[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 50 (Wednesday, March 17, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S1578]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              NOMINATIONS

  Mr. SCHUMER. Second, on nominations, the Senate is once again making 
excellent progress this week confirming President Biden's nominees. We 
began the week by confirming a history-making Cabinet member, Interior 
Secretary Haaland. Yesterday, we confirmed Isabel Guzman as the SBA 
Administrator. Today, we will confirm another consequential 
administrative appointment, the U.S. Trade Representative.
  President Biden has named Katherine Tai, the daughter of proud 
immigrants from Taiwan, a veteran of the Office of the Trade 
Representative under President Obama, and one of our country's most 
seasoned experts in international trade. That--Ms. Tai--is what America 
is all about.
  We welcome her. We give her a great position of authority because of 
her expertise. And maybe--you know, I will leave it at that. It is a 
great contrast to the tragedy I was talking about a few minutes ago and 
the ascension of another proud American of Asian ancestry here.
  As U.S. Trade Representative, Ms. Tai will play a crucial role in 
enforcing existing trade deals and making sure that American workers, 
businesses, and researchers can compete on a level playing field. She 
will be an essential player in restoring America's credibility with our 
trading partners and promoting international cooperation to tackle some 
of the world's biggest problems, from the global pandemic to climate 
change.
  I have not a single doubt that Ms. Tai is the right person for the 
job, and I look forward to the Senate giving her a well-deserved 
promotion later today

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