[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 16 (Saturday, January 25, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Page S380]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                      Nomination of Scott Bessent

  Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, in about an hour or so, we are going to 
vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Scott Bessent 
to be the Treasury Secretary of the United States, and I rise today to 
urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this motion.
  A Treasury Secretary heads the Agency charged with supporting 
economic growth, representing U.S. interests before foreign nations and 
global financial markets and organizations, managing the Federal 
Treasury, and overseeing financial institutions--to name just a few of 
those important responsibilities.
  Past successful Treasury Secretaries have understood business and 
financial markets, as well as foreign policy, national security, 
budgets, and regulation.
  Mr. Bessent's impressive background positions him for similar 
success. He has worked for the last three decades as one of the 
sharpest minds in the global financial industry. He has decades of 
academic, professional, and leadership experience relative to these 
positions.
  When it comes to Mr. Bessent's qualifications, there is no room for 
debate. His background and training are tailor-made for this role, and 
he has the demeanor and character to be an effective Secretary.
  His powerful presentation at his hearing about his desire to serve in 
government in order to make a meaningful difference was impressive to 
all. It includes restoring prosperity and opportunity that our Nation 
experienced during President Trump's first term in office.
  As Mr. Bessent stated, accomplishing key tasks like extending vital 
tax cuts for all Americans is literally a pass-fail exercise, and I 
look forward to working closely with him to ensure that we succeed.
  I strongly agree with a sentiment that my colleague Senator Graham 
shared at the nomination hearing that if qualifications--and I might 
add character--are one's test, voting to confirm Mr. Bessent is one of 
the easiest we could ever take.
  In prior Congresses, I have joined with many of my Republican 
colleagues in voting for well-qualified Treasury Secretary candidates 
put forward by a Democrat President, even though I didn't agree with 
all of the positions they advocated.
  Mr. Bessent's candidacy ought to enjoy similar support, and I 
encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join with me in 
advancing his nomination.
  He is the right person for this job, and I commend President Trump in 
making such an excellent selection.
  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. ROUNDS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.