January, 23 2017, 11:15am EDT
350.org on Upcoming Senate Vote for Secretary of State
WASHINGTON
In response to reports that Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Marco Rubio (R-FL) and John McCain (R-AZ) plan to vote in favor of recent former Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson as Secretary of State, Jason Kowalski, U.S. Policy Director at 350.org, issued the following statement:
"Senators Rubio, Graham and McCain are handing the keys of our international climate diplomacy over to a rogue oil mogul. Even as Florida sinks, South Carolina is drenched by biblical-like floods, and Arizona hits record temperatures, these senators are caving under pressure from Trump. Our elected officials should be alarmed that Tillerson, who helmed a company that lied to the public for decades about climate change, could be in charge of our country's foreign policy. This is the time to act boldly against corruption, not welcome it into the most senior federal positions in our country."
Last week, nine US veterans held a sit-in at Senator McCain's office, urging him to reject Rex Tillerson. Rather than heeding their concerns, the former Military leader had the veterans arrested. This comes two weeks after more than 200 people rallied outside Tillerson's hearing, demonstrating mass public opposition to Tillerson as US Secretary of State.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee is expected to vote on Rex Tillerson's nomination later this afternoon. Spokespeople with 350.org will be available for comment and interviews.
350 is building a future that's just, prosperous, equitable and safe from the effects of the climate crisis. We're an international movement of ordinary people working to end the age of fossil fuels and build a world of community-led renewable energy for all.
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