[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 11 (Monday, January 20, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Page S251]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                       Nomination of Marco Rubio

  Mr. SCHUMER. Well, tonight, the Senate will vote on the confirmation 
of Senator Rubio to serve as the next Secretary of State.
  Democrats have been very clear about our approach to President 
Trump's nominees. We will neither rubberstamp nominees we feel are 
grossly unqualified, nor will we reflexively oppose nominees that 
deserve serious consideration.
  Senator Rubio is an example of a qualified nominee we think should be 
confirmed quickly. Earlier today, he was unanimously reported out of 
committee with full support from Democrats, and he should be quickly 
confirmed here on the floor.
  So today, I will vote yes on Senator Rubio. While I certainly do not 
agree with many of Senator Rubio's positions, in this instance, it is 
important for the new administration to have a Senate-confirmed 
Secretary of State as soon as possible. So I will vote yes.
  Republicans did the same with Secretary Clinton during the first 
Obama administration. It was appropriate then; it is appropriate now.
  I will vote yes.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Idaho.
  Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, it is an honor to be here today to ask the 
Senate to confirm President Trump's first appointment, that being our 
colleague Marco Rubio to be the 72nd Secretary of State of this great 
country.
  His nomination was voted positively and unanimously out of the 
Foreign Relations Committee just moments ago, actually.
  Sixteen years ago, I came here and sat down on the Foreign Relations 
Committee. I took a seat at the very end. That afternoon, I got on the 
Intelligence Committee, took a seat at the very end. Two years later, 
Marco came in and sat next to me. During that period of time, he and I 
have worked together a tremendous number of hours on many issues.
  We are in a time when America faces threats from nearly every corner 
of the world. It is no secret that hostile powers, from China, to 
Russia, to North Korea, to Iran, have formed an authoritarian axis bent 
on weakening the United States. We need a principled, action-oriented 
chief diplomat like Marco Rubio to take them on.
  Our challenges in the foreign relations lane and the national 
security lane are enormous and complicated. I can't think of another 
person better equipped to tackle these issues than our colleague Marco 
Rubio.
  I would encourage anyone who wants a clear understanding of U.S. 
foreign policy to look at and watch the recording of Marco's 
performance before the Foreign Relations Committee last week. I would 
say to you, his performance was flawless.
  Marco's qualifications and ability to stand in the shoes of Thomas 
Jefferson, our first Secretary of State, and the 70 who followed him--
Marco's qualifications are unchallengeable.
  I urge you all to join me in voting for Marco Rubio.
  (Applause.)
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from New Hampshire.
  Mrs. SHAHEEN. Mr. President, the position of Secretary of State is 
one of the most important in our entire government. Given the 
uncertainty around the globe right now, it is in America's interests 
not to skip a beat and to fill this role immediately. That is why I am 
pleased that the Foreign Relations Committee has not only moved quickly 
today to hold a business meeting but we unanimously confirmed Senator 
Rubio's nomination.
  I have had a good working relationship with Senator Rubio for many 
years, and I was very impressed at his hearing by his grasp of policy. 
While we may not always agree, I believe he has the skills, knowledge, 
and qualifications to be Secretary of State. So I intend to vote in 
favor of Marco Rubio to be Secretary of State, and I urge my colleagues 
to do the same.