This Week in the Office of Senator Marco Rubio - September 15, 2019

This Week in the Office of Senator Marco Rubio

On Thursday, the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee passed the FY2020 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations bill and the FY2020 Department of Defense Appropriations bill. I am proud to have secured critical funding for Florida in both bills through my role on the committee. Read more here .

On Thursday, I wrote an op-ed in The New York Times urging for the passage of my bipartisan red flag legislation, which would give law enforcement the ability to restrict gun access for unstable, potentially violent people, without infringing on the rights of responsible gun owners. Read more here.

On Wednesday, I reintroduced the Sand Acquisition, Nourishment, and Development (SAND) Act, which could make it more cost-effective to replenish Southeast Florida’s economically-valuable beaches. The SAND Act would give the Army Corps of Engineers greater flexibility in assessing and obtaining non-domestic sand for federal beach renourishment projects. Read more here.

On Sunday, I sent a letter to United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Mark Green requesting that the United States Naval Ship (USNS) Comfort be repositioned to the Bahamas as soon as possible, as well as any assets needed from the Bataan Amphibious Readiness Group. Read more here.

On Wednesday, I named Rethreaded of Jacksonville, Florida as the U.S. Senate Small Business of the Week. This social entrepreneurship venture creates dignified work opportunities for survivors of human trafficking. Watch my video message here.

On Thursday, I commended the SBA Office of Advocacy for holding a roundtable to address the overregulation of small businesses in the premium cigar industry. Read more here.

On Wednesday, I joined CNBC to discuss U.S. investments in China, and the importance of passing my Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act. Watch the full interview here.

On Thursday, I sent a letter to Attorne General William Barr to encourage the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to ensure that the Brazilian construction conglomerate, Odebrecht, observes the terms of the 2016 plea agreement with the DOJ. Read more here.

On Wednesday, Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) joined me in applauding the Senate’s passage of our bipartisan Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act (S.178). The bill is an important step in countering the totalitarian Chinese government’s extensive and horrifying human rights abuses in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Read more here.

On Tuesday, I joined Senators Jim Risch (R-ID), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and other colleagues in sending a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross requesting an assessment of the adequacy of U.S. export controls with respect to Hong Kong. Read more here.

On Monday, I issued a statement following the announcement that the Organization of American States (OAS) has begun the process of invoking the Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance, also known as the Rio Treaty, in support of the restoration of democratic order and the rule of law in Venezuela. Read more here.

In Case You Missed It…

“A Strong Bipartisan Path to Tackle Gun Violence” (New York Times , 9/12/2019)

“DeSantis, Rubio, Scott travel to Bahamas following Hurricane Dorian” (News4Jax, 9/6/2019)

“Florida senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott address media after touring Andros Town in the Bahamas” (Miami Herald, 9/6,2019)

“Marco Rubio honors Jacksonville firm in human trafficking fight” (Florida Politics , 9/11/2019)

“When the institute exits this fall, it will be the last in Florida – the universities of South Florida, West Florida and North Florida had branches when US Sen. Marco Rubio began a drive to stamp them out, saying China was trying to ‘infiltrate American classrooms, stifle free inquiry and subvert free expression.’” (Reaffirm college’s academic freedom after China pressuring, Miami Today, 9/11/2019)

“After Miami Herald investigation, Rubio asks DOJ to look into Odebrecht’s plea agreement” (Miami Herald, 9/12/2019)

“Marco Rubio requests USNS Comfort be moved to Bahamas post-Dorian” (Florida Politics , 9/8/2019)

“Marco Rubio: Dirección política de EEUU sobre Venezuela no será debilitada” (El Tiempo Latino, 9/12/2019)

“Sen. Marco Rubio wants to make sure federal worker retirement dollars are not invested in China” (CNBC, 9/11/2019)

“On Friday, Sen. Marco Rubio (R.-Fla.) tweeted a push for U.S. military involvement. Only active-duty forces have the heavy helicopters needed to quickly transport supplies to devastated areas, he said. Within hours, Rubio added in another tweet that he had “good news”: USAID had made a request for heavy helicopters.” (Pentagon’s involvement in Hurricane Dorian relief effort in the Bahamas expected to remain small, Washington Post, 9/10/2019)

“Marco Rubio Backs OAS Getting Tougher on the Maduro Regime in Venezuela” (Florida Daily, 9/120/2019)

“Marco Rubio: State, Commerce Departments Should Review U.S. Export Controls Regarding for Hong Kong” (Florida Daily, 9/11/2019)

“Marco Rubio apoya invocación del TIAR en Venezuela” (Miamidiario.com, 9/10/2019)

“Marco Rubio. Val Demings Want More Diversity in the Media” (Florida Daily, 9/12/2019)

Legislation Introduced…

· On Wednesday, I reintroduced the Sand Acquisition, Nourishment, and Development (SAND) Act , which could make it more cost-effective to replenish Southeast Florida’s beaches.

· On Thursday, I joined Senators Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Ben Cardin (D-MD), and Doug Jones (D-AL) to introduce bipartisan legislation to reauthorize a trade law that has benefited the United States, and 23 countries in the Caribbean basin, for nearly 20 years.

· On Thursday, I joined Senators Rick Scott (R-FL), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), and Johnny Isakson (R-GA) to introduce the Hurricane Dorian Charitable Giving Act , which seeks to modify the U.S. tax code to incentivize charitable giving to U.S.-based organizations supporting Hurricane Dorian relief. U.S. Representative Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL) will be introducing the companion bill in the House of Representatives.

· On Tuesday, Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and I joined U.S. Representatives Val Demings (D-FL) and Jenniffer González-Colón (R-PR) to introduce a bipartisan, bicameral resolution calling for increased diversity in American media.

Coming up…

· My staff will host Mobile Office Hours next week to assist constituents with federal casework issues in their communities. More information and locations near you here.

This Week in the Office of Senator Marco Rubio – September 15, 2019

Leave a Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply