[ MUSIC ] They come from Belgium. They come from France. I don't know if someone is conducting cyber attacks into United States and we pass a law that authorizes the president to sanction them all. And actually impose this sanctions is mandatory would you advice the president to sign it? I think it is that second element, Senator, that you just described that leaves the Executive Branch, no latitudes or flexibility in dealing with the broad array of cyber threats. I think it is important that those be dealt with on a country- by- county basis, taking all other elements into consideration in the relationship. So giving the Executive the tool Is one thing, requiring the Executive to use it without any other considerations, I would have concerns about. So Mr. Tillerson, I understand your testimony. You're saying it was mandatory, you would not be able to advise the president to sign it because you want to have the president have the flexibility to decide which countries to sanction and which ones to not sanction. Under which circumstances do you sanction ?>> In essence because you want to be able for example to take other things into account, like for the example the desire to perhaps improve relations with that country and therefore the president maybe doesn't wanna sanction them even if they are attacking us .>> There could be a whole array of important issues requiring consideration including. Trading issues, trade relation issues, mutual agreements around our national security. So, I don't think it's appropriate, certainly for me at this time, to indicate that I would just that it's a blanket application. I think that is the role Of the executive branch. It is the role of the Secretary of State and State Department to assist and inform the president in judgments throughout how to use what is a clearly powerful tool. Well again, I mean what's troubling about your answer is the implication that somehow if there is some country That we're trying to improve relations with, or have significant economic ties with. You may advise the president not to impose sanctions on that country, or on individuals in that country, out of concern that it could damage the rest of our relationship with them. On a cyber attack, which is a direct attack on our national security and on our electoral process. So let me ask you. Would you advise the President- elect to repeal the Obama administration's recent executive orders regarding cybersecurity and Russian interference in the 2016 elections? I think the President- elect has indicated, and if confirmed, I would support. What's really required is a comprehensive assessment. Of our cyber threat of cyber security policies. In my view based on what I've been able to read and have been briefed, we do not have a cyber security policy. We do not a comprehensive strategy around how to deal with what has Been a rapidly emerging threat. But Mr .- And as I said, we're seeing it manifest itself in ways that we never envisioned. But Mr. Tillerson, I understand the cybersecurity plan. We have to have one to protect ourselves and handle cyber attacks against our country. That is separate from the question of whether people that have already conducted attacks should be sanctioned and singled out. There's an executive order that is now active That has sanctioned those individuals. And my question is do you believe that executive order should be repealed by the incoming President? If confirmed, Senator, I would want to examine it in all aspects of it in consultation not only with the President but with other inner agencies that are gonna have input on this. As to their views. Well, again, Mr. [ UNKNOWN ], if all the executive order says is that certain individuals for cyber actions against the United States will be sanctioned, and still we need to examine whether that's a good idea or not. Is that correct? Yes, sir. [ MUSIC ]

Watch Sen. Marco Rubio Grill Rex Tillerson Over Cybersecurity