Marco Rubio is confirmed by the Senate as the next secretary of state, making him the first Trump cabinet member to be approved.

The Senate unanimously confirmed Florida Sen. Marco Rubio as the next secretary of state, making him the first of President Trump's Cabinet picks to receive congressional approval.

Rubio was confirmed by the full Senate Monday night, several hours after Trump's oath of office, following a unanimous vote by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in favor of his nomination.

As a first-generation Cuban American and a longtime member of the Senate's Foreign Relations and Intelligence Committees, Rubio brings a strong foreign policy background to his new role as secretary of state.

Rubio's confirmation as the next secretary of state has been less contentious than many of Trump's other Cabinet picks.

""Sen. Rubio has a strong grasp of policy, and I believe he has the necessary skills, knowledge, and qualifications to be secretary of state," Shaheen said Monday evening."

During his first confirmation hearing last week, Rubio stated that under Trump, the State Department's top priority will be to put America first.

"Rubio stated that it will not be easy, and it will be impossible without a strong and confident America that engages in the world, prioritizing its core national interests above all else."

In his new role, Rubio will encounter significant obstacles, including the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine and the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

During his confirmation hearing last week, Rubio characterized the conflict between Ukraine and Russia as a "stalemate" that "must end." He stated that under Trump's proposed peace deal, both countries would have to make "concessions." Additionally, despite Trump's past criticisms of NATO, Rubio considered the alliance "very important" and emphasized that Trump was also a NATO supporter.

Rubio backed Israel's efforts to safeguard itself against Hamas in Gaza but did not explicitly state whether he endorsed Israel's annexation of parts of the West Bank.

"Unfortunately, the conditions necessary for people to live peacefully and pursue prosperity have not been present for a significant period of time, as Rubio stated."

During his speech to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Rubio repeatedly criticized China for taking advantage of the benefits of the global order while ignoring its obligations and responsibilities. He accused China of lying, cheating, hacking, and stealing their way to global superpower status at the expense of others.

Despite facing little opposition during his confirmation, some Trump-aligned Republicans have criticized Rubio's decision to certify the 2020 election results, which Trump claimed were stolen from him. Additionally, Sen. Rand Paul, a supporter of reduced U.S. intervention, questioned Rubio's hawkish stance on American intervention during his confirmation to be secretary of state.