Marco Rubio has been confirmed as the new U.S. Secretary of State, following a unanimous 99-0 vote by the Senate on January 20, shortly after President Trump took office. This makes Rubio the highest-ranking Hispanic American official in U.S. history. He attributes his success to his parents' decision to immigrate from Cuba in 1956, stating it gave him "the privilege to be born a citizen of the greatest nation in the history of the world."
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,” highlighting that all foreign policy actions must answer whether they make America safer, stronger, or more prosperous.
Before his appointment as Secretary of State, Rubio was serving his third term as a U.S. Senator representing Florida since 2011 and was known for being an influential voice in foreign policy. As a senior member of both the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and vice chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, he played significant roles in legislation concerning China and Latin America.
Rubio's legislative efforts include holding China accountable for human rights abuses against Uyghurs and in Hong Kong and imposing sanctions on human rights abusers in Venezuela and members of Cuba's regime. He also led bipartisan efforts to reauthorize the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom.
His political career began as a city commissioner in West Miami and later as speaker of Florida’s House of Representatives. Marco Rubio holds degrees from both the University of Florida and University of Miami School of Law.
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