Both of Connecticut’s U.S. Senators said Tuesday they intend to fight against President-Elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the State Department.
The strongest rebuke came in a statement from Sen. Chris Murphy, who provided what he viewed as a list of disqualifying traits of Rex Tillerson, the current CEO of ExxonMobil.
Considering his entire career has been spent in the oil industry, Murphy said of diplomatic matters he will be unable to separate his business interests. “It’s fantasy to think he will magically change his stripes once in office.”
Most concerning to Sen. Richard Blumenthal, are Tillerson’s ties to Russia and the reports that he has a close relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“I’m concerned and the concerns are bipartisan on the Tillerson nomination because of his close, personal ties to the Russians,” Blumenthal said.
Murphy added, “For years, I’ve listened to my Republican colleagues in the Senate eviscerate President Obama for being too weak on Russia. No Republican who has called for a tougher line against Russia should ever be taken seriously again if they vote to put a Putin ally at the top of the State Department.
Blumenthal said he will vote against Tillerson when his nomination comes up for a vote. Murphy did not say which way he would vote but he did say, “The people of Connecticut deserve better.”
