Baucus Urges Confirmation Of Key Commerce, Health, Treasury Nominees

Finance Chair Says Nominees Will Help Create Jobs, Promote American Competitiveness in Global Economy

Washington, DC – Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) commented today following a Finance Committee hearing to consider the nominations of Jeffrey Goldstein for Under Secretary for Domestic Finance at the Department of the Treasury, Francisco Sánchez for Under Secretary for International Trade at the Department of Commerce, and Sherry Glied for Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation at the Department of Health and Human Services.  Baucus said confirming these nominees is important to ensuring critical divisions of the federal government have the resources they need to continue working to bolster the economy and create jobs.

“If confirmed, these nominees will arrive in the Administration at a crucial time for our economy and our nation’s health care system.  The Administration and Congress must work together to do everything we can to help businesses and put Americans back to work.  Our country’s economic health depends on the vitality of our health care system as well as the success of our small businesses, which are the engine of job creation,” Baucus said.  “Today’s nominees will all play key roles in creating a sustained economic recovery, ensuring the stability of our financial institutions, and implementing the affordable health care system American businesses need to be competitive in the 21st century global economy.”

Baucus stressed the importance of sustainable economic growth.  He urged Goldstein, who currently serves as Counselor to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and has previously served as Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer of the World Bank, to help spur private-sector job creation.  As the Under Secretary for Domestic Finance, Goldstein would advise the Treasury Secretary on the U.S. financial system, fiscal policy, governmental assets and liabilities and all related economic and financial matters.

Following today’s hearing, Baucus reinforced his support for Mr. Goldstein’s nomination saying, “I strongly support Jeffrey Goldstein’s nomination to be Under Secretary of Treasury for Domestic Finance.  He has the experience, knowledge and skills to help navigate this country out of one of the worst economic crises in history.  Once confirmed at Treasury, he will help oversee our domestic financial system and our economic recovery.  We must move forward to consider and approve his nomination so he can get to work getting our country back on track.”

Baucus expressed his commitment to the President’s initiative to double American exports in five years.  He urged Sánchez, who has served as Assistant Secretary of Transportation in the Clinton Administration and is currently a Senior Advisor to Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, to help America’s small businesses begin exporting to the 95 percent of the world’s consumers who live outside our borders.  As the Under Secretary for International Trade, Sánchez would lead the International Trade Administration (ITA) and play a key role in promoting American competitiveness in the global economy and in improving U.S. export promotion programs.

Baucus stated that HHS must have a strong foundation of evidence to inform its decision-making on all matters.  Baucus asked Glied, who is a Professor and Chair in the Department of Health Policy and Management at Columbia University and served as a Senior Economist for health care and labor market policy to Clinton’s President's Council of Economic Advisers, to always evaluate the effect that HHS policies will have on beneficiaries.  As the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, Glied would be the principal advisor to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on policy development on a range of issues including health, disability, human services and science.  She would also be responsible for researching the cost and benefits of related policies and programs being considered by HHS and Congress.

“Once confirmed in their positions at Commerce and Health and Human Services, Mr. Sánchez and Ms. Glied will play key roles in ensuring America’s competitiveness in the 21st century global economy.   In order to compete, our country must have aggressive trade programs that help American businesses expand into global markets, as well as a health system that makes health care affordable for businesses so they can grow,”Baucus said after today’s hearing.  “I am confident that the American public and our national interest will be well-served thanks to the hard work of Ms. Glied and Mr. Sánchez.”

Opening statements and full video footage of today’s hearing may viewed on the Finance Committee website here: http://www.finance.senate.gov/.

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