Marco Rubio Finds His Stride in 2017

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After being re-elected last year, the Florida Republican found Washington more to his liking in 2017. That was thanks in no small measure to a newfound partnership with a president he was able to influence on key foreign policy matters such as Cuba and Venezuela, and a GOP Congress which helped him achieve victories on childhood cancer and veterans’ reforms.

Then, last week, he scored perhaps his most high-profile triumph: a Republican tax bill that expands the child tax credit he’s been pushing for the past three years.

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Rubio attributes the success to three factors: having more experience and influence as a senator, being a member of the party in power and, perhaps most importantly, forging a somewhat surprising alliance with President Trump.

When he announced his revamped policy toward the Castro regime in June, Trump expressed his “deep gratitude” to Rubio, calling him “a man who has really become a friend of mine.”

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He was a driving force behind passage of a law requiring the pharmaceutical industry to expend more resources on treatment for childhood cancers. The bill was part of a larger measure reauthorizing user fees imposed by the Food and Drug Administration.

He teamed up with Democrats, including fellow Florida Sen. Bill Nelson, to pass a measure allowing Veterans Affairs officials to discipline bad employees more easily and protect whistleblowers who report fraud and abuse.

His most high-profile stand — expanding the Child Tax Credit as part of the recently passed GOP tax bill

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"This place is extremely frustrating," Rooney said, echoing Rubio's words from the campaign trail. "And for people that are of the age of myself and Marco who want to get something done, you recognize how difficult it is. I can see how he reacted the way that he did."

"But I also think he's much more seasoned in how the political process works up here," Rooney continued. "And I hope that one day he'll try again for president because I think he will be outstanding. Having six more years under his belt is not going to hurt."

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