President Donald Trump’s pick to head the Department of Commerce, longtime friend and billionaire Howard Lutnick, is set for a Senate confirmation hearing next week.
Lutnick will appear before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee on Jan. 29, Chair Ted Cruz’s office announced Wednesday.
Like several other of Trump’s Cabinet picks, Lutnick’s hearing was delayed due to paperwork issues, Cruz said in an interview last week.
“Mr. Lutnick will play a key role in unleashing unprecedented innovation and ensuring our nation’s job creators are well equipped to expand opportunities for good-paying jobs,” Cruz (R-Texas) said in the statement.
If confirmed, Lutnick is set to lead Trump’s trade and tariff agenda, which has caused heartburn for some Republicans who fear it could raise prices for consumers.
Trump has vowed to impose significant tariffs on major U.S. trading partners starting Feb. 1.
Lutnick co-chaired Trump’s 2024 transition team and rebuilt financial services firm Cantor Fitzgerald after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks that killed hundreds of the company’s employees, including his brother.
