WASHINGTON — Long an international player, Rex Tillerson can now claim among the choicest seats on the world stage.

The former Exxon Mobil chief's bid to become the 69th secretary of state received final affirmation Wednesday from the Senate, which voted 56-43 mostly along party lines to confirm the Wichita Falls native for America's top diplomatic post.

President Donald Trump, speaking at Tillerson's swearing-in, said that the Texan brings the "unique skills and deep, deep insights ... into foreign diplomacy that our nation needs to foster security and stability in a world too often trapped in violence."

"Your whole life has prepared you for this moment," Trump told Tillerson. "And you've had really a tremendous life, heading up one of the great companies of the world. And doing it magnificently, absolutely magnificently. I can say this is a man respected all over the world."

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Tillerson -- flanked at his swearing-in by his wife, Renda -- thanked Trump for the "extraordinary opportunity to represent my country." Standing in the Oval Office, he pledged to "always represent the interests of all of the American people at at all times."

Tillerson's confirmation to the post was never in doubt this week, even though he reportedly garnered the most "no" votes -- by far -- of any secretary of state nominee in history.

The Texan had cleared a key procedural vote two days earlier by the same tally. And he had overcome his true confirmation obstacle a week earlier, when Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., backed Tillerson despite ongoing concerns about Tillerson's "rhetorical ambiguity."

On Wednesday, both Texas Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz voted for Tillerson. Joining all 52 GOP senators were Democratic Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota and Mark Warner of Virginia, along with independent Sen. Angus King of Maine.

Amid growing Democratic resistance to Trump's Cabinet picks, Republicans treated the Tillerson vote as an exclamation point.

Sen. John Cornyn said Tillerson is a person of "conviction," "competence" and "character." (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

Cornyn, who introduced his fellow Texan at a confirmation hearing, said that Tillerson is a person of "conviction," "competence" and "character." The Republican said the former chief executive will "serve the United States with great integrity and care."

"Much has been made of Mr. Tillerson's role as the leader of a global company," Cornyn said. "But he was working for the shareholders of that corporation in that capacity. Now his enormous experience and aptitude and talent are going to be put to work for ... the American people."

Rex Tillerson confirmed w/most negative votes (43) ever for Secretary of State nominee.Henry Clay had 14 in 1825,Condoleezza Rice 13 in 2005 — Craig Caplan (@CraigCaplan) February 1, 2017

Tillerson, who had lunch with Trump on Wednesday, will assume leadership of the State Department during extraordinary times.

Trump continues to deal with fallout from executive orders aimed at refugees and migration from seven Muslim-majority countries. The president's early tenure has featured a war of words with America's southern neighbor and ally, Mexico, over the prospect of a border wall

And tension remains over the South China Sea, Iran and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

Faced with that landscape, Democrats took to the Senate floor early and often over the last two days to voice their objections. Unable to block Tillerson's confirmation — thanks to a rule change they made in 2013 — they instead made a rhetorical stand.

Some expressed worry about Tillerson's entanglements after years at the helm of Irving-based Exxon Mobil. In particular, critics have accused him of coziness with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a sore spot after Russia's attempts to influence the White House race.

Earlier in the week, Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland, questioned Tillerson's "moral clarity."

"I have serious concern as to whether he will speak with a strong voice on American values or whether that will be compromised for narrow business interests or for other considerations that should take priority to the values that have made America the great nation it is," he said.

And some critics pointed to separate action Wednesday by congressional Republicans as a sign of things to come.

The House voted to overturn a Securities and Exchange Commission rule that would require oil and gas companies to disclose payments to foreign governments. Exxon and other companies have said the measure puts them at a competitive disadvantage to foreign rivals.

Transparency advocates, however, argue that the rule is critical in combating government corruption, pointing out that other countries now have similar measures. They questioned the optics of advancing the repeal on the same day that Exxon's former chief joined Trump's Cabinet.

"The timing and priority of this bill could not be more suspect," said Isabel Munilla, a senior policy adviser at Oxfam America.

But Tillerson has rejected critiques of his motives, pledging that he would, for instance, offer tough responses to Russia. And the Texan, long active in the Boy Scouts of America, has said his approach would follow "strong values that are grounded in my American ideals and beliefs."

"I don't view this as a game in any way," he said in January.