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Fight for Florida Continues in New Congress

January 3, 2019 - 3:00pm
Marco Rubio
Marco Rubio

For the past two weeks, Americans have watched petty partisan bickering in Washington, D.C. result in a partial government shutdown. And while that may go on for some time, I am optimistic this new Congress can deliver important victories for Floridians and our fellow citizens in Puerto Rico.

I do not blame you if you are skeptical, but beneath the doom and gloom headlines we were able to accomplish a lot during the previous Congress. Now it is time to build on that success. I will introduce more than a dozen bills aimed at making Florida safe, sustainable and thrive, and getting our neighbors in Puerto Rico back on their feet.

One of those bills will allow federal assistance to states that implement red flag laws, which typically enable a family member or local law enforcement to seek a temporary court order to restrict someone’s access to firearms. Those type of state laws could prevent the next school shooter from buying a gun, and we are already seeing the benefits of Florida’s red flag law. My Risk Protection Order and Violence Prevention Act of 2019 will provide resources for Florida to carry out its law while encouraging other states to do the same. It is a commonsense step to build on our successes from last year, which include the STOP School Violence Act and Fix NICs Act.

Marco Rubio
Marco Rubio

I will also introduce legislation to improve our public housing and hospitals, and ensure our homeless veterans get the help they deserve. Protecting families and veterans in our community from unsafe and unsanitary living conditions should be a bipartisan priority. My SAFE Hospitals Act will modernize a decades old federal funding formula to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent fairly and our hospitals finally receive equitable federal funding to provide for our state’s most vulnerable.

For the past two years, Floridians faced the twin threats of red tide and blue-green algal blooms. My South Florida Clean Coastal Waters Act requires a concrete plan to reduce, mitigate and control harmful algal blooms, with appropriate federal resources to enhance the state’s efforts. I will continues to fight for the construction of the reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee as part of the Central Everglades Planning Project and push for funding and executive action to address the state’s underlying water quality and infrastructure challenges. We made tremendous progress last year towards restoring the Everglades, but more must be done to corral the Army Corps’ bureaucracy if we are to complete the mission at a responsible pace.

I will also be introducing legislation that would keep critical protections in place off Florida’s Gulf coast for an additional five years, while also bringing Florida on level footing with other Gulf states that benefit from revenue sharing. Florida’s natural diversity, pristine beaches, and iconic waterways are a driving force behind the state’s economy and quality of life. We cannot thrive if we do not sustain these blessings for future generations.

A thriving economy is crucial to achieving the American Dream. In addition to growing our economy, we must also restore the dignity of work. We cannot simply view Americans as consumers. I will continue to lead the fight against China, begin building a coalition to better target the benefits of tax reform to domestic investment, and continue Florida’s deep relationship with the Department of Defense and NASA.

I will also make sure Florida is not falling behind because of bad federal policies. My Defending Domestic Produce Production Act will level the playing field for Florida’s fruit and vegetable growers who are losing their livelihoods to a flood of illegally dumped agricultural crops from Mexico. I will also continue the fight for small, traditional cigar manufacturers, a quintessential Florida industry, that are on the verge of being snuffed out by egregious federal overreach.

Of course, before some areas can thrive they must rebuild. From rebuilding Tyndall Air Force Base to working with farmers, ranchers and foresters, there must be a sustained federal effort to help Florida’s panhandle recover from Hurricane Michael. I will also continue working with Rep. Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon to help our neighbors in Puerto Rico. Two bills will offer a combination of tax breaks and changes to annual health insurance fees would give American citizens in Puerto Rico the opportunity to begin recovering from decades of mismanagement and a series of devastating storms.

A new year and a new Congress means new opportunities. Some will view divided government as an impediment to action, but I do not. These issues are not Republican issues or Democrat issues – they cross today’s ideological divides. My pledge to you this new year, and new Congress, is to continue to put Florida first.

 

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., the senior senator from Florida, was first elected to the Senate in 2010.  

Comments

PETTY BICKERING, Mr. Rubio! Is that what you call shutting down the government over an expensive ineffective wall just to feed the presidents ego? PUT SOME SMOOTH CONCRETE INTO OUR INTERSTATES- THEN WE CAN TALK WALL.

Maybe the problem is uneducated people who have access to a computer and who just regurgitate talking points of power hungry politicians. Walls, barriers or fences, whatever you want to label them ARE effective. The cost of allowing the so-called dreamers to come to America without screening is way too high with the many deaths of innocent people and law enforcement, the escalated drug and human trafficking. There is no reasonable or logical excuse for not erecting a wall. Get er done!

I agree with you hundred percent.

NO one is above the LAW. Uphold American law and help the middle class with income. You have already helped the upper 5% with huge tax breaks.

The People voted for Clinton almost 3 Million more, The Electoral College elected Trump. We no longer get news about candidates via Paul Revere methods. It is time to drop E College by getting Florida into the Interstate Vote Compact, That is decision by State Legislature and they have ignored the process. sigh We are seeing the dangers Trump poses on many fronts and are watching if Rubio will do the right thing when time comes to Impeach, and that is not IF but When.

