mentioned Senator Jim Risch, the committee’s Republican chairman.
“I consider you may have the abilities and are effectively certified to function Secretary of State,” Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the highest overseas relations Democrat, mentioned.
Rubio is one among Congress’ main advocates for robust insurance policies to compete with China. His help for Hong Kong democracy protesters earned him Chinese language sanctions in 2020, which means he may very well be the primary secretary of state underneath energetic Chinese language journey restrictions.
On the listening to, Rubio mentioned Washington should step up its efforts to compete with Beijing and slammed its authorities on human rights.
“If we do not change course, we’re going to stay in a world the place a lot of what issues to us each day from our safety to our well being will likely be depending on whether or not the Chinese language permit us to have it or not,” Rubio mentioned.
Another Trump nominees have confronted robust criticism, with even some Republicans saying they wished extra details about former Fox Information host Pete Hegseth, tapped for secretary of defence, and former Consultant Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s alternative for director of nationwide intelligence.