U.S. Senate confirms former ExxonMobil CEO Tillerson as secretary of state

The United States Senate on Wednesday confirmed the former head of ExxonMobil, Rex Tillerson as Donald Trump’s secretary of State.

Following a 56 for and 43 against vote at the Senate, Tillerson was sworn in the same day at a ceremony held at the White House.

Republicans, that hold the majority in the Senate with 52 seats have all voted for, including four senators from the Democratic party with one senator not voting.

Tillerson, who has been at the head of ExxonMobil since 2006, has previously never held public office.

Democratic senators that have previously raised concerns over Tillerson’s ties to Russia, attempted to delay the vote as they intended to ask more questions about Trump’s decision to ban immigration from seven mostly Muslim countries but failed in that attempt.

The newly confirmed secretary of State resigned from his position as chairman and CEO of Exxon Mobil Corp and reached an agreement with the company to sever all ties to comply with conflict-of-interest requirements associated with his nomination as secretary of state.

LNG World News Staff