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AP PHOTOS: Indians celebrate the birthday of elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha

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AP PHOTOS: Indians celebrate the birthday of elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha
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AP PHOTOS: Indians celebrate the birthday of elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha

2024-09-10 13:21 Last Updated At:13:31

MUMBAI, India (AP) — A large idol of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha sat in the back of an open truck traveling along a busy Mumbai street, dwarfing other objects on the road. Hundreds of devotees walked alongside singing hymns glorifying the god, believed to be the remover of obstacles and the granter of wishes.

The devotees took the idol to their small but densely populated neighborhood, where they and others will worship it for 10 days. Many will whisper their wishes in Lord Ganesha’s ear and present him offerings of his favorite sweets made with coconut and jaggery called modak.

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A devotee carries an idol of elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha on his head to immerse in the Arabian Sea, during the ten days long Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

A devotee carries an idol of elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha on his head to immerse in the Arabian Sea, during the ten days long Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Devotees react as they watch the immersion of an idol of elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha in the Arabian Sea, during the ten days long Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Devotees react as they watch the immersion of an idol of elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha in the Arabian Sea, during the ten days long Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

A devotee carries an idol of elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha on his head for immersion in the Arabian Sea, during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

A devotee carries an idol of elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha on his head for immersion in the Arabian Sea, during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Kunal Patil, along with his family and relatives offer prayers to an eco-friendly idol of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha at his residence during Ganesh Chaturthi festival celebrations in Mumbai, India, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Kunal Patil, along with his family and relatives offer prayers to an eco-friendly idol of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha at his residence during Ganesh Chaturthi festival celebrations in Mumbai, India, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Flowers, incense sticks and a coconut are kept as offerings at the feet an idol of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Flowers, incense sticks and a coconut are kept as offerings at the feet an idol of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Devotees light firecrackers as an idol of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesh is transported to a place of worship during the Ganesh Chaturti festival in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Devotees light firecrackers as an idol of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesh is transported to a place of worship during the Ganesh Chaturti festival in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

An Idol of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesh is transported through a street to a place of worship for the Ganesh Chaturti festival in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

An Idol of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesh is transported through a street to a place of worship for the Ganesh Chaturti festival in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

A family carries an idol of elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha to home for worship during Ganesh Chaturthi festival celebrations in Mumbai, India, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

A family carries an idol of elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha to home for worship during Ganesh Chaturthi festival celebrations in Mumbai, India, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

A devotee wears a t-shirt with the picture elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha during Ganesh Chaturthi festival celebrations in Mumbai, India, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

A devotee wears a t-shirt with the picture elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha during Ganesh Chaturthi festival celebrations in Mumbai, India, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

A devotee carries an idol of elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha to home on a motorcycle for worship during Ganesh Chaturthi festival celebrations in Mumbai, India, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

A devotee carries an idol of elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha to home on a motorcycle for worship during Ganesh Chaturthi festival celebrations in Mumbai, India, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Idols of elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha are displayed for sale at a shop during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival celebrations in Mumbai, India, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Idols of elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha are displayed for sale at a shop during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival celebrations in Mumbai, India, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

People crowd a market as they shop for Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

People crowd a market as they shop for Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

An idol of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesh is transported through a street to a place of worship ahead of the Ganesh Chaturti festival in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

An idol of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesh is transported through a street to a place of worship ahead of the Ganesh Chaturti festival in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

A scooterist drives past a workshop for idols of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesh ahead of Ganesh Chaturti festival in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

A scooterist drives past a workshop for idols of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesh ahead of Ganesh Chaturti festival in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Devotees offers prayers to Idols of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesh before they are transported to a place of worship during the Ganesh Chaturti festival in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Devotees offers prayers to Idols of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesh before they are transported to a place of worship during the Ganesh Chaturti festival in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

A worker takes a nap next to idols of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha inside a workshop ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

A worker takes a nap next to idols of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha inside a workshop ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

An artist applies finishing touches to an idol of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha inside a workshop ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai , India, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

An artist applies finishing touches to an idol of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha inside a workshop ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai , India, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

An artist works on an idol of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha inside a workshop for Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai , India, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

An artist works on an idol of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha inside a workshop for Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai , India, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Workers complete an idol of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha inside a workshop ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Workers complete an idol of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha inside a workshop ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Workers work on an idol of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha inside a workshop ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Workers work on an idol of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha inside a workshop ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

An artist works on an idol of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha inside a workshop ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

An artist works on an idol of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha inside a workshop ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

At the end of the festival known as Ganesh Chaturthi, devotees will then transport the idol to a nearby beach where they will ceremonially immerse it into the sea. The elephant-headed god will thus return to his heavenly abode after being made aware of people’s wishes.

During the festival, which started Sept. 7 this year, millions of devotees all over India celebrate the birth of Ganesha, one of the most worshipped gods in Hinduism, by immersing idols of him, big and small, in ponds, rivers and the sea. But the festival finds its most fervent followers in Mumbai, a major coastal metropolis and business center in western India.

