The U.S. Senate Finance Committee has moved forward with several key nominations, advancing Bryan Switzer for the role of Deputy United States Trade Representative (USTR) by a 15-12 vote. The committee also approved Gustav Chiarello as Assistant Secretary for Financial Resources at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Michael Stuart as General Counsel at HHS, each by a 14-13 margin.
Following the votes, Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) commented on the committee’s decisions. “I commend the Committee’s action and congratulate each nominee. I share Mr. Switzer’s commitment to trade policies and practices that place the American economy and workers first. I look forward to working with him to ensure that our trade policy prioritizes U.S. competitiveness, spurs job creation and promotes innovation. Mr. Chiarello and Mr. Stuart are well-equipped to address the critical issues in our health care system, including soaring costs, a burdensome drug approval process and the opioid crisis. I am confident in each nominee’s ability to serve Americans’ best interest and implement the President’s agenda. I look forward to their confirmation by the full senate.”
Information about the executive session is available online, along with Chairman Crapo’s full statements from both the nomination hearing and executive session.
