Coons meets with Tillerson to discuss concerns

Delaware Senator Chris Coons met with secretary of state nominee Rex Tillerson today in D.C. and had what Coons called a "very constructive conversation".  

Coons has been highly critical of the President-Elects selection and former CEO of Exxon Mobil saying although Tillerson's experience dealing with international business is valuable, it's not the same as fighting for US interests.

Coons said during the meeting Wednesday they discussed those matters as well as his concerns regarding Tillerson's alleged friendship with Vladimir Putin. 

"I was clear with Mr. Tillerson about my significant concerns about comments by the president-elect when he was a candidate and more recently about Vladimir Putin's Russia, their aggression in the Ukraine, their role in the massacres in Aleppo, their role in undermining our confidence in our elections, and the role that Russia has played in undermining democracy across central and western Europe," Coons said. 

Despite the "constructive conversation" Coons said he still has not decided whether he will vote to confirm Tillerson's nomination. Coons said  frankly he looks forward the public hearings and confirmation process.

"I'll simply characterize his first in-person meeting as constructive and positive, and one where I was grateful that we had the time, I think our meeting was an hour and a half, to explore a very wide range of issues," Coons said.