Source: United States Senator for Florida Marco Rubio
Miami, FL — U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) released a statement after U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo denied Florida’s request for disaster assistance after its fisheries were harmed by severe red tide events. Earlier this month, Rubio led colleagues in sending a letter to Secretary Raimondo urging that the Department approve Florida’s request. Despite notifying congressional offices of the decision, the Department did not provide a justification for the denial of the disaster request.
“In August 2018, I witnessed the destruction of the red tide event firsthand, as well as its impact on countless Floridians up and down the Gulf Coast,” Rubio said. “The Biden Administration’s assertion that the red tides of 2018 and 2019 do not amount to a fisheries disaster is insulting, and it appears to be a blatantly political move — one that risks severe consequences for the economies of the communities directly impacted. Secretary Raimondo’s determination runs counter to common sense and shows a complete disregard for the devastating losses experienced by many Floridians in recent years due to these events.”
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