assistance codified today was agreed to in a Memorandum of Understanding negotiated and signed by President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu in 2016. Tensions in the region continue to threaten Israeli security, and I'm proud that Congress is deepening the strategic U.S.-Israel alliance and bilateral non-security cooperation in the face of these challenges.Related:\r\n\r\nJanuary 9, 2020: Rubio, Coons Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen U.S.-Israel Strategic Alliance\r\nFebruary 5, 2019: Rubio, Risch, Gardner, McConnell Welcome Senate Passage of Strengthening America's Security in the Middle East Act\r\nJanuary 8, 2019: On Senate Floor, Rubio Urges Democratic Colleagues To Support Bill To Strengthen Security In Middle East\r\nJanuary 3, 2019: Rubio, Risch, Gardner, McConnell Introduce Bill to Strengthen U.S. Security in Middle East, Bolster Israel Alliance & Sanction Syria's Dictatorship\r\nAugust 2, 2018: Rubio Applauds Senate Passage Of The United States-Israel Security Assistance Authorization Act Of 2018", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://buchanan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/buchanan-measure-headed-president-s-desk", "Buchanan Measure Headed to Presidents Desk", "2020-12-11", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Vern Buchanan", "B001260", "buchanan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  The U.S. Senate today passed the final version of a sweeping defense bill that includes Congressman Vern Buchanan's measure to reduce training accidentsfollowing the death of a Bradenton soldier\nThe bill cleared the U.S. House Tuesday and is now on its way to President Trump's desk.\nBuchanan filed the measure to this year's National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in July as a part of his push for military training reforms after Army Specialist Nicholas Panipinto of Bradenton died in a vehicle training accident in South Korea last year. A lack of emergency services on base and delays in medical response was cited in his death.\nThe highest tribute that can be paid to the life of Specialist Panipinto is for the Defense Department to ensure that future military personnel who are injured during training exercises can quickly receive high-quality medical treatment that might help save their lives, Buchanan said. I am deeply humbled that Nick's mother came to me with their tragic story and has allowed me to help. I know that these reforms will save lives and prevent future heartache felt by families like hers across the country.\nBuchanan's amendment requires the Department of Defense to examine emergency response capabilities and services currently available at U.S. military bases around the world and to report toCongress on the potential benefits and feasibility of requiringbases to have properly functioning MedEvac helicopters and fully-stocked military ambulances.\nThe U.S. House initially passed its version of the NDAA in July, with Buchanan's amendment included, and the Senate later followed suit passing its own separate version. The U.S. House and Senate then had to reconcile their competing versions and produce a final conference report. \nSpecialist Panipinto's mother, Kimberly Weaver, praised Buchanan saying, This isn't just a win for our family, but for every military family. We are so thankful to Congressman Buchanan for all of his help in getting these necessary changes one step closer to being signed into law.\nDeaths during training exercises have risen dramatically in recent years. In 2017 alone, nearly four times as many service members died in training accidents than were killed in action.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://dunn.house.gov/2020/12/congressman-dunn-credits-operation-warp-speed-with-rapid-vaccine-development", "Congressman Dunn Credits Operation Warp Speed with Rapid Vaccine Development", "2020-12-11", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Neal Dunn", "D000628", "dunn.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, Representative Neal Dunn, M.D. (FL-02) made the following statement following the Food & Drug Administration (FDA)'s emergency use authorization approval of the COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer Inc. and partner BioNTech SE.\r\nThis is a monumental step in our fight against COVID-19. The Trump Administration's Operation Warp Speed played an instrumental role in supporting the development of this safe and effective vaccine. Pfizer and BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine has a 95% efficacy rate and will entail two doses that are administered 21 days apart. The company plans to distribute about 25 million doses in the U.S. by the end of the year  if you do not receive a vaccine immediately following its release, there are more on the way. I've been in close communication with the Governor's Office regarding distribution and will continue working with the state and my district to ensure my constituents receive the most updated information on the vaccines.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases-es?ContentRecord_id=85D330B4-9FBA-4F9A-B484-32B194543D7B", "Rubio Junto a Menndez Presentan Ley en Apoyo al aumento de Capital del BID", "2020-12-10", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sala de Prensa \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tInicio\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSala de Prensa\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSala de Prensa\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWashington, DC - El senador estadounidense Marco Rubio (R-FL) junto a Bob Menendez (D-NJ), el miembro de ms alto rango del Comit de Relaciones Exteriores, presentaron una nueva legislacin que autoriza el dcimo aumento general de capital para el Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo (BID, por sus siglas en espaol), la institucin financiera lder en el hemisferio. En un momento en que los pases de la regin han sufrido el impacto econmico causado por la pandemia del COVID-19 y tras los devastadores huracanes en la regin, el histrico proyecto de ley destaca los esfuerzos del Congreso de EE.UU. para priorizar y asegurar un aumento en el capital del BID.La legislacin aumentara los prstamos anuales del BID en $20 mil millones de dlares y fortalecera su capacidad para liderar los esfuerzos financieros en Amrica Latina y el Caribe. Como parte del aumento del capital, el proyecto de ley fomenta el apoyo a la creacin del primer fondo ambiental y servicio crediticio del BID, una iniciativa pionera que posicionara al Banco para ampliar los esfuerzos para mejorar la sostenibilidad ambiental y la preparacin para los desastres naturales en el hemisferio.Rubio es la presidente del Subcomit de Relaciones Exteriores para el Hemisferio Occidental, Delincuencia Transnacional, Seguridad Civil, Democracia, Derechos Humanos y Asuntos Globales de la Mujer.Con las crecientes adversidades econmicas que enfrenta nuestra regin, causadas por la pandemia del COVID-19 o la destruccin tras el paso de los desastres naturales, me enorgullece unirme al senador Menndez en presentar este importante proyecto de ley, Rubio dijo. Al apoyar el avance del aumento del capital del BID, reafirmamos el liderazgo de EE.UU. en nuestro hemisferio a travs de las iniciativas financieras del banco. Debemos hacer todo lo posible para contrarrestar los esquemas depredadores de la China en nuestra regin, mientras ellos continan abusando de las naciones en desarrollo. La alianza de EE.UU. se necesita ahora ms que nunca.\"A medida que continuamos buscando formas de intensificar nuestros esfuerzos para abordar los desafos globales causados por la pandemia del COVID-19, esta importante legislacin renueva el compromiso de EE.UU. con el principal banco multilateral de desarrollo en la regin y profundiza las relaciones econmicas con nuestros socios hemisfricos, Menendez dijo. El BID debe considerar las necesidades de nuestros socios en latinoamrica y el caribe, en particular despus que las perspectivas econmicas del hemisferio se vieron severamente afectadas por el COVID-19 y una devastadora temporada de huracanes. Este proyecto de ley tambin asegurar que el BID est mejor preparado para abordar los crecientes desafos del cambio climtico en las Amricas al pedir el establecimiento de su primer fondo ambiental. Espero trabajar con mis colegas de ambos partidos para aprobar esta legislacin lo antes posible.\"El texto de la Ley de Aumento de Capital del Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo en ingls est aqu.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=6E456EEA-7CAC-4724-95EC-9661FBA7533D", "Now: Rubio Chairs Hearing on the Paycheck Protection Program and Its Future", "2020-12-10", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWashington D.C.  U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, convened a hearing titled, Small Business in Crisis: The 2020 Paycheck Protection Program and its Future.A live-stream of the hearing can be found on the committee's website here.Chairman Rubio's opening remarks as prepared can be found below.Chairman Rubio: I would like to thank everyone for joining us, both in person and virtually, and welcome our witnesses before the Committee.The coronavirus pandemic has affected virtually every part of our lives; our health, our education, our jobs, our communities, our families, and our economy.The pandemic and nationwide lockdowns were thenand remain nowa crisis for America's small businesses.In March, as the pandemic and mandatory lockdowns began crushing small businesses, the Senate and bipartisan members of this Committee responded by coming together and enacting historic support for small businesses in the CARES Act.One of those lifelines was an entirely new program, built upon the network of community banks that the SBA has worked with for many years, to deliver capital to small businesses.That support was the Paycheck Protection Program. And, in this crisis, we called upon every inch of America's financial infrastructure to deliver the help it brought to small businesses.Now, in retrospective, it is clear that the PPP has been the most effective piece from the bipartisan CARES Act.PPP is arguably the largest singular federal fiscal relief program enacted in recent history, delivering more than $525 billion to small businesses and nonprofits across the country.PPP had two main goals: help workers keep their jobs, and protect small businesses from being forced to permanently close their doors.Under the crisis conditions in which we created the program, to achieve these goals required setting a third goal: to deliver the support PPP would provide with all possible speed.Looking back, I believe it is more than fair to say that PPP accomplished all three of those goals.To the goal of worker retention, businesses receiving PPP report saving up to 55 million jobs.In May 2020, the first jobs report after the full amount of PPP loans was disbursed, showed the biggest month for jobs gained on record since 1939beating economists' expectations by over 10 million jobs.To the goal of helping small businesses, more than 5.2 million small businesses and nonprofits received a PPP loan.By the end of May, the U.S. Census Bureau reported that more than 70 percent of all small businesses in the entire country received PPP loans.To the goal of delivering assistance with haste, the SBA approved nearly $350 billion in PPP loans in just two weeks.That is, by far, and by any measure, the fastest delivery of funds at this scale for a fiscal policy program in modern history.This program was a tremendous success in meeting the goals that we created it to meet.And now, it is time to do it again.The work that the first round of PPP began, though successful, it remains incomplete.The pandemic is still raging. Lockdowns are again being placed on small businesses, and consumer activity is falling.By enacting a second round of PPP, we can build upon the successes of the first round, fix problems identified, and protect small businesses through the winter.As we consider a second round of PPP funding, this hearing provides as a good opportunity to take stock of what we learned in the first round.The priority of speed that we gave the program, however necessary, created some initial problems in implementation.For example, the average loan size approved at the outset of the program was larger, and a number of companies that had access to capital elsewhere, received PPP loans.That problem was resolved. Yet the program's critics persist in saying that the program was skewed toward larger businesses.The facts are that 70 percent of PPP loans went to small businesses with 10 or fewer employees.The average business receiving a PPP loan had 13 employees.And 80 percent of all funds went to businesses with fewer than 200 employees, even though all businesses with 500 or fewer employees were eligible.Another example is issues related to fraud. We have learned a good deal about the need for inspection and oversight by the administering agencies.However, the evidence so far does not suggest a fraud rate in PPP that is higher than that of other CARES Act programs.And the evidence suggests that PPP suffers from a much lower risk of fraud than the SBA's EIDL program.One of the reasons for this success has been the fact that the banks and credit unions delivering PPP are still subject to federal anti-fraud regulations.This public-private partnership, in combination with increased SBA and Treasury program oversight, allowed us to strike an important balance of ensuring fraud protection, while also distributing program funds in a timely manner.Another example is with respect to the equitable distribution of funds to small businesses owned by all races and ethnicities.As we explored in a hearing this past July, we have learned the importance of community financial institutions, like CDFIs, and technical assistance grants through agencies like the Minority Business Development Agency.Though there was certainly a disparity at the program's outset, the heroic work of community financial institutions overcame it.A survey completed by Goldman Sachs found that, by the conclusion of the program, 93 percent of black business owners applied for a PPP loan, and of those who applied, 95 percent received a PPP loan.According to the SBA's demographic survey data, minority-owned small businesses received a higher percentage of PPP loans than their relative share of business ownership in the United States would otherwise suggest.Black and Hispanic-owned small businesses account for 7.8 percent of total small businesses, yet successfully received 10.6 percent of the total PPP loans disbursed.Despite some negative narratives in the media, I have heard loud and clear about the success of PPP from small business owners throughout the country.For instance, Between Pixels in Marietta, Georgia said, we applied for and received the PPP loan, which helped us focus our energy on pivoting our business model. The funds allowed us to reassign staff to these opportunities rather than cut positions, which ended up making up for the revenue we lost from our traditional services.Mike Zaffroni, the owner of Liberty Landscape in Jacksonville, Florida said, if I had to sum up the PPP loan in one word for us, it gave us confidence. We would be in a much different position without it.These represent only a small portion of the comments we have received from small businesses about the program.While there are better days ahead with the promise of a successful vaccine, we have an immediate need that requires action.Businesses need more help to make it through this winter, given a potential second wave looming and impending government lockdowns.Congress has voted unanimously three separate times to fund and enhance PPP and it is far past time for us to come together once again.Today's hearing provides us an opportunity to evaluate the first round of PPP and to discuss the future of the program, with this goal in mind. I look forward to hearing from today's expert panel on their experiences with PPP.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=8E761307-B38B-482E-B7E6-36DF891442B6", "English/ Espaol: Rubio Joins Menendez in Unveiling Legislation in Support of Capital Increase for IDB", "2020-12-10", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) joined Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, in introducing new legislation authorizing the tenth general capital increase for the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the hemisphere's leading international financial institution. At a moment when countries in the region have suffered from the widespread economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and devastating hurricanes in the region, the historic bill highlights efforts by the U.S. Congress to prioritize and secure an IDB capital increase.The legislation would increase the IDB's annual lending by $20 billion and strengthen its ability to lead financial efforts across Latin America and the Caribbean. As part of the capital increase, the bill encourages support for the creation of the IDB's first environmental fund and lending facilitya groundbreaking initiative that would position the Bank to expand efforts to improve environmental sustainability and disaster preparedness in the hemisphere.Rubio is the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women's Issues.With the growing economic adversities our region is confronting, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic or the destruction left behind after previous natural disasters, I'm proud to join Senator Menendez in introducing this important bill, Rubio said. By supporting the advancement of the Inter-American Development Bank's capital increase, we are reaffirming America's leadership in our hemisphere through the IDB's financial initiatives. We must do all we can to counter China's predatory schemes in our region, as they continue to prey on developing nations. America's partnership is needed now more than ever.\"As we continue looking for ways to step up our efforts to address global challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, this important legislation renews the United States' commitment to the region's leading multilateral development bank and to deepening economic relations with our hemispheric partners, Ranking Member Menendez said. The IDB must consider the resource needs of our partners in Latin America and the Caribbean, particularly after the hemisphere's economic outlook was severely battered by COVID-19 and a devastating hurricane season. This bill will also ensure the IDB is better prepared to address the growing challenges of climate change in the Americas by calling for the establishment of its first-ever environmental fund. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to approve this legislation as soon as possible.The Inter-American Development Bank General Capital Increase Act includes the following provisions:\r\n\r\nAuthorizes the U.S. Governor for the IDB to vote in favor of an $20 billion increase in the capital stock of the Bank and requires U.S. diplomatic engagement in support of a tenth IDB capital increase;\r\nEncourages U.S. support for the creation of an IDB environmental fund and lending facility to strengthen environmental policies and safeguards, sustainability initiatives, and disaster preparedness in Latin America and the Caribbean, and;\r\nRecognizes the significant economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Western Hemisphere, as well as the impact of the Venezuelan refugee and migration crisis.\r\n\r\nRUBIO JUNTO A MENNDEZ PRESENTAN LEY EN APOYO AL AUMENTO DE CAPITAL DEL BIDWashington, DC - El senador estadounidense Marco Rubio (R-FL) junto a Bob Menendez (D-NJ), el miembro de ms alto rango del Comit de Relaciones Exteriores, presentaron una nueva legislacin que autoriza el dcimo aumento general de capital para el Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo (BID, por sus siglas en espaol), la institucin financiera lder en el hemisferio. En un momento en que los pases de la regin han sufrido el impacto econmico causado por la pandemia del COVID-19 y tras los devastadores huracanes en la regin, el histrico proyecto de ley destaca los esfuerzos del Congreso de EE.UU. para priorizar y asegurar un aumento en el capital del BID.La legislacin aumentara los prstamos anuales del BID en $20 mil millones de dlares y fortalecera su capacidad para liderar los esfuerzos financieros en Amrica Latina y el Caribe. Como parte del aumento del capital, el proyecto de ley fomenta el apoyo a la creacin del primer fondo ambiental y servicio crediticio del BID, una iniciativa pionera que posicionara al Banco para ampliar los esfuerzos para mejorar la sostenibilidad ambiental y la preparacin para los desastres naturales en el hemisferio.Rubio es la presidente del Subcomit de Relaciones Exteriores para el Hemisferio Occidental, Delincuencia Transnacional, Seguridad Civil, Democracia, Derechos Humanos y Asuntos Globales de la Mujer.Con las crecientes adversidades econmicas que enfrenta nuestra regin, causadas por la pandemia del COVID-19 o la destruccin tras el paso de los desastres naturales, me enorgullece unirme al senador Menndez en presentar este importante proyecto de ley, Rubio dijo. Al apoyar el avance del aumento del capital del BID, reafirmamos el liderazgo de EE.UU. en nuestro hemisferio a travs de las iniciativas financieras del banco. Debemos hacer todo lo posible para contrarrestar los esquemas depredadores de la China en nuestra regin, mientras ellos continan abusando de las naciones en desarrollo. La alianza de EE.UU. se necesita ahora ms que nunca.\"A medida que continuamos buscando formas de intensificar nuestros esfuerzos para abordar los desafos globales causados por la pandemia del COVID-19, esta importante legislacin renueva el compromiso de EE.UU. con el principal banco multilateral de desarrollo en la regin y profundiza las relaciones econmicas con nuestros socios hemisfricos, Menendez dijo. El BID debe considerar las necesidades de nuestros socios en latinoamrica y el caribe, en particular despus que las perspectivas econmicas del hemisferio se vieron severamente afectadas por el COVID-19 y una devastadora temporada de huracanes. Este proyecto de ley tambin asegurar que el BID est mejor preparado para abordar los crecientes desafos del cambio climtico en las Amricas al pedir el establecimiento de su primer fondo ambiental. Espero trabajar con mis colegas de ambos partidos para aprobar esta legislacin lo antes posible.\"El texto de la Ley de Aumento de Capital del Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo en ingls est aqu.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=950CEEAE-9B55-479D-BE2E-0831176E8F95", "Rubio: McKinsey Remains Silent on Its Work for Chinese Communist Party", "2020-12-10", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) following McKinsey & Company's long overdue apology for its role in fueling America's opioid crisis.McKinsey's weakly worded apology for its work on behalf of the opioid industry is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to issues the American people ought to be concerned about, Rubio said. Many of my concerns stem from the fact that the company has been less than forthcoming  to put it mildly  when it comes to their relationship with the Chinese Communist Party.In fact, despite working on key CCP projects like the Belt and Road Initiative' and consulting for the state-owned client that built artificial reefs the Chinese military uses in the South China Sea, McKinsey continues to maintain that it does not perform work that benefits the CCP, Rubio continued. McKinsey's inability to provide clear, direct answers about its relations with the CCP, any work it may have done for the Central Military Commission of China, its work on areas of critical national interest to the United States, its involvement in the detention of ethnic minorities, the presence of Communist Party branches within the company's very own offices in China, and many other topics should concern to all Americans.On November 13, Rubio sent a follow-up letter to McKinsey & Company's Global Managing Partner Kevin Sneader after receiving inadequate responses  and, in some instances, no response  to the senator's initial July 17, 2020 letter requesting information regarding McKinsey & Company's relationship with the Chinese Government and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), including state-owned and state-run companies in China, and what impact those relationships have on McKinsey's relationship with the United States Government.Since my original letter, dated June 17, 2020, I have received two separate responses from  the managing partner for McKinsey's North America operations, Rubio wrote on November 13. Neither letter, despite their length, sufficiently addresses the purpose of my original correspondence: the long-standing and growing concerns surrounding McKinsey's relationships with the CCP and how those relationships may impact McKinsey's paid work for the United States Government.I remain concerned that McKinsey & Company  either wittingly or unwittingly  is aiding the CCP's attempt to supplant the United States and remake the international community in its own image, Rubio continued. We must ensure that firms working on behalf of the United States Government and U.S. companies are putting America's interests first. McKinsey's inability to provide clear, direct answers only exacerbates those concerns and raises serious questions as to whether our government  including the Intelligence Community  should continue to use McKinsey's services.