Marco Rubio has been confirmed as the new U.S. Secretary of State following a unanimous 99-0 vote by the Senate. This historic confirmation took place shortly after President Trump was sworn into office on January 20, making Rubio the highest-ranking Hispanic American official in U.S. history.
Rubio attributes his success to his parents' decision to immigrate from Cuba in 1956, which he says granted him "the privilege to be born a citizen of the greatest nation in the history of the world." His father worked as a banquet bartender, and his mother was employed as a hotel maid and stay-at-home mother.
During his confirmation hearing on January 15 before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Rubio emphasized his commitment to prioritizing America's core national interests. He stated, “Under President Trump, the top priority of the United States Department of State will be the United States.” He further explained that every policy pursued must answer whether it makes America safer, stronger, or more prosperous.
Before his nomination by President Trump, Rubio was serving his third term as a U.S. Senator for Florida since 2011. He played an influential role in foreign policy as part of both the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and as vice chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. Throughout his tenure, he traveled extensively to promote U.S. foreign policy priorities.
Rubio co-authored significant bipartisan legislation concerning China and advocated for accountability regarding human rights abuses against Uyghurs and in Hong Kong. He also influenced U.S. policy toward Latin America by sponsoring sanctions against human rights violators in Venezuela and members of Cuba's regime.
In addition to these efforts, Rubio led bipartisan initiatives reauthorizing the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom.
Prior to serving in Congress, Rubio held positions as a city commissioner in West Miami and speaker of Florida’s House of Representatives. He holds degrees from both the University of Florida and University of Miami School of Law and resides with his wife Jeanette and their four children.