Marco Rubio slams Biden administration’s ‘authoritarian’ travel ban proposal
Marco Rubio. Image via AP.

rubio
Rubio wants more vaccines, not a travel ban.

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio slammed as “authoritarian” a trial proposal from the Joe Biden White House to place Florida under domestic travel restrictions over coronavirus concerns.

“Instituting a travel ban, or any restriction of movement between the states, would be an outrageous, authoritarian move that has no basis in law or science. Instead, it would only serve to inflict severe and devastating economic pain on an already damaged economy,” Rubio wrote Biden Wednesday, responding to a Miami Herald report that restrictions were being considered as a result of B.1.1.7 and other variants surging in the state.

Contending the ban, were it to actually happen, would be “reckless and economically harmful,” the second-term Senator confronted Biden, as if previewing an oppositional posture that may culminate on the 2024 presidential debate stage.

“While we are all concerned that the pandemic continues to take a toll on our friends, family and communities, forbidding Americans from traveling across state lines will not force any strain of COVID-19 to cease. It would instead starve Florida’s businesses of much needed tourism dollars, keep family and friends apart, and set an unprecedented use of power on the American people,” the Senator contended.

From there, he suggested Florida’s unique status as a “winter retreat” should “especially” incentivize the administration to up the vaccine supply to the state.

“Instead of dictating where Americans can, or cannot travel, your administration should instead focus on increasing supply and availability of vaccines, especially to Florida, the third most populous state and a winter retreat.”

“I have already requested an increase of vaccines be allocated because of the numerous non-Floridians seeking inoculations,” Rubio said. “If you are concerned about the coronavirus spread in Florida, I urge you to fast track additional vaccines to the state instead of attempting to cripple our economy.” 

In fact, the Biden administration continues to improve distribution as more vaccines come online. Next week will see 340,600 first shots of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, with the same amount in second jabs. That’s a 25,000 shot uptick from this week.

A.G. Gancarski

A.G. Gancarski has written for FloridaPolitics.com since 2014. He is based in Northeast Florida. He can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter: @AGGancarski


16 comments

  • Frankie M.

    February 10, 2021 at 9:15 pm

    But lil Marco is ok with a ban on travel from Muslim countries? It’s good to see Marco’s muzzle off ever since Biden’s inauguration.

  • Porsche Guy

    February 10, 2021 at 10:58 pm

    Marco Rubio is full of shit. How come he didn’t demand the Trump administration up the vaccine count? Oops, I forgot, Trump was too busy ignoring the virus and Rubio was busy helping him do it.

    So now all of a sudden the coronavirus that Trump, Rubio, and Republicans in general overlooked and minimized is suddenly Joe Biden’s virus that the GOP is now acutely aware of? Fuck off Rubio!

    President Joe Biden is doing an outstanding job tackling the virus that Republicans let get out of control–and he’s doing it with a Democratic-led government.

    Rubio, you’re a political hack who will lose his seat to Ivanka, and the only person who cares what you have to babble about is, no offense, AG Gancarski.

  • Sonja Fitch

    February 11, 2021 at 5:18 am

    Little Marco are you an American or a traitor? The 13 minutes of hell on January 6, 2021 makes me shudder. Little Marco those insurrectionist would have killed You or harmed You if they had a chance. Either vote for America or stfu.

  • Carl

    February 11, 2021 at 7:38 am


    In fact, the Biden administration continues to improve distribution as more vaccines come online.

    a) Distribution at the Federal level has never been an issue.
    b) Please share the metrics you are referring to measure distribution in December versus now

  • just sayin

    February 11, 2021 at 8:05 am

    None of the comments address the actual hypocrisy of what Biden’s proposing. Why am I not surprised? Open borders internationally, closed borders intranationally. Unbelievably stupid.

  • Bob

    February 11, 2021 at 9:30 am

    Biden admin is full of shit. Unity my ass.

  • PeterH

    February 11, 2021 at 11:45 am

    Biden promised 100 million Americans vaccinated in his first 100 days in office. If Marco Rubio has a better plan to secure more vaccine…… maybe he should have advised Trump ….. when Trump had the option to buy millions of more doses of Pfizer….. and Trump turned the offer down.

    Sorry Marco …. but for the first time ….. science is guiding decisions on the pandemic…… not incompetent Republican whining. We finally have an adult leading our great country.

  • Erik H

    February 11, 2021 at 12:13 pm

    Love how Rubio twists the word “restriction” into “ban.” These words are not synonymous. The White House is fully aware you cannot Constitutionally “ban” domestic travel. The implication would likely be more along the lines of a self-quarantine period upon departure or return from travel in states that are hot spots. Rubio is a divisive drug addict..

  • Karellen

    February 11, 2021 at 1:46 pm

    Difficult to find “unity” with the Insurrection Party at this point in time. Perhaps after Dump and his GQP enablers in Congress are held accountable for their crimes we can persue this “unity” of which you speak.
    Bible Boy and his accomplice Sick Rick the Medicare fraudster should stick a sock in it while the adults run the show.

  • PeterH

    February 11, 2021 at 4:05 pm

    News Alert For Marco Rubio:

    President Biden just announced that Pfizer and Moderna would deliver an additional 200 million COVID-19 vaccine before the Summer. This is addition to the substantial doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine deliverable as soon as FDA approves.

    Thank you President Biden ….. no tweets …. just competency! All accomplished in three weeks!

    Rubio should be laser focused on holding HIS PRESIDENT TRUMP accountable for leading a deadly assault on our great nation’s Capitol building.

  • jt

    February 11, 2021 at 8:57 pm

    I wonder if politicians ever try actually solving these problems before making a statement to the press

  • Omnivore

    February 11, 2021 at 11:11 pm

    Rubio is not only not acting in the public’s best interest, he’s not acting in his own. He could be like Romney, and work to rebuild the image of the GOP, as well as positioning himself as a principled man. Instead, by being a Trump lickspittle, he’s keeping the cult alive, and opening the door to Trump’s running again.
    What will that mean for Rubio? Trump will repay him for his loyalty by having either Ivanka or Don Jr. run for his seat (or maybe he’ll run himself).
    And how will Little Marco be able to oppose any Trump when he’s promoted the idea that they’re perfect and blameless?

  • PeterH

    February 11, 2021 at 11:18 pm

    Excellent and well written analysis Omnivore! As the GOP migrates further to the right moderates like Rubio will be thrown under the bus. We’ll learn of the direction of the Republican Party in the coming days on how they handle impeachment.

  • martin

    February 12, 2021 at 7:58 am

    According to the Bidenites it is ok to allow illegals in. No Covid precautions, but American citizens cannot freely travel throughout our own country.

    About time for Rubio to stand up for the rights of American citizens and not pander to the left.

  • Esteban Yu

    February 12, 2021 at 1:23 pm

    “Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he will issue an executive order requiring anyone flying into the state from New York, New Jersey, Washington, or California to undergo a “mandatory 14-day self-isolation” period in response to the coronavirus.”

    Someone has a short memory

  • Sonja Fitch

    February 14, 2021 at 5:48 am

    If you have a choice get the hell out of Florida! Duffus Desantis is hell bent on herd immunity to contain the covid and now mutated virus! We in Florida are living through the Nazi dream of killing as many weak old and poor and brown and black and white humans as possible. That is the reality! Killer! Vote Democrat up and down ballot for the 2022 elections!

Comments are closed.


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