Good job, Senator. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has voted 11-10 to recommend Rex Tillerson’s nomination as Secretary of State to the full Senate. All 11 Republicans, including little Bambi Marco Rubio, voted yes. All 10 Democrats voted no. Here is Senator Coons’ full statement:
“I will not support President Trump’s nomination of Rex Tillerson to serve as our next Secretary of State.
“I do not make this decision lightly, and Mr. Tillerson is someone I have grown to respect over the last few weeks through a public hearing and two private meetings. Mr. Tillerson is a thoughtful, seasoned professional whose impressive international business experience would serve him well in this important role. I have been encouraged by some of his public stances, including his clear-eyed understanding of the threat posed by Putin’s Russia, his commitment to the NATO alliance, his respect for U.S. leadership in multilateral initiatives, and his support for development programs throughout the world, especially in Africa.
“Despite those strengths, Mr. Tillerson’s views also differ from mine in important ways. I believe that climate change is a pressing national security threat. I believe that advocating for human rights, a free press, and democracy around the world advances our own security and economic interests here at home.
“I also believe that American leadership on the world stage is not as simple as President Trump’s slogan, ‘America First.’ If confirmed, it is my sincere hope that Mr. Tillerson will challenge President Trump to rethink his isolationist, dark view of the world and pursue a foreign policy that upholds American values. Should Mr. Tillerson be successful in moderating President Trump’s vision for America’s role in the world, I stand ready to work alongside him.”
I agree, good job. Sadly the broken clock analogy also fits as Coons is right perhaps two times a day.
Let’s work to make it more than two! Hopefully, that’s possible.