For Canadian snowbirds flocking to Florida, Texas, California and Arizona, it’s about more! More golf. More beaches. More pool time. More golf. More palm trees. More mall-walking time. More golf. More freshly squeezed orange juice, tamales and chimichangas. More gator, saguaro and armadillo-spotting. More golf. More 24/7 shorts and tank tops. And more IRS immunity. About 30% more. If lightning rod U.S. Senator Marco Rubio gets his determined and Canadian snowbird-boosting way − and the feisty American politician does have a knack for skilfullymaneuvering behind-the-scenesWashington − the Senate will soon vote on Rubio’s Canadian Snowbird Visa, giving Canadians about 30% more time to enjoy the slower-paced and balmy good life in the U.S. It was a sweltering, hot June afternoon when Senator Marco Rubio walked into the iconic well of the U.S. Senate chamber, surrounded by those 100 historic mahogany desks, and reintroducedBill 2507, theCanadianSnowbird Act. He originally introduced it in September 2019, but all pending U.S. legislation expires with the end of each congressional session. Although the 50-year-old Cuban-American father of four and recent U.S. presidential candidate is fiercely partial to his Florida constituency, he bluntly admits that, “tourism is a crucial part of Florida’s booming economy, creating and supporting thousands of jobs all across the Sunshine State. The Canadian Snowbird Act will be a huge boost to the economy by allowing themillions of Canadian snowbirds who visit each year to stay and spend money in the U.S. for two months longer,” he quipped with bottom-line honesty. “Unfortunately, the pandemic has severely hurt Florida’s travel and tourism industries, particularly in terms of snowbirds who consider Florida their second home. Now, as we continue to recover, we should do everything we can to welcome visitors to our state, especially our Canadian neighbours to the north. It helps Florida and other snowbird-popular communities thrive, businesses grow and creates job opportunities.” Rubio often reflects on his humble background, his hard-working immigrant parents and his successful election to the U.S. Senate 10 years ago, where he continues to be active on several influential committees (including being a member of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, responsible for allocating funding for the federal government). He’s also a former presidential candidate and continues as an outspoken and much-quotedU.S. politician, frequently in the eye of controversial political storms. “I believe in the AmericanDream, because I’m living it!” he said with high-energy enthusiasm. One fluky but memorable Marco Rubio controversy also unintentionally involved Canada and Canadians. In 2016, in the thick of the U.S. presidential election, candidate Rubio was on the stump, hoping to emulate Ronald Reagan with inspirational “Morning in America”-themed TV ads. Unfortunately (and embarrassingly), Rubio’s stirring, rahrahMorning in America commercial showed the sun rising on the Vancouver skyline − as a Canadian-flagged tugboat floated in the unmistakable Vancouver harbour. Oops!The Rubio campaign admitted that the clip was a mistake, and it was pulled. The Republican primary campaign continued. Rubio lost. Trump won. And life went on. Fast forward to 2021Washington business-asusual leaks, rumours and buzz. With Marco Rubio’s politically savvy, clout, connections and Senate support, the Snowbird Visa Act is gainingmomentumand likely oozing through the Senate process on its way to a vote and on to President Biden’s desk for signature. The outspoken Senator refers to Canadian Embassy stats, noting that, “In a normal year and, of course 2020 was anything but normal, approximately 3.6 million Canadians visit Florida, contributing more than $6.5 billion each year to Florida’s economy.” Snowbird Act supporter Marco Rubio More!!! by John Hardy SnowbirdProfile 16 | www.snowbirds.org
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