washington u.s. republican senator marco rubio reluctantly back president donald trump nominee secretary state rex tillerson move secure senate confirmation former exxon mobil corp chief executive nation top diplomat late monday rubio say trouble tillerson recent responses lawmakers regard russia well countries ultimately decide would vote approve nominee deference trump well fill critical top job despite reservations support mr. tillerson nomination committee full senate rubio say statement ahead senate foreign relations committee vote tillerson vote republican-controlled senate expect shortly committee vote tillerson expect win confirmation despite opposition democrats rubio onetime rival trump republican presidential nomination say would deferential regard trump nominees top state department post confirmation hear early month tillerson view appear odds trump key foreign policy issue nuclear proliferation trade deal climate change relations mexico nominee also tense exchange rubio whether believe russian president vladimir putin war criminal reference russia military action support syria government tillerson say would use term tillerson 64 also sidestep question human right decline condemn countries like saudi arabia philippines right abuse weekend fellow republican senators john mccain lindsey graham say would back tillerson despite concern relationship putin ceo one world large corporations republican senator rob portman monday also voice support say reassure tillerson commitment jan. 11 hear support nato organization trump voice differ opinions early monday senior democrat senate foreign relations committee ben cardin say would support tillerson power secretary state call wrong name shame fight day behalf american people freedom-seeking people world endure symbol cardin say prepare statement republican rubio clear way tillerson 's approval top u.s. diplomat