Finance Committee Favorably Reports Trade, Treasury and Health Nominations

Baucus Urges Focus, Energy and Enthusiasm on Health Care, Trade and Economic Agendas as Senate Looks to Confirmation

Washington, DC— Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) applauded Committee action today to favorably report the nominations of Dr. Lael Brainard to be Under Secretary of the Treasury Department, Dr. Charles Collyns to be a Deputy Under Secretary for Treasury, Michael Mundaca and Mary John Miller to be Assistant Secretaries at Treasury, Michael Punke, a former International Trade Counsel to Senator Baucus, to be U.S. Ambassador to the World Trade Organization, Islam Siddiqui to be Chief Agricultural Negotiator for the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), Jim Esquea to be the Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) for Legislation, Ellen Gloninger Murray to be the Assistant Secretary of HHS for Resources and Technology, and Bryan Samuels to be the Commissioner on Children, Youth and Families at HHS. Baucus also reiterated his strong support for each of these nominees.

“It is critical we stay focused on a strong, sustainable U.S. economic recovery – beginning with meaningful health care reform – and support nominees who bring the energy and enthusiasm to help lead us toward that goal,” Baucus said. “The Committee today approved nine well?qualified nominees who will do just that. Their knowledge and experience will complement our efforts to garner real, significant market access for U.S. exports, guide policies for job growth here at home, improve U.S. competitiveness abroad and implement balanced, fiscally-responsible health care reform. I am especially proud that a Montanan, Michael Punke, is well on his way to a top post at USTR. But each nominee will fill a vital post and I urge the Senate to move swiftly to confirm these nominations.”

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