This Week in the Office of Senator Marco Rubio
On Tuesday, during a hearing in the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, I questioned Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar about the coronavirus and the United States’ dependence on China for active pharmaceutical ingredients. Read more here or watch the video here.
On Thursday, I released my coronavirus plan to combat America’s supply chain risk and dependence on China for pharmaceuticals. Read the plan here.
On Thursday, Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) and I, as Ranking Member and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, sent a letter to Jovita Carranza, Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration, requesting information on the agency’s plan to ensure small businesses in the U.S. are prepared to respond to potential disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Read more here.
On Monday, my interview with the American Affairs Journal was published in its Spring 2020 edition. In it, I discuss the troubling state of domestic economic policy and our dependence on China, and what steps are needed to promote healthy national development at home. Read excerpts from the interview here and the full article here.
Last Friday, I joined Representative Jenniffer González-Colón (R-PR) and others in sending a letter to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson, Acting Director of the Office of Management and Budget Russ Vought, Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Pete Gaynor, and U.S. Secretary of Energy Dan Brouillette urging them to publish guidelines for the use of federal funds to improve Puerto Rico’s power grid through the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Relief program. Read more here.
On Tuesday, I issued the following statement regarding my vote to confirm Katharine MacGregor as United States Deputy Secretary of the Interior. Read more here.
On Tuesday, I issued the following statement ahead of the Senate’s consideration of the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act and the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. Read more here.
On Tuesday, as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, I named Tally Mac Shack of Tallahassee, FL as the U.S. Senate Small Business of the Week. Read more here.
On Tuesday, I met with the Florida Association of Broadcasters in Washington, D.C. to discuss optimizing viewer and listener access to local stations in Florida and to thank them for the important work they do to provide Floridians with critical information. Read more here.
On Tuesday, I spoke to the Florida Bankers Association in Washington, D.C. As Chairman of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship, I highlighted the role community banks play in facilitating small business investment and access to capital. Read more here.
On Wednesday, I urged Attorney General William Barr to vigilantly identify and enforce the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act in light of the “Phase One” trade agreement that allows American financial companies to increase their involvement in China’s capital markets in new and hazardous ways. Read more here.
On Wednesday, I sent a letter to Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin and Attorney General William Barr requesting the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) exercise its authority and launch a full review of the national security implications of AT&T’s upcoming sale of the Central European Media Group Enterprises to the Czech-owned conglomerate PPF Group. Read more here.
On Thursday, on the fifth anniversary of Russian opposition leader Boris Nemstov’s assassination, Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) and I announced a resolution condemning Russia’s practice of politically motivated imprisonment and calling for the release of political prisoners in Russia. The resolution also urges the Trump Administration to use the tools provided by Congress to impose sanctions against Russian officials responsible for human rights abuses. Read more here.
On Wednesday, I met with Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Kevin Thibault in Washington, D.C. to discuss surface transportation reauthorization and other Florida transportation priorities. Read more here.
On Wednesday, as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, I met with U.S. Ambassador to Costa Rica Sharon Day to discuss U.S.-Costa Rica bilateral relations, strengthening our existing security partnerships, and democracy in the region. Read more here.
In Case You Missed It...
“Marco Rubio: My Coronavirus Plan (Medium, 02/27/2020)
“Common Good Capitalism: An Interview with Marco Rubio” (American Affairs, 02/24/2020)
“As Bernie defends Fidel Castro, Rubio reminds him of his atrocities” (Floridian Press, 02/24/2020)
“As markets plummet, Marco Rubio and Ben Cardin implore SBA to protect small businesses from coronavirus ” (Florida Politics, 02/27/2020)
“U.S. Senator Marco Rubio has asked regulators to be vigilant about keeping American investors safe from “hazards” connected with a provision in the latest U.S.-China trade deal that encourages investment in China’s non-performing loan market.” (U.S. Senator Marco Rubio has asked regulators to be vigilant about keeping American investors safe from “hazards” connected with a provision in the latest U.S.-China trade deal that encourages investment in China’s non-performing loan market, Reuters, 2/26/2020)
“Rubio Seeks Grant Program Review After Harvard Professor Charged Over China Ties” (WSJ, 02/28/2020)
“Sen. Rubio Urges National Security Review of Deal Between AT&T and Czech Firm, Citing China Concerns” (The Epoch Times, 02/27/2020)
“Marco Rubio, Darren Soto Announce $40 Million Loan From EPA Headed to Toho Water Authority” (Florida Daily, 02/25/2020)
“Tally Mac Shack hailed by Marco Rubio as U.S. Senate Small Business of the Week” (Tallahassee Democrat, 026//2020)
“Florida Delegation Urges Administration to Publish Power Grid Guidelines for Puerto Rico’s Recovery” (Florida Daily, 02/25/2020)
Legislation Introduced
- I joined Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) in introducing a resolution commending the work of GAVI and its partners for their efforts to expand vaccines and immunizations to the most vulnerable, especially children, in developing countries. The resolution also reaffirms the United States’ continued support for the Alliance as an efficient and effective mechanism to advance global health security and save lives. Read more here.
- I joined Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) in introducing the bipartisan Built to Last Act, which would help local communities and private firms build stronger infrastructure that will withstand severe weather events. Read more here.
Coming up...
- My staff will host Mobile Office Hours next week to assist constituents with federal casework issues in their communities. Find more information and locations near you here.
|
|
No comments:
Post a Comment