This Week in the Office of Senator Marco Rubio On Friday, I applauded the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2021 (H.R. 6395) conference report. In the bill, I secured authorization for critical construction and infrastructure projects on military bases in Northwest Florida, authorization for additional P-8 aircrafts for the reserve naval wing out of Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville, a pharmaceutical supply chain 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, and provisions to help stop criminals from using anonymous shell corporations to engage in illicit activities like money laundering, sex trafficking, fraud, and terrorist financing.  Additionally, Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) and I secured a provision to support the development of a 5G wireless network by establishing the Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund and the Multilateral Telecommunications Security Fund. Lastly, the bill includes the United States-Israel Security Assistance Authorization Act , introduced by Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) and I, which 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. The Senate’s action sends the final conference report to the President.  On Wednesday, I praised the House passage of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) and urged the Senate to move swiftly in approving the measure. I 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. Read more here.  On Thursday, I 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. Read more here.  On Thursday, as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, I convened a hearing titled, “Small Business in Crisis: The 2020 Paycheck Protection Program and its Future.” Read the transcript of my opening remarks here and watch the video here.  On Thursday, as Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, I detailed the historic success of the Paycheck Protection Program. Writing in a CNBC op-ed, I noted that PPP “is the single largest federal fiscal policy program enacted in recent history” and “the single most effective relief program passed by Congress.” In a separate, 2,900-word Medium piece, I detail 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. Read the op-ed here and the Medium piece here.  On Wednesday, I 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. Read more here and listen to the full interview here.  On Friday, I published an op-ed in The Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald warning that a Biden Administration must not repeat Obama’s concessions to Cuba’s regime and should instead follow in the footsteps of President Trump and advance policies meant to protect the fundamental rights of Cubans. Read the full English op-ed here and the full Spanish op-ed here.  On Wednesday, I 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. Watch the full interview here.  On Monday, I released a 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. Read more here.  Last Sunday, I 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. Watch the full interview here.  On Wednesday, I joined Congressman Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH) for a conversation with American Compass on what’s next for the Republican Party and how to build a conservative agenda that appeals to a multi-ethnic, working-class base. Read more here and watch the full conversation here.  On Monday, I issued a statement after dictator Nicolás Maduro held fraudulent legislative elections on Sunday. Read more here.  On Tuesday, U.S. Representative Jim McGovern and I, the Chair and Cochair of the bipartisan and bicameral Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) respectively, sent letters to the Chief Executive Officers 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 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. Read more here.  On Thursday, I issued a statement following McKinsey & Company’s long overdue apology for its role in fueling America's opioid crisis. Read more here.  On Thursday, Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) and I, Ranking Member and Chairman, respectively, of the Foreign Relations’ Subcommittee overseeing Human Rights, issued a joint statement on the observance of Human Rights Day. Read more here.  On Thursday, as Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, I named Bayshore Fit of Tampa, Florida as the U.S. Senate Small Business of the Week. Read more here. 
Legislation Introduced- On Tuesday, I 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. Read more here.
- On Thursday, I 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. Read more here.
In Case You Missed It...“Sen. Marco Rubio: The Historic Success of the Paycheck Protection Program” (Medium, 12/10/20) “Sen. Marco Rubio: The data is clear – the Paycheck Protection Program is a success” (CNBC, 12/10/20) “Sen. Marco Rubio: A Biden Administration must not repeat Obama’s concessions to Cuba’s regime | Opinion” (Miami Herald, 12/11/20) “Senator Marco Rubio helps secure provisions for Northwest Florida military base projects” (WJHG, 12/10/20) “Plan to appeal Hurricane Sally FEMA decision? Rubio's office hosts how-to clinic” (Pensacola News Journal, 12/07/20) “According to Senator Rubio’s Senate office, the PPP “injected over $525 billion into the U.S. economy in less than four months” in the first four months of the pandemic.” (Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) proven to be a “vital lifeline” for Americans, The Floridian, 12/10/20) “Rubio seeks additional care for CIA and State employees suffering the ‘Havana syndrome’” (Miami Herald, 12/09/20) “The bill, sponsored by Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio, is part of a massive $741 billion year-end defense bill that should pass the U.S. Senate this week after clearing the U.S. House on Tuesday.” (Anti-corruption bill requiring shell companies to disclose owners poised to become law, Miami Herald, 12/10/20) “Democrat Bob Menendez and Republican Marco Rubio’s planned bill would send $600 million to the Inter-American Development Bank over the next five years and authorize $23.4 billion in backup capital, according to a draft seen by Bloomberg News.” (Latin America Development Bank Gets Boost from Key U.S. Senators, Bloomberg, 12/10/20) “Rubio says U.S. can’t back off of Venezuela, warns of Iranian threat” (The Floridian, 12/08/20) | 
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