Marco Rubio to face senators at affirmation listening to for secretary of state at this time

Washington — Sen. Marco Rubio, President-elect Donald Trump’s choose to guide the State Division as secretary of state, will face questions from his Senate colleagues on Wednesday morning in what is anticipated to be one of many least contentious affirmation hearings this week. 

Rubio, who has in depth international coverage expertise, is more likely to sail via the affirmation course of to turn into the nation’s high diplomat. Questioning, nevertheless, might get awkward if Democrats emphasize his potential international coverage variations with Trump, his former rival whom he now has to defend. 

“Finally, below President Trump, the highest precedence of the USA Division of State have to be and will likely be the USA,” Rubio is anticipated to say, in accordance with excerpts of his ready remarks. The listening to earlier than the Senate International Relations Committee is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. and may be watched stay within the participant above.

The senator has taken hard-line positions on China, Iran, Venezuela and Cuba. Within the Senate, he has been among the many most outspoken on China, saying the nation is the “risk that may outline this century.” Members of each events have since adopted his positions on China. 

In addition to warning in regards to the nationwide safety dangers, Rubio has additionally sought to carry China accountable for human rights abuses. In 2020, Beijing responded to Rubio’s criticisms by banning him from the nation. It is unclear what is going to turn into of that ban as soon as he takes workplace and is tasked with finishing up Trump’s international coverage targets. 

Rubio will take goal at China in the course of the listening to, in accordance with the excerpts. He’ll say the Chinese language authorities has “lied, cheated, hacked and stolen their option to world superpower standing, at our expense.” 

Rubio will inherit the place going through quite a few world challenges, together with Russia’s conflict in Ukraine, persistent violence within the Center East, China’s aggression in opposition to Taiwan and its tense relationship with the U.S. Trump has additionally urged utilizing army drive or coercion to realize management of Greenland and the Panama Canal. He is floated annexing Canada because the 51st state and has threatened commerce wars with U.S. allies. 

Rubio will even fault the post-Chilly Warfare world order as “out of date” and say that it’s “a weapon getting used in opposition to us.” 

“Whereas America far too usually continued to prioritize the ‘world order’ above our core nationwide pursuits, different nations continued to behave the way in which international locations at all times have and at all times will, in what they understand to be of their greatest curiosity,” Rubio plans to say. “And as an alternative of folding into the post-Chilly Warfare world order, they’ve manipulated it to serve their curiosity on the expense of ours.” 

Who’s Marco Rubio? 

Rubio, 53, was born in Miami to Cuban immigrants who arrived within the U.S. in Might 1956. His father was a banquet bartender and his mom labored as a lodge maid. In accordance with his Senate web site, Rubio “was drawn to public service largely due to his grandfather, who noticed his homeland destroyed by communism.” 

Rubio’s lengthy political profession started when he served as metropolis commissioner in West Miami after he earned levels from the College of Florida and the College of Miami Legislation College. He was elected to the Florida Home of Representatives in 2000, the place he served till 2008, together with two years as speaker. 

The Florida Republican was first elected to the Senate in 2010 and gained his third six-year time period in 2022. He has served on each the Senate International Relations Committee and as vice chair on the Senate Intelligence Committee. 

Rubio was amongst a crowded area of GOP candidates working for president in 2016. He ended his marketing campaign after dropping the first to Trump in his house state of Florida. The 2 verbally sparred in the course of the marketing campaign, with Rubio calling Trump “a con artist” who was hijacking the Republican Occasion and “essentially the most vulgar particular person” to ever run for president. Trump sought to decrease his rival by nicknaming him “Little Marco.” 

Nonetheless, Rubio endorsed Trump for president after dropping out of the race and two shaped a realistic relationship within the years since. Trump eyed Rubio as a doable working mate within the 2024 race, however settled on Sen. JD Vance of Ohio as an alternative. 

watch Marco Rubio’s affirmation listening to 

CBS Information will likely be streaming Rubio’s affirmation listening to within the participant above starting at 10 a.m. ET on Wednesday.

Does Marco Rubio have the votes to be confirmed? 

Rubio is all however sure to be confirmed with bipartisan help. Numerous Senate Democrats have praised Trump’s alternative and have pledged to help his nomination on the ground, giving him many greater than the 50 votes he wants for affirmation, barring one thing unexpected. 

Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, who met with Rubio on Monday, known as the Florida Republican “a sensible choice” and stated he “has an intensive understanding of the USA’ position on a global scale.” 

“I plan to vote sure on his nomination when it comes earlier than the Senate,” Durbin, a high Senate Democrat, stated in a press release.