Duval Times

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) appeared on NBC’s Meet the Press to discuss various pressing issues, including the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and geopolitical tensions involving Hezbollah, Iran, Russia, and Ukraine.

Regarding Hurricane Helene's impact, Rubio emphasized the importance of restoring power and clearing roads. "The number one thing you want is to have power back up and the roads open," he said. He noted that while power restoration is challenging, significant progress has been made. Rubio highlighted Cedar Key as an example of a severely affected area, mentioning that some coastal regions are facing their third storm in 12 months.

Rubio outlined the roles of state and federal resources in disaster response. "It’s primarily a state obligation," he stated, adding that FEMA steps in when state resources are insufficient. He also expressed hope for a major declaration from the White House to provide individual assistance to displaced residents.

On international matters, Rubio addressed the Israeli airstrike that killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. He described Nasrallah as a significant threat due to his anti-American and anti-Israeli stance. "This is a guy who cheerfully said, ‘Death to America, death to Israel,’" Rubio remarked. He stressed that Israel's actions were necessary for self-defense against Hezbollah's attacks on civilians.

Discussing potential Iranian retaliation against Israel, Rubio acknowledged Iran's ongoing hostility towards Israel but suggested any escalation would be detrimental to Iran itself. "Any time the Iranian regime is on defense, it’s good for the world," he commented.

When asked about peaceful relations with Iran, Rubio was skeptical but open to the possibility if Iran changed its policies significantly. "If the Iranian regime tomorrow said...we’re going to stop sponsoring terrorism...theoretically, yes," he said. However, he doubted such changes would occur given the regime's current objectives.

On Ukraine, Rubio discussed the likelihood of a negotiated settlement with Russia as an eventual outcome of the conflict. He criticized the Biden Administration for not clearly defining what victory in Ukraine would look like and emphasized the need for Ukraine to have leverage in negotiations. "I think what Donald Trump is trying to say...is that we want Ukraine to have more leverage in that negotiation," he explained.

Rubio underscored America's financial investment in Ukraine's defense and called for transparency regarding its goals. He expressed support for a deal favorable to Ukraine's sovereignty and independence from Russian influence but refrained from predetermining specific terms of such an agreement.

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