What to remember from Marco Rubio’s Senate hearing

Marco Rubio, the Republican senator from Florida nominated by Donald J. Trump to be the next secretary of state, was warmly received by senators from both parties at his confirmation hearing Wednesday. He served for years on the Senate Foreign Relations and Intelligence committees and is known as a lawmaker devoted to the details of foreign policy.

“I believe you have the skills and you are well qualified to serve as secretary of state,” Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, Democrat of Hampshire, said in her opening remarks.

The notable lack of tension during the hearing indicated that Mr. Rubio would almost certainly be confirmed quickly.

Republican and Democratic senators agree on America’s biggest challenges.

From the questions asked, it was clear what senators wanted Mr. Rubio and the Trump administration to focus on: China, Russia, North Korea and Iran. Mr. Rubio himself highlighted these four powers – what some call an “axis” – in his opening remarks.

They “sow chaos and instability, align with and finance radical terrorist groups, then hide behind their veto power at the United Nations and the threat of nuclear war,” he said. As permanent members of the UN Security Council, China and Russia have veto power over UN resolutions.

Mr. Rubio has repeatedly criticized the Chinese Communist Party and, unlike Mr. Trump, he has not praised any of the autocrats who rule those countries.