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.

Sen. Marco Rubio, President-elect Donald Trump's pick to lead the State Department as secretary of state, answered questions Wednesday from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Rubio -- long known as a Russia and China hawk in the Senate -- has been accused of dialing back his interventionist foreign policy approach to align with Trump's positions and may face fresh criticism from opponents who believe he might prioritize serving as a yes man to president over serving the country.