Baucus Statement on Nomination of Locke to Serve as Commerce Secretary

Washington, DC – Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) today congratulated Governor Gary Locke on his nomination to serve as Secretary of the U.S.Department of Commerce. The Department of Commerce oversees a broad range ofdomestic and international economic programs covering international trade, trade enforcement, economic development, and small business assistance. The Finance Committee, which has jurisdiction over U.S. trade policy, oversees the Commerce Department’s activities to expand international trade and boost U.S. exports, as well as enforce international trade rules and implement trade remedies. Chairman Baucus isalso actively engaged in U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade, which the Commerce Secretary and U.S. Trade Representative co-chair.

“Governor Locke is a solid choice for Secretary of Commerce and will provide a muchneeded shot in the arm to Commerce Department. His experience governing a stateon the front lines of the global economy will serve him well,” Baucus said. “America needs a Commerce Secretary who understands the importance of boosting ourexports while vigorously enforcing international trade rules. I look forward to working with Governor Locke to get our small businesses and communities through this crisis and ultimately getting America’s economy back on track.

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