Baucus Backs Nominees for Treasury and HHS

Finance Chairman Says Nominees Are Well-Qualified for Significant, Challenging Roles

WASHINGTON –In a Senate Finance Committee hearing today, Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) backed the nominations of Dr. Karen Dynan to serve as the assistant secretary for economic policy at the Treasury Department and Dr. Richard Frank to serve as the assistant secretary for planning and evaluation at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). 

“We need public servants of great expertise to help put America back on track,” Senator Baucus said.  “Both nominees bring decades of experience in government and academia, and they are well-respected in their fields.  Their knowledge and skills will be vital as they take on their new roles.”

Dynan was the vice president and co-director of the Economic Studies program at the Brookings Institution from 2009 to 2013. Prior to joining Brookings, Dynan served on the staff of the Federal Reserve Board for 17 years, most recently as a senior adviser. While at the Fed, she played a leadership role in a number of areas, including macroeconomic forecasting, analysis of household and real estate finance conditions, and the policy response to the financial crisis. She also served as a senior economist at the White House Council of Economic Advisers, from 2003-2004, and as a visiting assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University in 1998. Dynan received her Ph.D. in Economics from Harvard University and her A.B. from Brown University.

“I am confident Dr. Dynan will provide Secretary Lew, the President, and this committee with clear, direct, and valuable analysis,” Senator Baucus said. “She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this position that will help formulate policies to safeguard and grow the economy.”

Frank is currently a professor in the Department of Health Care Policy at Harvard Medical School, a position he has held since 1999.  From August 2009 to March 2011, while on leave from Harvard Medical School, he served as the deputy assistant secretary for planning and evaluation at the Department of Health and Human Services.  From 1994 to 1999, Frank was professor of health economics in the Department of Health Policy at Harvard Medical School.  Frank previously held faculty positions at Johns Hopkins University from 1984 to 1994 and at the University of Pittsburgh from 1980 to 1984.  Frank received a B.A. in Economics from Bard College and a Ph.D. in Economics from Boston University.

“Dr. Frank and his team will help keep HHS and its programs on track. With everything on the Department’s plate, this is an important task,” Senator Baucus said. “Dr. Frank’s qualifications are impeccable, and he is the right person for the job.”

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