On the first day of his second term, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., announced his committee assignments, including a seat on the Appropriations Committee.
Rubio won spots on Appropriations and the Special Committee on Aging. He is staying on the Foreign Relations and the Small Business and Entrepreneurship committees. Rubio is also remaining on the Select Committee on Intelligence. However, Rubio loses his spot on the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee which oversees space exploration.
In making the announcement on Tuesday, Rubio turned his attention to international issues.
“With so many threats to America’s national security around the world, I look forward to continuing my work on the foreign relations and intelligence committees,” Rubio said. “In the days and weeks ahead, we must reestablish America’s moral standing in the world, and make it absolutely clear that the United States will remain a true friend of Israel and a beacon of hope and freedom to oppressed people everywhere. The challenges posed by countries like Cuba, Iran, Russia, China and North Korea will require decisive American leadership and resolve.”
Rubio then turned his attention to domestic issues.
“We also have a lot of work to do here at home,” Rubio said. “Too many Americans have been left behind in the 21st century economy, and there is real anxiety among parents that their children will not have the same opportunities they had to work hard, pursue the American Dream, and climb the economic ladder. That’s not acceptable, and I’m going to work with anyone who wants to find real solutions for workers and their families. Of course, a key factor in growing our economy from the bottom up is our small businesses, and I’ll continue to collaborate closely with Florida job creators during my work on the small business committee.”
Looking ahead, Rubio turned his attention to the national debt.
“One major thing that will cost us jobs and hamstring our economy is our rising debt,” Rubio said. “With federal spending at record highs, our national debt has nearly doubled over the last eight years, despite the fact that government is taking in more tax revenue than ever before. The primary drivers of this unsustainable imbalance are our entitlement programs. More and more people are retiring, and while sunny Florida hopes to welcome them all, the rising number of retirees means we’re going to have to find ways to make Medicare and Social Security work better for everyone, so that people like my mother can continue to rely on these important programs and they are still there when our children need them. The committees on aging and appropriations will be at the center of these policy discussions, and I’m excited to have the opportunity to go to work for the people of Florida on these committees.”
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