For Immediate Release
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
Contact: Adam Bozzi, [email protected]
Appointment would further empower billionaires and corporate special interests that have rigged the system
Tillerson’s Exxon Mobil has stacked the deck to protect tax breaks for Big Oil, to block efforts to fight climate change, and to keep its political spending secret
End Citizens United (ECU) Executive Director Tiffany Muller released the following statement on Donald Trump’s nomination of Rex Tillerson as Secretary of State:
“Donald Trump continues to hand over the keys of his administration to corporate special interests and his billionaire campaign donors.”
“Under mega-donor Rex Tillerson’s leadership, Exxon Mobil has spent more than $150 million buying influence – through campaign spending and lobbying – to protect huge tax breaks for Big Oil and to block efforts to address climate change. Tillerson’s Exxon Mobil has also undermined campaign finance laws and basic transparency by fighting to keep its political spending secret from the American public. Tillerson is a dangerous choice for Secretary of State, weighed down by massive conflicts of interest and compromised by his cozy relationship with one of our largest geopolitical threats, Russia.”
“Trump’s promises to drain the swamp were hollow and empty. Tillerson’s nomination proves that the President-elect is prioritizing his mega rich and special interest cronies, and not the interests of the American people. End Citizens United opposes his nomination and will work with our members across the country and our allies in Congress to prevent him from being confirmed.”
End Citizens United PAC was established in March 2015 to counter the disastrous effects of Citizens United and reform our campaign finance system. To date, more than 3 million grassroots members from every state and territory have taken action to support End Citizens United.