Schumer Statement On Rex Tillerson Hearing

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today released the below statement following Rex Tillerson’s confirmation hearing for Secretary of State:

“Rex Tillerson's testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee today was incredibly troubling. First, on the day when even President-elect Donald Trump admitted Russia was actively working to undermine our elections, the nominee for Secretary of State couldn't even bring himself to state that he supported the existing sanctions, let alone new ones that many in congress want to impose.  Second, incredibly, despite the real concerns about the potential influence of ExxonMobil on the incoming Administration’s sanctions policies, Mr. Tillerson refused to recuse himself for his entire term from matters relating to the company and its overseas interests. Third, Mr. Tillerson claimed that he and ExxonMobil did not lobby on sanctions policy, which is at direct odds with the public record. Finally, I am appalled that Mr. Tillerson has not even discussed our policy towards Russia with the President-elect, and disheartened by the kid-gloves with which he appears to treat Russia and potentially other countries of concern.”