WASHINGTON D.C. — Earlier this week, Koch-funded LIBRE Initiative launched English and Spanish language TV ads to help boost Sen. Marco Rubio’s re-election bid in Florida. The ads tout Rubio as someone who ‘stands up for “hardworking Floridians.’
The LIBRE Initiative is a 501(c)4 non-partisan, non-profit grassroots organization and aording to its Web site its mission is, ” … to equip the Hispanic community with the tools they need to be prosperous. We are committed to developing a network of Hispanic pro-liberty activists across the United States so that our message reaches every corner of the country.”
In May 2014, Marco Rubio told ABC News: “You don’t run for president with some eject button in the cockpit that allows you to go on an exit ramp if it doesn’t work out.” The Latino Victory Fund however are not impressed calling out Rubio for taking the exit ramp with help from the LIBRE Initiative.
César J. Blanco, interim director of Latino Victory Fund issued the following statement, “Marco Rubio is an opportunistic politician who adopts whatever positions are politically convenient at the time. He has the worst attendance record in the Senate, and when he actually showed up, it was to cast votes in favor of his extremist views. He voted against the Violence Against Women Act and the Paycheck Fairness Act. He opposes a women’s right to choose even in cases of rape, incest, or Zika, and is a proven flip flopper on immigration. He also opposed bankruptcy for Puerto Rico and is a know climate change denier. Shame on LIBRE for playing politics and not looking out for the best interest of Floridians or the Latino community.”
A columnist for the Tampa Bay Times once described Rubio as someone “who has spent more time in office writing self-promotional books than sponsoring legislation.” Here’s a look at what he did when he actually showed up:
- Rubio introduced a regressive tax plan that would give the top one percent of earners tax cuts that were more than 103 times larger than the poorest 20 percent of workers.
- Rubio voted against the Paycheck Fairness Act and called legislation requiring equal pay for equal work a “waste of time.”
- Rubio voted against the Violence Against Women Act.
- Rubio opposes a women’s right to choose, even in cases of rape or incest.
- Rubio supports defunding Planned Parenthood.
- Rubio supports discriminatory RFRA laws that allow businesses to refuse to serve LGBT people.
- Rubio voted to cut Pell grants.
- Rubio said Social Security and Medicare “weakened us as a people,” wants to raise the retirement age and partially privatize Medicare.
- Rubio opposes President Obama’s immigration relief programs for families (DACA and DAPA.)
- Rubio opposed bankruptcy for Puerto Rico.
- Rubio denies the science behind human-caused climate change.
