01.18.17

Sullivan Questions Commerce Secretary Designee Ross at Confirmation Hearing

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK), a member of the Senate, Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, today released the following statement after questioning Wilbur Ross, nominated to be the next secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce, in a committee hearing.

“I appreciated Mr. Ross’s sincere resolve to change course with the Obama administration’s record of stagnant economic growth these past eight years – a fact he called the ‘new dismal’ in contrast to the administration’s spuriously phrased ‘new normal,’” said Senator Sullivan. “He also committed to working with me to ensure Alaska’s fisheries – the largest employer in our state and the best-managed and most sustainable fisheries on the planet – are able to thrive and continue to reach global markets.”

As a result of a provision Senator Sullivan included in H.R. 644, the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015, for the first time ever, any new agreements negotiated by the Trump administration with America’s trading partners will include fisheries as a principal negotiating objective.

As outlined today by Mr. Ross, the four planks of the Trump administration’s economic policy are reforming the regulatory system, unleashing America’s energy potential, fixing the existing trade imbalance, and investing in our infrastructure. Mr. Ross committed to working with Senator Sullivan on reforming the federal regulatory system so that taxpayer dollars are not wasted on delays and reviews.

“The priorities Mr. Ross outlined today are among the same priorities that I have been focused on in the Senate, and ones that will benefit Alaska. I look forward to voting for Mr. Ross’s confirmation, and working together to get our economy growing again, creating good-paying jobs for Alaskans and all Americans, and ensuring that Alaska remains the super-power of seafood,” added Senator Sullivan.

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