Senate Finance Committee to Hold Confirmation Hearing for USTR Nominee
The Senate Finance Committee will hold a hearing at 10 a.m. March 14 to consider the nomination of Robert Lighthizer to serve as U.S. trade representative, the committee announced (here). “In order for Congress to have a strong say in…
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the Trump Administration’s trade policy agenda, we need to confirm the USTR as soon as possible,” committee Chairman Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, said. “After unprecedented delays and unrealistic and unrelated demands that have hindered the advancement of Mr. Lighthizer’s nomination, it is past time to allow the Committee to examine the nominee’s qualifications to lead USTR.” Hatch added that he looks forward to hearing, specifically, how Lighthizer plans to protect American intellectual property rights overseas, among other things. Hatch last month said his committee would draft waiver legislation to set the stage for Lighthizer’s confirmation, because he represented the Brazilian Ministry of Industry and Commerce for the Skadden Arps law firm more than 15 years ago (see 1702070047). The Trade Act of 1974 prevents anyone who represented other governments on trade issues with the U.S. from serving as USTR or deputy USTR.