WASHINGTON (AP) 鈥� The Senate quickly confirmed as secretary of state Monday, voting unanimously to give President Donald Trump the first member of his new Cabinet on .
Rubio, the Republican senator from Florida, is among the least controversial of and vote was decisive, 99-0. Another pick, for CIA director, is also expected to have a swift vote. Action on others, including former combat veteran and Fox News host for defense secretary, is expected later in the week.
鈥淢arco Rubio is a very intelligent man with a remarkable understanding of American foreign policy,鈥� Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, the senior-most Republican, said as the chamber opened.
It鈥檚 often tradition for the Senate to convene immediately after the ceremonial pomp of the inauguration to begin putting the new president鈥檚 team in place, particularly the national security officials. During Trump鈥檚 first term, the Senate swiftly confirmed his defense and homeland security secretaries on day one, and President Joe Biden鈥檚 choice for director of national intelligence was confirmed on his own Inauguration Day.
With Trump鈥檚 return to the White House, and his Republican Party controlling majorities in Congress, his are more clearly falling into place, despite initial skepticism and opposition from both sides of the aisle.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune moved quickly Monday, saying he expected voting to begin 鈥渋mminently鈥� on Trump鈥檚 nominees.
Democrats have calculated it's better for them to be seen as more willing to work with Trump, rather than simply mounting a blockade to his nominees. They're holding their opposition for some of his other picks who have less support, including Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence and vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for health secretary.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said his party will 鈥渘either rubber-stamp nominees we feel are grossly unqualified, nor oppose nominees that deserve serious consideration.鈥�
Rubio, he said, is an example of "a qualified nominee we think should be confirmed quickly."
Senate committees have been holding lengthy on more than a dozen of the Cabinet nominees, with more to come this week. And several panels are expected to meet late Monday to begin voting to advance the nominees to the full Senate for confirmation.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee advanced Rubio's nomination late Monday. The Senate Armed Services Committee and Senate Intelligence Committee, respectively, advanced the nominations of Hegseth and Ratcliffe.
Rubio, a well-liked senator and former Trump rival during the 2016 presidential race, has drawn closer to the president in recent years. He appeared last week to answer questions before the Foreign Relations Committee, where he has spent more than a decade as a member.
As secretary of state, Rubio would be the nation鈥檚 top diplomat, and the first Latino to hold the position. Born in Miami to Cuban immigrants, he has long been involved in foreign affairs, particularly in South America, and has emerged as a hawk on China鈥檚 rise.
During his confirmation hearing last week, Rubio of America鈥檚 鈥渦nbalanced relationship鈥� with China. While he echoes Trump鈥檚 anti-globalist rhetoric, Rubio is also seen as an internationalist who understands the power of U.S. involvement on the global stage.
Rubio is likely to win bipartisan support from both Republicans and Democrats. He would take over for outgoing Secretary of State , who has said he hopes the Trump administration continues Biden's policies in the Middle East to end the war in Gaza and to help Ukraine counter Russian nomination.
The Senate is split 53-47, but the resignation of Vice President JD Vance drops the GOP majority to 52 until his successor arrives. Republicans need almost all every party member in line to overcome Democratic opposition to nominees.
Objection from any one senator, as is expected with Hegseth and several other choices, would force the Senate into procedural steps that would drag voting later into the week.
Lisa Mascaro, The Associated Press
