Rubio defended the administration’s decisions to his former colleagues during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, his first since being confirmed on President Donald Trump’s Inauguration Day.
Risch also noted what he jokingly called “modest disagreement” with Democratic lawmakers, who used Tuesday’s hearing to confront Rubio about Trump administration moves.
Ranking Democratic member Jeanne Shaheen argued that the Trump administration has “eviscerated six decades of foreign-policy investments” and given China openings around the world.
“You get a whole lot of friends for not much money.” Rubio says the US is encouraging but not threatening Israel on Gaza aid Rubio told the Appropriations Committee that the Trump administration is encouraging but not threatening Israel to resume humanitarian aid shipments into Gaza.
In one tense exchange, Kaine pressed Rubio to say whether there should be a different refugee policy based on skin color.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic senators and Secretary of State Marco Rubio argued Tuesday about the Trump administration’s foreign policy, which includes the Middle East, Latin America, Russia, Ukraine, and the slashing of the U.S. A. Budget for foreign aid and admissions of refugees.
At a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, Rubio made his first appearance since being confirmed on President Donald Trump’s Inauguration Day, defending the administration’s choices to his former colleagues.
Despite the fact that many of the foreign policy accomplishments from the past four months are still incredibly ambiguous, he declared that “America is back.”. The restart of nuclear negotiations with Iran, attempts to engage Russia and Ukraine in peace negotiations, and attempts to put an end to Israel and Hamas’ conflict in Gaza are a few of these.
According to the United States’ top diplomat, “secure borders, safe communities, and zero tolerance for criminal cartels are once again the guiding principles of our foreign policy.” He praised agreements with El Salvador and other Latin American nations to accept migrant deportees. “.”.
Additionally, he denied claims that drastic budget cuts to his department would harm America’s reputation overseas. Rather, he claimed that the cuts would benefit the U.S. S. reputation on a global scale.
Hearing starts off lightheartedly before becoming serious.
The hearing began with Committee Chairman Jim Risch praising Trump’s reforms and spending cuts and applauding what he described as the administration’s promising nuclear negotiations with Iran.
Risch also mentioned his joking “modest disagreement” with Democratic lawmakers, who confronted Rubio about Trump administration actions during Tuesday’s hearing.
According to ranking Democrat Jeanne Shaheen, the Trump administration has “eviscerated six decades of foreign-policy investments” and provided China with opportunities globally.
The senator from New Hampshire urged him to confront the administration’s radicals.
The administration was criticized by other Democrats for suspending the refugee admissions program, especially while permitting South African white Afrikaners to enter the nation.
Republicans Susan Collins and Mitch McConnell, the former Senate leader, also issued dire warnings about severe cuts to foreign aid. They voiced their worries that the U. A. is being outwitted by its competitors on a global scale following the termination of thousands of aid initiatives.
Later in the day, McConnell told Rubio at a second hearing before the Senate Appropriations Committee that “the fundamental functions that soft power provides are extremely important.”. For very little money, you can make a lot of friends. “”.
According to Rubio, the US is supporting Israel’s aid efforts in Gaza without posing a threat.
“The Trump administration is encouraging but not threatening Israel to resume humanitarian aid shipments into Gaza,” Rubio told the Appropriations Committee.
The U, he said. S. . is not doing what a number of European nations have done, which is to impose sanctions or threaten action against Israel in response to the lack of aid reaching Palestinians who are in need. Nevertheless, he said U. A. Aid for Gaza’s civilians suffering during Israel’s military campaign against Hamas is desperately needed, officials have emphasized in talks with the Israelis.
The United States said, “We’re not ready to respond the way these countries have.”. S. . has discussed “the need to resume humanitarian aid” with Israel in recent days, according to Rubio. Over the coming days and weeks, we expect those flows to rise; it’s critical that this be accomplished. “”.
Additionally, Rubio stated that any Palestinian departure would be “voluntary,” even though he acknowledged that the administration was contacting foreign governments about removing large numbers of civilians from Gaza. “”.
Rubio stated, “There is no deportation.”. “As a bridge to reconstruction, rather than as a long-term solution, we have asked countries in Gaza if they will be willing to accept people.”.
Sen. Merkley, Jeff, D-Ore. denounced it as a “forced migration strategy.”. “”.
According to Rubio, the administration has continued its efforts to mediate a ceasefire in Gaza and advance stability in Syria in the Middle East.
He emphasized how crucial U is. S. engagement with Syria, stating that if not, he worries that the country’s interim government may be just weeks or months away from a “potential collapse and a full-scale civil war of epic proportions.”. “”.
Trump’s promise to remove the sanctions imposed on Syria’s new transitional government—headed by a former militant leader who spearheaded the overthrow of Bashar Assad, the country’s long-standing authoritarian leader, late last year—was the subject of Rubio’s remarks. The U. S. Under Assad, sanctions were enforced.
Senators and Rubio disagree about the entry of white South Africans.
In two particularly heated discussions, Kaine and Van Hollen demanded explanations for the decision to halt the admission of refugees in general but to exempt Afrikaners on the grounds of “specious” allegations that the South African government had discriminated against them severely. Rubio refused to back down.
During one heated discussion, Kaine asked Rubio if a different refugee policy should be implemented based on skin color.
Rubio declared, “I’m not the one arguing that.”. You don’t like that they’re white, so it seems like you are. “”.
He asserted that the United States has the authority to decide who is permitted entry into the country. “We will give preference to a subset of people if they are easier to screen and we have a better idea of who they are and what they will be doing here. “.”.
“Millions and millions of people around the world, there are a lot of sad stories,” he continued. It’s devastating, but we can’t assume that millions and millions of people worldwide will do this. No nation is able to. “”.
