[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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