The idea that you are proposing anti-gun legislation that will violate not only the second amendment, but the fourth is absolutely abhorrent to the constitution you swore an oath to defend. Due process is a thing. You have lost my vote forever. I hope you get removed from office. RINO

Based on the mid-term results, it's clear partisan politics is not the way of the future. I believe principled politicians who do fear catering to their constituency rather than following the party line, will win in the long haul. Building the wall is a litmus test.

Drain the swamp is the action that we signed on for and not one has gone to prison or lost anything, they have been retired and live happy and well everyday as our country goes to hell

I totally agree all the illegal actions by the democrats and nothing has happened. They are not above the law.

I have a big problem. The Federal Government is 100% Domestic Enemy. And Veterans are out putting their lives on the line while the Federal Government does not protect them, And the Public votes for socialism or out right communism and ISIS

A glaring absence for your agenda is anything about laws strengthening gun safety. We have laws for seat belts, limits on where people can smoke, and what's in our food all for citizen's safety. Please stop taking the NRA's contributions and support your constituents instead! We've had 2 of the nation's worst recent gun-caused mass murders in Pulse and Marjory Stoneman Douglas. We've also had children shot and killed accidentally because we don't have have mandatory safe gun storage laws. What will it take for you to wake up the trends in public opinions regarding gun safety? Please start paying attention to what your constituents think because your future comes up for review by voters in the 2020 election.

What is missing in your reply is actual knowledge of existing laws on storage and sale of firearms. Inform yourself before publicly echoing a misguided attack on something that doesn't exist. What we NEED is more enforcement. Both major incidents would have been prevented if information had been shared between the Fed and Local LEOs and acted upon.

The two shootings in Florida you referenced were both done by people who lawfully purchased firearms and went thru background checks. Certain Law Enforcement officials dropped the ball in both cases if you read the after action reports. As for laws about securing weapons, read Florida State Statutes. Gun owners are held legally responsible for securing guns and the can and have been charged criminally for failing to do so.

Perhaps, have a look at some alternative news on YouTube. It may enlighten you on the subject. It did for many of us.

Members of Congress should not be receiving a paycheck while 800,000 Federal employees go unpaid. All Members should be locked in the House and Senate chambers until they can compromise and do their job.

800,000 Federal employees are on "delayed" paid leave. every one of them is absolutely thrilled about the shutdown and hope it continues for months.

Agree

I aagree except for the 800.000 employee's they more then likely voted for the Communist democrats which they have had a very free ride on

Actually, all 800,000 did not. I am one of the 800,000. I voted for Senator Rubio. I can also assure you I know several people who do want to go to work, want to get paid, and are having anything but fun. They are worried about how to pay for their homes, childcare, food etc.

Actually, all 800,000 did not. I am one of the 800,000. I voted for Senator Rubio. I can also assure you I know several people who do want to go to work, want to get paid, and are having anything but fun. They are worried about how to pay for their homes, childcare, food etc.

Senator Rubio tosses off the government shut down something that could go on for a while. There is no reason for the government shut down. It is immoral (and illegal in the private sector) to force people to work without pay. Senator Rubio is failing his responsibility as is the GOP who controlled all levers of power when this occurred. Senator Rubio was a leader early in his career about border security and immigration reform. He now runs away from difficult issues. Florida deserves better

So many comments here are mean and disrespectful. Marco Rubio is one of our Senators. If you have better ideas than he has then show up with your written suggestions at one of his local offices. It is true we need less government rather than more. That means fewer regulations and more emphasis on personal responsibility. Every citizen should play their part in this. We do need to secure our borders. The government shutdown over this is irresponsible. So far the only solution that might at least partially work is the wall - a wall of some kind. There is no need for Democrats to be so obstructionistic. Do they not care that government workers are not getting paid? The wall is not rocket science. It doesn't cost an arm and a leg. Our Constitution specifically speaks of providing for the common defense. If a wall will do this without endangering the lives of, us, the citizens, then we should do it.

Amen!

Ever hear of the US Constitution Rubio? Try reading it.

Ever hear of the US Constitution Rubio? Try reading it.

Senator Rubio tosses off the government shut down something that could go on for a while. There is no reason for the government shut down. It is immoral (and illegal in the private sector) to force people to work without pay. Senator Rubio is failing his responsibility as is the GOP who controlled all levers of power when this occurred. Senator Rubio was a leader early in his career about border security and immigration reform. He now runs away from difficult issues. Florida deserves better

Stop paying congress. They are the ones to shut down till they start working for the people

Yes, agree must stop paying Congress!

I have written to you many times and have received no answer. I have read about your safe hospitals, and that’s great... those hospitals follow Medicare Billing Guidelines, other FOR PROFIT HOSPITALS DONT! Help communities save their loved ones by stopping this MEDICARE FRAUD

What are you doing to help get the wall built that this country desperately needs? Our security had been at risk for way too long.

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