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=C8FBAAE3-1402-4A20-A270-632141D03294", "Chairman Rubio and Ranking Member Cardin Issue Joint Statement on Human Rights Day", "2020-12-10", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Ben Cardin (D-MD), Chairman and Ranking Member, respectively, of the Foreign Relations' Subcommittee overseeing Human Rights, on the observance of Human Rights Day, issued the following joint statement:\r\nToday, on Human Rights Day, which marks the adoption of the U.N. Universal Declaration on Human Rights, we celebrate the fundamental rights of all people that no government or individual has the authority to take away. Tragically, millions of people around the world are denied their most basic freedoms and dignity daily.\r\nAs authoritarianism is on the rise in many corners of the world, the legitimate demands for freedom have increased. We have witnessed citizens take to the streets to exercise their right to protest and demand accountability and change from corrupt regimes. We have also heard the stories of horrific human rights abuses taking place across the globe. The Chinese Communist Party is rounding up Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities and committing unspeakable crimes, which potentially amount to genocide, repressing the rights of Tibetans, crushing freedom in Hong Kong, and attempting to silence dissent inside of China and increasingly outside of China. In Burma, a campaign of violence unleashed against the Rohingya by military forces continues. In Venezuela, the Maduro regime has pressed on with sham legislative elections that were neither free nor fair and has continued its deadly crackdowns. Cuba's attacks against peaceful protestors and members of the press persists. The terror-sponsoring regime in Iran this year executed an Olympic wrestler, Navid Afkari, solely for exercising his fundamental right to expression. In Russia, critics of Putin are poisoned or arbitrarily detained. The Belarusian people have faced repression, detentions, and violent crackdowns for simply calling for legitimate and free elections. Women remain locked up in Saudi Arabia for advocating the rights of all Saudi women. The list sadly goes on.\r\nThe United States must continue to champion the rights of all people regardless of where they live and be a voice for the voiceless. We cannot look the other way. As Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations' Subcommittee that oversees human rights, we reiterate our strong, bipartisan commitment to working together to call out brutal regimes and use tools like the Global Magnitsky Act to hold individuals accountable for their violations of human rights and corrupt practices. We must stand in solidarity with those living under oppression. We also come together today to honor those individuals who risk their lives daily for the right to speak their minds, to worship without fear, to choose their leaders, and to be protected from arbitrary arrest and detention.\r\nThe promotion and protection of human rights is not a partisan cause. It is not limited to one people or one nation. It is a human cause, which requires all of us to stand up and take action. The time is now.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=D7DA43A3-26A4-452E-A2F1-10E842B1598F", "Rubio Details Historic Success of the Paycheck Protection Program", "2020-12-10", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, detailed the historic success of the Paycheck Protection Program in a CNBC op-ed and a detailed analysis posted on Medium.\r\nThis morning at 10:00 a.m. EST, he will convene a hearing titled, Small Business in Crisis: The 2020 Paycheck Protection Program and its Future.\r\nWriting in CNBC, Rubio says PPP is the single largest federal fiscal policy program enacted in recent history and the single most effective relief program passed by Congress. He continues:\r\nAcross the United States, the PPP helped support up to 55 million jobs, including up to 4.5 million in manufacturing, with an average firm size of just 20 employees. Even before the pandemic, manufacturing was experiencing a widening skills gap. An inability to retain skilled employees through the downturn would have exacerbated that gap and further degraded American global competitiveness.\r\nThe PPP acted as an emergency brake on further decline. Despite cynical attacks, the program's benefits swept across businesses in every industry and corner of our nation.And while many in the media and cynical politicians have tried to make a claim of massive fraud, the evidence appears to point otherwise. As Democrat Chairman of the House Select Committee on the Coronavirus Crisis Jim Clyburn found this September, the PPP fraud rate of 0.76 percent is actually lower than estimates for the private mortgage market and other CARES Act programs.\r\nAnd thanks to the work of mission-oriented lenders and community development financial institutions, minority-owned small businesses -- long among the most vulnerable to exogenous shocks -- benefited especially. Black and Hispanic-owned firms account for 7.8 percent of all small businesses in America, but they received 10.6 percent of total PPP loans distributed, resulting in 10 percent of the total jobs retained.\r\nIn a separate, 2,900-word Medium piece, Rubio details the program's historic success with data, analysis and charts from a forthcoming report prepared by the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.\r\n1. The Paycheck Protection Program delivered the largest amount of support to the U.S. economy at the time when it was most needed.\r\nThe Paycheck Protection Program injected over $525 billion into the U.S. economy in less than four months, making it the largest and most rapidly implemented fiscal policy support enacted by the CARES Act.\r\nWhen PPP first began on April 3, 2020, the U.S. economy was in free-fall: unemployment claims were at their highest level in modern history, and nearly half of all small businesses reported they would shut down permanently in less than six months. Before stimulus checks or expanded unemployment benefits were fully available, eligible small and medium-sized businesses were approved for and began to receive nearly $350 billion in PPP loans.\r\nIn May 2020, before any major U.S. state began to re-open, economists predicted the economy would continue to shed labor in massive amounts, projecting the loss of at least another 8 million jobs, which would result in an unemployment rate higher than at any time since the Great Depression. While businesses began to spend their PPP loans, at least $150 billion in PPP loans were disbursed in May. Instead of seeing the expected loss of over 8 million jobs, in May the U.S. economy gained 2.5 million jobs, the largest single month increase since 1939.\r\n\r\nFigure 2. PPP Total Amounts Approved, Imputed Total PPP Amounts Spent by Businesses (billions of dollars), and U.S. Employment Change by Day (percent change from April 7, 2020).\r\n  \r\nRead the full post.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=D94DEB9A-9BD4-480D-BB79-8447128C5662", "Rubio Names Bayshore Fit of Florida as the Senate Small Business of the Week", "2020-12-10", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, named Bayshore Fit of Tampa, Florida as the U.S. Senate Small Business of the Week.Rubio released the following video message to congratulate Bayshore Fit as the Senate Small Business of the Week. A broadcast quality version can be found here.Hello, I'm Senator Marco Rubio, the Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.And today, it's my honor to recognize Bayshore Fit of Tampa, Florida as the Senate Small Business of the Week.When Beth Scanlan and Jeff Fink founded Bayshore Fit in 2012, they set out not only to create a gym, but a community.As they have grown, Bayshore Fit has kept their focus on helping each client attain their unique goals and lead healthier lives.Jeff and Beth are committed to their local business community, and are members of both the South Tampa Chamber of Commerce and the Westshore Alliance.Like many of Florida's small businesses, Bayshore Fit needed to close its gyms due to the public health closures earlier this year.Bayshore Fit was approved for a Paycheck Protection Program loan, a small business relief program that I was proud to be the author of.As a result, they were able to keep their employees paid until gyms across Florida reopened.Thanks to the PPP Program, Bayshore Fit is able to once again open its doors, taking the health precautions necessary to keep their community of clients and employees safe.So Congratulations to Beth, Jeff, and the entire team at Bayshore Fit for being named the Senate Small Business of the Week!I look forward to seeing your continued success.As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Senator Rubio continues the tradition of honoring America's small businesses and entrepreneurs. The Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship oversees proposed legislation on matters relating to the Small Business Administration and investigates all problems relating to America's small businesses.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=DBAE23ED-059A-4E95-967A-47A3992361E1", "Rubio Welcomes Drug Free Community Grants for Florida", "2020-12-10", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) welcomed the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy's (ONDCP) announcement that communities in Florida will receive a total of $1,875,000 to prevent youth substance abuse through its Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program. The DFC Support Program provides grants to community coalitions to strengthen the infrastructure among local partners to create and sustain a reduction in local youth substance use.Ensuring that Florida is a safe and drug-free place to raise a family has long been a priority of mine, Rubio said. I am grateful that the Administration is investing in substance use prevention, and I remain committed to working toward solutions that will lead to better outcomes and brighter futures for our children and communities.Below is a list of the grant recipients and amounts:\r\n\r\nThe Martin County Drug Free Youth Coalition: $125,000\r\nThe Baker Prevention Coalition: $ 625,000\r\nThe Drug Free Punta Gorda Coalition: $125,000\r\nThe Safe and Healthy Duval Coalition, Inc dba Drug Free Duval: $125,000\r\nThe Urban Partnership of Miami-Dade County Coalition: $125,000\r\nThe Drug Free Sarasota Coalition: $125,000\r\nThe Brevard Prevention Coalition: $625,000", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rutherford.house.gov/media/rutherford-ride-alongs/rutherford-joins-rayonier", "Rutherford Joins Rayonier", "2020-12-10", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "John Rutherford", "R000609", "rutherford.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "For another Rutherford Ride Along, I spent some time in the trees with Rayonier in Nassau County to learn more about forestry's economic and environmental impact on Northeast Florida.\nEach year, Rayonier plants over 30 million trees by hand! Unlike seasonal crops, timber is planted for a generation, not just for a growing season. It takes years of hard work, disciplined care, and a healthy environment to keep trees in the optimal condition. New technologies allow them to use fewer chemicals and fertilizer, which is better for the environment and their trees. \nIt was also great to check in on how Rayonier is recovering from the damage they sustained from Hurricanes Michael and Florence. While the timber industry is not eligible for the federal assistance following natural disasters that's made available to other agriculture sectors, last year I joined my colleagues in fighting for USDA emergency assistance for timber producers harmed by Hurricanes Michael and Florence. I'm happy to report they're growing back strong.\nMany thanks to Mike Bell, Mark Herbert, and the wonderful staff at Rayonier for giving me the opportunity to join them for a Rutherford Ride Along!", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases-es?ContentRecord_id=94CF24A9-0E4E-4F86-B8AF-028E0A38BDAC", "Rubio Habla con Maxima 92.5FM Tampa Bay", "2020-12-09", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. El senador estadounidense Marco Rubio (R-FL)hablcon Nio Encendio de Maxima 92.5 Tampa Bay sobre la probabilidad de un segundo paquete econmico y ms fondos para el Programa de Proteccin de Pago de Cheques (PPP, por sus siglas en ingls), la probabilidad de un segundo cheque de estmulo econmico, sobre la ayuda para quienes estn desempleados, la salud del Vicepresidente Joe Biden, las elecciones senatoriales en GA, Twitter y su doble moral con los conservadores, como tambin sobre El Movimiento San Isidro en Cuba.\r\nEn vsperas de la navidad, el senador Rubio tambin le envi un saludo especial a todos los floridanos. Una transcripcin parcial de la entrevista est a continuacin:   \r\nSobre la probabilidad de un segundo paquete econmico y fondos adicionales para el PPP  Yo creo que la posibilidad que se de son las ms altas que [haya] visto desde junio o julio. Desafortunadamente todo este proceso se enrollo en todo lo que era la poltica, las elecciones y todo lo dems.Y le voy a ser sincero, los demcratas no queran pasar nada. Nosotros les ofrecimos muchsimas cosas y no lo queran hacer porque yo creo que ellos pensaban que si la economa iba mal eso iba hacerle dao a Trump e iba a ayudarles a que ellos ganaran sus diferentes escaos al senado, el congreso y todo lo dems. Ahora, obviamente, al final del ao ha cambiado todo y ya las elecciones se terminaron y entonces ellos tienen otra disposicin. Pero en fin no es una garanta, pero si se est trabajando.\r\nYo le dir que la parte [de la cual] yo estoy encargado es de la ayuda a los pequeos comerciantes y sobre eso hemos llegado, en principio, a un acuerdo con mi colega demcrata [Ben Cardin]. Hemos trabajado muy bien sobre esto y se lo hemos presentado al liderazgo de ambos partidos, para ver si lo aceptan, y ayudara a muchsimas compaas pequeas y a las personas que trabajan en ellas a no tener que cerrar sus puertas y a no tener que despedir empleados que obviamente crea desempleo y una desesperacin en un momento muy difcil .\r\nSobre la probabilidad de un segundo cheque de estmulo econmicoYo no estoy en contra de eso, pero no creo que eso vaya a ocurrir. Ni los demcratas ni los republicanos, en el liderazgo, estn empujando por eso.Veremos, obviamente es posible que algo como eso se agrede, no creo que llegue a $1,200 [dlares].\r\nPero quiero ser sincero, no es que yo no me opongo a eso, pero yo no veo ningn tipo de movimiento a favor de eso.Pero yo tambin creo que una de las cosas que si tenemos que hacer, y lo ms importante que podemos hacer, es ayudar a las personas que tienen un trabajo a mantenerlo y ayudar a las personas que no tienen un trabajo a conseguirlo. Y eso es imposible si los pequeos comerciantes estn cerrando sus puertas y las compaas ms grandes tambin. As que, hay que ayudar a mantener los empleos que ya tenemos. Aqu no ayudamos a nadie creando ms desempleo y ayudar a algunas compaas a sobrevivir. Especialmente las pequeas empresas para que puedan de nuevo traer a sus empleados a trabajar. Al final del da, la enorme mayora de las personas lo que quieren es un trabajo, no un cheque del gobierno\".\r\nObviamente si es posible hacer algo ms, como otro cheque [de estmulo econmico], eso se va a estudiar. Pero yo no veo en este momento, para serte sincero, mucho movimiento sobre ese tema y hay un arreglo bipartidista que se anunci la semana pasada, que no va ser el plan final, pero [los cheques de estmulo econmico] no estn incluido en eso. As que eso te indica que en este momento no hay muchas personas enfocadas en eso.\r\nSobre los fondos para individuos que estn desempleados  \"Est incluida ayuda a los estados que son los que manejan el sistema de desempleo, as que eso est incluido en el paquete. Tambin, obviamente, ayuda a los hospitales y a las escuelas y todo lo dems. Y repito, no quiero seguir repitiendolo, pero no quiero tampoco disminuir la gran importancia que tienen las pequeas empresas. Tenemos muchsimas pequeas empresas que estn a punto de cerrar.Estn sobreviviendo lo mejor que pueden, pero no pueden mantenerse en la manera que estn. Eso va a crear un desempleo enorme.Sabemos, por ejemplo que el PPP, cuando pudimos lograrlo la primera vez salv ms de 3 millones de trabajos en la Florida. Imagnese 3 millones de personas sin empleo, adicional a lo que ya tenamos en ese sistema.\r\nSobre la vacuna del COVID-19 y el retorno a la normalidad  Yo no creo que nadie te puede contestar eso con cien por ciento de garanta, pero le dir lo siguiente, yo creo que ya hay hospitales que tienen la vacuna en sus centros, lo que no tienes es el okay del FDA, que esperamos que lo hagan en los prximos das. Yo creo que esta semana lo debemos esperar. Tambin acurdese que hay ms de una vacuna, ya tenemos dos que estn a punto de ser aprobadas y eso va a ayudar muchsimo porque es una opcin adicional que existe. Le dir que los primeros van a ser las personas que estn trabajando en centros mdicos y hospitales, que eso es muy importante, por que si los perdemos a ellos estaremos en una situacin muy grave. Segundo, muy rpidamente, seran las personas mayores y las personas con condiciones mdicas serias. Eso ayudara mucho, por ejemplo, en los centros de cuidados de [personas de la tercera edad] y despus la poblacin en general.\r\nPero acurdense que cada vez que hay alguien que tiene inmunidad contra el virus, el virus empieza a disminuir. Si hay cuarenta por ciento del pueblo que no puede tener coronavirus, pues es un cuarenta por ciento que no se lo puede pegar a otras personas.Esto no va ser una cosa de un dia para el otro, pero yo creo que vamos a ver mejoramientos constantes durante los meses a principio del ao [2021] y esperemos-nos dicen-que es muy posible que ya para junio o antes del 4 de julio [del 2021], estaremos viviendo en un pas donde hay un nivel de normalidad parecido a lo que tenamos antes.\r\nCreo que nunca las cosas van a regresar a lo que eran antes, en muchos casos. Y hay personas con situaciones graves, van a tener que seguir utilizando mascarillas simplemente porque no sabemos el tiempo que dura la proteccin de esta vacuna porque es nueva.Pero en fin, yo creo que ya sin duda para el verano vamos a estar viviendo en una situacin muy distinta, si Dios quiere.\r\nSobre la salud de Biden y su potencial presidenciaYo no quiero especular sobre la salud de nadie. Yo no le deseo mala salud a nadie. Y si Joe Biden es el presidente, le deseo [a l] como a todos los presidentes, buena salud porque al final del da en sus manos est la seguridad de este pas. Yo no voy a especular sobre eso.\r\nLo que s te puedo decir es lo siguiente, Joe Biden-por razones polticas-est rodeado de personas de extrema-izquierda por que esa es la base de su partido.Estos millones de dlares que recaudaron los demcratas, no solamente para la presidencia, todos los candidatos demcratas al senado, incluso los que perdieron por nueve o diez puntos, recaudaron ms fondos que su [contrincante] republicano. De dnde vino ese dinero? Ese dinero no vino del medio, del centro de la poltica, vino de la extrema izquierda.Y, esa extrema izquierda le va a exigir a Joe Biden que tiene que hacer ciertas cosas y ellos van a tener una gran influencia sobre la direccin de las polticas de la administracin Biden. As que yo no tengo la menor duda que la extrema izquierda, y las locuras de la extrema izquierda, van a tener un impacto sobre las polticas de esta administracin simplemente por el hecho que ellos representan la base con ms energa del partido demcrata en este momento.\r\nSobre las elecciones en GA y las repercusiones de tener un senado de mayora demcrata  Yo creo que una de las primeras cosas que van hacer, si ellos toman el poder-Dios no lo quiera-en el senado, es acabar con el filibuster.Es decir que de ahora en adelante pueden pasar cualquier ley con simple mayora en el senado. Ya tienen la mayora del Congreso y tendrn la presidencia.Y, despus que hagan eso, pues entonces pueden hacer lo que les d la gana. Pueden hacer el Green New Deal, que va acabar con miles y miles de trabajos, van a poder aumentar los impuestos, van a poder crear un sistema de salud nacional parecido a lo que existe en partes de Europa y otros pases que ha sido un desastre para esos lugares-es decir te van a quitar tu medico y todo lo dems-un Obamacare pero total, completo, no simplemente lo que tenemos en este momento.\r\nY en la poltica exterior van a entrar de nuevo en el arreglo con Irn, que pone en peligro el estatus de Israel. Me imagino que van a entrar en negociaciones con Maduro, que nunca resultan en absolutamente nada y le harn gran dao, yo creo que condenan a ese pas a 50 aos de tirana. Tambin, van a tratar de regresar al arreglo que hizo Obama con el rgimen castrista, que en fin no logr nada para el pueblo de Cuba pero ayud a traerle millones de dlares a una compaa llamada GAEZA, controlada por los militares cubanos. En fin, yo creo que la lista es larga de las cosas que van a poder hacer.\r\nNo es una exageracin en decir que estas elecciones en Georgia son las importantes para el senado que han existido en ms de 50 aos.\r\nSobre la censura por parte de Twitter y su doble moral con los conservadores  Dos cosas: yo creo, primero, que si Twitter es una compaa que va a censurar lo que las personas dicen, pues ya se han convertido en un periodico. Ellos tienen una proteccin, la ley dice que no puedes ponerle [una demanda] a Twitter y a FB porque ellos no crean el contenido. Ellos simplemente son un sitio donde las personas pueden poner ese contenido.Si van a ponerse en una posicin editorial, pues entonces deben estar dispuestos a ser demandados, igual como un periodico, una cadena de televisin y lo dems. No deben tener la proteccin que tienen en estos momentos.Segundo, yo creo que hay una [doble moral] en la manera en la cual ellos aplican sus reglas. Por ejemplo, un oficial del gobierno chino public hace solamente una semana, puso en twitter una imagen falsa de un soldado de Australia, una imagen que seala a un soldado de Australia con un cuchillo al cuello de un nio en Afganistn. Eso es una imagen falsa. Por 48 horas, no hicieron absolutamente nada.Y eso es algo bien grave porque esa imagen pudiese haber resultado en violencia en contra de esos soldados que estn estacionados en Afganistn como parte de la coalicin.No hicieron nada, yo mand una carta y al fin pusieron una notificacin de algo pero no lo quitaron.Cuando Donald Trump dijo [en Twitter] que iba a enviar a la guardia nacional a Minneapolis le tumbaron el tweet, diciendo que eso estaba instigando a la violencia.