May 26,2006

Grassley: Delay in Senate Consideration of Trade Representative is Unnecessary

M E M O R A N D U M

To: Reporters and Editors
Re: United States Trade Representative nomination
Da: Friday, May 26, 2006

Sen. Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Committee on Finance, with jurisdiction over international trade, made the following comment on the delay of full Senate consideration of Ambassador Susan Schwab to become the United States Trade Representative.

“It’s too bad we were unable to confirm Ambassador Schwab as our next Trade Representative this week. We’re at a critical point in the Doha Round negotiations in the World Trade Organization. We need Ambassador Schwab out there representing us in her full capacity as the President’s Trade Representative. There’s no reason to play games with her nomination. Senators have had ample opportunity to question Ambassador Schwab and the Administration on China policy, and she and the administration have answered the questions that have been posed to them. The objecting senator has made his point. Delaying her confirmation doesn’t add anything.”