WASHINGTON D.C.- As the Trump administration appointments progress, Washington, Montana, Wyoming and Idaho lawmakers have taken centerstage.
In the Commerce Committee, Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) the ranking member shared concerns on Howard Lutnick the former CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald and his appointment to be secretary of commerce.
Freshman Senator Tim Sheehy (R), Wyoming Senator Cynthia Lummis (R) and Senator Maria Cantwell (D) sit on the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee.
The vote was 16-12 to advance Lutnick to the full Senate.
Senator Cantwell voted against the nomination alongside other Democrats, with the exception of Senator John Federman who voted with Republicans.
“On the Lucknick nomination since the hearing last week, the Trump administration has taken a series of unprecedented actions that I find very concerning,” Senator Cantwell said. “I’m very concerned about the president’s threat to our North American neighbors and a massive tariffs until we resolve problems.”
The senator spoke directly to concern over imports and export tariffs to the State of Washington and trade with Canada.
“Tariffs and trade wars are a major problem for my state. Where 2 out of every 5 jobs are tied to trade-related industries,” Senator Cantwell said, “My state imports $20 billion of goods from Canada, primarily oil, gas, lumber, and electric power, and making our northern border with Washington one of our largest trading partners.”
Senator Cantwell went on to cite a Wall Street Journal report calling the back-and-forth, the dumbest trade war in history.
“He has said he’s advocating for the president’s policy [which] would cost my constituents $5 billion or more. We need a secretary that understands that these products and these issues need coalition building, not throwing down gauntlets that will lose jobs for my farmers,” Senator Cantwell said.
The Senators full remarks encompassed concerns about natural disasters in the Pacific Northwest, further investment in transportation infrastructure, and concern over protection of AM radio access in the event of an emergency.
You can watch the full statements from Washington Senator Maria Cantwell below:
