We expect answers here fairly soon because we have constituents calling," Sen. Marco Rubio said. | Getty Rubio says Congress can't get answers on Trump immigration order

Sen. Marco Rubio said Monday that the State Department is refusing to answer questions from Congress about President Donald Trump’s expansive executive order barring immigrants from Muslim-majority nations and refugees worldwide – an assertion that the administration quickly disputed.

Rubio (R-Fla.) said his aides sought to seek additional information from State about how the immigration directive would be implemented, particularly with representatives in Florida’s vibrant tourist sector calling his office with concerns about the order.


“We were told that the directive was, they were not to share any information today,” Rubio told reporters at the Capitol. “I suppose it’s because they are not clear what to tell us yet. But that cannot be a permanent position. We expect answers here fairly soon because we have constituents calling.”

The State Department rebutted Rubio: “The Department remains in contact with members of Congress who have reached out regarding the executive orders, and will continue to provide information and assistance as we are able,” acting spokesman Mark Toner said.

Still, that discrepancy illustrates that widespread confusion caused by Trump’s executive order issued Friday that temporarily suspends refugees into the United States, bars foreigners from seven predominantly Muslim countries and indefinitely bans Syrian refugees. White House officials said they intentionally gave few details to agencies.

Rubio said there is “no doubt” the administration will have to issue clarifications to the order.

“From what I’ve heard from multiple agencies, there’s still significant questions about how this is supposed to be applied,” Rubio said. “This is a big change. And it has a lot of moving parts and a lot of agencies and thousands of individuals tasked with enforcing and applying it.”

