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...
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Rubio Receives Democracy Award for Innovation and Modernization
Every year, the Congressional Management Foundation (CMF) recognizes Members of Congress for their non-legislative achievements in operations, communications, and constituent services. U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) was awarded the 2024 Democracy Award for...
Rubio sobre la Toma de Posesión del Presidente Panameño
El senador estadounidense Marco Rubio (R-FL) emitió el siguiente comunicado sobre la toma de posesión del presidente panameño José Mulino: “A principios de este año, tras un proceso electoral pacífico y democrático, el pueblo de Panamá eligió al Presidente José...
Rubio Statement on Panamanian President’s Inauguration
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) issued the following statement regarding the inauguration of Panamanian President José Mulino: “Earlier this year, following a peaceful and democratic electoral process, the people of Panama elected President José Mulino as their new...
Rubio on State Department’s 2023 International Religious Freedom Report
Each year, the U.S. Department of State releases to Congress its International Religious Freedom Report. This report highlights the status of religious freedom in countries worldwide. U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) issued the following statement regarding the release...
Next Week: Rubio Staff Hosts Mobile Office Hours
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...
Rubio, Merkley Applaud SFRC Passage of Bill to Remove CCP-Controlled Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices From U.S.
During a Senate Committee on Foreign Relations business meeting, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) Certification Act, authored by U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) was favorably reported and now heads to the full Senate.
Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices (HKETOs) operate as official representative offices of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to the United States and enjoy a series of privileges, exemptions, and immunities. HKETOs were granted these privileges under the assumption Hong Kong would remain free from the Chinese Communist Party’s authoritarian grip. That reality changed after the imposition of Beijing’s draconian 2020 National Security Law. Following the enactment of the bipartisan Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, led by Senator Rubio, the U.S. no longer recognizes Hong Kong as autonomous. HKETOs in the United States now serve as another mouthpiece that the Chinese Communist Party uses to obscure its long record of human rights abuses against Hong Kongers and other groups that Beijing deems a threat.
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“Hong Kong is unfortunately neither autonomous nor democratic as China’s genocidal regime continues to undermine the city’s basic freedoms. Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices no longer merit diplomatic immunities in our nation, as such, their privileges must be revoked. I urge the Senate to swiftly pass this legislation.” — Senator Rubio
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“The sad reality is that the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices now serve as propaganda arms of the Chinese government. Committee passage of this bipartisan bill is a strong step forward in defense of the people of Hong Kong.”— Senator Merkley
Congressmen Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Jim McGovern (D-MA) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.