Confirmation couldn't be simpler.
Hours after President Trump took the oath of office in the Capitol Rotunda, the Senate on Monday approved the nomination of Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) to be secretary of state by a vote of 99-0.
Mr. Rubio, 53, is the first Latino to serve as America's top diplomat and brings extensive diplomatic experience to the job, serving as vice chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Senate Intelligence Committee.
In a statement of support on the Senate floor, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) said, “Marco Rubio is an intelligent man with an extraordinary understanding of American foreign policy and a very deep commitment to the American Dream.'' There is no doubt that this is the case,” he said in a statement of support on the Senate floor. Confirmed by Rubio.
Democratic New Jersey Sen. Andy Kim said that although he had “some differences of opinion” with Mr. Rubio, he thought the former senator was “knowledgeable” and qualified for the role.
“Senator Rubio's qualifications and dedication to serving our country have led me to vote for him as the next Secretary of State,” Kim said in a statement.
“In my conversations with Senator Rubio, there were undoubtedly differences of opinion, but I found Mr. Rubio to be knowledgeable about the serious challenges facing our country globally,” he added.
Rubio, the son of exiles from communist Cuba, argued during his confirmation hearing last week that China is the “greatest threat” to American prosperity.
“If we don't change course, we will live in a world where so much of what is important to us on a daily basis, from our safety to our health, depends on whether the Chinese will allow us to do so.” We will live,” Rubio told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
During the hearing, Rubio also acknowledged the value of NATO, which Trump has repeatedly criticized, calling it a “very important alliance” and argued that the Russia-Ukraine war “must end.”
“Given the size and power dynamics, there is no way that Ukraine will push these people back to where they were before the invasion,” Rubio said, adding that he is “realistic” about how to deal with the United States. I asked him to have a vision. The bloody conflict should end.
The president and secretary of state were once political enemies, with both seeking the 2016 Republican nomination.
During that campaign, Trump dubbed Rubio “Little Marco,” and the Florida native made suggestive comments about the size of his rival's hands.
But the two men are mending their differences, with Rubio emerging as the most trusted spokesperson for Trump's foreign policy vision, including calling for an end to the Russia-Ukraine war during his confirmation hearing last week.
The position of Secretary of State is the third highest position in the executive branch after the President and Vice President.
The position is also fourth in the line of presidential succession, after the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Rubio will be replaced in the Senate by Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, whose appointment was announced last week by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis.
This is a developing story. Check back for more updates.
