{ "name": "Marco Antonio Rubio", "party": "Republican", "role": "U.S. Senator", "state": "Florida", "district": null, "bio": "Marco Rubio was born in Miami, Florida in 1971 to Cuban immigrant parents and served in the Florida House of Representatives, including as Speaker, before being elected to the U.S. Senate in 2010. He ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016, famously clashing with Donald Trump before suspending his campaign after losing his home state primary. Rubio has positioned himself as a foreign policy hawk, a champion of conservative family policy, and a proponent of an 'American industrial policy' that departs from traditional free-market orthodoxy. He was confirmed as U.S. Secretary of State in January 2025 following President Trump's second inauguration.", "promises": [ { "type": "promise", "text": "Promised during 2010 Senate campaign to repeal the Affordable Care Act", "status": "broken", "analysis": "Rubio repeatedly called for full repeal of the ACA throughout his Senate tenure. Despite Republican Senate majorities in 2017, full repeal failed; Rubio voted for partial repeal measures but the ACA remained law. The promise of full repeal was never fulfilled.", "category": "Healthcare", "year": 2010 }, { "type": "promise", "text": "Pledged during 2013 Gang of Eight immigration reform effort to deliver a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants", "status": "broken", "analysis": "Rubio co-authored the bipartisan Gang of Eight comprehensive immigration reform bill (S. 744) in 2013, which passed the Senate but he later distanced himself from the legislation under conservative pressure. By 2016, he explicitly reversed his support for a path to citizenship, calling it a mistake to try before securing the border first.", "category": "Immigration", "year": 2013 }, { "type": "promise", "text": "Promised during 2016 presidential campaign to build a wall or physical barrier on the southern border and secure the border before any legalization", "status": "kept", "analysis": "After reversing his Gang of Eight position, Rubio consistently advocated for border security first and supported funding for border wall construction. He voted for border wall funding measures and backed Trump administration enforcement policies, aligning with this commitment.", "category": "Immigration", "year": 2016 }, { "type": "promise", "text": "Pledged to oppose any net tax increase and signed the Americans for Tax Reform Taxpayer Protection Pledge", "status": "kept", "analysis": "Rubio voted for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, a major tax-cutting legislation. He has consistently opposed tax increases throughout his Senate tenure and has maintained alignment with the no-new-taxes pledge over his career.", "category": "Economy", "year": 2010 }, { "type": "promise", "text": "Pledged during 2016 campaign to destroy ISIS and expand the U.S. military", "status": "kept", "analysis": "Rubio has consistently voted for increased defense spending and supported military authorizations targeting ISIS. He backed the military campaigns against ISIS in Syria and Iraq and has been a consistent advocate for expanded defense budgets, aligning with this campaign commitment.", "category": "Defense", "year": 2016 }, { "type": "promise", "text": "Pledged to oppose the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA) and work toward its dismantlement", "status": "kept", "analysis": "Rubio vocally opposed the JCPOA when it was negotiated in 2015 and voted against the agreement. He consistently supported sanctions on Iran and backed the Trump administration's withdrawal from the deal in 2018, fulfilling this commitment.", "category": "Foreign Policy", "year": 2015 }, { "type": "promise", "text": "Promised to champion the Child Tax Credit expansion and pro-family economic policies", "status": "kept", "analysis": "Rubio co-authored legislation with Senator Mike Lee to expand the Child Tax Credit and successfully lobbied to include a $2,000 Child Tax Credit expansion in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. He has continued advocating for further Child Tax Credit increases in subsequent legislation.", "category": "Economy", "year": 2017 }, { "type": "promise", "text": "Pledged as 2016 presidential candidate to not support Donald Trump if he became the Republican nominee, calling him a 'con artist'", "status": "broken", "analysis": "Rubio made pointed attacks against Trump during the 2016 primary, including calling him a 'con artist' and questioning his fitness for office. After suspending his own campaign, Rubio ultimately endorsed and campaigned for Trump in 2016 and became a