    [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 33 (Wednesday, February 19, 2025)]
    [Senate]
    [Page S1038]
    From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

                                MORNING BUSINESS

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                         CONFIRMATION OF HOWARD LUTNICK

      Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I rise today to speak in support of the
    nomination of Howard Lutnick to be Secretary of the Department of
    Commerce.
      When I met with Mr. Lutnick, I stressed two related issues to him.
    The first was the importance of being responsive to Congress.
      I view listening to whistleblowers and sending letters to Agencies as
    part of my oversight responsibility to bring transparency to the
    American people.
      Agencies in turn have a responsibility to respond to congressional
    letters to remain accountable.
      I also stressed the impacts that trade retaliation can have on
    domestic industries, something that Iowa farmers know well.
      As international trade continues to heat up in the administration, I
    expect timely responses from Agencies like Mr. Lutnick's to provide
    transparency to the American people.
      I look forward to working with Mr. Lutnick to foster more fair trade
    with America's trading partners while remaining transparent with the
    American people.

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