Quigley Statement on Nomination of Rex Tillerson for Secretary of State
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement on the announcement that Rex Tillerson, CEO of ExxonMobil, will be President-Elect Trump's nominee for Secretary of State:
The Secretary of State has the immense responsibility of being America's top diplomat, tasked with putting the interests and security of the United States and its people above all else. Unfortunately, the selection of Rex Tillerson, who serves as CEO of ExxonMobil and has close ties with Vladimir Putin, calls into question the glaring conflicts of interest he will bring with him into his position. His lack of diplomatic experience and questionable business dealings with foreign governments should be a serious cause for concern for all Members of Congress as the confirmation process begins.
Mr. Tillerson's personal and professional relationship with Vladimir Putin has been widely reported, and is particularly alarming at a time when significant evidence is pointing to Russia's interference in our presidential election. As our intelligence communities continue to assess this incident, President-elect Trump's nomination of Mr. Tillerson sends very mixed messages on our commitment to uphold and protect our democracy from those who wish us harm.
Another one of the Secretary of State's important functions will be representing the United States in the United Nations climate change talks and in bilateral environmental agreements with other countries. While Exxon Mobil has publicly praised the landmark Paris Agreement, Mr. Tillerson's past statements raise serious doubts on his commitment to combat the immediate threats of the climate crisis. As climate change has severe national and economic security implications, it's imperative that the future Secretary of State gives climate change the attention it deserves here at home and around the globe.
Additionally, human rights observers have sounded the alarm on Mr. Tillerson's past actions as CEO and his history of ignoring human rights abuses in places where Exxon has business interests. It is critical that our nation's leaders, especially those leading our dedicated U.S. diplomatic corps, craft a foreign policy that places the well-being of workers before their own bottom line.