Senator Marco Rubio warned of China’s growing threat, and he backed NATO but said Europe needed to do more to help protect itself. His friendly, five-hour confirmation hearing seemed to all but guarantee he would be the next secretary of state.

Florida Senator Marco Rubio appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee today as the nominee for Secretary of State in President-elect Donald Trump’s administration, delivering an impassioned opening statement that outlined his vision for the nation’s foreign policy.

Marco Rubio has been confirmed as secretary of state in a unanimous Senate vote, becoming the first Latino to hold the position.