The Senate has confirmed Marco Rubio as secretary of state, marking President Donald Trump's first Cabinet appointment on Inauguration Day, reports AP.

On Monday, the Senate unanimously approved Rubio’s nomination with a decisive 99-0 vote. A Republican senator from Florida, Rubio is considered one of Trump’s least contentious choices. Another nominee, John Ratcliffe, for CIA director, is expected to face a swift vote as early as Tuesday, while votes on other nominees, including Pete Hegseth for defense secretary, may occur later in the week.

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“Marco Rubio is a very intelligent man with a remarkable understanding of American foreign policy,” said Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, the Senate’s senior Republican, as proceedings began.

It is traditional for the Senate to convene shortly after a presidential inauguration to confirm key national security appointments. During Trump’s first term, defense and homeland security secretaries were confirmed on day one, and President Joe Biden’s director of national intelligence was similarly confirmed on his inauguration day.

With Trump returning to the White House and Republicans holding a congressional majority, his Cabinet nominees are progressing despite initial bipartisan skepticism.

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After his confirmation, Rubio expressed gratitude and readiness. “It’s an important job in an important time, and I’m honoured by it,” he said, surrounded by colleagues in the Senate chamber.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune announced plans to expedite votes on Trump’s Cabinet picks, stating that voting would begin “imminently.” Democrats, while opposing some of Trump’s more controversial nominees, have opted to support qualified candidates like Rubio. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer remarked that Democrats would not “rubber-stamp” unqualified nominees but would support those deserving of serious consideration, citing Rubio as one such example.

Rubio’s nomination was unanimously advanced by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee late Monday, while other committees approved nominees like Hegseth, Ratcliffe, Kristi Noem for homeland security secretary, and Russell Vought for director of the Office of Management and Budget, though some faced opposition.

Rubio, a seasoned senator and former Trump rival in the 2016 presidential race, has cultivated a closer relationship with Trump in recent years. As secretary of state, he becomes the first Latino to hold the position, taking over from outgoing Secretary Antony Blinken. Born in Miami to Cuban immigrants, Rubio has a strong background in foreign affairs, particularly in South America, and is known for his firm stance on China.

During his confirmation hearing, Rubio highlighted concerns over the U.S.’s “unbalanced relationship” with China. While aligned with Trump’s anti-globalist rhetoric, Rubio also recognises the importance of U.S. engagement on the global stage, earning him bipartisan support.

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The Senate’s 53-47 split, which is temporarily reduced due to recent resignations, necessitates near-unanimous Republican support to advance nominees. Procedural delays are expected with some, including Hegseth, potentially extending votes into later in the week.