Starting his second term in the U.S. Senate, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., is keeping the gavel as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights and Global Women’s Issues.
Rubio announced on Tuesday that he would remain in that post which he has held for the past two years.
“I am honored to remain chairman of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee, because so many events throughout the Western Hemisphere have real impacts on our nation,” Rubio said. “Despite the last administration’s concessions and misguided efforts to appease our enemies, despotic governments in Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela continue to oppress their people. We have an opportunity before us to renew our commitment to human rights in the region, stand with the freedom fighters and political dissidents working towards a better future, and put their oppressors on notice that their ongoing violations of human rights will have real consequences.
“Vibrant democratic societies with respect for human rights are in the national security interest of our nation, and I look forward to prioritizing democracy and human rights issues with hearings,” Rubio added. “With so many authoritarian regimes around the world oppressing their citizens and robbing them of their fundamental rights, it is more important than ever that the United States promote democracy, freedom, and respect for human rights and the rule of law around the world. We must support the right of every individual to pursue their God-given potential. This subcommittee also plays a significant role in addressing women’s issues around the world, and I remain focused on addressing the problems of child marriage, violence against women, and access to basic education for girls.”
With President Donald Trump talking about altering NAFTA, Rubio said he would be focused on trade with both Canada and Mexico.
“As the current administration reevaluates our trade policies, this is of particular to interest to our two largest trading partners, Canada and Mexico,” Rubio said. “Strong alliances with these friends and neighbors remain a guiding principle of my work in chairing this subcommittee, both in terms of the policies we advance and oversight we conduct of the administration.”
Rubio will also sit on the U.S. Senate Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, and Counterterrorism; the East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy; and the State Department and USAID Management, International Operations, and Bilateral International Development Subcommittees.
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