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A4 U.S. NEWS
Monday 23 January 2017
Trump nomination to lead State picks up support in Senate

ANNE FLAHERTY military policy, while Gra- dent, gets the benefit of
WASHINGTON (AP) — Rex ham oversees a subcom- the doubt.”
Tillerson, the former Exxon mittee on military person- Rubio, who challenged
Mobil executive with close nel — their signal of support Trump for the GOP nomi-
business ties to Russia, saw could make it tougher for nation last year, clashed
his prospects of becoming Rubio to remain a holdout. with Tillerson at a hearing
secretary of state brighten Their support also would this month. Rubio bridled
Sunday after gaining the make it tough for Demo- at Tillerson’s refusal to label
support of two influential crats to peel off enough Re- Putin a “war criminal” or
Republican senators who publican votes to oppose condemn human rights vio-
had wavered on the nomi- his nomination. The Senate lations in Saudi Arabia and
nation. is divided by 52 Republi- the Philippines in strong
“Though we still have con- cans and 48 Democrats; Til- enough terms. He chided
cerns about his past deal- lerson’s confirmation needs Tillerson over the need for
ings with the Russian gov- a simple majority. “moral clarity.”
ernment and President Graham told CBS’ “Face Hours after Trump was
Vladimir Putin, we believe the Nation” that he was sworn in on Friday, Rubio
that Mr. Tillerson can be an persuaded to back Tillerson was tight-lipped, saying he
effective advocate for U.S. after a private meeting with would make his decision
interests,” Sens. John Mc- Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Sen. John Mc- the nominee. According to “certainly before the vote”
Cain, R-Ariz., and Lindsey Cain, R-Ariz., followed by Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., arrives Graham, Tillerson told him Monday and that Tillerson’s
Graham, R-S.C., said in a for a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, “when America doesn’t responses to written ques-
statement. Jan. 10, 2017, to announce legislation they are introducing to lead, other people will, and tions had addressed “some
Many Democrats and Re- impose comprehensive sanctions on Russia for their cyber in- the vacuum is always filled of” his concerns.
publicans McCain, Gra- trusions, aggression, and destabilizing activities here in the U.S. by bad actors. He said that The committee is narrowly
ham and Sen. Marco Ru- and around the world. Associated Press we have to have a foreign split between 11 Repub-
bio of Florida have ques- policy that engages the licans and 10 Democrats
tioned whether Tillerson The penalties cost the en- race. world. We need to lead so Republicans must all
has too many conflicts of ergy giant hundreds of mil- McCain and Graham an- from the front.” hold together to vote Til-
interests to champion U.S. lions of dollars. nounced their decision McCain said on ABC’s “This lerson out favorably, un-
policy abroad, especially Further roiling the debate before a vote Monday on Week” that he talked to Til- less he gets some Demo-
in Russia. is U.S. intelligence’s assess- Tillerson by the Senate For- lerson about his views on cratic backing. Still, a “no”
As CEO of Exxon Mobil, Til- ment that Russia meddled eign Relations Committee. Russia and his duty head- vote from Rubio would not
lerson spoke out against in the presidential elec- While McCain and Graham ing a major corporation. doom Tillerson’s confirma-
U.S. sanctions levied on tion to help Donald Trump aren’t committee mem- “Listen, this wasn’t an easy tion, because the nomina-
Moscow following its an- defeat Democrat Hillary bers — McCain leads the call,” said McCain. “But tion could go directly to the
nexation of Ukraine’s Clinton in the White House committee that oversees I also believe that, when Senate floor even without a
Crimean Peninsula in 2014. there’s doubt, the presi- positive committee recom-
dent, the incoming presi- mendation. q

George H.W. Bush improving,

wife staying night in hospital

JUAN A. LOZANO ton hospital now for a
Associated Press week. Doctors on Wednes-
HOUSTON (AP) — Former day inserted a breath-
President George H.W. ing tube, and a ventilator
Bush’s health continues to was employed to assist his
improve and his wife, who is breathing. The tube was re-
also recovering from illness, moved Friday.
has chosen to remain hos- Barbara Bush, 91, entered
pitalized one more night to the hospital Wednesday
be “closer to her husband,” after feeling run down and
a family spokesman said coughing for the past few
Sunday. weeks. Doctors determined
The 92-year-old former she had bronchitis. Her
president and his wife Bar- health has improved since
bara remained at Houston receiving treatment.
Methodist Hospital. He has “Mrs. Bush was given the
been receiving treatment option of being discharged
for breathing difficulties today, but has elected to
from pneumonia while she remain at Houston Meth-
is recovering from bronchi- odist Hospital one more
tis. evening to continue her
The 41st president’s vi- recovery and to be closer
tal signs are normal and to her husband,” McGrath
doctors hope he can be said.
moved out of intensive McGrath added the Bushes
care in the next day or two, wanted to make sure “they
said Bush family spokesman thank their well-wishers for
Jim McGrath. their kindness, and espe-
Bush has been in the Hous- cially their prayers.”q