Florida Sen. Marco Rubio raised concerns on Tuesday about President-elect Donald Trump’s selection of ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson for Secretary of State.
Trump announced his choice on Tuesday, describing Tillerson as one of “the most accomplished business leaders and international dealmakers in the world.”
“While Rex Tillerson is a respected businessman, I have serious concerns about his nomination,” Rubio said in a statement.
Other Republicans have praised Tillerson, but his close ties to Russia could make for a contentious Senate confirmation hearing, especially amid increasing allegations of Russian interference in the presidential election.
“The next secretary of state must be someone who views the world with moral clarity, is free of potential conflicts of interest, has a clear sense of America’s interests, and will be a forceful advocate for America’s foreign policy goals to the president, within the administration, and on the world stage,” Rubio said. “I look forward to learning more about his record and his views. I will do my part to ensure he receives a full and fair but also thorough hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.”
At least one Senator, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, said he approved of Trump’s decision. Tennessee Sen. Bob Corker, a Republican who was considered for the Secretary of State position, praised Trump’s choice.
“Mr. Tillerson is a very impressive individual and has an extraordinary working knowledge of the world,” Corker said in a statement. “I congratulate him on his nomination and look forward to meeting with him and chairing his confirmation hearing.”
- The Man Who Thinks He Can Live Forever
- How a Government Shutdown Could Affect You
- The Threat to Louisiana's Drinking Water
- Colleges Get Creative to Boost Mental Health
- How Russia Is Recruiting Cubans to Fight in Ukraine
- Paul Hollywood Answers All of Your Questions About The Great British Baking Show
- How Canada and India's Relationship Crumbled
- Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time