News

Latest News

ICYMI: Rubio Joins America Reports

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) joined America Reports to discuss President-elect Donald Trump’s historic victory, Democrats’ proclamation of “resistance,” and the failure of identity politics. See below for highlights and watch the full interview on YouTube and...

read more

Inauguration Ticket Information

Senator Rubio's office is pleased to be issuing a limited number of tickets to President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration ceremony, which will occur on January 20, 2025 at the West Front of the U.S. Capitol. Floridians interested in receiving tickets should fill out...

read more

ICYMI: Rubio Joins Hannity

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) joined Hannity to discuss President-elect Donald Trump’s historic victory. See below for highlights and watch the full interview on YouTube and Rumble. On the ongoing realignment among American voters: “The Republican Party now reflects...

read more

Rubio Urges Interior Secretary Bernhardt to Prioritize Everglades Restoration Completion

Oct 7, 2019 | Press Releases

Miami, FL — U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) urged Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt to support the expedited completion of the Tamiami Trail Next Steps project. The letter asks for the Secretary’s assistance in ensuring that National Park Service design work related to the project is prioritized for completion prior to February 28, 2020, as prescribed in report language secured by Rubio in the FY20 Senate Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. This would greatly improve the likelihood that the project, a critical step in Everglades restoration, is constructed on time and on budget.
 
Rubio has made accelerating progress towards restoring the Everglades a major initiative of his second term, and earlier this year he urged President Trump to double the annual federal funding allocated to this critical Florida priority. Last month, Rubio secured the full $200 million for Everglades restoration in President Trump’s updated budget request in the FY2020 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations bill.
 
In the letter, Rubio writes, “The proposed 2022 completion of the Tamiami Trail Next Steps project will significantly advance improvements in the condition of Everglades National Park’s natural resources, and provide new flexibility for water managers to mitigate significant flooding impacts across South Florida.” 
 
The full text of the letter is below. 
 
Dear Secretary Bernhardt:
 
For the last two years, I have worked to support the expedited completion of the Tamiami Trail Next Steps project. This project, which includes approximately 3.3 miles of already constructed bridging, is critical to the implementation of the Central Everglades Planning Project, increasing water deliveries to Everglades National Park, and reducing flooding in the Water Conservation Areas. Last month, the U.S. Department of Transportation jointly awarded the National Park Service (NPS), and the Florida Department of Transportation, a Nationally Significant Federal Lands and Tribal Projects Program grant that, along with substantial matching support from the State of Florida, fully funds the final phase of the project to raise the remaining unbridged sections of the roadway. I write to respectfully request your assistance to ensure that NPS design work associated with expending these grant funds is completed as quickly as possible.
 
In particular, I would like to bring your attention to language included in the recently approved Senate Report accompanying the FY20 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. On page nine, under the heading “Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan”, the report states: “Additionally, the Committee expects the National Park Service to complete and transmit the complete design package for the Tamiami Trail Next Steps Final Phase to the Florida Department of Transportation no later than February 28, 2020.”
 
The proposed 2022 completion of the Tamiami Trail Next Steps project will significantly advance improvements in the condition of Everglades National Park’s natural resources, and provide new flexibility for water managers to mitigate significant flooding impacts across South Florida. Your assistance in ensuring that NPS design work related to this project is prioritized for completion prior to February 28, 2020 would greatly improve the likelihood that the project is constructed on time and on budget. 
 
Thank you for your consistent support for Everglades restoration and for your consideration of this request. I look forward to our continued work together on these critical projects for Everglades National Park and Florida. 
 
Sincerely,