Accomplishments
Delivering Results
Defense
a champion for our military
Senator Marco Rubio is a champion for our military and a defender of Florida’s critical role in our nation’s security. Since taking office, he has secured funding and supported programmatic changes that have resulted in the continued growth of Florida’s defense industrial base, from Key West to Jacksonville to Orlando to Pensacola to Tampa.
BILLIONS OF DOLLARS
Across the state, Rubio has secured more than $2 billion in military construction since 2011. For Fiscal Year 2024 alone, he is on track to secure $269 million for Tyndall Air Force Base, $131 million for MacDill Air Force Base, $50 million for Naval Air Station Whiting Field, $42 million for Patrick Space Force Base, $11 million for Camp Blanding, and $3 million for the Army Reserve Center in Perrine.
THE CUTTING EDGE
Thanks to Rubio’s efforts, the Panhandle is now home to cutting-edge F-35 fighter jets, Station Mayport is on track to hold more naval vessels than ever before, and Cape Canaveral has been chosen for the headquarters of America’s new Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM). Rubio also continues to protect Florida’s Gulf Test Range, located in the Gulf of Mexico, from development that would jeopardize one of the military’s most important testing and training areas.
UPGRADING U.S. STRATEGY
Meanwhile, Rubio has introduced legislation to upgrade and amplify U.S. strategy. One piece of legislation directs the Pentagon to harden facilities in the Indo-Pacific to deter a preemptive strike from China. Another supports commercial space launch providers to ensure competitiveness with China and Russia. A third prevents terrorists and terrorist sponsors from accessing U.S. ports. These provisions, and others like them, make our adversaries think more than twice before threatening us or our allies.