This Week in the Office of Senator Marco Rubio On Friday, I welcomed the announcement that FEMA approved Individual Assistance for Floridians impacted by Hurricane Sally in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, and Bay Counties. Read more here.  On Thursday, I applauded the announcement by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District that it had awarded four construction contracts, totaling more than $81 million, for ecosystem restoration in South Florida. The construction projects include the Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlands, Central Everglades Planning Project (CEPP) South, and Picayune Strand Restoration Projects, which are components of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP). I led the effort to authorize the Central Everglades Planning Project (CEPP) in 2016 and secured its modification to include the EAA project in 2018. Read more here.  On Wednesday, I joined Fox & Friends to discuss former Vice President Joe Biden’s false claim that President Trump’s Administration has done nothing for small businesses, the prospect of Congress passing additional COVID-19 relief before the election, and the Senate filling the current Supreme Court vacancy. Watch the full interview here. 
Last Saturday, I issued a statement regarding the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court. Read more here.  On Thursday, Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD), Doug Jones (D-AL), and I issued statements after the Senate passed the House version of our Extension of the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (S.2473). This important bill, led by former Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA), will extend until 2030 duty-free access for certain textile goods from 23 Caribbean countries that are made with U.S. yarns, fabrics, and threads until 2030. The bill now heads to the President’s desk. Read more here.  On Thursday, I joined the Hugh Hewitt Show to discuss the presidential debate and more. Listen to the full interview here.  This week, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a resolution from Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) and me, Ranking Member and Chairman, respectively, of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, recognizing the week of September 20, 2020 as “National Small Business Week.” Our resolution highlights the important impact small businesses have on our economy and honors their contributions. Read more here.  On Wednesday, I joined Senator John Thune (R-SD) and colleagues in a letter to President Trump applauding the Administration’s successful efforts to empower the private sector to build America’s multiple 5G networks. We also expressed concerns regarding a Request For Information released by the Department of Defense that contradicts the successful market-driven strategy for 5G deployment and development. Read more here.  On Thursday, I welcomed an Executive Order by President Trump which declares a national emergency regarding American dependence on foreign nations for critical mineral mining, refining, and processing, and directs the U.S. government to take further steps to reduce that dependence. Read more here.  On Tuesday, Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) and I, Ranking Member and Chairman, respectively, of the Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women's Issues, wrote to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, urging him to support the people of Venezuela and the return of democratic order in Venezuela amid efforts by the Maduro regime to hold fraudulent elections this December. Read more here.  Last Friday, Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) and I, Ranking Member and Chairman, respectively, of the Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women's Issue, wrote to the European Union’s High Representative Josep Borrell, with regards to the upcoming sham parliamentary elections in Venezuela. Read more here.  On Thursday, I joined Senator Jim Risch (R-ID), Chairman of the Senate Committee of Foreign Relations, Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Ron Johnson (R-WI) in releasing a statement on the escalation of fighting between Azerbaijan and Armenia in the ethnic Armenian enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh. Read more here.  On Thursday, I joined Senators Jim Inhofe (R-OK) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ), co-chairs of the Senate Taiwan Caucus, and other Senate colleagues in sending a letter encouraging U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to begin the formal process of negotiating a comprehensive trade agreement with Taiwan. Read more here.  On Friday, Senator Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and I, Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, respectively, 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 . Read more here. 
In Case You Missed It...“The experts hope their letter can help generate newfound bipartisan support for the measure, noting, ‘the extension of these deadlines would not favor or prejudice either political party,’ and that ‘as experts who study the election process, the resolution of disputed elections, and similar matters, we believe Senator Rubio’s bill is good insurance for the integrity of the election and ought to be adopted.’” (“Elections experts, law professors, former President of National Association of Secretaries of State urge Congress to pass state vote counting deadline extension to avoid crisis,” Election Law Blog, 10/01/20) “Marco Rubio says critics of timing of Supreme Court nomination ‘have this all twisted’” (Florida Politics, (09/30/20) “Florida’s two U.S. senators–Republicans Marco Rubio and Rick Scott–are on board with President Donald Trump nominating Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court.” (Florida Daily, 09/28/20) “On Sept. 16, Florida Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio, both Republicans, proposed the Set Sail Safely Act, which would create a maritime task force to work on the logistical changes needed for the industry to resume operations safely.” (White House Blocked C.D.C. Order to Keep Cruise Ships Docked, New York Times, 09/30/20) “Marco Rubio Backs Bill for National Aquaculture Standards” (Florida Daily, 09/29/20) “Marco Rubio, Ben Cardin Call on UN Secretary General to Oppose Maduro’s Efforts to Hold Elections” (Florida Daily, 09/30/20) “Sen. Rubio, Rep. Mast discuss the importance of Hispanic Heritage Month” (Fox News, 10/01/20) |
No comments:
Post a Comment