Sen. Marco Rubio Says Political Future 'Already Planned by God'
Florida Junior Republican Senator Marco Rubio, who is expected by political pundits to be a main contender for the 2016 presidential race, said in a recent interview that his future in politics has already been planned by God.
Rubio said that he is not concerned that his support for immigration reform in the U.S. will hinder his chances of becoming the Republican nominee for the 2016 election.
"Whatever is going to happen on this issue, whatever is going to happen with me is what God's already planned for me," Rubio told David Brody of the Christian Broadcasting Network's "The Brody File."
Get Our Latest News for FREE
"My job is just to be obedient and have faith in that regard and that's really something like everybody else I struggle with that because the human side wants us to think about the here and now but I think ultimately if you try and approach every issue in life, from the smallest details to big issues like this with that view point it gives you a sense of peace and calm about you wouldn't otherwise have," Rubio added.
The junior senator went on to say that his current political decisions are not based on what political office he will have in the future.
"The day I start making decisions around here with the mind towards what other office I want to run for I'll no longer be very effective," Rubio said.
"The bottom line is that I ran for the U.S. Senate to make a difference, to serve. To be able to look back 20 years from now and tell my kids, 'yes I was gone a lot but this is why, these are the things I was able to accomplish in the hopes of giving you a better country.'"
Rubio, a self-proclaimed Catholic, has been a major proponent of an immigration plan proposed by him and fellow senators, known as the bipartisan Gang of Eight, in January 2013 which provides a path to U.S. citizenship for undocumented immigrants.
The plan, which has hit some hurdles in passing the U.S. Senate, includes multiple requirements of illegal immigrants before they can become citizens, including paying fees and back taxes, as well as passing background checks.
Rubio has recently acknowledged, according to Politico, that senators must beef up border security provisions before the bill will pass muster with many Republicans and some conservative Democrats.
"I can tell you, as the bill is currently structured it isn't going to pass in the House," Rubio told reporters after a House meeting regarding the bill, according to The Washington Post.
Additionally, Rubio is pushing for a toughened English proficiency requirement for immigrants to gain U.S. citizenship.
While Rubio remains optimistic about the bill's approval in the House, others, including Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) argue that the bill is destined for failure.
Cruz said during a Senate debate on Tuesday that he believes the bill will not pass because it basically offers amnesty to the 11 million immigrants currently in the U.S. illegally.
"As written this bill will not pass the House. As written this bill will not be signed into law," Cruz argued, according to The Dallas Morning News.
Cruz added that the Judiciary Committee rejected "just about every substantive amendment" he and others critical of the immigration reform bill offered.
The bill garnered more than 60 Senate votes needed Tuesday to begin a formal debate regarding the reform.