\r\nY yo he visto, yo he visto con mis propios ojos, muchsimos tweets diciendo horrores de la comunidad cubano-americana que es la nica comunidad minoritaria en este pas que se les puede decir las cosas que se dicen sobre ellos y no ha habido ningn tipo de [medida] sobre eso. Yo no estoy a favor que ataquen a ningn grupo minoritario en este pas.Pero, abiertamente si lo haces en contra de cualquier otro grupo, te quitan el tweet por decir que ests instigando al odio.Pero puedes decir horrores, y lo dicen, todos los das, que los cubano-americanos en Miami son racistas, que son fascistas, que estn a favor de una dictadura de Trump, que deben deportar a los republicanos que son cubano-americanos y Twitter no hace absolutamente nada.\r\nAs que, en fin, yo creo que [la seccin 230 de Twitter] es una regla que ellos aplican una leyes para la izquierda y otras para la derecha.\r\nSobre El Movimiento San Isidro en Cuba  Yo creo que lo que significa, ms que nada, no es el final de una tirana sino el principio del final. Porque indica el principio de un movimiento cvico, un movimiento organizado a nivel de pueblo, que no es poltico. Este no es un movimiento poltico, es un movimiento de artistas que simplemente quieren la libertad de expresin y se les est negando.Estas no son personas que buscan participar en la vida poltica diaria, ni les interesa el poder, no es un partido poltico. Y no es que este criticando a los disidentes que si son polticos, porque [juegan] un papel importante tambin.Yo creo que indica, en su gran mayora, que son personas jvenes que se han criado toda su vida bajo este sistema que durante toda su vida se les ha dicho que la culpa de todo lo que est sucediendo [en la isla] es a raz de EE.UU., de un bloqueo y todo lo dems.Y que simplemente quieren la oportunidad de expresarse, sobre diferentes temas, incluso temas sociales dentro del pas.Tambin, es un movimiento orgnico. Totalmente orgnico. No tiene absolutamente nada que ver con el extranjero no es un movimiento inspirado por el exilio ni por polticos, ni nada ms.Incluso, muchas de las personas que participan en ese movimiento, yo nunca he odo de ellos porque yo realmente no estoy bien empapado en lo que es la msica y la cultura crtica dentro de Cuba por que simplemente no se escucha mucho de eso en el extranjero.\r\nEn fin, yo creo que eso lo que nos est enseando es que hay una generacin joven [de cubanos] que les corresponde este papel del futuro de Cuba que estn demandando lo bsico, que es: la habilidad de poder expresarse libremente y abiertamente, [lo cual] no se les est permitiendo.Yo creo que el mundo entero va a apoyar ese sentimiento.Es un movimiento pacifico y la brutalidad con la cual se ha tratado a esas personas simplemente nos indica que en Cuba no ha cambiado absolutamente nada. Los nombres en algunos puestos ha cambiado, pero en fin, es el mismo sistema y hay una generacin joven dentro de Cuba que no va a aceptarlo. \r\nMensaje para los floridanos tras el ao 2020  Les deseo a todos lo mejory s que, es un momento, ha sido un ao sumamente difcil para el pas y para muchos de ustedes. Nuestras oraciones estn con las personas que han perdido seres queridos por este virus, que han perdido sus empleos, que han perdido su negocio.Les pido que mantengan la fe, que yo creo que mejores das nos esperan. Que con Dios todo es posible. Les deseo una Feliz Navidad, un prospero Ao Nuevo.Que juntos vamos a poder avanzar y tener un mejor ao el ao que viene.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=1F585BA8-2910-42A7-9E42-EC86DB724C6A", "ICYMI: Rubio Joins American Compass for a Conversation on a Multi Ethnic, Working Class Conservatism", "2020-12-09", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) joined Congressman Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH) for a conversation on what's next for the Republican Party and how to build a conservative agenda that appeals to a multi-ethnic, working-class base. The conversation was hosted by American Compass and moderated by Oren Cass. See a lightly edited transcript of Rubio's remarks below and watch the full conversation here.On today's conservatism:I think by and large, the majority of Americans believe that the federal government shouldn't be involved in everything, that there are some important things the federal government has to do, like protect us from foreign countries that seek to do us harm, and things of that nature. But by and large, that's how they feel about it. And that's really been the core of conservatism for a long time. It's limited government and federalism, the notion that it's at your local and state level, where to the extent government needs to be involved, it should be involved and be more effective.That said, it's not an anti-government message. In essence, there are things that they believe, and I think rightfully so, that our government exists to serve us. To serve people. Not to serve the market, not to serve the international community. To the extent that working with the international community is good for Americans, they're for it. To the extent that a vibrant market is good for the creating and the kinds of jobs that people need, they're for it. I'm for it. I believe in the free market. I reject and abhor socialism, I think it's a terrible way to organize your economy. But in those instances, in which the most efficient outcome, which is what the market is going to give you, is not good for America, they think we should do something about it. For example, it may be more efficient to make protective equipment for a pandemic or pharmaceuticals in China, I'm not sure most people agree that's in our national interest.It may be the most efficient outcome for all kinds of industrial capacity to relocate overseas, but it's not in our national interest to have entire communities gutted, thousands upon thousands of good paying stable jobs wiped out. And the nation lose an industrial capacity. And it's those instances where they want government to, when it has to choose between the efficiency and the national interest, to choose the national interest. And I think that's the part that really is important.On woke politics:I think there's this growing sense in this country  and I don't think this is just on the conservative side  that it's gone too far on the sort of woke political correctness, careful what you say stuff.Ironically, as I pointed out yesterday, there is one ethnic minority group that it is acceptable to attack on Twitter and call names and vilify. At this moment, that happens to be Cuban Americans. For some reason, you can say anything you want about them on Twitter, because they happen to have voted for Trump.You shouldn't be rude, nasty to people, you should avoid saying things that are unnecessarily irritating or offensive. But we've gotten to the point now where you can't even hold a comedy show on a college campus. You can't even invite speakers from different perspectives. Listen, it's difficult to even accept an invitation to speak at any commencement ceremony because you know there'll be five or ten woke students who are going to make a spectacle out of it and ruin it for everybody else.So I think it's gone too far in that direction. And a lot of people are just tired of being policed. And now I'm going to see some of the hypocrisy that emerges in terms of how words are policed online, social media and the like, it only adds fuel to that fire. So there's most certainly an element to that.I think most Americans are not ideological in the sense of a think tank or so forth, but I do think they have a tremendous amount of common sense and don't like crazy ideas and crazy stuff like let's get rid of the police department, and instead when some guy's holding a knife to his wife's throat, let's send in a counselor to speak to them. Or let's go ahead and shut down and put in jail someone who dares show up to work at a small business, but let's raise a bunch of money to bail out arsonists and looters. I think people look at that and say that's nuts, that's crazy. And there's people out there on the political left that identify with those positions I've just outlined. And I think some of that comes across as well.On industrial policy and multi-ethnic conservatism:But the other, I would say, is industrial policy and something that people on the right have often looked at as the government taking over industry. That's not what it involves. It does involve saying, \"Look, we can't just be a country that invents things.\" It's great that we do, and it's great we have people that can design things and do all kinds of innovation on software and on technology side. But ultimately, if you're not the country that makes those things, eventually you won't be the one that invents it either. Those two things are interrelated. Not to mention, you can't have a strong country, unless you have millions of stable, good paying jobs that allow people, not necessarily to get rich, but to live stable, secure, prosperous lives, retire with dignity, live in a safe community and give their kids the chance at a better life.If you don't have that, that's the glue that holds society together. And if your economy isn't producing that kind of employment, you're going to have big problems, big societal problems that'll manifest themselves, sociologically and politically. And I think we see that today, and one of the interesting dividing lines in American politics, in the last year, has been between the people who get paid to work from home and are all for shutdowns and the people who, if they don't go to work in person, don't have a job, don't have a business and can't get paid. And so it's basically been a year of people who get paid to work from home on Zoom, lecturing the people who don't, about why everything needs to be shut down. And it's creating real tension that I've seen brew into a bunch of different things.On balancing conservatism and the free market:The notion that we have a truly libertarian free market is a myth. Anytime you apply rules or laws or conditions on an economy, the economy is going to behave according to that. So we have rules and laws right now, in many cases, they just incentivize the wrong thing. They incentivize, for example, taking the money your company made, and rather than reinvesting it in a new capacity to help that company grow and create new jobs, oftentimes, the incentive is let's just use it to buy back shares to increase the value of the shares so that our shareholders are happy. There's nothing immoral about it, there's nothing wrong about that, I'm not pretending that we make it illegal. I'm just saying, why do we incentivize that? What we should be incentivizing is if you do that, that's fine, and we'll treat it this way, you do a dividend. But if you take that money and actually invest it in building a new factory in America, that's where the incentive and the benefit will come from.Likewise, on the critical industries, we have to wake up to the reality that if you're in the pharmaceutical industry or the rare earth minerals industry, you're not competing with a private Chinese company, you're competing with a nation state that is subsidizing and backing that company, and ultimately you're going to lose that battle. They're prepared to wait you out, they're prepared to deny you access to that market while they have an exclusive, and they're prepared to steal your intellectual property to replace you. So we have to acknowledge that if there are some industries that we want to have in either domestic or ally capacity, then we're going to have to do some things to incentivize that being located in the US not by government owning it, not by flooding them with money, but just by ensuring that the way we tax things and the way we regulate things are aligned appropriately, according to those sense.To the extent government is involved in our economy already, let's make sure that those incentives are pro-America as opposed to what we have in some cases today, incentivizing behavior that at the end day is not in our national interest.On Nike's hypocritical efforts to lobby against the Xinjiang Forced Labor Bill:I think the hypocrisy really sets people off, right? ... So here it was Nike everyday, bombarding us with all of these messages of Colin Kaepernick, whose right to speak,I've defended it. Whether I agree with some of the things he says or not, he has every right as an American to speak as he wants. But they bombard us with these messages at the same time as they are up here [in Washington] actively lobbying against a bill that targets forced labor in China. And so you look at that and say, well, how can the same company bombard us with these messages here and try to stigmatize people in this country? But you're lobbying here against forced labor in China, because that happens to be perhaps a source of cheap products for you. I mean, people see that stuff and say, this is nuts. This is ridiculous.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=953C8DF9-C773-42AD-9363-DBE90D1DAEAB", "ICYMI: Rubio Joins the Story With Martha MacCallum", "2020-12-09", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) joined The Story with Martha MacCallum to discuss China's efforts to spy on and influence American politicians, and the prospect of former Mayor Pete Buttigieg as U.S. Ambassador to China under a potential Biden Administration. See below for highlights and watch the full interview here.\r\n  On China's efforts to spy on and influence American politicians:    There are legitimate questions. I'm not accusing anyone of anything. It is perhaps exactly the way [Congressman Swalwell] says The broader question here is there are a lot of legitimate questions that I think are important to answer, not just as a member of Congress to his constituency, but in the House if he wants to continue to serve in the important role.    The broader issue of the Chinese espionage issue is a huge issue. This is exactly what they do  they do recruit mayors, they do go down and try to get close to students and activists, but also through people in business and others. They try to get close to local leaders. They play the long game, and this is a prototype of exactly the kind of efforts they try to carry out. They get to know you when you're a city councilman in the hopes that one day you might be a U.S. Senator, a member of Congress, a member of the Cabinet, and in a position to help them, at minimum because you have a pro-China view of things, a pro-China narrative in your head, but also potentially because they have compromising information on you that they can use to get you to vote or support issues that they want. It's very troubling, and I don't think this is isolated to this one story unfortunately.    On the prospect of former Mayor Pete Buttigieg as U.S. Ambassador to China under a potential Biden Administration:    Look, and it's no disrespect towards the Mayor, who frankly just doesn't have the breadth and depth of experience interacting with China. In fact, his only experience with China, to my understanding, is he worked at McKinsey, a consulting group there's China-related issues with regards to them and some of the companies that they've supported.    It doesn't mean he's not qualified to be an ambassador somewhere. I just personally believe that you are dealing with the second largest economy in the world, the second most powerful military in the world, a near-peer competitor to the United States, the county with whom the relationship we have will define the rest of the 21st century. I think it's important that we send someone to that post that has some depth of understanding about all the issues related to that country and our relationship with them. And again, with all due respect to the former Mayor of South Bend, Indiana, I just don't think that that's what gets you ready for it.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=A2DF4BA4-D51F-4072-A239-28FE26B68FA1", "Rubio: Critical Water Projects Moving Forward in Congress", "2020-12-09", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) praised the House passage of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) and urged the Senate to move swiftly in approving the measure. Rubio secured numerous key provisions in WRDA, including funding for critical U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects related to Everglades restoration, beach renourishment, flood control, and environmental protection.I am optimistic that we will be able to pass this critical legislation before the end of the year, Rubio said. Not only does this bill authorize a number of projects that will benefit Florida, but it includes language to fix the bureaucratic mess that has caused unnecessary delays to the construction of the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Storage Reservoir. The EAA reservoir is a critical piece of infrastructure that will help move Everglades restoration forward, and reduce the threat that harmful discharges from Lake Okeechobee pose to our coastal communities.Overall, the Water Resources Development Act takes significant steps to improve Florida's ports, flood-prevention infrastructure, reservoirs, and water systems, Rubio continued. It also includes important steps in protecting the progress we've made under the Central Everglades Restoration Plan, and increases the ability of our local partners to contribute to this work. Good water management, and protecting the future of the Everglades, are critical to the health of our state's communities and economy. This bill continues to make much-needed investments in those areas.Finally, I am grateful to my House colleagues for including my SLITHER Act, Rubio concluded. This bill will help federal, state, tribal, and local partners collaborate and innovate in new ways as we identify and eliminate invasive species that threaten the effective restoration of South Florida's ecosystem. I'm also grateful they rightly chose to honor fallen FWC Officer Julian Keen.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=BC521995-B595-4595-9DB3-01A56FAEBF36", "Rubio Secures Critical Provisions for Northwest Florida Military Installations in Defense Bill", "2020-12-09", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) secured authorization in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2021 (H.R. 6395) conference report for critical construction and infrastructure projects on military bases in Northwest Florida. The Senate is expected to pass the final conference report this week, sending it to the President.From the Gulf Test Range to Tyndall Air Force Base and Hurlburt Field, military operations in Northwest Florida play a critical role in our nation's military readiness, Rubio said. I am proud to have secured congressional approval for the next phase of Gulf Range Modernization and a provision to ensure Tyndall Air Force Base makes a full recovery from the damages suffered as a result of Hurricane Michael. I am also pleased that the conference report includes my provision to authorize military construction projects at Hurlburt Field. Unfortunately, Northwest Florida is no stranger to the damage inflicted by natural disasters, but I remain committed as ever to securing the necessary federal resources Northwest Florida needs.The NDAA conference report authorizes the following provisions that directly impact Northwest Florida:\r\n\r\nGulf Test Range (Sec. 4201): authorizes $15 million for the Gulf Range Modernization and the next phase in the Gulf Test Range telemetric modernization process.\r\nTyndall Air Force Base (Sec. 2306): provides guidance on the continued reconstruction efforts at Tyndall Air Force Base.\r\nHurlburt Field (Sec. 4601): $83.1 million for military construction; $44.8 million to build a Special Operations Forces Special Tactics Operations Facility; and $38.3 million to build a Special Operations Forces Combat Aircraft Parking Apron.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=CB8517FF-D8B4-4A5A-A1AF-29A5517DE86B", "Rubio Secures Provision to Sustain P-8 Fleet at NAS Jacksonville", "2020-12-09", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) secured a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2021 (H.R. 6395) conference report that authorizes additional P-8 aircrafts for the reserve naval wing out of Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville. The Senate is expected to pass the final conference report this week, sending it to the President.The operations of the reserve naval wing at NAS Jacksonville are critical to our national security, especially our anti-submarine capability, Rubio said. The authorization of additional P-8 aircrafts allows the reserve naval wing to continue to modernize our anti-submarine capability and maintain military readiness. I am proud to have secured this provision that will enhance our operations at NAS Jacksonville and ensure the naval wing is able to keep flying.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=E325DB19-BD8B-4DEE-8C99-783C5ED375A0", "Rubio Speaks To Maxima 92.5FM Tampa Bay", "2020-12-09", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWashington, DC - U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) spoke with Maxima 92.5 Tampa Bay about the likelihood of a second relief package, the need for additional PPP funding, chances of getting a second stimulus check, funding for the unemployed, Twitter's double standard with conservatives, the San Isidro Movement in Cuba, and more.A partial translated transcript of the interview is below:On a second relief package and additional PPP fundsI believe that the possibility of this happening is the highest I've seen since June or July. Unfortunately this whole process got stuck in partisan politics, with the elections and everything else. And I'll be honest, the Democrats didn't want anything to happen. We offered them a lot of things and they didn't want to do it because I think they thought that if the economy worsened that it was going to hurt Trump and it was going to help them win different seats in the Senate and in the House. Now, obviously, at the end of the year everything has changed and the elections are over and then they have another willingness. But in the end, it is not a guarantee, but we are working on it.I will tell you that the part I'm in charge of is helping small businesses. On that issue we've reached an agreement with my Democratic colleague [Ben Cardin]. We've worked very well on this and have presented it to the leadership of both parties, to see if they accept it. It would help a lot of small businesses and their employees to not have to close their doors, fire employees, this would obviously create unemployment and despair during very difficult times. On the probability of a second stimulus checkIt's not that I'm opposed to that, but I don't see any kind of movement in favor. I also think that one of the things that we do have to do, and the most important thing we can do, is help people who have a job to keep it and help people who do not have a job to get one. And that is impossible if the small businesses are closing their doors, as well as larger companies. So we have to help keep the jobs we already have. We don't help anyone by creating more unemployment and we should help companies survive, especially small businesses, so they can bring back their employees to work. At the end of the day, the vast majority of people want a job, not a government check. \"On unemployment fundsIt's included in the funding for the states. They're the ones who run the unemployment system. Also, obviously, the package helps hospitals and schools and everything else. And I repeat, I do not want to be repetitive, but I don't want to diminish the great importance of small businesses. We have so many small businesses that are about to close. They are surviving the best they can, but they cannot keep up the way they are. We know, for example, that PPP, when we first did it, saved more than 3 million jobs in Florida. Imagine 3 million unemployed, in addition to what we already had in the system.On the COVID-19 vaccine and the return to normalcyRemember, there is more than one vaccine. We already have two that are about to be approved and that will help a lot because it's an additional option. I will tell you that the first round will be given to people working in medical centers and hospitals. That's very important, because if we lose them we will be in serious [trouble]. Second, it would be given to seniors and people with serious medical conditions. That will help a lot, for example, in retirement homes. Then the general public.But remember that every time someone has immunity to the virus, the virus begins to decrease. If there are forty percent of people who can't get