Senate confirms four trade nominees pending since summer

The Senate confirmed four trade nominees in an action that will give the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative its first permanent deputies under the Trump administration.    The Senate on Thursday confirmed four trade nominees in an action that will give the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) its first permanent deputies under the Trump administration.
   Senators confirmed by voice vote C.J. Mahoney to serve as deputy U.S. trade representative for investment, services, labor, environment, Africa, China, and the Western Hemisphere; Dennis Shea to serve as deputy U.S. trade representative for Geneva and U.S. ambassador to the World Trade Organization; as well as Gregory Doud to serve as USTR chief agricultural negotiator.
   The confirmations come after Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., lifted his holds on all the nominees and Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., lifted a hold on Doud.
   The Senate also confirmed by voice vote Jason Kearns to serve as a commissioner on the International Trade Commission through Dec. 16, 2024.
   President Donald Trump nominated Kearns on June 29, Doud on June 19, Shea on July 11, and Mahoney on July 27.