The Senate voted unanimously to confirm Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) as secretary of state on Monday, delivering President Donald Trump the first member of his Cabinet just hours after he was sworn in for a second term.
The chamber voted for Rubio 99-0, underscoring the bipartisan support he enjoys in a chamber he has served in since 2011. The confirmation came as Senate Republicans prioritize Trump’s national security appointments.
Other nominees who could receive a floor vote in the coming days include John Ratcliffe to lead the Central Intelligence Agency, Gov. Kristi Noem (R-SD) as homeland security secretary, and Pete Hegseth as defense secretary. In committee votes Monday, Ratcliffe advanced 14-3, while Hegseth was approved along party lines 14-13.
The Senate Homeland Security Committee held a meeting for Noem shortly before Rubio’s confirmation vote, advancing her nomination 13-2.
Rubio’s confirmation followed an early legislative win for Trump in the Senate with passage of the bipartisan Laken Riley Act, the start of Republicans’ crackdown on illegal immigration. The measure now goes back to the House for final approval before heading to Trump’s desk for his signature.
In a joint statement, the top Republican and Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee offered bipartisan praise of Rubio. He was advanced unanimously from the panel just hours earlier.
DEMOCRATS WARM UP TO SOME OF TRUMP’S CABINET NOMINEES DESPITE CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING OTHERS
“The national security of the United States is this committee’s primary focus — and it is to the benefit of our country to have steady leadership in place as soon as possible,” Chairman Jim Risch (R-ID) and ranking member Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) said. “We believe that Sen. Rubio has the skills, knowledge, and experience to lead the department, and his unanimous vote in committee reflects that.”
Rubio succeeds President Joe Biden’s secretary of state, Antony Blinken. When Biden first assumed office in 2021, he got one official confirmed on his first day: Avril Haines to lead the intelligence agencies.
Last week, former Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody was tapped by Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) to fill Rubio’s Senate seat until a 2026 special election, a selection that could create a bitter primary battle due to her endorsement of DeSantis in the 2024 presidential race.
David Sivak contributed to this report.