coronavirus, then it is forty percent who can't spread it. This is not going to be an overnight thing, but I think that we're going to see constant improvements during the early months of 2021. And, let's hope, they tell us that it's very possible that by June or before the 4th of July, we'll be living in a country where there is a level of normality similar to what we had before.I think things are never going to go back to what they were before, in many cases. And there are people with serious situations, they will have to continue using face masks simply because we do not know how long the protection of this vaccine lasts because it is new. But anyway, I think that by summer we will undoubtedly be living in a very different situation, God willing.On Biden's potential presidencyJoe Biden -- for political reasons -- is surrounded by people from the far left because that's the base of his party. These millions of dollars that the Democrats raised, not only for the presidency, but for all of the Democratic candidates to the Senate, even those who lost by nine or ten points, they raised more funds than their Republican opponent. Where did that money come from? That came from the far left. And, that far left is going to demand that Joe Biden do certain things and they're going to have great influence on the direction of the Biden Administration's policies. So I have no doubt that the far left, and the craziness of the far left, will have an impact on the policies of Biden's Administration simply because they represent the most energetic base of the Democratic Party right now.Repercussions of having a Democratic majority in the SenateI believe that one of the first things they are going to do, if they have the majority -- God forbid -- in the Senate, is end the filibuster. In other words, from now on they can pass any law with a simple majority in the Senate. And after they do that, well then they can do whatever they want. They can do the Green New Deal, which will end thousands and thousands of jobs, they will be able to increase taxes, they will be able to create a national health system similar to what exists in parts of Europe and other countries, which has been a disaster for those places. They will take away your doctor and everything else - a total and complete Obamacare, not simply what we have at the moment.And in terms of foreign policy, they're going to re-enter the Iran Deal, which endangers the status of Israel. I imagine that they're going to enter negotiations with Maduro, which has never resulted in absolutely anything, and will do great harm. I believe that they condemn that nation to 50 years of tyranny. Also, they are going to try to return to Obama's agreement with the Castro regime, which in the end didn't achieve anything for the Cuban people but helped bring millions of dollars to a company named GAEZA, controlled by the Cuban military. Anyway, I think the list is long of what they will be able to do.On Twitter's censorship and their double standards with the conservativesTwo things: I believe, first, that if Twitter is a company that's going to censor what people say, then they've become a newspaper. They have a protection, the law says you can't sue Twitter and FB because they don't create the content. They are simply a site where people can put up that content. If you're going to put yourself in an editorial position, well then you must be willing to be sued, just like a newspaper, a television station, and so on. They shouldn't have the protection they have right now. Second, I think there is a double standard in the way they apply their rules. For example, a Chinese government official tweeted just a week ago a fake image of an Australian soldier. An image of an Australian soldier with a knife around a child's neck in Afghanistan. That is a false image. For 48 hours, they did absolutely nothing. And that is something very serious because that image could have resulted in violence against those soldiers who are stationed in Afghanistan as part of the coalition. They did not do anything, I sent a letter and finally they put some sort of notification but they didn't remove it. When Donald Trump said on Twitter that he was going to send the National Guard to Minneapolis they removed the tweet, saying it was instigating violence.\"And I have seen it, I have seen it with my own eyes, many tweets saying horrors about the Cuban-American community. That is the only minority group in this country that can be told the things that are being said about them. There has been no kind of measures against that. I am not in favor of attacking any minority group in this nation. But, openly, if you do it against any other group, they remove your tweet for saying that you are instigating hatred. But you can say horrors, and they say it, every day, that Cuban-Americans in Miami are racists, that they're fascists, that they're in favor of a Trump dictatorship, that they Cuban-American Republicans must be deported and Twitter says absolutely nothing.\"So, anyway, I think it's a rule they apply one for the left and others for the right.\"On Cuba's San Isidro MovementI believe that what it means, more than anything, is not the end of a tyranny but the beginning of the end. It indicates the beginning of a civic movement, a movement organized by the people, which is not political. This is not a political movement, it is a movement of artists who simply want freedom of expression and it's being denied. These are not people who seek to participate in political life, nor are they interested in power, it's not a political party. And it's not that I'm criticizing the political dissidents, because they play an important role as well. I think it indicates, for the most part, that there's young people who've grown up all their lives under this system who've been told that everything that's happening on the island is the US' fault, because of a blockade and everything else. And they simply want the opportunity to express themselves, on different issues, including social issues within the country. Also, it is an organic movement. Totally organic. It has absolutely nothing to do with foreigners, it's not a movement inspired by those in exile or by politicians, or anything else. Even many of the people who participate in that movement, I've never heard of them because I'm not well immersed in the music and culture within Cuba that criticizes the regime because you simply don't hear much of it abroad.Anyway, I think that what it's teaching us is that there is a young generation of Cubans, who have a role to play in Cuba's future. They're demanding the basic: the ability to express themselves freely and openly, which they're able to. I think the whole world is going to support that feeling. It's a peaceful movement and the brutality with which these people have been treated simply tells us that absolutely nothing has changed in Cuba. The names in some of Cuba's leadership positions may have changed, but anyway, it is the same system and there is a young generation within Cuba that is not going to accept it.\" Message to Floridians Following 2020I wish you all the best. I know that it has been an extremely difficult year for the nation and for many of you. Our prayers go out to the people who've lost loved ones due to this virus, who have lost their jobs, who have lost their businesses. I ask you to keep the faith that I believe that better days are ahead of us, that with God everything is possible. I wish you a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year. That together we will be able to move forward and have a better year next year.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=F3424B68-D977-4DF5-8BC7-92F5644748DC", "Rubio Habla con Maxima 92.5FM Tampa Bay", "2020-12-09", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  El senador estadounidense Marco Rubio (R-FL) habl con Nio Encendio de Maxima 92.5 Tampa Bay sobre la probabilidad de un segundo paquete econmico y ms fondos para el Programa de Proteccin de Pago de Cheques (PPP, por sus siglas en ingls), la probabilidad de un segundo cheque de estmulo econmico, sobre la ayuda para quienes estn desempleados, la salud del Vicepresidente Joe Biden, las elecciones senatoriales en GA, Twitter y su doble moral con los conservadores, como tambin sobre El Movimiento San Isidro en Cuba.\r\nEn vsperas de la navidad, el senador Rubio tambin le envi un saludo especial a todos los floridanos. Una transcripcin parcial de la entrevista est a continuacin:   \r\nSobre la probabilidad de un segundo paquete econmico y fondos adicionales para el PPP  Yo creo que la posibilidad que se de son las ms altas que [haya] visto desde junio o julio. Desafortunadamente todo este proceso se enrollo en todo lo que era la poltica, las elecciones y todo lo dems. Y le voy a ser sincero, los demcratas no queran pasar nada. Nosotros les ofrecimos muchsimas cosas y no lo queran hacer porque yo creo que ellos pensaban que si la economa iba mal eso iba hacerle dao a Trump e iba a ayudarles a que ellos ganaran sus diferentes escaos al senado, el congreso y todo lo dems. Ahora, obviamente, al final del ao ha cambiado todo y ya las elecciones se terminaron y entonces ellos tienen otra disposicin. Pero en fin no es una garanta, pero si se est trabajando.\r\nYo le dir que la parte [de la cual] yo estoy encargado es de la ayuda a los pequeos comerciantes y sobre eso hemos llegado, en principio, a un acuerdo con mi colega demcrata [Ben Cardin]. Hemos trabajado muy bien sobre esto y se lo hemos presentado al liderazgo de ambos partidos, para ver si lo aceptan, y ayudara a muchsimas compaas pequeas y a las personas que trabajan en ellas a no tener que cerrar sus puertas y a no tener que despedir empleados que obviamente crea desempleo y una desesperacin en un momento muy difcil .\r\nSobre la probabilidad de un segundo cheque de estmulo econmicoYo no estoy en contra de eso, pero no creo que eso vaya a ocurrir. Ni los demcratas ni los republicanos, en el liderazgo, estn empujando por eso. Veremos, obviamente es posible que algo como eso se agrede, no creo que llegue a $1,200 [dlares].\r\nPero quiero ser sincero, no es que yo no me opongo a eso, pero yo no veo ningn tipo de movimiento a favor de eso. Pero yo tambin creo que una de las cosas que si tenemos que hacer, y lo ms importante que podemos hacer, es ayudar a las personas que tienen un trabajo a mantenerlo y ayudar a las personas que no tienen un trabajo a conseguirlo. Y eso es imposible si los pequeos comerciantes estn cerrando sus puertas y las compaas ms grandes tambin. As que, hay que ayudar a mantener los empleos que ya tenemos. Aqu no ayudamos a nadie creando ms desempleo y ayudar a algunas compaas a sobrevivir. Especialmente las pequeas empresas para que puedan de nuevo traer a sus empleados a trabajar. Al final del da, la enorme mayora de las personas lo que quieren es un trabajo, no un cheque del gobierno\".\r\nObviamente si es posible hacer algo ms, como otro cheque [de estmulo econmico], eso se va a estudiar. Pero yo no veo en este momento, para serte sincero, mucho movimiento sobre ese tema y hay un arreglo bipartidista que se anunci la semana pasada, que no va ser el plan final, pero [los cheques de estmulo econmico] no estn incluido en eso. As que eso te indica que en este momento no hay muchas personas enfocadas en eso.\r\n  \r\nSobre los fondos para individuos que estn desempleados  \"Est incluida ayuda a los estados que son los que manejan el sistema de desempleo, as que eso est incluido en el paquete. Tambin, obviamente, ayuda a los hospitales y a las escuelas y todo lo dems. Y repito, no quiero seguir repitiendolo, pero no quiero tampoco disminuir la gran importancia que tienen las pequeas empresas. Tenemos muchsimas pequeas empresas que estn a punto de cerrar. Estn sobreviviendo lo mejor que pueden, pero no pueden mantenerse en la manera que estn. Eso va a crear un desempleo enorme. Sabemos, por ejemplo que el PPP, cuando pudimos lograrlo la primera vez salv ms de 3 millones de trabajos en la Florida. Imagnese 3 millones de personas sin empleo, adicional a lo que ya tenamos en ese sistema.\r\nSobre la vacuna del COVID-19 y el retorno a la normalidad  Yo no creo que nadie te puede contestar eso con cien por ciento de garanta, pero le dir lo siguiente, yo creo que ya hay hospitales que tienen la vacuna en sus centros, lo que no tienes es el okay del FDA, que esperamos que lo hagan en los prximos das. Yo creo que esta semana lo debemos esperar. Tambin acurdese que hay ms de una vacuna, ya tenemos dos que estn a punto de ser aprobadas y eso va a ayudar muchsimo porque es una opcin adicional que existe. Le dir que los primeros van a ser las personas que estn trabajando en centros mdicos y hospitales, que eso es muy importante, por que si los perdemos a ellos estaremos en una situacin muy grave. Segundo, muy rpidamente, seran las personas mayores y las personas con condiciones mdicas serias. Eso ayudara mucho, por ejemplo, en los centros de cuidados de [personas de la tercera edad] y despus la poblacin en general.\r\nPero acurdense que cada vez que hay alguien que tiene inmunidad contra el virus, el virus empieza a disminuir. Si hay cuarenta por ciento del pueblo que no puede tener coronavirus, pues es un cuarenta por ciento que no se lo puede pegar a otras personas. Esto no va ser una cosa de un dia para el otro, pero yo creo que vamos a ver mejoramientos constantes durante los meses a principio del ao [2021] y esperemos-nos dicen-que es muy posible que ya para junio o antes del 4 de julio [del 2021], estaremos viviendo en un pas donde hay un nivel de normalidad parecido a lo que tenamos antes.\r\nCreo que nunca las cosas van a regresar a lo que eran antes, en muchos casos. Y hay personas con situaciones graves, van a tener que seguir utilizando mascarillas simplemente porque no sabemos el tiempo que dura la proteccin de esta vacuna porque es nueva. Pero en fin, yo creo que ya sin duda para el verano vamos a estar viviendo en una situacin muy distinta, si Dios quiere.\r\nSobre la salud de Biden y su potencial presidenciaYo no quiero especular sobre la salud de nadie. Yo no le deseo mala salud a nadie. Y si Joe Biden es el presidente, le deseo [a l] como a todos los presidentes, buena salud porque al final del da en sus manos est la seguridad de este pas. Yo no voy a especular sobre eso.\r\nLo que s te puedo decir es lo siguiente, Joe Biden-por razones polticas-est rodeado de personas de extrema-izquierda por que esa es la base de su partido. Estos millones de dlares que recaudaron los demcratas, no solamente para la presidencia, todos los candidatos demcratas al senado, incluso los que perdieron por nueve o diez puntos, recaudaron ms fondos que su [contrincante] republicano. De dnde vino ese dinero? Ese dinero no vino del medio, del centro de la poltica, vino de la extrema izquierda. Y, esa extrema izquierda le va a exigir a Joe Biden que tiene que hacer ciertas cosas y ellos van a tener una gran influencia sobre la direccin de las polticas de la administracin Biden. As que yo no tengo la menor duda que la extrema izquierda, y las locuras de la extrema izquierda, van a tener un impacto sobre las polticas de esta administracin simplemente por el hecho que ellos representan la base con ms energa del partido demcrata en este momento.\r\nSobre las elecciones en GA y las repercusiones de tener un senado de mayora demcrata  Yo creo que una de las primeras cosas que van hacer, si ellos toman el poder-Dios no lo quiera-en el senado, es acabar con el filibuster. Es decir que de ahora en adelante pueden pasar cualquier ley con simple mayora en el senado. Ya tienen la mayora del Congreso y tendrn la presidencia. Y, despus que hagan eso, pues entonces pueden hacer lo que les d la gana. Pueden hacer el Green New Deal, que va acabar con miles y miles de trabajos, van a poder aumentar los impuestos, van a poder crear un sistema de salud nacional parecido a lo que existe en partes de Europa y otros pases que ha sido un desastre para esos lugares-es decir te van a quitar tu medico y todo lo dems-un Obamacare pero total, completo, no simplemente lo que tenemos en este momento.\r\nY en la poltica exterior van a entrar de nuevo en el arreglo con Irn, que pone en peligro el estatus de Israel. Me imagino que van a entrar en negociaciones con Maduro, que nunca resultan en absolutamente nada y le harn gran dao, yo creo que condenan a ese pas a 50 aos de tirana. Tambin, van a tratar de regresar al arreglo que hizo Obama con el rgimen castrista, que en fin no logr nada para el pueblo de Cuba pero ayud a traerle millones de dlares a una compaa llamada GAEZA, controlada por los militares cubanos. En fin, yo creo que la lista es larga de las cosas que van a poder hacer.\r\n  \r\nNo es una exageracin en decir que estas elecciones en Georgia son las importantes para el senado que han existido en ms de 50 aos.\r\nSobre la censura por parte de Twitter y su doble moral con los conservadores  Dos cosas: yo creo, primero, que si Twitter es una compaa que va a censurar lo que las personas dicen, pues ya se han convertido en un periodico. Ellos tienen una proteccin, la ley dice que no puedes ponerle [una demanda] a Twitter y a FB porque ellos no crean el contenido. Ellos simplemente son un sitio donde las personas pueden poner ese contenido. Si van a ponerse en una posicin editorial, pues entonces deben estar dispuestos a ser demandados, igual como un periodico, una cadena de televisin y lo dems. No deben tener la proteccin que tienen en estos momentos. Segundo, yo creo que hay una [doble moral] en la manera en la cual ellos aplican sus reglas. Por ejemplo, un oficial del gobierno chino public hace solamente una semana, puso en twitter una imagen falsa de un soldado de Australia, una imagen que seala a un soldado de Australia con un cuchillo al cuello de un nio en Afganistn. Eso es una imagen falsa. Por 48 horas, no hicieron absolutamente nada. Y eso es algo bien grave porque esa imagen pudiese haber resultado en violencia en contra de esos soldados que estn estacionados en Afganistn como parte de la coalicin. No hicieron nada, yo mand una carta y al fin pusieron una notificacin de algo pero no lo quitaron. Cuando Donald Trump dijo [en Twitter] que iba a enviar a la guardia nacional a Minneapolis le tumbaron el tweet, diciendo que eso estaba instigando a la violencia.\r\nY yo he visto, yo he visto con mis propios ojos, muchsimos tweets diciendo horrores de la comunidad cubano-americana que es la nica comunidad minoritaria en este pas que se les puede decir las cosas que se dicen sobre ellos y no ha habido ningn tipo de [medida] sobre eso. Yo no estoy a favor que ataquen a ningn grupo minoritario en este pas. Pero, abiertamente si lo haces en contra de cualquier otro grupo, te quitan el tweet por decir que ests instigando al odio. Pero puedes decir horrores, y lo dicen, todos los das, que los cubano-americanos en Miami son racistas, que son fascistas, que estn a favor de una dictadura de Trump, que deben deportar a los republicanos que son cubano-americanos y Twitter no hace absolutamente nada.\r\nAs que, en fin, yo creo que [la seccin 230 de Twitter] es una regla que ellos aplican una leyes para la izquierda y otras para la derecha.\r\nSobre El Movimiento San Isidro en Cuba  Yo creo que lo que significa, ms que nada, no es el final de una tirana sino el principio del final. Porque indica el principio de un movimiento cvico, un movimiento organizado a nivel de pueblo, que no es poltico. Este no es un movimiento poltico, es un movimiento de artistas que simplemente quieren la libertad de expresin y se les est negando. Estas no son personas que buscan participar en la vida poltica diaria, ni les interesa el poder, no es un partido poltico. Y no es que este criticando a los disidentes que si son polticos, porque [juegan] un papel importante tambin. Yo creo que indica, en su gran mayora, que son personas jvenes que se han criado toda su vida bajo este sistema que durante toda su vida se les ha dicho que la culpa de todo lo que est sucediendo [en la isla] es a raz de EE.UU., de un bloqueo y todo lo dems. Y que simplemente quieren la oportunidad de expresarse, sobre diferentes temas, incluso temas sociales dentro del pas. Tambin, es un movimiento orgnico. Totalmente orgnico. No tiene absolutamente nada que ver con el extranjero no es un movimiento inspirado por el exilio ni por polticos, ni nada ms. Incluso, muchas de las personas que participan en ese movimiento, yo nunca he odo de ellos porque yo realmente no estoy bien empapado en lo que es la msica y la cultura crtica dentro de Cuba por que simplemente no se escucha mucho de eso en el extranjero.\r\nEn fin, yo creo que eso lo que nos est enseando es que hay una generacin joven [de cubanos] que les corresponde este papel del futuro de Cuba que estn demandando lo bsico, que es: la habilidad de poder expresarse libremente y abiertamente, [lo cual] no se les est permitiendo. Yo creo que el mundo entero va a apoyar ese sentimiento. Es un movimiento pacifico y la brutalidad con la cual se ha tratado a esas personas simplemente nos indica que en Cuba no ha cambiado absolutamente nada. Los nombres en algunos puestos ha cambiado, pero en fin, es el mismo sistema y hay una generacin joven dentro de Cuba que no va a aceptarlo. \r\nMensaje para los floridanos tras el ao 2020  Les deseo a todos lo mejor y s que, es un momento, ha sido un ao sumamente difcil para el pas y para muchos de ustedes. Nuestras oraciones estn con las personas que han perdido seres queridos por este virus, que han perdido sus empleos, que han perdido su negocio. Les pido que mantengan la fe, que yo creo que mejores das nos esperan. Que con Dios todo es posible. Les deseo una Feliz Navidad, un prospero Ao Nuevo. Que juntos vamos a poder avanzar y tener un mejor ao el ao que viene.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=FAC6AA60-7A11-49A7-9BED-9353AD85D62C", "Rubio Secures Provision to Address DOD Supply Chain Dependence on Foreign Pharmaceuticals in Defense Bill", "2020-12-09", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) secured a pharmaceutical supply chain report (Sec. 713) in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2021 (H.R. 6395) conference report that requires the Secretary of Defense to conduct an industrial capacity vulnerability study of the Department of Defense's (DoD) dependence on foreign-made pharmaceuticals. The provision was maintained in the final conference report after having passed the Senate unanimously. The Senate's action sends the final conference report to the President.    This language mirrors Rubio's bipartisan and bicameral Strengthening America's Supply Chain and National Security Act (S. 3538), which seeks to combat America's supply chain risk and dependence on China for pharmaceuticals. This bill would also require drugmakers to provide the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with information to determine the volume of APIs used in pharmaceuticals  a provision that was enacted earlier this year in the CARES Act.    Rubio's provision builds upon the bipartisan legislation he introduced earlier this year that would for the first time provide data and study the effects of America's overreliance on foreign countries and foreign direct investment in our domestic pharmaceutical supply chain.    Nearly two years ago, I warned that our nation has critical vulnerabilities and supply chain risks in pharmaceuticals and other key sectors of our economy as a result of decades of lost industrial capacity to China, Rubio said. That vulnerability includes the DoD's dependence on China for pharmaceuticals, and I was proud to secure this critical provision in the FY21 NDAA conference report to ensure that the DoD has the necessary information to assess and ultimately reduce our overreliance on China for pharmaceuticals and medical countermeasures. The coronavirus pandemic has made it painfully clear that we must take decisive action to rebuild our nation's medical manufacturing sector.    In August, Rubio introduced the Medical Manufacturing, Economic Development, and Sustainability (MMEDS) Act of 2020 (S.4467), bipartisan legislation which encourages companies currently producing medical and pharmaceutical equipment abroad to relocate to the U.S. The bill would also enact a tax credit of federal income tax liability for wages and eligible pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities in economically distressed zones, including Puerto Rico.    