The U.S. Senate confirmed Marco Rubio as Secretary of State, marking President Trump’s first Cabinet appointment of his second term.
On Monday, the U.S. Senate unanimously confirmed Republican Senator Marco Rubio as Secretary of State, marking a significant moment in President Donald Trump’s second term. The confirmation vote was 99-0, following a smooth confirmation hearing for Rubio, a long-term member of the Senate Foreign Relations and Intelligence Committees.
Marco Rubio’s confirmation makes him the first of President Trump’s Cabinet nominees to be approved by the Senate. The vote came just hours after Trump was sworn in for a second term as President of the United States.
At 53 years old, Rubio is known for his strong stance on China and unwavering support for Israel. The son of Cuban immigrants, Rubio has been vocal about reducing U.S. reliance on China and has advocated for tougher measures against the Communist-ruled island, as well as Venezuela, particularly in relation to its government under President Nicolás Maduro.
In his confirmation hearing, Rubio emphasized the need for a U.S. foreign policy focused on American interests. He warned that the U.S. must change course to avoid further dependence on China.
During his testimony, Rubio also addressed the ongoing war in Ukraine. He proposed that an agreement to halt the conflict would require concessions from both Russia and Ukraine, including Ukraine’s potential sacrifice of its goal to reclaim all territory lost to Russia in the last decade.
Rubio is the first person of Hispanic origin to serve as the nation's top diplomat, making history in this prominent role.Additional votes on Trump’s nominees are expected this week, as the administration continues to move forward with its appointments.
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