Hundreds of migrant artisans arrive in the city each year to help meet the seasonal demand for the idols. Traveling a significant distance by train from the north, usually without their families, these male artisans spend about four months sleeping, eating and building statues at various workshops in the city.

The preferred building material is quick-setting gypsum plaster, commonly known as plaster of paris. With it, the builders can construct large, relatively light idols in a short time.

While the environmental impact of immersing large numbers of plaster statues in bodies of water is a subject of debate, demand for idols made of mud has increased. Vishal Shinde, a manufacturer of idols in Mumbai, has made 470 mud idols this year.

“We are receiving more orders each year to build mud idols painted with watercolors as people are becoming more concerned about the environment,” Shinde said.

Kunal Patil, a Mumbai journalist, is one such customer. Each year he buys a small mud idol and after ritual prayers immerses it in a large container of water at home. This way, he says, he can bring the mud settled at the bottom of the container back to the manufacturer to be used to build more statues.

A devotee carries an idol of elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha on his head to immerse in the Arabian Sea, during the ten days long Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

A devotee carries an idol of elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha on his head to immerse in the Arabian Sea, during the ten days long Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Devotees react as they watch the immersion of an idol of elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha in the Arabian Sea, during the ten days long Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Devotees react as they watch the immersion of an idol of elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha in the Arabian Sea, during the ten days long Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

A devotee carries an idol of elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha on his head for immersion in the Arabian Sea, during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

A devotee carries an idol of elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha on his head for immersion in the Arabian Sea, during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Kunal Patil, along with his family and relatives offer prayers to an eco-friendly idol of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha at his residence during Ganesh Chaturthi festival celebrations in Mumbai, India, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Kunal Patil, along with his family and relatives offer prayers to an eco-friendly idol of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha at his residence during Ganesh Chaturthi festival celebrations in Mumbai, India, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Flowers, incense sticks and a coconut are kept as offerings at the feet an idol of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Flowers, incense sticks and a coconut are kept as offerings at the feet an idol of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Devotees light firecrackers as an idol of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesh is transported to a place of worship during the Ganesh Chaturti festival in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Devotees light firecrackers as an idol of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesh is transported to a place of worship during the Ganesh Chaturti festival in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

An Idol of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesh is transported through a street to a place of worship for the Ganesh Chaturti festival in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

An Idol of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesh is transported through a street to a place of worship for the Ganesh Chaturti festival in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

A family carries an idol of elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha to home for worship during Ganesh Chaturthi festival celebrations in Mumbai, India, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

A family carries an idol of elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha to home for worship during Ganesh Chaturthi festival celebrations in Mumbai, India, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

A devotee wears a t-shirt with the picture elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha during Ganesh Chaturthi festival celebrations in Mumbai, India, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

A devotee wears a t-shirt with the picture elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha during Ganesh Chaturthi festival celebrations in Mumbai, India, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

A devotee carries an idol of elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha to home on a motorcycle for worship during Ganesh Chaturthi festival celebrations in Mumbai, India, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

A devotee carries an idol of elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha to home on a motorcycle for worship during Ganesh Chaturthi festival celebrations in Mumbai, India, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Idols of elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha are displayed for sale at a shop during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival celebrations in Mumbai, India, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Idols of elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha are displayed for sale at a shop during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival celebrations in Mumbai, India, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

People crowd a market as they shop for Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

People crowd a market as they shop for Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

An idol of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesh is transported through a street to a place of worship ahead of the Ganesh Chaturti festival in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

An idol of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesh is transported through a street to a place of worship ahead of the Ganesh Chaturti festival in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

A scooterist drives past a workshop for idols of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesh ahead of Ganesh Chaturti festival in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

A scooterist drives past a workshop for idols of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesh ahead of Ganesh Chaturti festival in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Devotees offers prayers to Idols of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesh before they are transported to a place of worship during the Ganesh Chaturti festival in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Devotees offers prayers to Idols of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesh before they are transported to a place of worship during the Ganesh Chaturti festival in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

A worker takes a nap next to idols of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha inside a workshop ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

A worker takes a nap next to idols of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha inside a workshop ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

An artist applies finishing touches to an idol of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha inside a workshop ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai , India, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

An artist applies finishing touches to an idol of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha inside a workshop ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai , India, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

An artist works on an idol of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha inside a workshop for Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai , India, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

An artist works on an idol of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha inside a workshop for Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai , India, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Workers complete an idol of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha inside a workshop ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Workers complete an idol of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha inside a workshop ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Workers work on an idol of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha inside a workshop ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Workers work on an idol of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha inside a workshop ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

An artist works on an idol of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha inside a workshop ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

An artist works on an idol of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha inside a workshop ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate quickly confirmed Marco Rubio as secretary of state Monday, voting unanimously to give President Donald Trump the first member of his new Cabinet on Inauguration Day.

