Senate Finance Committee to Consider USTR Nominee Thursday

The Senate Finance Committee plans to consider whether to advance to the floor the nomination of Robert Lighthizer as U.S. trade representative at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, the committee said. In a brief interview Tuesday, ranking member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., continued to assert a legislative waiver is needed to exempt Lighthizer from legal requirements barring individuals who have represented foreign entities from being USTR or deputy USTR (see 1703150027). Wyden said his staff and that of Chairman Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, are "having conversations" on "how it might be possible to get the necessary waiver. Senate Democrats want Republicans to consider unrelated legislation in exchange for clearing the path for Lighthizer’s prospective confirmation. Hatch said he hopes Senate Democrats drop their "unrelated demands" for Lighthizer's advancement. "Mr. Lighthizer’s nomination has been subject to unprecedented delay and unrelated demands for far too long, and we cannot afford to have this crucial position void of leadership any longer," Hatch said. "Throughout his confirmation hearing he demonstrated a clear vision and dedication to advancing a strong trade agenda, which many of my Democratic colleagues praised."