Challenges Faced by Marco Rubio: Obstacles and Turning Points

Life is full of challenges, and Marco Rubio faced many. Discover key struggles and how they were overcome.

Marco Rubio is an American politician, lawyer, and diplomat currently serving as the 72nd United States Secretary of State since 2025. He is a member of the Republican Party and also holds the roles of acting national security advisor and acting archivist of the United States.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

2001: Rubio Introduces Tax Reduction Plan

Rubio introduced a plan to reduce state property taxes to 2001 levels, while increasing sales taxes to fund schools. Although the proposal passed the House, it faced opposition and smaller changes were eventually implemented.

January 2007: Crist Takes Office and Clashes with Rubio

In January 2007, Charlie Crist succeeded Jeb Bush as governor and he and Rubio clashed frequently. Their sharpest clash involved the governor's initiative to expand casino gambling in Florida, resulting in Rubio suing Crist for bypassing the Florida Legislature, a case Rubio won.

2010: House Shared by Rubio and Rivera Goes Into Foreclosure

In 2010, a house in Tallahassee co-owned by Rubio and David Rivera went into foreclosure after missed mortgage payments. Rubio assumed responsibility for the payments, and the house was eventually sold.

February 6, 2016: Rubio criticized in New Hampshire debate

During a nationally televised debate in New Hampshire on February 6, 2016, Chris Christie criticized Rubio for speaking repetitively, stating that he sounded "scripted".

March 15, 2016: Suspension of Presidential Campaign

On March 15, 2016, Marco Rubio suspended his presidential campaign after losing to Donald Trump in the Florida Republican primary.

April 2020: Lost Supreme Court Attempt to Stop Obamacare

In April 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court voted 8–1 to defeat Rubio's attempt to stop Obamacare.

2020: Sanctioned by China

In 2020, China sanctioned Rubio and banned him from traveling to the country due to his support for Hong Kong's democracy movement.

2020: Sanctioned by Chinese Government

In 2020, the Chinese government sanctioned Marco Rubio twice, banning him from entering China.

2020: ICC opened investigation into war crimes in Afghanistan

In 2020, the International Criminal Court opened an investigation into alleged war crimes in Afghanistan.

2021: ICC deprioritized the investigation into U.S. troops

In 2021, the International Criminal Court deprioritized the investigation into U.S. troops, focusing instead on crimes committed by the Taliban and ISIS-K.

2024: ICC issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister of Defence Yoav Gallant

In 2024, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister of Defence Yoav Gallant.

January 23, 2025: Rubio freezes passport applications with 'X' sex markers

On January 23, 2025, Marco Rubio instructed the State Department staff to freeze any passport applications that requested "X" sex markers, as part of compliance with Executive Order 14168, which ended gender self-identification on passports. This action created confusion among applicants and those who already had passports with "X" sex markers.

January 24, 2025: Rubio enacts freeze on U.S. foreign aid

On January 24, 2025, Marco Rubio enacted a 90-day freeze on all U.S. foreign aid, with exceptions, effective January 28, in accordance with President Trump's executive order. This action shut down many of USAID's humanitarian, development, and security programs worldwide, despite Rubio's previous support for USAID during his time in Congress.

June 2025: White House requests rescissions in foreign aid and public broadcasting

In June 2025, the White House requested that Congress pass a package of rescissions, or "clawbacks", of approximately $8 billion in foreign aid and $1 billion for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. The House of Representatives passed the cuts as requested, but the Senate excluded the cuts to PEPFAR, the program started under President George W. Bush to help lower-income countries get access to HIV medicines. The Senate passed two preliminary votes, 51-50, with Vice-President JD Vance casting the tie-breaking votes.