Former Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson met with two Democratic members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday, as he looks to address mounting concerns about his ties to Russia in advance of his confirmation hearings for secretary of state.

Aides to Sens. Ben Cardin of Maryland and Chris Coons of Delaware confirmed to the Washington Examiner that both men met privately with Tillerson, who was nominated last month for the top diplomatic position and has since become the subject of intense scrutiny from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle who fear he would be too friendly toward Moscow as the head of the State Department.