strong Trump ally in subsequent years, contradicting his primary-season statements.", "category": "Government Reform", "year": 2016 }, { "type": "promise", "text": "Promised to serve his full Senate term if re-elected in 2016, after previously saying he would not seek re-election", "status": "broken", "analysis": "After declaring he would not seek Senate re-election in 2016 and finding the Senate frustrating, Rubio reversed course and ran for re-election after his presidential campaign failed. He was confirmed as Secretary of State in January 2025 before completing his current Senate term, vacating his Senate seat.", "category": "Government Reform", "year": 2016 }, { "type": "promise", "text": "Pledged consistent support for NATO and traditional U.S. alliances as core foreign policy commitment", "status": "in_progress", "analysis": "Rubio historically supported NATO and traditional alliances, but his confirmation as Secretary of State under Trump in 2025, in an administration that has questioned NATO commitments, places this commitment under ongoing scrutiny. His full implementation in his new role remains to be seen.", "category": "Foreign Policy", "year": 2025 }, { "type": "vote", "text": "Voted against the Budget Control Act of 2011, which raised the debt ceiling with spending caps", "status": "kept", "analysis": "Rubio voted no on the Budget Control Act of 2011 as a freshman senator, consistent with his Tea Party-aligned campaign promise to oppose debt ceiling increases without major spending reforms. This vote aligned with his platform of fiscal conservatism.", "category": "Economy", "year": 2011 }, { "type": "vote", "text": "Voted for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA)", "status": "kept", "analysis": "Rubio initially withheld support to secure a larger Child Tax Credit expansion, then voted yes on the final bill after the credit was increased to $2,000. The vote was consistent with his long-stated positions on tax reduction and pro-family policy.", "category": "Economy", "year": 2017 }, { "type": "vote", "text": "Voted yes on the USA FREEDOM Act of 2015, reauthorizing and reforming NSA surveillance programs", "status": "kept", "analysis": "Rubio supported reauthorization of bulk data collection provisions, consistent with his hawkish national security stance. He had argued against curtailing surveillance tools needed to fight terrorism, and his vote aligned with that stated position.", "category": "Criminal Justice", "year": 2015 }, { "type": "vote", "text": "Voted for the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) annually, supporting increased defense budgets", "status": "kept", "analysis": "Rubio has voted for the NDAA consistently throughout his Senate tenure, aligning with his stated position as a defense hawk who supports a strong military. These votes are consistent with his campaign commitments on defense spending.", "category": "Defense", "year": 2015 }, { "type": "vote", "text": "Voted against the Bipartisan Background Checks Act and broader gun control measures", "status": "kept", "analysis": "Despite the 2018 Parkland shooting occurring in his home state, Rubio opposed sweeping gun control legislation, consistent with his A-rated NRA record and campaign pledges to protect Second Amendment rights. His votes aligned with his stated platform on firearms.", "category": "Civil Rights", "year": 2018 }, { "type": "vote", "text": "Voted yes on the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of 2022, a gun safety bill", "status": "broken", "analysis": "The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act included enhanced background checks, red flag law incentives, and other gun safety measures. Rubio's yes vote represented a departure from his consistent opposition to gun control legislation and his NRA-aligned platform, though he framed it as a limited, targeted measure.", "category": "Civil Rights", "year": 2022 }, { "type": "vote", "text": "Voted to acquit President Trump in the first impeachment trial (Ukraine/abuse of power) in 2020", "status": "kept", "analysis": "Rubio voted not guilty on both articles of impeachment against Trump, consistent with his alignment with Trump and Republican Party positions by that point in his tenure. He argued the impeachment was politically motivated.", "category": "Government Reform", "year": 2020 }, { "type": "vote", "text": "Voted to acquit President Trump in the second impeachment trial (January 6 incitement) in 2021", "status": "kept", "analysis": "Rubio voted not guilty in the second Trump impeachment trial following the January 6 Capitol riot, arguing that trying a former president was unconstitutional. This