U.S. Senator Marco Rubio’s (R-FL) office will host in-person and virtual Mobile Office Hours next week to assist constituents with federal casework issues in their respective local communities. These office hours offer constituents who do not live close to one of...
News
Latest News
ICYMI: Rubio: Biden Houthi Policy Hurts Americans
President Biden’s Misguided Policy toward the Houthis Hurts Americans U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) June 27, 2024 National Review …Two weeks into his presidency, President Biden removed the Houthis from the foreign terrorist organization list…. [He] also ended...
ICYMI: Rubio on Illegal Migrants Tied to ISIS
According to reports, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has identified more than 400 illegal migrants who came across U.S. borders as part of an ISIS-affiliated human smuggling network. U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) has been warning about this...
Rubio, Florida Colleagues Urge NOAA to Prepare for Coral Health Emergency
Last summer, corals in the Florida Reef Tract came under severe heat stress and experienced coral bleaching. Anomalous ocean temperatures may cause similar impacts this summer. The federal government has the authority to respond under emergency provisions of the Coral...
Rubio on State Department’s 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report
Each year, the U.S. Department of State releases its Trafficking in Persons Report. This report assesses countries in their efforts to counter human trafficking and identifies the most successful strategies for reducing the widespread evil of modern day slavery. U.S....
Rubio, Scott Commemorate 3rd Anniversary of Tragic Surfside Building Collapse
June 24, 2024 marks the 3rd anniversary of the Champlain Towers South collapse in Surfside, Florida. U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Rick Scott (R-FL) introduced a resolution recognizing the fallen victims and the bravery of the first responders. “Today, we honor...
Rubio, Colleagues Introduce Reauthorization to Preserve Sanctions Against Maduro Regime
On December 21, 2023, the U.S. government’s sanctions against Venezuela’s narco-dictator Nicolás Maduro, and 150 members of his criminal regime responsible for human rights abuses against the Venezuelan people, will expire.
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) introduced the Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Reauthorization Act of 2023 to ensure current sanctions remain in place.
- “Human rights sanctions remain a crucial tool to help Venezuelans who continue to suffer under Maduro’s criminal regime. We have a moral duty to ensure that this narco-regime is held accountable for its countless crimes and that sanctions remain in place.” – Senator Rubio
Joining Rubio in his efforts were Rick Scott (R-FL), Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Bill Hagerty (R-TN).
- “Time after time we’ve seen President Joe Biden appease murderous dictators like Maduro by lifting sanctions, allowing millions of dollars to fuel his dangerous regime and further destabilize the region. The people of Venezuela made their choice by backing María Corina Machado as the legitimate opposition leader, and now the United States must use every opportunity it has to put the full support behind the voice for freedom, using every sanction within the power of our nation to hold Maduro accountable. I’m proud to join Senator Rubio in this bill to reauthorize sanctions that impose human rights sanctions on the Maduro regime and ensures the U.S. only supports those who are fighting for a truly democratic and free Venezuela.” – Senator Scott
- “Appeasement of the Maduro regime has only resulted in more violent aggression and repression by the regime. Now is exactly the wrong time to weaken American sanctions meant to hold the regime accountable.” – Senator Cruz
- “President Biden continues to appease the Maduro dictatorship and offer sweeping sanctions relief for mere promises of holding free and fair elections even as the regime continues its brutal crackdown on civil society. I’m pleased to join my colleagues in introducing this legislation to ensure that sanctions remain on this narcoterrorist regime absent major, credible concessions toward restoring democratic governance in Venezuela.” – Senator Hagerty
This bill would reauthorize, for two years, the following:
- Visa sanctions on Venezuelan officials that approve of Russian military officials travel to Venezuela;
- Export ban on the sale of assault weapons and other crowd control tools to the Venezuelan military; and
- Visa and property blocking sanctions on Venezuelan officials found responsible for violating the internationally recognized human rights of Venezuelan civil society members and human rights activists from the 2014 Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act.
Want more information?
- December 2019: Rubio, Menendez Applaud Passage of VERDAD Act to Address Maduro’s Humanitarian Crisis in Venezuela and Advance International Efforts
- May 2019: Rubio, Menendez Praise Committee Passage of VERDAD Act
- April 2019: Rubio, Menendez Lead Bipartisan Group Introducing the VERDAD Act, Comprehensive Legislation to Help Restore Democracy in Venezuela