2 weeks ago
12
You have a preview view of this article while we are checking your access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will load.
Mr. Rubio expressed views aligned with those of most senators who work on foreign policy, while taking care not to break from Donald J. Trump’s unorthodox ideas.
Video
transcript
transcript
Marco Rubio Faces Senate Committee Hearing
Senator Marco Rubio received a relatively friendly welcome from both sides at his confirmation hearing for secretary of state.
And let me just say, it’s a bit surreal to be on this side of the room. [Inaudible] Nicaragua [inaudible] Venezuela. “Back door.” I get bilingual protesters. The Chinese believe that the United States are a great power in inevitable decline, and that they are in inevitable rise. Now they’re going to be — they already are — they’re going to be a rich and powerful country, and we’re going to have to deal with them. The danger is that because of our own actions, in many cases, a dangerous imbalance has built up in that relationship. Conflicts of this nature that have historical underpinnings to it are going to require a lot of hard diplomacy and tough work. But that’s something that needs to happen. This conflict needs to end. Thank you. God bless you. We wish you well. Committee is adjourned.
- Jan. 15, 2025Updated 8:21 p.m. ET
Marco Rubio, the Republican senator from Florida named by Donald J. Trump to be the next secretary of state, was warmly welcomed by senators from both parties at his confirmation hearing on Wednesday. He has served for years on the Foreign Relations and Intelligence Committees in the Senate, and is known as a lawmaker devoted to the details of foreign policy.
“I believe you have the skills and are well qualified to serve as secretary of state,” Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Democrat of Hampshire, said in her opening remarks.
The notable lack of tension at the hearing indicated that Mr. Rubio would almost certainly be confirmed quickly.
Republican and Democratic senators agree on the biggest U.S. challenges.
From the lines of questioning, it was clear what senators want Mr. Rubio and the Trump administration to focus on: China, Russia, North Korea and Iran. Mr. Rubio himself pointed to those four powers — what some call an “axis” — in his opening remarks.
They “sow chaos and instability and align with and fund radical terror groups, then hide behind their veto power at the United Nations and the threat of nuclear war,” he said. As permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, China and Russia have veto power over U.N. resolutions.
Mr. Rubio repeatedly singled out the Chinese Communist Party for criticism, and, unlike Mr. Trump, he had no praise for any of the autocrats running those nations.
