Senate Finance Committee delays vote on Jamieson Grier's nomination for U.S. trade representative

The Senate Finance Committee recessed without a vote Thursday after members offered statements for and against Jamieson Grier, nominated to be United States Trade Representative, and said the panel will reconvene on the Senate floor at a later time to hold the recorded vote.

The matter matters because the U.S. trade representative leads trade negotiations and advises the president on tariffs and trade policy; committee members used their statements to signal how they plan to vote and to outline policy concerns that could shape confirmation debate on the Senate floor.

The committee chair opened the session by moving into executive session and offered a public statement of support for the nominee. "He demonstrated at the hearing that he is more than qualified to be our nation's chief trade negotiator. Mr. Greer thoughtfully responded to all of the questions posed to him then and in subsequent questions for the record. Based on his answers, conduct at the hearing, and in my meeting with him, I'm confident that Mr. Greer has the experience and determination to advocate successfully for American farmers, ranchers, workers, and manufacturers," the chair said. The chair also said Grier "was very clear that he is committed to reporting to and consulting with Congress" and that the chair "intend[s] to vote in favor of Mr. Greer's nomination."

Senator Wyden, the committee's ranking member, sharply criticized the administration's trade approach and said he will oppose the nominee. "Since the committee last met to consider this nomination, the Trump trade agenda has continued to be a swampy mess... no results, higher costs for American families and, and American businesses," Wyden said, listing uncertainty about small-package imports, new tariff threats and recent steel and aluminum tariffs. He added that, while "targeted and strategic tariffs" can be useful, the nominee "appears to be in lockstep with President Trump, including supporting the use of tariffs for revenues" and said, "I'm going to vote against him."

Committee members did not take a recorded vote during the hearing. The chair said a colleague could not attend and, "procedurally, unless there is an objection, the committee will recess and will reconvene to vote on the floor on the nomination at a time with which is convenient. Members will be notified when that timing is confirmed. Without objection, it is so ordered and the committee stands in recess."

The public remarks by the chair and the ranking member outlined the primary lines of support and opposition that are likely to shape floor debate: supporters highlighted the nominee's hearing performance and commitment to consult Congress; opponents tied their objections to the administration's use of tariffs and to concerns about whether the nominee would assert independent influence on trade policy.

Members will be notified when the committee sets the time to reconvene on the Senate floor to vote on Jamieson Grier's nomination.