On Monday, Senator Marco Rubio issued a public warning about the dangers posed by Hurricane Milton, a Category 5 storm expected to make landfall in Florida soon. He shared on X (formerly Twitter) that years ago, he had requested the National Hurricane Center (NHC) to show him a worst-case scenario for a storm hitting Florida and that the current forecast for Hurricane Milton closely mirrors that projection.
Rubio’s post included a map showing the projected storm surge along Florida’s western coast, highlighting the seriousness of the threat.
Rubio’s recent focus on extreme weather contrasts with his previous skepticism regarding climate change. Journalist Aaron Rupar noted this inconsistency, pointing out that Rubio has often been dismissive of climate-related concerns.
In 2022, Rubio criticized the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), referring to it mockingly as a “climate change bill,” and questioned why the Senate would prioritize it over more immediate issues like inflation, the border crisis, and crime. His opposition to the IRA underscores his reluctance to embrace climate-focused policies.
Senator Marco Rubio Warns of Hurricane Milton’s Threat, Highlighting Contrast with His Previous Climate Skepticism
The Inflation Reduction Act, which Rubio voted against, was designed to address climate change and included over $1 billion in funding to help communities bolster their resilience to extreme weather events.
Despite the pressing need for such measures in states like Florida, Rubio has consistently opposed legislative efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change. The Biden administration positioned the IRA as essential for protecting vulnerable areas, but Rubio’s stance remained critical of prioritizing climate initiatives over what he sees as more urgent national concerns.
Over time, Rubio has acknowledged the increasing impact of climate change on Florida, particularly its coastline. However, his approach to climate legislation remains cautious.
In a 2019 op-ed, Rubio argued that reactionary policies driven by panic would harm the U.S. economy and weaken the country’s global competitiveness, particularly with China. He expressed concerns that aggressive climate measures would limit the ability to invest in long-term solutions, suggesting a more measured approach to climate-related challenges.
This cautious stance was also evident in Rubio’s vote against the bipartisan infrastructure bill in 2021. That bill allocated $47 billion to prepare communities for extreme weather, including hurricanes, fires, and floods.
Despite the clear benefits for states like Florida, Rubio’s opposition to the bill mirrored his broader skepticism of policies that he believes could harm the economy, even as Florida faces increasing threats from severe weather like Hurricane Milton.