In March, Rubio and Warren introduced bipartisan legislation to combat America's supply chain risk and dependence on China for pharmaceuticals that builds off the plan he released. More than a year ago, Rubio issued a report detailing critical vulnerabilities in America's medical supply chain, warning, the U.S. runs the risk of losing important components of its medical supply chain to China's government-backed industry. Last year, Rubio warned in Modern Healthcare that when it comes to the threat China poses to the U.S. healthcare industry, we cannot afford to be complacent.\r\n  The United States relies heavily on foreign nations for its supply of drugs and pharmaceutical products. Today, experts estimate up to 80% of the active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), the requisite component of drugs, are imported from abroad. This overreliance leaves our supply chain of critical drugs used by millions of Americans vulnerable to disruption  whether by accident or by design.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://demings.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-demings-media-legislation-passes-house", "Rep. Demings Media Legislation Passes House", "2020-12-09", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "FL", "Val Demings", "D000627", "demings.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "ORLANDO, FL  Today, Rep. Demings' resolution calling for increased diversity in American media was passed by the House of Representatives.The resolution is H.Res.549.\nCo-leading the resolution is Rep. Jenniffer Gonzlez-Coln (R-PR) in the U.S. House, and Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) in the U.S. Senate.\nSaid Rep. Demings, From movies and television, to music and theater, to newspapers and the evening news, we are a stronger country when every story has a chance to shine. Our nation is made great by the people who live in it and the incredible diversity of stories that they bring to the American experience.\n50 years after the Kerner Report, America continues to struggle with ongoing disparities in housing, education, justice, and even the ongoing pandemic. Who tells the story matters, because diverse perspectives are necessary to see the whole picture. Only by capturing the full and vibrant spectrum of the American experience can we begin to build a country with true opportunity and justice in all things.\nI am proud that the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed our resolution, and I thank all of the cosponsors and supporters who helped move this bill forward. As we look towards 2021 and a new Congress and new Administration, I am eager to continue our work to support diversity in media and show the world the remarkable power of different perspectives.\nBackground\nThe resolutionreaffirms Congress' commitment to increasing media diversity. It also pledges Congress to work with media entities and diverse stakeholders to develop common-ground solutions to eliminate barriers to media diversity. The resolution reaffirms that with increasing media experience and sophistication, it is even more important to have minority participation in local media to strengthen social cohesion among different communities and build understanding on important community issues that impact residents' daily lives.\nThe resolution expresses that an informed and engaged electorate is critical to a vibrant democracy is deeply rooted in our laws of free speech and underpins the virtues on which we established our Constitution, and that having independent, diverse, and local media that provide exposure to a broad range of viewpoints and the ability to contribute to the political debate is central to sustaining that informed engagement.\n50 years after the Kerner Report said that the painful process of readjustment that is required of the American news media must begin now, the industry continues to struggle withefforts to diversify.\nIn July 2019, Rep. Demings hosted the inauguralMedia Diversity Innovation Summiton Capitol Hill.\nIn the 115th Congress, Rep. Demings introduced H.Res. 888 to reaffirm Congress' commitment to media diversity and convened a panel discussion which solicited expert testimony from stakeholders and media professionals.\nLast year, Rep. Demings formed the Media Diversity Congressional Brain Trust to support efforts to access and expand opportunities for professionals of color in the media industry.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/d-az-balart-pronuncia-un-discurso-ante-el-pleno-del-congreso-sobre-la", "Daz-Balart pronuncia un discurso ante el pleno del Congreso sobre la represin en Cuba", "2020-12-09", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Mario Diaz-Balart", "D000600", "mariodiazbalart.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. El Congresista Mario Daz-Balart (FL-25) pronunci hoy un discurso en el pleno de la Cmara de Representantes para denunciar la actual represin y los abusos contra los derechos humanos en Cuba. Vea el video del discurso y lea el contenido traducido al Espaol:\nSeora Presidenta, me pongo de pie para llamar la atencin sobre las valientes acciones de los lderes prodemocrticos en Cuba y la brutal represin que han enfrentado como resultado de sus demandas por libertad.\nPor ejemplo, en las ltimas semanas, el Movimiento San Isidro ha intensificado sus llamados a la libertad y la liberacin de presos polticos. Sus protestas incluyeron actividades \"peligrosas\" como lecturas de poesa y sentadas. Y como resultado, estos jvenes raperos, artistas y escritores se han enfrentado a detenciones arbitrarias, acoso y abusos. Algunos permanecen en prisin y muchos de estos activistas iniciaron una huelga de hambre en seal de protesta.\nA pesar de la brutal represin en Cuba, el movimiento a favor de la democracia est creciendo. Madres, cientficos y muchos otros se han sumado a sus llamados a la libertad y la liberacin de los presos polticos.\nFelicito al presidente Trump y a su administracin por su solidaridad con el pueblo cubano al imponer duras sanciones contra la dictadura cubana. Todos debemos apoyar a los valientes activistas a favor de la democracia en Cuba, que estn arriesgando sus vidas en este mismo momento, y unirnos a ellos en sus splicas por la libertad y la liberacin inmediata e incondicional de todos los presos polticos .\nEl congresista Diaz-Balart ha compartido las siguentes declaciones en su cuenta de Twitter sobre la situacion en Cuba.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/diaz-balart-delivers-floor-speech-on-repression-in-cuba", "Diaz-Balart Delivers Floor Speech on Repression in Cuba", "2020-12-09", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Mario Diaz-Balart", "D000600", "mariodiazbalart.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25) delivered the following statement on the House floor regarding the ongoing repression and human rights abuses in Cuba. Watch the floor speechhere, or read his full remarks, as prepared for delivery.\nMadam Speaker, I rise to bring attention to the brave actions of pro-democracy leaders in Cuba, and the brutal repression that they have faced as a result of their demands for freedom.\nFor example, in the last few weeks, the San Isidro Movement has stepped up its calls for freedom and the release of political prisoners. Their protests included such dangerous' activities as poetry readings and sit-ins.And as a result, these young rappers, artists, and writers have faced arbitrary arrests, harassment, and abuse.Some remain in prison and many of these activists began a hunger strike in protest.\nDespite the brutal repression in Cuba, the pro-democracy movement is growing.Mothers, scientists, and many others have joined its calls for freedom and the release of political prisoners.\nI commend President Trump and his administration for their solidarity with the Cuban people in imposing tough sanctions against the Cuban dictatorship. We all must stand with the brave pro-democracy activists in Cuba, who are risking their lives at this very moment,and join them in their pleas for freedom and the immediate, unconditional release of all political prisoners.\nCongressman Diaz-Balart has shared multiple tweets over the past weeks regarding the ongoing situation in Cuba.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases-es?ContentRecord_id=EAEA19AE-01D3-40EB-A0BB-06DEE8953EE4", "Rubio Junto a Collins y Colegas Presentan un Proyecto de Ley en Apoyo a las Vctimas del 'Sndrome de la Habana'", "2020-12-08", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC - El senador estadounidense Marco Rubio (R-FL) junto a la senadora Susan Collins (R-ME) presentaron un proyecto de ley bipartidista para apoyar a los servidores pblicos de EE.UU. que han sufrido lesiones cerebrales por ataques de energa dirigidos mientras trabajaban en el extranjero. La legislacin autorizara una compensacin adicional para las personas lesionadas. Esta compensacin sera proporcionada a los empleados del Departamento de Estado o de la CIA a discrecin del jefe de la respectiva agencia. La legislacin tambin requerira que la CIA y el Departamento de Estado le informen al Congreso sobre cmo se est utilizando esta autoridad y si se requieren acciones legislativas o administrativas adicionales.\r\nLa semana pasada, la Academia Nacional de las Ciencias, la Ingeniera y la Medicina, public un informe en ingls sobre los ms de 40 diplomticos estadounidenses en la Embajada de Estados Unidos en La Habana, Cuba, y al menos una docena de diplomticos americanos en el Consulado de EE.UU. en Guangzhou, China, que sufrieron sntomas \"consistentes con los efectos de una energa de radiofrecuencia pulsada y dirigida\". Las dolencias han incluido mareos, tinnitus, problemas visuales, vrtigo y dificultades cognitivas. Aunque los ataques de las ondas comenzaron a finales del 2016, gran parte del personal afectado contina sufriendo problemas de salud.\r\nSegn la Ley de Compensacin de Empleados Federales (FECA, por sus siglas en ingls), un empleado federal puede recibir actualmente una adjudicacin de horario si el empleado sufre la prdida del uso de una parte del cuerpo, pero no si la discapacidad es del cerebro, la espalda o del corazn. La legislacin propuesta le otorgara al Director de la CIA y al Secretario de Estado una autoridad adicional para compensar a su personal que sufra lesiones cerebrales en relacin con la guerra o a un acto hostil.\r\nJunto a Rubio y Collins, presentando este proyecto de ley bipartidista, estuvieron los senadores Mark Warner (D-VA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Angus King (I-ME), Ben Sasse (R-NE), John Cornyn (R-TX) , Richard Burr (R-NC), Michael Bennet (D-CO) y Tom Cotton (R-AR).\r\nRubio es el presidente interino del Comit Selecto de Inteligencia del Senado, as como presidente del Subcomit de Relaciones Exteriores para el Hemisferio Occidental, Delincuencia Transnacional, Seguridad Civil, Democracia, Derechos Humanos y Asuntos Globales de la Mujer.\r\nEl texto del proyecto de ley en ingls est aqu.\r\n\"Tanto los regmenes de La Habana como el de Pekn han fracasado, bajo los tratados internacionales, en proteger la seguridad de los diplomticos extranjeros en sus pases\", Rubio dijo. Como presidente interino del Comit Selecto de Inteligencia en el senado, sigo comprometido en brindarles la atencin adecuada a todos los empleados del gobierno de EE.UU. que hayan sufrido lesiones cerebrales mientras brindaban sus servicios en puestos diplomticos en el extranjero. Me enorgullece unirme a la senadora Collins y a otros colegas del senado en presentar esta legislacin que proporcionara autoridades adicionales al Director de la CIA y al Secretario de Estado para ayudar, adecuadamente, al personal estadounidense que ha afrontado estos ataques mientras servan a su pas en el extranjero.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=1CF47771-BB17-4386-B0E8-43B3A30E68F4", "Rubio Joins Collins and Colleagues in Introducing Bill to Support Victims of Havana Syndrome", "2020-12-08", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tThe bipartisan legislation would support U.S. Diplomatic staff and others who have suffered head injuries from probable directed energy attacks like in Cuba and ChinaWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) joined Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) in a bipartisan effort to support American public servants who have incurred brain injuries from directed energy attacks while stationed abroad. The legislation would authorize additional compensation for injured individuals and be provided to State Department or CIA employees at the discretion of the agency head. This legislation would also require the CIA and State Department to report to Congress on how this authority is being used and if additional legislative or administrative action is required.Last week, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine released a report on the more than 40 U.S. diplomats at the U.S. Embassy in Havana, Cuba, and at least a dozen U.S. diplomats at the U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou, China, who suffered symptoms consistent with the effects of directed, pulsed, radiofrequency energy. Ailments have included dizziness, tinnitus, visual problems, vertigo, and cognitive difficulties. Although the microwave attacks first began in late 2016, many of the affected personnel continue to suffer from health problems.Under the Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA), a federal employee may currently receive a schedule award if the employee suffers the loss or loss of use of a part of the body, but not if the impairment is to the brain, back, or heart. The proposed legislation would provide the CIA Director and the Secretary of State additional authority to compensate their personnel who incur brain injuries in connection with war or a hostile act.Joining Rubio and Collins in introducing this bipartisan bill were Senators Mark Warner (D-VA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Angus King (I-ME), Ben Sasse (R-NE), John Cornyn (R-TX), Richard Burr (R-NC), Michael Bennet (D-CO), and Tom Cotton (R-AR).Rubio is the Acting Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, as well as the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women's Issues.The text of the bill can be found here.Both the regimes in Havana and Beijing have failed, under international treaties, to protect the safety of foreign diplomats on their soil, Rubio said. As the Acting Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, I remain committed to providing adequate care for all U.S. Government employees who have suffered brain injuries while serving in our diplomatic posts abroad. I'm proud to join Senator Collins and other Senate colleagues in introducing this legislation that would provide additional authorities to the CIA Director and the Secretary of State to properly assist U.S. personnel, who have endured these attacks while serving their country abroad.Public servants who work in our embassies and consulates overseas make many personal sacrifices to represent America's interests abroad, and they deserve our strong support, Collins said. As we investigate the source of previous microwave attacks and seek to prevent them from occurring in the future, this legislation would provide additional financial assistance to Americans who were injured and continue to experience debilitating symptoms.As the Vice Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, I understand the lengths that our CIA officers go to in order to obtain critical intelligence and keep our nation safe, Warner said. Given the daily risks that these brave men and women endure for the sake of democracy, the least we can do is put financial safeguards in place for those afflicted by these awful attacks.The mysterious injuries afflicting U.S. public servants and their loved ones are serious and for far too long, these Americans have suffered without the health care they need to manage their symptoms and recover. Providing them access to long-term, emergency health benefits has been a top concern for me, which is why I'm glad to partner with Senator Collins and this bipartisan group of lawmakers to build on that important work, Shaheen said. This legislation will add an important new benefit that the employees with brain injuries can use toward their long-term care and recovery. It also includes my language to ensure that federal retirees continue to have the option of accessing these benefits even after they have left government service. Federal employees impacted by these incidents should be heard, believed and assisted on their path to recovery. I'm encouraged by the bipartisan progress in Congress to address their needs, but more must be done to determine the causation of these attacks and prevent them from affecting any other employees.The United States has a responsibility to care for any American public servant who sustains serious injuries while working on behalf of our nation, King said. This legislation would ensure that we are fulfilling that duty by providing for U.S. government employees who were afflicted by these mysterious ailments while serving oversees, with some still struggling with the effects to this day. It is imperative that Congress pass this law to support those harmed while representing our nation abroad  and that the United States identify and defend against the source of these injuries, so we can protect our public servants from similar threats in the future.The men and women serving our nation abroad often do so at the risk of their own health and safety, Burr said. Since 2016, multiple U.S. officials serving in Cuba and in China have been the victims of attacks that cause sudden hearing loss and brain damage. This legislation helps those who have been afflicted with what is now called Havana syndrome' by making sure any brain injuries are covered. I'm proud to work with Senator Collins on this important bill and I look forward to the Senate's consideration.It's common sense that our public servants should have access to care to treat injuries connected with their service protecting our country, Bennet said. This bipartisan legislation is an important step toward modernizing our system to keep pace with the evolving threats we face and ensure that government officials serving in posts overseas who sustain traumatic brain injuries receive the care they need.CIA agents and Foreign Service Officers put their lives on the line to keep us safe, Cotton said. This bill rightly ensures they're taken care of as they seek treatment and recover from all types of cowardly attacks by our adversaries.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=568119A3-3A03-45AF-9DA6-51999AD18E9F", "Media Advisory: Thursday: Rubio Chairs Hearing on the Success of the Paycheck Protection Program and Its Future", "2020-12-08", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWashington D.C.  On Thursday, December 10, 2020, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, will convene a hearing titled, Small Business in Crisis: The 2020 Paycheck Protection Program and its Future.The hearing will be live-streamed on the committee's website here.Witnesses:Mr. Douglas Holtz-Eakin, President  American Action ForumMs. Dafina Williams, Senior Vice President, Public Policy  Opportunity Finance NetworkMr. Thomas G. Zernick, President of SBA Lending  First Home BankMs. Iman McFarland, Chief Operating Officer/Co-Owner  21st Century Expo Group, Inc.Hearing Details:Small Business in Crisis: The 2020 Paycheck Protection Program and its Future.Thursday, December 10, 202010:00 a.m. EST301 Russell Senate Office BuildingWashington, D.C.This hearing will follow guidelines developed in consultation with the Office of the Attending Physician (OAP), the Senate Sergeant at Arms, and the Senate Rules Committee to protect the health of Members, witnesses, staff and the public. This includes maintaining six-foot social distance spacing in the hearing room.Press is limited to pool coverage only. For coverage information, please contact the appropriate gallery:Senate Print Gallery: 202-224-0241Senate Radio/TV Gallery: 202-224-6421Senate Periodicals Gallery: 202-224-0265Senate Photographers' Gallery: 202-224-6548Pursuant to guidance from the CDC and OAP, Senate office buildings are not open to the public other than official business visitors and credentialed press at this time. Accordingly, in-person visitors cannot be accommodated at this hearing. We encourage the public to utilize the Committee's livestream of the hearing, available on the website at sbc.senate.gov.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=8242E523-88D5-45E4-8F15-890A17C5B855", "Rubio, McGovern Ask CEOs of Intel and NVIDIA About Possible Involvement in Human Rights Abuses in Xinjiang", "2020-12-08", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and U.S. Representative Jim McGovern, the Cochair and Chair of the bipartisan and bicameral Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) respectively, sent letters to the Chief Executive Officers (CEO) of both Intel Corporation and NVIDIA. The letters seek additional information with regard to the sale of advanced computer chips that power a supercomputer used by the People's Republic of China (PRC) security forces in the conduct of mass surveillance, and other human rights abuses, against Uyghurs, Kazakhs, and other predominately Muslim ethnic minorities in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR).\r\nThe Chairs asked the CEOs for a response to their questions about their exports to the PRC, including whether they knew that their technology would be used to support surveillance activities conducted by the PRC police forces and security entities and whether they took steps to ensure that their products were not used for human rights abuses or to compromise U.S. national security.\r\nThe full text of the letter to Intel Corporation is here and the full text of the letter to NVIDIA is here.\r\nRubio is the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations' Subcommittee that oversees human rights and is a member of the Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=FF742644-978B-4929-B9C3-190139BAE34F", "Media Advisory: Tomorrow: Rubio, Gonzalez Conversation on a Multi Ethnic, Working Class Conservatism", "2020-12-08", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) will join Congressman Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH) for a conversation on what's next for the Republican Party and how to build a conservative agenda that appeals to a multi-ethnic, working-class base. The conversation, hosted by American Compass, will be moderated by Oren Cass.Event Details:Title: What Next: A Multi-Ethnic, Working-Class ConservatismDate: Wednesday, December 9, 2020Time: 11:30 AM  12:15 PM ETRSVP: Click here to RSVP.Participants:U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL)Congressman Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH)Moderator:Oren Cass, American CompassMore information is available on the event website.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://buchanan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/us-house-passes-final-national-defense-bill-buchanan-measure-included", "U.S. House Passes Final National Defense Bill with Buchanan Measure Included", "2020-12-08", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Vern Buchanan", "B001260", "buchanan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  The U.S. House today passed the final version of the National Defense Authorization Act which included Congressman Vern Buchanan's amendment requiring the Pentagon to examine emergency medical services at U.S. military bases following the tragic death of a Bradenton soldier.\nBuchanan filed the measure to this year's National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in July as a part of his push for military training reforms after Army Specialist Nicholas Panipinto of Bradenton died in a vehicle training accident in South Korea last year. A lack of emergency services on base and delays in medical response was cited in his death.