Rubio to give response to Obama's State of the Union

WASHINGTON (AFP) - US Senator Marco Rubio has been tapped to give the Republican response to President Barack Obama's upcoming State of the Union address, party leaders said on Wednesday, boosting his stature as a rising national heavyweight.

Mr Rubio, a first-generation American whose parents immigrated from Cuba, will deliver the address Tuesday in both English and Spanish, minutes after Mr Obama concludes his annual speech to both chambers of Congress.

The charismatic first-term senator from Florida "is one of our party's most dynamic and inspiring leaders. He carries our party's banner of freedom, opportunity and prosperity in a way few others can," House Speaker John Boehner said in a statement.

"He'll deliver a GOP address that speaks from the heart to the hopes and dreams of the middle class; to our party's commitment to life and liberty; and to the unlimited potential of America when government is limited and effective."