WASHINGTON (AP) — Florida Sen. Marco Rubio will deliver the Republican response to President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address on Tuesday.

House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio and Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky announced the selection of Rubio on Wednesday, calling him a strong advocate of conservative principles.

The 41-year-old Rubio was given a prominent speaking role at last year’s Republican National Convention and has been touted as a potential presidential candidate in 2016.

The Cuban-American lawmaker has played a leading role among Republicans in seeking immigration reform, one of the year’s top legislative priorities for both parties.

On the economy, he has said tax increases will not bring down the nation’s $16 trillion debt and urged policies to promote economic growth and reforms to entitlement programs.

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