WASHINGTON—Representative Eliot L. Engel, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today made the following statement:

“Rex Tillerson is not qualified to be Secretary of State and the Senate should not confirm him.  Aside from his utter lack of diplomatic experience, Mr. Tillerson’s cozy ties to Vladimir Putin and Russia would represent an untenable conflict at the State Department. Especially in light of mounting evidence that Russia interfered in our election to aid President-elect Trump, it’s unthinkable that Mr. Tillerson should become our top diplomat.  If he does clear the Senate, I’ll look forward to Mr. Tillerson testifying before the Foreign Affairs Committee so we can learn more about his troubling foreign relationships, particularly his ties with Russia."

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