Rex Tillerson's Secretary Of State Confirmation Expected To Be Rocky
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- President-elect Donald Trump's pick for secretary of state is facing some backlash for his lack of political experience.
Trump announced Tuesday that he has nominated ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson to head the State Department.
"The thing I like best about Rex Tillerson is that he has vast experience at dealing successfully with all types of foreign governments," Trump tweeted.
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Tillerson's confirmation process is expected to be rocky because of his close business ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin and allegations of Russian interference in the presidential election.
"I have serious concerns about Mr. Tillerson's nomination," Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., told CBS 3's Joe Holden.
Menendez added, "The question is did a foreign government try to affect the election of the United States for president and maybe even for Congress."
A federal judge in Philadelphia on Monday dismissed a Green Party challenge seeking a recount of Pennsylvania votes.
Jill Stein had unsuccessfully claimed potential evidence of a breach existed.
During a news conference Tuesday morning, Pennsylvania GOP officials pushed back hard. They accused the Green Party of trying to derail the Electoral College vote next week, while dismissing any notion voting machines were compromised by a foreign power.
"This was a farce, they knew it was," said Lawrence Tabas, general counsel for the Republican Party of Pennsylvania. "They wanted to create chaos. They wanted to delay the electoral college."
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A long list of senators has already promised increased scrutiny of Tillerson during confirmation hearings, as questions about electoral hacking grow more pointed.
"I think we ought to approach all of these issues on the assumption that the Russians do not wish us well," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said.
"In all of these countries, Tillerson has, I understand, promoted his company's interests, but that isn't the same as promoting the national interests of the United States," Menendez said.
Menendez sits on the powerful Foreign Relations Committee.
He expects confirmation hearings a couple weeks after the Senate returns to business on Jan. 3.
