The Senate unanimously confirmed Marco Rubio as secretary of state on Inauguration Day, marking the first member of President Donald Trump's new Cabinet. Rubio, a Republican senator from Florida, received a decisive vote of 99-0, showcasing his status as one of Trump's least controversial nominees. The swift confirmation process is in line with the tradition of promptly assembling the new president's national security team.
Senator Chuck Grassley praised Rubio's intelligence and deep understanding of American foreign policy as the Senate convened to confirm his nomination. The Senate Majority Leader, John Thune, expressed the expectation of swift voting on Trump's nominees, with other picks like John Ratcliffe for CIA director also anticipated to have a quick confirmation.
Despite initial skepticism and opposition, Trump's outsider Cabinet choices are falling into place with the Republican Party controlling majorities in Congress. Democrats have chosen to work with Trump on certain nominees, reserving their opposition for picks like Tulsi Gabbard and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who face less support.
Rubio, a well-liked senator and former Trump rival, has been actively involved in foreign affairs, particularly in South America. As the first Latino to hold the position of secretary of state, Rubio is expected to win bipartisan support for his hawkish stance on China's rise and his internationalist approach to diplomacy.
The Senate committees have been conducting thorough confirmation hearings on Cabinet nominees, with several panels expected to advance the nominations for full Senate confirmation. Rubio's nomination has been advanced by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, while Hegseth and Ratcliffe's nominations have been approved by the Senate Armed Services Committee and Senate Intelligence Committee, respectively.
As Rubio prepares to take on the role of the nation's top diplomat, he aims to continue Biden's policies in the Middle East and support Ukraine in countering Russian aggression. With the Senate split 53-47, Republicans need near-unanimous support to overcome Democratic opposition to nominees, a challenge that may delay voting on certain choices later in the week.
