Trump’s nominee for Army secretary won’t have any trouble getting confirmed in the Senate. As a West Point graduate, a retired Army major, and billionaire businessman, Vincent Viola is eminently qualified for the post. He also just happened to buy off the leader of the opposition.
FEC filings compiled by the Center for Responsive Politics show that Viola’s company, Virtu Financial, gave overwhelmingly to Democrats in 2016. The luckiest patron this election cycle was Chuck Schumer. Virtu invested $32,500 in the Senate minority leader.
Though cornered in the minority, Democrats won’t let all of Trump’s executive nominees win confirmation without a fight. Schumer is already slamming the next administration for putting together a “crooked cabinet.” He’s thrown shade at Secretary of State nominee Rex Tillerson for his ties to Russia and he’s needled EPA Secretary Scott Pruitt for “denying science.”
Schumer even went after Trump’s nominee for director of the Office of Budget and Management, Rep. Mick Mulvaney, R-SC., When the pick was confirmed on Sunday morning, he sent a barb Mulvaney’s way on Twitter over the president-elect’s “tax cuts for the wealthy.”
So far Schumer’s stayed quiet over Viola, and it’s not hard to guess why. His cash practically ensures an easy confirmation process. After filling his war chest with money from the Wall Street executive, it’d be politically impossible for Schumer to attack his donor. And the Brooklyn Democrat isn’t alone.
Five senators hit up Virtu Financial for contributions during the 2016 cycle and the company gave generously. Republican Sens. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, Tim Scott of South Carolina, Ted Cruz of Texas, and Jerry Moran of Kansas lined their pockets with his money.
While the balance sheets are seemingly bipartisan, Viola’s company has been more generous with politicians on the left. This year the financial firm shelled out $7,350 to Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign. Two years before that Virtue Financial wired Sen. Cory Booker, D-NJ, $20,800 in contributions.
Schumer’s office didn’t respond to numerous calls and emails from the Washington Examiner about the senator’s connection to Viola. But a quick glance at the New York billionaire’s spending indicates a low drama confirmation. Already in the nominee’s pocket, they’re not going to oppose him on the Senate floor.
Philip Wegmann is a commentary writer for the Washington Examiner.
