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January 11, 2017

Tillerson Confirmation Hearing Begins; DeVos, Pompeo, Ross & Puzder Hearings Delayed
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Confirmation hearings are continuing on Capitol Hill today with day two
of questioning for Sessions, along with a hearing for Trump's
transportation secretary pick Elaine Chao and another for his choice for
secretary of state, longtime CEO of Exxon Mobil Rex Tillerson, who
stepped down from his position in December. Tillerson could face
questions about his ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin and his
position on Trump's vow to "cancel" the Paris climate accord. Opponents
also want Tillerson to respond to allegations that under his leadership
Exxon Mobil continued to work in close partnership with repressive
regimes. A handful of the confirmation hearings scheduled for this week
have been delayed, after concerns the nominees had not been vetted by
the Office of Government Ethics. As of Monday afternoon, the ethics
disclosure reports for four Trump nominees slated to go before the
Senate this week had not been made public at all. The hearings have now
been delayed for Betsy De Vos, Trump's education secretary nominee;
Kansas Congressmember Mike Pompeo for CIA director; billionaire Wilbur
Ross for commerce secretary; and Andrew Puzder for labor secretary.


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