This is the best of America here, serving with outstanding members on this committee.

I think that has been stated at every nominations meeting we have had.

Senator Menendez has played an incredible role for our Nation, making sure that sanctions are in place, and has led us all, if you will, relative to Iran.

I would think that absolutely the arrangement that he has with Exxon is something that should be fully vetted.

I do hope you will seek input of all as you move ahead into this top to bottom review.

Cory Booker, new star to the Senate, who I know will play a very vigorous role here.

I have told Senator Cardin that if there is a substantial issue that we need to look into...

We appreciate everybody being here as the Senate carries out one of its most important responsibilities, which is to give advice and consent to nominees that are put forth by a President.

What we are doing right now with food aid is beyond belief.

Thank you, and I appreciate your observation that every administration is anxious to work with Congress until such a time it in any way inhibits their ability to do whatever they wish.

I want to thank Jeff Merkley, who I know cares very, very deeply about these issues, for joining this committee, for your principled efforts in so many regards.

I think that there is support for the one percent that we spend to try to use it in an appropriate way for soft power.

This new administration must thread the needle between pushing back against Vladimir Putin's aggressions, meddling, interventionism, ambitions, and bullying and, at the same time, find a way to stop a dangerous downward spiral in our…

We would ask you to respect democracy, respect the right for us to have a hearing, to control yourselves in an appropriate manner.

I believe that Rex has an incredible opportunity to defend the foreign policy principles upon which President-elect Trump campaigned, to strengthen our friendship and alliances and to defeat our enemies.

Ultimately, he has to carry out the policies of the President, or he is not successful.

Do you commit to appear and testify upon request from this committee?

We need a Secretary of State who understands that America is exceptional, who will establish policies upon that foundation of exceptionalism, and who will put America's interests first.

We had the conflict in Syria that began, if you remember, with us cheering on the people who wanted basic human rights and more of a democracy.

We may wish to change our standards four years from now.

In the event with many of those where he was asking about war crimes, if you are able through your own independent knowledge and working with classified agencies here within the government to determine that the types of activities that he…

America has to lead in this particular area.

Mr. Tillerson, thank you for being here. I think you have been adequately introduced, and I think the world knows more about you than they ever thought they would.

This committee has certainly been a beacon of bipartisanship.

I have been here ten years. I do not know how many hearings that I have been to, briefings, people in my office.