was consistent with his alignment with Trump and his constitutional objection argument.", "category": "Government Reform", "year": 2021 }, { "type": "vote", "text": "Voted against the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which included major climate provisions and drug pricing reforms", "status": "kept", "analysis": "Rubio voted against the IRA along with all Senate Republicans, consistent with his opposition to large government spending packages and climate mandates. This aligned with his stated platform on energy and fiscal policy.", "category": "Environment", "year": 2022 }, { "type": "vote", "text": "Voted for the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, supporting domestic semiconductor manufacturing", "status": "kept", "analysis": "Rubio supported the CHIPS Act, consistent with his evolving position favoring American industrial policy and competing with China economically. He had been an advocate for domestic manufacturing investment and reducing dependency on Chinese supply chains.", "category": "Economy", "year": 2022 }, { "type": "action", "text": "Co-authored and championed the Gang of Eight comprehensive immigration reform bill (S. 744, Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act)", "status": "broken", "analysis": "Rubio was a lead author of the bipartisan 2013 immigration reform bill that passed the Senate 68-32 but died in the House. He subsequently distanced himself from the legislation under conservative backlash. The bill's failure and Rubio's reversal of support represent an unfulfilled legislative effort.", "category": "Immigration", "year": 2013 }, { "type": "action", "text": "Introduced the HELPER Act to expand Child Tax Credit and provide relief for working families", "status": "in_progress", "analysis": "Rubio has repeatedly introduced legislation to expand the Child Tax Credit beyond the 2017 TCJA levels, arguing for a fully refundable credit. The legislation has not been enacted into law but represents a consistent legislative priority he has championed across multiple Congresses.", "category": "Economy", "year": 2019 }, { "type": "action", "text": "Introduced the American Data Privacy and Protection Act provisions and championed federal data privacy legislation", "status": "in_progress", "analysis": "Rubio has been a proponent of federal consumer data privacy legislation, introducing the American Data Transparency and Privacy Act. As of 2024, comprehensive federal privacy legislation has not been enacted, leaving this effort incomplete.", "category": "Civil Rights", "year": 2021 }, { "type": "action", "text": "Led legislation targeting TikTok and Chinese-owned technology platforms, including the RESTRICT Act", "status": "kept", "analysis": "Rubio was a prominent advocate for legislation to address national security risks from Chinese-owned apps like TikTok. The Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act was signed into law in April 2024, marking a legislative achievement aligned with his China hawkishness.", "category": "Foreign Policy", "year": 2024 }, { "type": "action", "text": "Introduced the Ending China's Developing Nation Status Act to remove China's preferential trade treatment", "status": "in_progress", "analysis": "Rubio introduced legislation to strip China of developing nation status in international organizations, reflecting his broader hawkish China policy. The bill had not advanced to enactment as of early 2025 but highlighted his consistent legislative focus on economic competition with China.", "category": "Foreign Policy", "year": 2023 }, { "type": "action", "text": "Confirmed as U.S. Secretary of State in January 2025, becoming the first Latino to hold the position", "status": "in_progress", "analysis": "Rubio was confirmed by the Senate 99-0 as Secretary of State on January 20, 2025. As the chief U.S. diplomat under the Trump administration's second term, his performance in executing foreign policy commitments on China, Iran, NATO, and the Middle East remains ongoing and will be evaluated over time.", "category": "Foreign Policy", "year": 2025 }, { "type": "action", "text": "Authored legislation imposing sanctions on Venezuela's Maduro regime (VERDAD Act)", "status": "kept", "analysis": "Rubio was a primary architect of U.S. policy toward Venezuela and authored sanctions legislation targeting the Maduro government. Enhanced sanctions were implemented and the Trump administration recognized opposition leader Juan Guaidó, reflecting Rubio's legislative and advocacy success on this issue.", "category": "Foreign Policy", "year": 2019 } ], "score": 73, "scoreBreakdown": { "kept": 16, "broken": 6, "inProgress": 5 } }