Rubio, the Republican senator from Florida, is among the least controversial of Trump’s nominees and vote was decisive, 99-0. Another pick, John Ratcliffe for CIA director, is also expected to have a swift vote, as soon as Tuesday. Action on others, including former combat veteran and Fox News host Pete Hegseth for defense secretary, is possible later in the week.

“Marco Rubio is a very intelligent man with a remarkable understanding of American foreign policy,” Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, the senior-most Republican, said as the chamber opened.

It’s often tradition for the Senate to convene immediately after the ceremonial pomp of the inauguration to begin putting the new president’s team in place, particularly the national security officials. During Trump’s first term, the Senate swiftly confirmed his defense and homeland security secretaries on day one, and President Joe Biden’s choice for director of national intelligence was confirmed on his own Inauguration Day.

With Trump’s return to the White House, and his Republican Party controlling majorities in Congress, his outsider Cabinet choices are more clearly falling into place, despite initial skepticism and opposition from both sides of the aisle.

Rubio, who was surrounded by colleagues in the Senate chamber, said afterward he feels “good, but there’s a lot of work ahead.”

“It’s an important job in an important time, and I’m honored by it,” Rubio said.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune moved quickly Monday, announcing he expected voting to begin “imminently” on Trump’s nominees.

Democrats have calculated it's better for them to be seen as more willing to work with Trump, rather than simply mounting a blockade to his nominees. They're holding their opposition for some of his other picks who have less support, including Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence and vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for health secretary.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said his party will “neither rubber-stamp nominees we feel are grossly unqualified, nor oppose nominees that deserve serious consideration.”

Rubio, he said, is an example of "a qualified nominee we think should be confirmed quickly."

Senate committees have been holding lengthy confirmation hearings on more than a dozen of the Cabinet nominees, with more to come this week. And several panels are expected to meet late Monday to begin voting to advance the nominees to the full Senate for confirmation.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee unanimously advanced Rubio's nomination late Monday. The Senate Armed Services Committee and Senate Intelligence Committee, respectively, voted to move the nominations of Hegseth and Ratcliffe. And the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee advanced nominees Kristi Noem as homeland security secretary and Russell Vought as director of the Office of Management and Budget, but with opposition.

Rubio, a well-liked senator and former Trump rival during the 2016 presidential race, has drawn closer to the president in recent years. He appeared last week to answer questions before the Foreign Relations Committee, where he has spent more than a decade as a member.

As secretary of state, Rubio would be the nation’s top diplomat, and the first Latino to hold the position. Born in Miami to Cuban immigrants, he has long been involved in foreign affairs, particularly in South America, and has emerged as a hawk on China’s rise.

During his confirmation hearing last week, Rubio warned of the consequences of America’s “unbalanced relationship” with China. While he echoes Trump’s anti-globalist rhetoric, Rubio is also seen as an internationalist who understands the power of U.S. involvement on the global stage.

Rubio cultivated bipartisan support from across the aisle, both Republicans and Democrats. He takes over for outgoing Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who has said he hopes the Trump administration continues Biden's policies in the Middle East to end the war in Gaza and to help Ukraine counter Russian nomination.

The Senate is split 53-47, but the resignation of Vice President JD Vance and, soon, Rubio drops the GOP majority further until their successors arrive. Republicans need almost all every party member in line to overcome Democratic opposition to nominees.

Objection from any one senator, as is expected with Hegseth and several other choices, would force the Senate into procedural steps that would drag voting later into the week.

Associated Press writers Farnoush Amiri and Mary Clare Jalonick contributed to this report.

President-elect Donald Trump's Cabinet picks, other nominees and appointments, pose for a photo at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. First row from left, Elise Stefanik, John Ratcliffe, Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Howard Lutnick, Pete Hegseth, Doug Burgum, Brooke L. Rollins, Marco Rubio and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.; second row from left, Scott Turner, Tulsi Gabbard, Sean Duffy, Linda McMahon, Lee Zeldin, Kristi Noem, Chris Wright, Doug Collins, Kelly Loeffler and Scott Bessent; and third row from left, Stephen Miran, Jamieson Greer, Kevin Hassett, Kash Patel and Russell Vought. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

President-elect Donald Trump's Cabinet picks, other nominees and appointments, pose for a photo at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. First row from left, Elise Stefanik, John Ratcliffe, Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Howard Lutnick, Pete Hegseth, Doug Burgum, Brooke L. Rollins, Marco Rubio and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.; second row from left, Scott Turner, Tulsi Gabbard, Sean Duffy, Linda McMahon, Lee Zeldin, Kristi Noem, Chris Wright, Doug Collins, Kelly Loeffler and Scott Bessent; and third row from left, Stephen Miran, Jamieson Greer, Kevin Hassett, Kash Patel and Russell Vought. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., a nominee for Secretary of State, attends the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Kevin Lamarque/Pool Photo via AP)

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., a nominee for Secretary of State, attends the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Kevin Lamarque/Pool Photo via AP)

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