WATCH LIVE: Confirmation Hearing of Rex Tillerson, Trump’s Pick for Secretary of State

Video credit: PBS NewsHour

Confirmation hearings continued Wednesday, January 11, for President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet picks. On deck Wednesday was arguably Trump’s most controversial pick, ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson. The media’s focus has been on Tillerson’s ties to Russia after an election in which U.S. intelligence agencies say Vladimir Putin tried to influence the results.

The sec. of state oversees 30,000 employees and an approximate budget of $35 billion. Along with their department, the secretary of state represents the United States abroad, coordinates foreign assistance and military programs, counters international crime, and provides services to U.S. citizens and foreign nationals seeking entrance to the U.S.

Through U.S. Foreign Service employees, the U.S. maintains diplomatic relations with approximately 180 countries, and international organizations.

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