In the hot seat: Secretary Rubio addresses Iran War, China relations, and Ebola preparedness

WASHINGTON —

Secretary of State Marco Rubio faced lawmakers’ questions on Capitol Hill Tuesday in his first public hearing since the start of the Iran war.

The Senate panel questioned Rubio’s ability to manage multiple global issues, including the ongoing power struggle with China and the United States’ readiness to respond to outbreaks like Ebola.

“We remain the world’s sole global superpower, the most powerful country on Earth,” Rubio said, defending the administration’s efforts to secure U.S. global dominance.

While the Iran war remained top of mind, many Democrats also shifted their attention to competition with China.

Some expressed fears that pressure from Beijing might be delaying an arms deal with Taiwan, critical to deterring a potential Chinese invasion and protecting Taiwan’s independence.

“In the meetings you were in in Beijing, did the president offer to condition arms sales to Taiwan in order to placate Xi Jinping?” asked Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del.

“They are constantly talking about Taiwan arms sales,” Rubio responded. “But that in no way is what is holding up our decision-making or the White House’s decision-making.”

Concerns about an Ebola outbreak in Central Africa also surfaced, with lawmakers questioning whether cuts to U.S. foreign funding and aid hindered the initial response to detecting and combating the deadly disease.

“If you’re telling me we are as prepared or more prepared before the Trump administration came in, I’d like to see the facts,” said Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J.

“I think when reforms are finalized, which we’re on the verge of doing, we’re actually going to be better prepared,” Rubio said. “We are responding today faster not just to humanitarian crises, but to outbreaks than we were before.”

Rubio confirmed that the State Department would reengage with a global vaccine alliance, known as Gavi, after the U.S. pulled funding from it last year. The decision could help secure funding to fight deadly outbreaks like Ebola.

On the war in Iran, Rubio said the country’s leadership appears to be “increasingly engaging.” He clarified that leadership had also agreed to negotiate aspects of Iran’s nuclear program, which could include its supply of enriched uranium.

However, he emphasized that the administration is demanding Iran immediately reopen the Strait of Hormuz and will not lift sanctions to achieve that goal.

Both Rubio and President Trump also dismissed claims that Iran had stopped negotiating.

Watch the latest on the Iran war: