| Duval Times

Senators Express Concern Over Maduro Regime's Actions

By Duval Times | Dec 8, 2023

Washington, D.C. - A group of Senators, including Rick Scott, Jim Risch, Chuck Grassley, Tim Scott, Bill Hagerty, and Joe Manchin, have expressed their concern over recent arrest warrants issued by the Maduro regime against members of an opposition party. In a joint statement, the senators stated that this act is a clear indication that the Maduro regime is not fulfilling its commitment to free and fair elections in 2024.The senators highlight the regime's refusal to release political prisoners and American hostages, as well as the continued arrest warrants against other...

Senators Call for Action Against Maduro Regime's Escalation Towards Brutal Dictatorship

By Duval Times | Dec 8, 2023

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Rick Scott, along with Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), issued a statement regarding the Maduro regime's arrest warrants against members of an opposition party:"We are extremely concerned about the recent arrest warrants issued by the Maduro regime against members of the political party and coalition of Maria Corina Machado. This blatant act is a clear indication that the Maduro regime is not fulfilling its commitment to hold free and fair elections in...

Rubio, Gallagher Statement on Biden Admin’s Watered-down Sanctions on Chinese Officials Conducting Genocide

By Duval Times | Dec 8, 2023

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and U.S. Representative Mike Gallagher (R-WI) have expressed their disappointment with the Biden Administration's delayed implementation of sanctions on Chinese officials involved in the Uyghur genocide. The administration recently announced its intention to issue sanctions on certain Chinese Communist Party (CCP) officials under the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act, a law enacted in 2020 to hold perpetrators of the genocide accountable.In their statement, Rubio and Gallagher welcomed the news of the sanctions but criticized the...

Rubio, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Protect U.S. Schools From China’s Influence

By Duval Times | Dec 8, 2023

Foreign adversaries, particularly China, have been increasing their efforts to infiltrate American colleges and K-12 schools in order to steal research, spread propaganda, and silence students and academics. In response to this growing threat, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and his colleagues have introduced the Protecting Education from Malign Foreign Influence Act.Senator Rubio emphasized the importance of protecting the integrity of American schools, stating, "The integrity of our schools is one of the most basic guarantees that we should give to our students. Current...

Rubio Staff Hosts Mobile Office Hours in Various Florida Counties

By Duval Times | Dec 8, 2023

Next week, the staff of Senator Rubio will be hosting mobile office hours in various counties across Florida. These office hours will provide an opportunity for constituents to meet with staff members and discuss any concerns or issues they may have.On Monday, December 11, the office hours will begin in Jackson County from 9:30am to 11:00am CST at the UF/IFAS Jackson County Extension. Later in the day, the staff will move to Pinellas County, holding office hours from 1:30pm to 3:00pm EST at the Pinellas Park Chamber of Commerce.The following day, on Tuesday, December...

Sen. Rick Scott Leads Rally in Support of Venezuelan Opposition Presidential Candidate María Corina Machado

By Duval Times | Dec 8, 2023

Sweetwater, Fla. - Senator Rick Scott led a rally in support of Venezuelan opposition presidential candidate María Corina Machado, organized by the Independent Venezuelan-American Citizens (IVAC) and attended by Venezuelan community leaders. The rally aimed to show solidarity with Machado and advocate for freedom and democracy in Venezuela. Senator Scott highlighted Machado's campaign efforts and the threats she is facing from the corrupt regime of dictator Nicolás Maduro.During the rally, Senator Scott stated, "More than two million Venezuelans around the world,...

Senador Rick Scott leads demonstration in support of Venezuelan opposition presidential candidate María Corina Machado

By Duval Times | Dec 8, 2023

SWEETWATER, Fla. - Senator Rick Scott led Venezuelan community leaders in a demonstration organized by Independent Venezuelan-American Citizens (IVAC) in support of opposition presidential candidate María Corina Machado and a future of freedom and democracy in Venezuela. During the demonstration, Senator Scott called María Corina Machado on the phone to join the protest while she continues to campaign throughout Venezuela and faces threats of unjust arrest for political reasons by the corrupt and evil regime of dictator Nicolás Maduro.Senator Rick Scott said, "Over two...

Rutherford Introduces Legislation to Make Schools Safer

By Duval Times | Dec 7, 2023

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman John Rutherford (FL-05) has introduced H.R. 6613, the Preparing Leaders to Assess Needs (PLAN) for School Safety Act, with the aim of making schools safer. The bill proposes the establishment of school safety development centers that will assist schools in conducting safety assessments, identifying evidence-based solutions, and accessing grant funding.In a statement, Congressman Rutherford emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of every child in school. He acknowledged the federal resources that have already been made available to...

Sens. Rick Scott & Cotton Introduce Legislation to Ban Chinese Seafood Imports

By Duval Times | Dec 7, 2023

In an effort to curb what they view as China's unfair and unethical practices in the seafood and aquaculture industry, Senators Rick Scott, Tom Cotton, and Cindy Hyde-Smith have introduced the Ban China's Forbidden Operations in the Oceanic Domain (C-FOOD) Act. This legislation aims to halt imports of Chinese seafood and aquaculture products, sanction companies that import Chinese seafood, and impose tariffs on countries that facilitate the shipment of these goods.Senator Rick Scott emphasized the need to hold China accountable for its use of slave labor and other illegal...

Rubio Defends Outbound Investment Screening

By Duval Times | Dec 7, 2023

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) has defended the need for outbound investment screening in an article published in the National Review. Rubio highlights recent investigations that have revealed how U.S. firms, such as BlackRock and Vanguard, are funneling assets into Chinese companies that have direct backing from Beijing.Rubio argues that outbound investment screening is a common-sense solution to address this issue. He explains that this mechanism would require firms like BlackRock and Vanguard to notify the U.S. government when they invest in potentially dangerous...

Rubio, Colleagues Condemn Maduro Regime's Harassment of Democratic Opposition

By Duval Times | Dec 7, 2023

U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Alex Padilla (D-CA), John Cornyn (R-TX), Peter Welch (D-VT), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), and Laphonza Butler (D-CA) have joined forces to condemn the Maduro regime's harassment of the democratic opposition in Venezuela. The regime recently issued bogus arrest warrants for members of the opposition, including campaign staffers working for opposition leader María Corina Machado, who won the opposition's primary election earlier this year.In a...

Senator Rick Scott and National Taxpayers Union Call for Closing Corruption Loophole

By Duval Times | Dec 7, 2023

In an op-ed for the Sun Sentinel, Senator Rick Scott and Demian Brady, Vice President of Research at the National Taxpayers Union Foundation, reiterated Senator Scott's call for Congress to pass the No Congressionally Obligated Recurring Revenue Used As Pensions To Incarcerated Officials Now (No CORRUPTION) Act. The bipartisan legislation unanimously passed the Senate earlier this year and is now awaiting consideration in the House of Representatives.The No CORRUPTION Act aims to close a significant loophole in federal law that allows convicted politicians to continue...

Rubio Urges Congress to Stop Foreign Adversaries from Corrupting American Schools

By Duval Times | Dec 7, 2023

A bipartisan, bicameral US-China Economic and Security Review Commission recently issued its annual report to Congress, highlighting the need to address China's state-sponsored influence and interference in the American education system. U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) has voiced his concerns about foreign adversaries corrupting American schools and has introduced a bill to counteract this influence.Rubio emphasizes the importance of addressing the issue of Confucius Institutes, which propagate Communist propaganda in colleges and universities. While some institutions...