Billionaire Wilbur Ross got one step closer to being confirmed as President Trump’s secretary of commerce.
The Senate voted 66-31 to end debate on the nominee, setting up a vote on his confirmation on Feb. 27, when the Senate returns from a week off.
Ross, the banker-turned-investor, was warmly received at his Senate confirmation hearing, which indicated he would not face any major hurdles in the Senate.
Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., chairman of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, praised Ross as a man who “would bring decades of business, entrepreneurial and civic experience to this important position” and said that his “know-how and intelligence” made him an “excellent candidate” for commerce secretary.
Democrats mostly had friendly inquiries for Ross, partly because many agree with the incoming administration’s skepticism of international trade deals. “Democrats understand a lot of the frustrations on trade that President-elect Trump campaigned on,” said Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M.
The committee’s top Democrat, Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., did admit he worries the administration might gag federal scientists speaking on issues related to climate change. But Ross responded that he “didn’t think that valuable information should be concealed,” and said he had “great respect” for the work done by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
