Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (In poor health.) on Monday introduced that he’ll vote for Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) to turn into the following secretary of State, an indication that Rubio is on a path to be confirmed on President-elect Trump’s first day of workplace with overwhelming assist.
“I believe Senator Rubio has a thorough understanding of the United States’ role on an international scale, has served with honor on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and is a good choice to lead the State Department. I plan to vote yes on his nomination when it comes before the Senate,” Durbin mentioned in an announcement.
Durbin famous that he and Rubio “share many similar views on foreign policy” and have “worked closely together” to advance human rights around the globe, counter the risk posed by China and reply to the “sham election” in Venezuela.
“We also jointly called for the release of Uyghur political prisoner Gulshan Abbas and accountability for the death of Cuban democracy activist Oswaldo Payá,” he mentioned.
Durbin mentioned he reiterated to Rubio the necessity to assist Ukraine and strengthen the NATO alliance, and he raised considerations about Russian aggression towards the Baltic states and different European international locations.
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (N.H.), the top-ranking Democrat on the International Relations Committee, predicted that Rubio would doubtless get a robust bipartisan vote subsequent week.
And she or he mentioned Rubio might come to the ground shortly, probably even on Trump’s first day in workplace.
“We’re done this before,” she mentioned, noting that the Senate shortly confirmed then-Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) when former President Obama nominated her to function secretary of State.
“There’s precedent to suggest we want to be cooperative,” she added.
Requested if Rubio would get numerous votes, she replied: “I would think.”
