Trump’s Commerce Pick Lutnick Moves Forward in Senate
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WASHINGTON — The Senate Commerce Committee on Feb. 5 gave near-partisan approval to the nomination of Howard Lutnick to become President Donald Trump’s secretary of commerce.
The panel with jurisdiction over freight policy voted 16-12 to report Lutnick’s nomination to the Republican-led Senate. Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) joined Republicans in supporting the nominee. Republican leaders intend to schedule a vote to confirm as early as this month.
Responding to questions from Democrats on the panel, Lutnick pledged his commitment to securing supply chains and promoting domestic manufacturing and semiconductor markets.
As he put it, “Reshoring and nearshoring semiconductor production is critical to our economic and national security. Ensuring that the United States has robust domestic manufacturing capacity and supply chains to support the production of semiconductors is a top priority for me. Upon confirmation, I plan to ensure that the department is delivering these objectives in the most effective way possible.”
Trump speaks in the Oval Office Feb. 3 while preparing to sign an executive order. Lutnick listens. (Evan Vucci/Associated Press)
Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) led Lutnick’s favorable nomination process. Prior to the vote, he offered strong support for the nominee. “He will approach the job thoughtfully, considering all the relevant interests, as evidenced by the 44 stakeholder groups supporting him. I urge my colleagues to support his confirmation as Commerce Secretary,” Cruz said.
Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), the panel’s ranking member, led the Democrats’ opposition. Concerns over potential funding reductions to Biden-era supply chain programs guided the Senate minority’s pushback. “We need a secretary that understands that these products and these issues need coalition building, not throwing down gauntlets that will lose jobs for my farmers.”
Cantwell
“Over the last four years,” Cantwell added, “there has been much investment in infrastructure for manufacturing that this committee has supported: semiconductor expansion, $450 billion right here in the United States, thanks to the [Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors] and Science Act. And Mr. Lutnick, in various answers to various members on the committee, did not give a full commitment to making sure this money continues to go out the door. These awards are crucial to catalyzing domestic chip manufacturing states like Texas, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania.”
Dozens of stakeholders representing small businesses, manufacturers, chemical suppliers and commodities endorsed the nominee. “It is with great privilege that we issue our support for the confirmation of Howard Lutnick as secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce. The Department of Commerce endeavors to promote economic growth and opportunity across our nation through its 13 bureaus that strengthen our nation through economic competitiveness, domestic industry and quality jobs. The Department of Commerce plays a critical role in our economy, and we are confident in Mr. Lutnick’s ability to lead the agency,” the American Petroleum Institute said in a statement the committee provided.
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While Lutnick awaits a final vote, Trump’s Cabinet is quickly assembling. This month, the Senate confirmed by a vote of 59-38 Chris Wright for the top post at the Department of Energy. Wright was most recently a fracking executive. His portfolio will include aspects of the Trump administration’s proposals specific to energy infrastructure and emerging technologies.
Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Mike Lee (R-Utah) applauded Wright’s confirmation. “For the last four years, when Americans opened their energy bills, they didn’t see ‘climate plans’ — they saw costs piling up and questions they couldn’t answer,” Lee said Feb. 3. “With Chris Wright as secretary of Energy, I am confident that we can reverse the irresponsible policies of the Biden administration and prioritize affordable and reliable energy.”
The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee announced a confirmation hearing Feb. 12 on the nomination of former Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer to become labor secretary. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) has formally expressed his opposition to Chavez-DeRemer’s nomination. On X last month the senator shared, “I’m the national spokesman and lead author of the right-to-work bill. Her support for the [Protecting the Right to Organize] Act, which would not only oppose national right to work but would pre-empt state law on right to work — I think it’s not a good thing.”
I’m the national spokesman and lead author of the right-to-work bill. Her support for the PRO Act, which would not only oppose national right to work but would pre-empt state law on right to work — I think it’s not a good thing. https://t.co/DvLEvCgxnO — Rand Paul (@RandPaul) January 28, 2025
American Trucking Associations is among stakeholders raising concerns about the Labor nominee’s prior support of certain labor and independent contractor bills and guidelines. “These anti-trucking policies undermine our essential workforce, threaten the right of independent truckers to choose their own career path, and impede the efficiency of the supply chain,” ATA President Chris Spear said in November. “The 8.5 million men and women who work in our industry are the heartbeat of the nation, and we reserve our support for Chavez-DeRemer’s nomination until we receive greater clarity from her on these issues that are so vital to our workforce.”
The PRO Act would update provisions about organizing and collective bargaining as well as proceed with certain revisions to the definitions of an employee, supervisor and employer.
