This article is from the source 'rtcom' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.rt.com/usa/373326-rex-tillerson-senate-confirmation/
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Tillerson faces US Senate grilling for Secretary of State position (WATCH LIVE) | Tillerson faces US Senate grilling for Secretary of State position (WATCH LIVE) |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations is expected to ask tough questions to ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson, nominated to head the Department of State under President-elect Donald Trump. | The US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations is expected to ask tough questions to ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson, nominated to head the Department of State under President-elect Donald Trump. |
| Senator Menendez accused Exxon for becoming the in-house lobbyist for Russia over Crimea and opposing sanctions. He asked Tillerson his opinion on sanctions whether he was for them or against them. | |
| “I think it is important to know that when sanctions are imposed they disrupt American business,” said Tillerson. “I am stating a fact, sanctions do impact America’s business interest, and in protecting America’s interest, sanctions are a powerful tool, let’s use them well…” | |
| “Does Russia and Syria’s targeted bombing on hospitals represent war crimes?” Asked Senator Bob Menendez, (D, New Jersey) | |
| “I would not want to rely solely on what has been reported on the public realm before making that conclusion,” said Tillerson. | |
| Senator Marco Rubio (R, Florida) asked Tillerson if Putin was a war criminal because of the bombings in Aleppo, and Chechen.“Those are very serious charges made. I would want much more information before reaching a conclusion,” said Tillerson. | |
| Rubio asked about the alleged killings of dissidents by the Russian government. Tillerson said again he would need more information. He needed facts, and was not willing to make conclusions. | |
| Foreign Relations Committee Ranking member, Senator Ben Cardin (D, Maryland) asked Tillerson if Russia had the right to take Crimea, he said ‘no.’ | |
| “It caught me by surprise…as did the coming over the Eastern border of Ukraine, the absence of a very firm forceful response was judged by Russia as a weak response,” said Tillerson.О | |
| Tillerson said he would have put Eastern assets on the border, announce the US was going to provide intelligence and air support. | |
| “In carrying out the State Department’s diplomacy we need a strong deterrent in our hand…it is useful to have a stick in your hand, whether you use it or not it is useful to have,” said Tillerson in response to Senator Cardin asking about sanctions against Russia. | |
| Tillerson told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that he would help usher in a new era of US leadership on the global stage as America's top diplomat. | Tillerson told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that he would help usher in a new era of US leadership on the global stage as America's top diplomat. |
| "China has emerged as an economic power in global trade, and our interactions have been both friendly and adversarial," he said in remarks prepared for his hearing. | "China has emerged as an economic power in global trade, and our interactions have been both friendly and adversarial," he said in remarks prepared for his hearing. |
| "While Russia seeks respect and relevance on the global stage, its recent activities have disregarded American interests. Radical Islam is not a new ideology, but it is hateful, deadly, and an illegitimate expression of the Islamic faith. Adversaries like Iran and North Korea pose grave threats to the world because of their refusal to conform to international norms." | "While Russia seeks respect and relevance on the global stage, its recent activities have disregarded American interests. Radical Islam is not a new ideology, but it is hateful, deadly, and an illegitimate expression of the Islamic faith. Adversaries like Iran and North Korea pose grave threats to the world because of their refusal to conform to international norms." |
| Tillerson said the US needs an "open and frank dialogue" with Russia, the most urgent step is in "thwarting radical Islam" by "defeating ISIS." | |
| " Russia today poses a danger, but it is not unpredictable in advancing its own interests. It has invaded Ukraine, including the taking of Crimea, and supported Syrian forces that brutally violate the laws of war. Our NATO allies are right to be alarmed at a resurgent Russia. " | |
| Tillerson said the US should also acknowlege the realities about Chiina. It's island-bulding in the South China Seas, and illegal taking of disputed areas "without regard for international norms." He said the country's trade practice have not always followed global agreements. | |
| "We have to deal with what we see, not with what we hope." Tillerson told the Foreign Relations committee. | |
| Tillerson has spent his entire working life at the big oil multinational corporation, ExxonMobil. He cut ties to Exxon earlier this month to try and stave off conflicts of interest, but his history with the corporation is likely to be a focus of the hearing today. | Tillerson has spent his entire working life at the big oil multinational corporation, ExxonMobil. He cut ties to Exxon earlier this month to try and stave off conflicts of interest, but his history with the corporation is likely to be a focus of the hearing today. |
| Tillerson has never held a position in government but as an oil executive has extensive experience dealing with foreign countries having worked for Exxon since 1975. His relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin is likely to be of interest to the committee. Democrats have pushed for the release of his tax records beyond the financial disclosure form he has already filed with the Senate committee. | Tillerson has never held a position in government but as an oil executive has extensive experience dealing with foreign countries having worked for Exxon since 1975. His relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin is likely to be of interest to the committee. Democrats have pushed for the release of his tax records beyond the financial disclosure form he has already filed with the Senate committee. |
| Just moments into Tillerson’s testimony, a protester spoke out yelling her home was destroyed in Hurricane Sandy, and as she was led out of the hearing said “Rex Tillerson, I reject you!” | Just moments into Tillerson’s testimony, a protester spoke out yelling her home was destroyed in Hurricane Sandy, and as she was led out of the hearing said “Rex Tillerson, I reject you!” |
| Outside Tillerson’s hearing, protesters rallied, with signs ‘ExxonKnew’, some dressed as Velociraptors, a dinosaur, a spoof reference to the continue pursuit of fossil fuels. | Outside Tillerson’s hearing, protesters rallied, with signs ‘ExxonKnew’, some dressed as Velociraptors, a dinosaur, a spoof reference to the continue pursuit of fossil fuels. |
| The peace group, Code Pink, in Lady Liberty fancy dress and a man wearing a dollar bill suit with signs 'ExxonKnew' at Tillerson hearing. | The peace group, Code Pink, in Lady Liberty fancy dress and a man wearing a dollar bill suit with signs 'ExxonKnew' at Tillerson hearing. |