The Senate Foreign Relations Committee will hold a vote on Rex Tillerson’s (the just retired, lifetime EXXON man) confirmation on Monday to head our US State Department and we cannot afford to let up the pressure. {Also make your voice count, call your Senator, below you can find a list of the Foreign Relations Committee members}
In Tillerson’s confirmation hearing on Wednesday, Jan. 11, the ex-CEO of oil-and-gas-giant Exxon Mobil gave an unacceptable series of non-answers on issues ranging from man-made climate change to whether Russia’s Vladimir Putin is a war criminal. He may have even perjured himself by lying about Exxon Mobil’s documented history of lobbying against Russian sanctions.
Tillerson recently left his position at Exxon Mobil with a $180 million retirement package, just two months ahead of his scheduled retirement.1 We don’t need another climate-denying corporate executive in Washington – especially as the nation’s top diplomat.
Tillerson has led Exxon Mobil in public lie after public lie about the reality of climate change.2 Not only has he personally been outspoken about his false belief that scientists largely disagree about climate change and its connection to human action, he has used his position and influence as CEO of the oil and gas company to promote lies and propaganda denying the role burning fossil fuels plays in heating our planet. The company is currently under investigation by several state Attorneys General for lying and misleading investors and the public about the risks of climate change.3 Meanwhile, Exxon Mobil continues to fund climate denial groups like the American Legislative Exchange Council, despite commitments from Tillerson to stop funding climate deniers.4
Republican and Democratic lawmakers alike have expressed concern about Tillerson’s deep ties to Russia and his personal relationship with Vladimir Putin. In 2013, after the two negotiated an oil drilling deal reportedly worth $500 billion, Putin gave Tillerson one of the highest honors Russia gives to foreigners: the Order of Friendship. The Order of Friendship can be bestowed on someone who makes a "great contribution" to "large-scale economic projects" in Russia.5 Tillerson built his career and success at Exxon on close relationships and business deals to drill oil in Russia – and he has refused to release his tax returns that would show his true financial ties to Russia.
With mounting evidence that Russia interfered in the presidential election, now is not the time to install someone with deep financial ties to Vladimir Putin as the nation’s top diplomat. It’s time for the Senate to take a stand and commit to blocking his confirmation.
Thank you for everything you do,
Tessa Levine, Campaign Manager
Sign the petition at:
_________________________________________________________________________
But, can we get real. SERIOUS AMERICANS NEED TO DO MORE, MUCH MORE !
PERSONALLY CONTACT YOUR SENATORS IS A GOOD START.
United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
Members, 115th Congress
Majority (Republicans)
• Bob Corker, Tennessee Chairman
• Rob Portman, Ohio
Minority (Democrats)
• Ben Cardin, Maryland, Ranking Member
__________________________________________________________
References:
1 Michele Kelemen, “Rex Tillerson Cuts Ties With Exxon Mobil In Advance Of Confirmation Hearings,” NPR, Jan. 4, 2017.
2 McKenzie Funk, “Did Exxon Lie About Global Warming?” Rolling Stone, June 30, 2016.
3 Justin Gillis and Clifford Krauss, “Exxon Mobil Investigated for Possible Climate Change Lies by New York Attorney General,” The New York Times, Nov. 5, 2015.
4 Lee Wasserman, “What Rex Tillerson's Exxon Mobil track record tells us,” Los Angeles Times, Jan. 3, 2017.
5 Matt Egan, Julia Horowitz and Chris Isidore, “Behind the deep ties between Exxon's Rex Tillerson and Russia,” CNN Money, Dec. 11, 2016.
============================================================
Reject Rex Tillerson, EXXON's Russian Obligate Oil Guy - Here's why.
Senator Gardner - Democratic decency requires NO VOTE on Rex Tillerson as Secretary of State
_________________________________________________
- Behind the deep ties between Exxon's Rex Tillerson and Russia
- What It Really Means to Be a ‘Friend of Putin’
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Tips on Calling Your Member of Congress
When you dial 202-224-3121 you are directed to an operator at the Capitol switchboard. This switchboard can direct you to both senators as well as representatives.
Once the operator answers, ask to be connected to whomever you are trying to reach. They will send you to your senator's or representative's office line, and a legislative assistant will answer the phone.
It is important to let them know why you are calling and what issue you are calling about. You will sometimes be able to speak directly to your senator or representative, but more often you will speak to a staff person in the member's office. This person keeps track of how many people called and their positions on issues, and provides a summary to the member. Be assured that your call does count, even if you are not able to speak directly to your senator or representative.
* You can also find the direct number to any member's office by consulting the
How to be effective about contacting your senator:
_______________________________________________________________
No comments:
Post a Comment