The US Senate on Monday unanimously confirmed Republican Senator Marco Rubio, a China hawk and staunch backer of Israel, as President Donald Trump's secretary of state.
The Senate backed Rubio by a vote of 99-0, days after the long-term member of the Senate foreign relations and intelligence committees sailed through his friendly confirmation hearing, reports Reuters.
Rubio became the first of Trump's cabinet nominees to be confirmed by the Senate, just hours after the president was sworn in for a second White House term.
Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Monday advanced Rubio’s nomination before senators approved it by a 99-0 vote margin.
The promotion of LGBTQ and intersex rights abroad was a cornerstone of the Biden-Harris administration’s foreign policy.
Rubio in 2022 defended Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” law that Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed.
The Florida Republican that year also voted against the Respect for Marriage Act that passed with bipartisan support.
Rubio during his 15 Jan confirmation hearing did not speak about LGBTQ rights.