MARCO RUBIO ON SCHOOL CHOICE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM, RUSSIA AND OTHER NEWS

Aug 29, 2014

This week, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, called on a liberal coalition to drop its lawsuit against a school choice scholarship program, that assists over 67,000 of Florida’s most economically disadvantaged schoolchildren. He also weighed in on Russia’s continued aggression against Ukraine, and urged President Obama to reject any unilateral action on immigration reform, and work with Congress to achieve realistic, sequential reform. Finally, Marco wishes everyone a safe and happy Labor Day weekend. For more ways to stay connected with Marco’s office, be sure to “like” his Facebook page, follow the office Twitter account, check out his mobile apps, and subscribe to his YouTube channel. You can also follow Marco on Twitter,@MarcoRubio. Rubio: Attack On Florida School Choice Scholarship Is An Attack On The American Dream. Marco issued the following statement regarding a liberal coalition’s lawsuit, against a 13-year-old school choice scholarship program, that assists over 67,000 of Florida’s most economically disadvantaged schoolchildren: “This frivolous lawsuit attacking Florida’s school choice scholarship program is an attack on the American Dream. We cannot continue to be an exceptional nation, and our children cannot fully realize their American Dream, as long as government policies condemn them to failing schools. That is exactly what this lawsuit is trying to do. “Parents of economically disadvantaged students, who want a better future for their kids, should have the choice of sending them to better schools, and tuition assistance like this is a vital way they can make it work. This lawsuit will trap our poorest students, in under-performing schools and give them no options to help them achieve their highest potential.” Rubio Comments On Continued Russian Aggression Against Ukraine. On Thursday, Marco issued the following statement regarding Russia’s continued aggression against Ukraine: “Russia’s ongoing violations of Ukraine’s sovereignty are reprehensible, and should be concerning to all freedom loving people around the globe. Russia’s actions in support of separatists in eastern Ukraine, will only prolong the conflict, resulting in more loss of innocent life and further setbacks for the people of Ukraine. “For months, I have repeatedly called for the United States to impose, broad-based sectoral sanctions against Moscow, including against the Russian energy sector, and to provide much-needed lethal assistance to the Ukrainian military, which has performed admirably under difficult circumstances. “The time for hollow rhetoric from Washington and European capitals, passed long ago. Russia’s continued aggression against Ukraine, is yet another instance of Moscow’s undermining of the post-World War two, international order. All who seek to uphold that system, must now stand with Ukraine in its hour of need, and pressure Putin to change course.”  Rubio To Obama: Unilateral Action Will Close The Door To Real Immigration Reform. As the Obama administration considers sweeping executive action, to grant legal status to millions of people residing in the U.S. illegally, Marco called on President Obama to reject any unilateral action and work with Congress to achieve realistic, sequential immigration reform. In a letter to the President, Marco highlighted the adverse impact unilateral action will have on any progress toward real reform, and laid out the steps necessary to achieve immigration reform, including the need to first address border security and protect American workers. Excerpts of the letter are below: “It is my sincere belief that if we can bring illegal immigration under control, and modernize our legal immigration system, then the American people and a majority of their representatives in Congress, would be willing to reasonably and responsibly, address the issue of millions of people currently in this nation illegally. It will not be easy. And it will not be unanimous. But if we can make real progress on stemming the tide of illegal immigration, I am convinced we will have the support necessary, to address this serious issue once and for all,” wrote Rubio. “All of this is why I have grown increasingly alarmed, by news that your administration is considering sweeping executive action, to give work permits to millions of people here illegally. If indeed you move forward on such a decision, I believe it will close the door to any chance of making progress on immigration reform for the foreseeable future.” “I know you are receiving tremendous political pressure from certain activists, to grant another unilateral, temporary and uncertain legal status, to millions of additional undocumented immigrants,” added Rubio. “But to do so, without first taking any serious steps to address the border, or protect American workers, will increase the perception of ambiguity in our laws, incentivize more people to immigrate here illegally, and significantly set back the prospects of real reform.” “As someone who believes sincerely in the need for reform, is the son of immigrants, and lives in a community of immigrants, I still reserve some optimism that you’ll reject, the politics of the moment and remember that the decisions you make, will impact the people at the heart of this issue, long after your duty to serve them has come to an end,” continued Rubio. Constituent Casework Corner. Theo, a veteran residing in Central Florida, contacted Senator Rubio, when his retroactive pension benefit payment was not received from the Department of Veterans Affairs. A member of the staff contacted the Veterans Affairs, and learned that although Theo, had provided the Veterans Affairs with a direct deposit, when he originally filed his claim 10 months prior, he had since changed banks. Consequently, his payment bounced back to the Veterans Affairs. Once the correct information was provided, the payment was restored to Theo. Service Academy Nominations. Deadline Approaching: Applications for Nominations to Service Academies Due Next Wednesday, September 3. United States Senator Marco Rubio, invites Florida students who wish to be nominated for one of the four service academies requiring a congressional nomination (U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy) to apply using the process outlined on his website. For those desiring admission in the fall of 2015, Senator Rubio’s deadline for application is next Wednesday, September 3, 2014.  A nomination must be applied for and secured, separate from the application process for the actual academy. In addition to applying to your two U.S. senators, applicants are also encouraged to apply with their U.S. Representative. If you are unsure of your congressional district, visit www.house.gov/representatives/find. Please keep in mind that each Member of Congress is allowed a limited number of nominations per academy. United States Senator for Florida, Marco Rubio.