Senate Finance clears deputy USTR nominees

The Senate Finance Committee on Thursday approved Deputy U.S. Trade Representative nominees C.J. Mahoney and Dennis Shea.    The Senate Finance Committee on Thursday unanimously voted to clear the nominations of C.J. Mahoney to serve as deputy U.S. trade representative for investment, services, labor, environment, Africa, China and the Western Hemisphere; and Dennis Shea to serve as U.S. ambassador to the World Trade Organization, which is also designated as a deputy U.S. trade representative position.
   Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., lifted holds on Mahoney and Shea earlier this month, after the Trump administration showed heightened engagement regarding trade issues affecting South Carolina, Scott said at the time. Scott imposed the holds in January, at which point he had cited poor communication by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative regarding his concerns.
   Finance Chairman Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, in a statement said he looks forward to “quick and fair” final confirmation votes for Mahoney and Shea on the Senate floor.
   U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer in a statement applauded the advancements, thanking Hatch and Finance ranking member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., for their leadership in clearing the nominees.
   “Deputy U.S. Trade Representatives play crucial roles in advancing President Trump’s agenda of free, fair and reciprocal trade,” Lighthizer said. “We look forward to the Senate confirming both of these extraordinarily well-qualified nominees as quickly as possible. No Administration has ever had to wait this long for its first Senate-confirmed Deputy USTR.”