Rubio skips committee hearing as he enters Florida race: report

As he was announcing a run for reelection, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) skipped a Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Wednesday morning, Politico reported.

Rubio was not present at a closed hearing on security for military equipment sales abroad, hearing attendees told Politico.

{mosads}While running for president, the Florida Republican faced frequent criticism for missing votes. Earlier this year on the campaign trail, Rubio defended his attendance record, arguing that “only a president can set the agenda.”

“I have missed votes this year. You know why? Because while as a senator I can help shape the agenda; only a president can set the agenda,” Rubio said during an Iowa town hall in January.

After weeks of speculation and mounting pressure from top Senate Republicans to jump back in the race, Rubio decided Wednesday morning to reverse his pledge to retire from the Senate. Rubio said his decision was based on the Senate’s role in reining in executive power.

Republicans celebrated his change of heart and quickly began rallying behind Rubio as the one GOP candidate who can hold on to the Florida seat that is pivotal in determining which party controls the Senate. Several GOP candidates running to replace him cleared the field and immediately backed Rubio.

Rubio’s missed hearing will be fodder for Democrats who are trying to cast him as an opportunist. Democrats were quick to pounce on the news that he missed a hearing.

During a Wednesday press call with reporters, Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-Fla.), a leading Democratic candidate for Rubio’s Senate seat, hammered the GOP senator for missing votes and called him a “do-nothing” senator.

“I think Floridians expect better. Showing up to work is how you start that,” Murphy said.