January 09, 2017

Senator Duckworth Meets with Commerce Secretary Nominee Wilbur Ross

 

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) met with Wilbur Ross, the nominee to be Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce, yesterday. The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, which Senator Duckworth serves on, is scheduled to hold a confirmation hearing for Mr. Ross this Thursday. Senator Duckworth released the following statement regarding her meeting with Mr. Ross:

"Mr. Ross and I had a good conversation about how the Commerce Department can support Illinois's economy and enforce fair trade policies that prevent outsourcing and keep jobs in America," said Senator Duckworth. "I appreciated his commitment to combating currency manipulation and to tightening rules-of-origin standards. I am hopeful that if Mr. Ross is confirmed, the Commerce Department will crack down on unfair trade practices like illegal dumping, which has shuttered factories and cost Illinoisans jobs across our state.

"However, reports of Mr. Ross' potential conflicts of interest involving business ties with foreign governments as well as his considerable assets in industries the Commerce Department has jurisdiction over are troubling. I hope he can fully address these concerns and provide the transparency and accountability the American people deserve."