Former President George W. Bush is seeking to drum up support for Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson's nomination for secretary of State, according to a top GOP lawmaker.
Sen. Bob Corker
Robert (Bob) Phillips CorkerGOP senators want NAFTA deal from Trump by Labor Day The Hill's 12:30 Report — Sponsored by NSSF — GOP staves off immigration revolt, for now | US reaches deal on ZTE Flake lashes out at Trump: We're at the beginning 'of a full-scale trade war' MORE (Tenn.), the head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and himself a onetime candidate for President-elect Donald Trump
Donald John TrumpTrump tweets condolences after US soldier killed in Somalia Trump floats scrapping all tariffs, barriers at G-7 summit: report Dem rips Trump's call to include Russia in G7: What does Putin have on him? MORE's top diplomat, said he spoke with Bush about Tillerson's nomination on Thursday.
Robert (Bob) Phillips CorkerGOP senators want NAFTA deal from Trump by Labor Day The Hill's 12:30 Report — Sponsored by NSSF — GOP staves off immigration revolt, for now | US reaches deal on ZTE Flake lashes out at Trump: We're at the beginning 'of a full-scale trade war' MORE (Tenn.), the head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and himself a onetime candidate for President-elect Donald TrumpDonald John TrumpTrump tweets condolences after US soldier killed in Somalia Trump floats scrapping all tariffs, barriers at G-7 summit: report Dem rips Trump's call to include Russia in G7: What does Putin have on him? MORE's top diplomat, said he spoke with Bush about Tillerson's nomination on Thursday."Also appreciated a call I received from President George W. Bush, who spoke highly of Mr. Tillerson and offered support for his nomination," Corker said.
Also appreciated a call I received from President George W. Bush, who spoke highly of Mr. Tillerson and offered support for his nomination.
— Senator Bob Corker (@SenBobCorker) December 16, 2016
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Republican Sens. Marco Rubio
Marco Antonio RubioOvernight Finance: US reaches deal with ZTE | Lawmakers look to block it | Trump blasts Macron, Trudeau ahead of G-7 | Mexico files WTO complaint Rubio: ZTE a greater threat than steel from Argentina and Europe Trump throws ZTE a lifeline as part of broader China strategy MORE (Fla.), John McCain
John Sidney McCainOvernight Defense: Trump draws ire for wanting Russia back in G-7 | Movement on defense bills expected next week | Air Force grounds B-1 fleet over safety issue John Kelly instructed DHS official to avoid email to deter hackers, FOIA requests: report Overnight Finance: Trump wants Russia back in G-7 | Senators, allies push back | House approves first fiscal 2019 spending bills | Dems want insider trading probe over job tweet MORE (Ariz.) and Lindsey Graham
Lindsey Olin GrahamGraham 'not buying' Giuliani claim that Mueller is trying to frame president The Hill's Morning Report — Sponsored by PhRMA — Some GOP lawmakers reject script on Trump HSAs expansion is a key to health care freedom MORE (S.C.) have all expressed caution about Tillerson's nomination, with Rubio declaring he has "serious concerns" about him.
Marco Antonio RubioOvernight Finance: US reaches deal with ZTE | Lawmakers look to block it | Trump blasts Macron, Trudeau ahead of G-7 | Mexico files WTO complaint Rubio: ZTE a greater threat than steel from Argentina and Europe Trump throws ZTE a lifeline as part of broader China strategy MORE (Fla.), John McCainJohn Sidney McCainOvernight Defense: Trump draws ire for wanting Russia back in G-7 | Movement on defense bills expected next week | Air Force grounds B-1 fleet over safety issue John Kelly instructed DHS official to avoid email to deter hackers, FOIA requests: report Overnight Finance: Trump wants Russia back in G-7 | Senators, allies push back | House approves first fiscal 2019 spending bills | Dems want insider trading probe over job tweet MORE (Ariz.) and Lindsey GrahamLindsey Olin GrahamGraham 'not buying' Giuliani claim that Mueller is trying to frame president The Hill's Morning Report — Sponsored by PhRMA — Some GOP lawmakers reject script on Trump HSAs expansion is a key to health care freedom MORE (S.C.) have all expressed caution about Tillerson's nomination, with Rubio declaring he has "serious concerns" about him. Rubio and Graham sit on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which will hold confirmation hearings for Tillerson.
As head of the oil conglomerate, Tillerson negotiated a major energy partnership with Russia and received the Russian Order of Friendship in 2013.
But Trump allies and others have fought back against those concerns to vouch for Tillerson, including a number of prominent figures associated with the Bush family, such as former secretaries of State Condoleezza Rice and James Baker, as well as former Defense Secretary Robert Gates.
