Senate Confirms Ron Kirk as Next USTR; Senate Holds Secretary of Commerce Confirmation Hearing
Ron Kirk was confirmed by the Senate today to be the next U.S. Trade Representative (USTR). The vote was 92-5. As USTR, Kirk is member of President Obama’s Cabinet and will serve as the President’s principal trade advisor, negotiator and spokesperson on international trade issues.
Separately, this morning the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a hearing this morning on the nomination of Governor Gary Locke to be the 36th Secretary of Commerce. The video webcast of the hearing, as well as the prepared testimony of Governor Locke and other participants in the hearing, can be found here.