\nThe highest tribute that can be paid to the life of Specialist Panipinto is for the Defense Department to ensure that future military personnel who are injured during training exercises can quickly receive high-quality medical treatment that might help save their lives, Buchanan said. I am deeply humbled that Nick's mother came to me with their tragic story and has allowed me to help. I know that these reforms will save lives and prevent future heartache felt by families like hers across the country.\nBuchanan's amendment requires the Department of Defense (DoD) to examine emergency response capabilities and services currently available at U.S. military bases around the world and to report toCongress on the potential benefits and feasibility of requiringbases to have properly functioning MedEvac helicopters and fully-stocked military ambulances.\nThe U.S. House initially passed its version of the NDAA in July, with Buchanan's amendment included, and the Senate later followed suit passing its own separate version. The U.S. House and Senate then had to reconcile their competing versions and produce a final conference report. The final agreement is now expected to pass the Senate in the coming days and head to the President's desk.\nSpecialist Panipinto's mother, Kimberly Weaver, praised Buchanan saying, This isn't just a win for our family, but for every military family. We are so thankful to Congressman Buchanan for all of his help in getting these necessary changes one step closer to being signed into law.\nDeaths during training exercises have risen dramatically in recent years. In 2017 alone, nearly four times as many service members died in training accidents than were killed in action.\nBuchanan has repeatedly called for changes to military training procedures following Panipinto's death. Earlier this year, Buchanan called on the House Armed Services Committee to hold a public hearing on military training accidents following the death of a Bradenton soldier last year and a recent training accident that left nine service members dead in California.Buchanan also sent a letter to Defense Secretary Mark Esper proposing a number of changes to the military's current training and safety protocols to prevent future deaths.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases-es?ContentRecord_id=B43F3B69-7E71-41FA-BB10-8119CC0595CD", "Rubio sobre las Elecciones Legislativas Ilegtimas por parte de Maduro", "2020-12-07", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sala de Prensa \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tInicio\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSala de Prensa\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSala de Prensa\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWashington, D.C.  El senador estadounidense Marco Rubio (R-FL) emiti el siguiente comunicado despus que el dictador Nicols Maduro realizar ayer elecciones legislativas fraudulentas. Este ao, Rubio le envi una carta al Secretario General de las Naciones Unidas, Antnio Guterres, instndolo a apoyar al pueblo de Venezuela y el retorno del orden democrtico en el pas antes que se llevarn a cabo estas elecciones fraudulentas.Tras las fraudulentas elecciones legislativas por parte del rgimen de Maduro, es evidente que el pueblo venezolano se niega a perder su dignidad o sus aspiraciones de vivir en un pas libre de tirana y opresin, Rubio dijo. Ni siquiera el uso de productos alimenticios como un arma poltica, a travs de las cajas CLAP, oblig a los venezolanos a emitir su voto. La gran abstencin y los centros de votacin vacos son seales que el pueblo de Venezuela est saciado de la manipulacin y las constantes mentiras del rgimen. Estas elecciones falsas tienen cero credibilidad y demostraron que el narco-rgimen corrupto est ms aislado que nunca. El mensaje de las democracias en todo el mundo debe ser claro: estas llamadas 'elecciones' no son solo una farsa, tambin son maniobras del dictador para silenciar al presidente interino Juan Guaid y a los miembros de la Asamblea Nacional electos democrticamente en Venezuela\".Rubio es el presidente del Subcomit de Relaciones Exteriores para el Hemisferio Occidental, Delincuencia Transnacional, Seguridad Civil, Democracia, Derechos Humanos y Asuntos Globales de la Mujer.Relacionado:", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=0948BDC5-2597-4A64-A0E9-ADE715813660", "POTUS Signs Bill to Allow Posthumous Awarding Medal of Honor to SFC Alwyn Cashe", "2020-12-07", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) released the following statement after President Trump signed H.R. 8276, legislation to waive the statutory limitations and posthumously award the Medal of Honor to Sergeant First Class (SFC) Alwyn Cashe:Sergeant First Class Alwyn Cashe, a native Floridian, served our country with remarkable courage, and he deserves to be awarded the Medal of Honor, Rubio said. I am grateful the President has signed this legislation that will allow his legacy of heroic service to be given the honor and recognition he deserves.Rubio, along with Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR), Rick Scott (R-FL), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), introduced the companion legislation (S. 4661) to honor SFC Cashe, who exemplified the finest traditions of military heroism when he disregarded his own safety and saved the lives of six fellow soldiers despite his serious injuries during Operation Iraqi Freedom in October of 2005. Cashe later died from his wounds, which included severe burns over 70 percent of his body.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=58EA48D8-BE4D-42F1-B87F-63B4873A5F08", "ICYMI: Rubio Joins NBC 6 Impact", "2020-12-07", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Miami, FL  U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) joined NBC 6 to discuss the election results, the upcoming transition of power, the impact of the Paycheck Protection Program, a potential second round of COVID relief, former Vice President Joe Biden's proposed policy towards Cuba, and the importance of the San Isidro Movement. See below for highlights and watch the full interview here.\r\n\r\nOn the 2020 election:\r\nAccording to the state officials, including Republican officials in those states, there is no evidence of [voter fraud], but as a candidate, the President has the same right as any other candidate and that is to gather information and present it in court. Obviously those court hearings to date have not gone the way the President's lawyers would have liked, but it sounds like he's going to go all the way to the Supreme Court and he has until the 14th of December to complete that process.\r\nAs of now, I can't point to anything that I can look at and say this is clear evidence of something that changed the outcome of an election, but I'm also not going to prejudice his rights to work through the court process. In the end, there's either evidence or there isn't, and the courts will decide it -- that's what our law says.\r\nOn the prospect of President Trump running for president in 2024:\r\nIf the President says he's going to run in 2024, he'll probably clear the field, he'll be the Republican nominee, and he'll spend the next four years running. And then I think he would have a chance to win, not just the primary, but the general election. As we just saw we had a very close election. It's his decision to make, but if he decides to run, I think what it means is that Donald Trump will be the next Republican nominee.\r\nOn Senator Rubio's plans to run for reelection:\r\nI still have work to do in the U.S. Senate. We've had a very successful four years out of the six years in this term -- I have two years left in this term, and we have a lot of work to do. We're full steam ahead I'm also doing my job, which I think is one of the most important things you can do if you want to be reelected. I have every intention of being on that ballot in November of 2022, and I feel very good about the account we'll be able to bring to the people of Florida.\r\nYou'll see at the end of this year, I filed more bills, passed more bills than anybody in the U.S. Senate -- while chairing two committees. Meaningful bills, PPP, you name it, the Veteran's Accountability Act, a long list. On top of all that, my Constituent Services team that helps Floridians was recognized as the best in the country last year, so I feel very good about the work we've done and we're going to continue to do it.\r\nOn the Paycheck Protection Program and bipartisanship:\r\nI saw [Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez] put something up criticizing PPP, and my response was that was a bipartisan bill. In fact, just moments ago, before I jumped on this interview with you, I was on the phone with my Democratic counterpart Benjamin Cardin working on the details of a second round of PPP assistance. It's a plan Republicans and Democrats have supported, it's saved the jobs of 55 million Americans, over 3 million of them right here in Florida, and it's what happens when people work and work together. I think that's something we should be very proud of.\r\nUltimately, my job is not to try to make a point, it's to try to make a difference, and that's what I was pointing to. [Alexandria Ocasio Cortez] is someone, and others like her, that if they actually spent more time working they could get some of these things passed.\r\nOn COVID relief:\r\nThe status is we got to get movement on it. In essence, we have to get agreement on the different components. The one that I'm working on, obviously, is the second round of assistance for small business. I want to make sure there's enough money in that $900 billion that is set aside for small businesses. Because we don't want to be in a position in mid to late January where we've got small businesses applying and being told well the money ran out. We feel very good of where the country is going to be in six to nine months as the vaccines and the new antivirals continue to rollout... I feel cautiously optimistic about the PPP portion of it, in the end, I think it will come down to whether everyone is willing to compromise and get something done so that we don't leave the country in a lurch here going into the New Year.\r\nOn the balance between health and the economy:\r\nIt's a very difficult balance, and you have to strike one. In the end, just like in medicine, you don't give someone a medicine that's going to make them sick or sicker than they would normally be. You want to make sure that it's secure, that's why for example FDA approvals have to happen for vaccines. Because we want to make sure it doesn't prevent COVID but cause something else. The same is true for the measures we take in our economy, we clearly have to be more careful and we have to ensure that we provide people the best information available between now and the time that we have that level of immunity with vaccines. But, in the interim, we also can't wipe out our economy and leave millions of people unemployed and millions of businesses shuttered and millions of people not being able to pay their rent, or now their electric bill. It's a tough balancing act but I think by and large it's something that Florida has gotten better than other states like New York, which has twice the death rate than Florida does We have to do the best we can under these very difficult circumstances to try to preserve as much of our economy as we can, while still doing everything we can to prevent this from reaching a level that overwhelms our healthcare system. Not easy.\r\nOn COVID vaccine distribution plan for Florida:\r\nI think the distribution plan for Florida is going to be initially through hospitals for two reasons: one because the healthcare workers there, if they get sick there we're in a lot of trouble and the other is because they have the storage facilities to be able to hold them in the freezers. I think that's the first priority, our healthcare workers, so that the people who are treating those who are sick are safe. The second is those who are in conditions of high-risk nursing homes patients, people who fit a certain profile. I think if we can handle those two levels first and get that distribution going, then I think it's going to help a lot. I really do If we can help some of the most vulnerable people from getting it in the first place, that will take a lot of pressure off of our healthcare system. That doesn't mean that people are still not going to get COVID, it means the people who are likeliest to have a hospitalization or worse are going to be protected.    \r\nOn the COVID double standard:\r\nI think there's a lot of double standards here. I'm not even going to point at some of the elected officials that lecture people about not going here or there, there was a mayor of a city that was putting out videos telling people to stay home but he filmed it from Mexico where he was there for a trip and others who have done the same. But I think there's also been a double standard like if you look at during the [presidential] campaign, when Donald Trump would have a rally and people's heads were exploding on tv saying how irresponsible it was. But when the media declared Joe Biden the winner, there were thousands of people on the street, and nobody said that was irresponsible. So I think it's important for us to understand here that there is some of this hypocrisy in its coverage.\r\nAnd even in the way Florida is being covered. Our Governor has been skewered by the media in the State, particularly in the newspapers, but also by the national media. But the Governor of New York, a state that has double the death rate of Florida for a hundred thousand residents, their Governor got an Emmy for his press conferences. These are important things to point to because I think they point to a broader problem and that is a constant narrative that is making people distrust what they're hearing from the legacy national media. \r\nOn working with the incoming South Florida Republican Freshmen in Congress:\r\nI've known them both for a very long time, I've worked with them in different capacities. Obviously, Congresswoman Salazar was a journalist so I was on her show many times. And [former] Mayor now Congressman-elect Gimenez was the mayor of the County and before that a County Commissioner. I've been working with him since he was a city official for the City of Miami. So, I do look forward to working with both of them. I think we can get a lot of things done together that's good for South Florida, and in many ways, for the state.\r\nOn potential changes to Cuba policy under a Biden Administration:\r\nWell, I think in that case, [a potential reversal of U.S. policy towards Cuba], [Biden] should listen to John Kerry who said that the policy changes did not have their intended effects. Here is the problem, we all want the people of Cuba to have a better future. The problem is if you're a dictatorship, a brutal regime, we can open up as much as we want to Cuba but that regime gets to decide what pieces of that opening reach the people. What was happening is that this company that they have, owned by the military, was getting all the benefits of it. What the changes President Trump put in place basically say is, you can do business in Cuba just you can't do it with that company or does companies that are controlled by the Cuban military. And I don't know how Joe Biden or anybody can justify opening up to the Cuban military again. Now if it's going to mean we are going to allow individual, independent Cuban businesses to thrive and prosper and have independence from dependence on the government and so forth, that's different and that's available right now. I think it will be a mistake, frankly, to go back to a policy that didn't have its intended effect. The Cuban military and the Cuban regime were benefiting from it but not much change in the lives of everyday Cubans whether it be for their freedoms or their prosperity.   \r\nOn the San Isidro Movement in Cuba:\r\nThe change it will lead is to greater suppression. It's probably the kind of protest that the regime fears the most. Primarily these are young people who grew up their entire lives [in Cuba] who have been bombarded their entire lives being told that everything that's wrong in their country is the fault of the embargo and U.S. policy. And who frankly have gotten used to, and have the expectation, that they'll be allowed to speak freely and communicate and are now being oppressed for doing so and are not going to take it. [The movement] is incredibly organic, not that the other movements are not, but I think those are the two things that really scare the regime: that it's a younger generation and that it's organic, it has absolutely nothing to do with anybody abroad. All we can do and say is point to it, to their bravery and courage It's a very basic and simple human desire that is denied to them on the island of Cuba by that regime. I don't think arresting people over there is going to work this time.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=7642B78E-78E4-4C8C-93C1-1B6126D77679", "English/ Espaol: Rubio Statement on Maduros Sham Legislative Elections", "2020-12-07", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) issued the following statement after dictator Nicols Maduro held fraudulent legislative elections yesterday. Earlier this year, Rubio sent a letter to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antnio Guterres, urging him to support the people of Venezuela and the return of democratic order in the nation ahead of these fraudulent elections.Following yesterday's fraudulent legislative elections by the Maduro regime, it is clear that the Venezuelan people have refused to lose their dignity or their aspirations of living in a nation free from tyranny and oppression, Rubio said. Not even using the exploitation of food products, through the regime's CLAP boxes, as a political weapon forced Venezuelans to cast their vote. The large abstention and empty poll sites are signs that the people of Venezuela are fed up with the regime's manipulation and constant lies. These sham elections have zero credibility and demonstrated that the corrupt narco-regime is more isolated than ever. The message from democracies worldwide must be loud and clear: these so-called elections' are not only a farce, they are also maneuvers by the dictator to silence Interim President Juan Guaid and the members of Venezuela's democratically elected National Assembly.Rubio is the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women's Issues.Related:\r\n\r\nRUBIO SOBRE LAS ELECCIONES LEGISLATIVAS ILEGTIMAS POR PARTE DE MADUROWashington, D.C.  El senador estadounidense Marco Rubio (R-FL) emiti el siguiente comunicado despus que el dictador Nicols Maduro realizar ayer elecciones legislativas fraudulentas. Este ao, Rubio le envi una carta al Secretario General de las Naciones Unidas, Antnio Guterres, instndolo a apoyar al pueblo de Venezuela y el retorno del orden democrtico en el pas antes que se llevarn a cabo estas elecciones fraudulentas.Tras las fraudulentas elecciones legislativas por parte del rgimen de Maduro, es evidente que el pueblo venezolano se niega a perder su dignidad o sus aspiraciones de vivir en un pas libre de tirana y opresin, Rubio dijo. Ni siquiera el uso de productos alimenticios como un arma poltica, a travs de las cajas CLAP, oblig a los venezolanos a emitir su voto. La gran abstencin y los centros de votacin vacos son seales que el pueblo de Venezuela est saciado de la manipulacin y las constantes mentiras del rgimen. Estas elecciones falsas tienen cero credibilidad y demostraron que el narco-rgimen corrupto est ms aislado que nunca. El mensaje de las democracias en todo el mundo debe ser claro: estas llamadas 'elecciones' no son solo una farsa, tambin son maniobras del dictador para silenciar al presidente interino Juan Guaid y a los miembros de la Asamblea Nacional electos democrticamente en Venezuela\".Rubio es el presidente del Subcomit de Relaciones Exteriores para el Hemisferio Occidental, Delincuencia Transnacional, Seguridad Civil, Democracia, Derechos Humanos y Asuntos Globales de la Mujer.Relacionado:", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://buchanan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/buchanan-honors-four-manatee-students-who-invented-new-app-save-lives", "Buchanan Honors Four Manatee Students Who Invented New App to Save Lives", "2020-12-07", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Vern Buchanan", "B001260", "buchanan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "BRADENTON, Fla  FourManatee County students who designed a new tool to calculate the proper dosage for medicines are the 2020 winners of the 16th Congressional District App Challenge, U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan announced Monday.\nProving the adage that necessity is the mother of invention, the Medical Dosage Calculator App was created after one of the students' peers nearly died from a miscalculated medical dosage.\nBuchanan hailed the ingenuity of the students, saying I can't commend them enough for Inventing such an important and potentially life-saving tool. I'm proud to name them this year's winners of the 16th Congressional District App Challenge, part of a national competition to encourage interest in science, technology, engineering and math. \nAva Biasini, Jordan Sheehan, Kolby Wade and Nolwen Bachtle of Braden River High School in Bradenton were the first-place winners of the competition. \nSTEM education gives students the knowledge they need to succeed and helps the U.S. compete in a global economy, Buchanan continued.Children are 25 percent of the population, but 100 percent of the future, and the future is in good hands with students like these.\nThe winning entry, Valitudois a medical dosage calculator, where medical providerscan input information about their patient's condition/infection, weight, and height, and the app will calculate the proper dosage to administer to the patient. It also includes a medicine database that contains descriptions, dosage information,and side effects of other medicines. The app will be featured onCongressionalAppChallenge.usand will also be eligible to be displayed in the U.S. Capitol.\nSheehan expressed his appreciation for the competition saying, Our team is incredibly honored to be recognized in this way. We felt this was a great opportunity to develop our skills with a real development project. \nThe U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts overall employment in the economy to grow by 7.4 percent between 2016 and 2026, while jobs in STEM fields are expected to grow by 10.8 percent. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, college-educated STEM job holders earn between 29 percent and 39 percent more per hour than non-STEM employees with equivalent educational attainment.\nThe Congressional App Challenge was created by theU.S. House of Representatives in 2015 and allows students to compete against their peers across the country by creating an app for desktop/PC, web, tablet, mobile, raspberry Pi or other devices. The challenge is designed to promote innovation and engagement in computer science.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=68E31F24-CF8B-4ED3-90C6-656C9CED381A", "Rubio Staff to Host Virtual Hurricane Sally FEMA Appeals Clinic", "2020-12-04", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tMiami, FL  The office of U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) will host a virtual Hurricane Sally FEMA Appeals Clinic for those individuals who have been denied by FEMA for Individual Assistance.December 15 and 16, 20209:00 AM to 3:30 PM CSTTo register for the clinic, click here.Individuals can make an appointment to speak with a member of Senator Rubio's staff regarding how to appeal the FEMA denial. Appeals can relate to initial eligibility decisions, the amount or type of assistance provided, late applications, requests to return money, or a denial of continued Temporary Housing Assistance.For questions regarding this event, please contact Senator Rubio's Orlando Regional Office via phone: 1-866-630-7106 or via email at: Recovery@rubio.senate.gov.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=7292A661-29F6-4EA1-9703-BA0C28C31B33", "Rubio, Warner Joint Statement on National Security Threat Posed by China", "2020-12-04", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWashington, D.C.  Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Acting Chairman Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Vice Chairman Mark Warner (D-VA) released the following joint statement regarding the challenge posed to the United States by the Chinese government and Communist Party:We agree with DNI Ratcliffe that China poses the greatest national security threat to the United States. Our intelligence is clear: the Chinese Communist Party will stop at nothing to exert its global dominance.Beijing's infiltration of U.S. society has been deliberate and insidious as they use every instrument of influence available to accelerate their rise at America's expense.Our democratic values are threatened by China's attempts to supplant American leadership and remake the international community in their image. The Chinese Communist Party's authoritarian leaders seek to threaten our free speech, politics, technology, economy, military, and even our drive to counter the COVID-19 pandemic.Unfortunately, the United States' challenge with China is not unique as Beijing seeks to infiltrate and subvert other nations around the world, including our allies.This is our watershed moment and we must stand our ground. The United States must not and cannot accept Beijing's quest to exert dominance, while dismissing international legal norms and committing egregious human rights abuses to further their goals.We have made considerable progress in rebalancing the U.S.-China relationship and laying a clear marker for U.S. policy going forward, and we will not stand idly by as the Chinese Communist Party attempts to undermine our economic and national security.The message to Beijing and the world is that China's behavior will not be tolerated and will be contested by democraticvalues, in close partnership with our allies and partners.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases-es?ContentRecord_id=4F1B7FF1-DE3C-40A3-B9E8-7060C80B08DD", "Rubio Habl Con Actualidad 1040am Miami", "2020-12-03", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  El senador estadounidense Marco Rubio (R-FL) habl va telefnica con Carines Moncada y Agustn Acosta de Actualidad 1040 AM, Miami sobre diversos temas de la actualidad. Una transcripcin parcial de la entrevista est a continuacin:\r\nImportancia de no volver a la normalidad de antes, incluyendo la dependencia a ChinaEn trminos de lo que yo dije, es muy fcil. Aqu hay una poltica, que era realmente una poltica bipartidista, pero se ampli mucho durante los aos de Obama, que se trataba en gran medida de quedar bien con el resto del mundo. Lo cual, yo no estoy en contra de quedar bien con el resto del mundo y de cooperar con otros pases. Pero, como poltico norteamericano mi obligacin nmero uno es de actuar [en defensa] de los mejores intereses de este pas.\r\n[...]  El arreglo que hizo Obama con Irn [fue] un desastre total. Yo s que [Obama] qued muy bien con pases de Europa y el mundo pero fue un desastre para EE.UU. y Israel. Irn poda seguir desarrollando sus misiles de larga distancia y podan seguir utilizando los fondos que reciban a travs de ese arreglo para seguir ayudando a todos estos diferentes elementos terroristas, que incluso han matado a norteamericanos.\r\nPotenciales nominados de Biden y comentario de Rubio al respecto  Dos ejemplos muy claros, en trminos de China, este es un grupo de [personas] de la industria del think tank. Llegan pensando lo siguiente, y es: bueno es verdad que los chinos se estn robando los secretos de EE.UU., no estn compitiendo de una manera justa, impiden la entrada de nuestras empresas a China pero sus compaas si pueden entrar aqu. Y vamos a quejarnos. Pero al final del da, qu le vamos hacer. Esa fue la actitud de ellos por cuarto, cinco aos. Y hemos visto el resultado.    Ahora cuando [empez] la pandemia, aqu no se podan producir las caretas, las mscaras, para protegernos. Incluso productos muy bsicos, pero ms all de eso tambin muchos componentes electrnicos y todo lo dems. Esa fue la actitud, no solamente de ellos, sino tambin de esa serie de personas de la poltica tradicional, y no estamos viviendo en un momento en que podemos estar aceptando eso. Ya China no es un pas pobre que est desarrollndose, China es un pas desarrollado que est utilizando su gobierno para tomar ventaja en contra de EE.UU. y el resto del mundo. Eso hay que enfrentarlo.    Ese es un ejemplo. Y el otro es el tema de Cuba, y esas son las [personas] que tenan la teora que cuando se [hiciese] la apertura hacia Cuba, el gobierno ahora iba a cambiar y no fue as. Cuando eres una dictadura, t controlas los beneficios y a quien le llegan. Ellos estaban dispuestos a aceptar todo el dinero del turismo, las inversiones, pero no se lo iban a dar al pueblo. Porque ellos lo que no quieren es que el pueblo tenga independencia econmica.    Ahora se enfrenta a una situacin bien grave el rgimen castrista. Van a tener que [tomar] decisiones muy pronto en su futuro. Hemos visto la accin que se est incrementado en el pas, que no es parte de un complot de Miami, eso es orgnico, eso es dentro de Cuba, son personas que viven en Cuba que estn exigiendo ms libertad de expresin y todo lo dems. Y eso va seguir creciendo como un movimiento, sin ningn tipo de interferencia del exterior.    Ataque a Rubio del peridico oficialista Granma por su apoyo al Movimiento San IsidroPara m eso es lo mejor que me pueden decir. Granma ni es periodismo. Eso es un arma de propaganda de un gobierno comunista. Pero lo interesante de todo esto es que el cubano ya no cree eso. El cubano ya sabe que todo eso son mentiras. Obviamente hay repercusiones graves para el que lo diga, pero hemos visto a varias personas que ya han perdido el miedo. Lo que tiene Cuba es insostenible, ellos no pueden sostenerlo a largo plazo y ellos lo saben y en fin esa generacin de altos rangos del partido comunista y del gobierno ellos saben que van a desaparecer pronto. Y los que los siguen van a tener un problema porque la sociedad cubana no va seguir aceptando la manera en que estn viviendo. As que ese momento viene, y estamos dispuestos a ayudar. Pero como siempre he dicho, el destino de Cuba le pertenece al pueblo cubano y aqu estamos para apoyarlos en cualquier decisin que tome ese pueblo.\r\n  Twitter y su doble moral con polticos y periodistas conservadores  Es un problema por dos razones, el problema de ellos es la doble moral. Un oficial del gobierno chino public en twitter una foto falsa acusando a Australia de asesinar a nios en Afganistn. Y eso es algo bien serio porque si los Talibanes ven eso pueden empezar a matar personas, poner bombas y hacer actos terroristas porque creen que eso es verdad. Y Twitter no hizo absolutamente nada. Tuve yo que mandar una carta, quejarme pblicamente, y al fin, casi dos das despus, pusieron una notificacin diciendo que esto era algo que fuera cierto, o algo parecido a eso. Ese fue un oficial chino. Y Twitter ni puede funcionar en China. Cuando el presidente de EE.UU. escribi en Twitter que iba a enviar a la guardia nacional a Minneapolis si empezaban a quemar [la ciudad], Twitter le bloque el tweet. Como algo que promova la violencia. Cmo es eso posible?    Y la crisis realmente no es que hablen mal de los conservadores, porque esto es una sociedad libre. Se tiene que permitir. Pero el problema es que la sociedad ha perdido la confianza sobre los medios de prensa.     24 horas del da, 7 das de la semana, todas las historias que salen de muchos medios, siempre, siempre, son negativas hacia los republicanos. Como por ejemplo: en el estado de la Florida, le han cado encima al gobernador DeSantis. [Diciendo] que l es un desastre por el [manejo del] virus, etc. Mientras tanto, en [el estado de] Nueva York, que tiene menos poblacin, han habido ms infecciones, han habido ms muertos, le dieron un Emmy al gobernador de Nueva York por sus conferencias de prensa. As que es ridculo, es ridculo.    Esto pasa todos los das y la gente se da cuenta de estas cosas. Entonces ya la gente no les cree. Cuando llega un momento que ellos hablan sobre algo serio, la gente no les presta atencin, no tienen confianza en esos medios porque los ven como algo parcializado. Eso siempre ha existido, pero nunca al nivel que lo hemos visto en los ltimos aos.    Apoya el revocar la seccin 230 de Twitter?  Absolutamente. Es una opcin para los medios que no son de prensa. Es decir, un lugar donde simplemente estn poniendo el contenido que producen otras personas. Pero cuando uno toma ahora el poder editorial de decidir qu es la verdad y qu es mentira, que vamos a publicar, qu voces se van a permitir y qu voces no se van a permitir, ya no eres una pgina social. Ahora eres un peridico, ahora eres [un miembro de] la prensa. Y eso es lo que ha hecho Twitter. Ha decidido que es lo que van a permitir y qu es lo que no van a permitir. Ellos han decidido autodenominar que es la verdad y la mentira. Entonces ellos ya no deben tener esa proteccin.    Aqu le han hecho un dao terrible a varias personas.    T sabes cuntas personas hay que tienen miedo de decir por quin votaron, porque tenan miedo de perder su trabajo. Personas que teman poner una pancarta en su casa porque le iban a vandalizar su casa, personas que tienen miedo a hablar de [temas polticos] porque temen que los llamen racistas o a ser discriminatorios. Y tambin, una cosa ms, a nivel nacional el nico grupo minoritario que se le permite a la prensa atacar es al cubano, ahora el venezolano y nicaragense por qu decidi votar por Donald Trump. Hemos visto ataques de los medios y de personas en la prensa en contra de la comunidad del sur de la Florida porque votaron en cifras altas por el presidente.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=1BE78484-2B80-47E5-A947-DEC0D4DD9446", "Rubio Joins Loeffler on Support and Investment in Underserved Small Businesses", "2020-12-03", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, joined Senator Kelly Loeffler (R-GA) in introducing the Economic Empowerment for Underserved Communities Act, which would ensure underserved communities have access to capital to promote economic revitalization, respond to the unprecedented loss of minority-owned businesses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and further encourage long-term investments in low-income minority communities.This legislation includes Chairman Rubio's Small Business Growth and Domestic Production Investment Facility, which would enhance access to venture capital dollars for minority-owned small businesses, manufacturing startups, and firms whose revenues were impacted by COVID-19.Throughout this crisis, we have made it a priority to ensure emergency funding for small businesses is available to under-banked and underserved communities, Chairman Rubio said. I am proud of the work we've been able to do in this short period of time, but also recognize that as a nation we must do more to help our most vulnerable communities and small businesses recover and rebuild. Senator Loeffler's bill does exactly that by providing critical funding and resources that would benefit underserved entrepreneurs as well as establish long-term support and investments in low-income communities.As part of the Prosperity Plan, the Economic Empowerment for Underserved Communities Act will expand access to the capital required to support minority-owned businesses, create jobs and promote economic revitalization, Senator Loeffler said. With this legislative framework as an anchor, the Prosperity Plan will ensure that the pathways to success opened under the leadership of President Trump do not close  and that every family across our state has the opportunity to prosper for generations to come.The Economic Empowerment for Underserved Communities Act:\r\n\r\nAllocates $7 billion to Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund program account.\r\nMakes the New Markets Tax Credit permanent.\r\nEstablishes Opportunity Zones field representatives at the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).\r\nCreates an equity based program within the SBA's Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) program.\r\nMakes the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) permanent and creates the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for the Minority Business Development Agency.\r\nPrioritizes grant assistance through Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) for organizations located in an Opportunity Zone.\r\nExtends SBA debt relief provisions from the CARES Act, Section 1112.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=6AA94080-19AF-4B72-BD05-8F426A0FDD44", "ICYMI: Rubio on Fox and Friends", "2020-12-03", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) joined Fox and Friends to discuss American's need to make a living during the pandemic, the Paycheck Protection Program, Democrat hypocrisy in handling COVID-19 restrictions, and the prospect of a Biden Administration. See below for highlights and watch the full interview here.\r\n\r\n\r\nOn the need to make a living during COVID-19:    I think the overall majority of people understand this virus is a problem -- and there's things you have to do to be careful about it and try to mitigate against the risks  That said, there are some things that you're going to have to be able to do no matter what the risk is, and one of those is make a living. People have to make a living. They have to work. They have to provide for their families. And to do that, they need their kids to be in school. And their kids, by the way, also need to be learning. They can't afford -- you know, we can't afford to take a year off until we get a vaccine and not learn. So our jobs in public service, whether it's in local, state, or federal government, is to provide the resources and the pathway so we can do those things.    On the hypocrisy of Democrats in enforcing COVID-19 restrictions:    The hypocrisy of during the campaign when Trump had a rally with a bunch of people, that was irresponsible. After the campaign when people took to the streets dancing and the crowd -- tightly-packed crowds celebrating because of Biden, nobody said a word. And it's the same with the stuff now. You've got these people that own a business that put their whole life's work into it. And you've got some guy behind a Zoom camera on television who gets paid to work from home lecturing them about how they need to close their business and not work, and not employ people until they tell them it's OK to do it. So it's an enormous amount of hypocrisy and people are tired of it.    One of the biggest hypocrisy here and in places like New York is they arrest someone for trying to work, but then they raise thousands of dollars and ask others to give money to bail out people who are committing arson, and burning police cars, and vandalizing cities.    So think about that. You're going to demonize people because they decide they're going to work, but you are going to help bail out the heroic' arsonists and looters. It's ridiculous. It's crazy stuff and that's what people are tired of.    On the Paycheck Protection Program:    The PPP portion was about 200 [billion] they put in [the bipartisan proposal]. We really need closer to $259 billion.  A lot of business now, either they're not allowing you to operate or you're at the mercy of market conditions. I mean, you've basically got political leaders telling people don't go out. Don't go shopping, don't go eat at restaurants, don't travel, don't go here, don't go there. So that even if they allow you to open, no one's coming because they're being told not to. So how do these guys stay afloat?    You're going to have a lot of small businesses go out of business forever if we don't step up and help. And we should have done it a long time ago and the Democrats played political games with it.    On governors' handling of COVID-19:    It's partly that they like the power. I mean, they like the ability to step in and tell people you can't do this or you can't do that. And I think part of it is if you don't do it as a leader you get beat up. Look, I think the perfect example is New York and Florida, OK?    Governor DeSantis and the state of Florida is often characterized in most of the legacy media as some sort of COVID disaster, all right? But New York, who has less people than Florida, has more cases, more deaths. And nonetheless, their governor wins an Emmy because of his press conferences. I mean, this is stupid and this is the kind of hypocrisy. Again, people see this stuff.    On the prospect of a Biden Administration:    Well, I think a lot of it will depend on how Biden behaves. Is he going to sort of fall in line with the radicals in the Democratic Party that are already insisting that right out of the gate we do the clean -- you know, the Green New Deal and all this other stuff, or he is going to try to get things done that both sides can agree on?    Look, I want to be clear with you guys -- and maybe some people watching aren't going to like it -- I'm not just going to be against stuff because Joe Biden's for it. If it's something I'm for and he's for, my job is to do what's best for the country. But we have to understand there are a lot of things that he's for that I'm going to be against. That's why I supported Donald Trump and that's why I'm a Republican. And he's got a lot of people around him who are far-left -- and are going to push us in that direction. I'm not going to be for any of that stuff. I'm just going to tell you that upfront. I've never lied -- I've never told anybody I'm a liberal Democrat.    He's surrounded by people and people in his orbit and people on his side of the aisle that the first thing they do is criticize Israel. ...These are elements within the Democratic Party that are going to have a voice and they're going to push the Democratic Party in a certain direction. So if that's the kind of stuff we see from a Biden administration, yes, I'm going to be against it.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=A55222DD-DB91-4F24-926A-1FF5780082F4", "Rubio Speaks With Actualidad Radio 1040AM", "2020-12-03", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) joined Actualidad Radio 1040AM, Miami to discuss current events and foreign policy issues. A partial transcript of Rubio's remarks is below.    Importance of not returning to the old normal that left us dependent on China  In terms of what I said, it is very easy. There was a policy, which was really bipartisan policy, but it was greatly expanded during the Obama years, which was very much about fitting in with the rest of the world. Which, I'm not against looking good with the rest of the world and cooperating with other countries. But, as an American politician, my number one obligation is to act in defense of the interests of this nation.  [...]\r\n  Obama's deal with Iran was a total disaster. I know [Obama] looked very good with European nations and the world, but it was a disaster for the US and Israel. Iran could continue to develop their long-range missiles and they could continue using the funds they received through that arrangement to continue helping all these different terrorist elements, which have even killed Americans. \"  Biden's potential nominees and Rubio's comment\r\n  Two very clear examples, in terms of China, these group of people are from the think tank world. They arrive thinking the following, and it is: well, it is true that the Chinese are stealing the secrets of the US, they are not competing fairly, they prevent our companies from entering China but their companies can enter the U.S. And, we are going to complain. But at the end of the day, what can we do? That was their attitude for four, five years. And we have seen the result .\r\n  Now when the pandemic hit, protective shields or masks to protect ourselves could not be produced here. Even very basic products, but beyond that also a lot of electronic components and everything else. That was the attitude. Not only from them, but also from a series of traditional politicians, and we are not living in a time when we can be accepting that. China is no longer a poor developing country, China is a developed nation that is using its government to take advantage [of] the US and the rest of the world. That has to be faced.\r\n  \"That is an example. And the other is the issue of Cuba. And those are the [people] who had the theory that when you opened Cuba, the government was now going to change and it was not like that. When you are a dictatorship, you control the benefits and whom they reach. They were willing to accept all the money from tourism, investments, but they were not going to give it to the people. Because what they don't want is for the people to have economic independence.\r\n  Now the Castro regime is facing a very serious situation. They are going to have to [make] decisions very soon. We have seen the actions [that are] increasing in the country, which is not part of a Miami plot. That is an organic movement within Cuba. These are people living in Cuba who are demanding more freedom of expression and everything else. And that will continue to grow as a movement, without any type of interference from the outside .\r\n  Attack against Rubio by the Cuban regime's newspaper, Granma, for his support to the San Isidro Movement   For me that is the best thing they can tell me. Granma is not journalism. It is a propaganda weapon of the communist government. But, the interesting thing about all this is that the Cuban [people] no longer believe them. Cubans already know that these are all lies. Obviously there are serious repercussions for whoever [publicly] says so, but we have seen several people who have already lost their fear. What Cuba has is unsustainable, they cannot sustain it in the long term and they know it. And, that generation of high ranking members of the communist party and the government know that they are going to disappear soon. Those who [will succeed] them are going to have a problem because Cubans will not continue to accept the way they are [currently] living. So that time is coming, and we are ready to help. But as I have always said, the fate of Cuba belongs to the Cuban people. We are here to support them in whatever decision they make.\r\n  Twitter and its double standards against conservative politicians and journalists   It is a problem for two reasons, their problem is [they have] a double standard. A Chinese government official posted a fake photo on Twitter accusing Australia of murdering a child in Afghanistan. And that is something very serious because if the Taliban see that [picture] they can start killing people, planting bombs and doing terrorist acts because they believe that is true. And Twitter did absolutely nothing. I had to send a letter, publicly complain, and finally, almost two days later, they put a notification saying that this was something that was true. That was a Chinese official. And Twitter [doesn't] even work in China. When POTUS posted on Twitter that he was going to send the National Guard to Minneapolis if they [arsonists] started burning [the city], Twitter blocked his tweet saying it was something that promoted violence. How is that possible?  And the crisis is not really that they speak badly about the conservatives, because this is a free society. It has to be allowed. The problem is that society has lost confidence in the media.\r\n  24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every that comes out of many media outlets, always, always, are negative towards Republicans. For example: in the state of Florida, they have attacked Governor DeSantis. [Saying] that he's a [disaster due to his handling of the] virus, etc. Meanwhile, in [the state of] New York, which has less population, there have been more infections, there have been more deaths, they gave an Emmy to the governor of New York for his press conferences. So it's ridiculous, it's ridiculous.\r\n  This happens every day and people realize these things. People don't believe them anymore. When there comes a time they talk about something serious, people don't pay attention to them. They don't trust the media because they see them as biased. That has always existed, but never at the level that we have seen in recent years.\r\n  What can Congress do about Section 230?  \"[Section 230] is an option for non-press media. That is, a place where they simply put content that other people produce. But when you now take the editorial power to decide what is the truth and what is a lie, what we are going to publish, what voices are going to be allowed and what voices are not going to be allowed, you are no longer a social page. Now you are a newspaper, now you are [a member of] the press. And that's what Twitter has done. You have decided what you are going to allow and what you are not going to allow. They have decided for themselves what's true and what's a lie. So they should no longer have that protection.\r\n  \"They have done terrible harm to several people here.\r\n  Do you know how many people there are who are afraid to say who they voted for out of fear of losing their job? People who were afraid to put up a banner in front of their house because their homes [would] be vandalized. People who are afraid to talk about [political issues] because they fear that they would be called racists or discriminated against. And also, one more thing, at the national level the only minority group that the press is allowed to attack are the Cubans, now the Venezuelans and Nicaraguans. Why? Because they decided to vote for Donald Trump. We have seen attacks from the media and people in the press against South Florida because they voted in high numbers for the president.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=B5E808E3-F711-4F2F-ADB4-609EF0F0DA3F", "Rubio, Colleagues Applaud Passage of Resolution Remembering Victims of December 2019 NAS Pensacola Terrorist Attack", "2020-12-03", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Rick Scott (R-FL), David Perdue (R-GA), Kelly Loeffler (R-GA), Doug Jones (D-AL), and Richard Shelby (R-AL) applauded the Senate passage of their resolution (S.Res.793) condemning the December 6, 2019 terrorist attack at Naval Air Station Pensacola and commemorating those who lost their lives, and those who were injured, in the line of duty.    The full text of the resolution is below.    Remembering the December 6, 2019, terrorist attack at Naval Air Station Pensacola and commemorating those who lost their lives, and those who were injured, in the line of duty.    Whereas December 6, 2020, the 1-year anniversary of the terrorist attack at Naval Air Station Pensacola (referred to in this preamble as the terrorist attack), is a day of commemoration for those who lost their lives, and those who were injured, during the terrorist attack, including\r\n(1) Ensign Joshua Kaleb Watson of Enterprise, Alabama;\r\n(2) Aircrewman Third Class Mohammed Sameh Haitham of St. Petersburg, Florida; and\r\n(3) Aircrewman Third Class Cameron Scott Walters of Richmond Hill, Georgia;\r\n\r\nWhereas the 3 servicemembers who died in the terrorist attack were posthumously awarded the Purple Heart;    Whereas the terrorist who committed the terrorist attack was a Saudi Arabian foreign military student who had been radicalized and established contacts with Al Qaeda operatives prior to attending flight training at Naval Air Station Pensacola;    Whereas Naval Air Station Pensacola security forces and Escambia County, Florida, law enforcement officers took decisive action to end the terrorist attack and have rightly earned the praises and awards bestowed upon them;    Whereas 2 civilians were awarded the Department of the Navy Superior Civilian Medal for Valor for their heroic actions during the terrorist attack;    Whereas 7 individuals were awarded the Purple Heart, or the law enforcement equivalent, for injuries sustained during the terrorist attack;    Whereas 9 military personnel were awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for their heroic actions during the terrorist attack;    Whereas 8 military personnel were awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for their heroic actions during the terrorist attack;    Whereas 8 law enforcement officers were awarded the Medal of Valor for their actions taken during the terrorist attack; and    Whereas December 6, 2020, marks 1 year since the lives of 3 military personnel were tragically cut short by the egregious act of terrorism at Naval Air Station Pensacola: Now, therefore, be it    Resolved, That the Senate  \r\n(1) condemns the December 6, 2019, terrorist attack at Naval Air Station Pensacola (referred to in this resolution as the terrorist attack);\r\n(2) commemorates in sorrow the servicemembers and civilians who lost their lives, or who were injured, and the harm caused to the surrounding community, as a result of the terrorist attack;\r\n(3) remembers Ensign Joshua Kaleb Watson, Aircrewman Third Class Mohammed Sameh Haitham, and Aircrewman Third Class Cameron Scott Walters, who were killed in the terrorist attack;\r\n(4) expresses gratitude for the heroic actions that the civilians, uniformed personnel, and law enforcement performed in the aftermath of the terrorist attack;\r\n(5) lauds the decision to give medals and awards to the law enforcement officers, uniformed servicemembers, and civilians who responded heroically on the morning of December 6, 2019; and\r\n(6) commends the efforts undertaken by the Department of Defense to enhance security at military installations to ensure that the tragedy represented by the terrorist attack is never repeated.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://posey.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=396848", "Florida Delegation Makes the Case for Space Command Headquarters", "2020-12-02", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Bill Posey", "P000599", "posey.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Florida Delegation Makes the Case for Space Command Headquarters \r\n                      \r\n                    \r\n                        \r\n                    \r\n                    \r\n                    \r\n                    \r\n                    \r\n                        \r\n                            Washington,\r\n                            December 2, 2020-\r\n                        Twenty-one Members of Congress from Florida's Congressional Delegation led by Reps. Bill Posey, Michael Waltz, Stephanie Murphy and Charlie Crist have joined in support of Florida's efforts to locate U.S. Space Command's Headquarters in the state of Florida. The U.S. Air Force recently announced that Cape Canaveral, FL is among the six finalists to advance in the selection process for Space Command's Headquarters.\r\n Patrick Air Force Base and its associated Cape Canaveral Air Force Station has earned a global reputation as the world's premier gateway to space for government and commercial customers, members of the delegation wrote in a bipartisan letter to the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of the Air Force. It is also home to the 45th Space Wing, which delivers assured access to space for warfighters.\r\nRead the full letter HERE.\r\nI'm proud of our delegation's efforts working together to make the case for Space Command Headquarters to locate in Brevard County, Florida, said Rep. Bill Posey whose Eighth Congressional District includes Cape Canaveral. Brevard's strategic location and quality of life make it the ideal place for this important national mission to be centered.\r\nFloridians have a special connection to space, being home to decades of launches and so many chapters in America's space history. Our state is continuing to lead the way in a new era of space exploration and innovation. Florida's is the perfect location for U.S. Space Command  and I'm very proud to make the strong case to bring SPACECOM to the Space Coast, said Rep. Michael Waltz.\r\nI'm proud to co-lead this bipartisan effort by Florida's congressional delegation to support Brevard County's bid, said Rep. Stephanie Murphy. Our state is already home to Southern Command, Central Command, and Special Operations Command. Given its longstanding leadership role when it comes to America's efforts in space, Florida would be a natural home for Space Command.\r\nSpace exploration is synonymous with Florida and the Space Coast. With our state's significant defense infrastructure, robust aerospace industrial base, and supportive communities, there's no better place for Space Command Headquarters than right here in Florida, said Rep. Charlie Crist.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=12679101-1624-492A-B12E-E75C4BA5D4F3", "Rubio Welcomes House Action to Ban Chinese Firms That Flout U.S. Laws From U.S. Exchanges", "2020-12-02", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) welcomed news that the House will pass an amended version of Senator John Kennedy's (R-LA) Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act (S.945), which would increase oversight of Chinese and other foreign companies listed on American exchanges and delist and ban over-the-counter trading for firms that are out of compliance with U.S. regulators for a period of three years. Following House passage, the legislation, which passed the Senate on May 20, 2020, will head to the President for signature.\r\nLast year, Rubio introduced the Ensuring Quality Information and Transparency for Abroad-Based Listings on our Exchanges (EQUITABLE) Act, bipartisan, bicameral legislation to ban Chinese and foreign firms that flaunt U.S. laws from U.S. exchanges. Key Rubio provisions were included in the Senate passed S. 945. Rubio previewed the legislation in an op-ed in The Wall Street Journal. A one-pager of the legislation is available here.\r\nI am pleased that the House will follow the Senate's decisive action to prevent Chinese companies from exploiting U.S. capital markets and running afoul of our laws and regulations, Rubio said. This legislation will protect American retail investors and pensioners from risky investments in fraudulent, opaque Chinese companies that are listed on U.S. exchanges and trade on over-the-counter markets. I was proud to work with Senator Kennedy on this important legislation that sends a strong message to the Chinese Communist Party: if Chinese companies want access to U.S. capital markets, they must comply with American laws and regulations for financial transparency and accountability.\r\nLast month, Rubio welcomed reports that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will move forward with a regulation that would delist and prohibit initial public offerings on U.S. exchanges for Chinese companies that are out of compliance with U.S. regulators. The action, which closely resembles Rubio's EQUITABLE Act, follows Rubio's letter to SEC Chairman Jay Clayton urging the agency to make unfettered Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) access to the audits of firms listed on U.S. securities exchanges a condition for both initial and continued listing.\r\nEarlier this year, Rubio urged members of President Trump's Working Group on Financial Markets to address China's exploitation of U.S. capital markets, including the lack of disclosure by Chinese firms listed on U.S. stock exchanges, the inclusion of Chinese stocks and bonds on securities indexes, and lack of recourse for American investors who have been defrauded by Chinese firms.\r\nLast month, Rubio introduced the American Financial Markets Integrity and Security Act, which would prohibit malign Chinese companies  including the parent, subsidiary, affiliate, or a controlling entity  that are listed on the U.S. Department of Commerce Entity List or the U.S. Department of Defense list of Communist Chinese military companies from accessing U.S. capital markets. The legislation closely resembles an Executive Order by President Trump to prohibit U.S. investments in Chinese firms that are on the U.S. Department of Defense list of Communist Chinese military companies. A one-pager of the legislation is available here.\r\nIn May 2020, Rubio and Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) welcomed the announcement by the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (FRTIB) that it would halt its short-sighted decision to invest billions of dollars from the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)  the retirement assets of federal government employees, including members of the U.S. Armed Forces  in opaque Chinese firms engaged in human rights abuses and a wide range of military-related activities.\r\nRubio and Shaheen also led a group of lawmakers in introducing the bipartisan, bicameral Taxpayers and Savers Protection (TSP) Act, which would prevent the FRTIB from steering federal retirement savings to China. Specifically, the FRTIB plans to shift the TSP's International Fund Index to the MSCI All Country World ex-U.S. Investable Market Index that includes Chinese companies under U.S. sanctions and U.S. export bans.\r\nBackground:\r\n \r\nIn February 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) released a statement regarding the difficulties U.S. regulators face when auditing U.S.-listed companies based in China, and how over the past decade, U.S. investors, and the U.S. capital markets more generally, have become more exposed to companies with significant operations in emerging markets, including China, the largest emerging market economy.\r\nIn December 2018, the SEC and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) issued a joint warning to investors about the challenges American regulators face when attempting to conduct oversight of U.S.-listed companies whose operations are based in China and Hong Kong.\r\nWhile the PCAOB regularly inspects audits of U.S.-listed firms at home and abroad, Beijing consistently and systemically challenges those efforts. For example, Chinese law requires that records remain in China, and the Communist Party routinely restricts access to typical accounting information on the grounds of national security and state secrecy.\r\nThe U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission identified 156 Chinese companies, including 11 state-owned-enterprises, that are listed on America's three largest exchanges with a combined market capitalization of $1.2 trillion.\r\nIn March 2018, the influential global index provider MSCI announced that it would quadruple its weighting of Chinese company shares in one of its key index products.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=391E4793-DBE5-4423-93FD-5CCD00FF8697", "Rubio Names Lucky Goat Coffee Company of Florida as the Senate Small Business of the Week", "2020-12-02", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, named Lucky Goat Coffee Company of Tallahassee, Florida as the U.S. Senate Small Business of the Week.Rubio released the following video message to congratulate Lucky Goat Coffee Company as the Senate Small Business of the Week. A broadcast quality version can be found here.Hello, I'm Senator Marco Rubio, I'm the Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.And today, it is my honor to recognize Lucky Goat Coffee Company of Tallahassee, Florida as the Senate Small Business of the WeekBack in 2010, Ben Pautsch founded Lucky Goat Coffee, as a wholesale and distribution company.Customer demand led to their expansion into retail and the opening of Lucky Goat Coffee shops.Well, a decade later, Lucky Goat Coffee Company now includes its original distribution business, 5 coffee shops in Tallahassee, and its first franchise location in Jacksonville.Notably, Lucky Goat Coffee was named one of the fastest growing companies owned by Florida State University alumni in 2018, 2019, and 2020, and in 2017, was recognized by former Governor now my colleague Senator Rick Scott.Like many Florida small businesses, Lucky Goat Coffee experienced a drop in revenue and closed its stores due to the pandemic and the coronavirus crisis.But they were approved for a Paycheck Protection Program loan, a small business relief program that I was proud to be the author of.And as a result, they were able to keep 57 employees paid.So congratulations to the entire team at Lucky Goat Coffee Company for being named the Senate Small Business of the Week!And I look forward to seeing your continued success in Tallahassee, and throughout Florida.As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Senator Rubio continues the tradition of honoring America's small businesses and entrepreneurs. The Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship oversees proposed legislation on matters relating to the Small Business Administration and investigates all problems relating to America's small businesses.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=6292CFBA-56A3-4E96-98D2-9BB08C0CAD31", "Rubio Statement on Sentencing of Pro-democracy Activists in Hong Kong", "2020-12-02", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) released the following statement after prominent Hong Kong pro-democracy activists Joshua Wong, Agnes Chow, and Ivan Lam were sentenced to 13.5 months, 10 months, and 7 months, respectively, in prison:The sentencing of Joshua, Agnes, and Ivan reminds us of the courage and perseverance of Hong Kongers as well as the failure of Hong Kong's government to uphold its commitments to its citizens, Rubio said. If this is how Hong Kong treats prominent pro-democracy activists, then the international community must watch closely for how Hong Kong treats the thousands awaiting their day in court and those charged under the National Security Law. I stand in solidarity with all Hong Kongers who are watching as their long-cherished freedoms are robbed by a corrupt and cruel regime in Beijing.Rubio is Cochair of the bipartisan and bicameral Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations' Subcommittee that oversees human rights, and is a member of the Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=B2263D64-1A3E-45EB-B64E-2EC8BB99AFA5", "Senate Passes Rubio, Smith Resolution to Recognize November as National Lung Cancer Awareness Month", "2020-12-02", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Tina Smith (D-MN) applauded the U.S. Senate's passage of their resolution (S.Res.780) to designate November 2020 as National Lung Cancer Awareness Month. The resolution promotes the importance of early detection of lung cancer to help save lives. It also recognizes the need for research to improve early diagnosis, screening and treatment.Senators John Boozman (R-AR), Tim Scott (R-SC), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) are cosponsors of the legislation.The resolution is also supported by the American Cancer Society, the American Lung Association, the American Lung Cancer Screening Initiative (ALCSI), the GO2 Foundation for Lung Cancer and the Oncology Nursing Society.The full text of the resolution is below.Designating November 2020 as National Lung Cancer Awareness Month'' and expressing support for the early detection of lung cancer.Whereas lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death among men and women in the United States, accounting for more deaths than colon cancer, breast cancer, and prostate cancer combined;Whereas lung cancer is the second most common cancer in the United States;Whereas it is estimated that 1 in 15 men and 1 in 17 women in the United States will develop lung cancer during their lifetime;Whereas it is estimated that in 2020, 228,820 individuals in the United States will be diagnosed with lung cancer, and 135,720 individuals will die from the disease;Whereas the 5-year survival rate for localized lung cancer is around 59 percent, yet only about 17 percent of lung cancers are diagnosed at this stage;Whereas screening individuals at high risk of lung cancer using low-dose computed tomography can detect lung cancer earlier than other forms of screening and ultimately save lives;Whereas lung cancer screening can effectively reduce lung cancer mortality, yet only 3.9 to 8.6 percent of individuals in the United States at high risk of lung cancer undergo lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography; andWhereas educational efforts can increase awareness of lung cancer and lung cancer screening among the general public, patients and their families, and health care workers, thereby increasing the early detection of lung cancer: Now, therefore, be itResolved, That the Senate(1) designates November 2020 as National Lung Cancer Awareness Month'';(2) supports the goals and ideals of National Lung Cancer Awareness Month;(3) promotes efforts to increase awareness of, and education about, lung cancer and lung cancer screening among individuals in the United States;(4) recognizes the need for research on the early diagnosis, screening, and treatment of lung cancer; and(5) encourages the people of the United States to observe National Lung Cancer Awareness Month with appropriate awareness and educational activities.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases-es?ContentRecord_id=0CEA76ED-3F4B-418E-B38A-0BA3EC6B3FA0", "Rubio Critica a Twitter por Accin Inadecuada Sobre una Imagen Falsa y Peligrosa por Parte de China", "2020-12-01", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sala de Prensa \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tInicio\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSala de Prensa\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSala de Prensa\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWashington, D.C.  El senador estadounidense Marco Rubio (R-FL) emiti el siguiente comunicado despus que Twitter etiquetara una imagen falsificada, publicada por un burcrata del Partido Comunista chino, como \"contenido potencialmente sensible\". Esta accin inadecuada se produjo despus que Rubio le escribiera una misiva a Jack Dorsey, el director ejecutivo de Twitter, despus que la compaa inicialmente no eliminase o etiquetara una imagen falsificada divulgada por un burcrata del Partido Comunista Chino.Es indignante que cuando el presidente de EE.UU. tuitea sobre el envo de la guardia nacional para proteger a las ciudades de saqueadores Twitter inmediatamente acta para silenciarlo por 'violar los trminos'. Pero, cuando un funcionario del gobierno chino o el ayatol Khamenei hacen amenazas, toma que un senador estadounidense y una campaa pblica alcen su voz para que la empresa haga algo, Rubio dijo. El etiquetar esta imagen falsificada, la cual fue publicada por un burcrata del Partido Comunista de China, como 'contenido potencialmente sensible' es absurdo. O Twitter tiene una doble moral con los conservadores o le tiene miedo al gobierno chino y al partido comunista. En realidad, probablemente sean ambos. La exencin de la seccin 230 de Twitter tiene los das contados.Rubio es el co-presidente de la Comisin bipartidista y bicameral del Congreso sobre China (CECC, por sus siglas en ingls), presidente del Subcomit de Relaciones Exteriores del Senado que supervisa temas de DD.HH. y miembro del Subcomit de Relaciones Exteriores del Senado que supervisa temas de oriente asitico, el pacfico y polticas de ciberseguridad internacional.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 348, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"chamber\" = :p0 and \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "Senate", "p1": "FL", "p2": "2020"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=FL&year=2020", "results": [{"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 311, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=FL&year=2020&party=Republican", "selected": false}, {"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 37, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=FL&year=2020&party=Democrat", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=FL&year=2020", "results": [{"value": "Senate", "label": "Senate", "count": 348, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=FL&year=2020", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=FL&year=2020", "results": [{"value": "FL", "label": "FL", "count": 348, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&year=2020", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=FL&year=2020", "results": [{"value": "2020", "label": "2020", "count": 348, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=FL", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2020-12-01,http~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Erubio~2Esenate~2Egov~2F~2Fpublic~2Findex~2Ecfm~2Fpress-releases-es~3FContentRecord_id~3D0CEA76ED-3F4B-418E-B38A-0BA3EC6B3FA0", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=FL&year=2020&_next=2020-12-01%2Chttp~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Erubio~2Esenate~2Egov~2F~2Fpublic~2Findex~2Ecfm~2Fpress-releases-es~3FContentRecord_id~3D0CEA76ED-3F4B-418E-B38A-0BA3EC6B3FA0&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 331.89699798822403, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}