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...
The Past & the Future of America’s National Defense
One year ago, America’s persistence and bravery resulted in a moment nearly ten years in the making, the death of Osama Bin Laden. That was an especially proud day for America, one that will always be remembered for the hard work that led to that moment, the President’s decision to move forward and the successful mission executed by Seal Team Six.
Unfortunately, the world remains a dangerous place and requires American leadership to address the numerous security challenges we face at home and abroad. Bin Laden is gone, but there are many more dangerous terrorists around the world who seek our destruction, as well as rogue regimes like Iran and North Korea that pose significant nuclear threats. Having a 21st century military to meet these and other challenges is of critical importance.
Unfortunately, in just eight months, our national defense will be decimated by automatic cuts stemming from last year’s failure to take meaningful steps to tackle our spending-driven debt crisis. Because the so-called Super Committee process failed, it triggered a defense sequestration of automatic, indiscriminate cuts. For years, our nation’s top military leaders have warned that the growing debt posed a significant threat to our national security. Even Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta has said these cuts would “weaken our national defense.” And now we are on the clock, facing that reality at year’s end unless we act.
As I tour Northwest Florida this week, I will have the privilege of visiting some of the most important military installations in the country, including Tyndall Air Force Base, the Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City, Eglin Air Force Base and Hurlburt Field. As a Floridian, I’m proud to represent these areas, which are such a vital part of our national security operations. But the reality is that the work done here has a far-reaching impact that affects all Americans’ security.
Across the country, similar installations that are critically important to our defense also face the prospect of arbitrary cuts because of these automatic defense spending cuts. For the sake of our national security, we need to enact The Down Payment to Protect National Security Act, a bill I cosponsored, which overrides the automatic, across-the-board cuts to our nation’s defense capabilities. The bill replaces the scheduled cuts by reducing the federal workforce through attrition and extending the current pay freeze for federal workers through June 30, 2014. By doing this, the legislation ensures the debt reduction targets laid out in the Budget Control Act are still on track to be met – without endangering our national security at a time when threats both at home and abroad remain very real.
This legislation is one option to help solve this problem, but the reality is Washington needs to have a sense of urgency to help stop these across-the-board cuts from taking full effect in 2013. The longer we wait to address this concern, the more tenuous our national security becomes.