Marco Rubio in The Los Angeles Times

On Immigration: Give kids of illegal immigrants in-state tuition rates

Gov. Chris Christie parted with many of his fellow Republicans by signing a Democratic-backed law that would allow immigrants in the state illegally to qualify for in-state tuition rates. Christie argued it was common sense for the government to help immigrant children obtain college educations in order to maximize its investment.

On Welfare & Poverty: Feds help deal with poverty; states can help escape it

Speaking on the 50th anniversary of Johnson's declaration of the War on Poverty, Rubio argued that the government should not only work to close the gap between rich and poor, but also focus on improving economic mobility to lift families out of poverty and expand the middle class. "Our current government programs offer, at best, only a partial solution," Rubio said. "They help people deal with poverty, but they do not help them escape it."

For conservatives like Rubio, a key challenge will be reconciling a call for a greater focus on the needy with Republican efforts to scale back food stamps, and opposing an increase the minimum wage.

On Immigration: Finish the border wall; deport all who came in illegally

According to the Denver Gazette, "15 GOP senators asked the Biden administration to finish the border wall along the southern border. The senators claim the Biden administration has 'failed to acknowledge the crisis at our border,' and they note how the administration has sent 1,500 active-duty troops to assist border officials 'who are tasked with defending nearly 2,000 miles of border territory,' according to the letter. Senators who signed the letter include Marco Rubio (R-FL) and J.D. Vance (R-OH)." [Denver Gazette, 5/10/23]