Several of Florida’s coastal military installations suffer from shoreline erosion and storm damage. Currently, there are limited options to address such damages, and pursuing funding through the formal military construction process can often take several years before...
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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 Introduces Bill to Strengthen U.S.-Philippine Security Partnership
Sovereign nations in the Indo-Pacific region have been facing increased threats from the Chinese Communist Party as it continues its expansive military strategies. One such nation is the Philippines—a U.S. treaty ally. The U.S. must firmly stand with Manilla to ...
Rubio, Warner, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Ensure a Diverse and Secure Supply of Critical Minerals
Critical minerals are crucial for our national security as they play vital roles in military equipment, defense systems, and emerging technologies. However, Communist China currently dominates the mining, processing, and manufacturing of the majority of these...
Rubio Introduces Bill to Destroy China Monopoly on Critical Minerals
The Chinese Communist Party’s industrial monopoly on critical mineral-intensive goods is a national security vulnerability. To reduce China’s leverage, the U.S., its allies, and partners must break free from supply chains relying on Chinese minerals. U.S....
Rubio, Risch, Stefanik Introduce Military Moms Act
New mothers serving in the military and dependents of service members, have expressed difficulty navigating maternal and infant health resources and services through TRICARE, the military’s health care system. Every mother should feel supported and be able to access...
Rubio, Markey Reintroduce Legislation to Counter Chinese Government Policy Banning Americans from Exiting China
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Ed Markey (D-MA) reintroduced legislation to enhance accountability for Chinese officials involved in coercively banning American citizens from leaving China. This “exit ban” policy violates international human rights norms and has been used to keep American citizens in China for years. Estimates suggest that at least two dozen U.S. citizens have been barred from leaving China over the past three years. U.S. citizens trapped in China are often harassed and threatened by authorities, according to the U.S. Department of State’s Travel Advisory for China.
“It is immoral and unjust that Beijing continues to use so-called ‘exit bans’ to prevent American citizens from leaving the PRC,” Rubio said. “We must ensure Americans can return home safely when they travel abroad. I am proud to once again join my colleagues in reintroducing this important bipartisan bill, which will ensure accountability from those individuals involved in violating the rights of American citizens.”
“The Chinese government’s use of ‘exit bans’ is a gross violation of international human rights norms,” Markey said. “Cynthia and Victor Liu, and their mother, Sandra Han, three of my constituents and all American citizens, have been unjustly prevented from leaving China since June 2018. Cynthia and Victor are two promising young people have had their lives put on hold while being forced to remain in a country where they face regular surveillance, harassment, and threats from Chinese authorities. This legislation will hold accountable those Chinese authorities who participate in this sinister practice.”
“China’s use of exit bans on my constituents and other American citizens must end,” Warren said. “I’m glad to partner with Senator Markey on a bill that would hold the Chinese government accountable for this unjust policy.”
“Right now Chinese officials are preventing U.S. citizens who have done nothing wrong from leaving China. This is a gross abuse of power that must be answered,” Van Hollen said. “This bipartisan legislation holds the Chinese government accountable and makes clear that there will be continuing consequences if China does not stop abusing the rights of American citizens.”