[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 165 (Thursday, September 23, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S6639]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                      Nomination of Sarah Bianchi

  Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, yesterday, the Senate confirmed the 
nomination of Jayme White to serve as a Deputy U.S. Trade 
Representative. Today, the Senate has an opportunity to fill another 
important position following a debate on President Biden's nomination, 
Sarah Bianchi, for that role.
  I am just going to speak briefly and outline a few key reasons why 
Ms. Bianchi is the right person for this important job and why the 
Senate should confirm her nomination today.
  She is a longtime, accomplished member of the Biden economic team. 
She has worked in a host of settings during her time in public service: 
the Office of the Vice President, the Domestic Policy Council, the 
Office of Management and Budget, and as a staff member here in the 
Senate. She brings valuable experience in the private sector to her 
nomination as well. She has helped build a strong Biden economic agenda 
that is focused on making sure that all Americans have the opportunity 
to get ahead.
  With respect to the key issue of trade, which is under the 
jurisdiction of the Senate Finance Committee, that means fighting for 
American workers and American businesses and cracking down on the trade 
cheats that will flagrantly try to rip off jobs and economic growth.
  The variety and the depth of Ms. Bianchi's experience in public 
service will be a big asset to Ambassador Tai and the team at USTR.
  When the Finance Committee voted on Ms. Bianchi's nomination, she was 
approved by a vote of 27 to 1. I often say that it is a struggle to get 
a bipartisan group of 27 Senators to even agree on buying a 7UP, but 
supporting the Bianchi nomination is clearly a bipartisan proposition 
on a vital economic position.
  In fact, all of President Biden's USTR nominees that have come before 
the Finance Committee, I am pleased to say, have gotten strong support 
from both sides of the aisle; for example, a longtime staffer of mine, 
Jayme White--80 votes yesterday, 80 votes, with strong support, I might 
add, from business and labor. It is because these individuals are 
focused on getting beyond some of the old theories about trade--free 
trade, fair trade, and the like. What really brings Democrats and 
Republicans together is trade done right.
  That is what Ms. Bianchi is all about. When she is confirmed, she 
will take on a challenging portfolio at USTR, which includes Asia, 
Africa, investment, services, textiles, and industrial competitiveness.
  The headline in that list, of course, is taking on China. The Finance 
Committee has worked hard on policies designed to take on China's many 
trade rip-offs. There is China's use of forced labor, for example, 
massive unfair subsidies that destroy any semblance of a level playing 
field, theft of intellectual property, and the Great Firewall and 
censorship of the internet extending beyond China's borders. These 
abuses, these rip-offs, directly threaten American jobs, innovations, 
and values from sea to shining sea.
  For the U.S. Senate, part of how Members must address these issues is 
confirming highly qualified and experienced nominees like Sarah 
Bianchi, whose job will include confronting China directly. The Senate 
simply can't afford to leave this important Deputy USTR role open any 
longer. Now the Senate has a top-notch nominee before us.
  I support Sarah Bianchi fully. Twenty-seven members of the Finance 
Committee supported her earlier this year during our committee's 
markup. I urge Senators to vote yes on the Bianchi nomination.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.