This Week in the Office of Senator

I have called for a disaster supplemental before the end of the year to help our communities in the Panhandle to recover from Hurricane Michael. Having access to the right programs and funding is imperative for the long term recovery. Watch my video message here.

I’m excited to welcome Senator-elect to the Senate. I know that, together, we will work to pass legislation to benefit the Sunshine State.

Ahead of the National Flood Insurance Program’s expiration this week, I spoke about the need to reauthorize it. On Thursday, the Senate passed a one week extension. Watch it here.

On Wednesday, I joined Bloomberg TV to discuss my new legislation with Senator Kennedy to protect small businesses from security breaches. Watch it here.

I also joined Fox & Friends to discuss border security and the egregious violations of religious freedom by the Communist Party of China. Watch it here.

On Wednesday, Congressman Chris Smith, the cochair of the bipartisan Congressional- Executive Commission on China (CECC), and I held a hearing titled “The Communist Party’s Crackdown on Religion in China.” Watch it here.

On Thursday, I spoke on the Senate floor to outline a path forward on the ’ relationship with following the murder of Washington Post Columnist, . Watch it here.

As President Trump meets with world leaders at the G20 Summit, I urged him to raise the issue of China’s unfair trade practices with President Xi Jinping. Watch it here.

Senator Van Hollen and I wrote to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, and Secretary of State Michael Pompeo about reports of China’s ZTE’s business with the Venezuelan government and the concern that it may violate the Commerce Department agreement reached in June. Read more here.

I joined my Senate colleagues in sending a letter to President Trump urging him to consider the key factors that underpin the continued viability the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START). Read more here.

In Case You Missed It...

“Does Venezuela really qualify as a top danger to America? Yes, according to Miami Republican Sen. Marco Rubio, who has led the push to label Venezuela as such. In fact, indications are that the administration is likely acting on Rubio’s expert advice. The senator has long been a thorn in Maduro’s side. We commend Rubio for his tenacity against a power-hungry dictator who has made a mockery of his country’s democracy.” (Trump administration’s proposed slap to Venezuela would be the right move, Miami Herald, 11/21/2018)

“The Daily 202: How Marco Rubio is retrofitting his brand of conservatism for the Trump era” (Washington Post, 11/21/2018)

“In a letter, Senators and Marco Rubio will ask the U.S. secretaries of state, treasury and commerce to determine whether ZTE worked with individuals cited by U.S. sanctions, used U.S. components unlawfully or helped Venezuela’s government flout democratic processes or human rights.” (Exclusive: U.S. senators ask White House to probe ZTE work in Venezuela, Reuters, 11/29/2018)

“The Uighur Human Rights Policy Act of 2018 — introduced with bipartisan sponsors, including Sen.?Marco Rubio (R-Fla.); Sen. Robert Menendez (N.J.), the ranking Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee; and Rep. Christopher H. Smith (R- N.J.) in the House — calls for creating a U.S. special coordinator for Xinjiang to respond to the crisis, as well as paving the way for applying Global Magnitsky Act sanctions on specific Chinese officials responsible for the human rights violations.” (China is creating concentration camps in Xinjiang. Here’s how we hold it accountable., Washington Post, 11/24/2018)

“Marco Rubio Stands Against Having a Putin Ally Lead Interpol” (Sunshine State News, 11/20//2018)

“In Congress, Senators Marco Rubio (R., Fla.), Joni Ernst (R., ), and Mike Lee (R., Utah), along with Representative Ann Wagner (R., Mo.) in the House, are working on new ideas for a federal paid-parental-leave program. They, among others, recognize the serious impact on children and thus the country. This all follows the paid-leave tax credit for businesses included in the recent tax-reform bill.” (Paid Family Leave Will Support Working Families, National Review, 11/29/2018)

“The Office of U.S. Senator Marco Rubio to Open Recovery Assistance Center” (My Panhandle, 11/29/2018)

“Marco Rubio Outlines Path Forward on US-Saudi Relationship Following The Murder Of Jamal Khashoggi” (Sunshine State News, 11/29/2018

“Van Hollen, Rubio Call For Probe Into China-Venezuela Connection” (Daily Caller, 11/28/2018)

“Marco Rubio: Congress Needs to Pass Bill to Help Panhandle After Hurricane Michael Soon” (Florida Daily, 11/29/2018)

“Marco Rubio reiterates support for U.S. action in ” (Florida Politics, 11/29/2018) Legislation Introduced…

• I joined Senators Johnson, Murphy, Barrasso, Portman and Cotton in introducing a resolution condemning Russia’s recent attack on Ukrainian vessels in the Kerch Strait, and calling for the immediate release of all Ukrainian sailors. Coming up...

• My staff will host Mobile Office Hours next week to assist constituents with federal casework issues in their communities. More information and locations near you here. Keep up with me on and