After Question from Shaheen, Rex Tillerson States that He Doesn’t Support Muslim Immigration Ban

**In response to Shaheen, Tillerson explains why it would be important to divest from his financial interest in Exxon Mobil if confirmed, in sharp contrast to Trump’s comments earlier today** 

Video of Sen. Shaheen’s questioning available here

(Washington, DC) — U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, questioned President-elect Trump’s nominee for Secretary of State Rex Tillerson during his confirmation hearing before the committee today. During her second round of questioning, Shaheen drew attention to President-elect Trump’s disparaging and generalizing comments about Mexicans and his call for a ban on Muslims coming into the United States. She also pressed Tillerson to provide his views on whether there should be a registry of Muslim-Americans. Tillerson responded that “he would need more information” before taking a position on that proposal.

Shaheen also questioned Tillerson on his support for the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa program, which provides visas for interpreters and other staff who supported the U.S. mission in Afghanistan and are under threat because of their service. Shaheen has strongly supported this State Department program in the Senate. “It is important that we protect those whose lives are truly at risk because of their efforts to assist our American military forces or other forces in Afghanistan,” said Tillerson.

During their exchange, Shaheen also asked Tillerson to explain why he views it is important to divest from his financial interest in Exxon Mobil, drawing stark contrast to President-elect Trump’s announcement earlier today that he would not be divesting from his family businesses. 

Earlier in the day, Shaheen pressed Tillerson on global women’s empowerment and family planning services, as well as his views on Russian President Putin’s authoritarian regime.