It goes on.
The afternoon opens with more accusations that the United States is at fault for the invasion of Ukraine.
Tillerson suggests that the United States needed to take military action in order to deter Russia from entering Ukraine. Military force “in defensive posture,” which is a military position that doesn’t exist.
Tillerson finds himself in the position of saying the Obama’s force was weakness, that he wasn’t sure what he would do, then skates back to giving Ukrainian forces “defensive weapons.”
The “providing lethal defensive weapons” to Ukraine is exactly the language that Trump had scrubbed from RNC platform.
Now a back and forth on whether Tillerson will be required to provide a tax return, with Corker maintaining it’s not needed. Corker also looking to stifle any questions that he deems picayune. Lots of Senate faux-decorum flying around.
Rubio back. This time he’s focused on Cuba, but of course Tillerson’s answer is exactly what it is on every other issue—I have to study that. Would veto any bill that lifted embargo on Cuba, but on everything else it’s just “would examine carefully.”
Rubio hits Tillerson on Duterte and 6,200 people killed on “drug raids” in the Philippines. Tillerson again proves he’s the perfect Republican candidate, because he doesn’t know anything about anything.
Rubio: Is Saudi Arabia a human rights violator?
Tillerson: I would need to have greater information.
Rubio: What information would you need?
Menendez brings back up lobbying against sanctions. Tillerson continues to dodge around the idea that they were lobbying against the sanctions … they were only lobbying for changes to the sanctions. Like not having any for energy companies.
Tillerson pretends that Exxon was lobbying for sanctions. Which would be amusing … except it isn’t.
Menendez brings up the Mexican wall. This is what Franken was doing yesterday with Sessions, and what all Democratic Senators should be doing: Force these nominees to defense ridiculous things said by Trump.
Boy. Republican Senators really like to blame US policy for world problems. Perhaps they should go on an apology tour.
Risch wins the idiot award for the afternoon. Can’t say I’m sorry he missed his first round. His whole points: 1) World only understand beating of chest, no brains! 2) Trump strong! 3) Putin strong! 4) Four too big a number.
Johnson gets to engage in massive I/P nonsense, including a “do you agree that Israel has agreed to everything asked of them” while Palestinians just failed to take advantage of all the opportunities they were given. Sure. Why not.
Shaheen contrasts neatly Tillerson’s efforts to at least avoid the appearance of conflict of interest, with Trump’s embrace of conflicts.
Shaheen asks a series of questions about immigration. Tillerson gives the “reasonable” version of Trump’s Muslim ban.
New thread here.