Had a great meeting earlier today with President-elect Donald J. Trump’s incoming national security adviser, General Michael Flynn.

The gap between what the United Nations was meant to be and what it has become has never been wider. Governor Nikki Haley is a fierce advocate for U.S. interests and knows the U.N. needs tremendous reform and change; and I think she will, in fact, demand that as our U.N. ambassador. Watch my opening remarks at this morning’s hearing to consider Governor Haley’s nomination:

Enjoyed my time on Glass Street in Chattanooga earlier today. Inspired by the many Tennesseans who are giving back today to honor Dr. King. #MLKDay

Today we remember Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who spent his life fighting for freedom for all. May his legacy inspire us not just today, but every day. #MLKDay

The Affordable Care Act has led to high premiums, rising out-of-pocket costs, and reduced choice across the Volunteer State, and I am pleased Congress has initiated the repeal and replace process. We need a health care system that works for the American people, and I am encouraged that the debate has shifted in recent weeks from ‘repeal only’ to ‘repeal and replace’ in a thoughtful and deliberative manner. It is important to provide the incoming Trump administration, including its top health care official Dr. Tom Price, with time to review the regulatory and legislative steps needed to replace the Affordable Care Act with a responsible alternative that works well for Tennesseans and does not waste taxpayer resources.

I look forward to working with Dr. Ben Carson as he ascends to the important position of Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

Was glad to welcome David Friedman, President-elect Trump’s nominee for Ambassador to Israel, to the office yesterday.

Fred Thompson served the people of Tennessee and our country with great distinction. Through his many different roles in public life, Fred never forgot where he came from, and our state and country miss his common sense approach to public service. I was proud to call him a friend and am pleased to join my colleagues to honor his life in this way.

As I traveled across the Volunteer State this year, Tennesseans made clear that they are eager to have a president and Congress that will work together to govern responsibly, grow our economy, address our dismal fiscal situation and protect American interests around the world. I look forward to serving as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and as a member of the banking and budget committees to focus on the issues that matter most to Tennesseans. We have a tremendous opportunity before us to solve our country’s problems, and I look forward to working with President-elect Trump and my colleagues to ensure that we leave behind a stronger nation for future generations.

Enjoyed a wide-ranging discussion with Rex Tillerson this afternoon and am looking forward to chairing his confirmation hearing next week.

Elizabeth and I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas, and I look forward to serving you in 2017.

As is long-standing precedent for nominees considered by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the committee has not asked Rex Tillerson to provide copies of his tax returns. By all accounts, Mr. Tillerson is currently ahead of schedule in providing information to the committee. He already has submitted a completed nominee questionnaire and will soon submit an extensive financial disclosure. Furthermore, prior to his confirmation hearing, he will go through the same ethics and FBI checks as previous Secretary of State nominees. That has always been the plan, it is already in progress, and I am deeply disappointed my colleagues continue to imply otherwise. Our committee will carry out exactly the same procedures for Mr. Tillerson’s nomination that have been carried out since well before I joined the committee 10 years ago.

Legislation authorizing the End Modern Slavery Initiative passed the Senate on November 8 and currently awaits the president’s signature. The initiative will help establish a powerful effort in concert with the private sector and foreign governments to eliminate modern slavery and human trafficking around the globe. Passage drew broad support from advocates, stakeholders, experts and members of Congress. See what they’re saying about this important initiative:

Proud to hear that Nashville is #7 on Milken Institute's Top 25 Best-Performing Cities list for 2016. #BPCfor2016

Today’s announcement that Wacker will invest an additional $150 million and create 50 new jobs at its Charleston plant is outstanding news for Bradley County and surrounding areas. These high-quality jobs will benefit Tennessee families in a real way, and I thank Wacker for its continued investment in our state. I also appreciate the work Governor Haslam and his economic development team did to make this important expansion a reality.

I very much appreciated President-elect Trump calling me last night to let me know that he would be nominating Rex Tillerson for Secretary of State. Mr. Tillerson is a very impressive individual and has an extraordinary working knowledge of the world. I congratulate him on his nomination and look forward to meeting with him and chairing his confirmation hearing.

On a personal note, it has been an honor to be considered for Secretary of State. I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with the President-elect and his team throughout this process and appreciate the deliberate manner in which he arrived at this decision. I look forward to working with him to move our country forward.

Enjoyed touring Glass House Collective today and learning about their work to make Chattanooga an even more beautiful city.

Waterways in Tennessee and across our country are major economic drivers, and this bipartisan legislation will ensure our water infrastructure is maintained appropriately so that companies can continue to move goods in a timely and safe manner. I also am pleased this bill authorizes a flood risk reduction project at Mill Creek, which will better protect Nashville and Davidson County against future flooding.

We urge President Obama to quickly approve Governor Haslam’s request for a major disaster declaration for the State of Tennessee to help five Tennessee counties impacted by wildfires and severe weather in November rebuild and recover.