Cuban-American lawmaker Rubio to deliver Republican response to Obama State of Union address

Ken Thomas / The Associated Press
February 6, 2013

FILE - In this Jan. 28, 2013, photo, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., right, and Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., left, join a bipartisan group of leading senators to announce that they have reached agreement on the principles of sweeping legislation to rewrite the nation's immigration laws at the Capitol in Washington. Rubio, a leading proponent of overhauling the immigration system who has gained attention in GOP circles, will deliver the Republican response to President Barack Obama's State of the Union address on Tuesday. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

WASHINGTON - Sen. Marco Rubio, a Cuban-American lawmaker often mentioned as a presidential candidate in 2016, will deliver the Republican response to President Barack Obama's State of the Union address on Tuesday.

The leader of the House of Representatives, Speaker John Boehner, and Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell, both Republicans, announced the selection of Rubio on Wednesday, calling him a strong advocate of conservative principles.

Rubio will speak after Obama's prime-time address before Congress, offering a counterweight to the president's agenda. The high-profile speech also gives Rubio, a broad national audience for a party that lacks a true standard-bearer after Obama's re-election.

The 41-year-old Cuban-American lawmaker was given a prominent speaking role at last year's Republican National Convention and travelled extensively on behalf of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney. He has been touted as a potential presidential candidate in 2016 for a party that fared poorly among Latino voters last year. In a signal of renewed outreach to Hispanic voters, Rubio's address will be delivered in both English and Spanish.

Rubio has played a leading role among Republicans in seeking changes on immigration, one of the top legislative priorities of the year for both parties. He has been part of a bipartisan group of senators who have proposed a plan that would allow illegal immigrants to pursue citizenship after a number of steps are taken to secure the border with Mexico. The issue is expected to be among the most highly-watched measures in Congress this year.

On the economy, Rubio has said tax increases will not bring down the $16 trillion federal debt and urged policies to promote economic growth and changes to entitlement programs.

Rubio said he would discuss "how limited government and free enterprise have helped make my family's dreams come true in America." He said the speech would help lay out "the Republican case of how our ideas can help people close the gap between their dreams and the opportunities to realize them."

Rubio, a former state house speaker from Miami, became a popular figure among conservative tea party activists during his improbable rise during his 2010 Senate campaign. He defeated Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, who switched to run as an independent when it became clear he would lose the Republican primary to Rubio.

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