The lone Republican who could tank Trump’s Fed pick
Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call Inc./Getty Images
Tillis has repeatedly demanded that the administration suspend its investigation into Powell, even threatening to block nominees he supports, like Warsh. Notably, the Senate Banking Committee is composed of seven Republicans and six Democrats, meaning Tillis’ vote is necessary to advance Warsh’s nomination assuming the vote falls along party lines.
“The Department of Justice continues to pursue a criminal investigation into Chairman Jerome Powell based on committee testimony that no reasonable person could construe as possessing criminal intent,” Tillis said following Warsh’s nomination in January. “Protecting the independence of the Federal Reserve from political interference or legal intimidation is non-negotiable.”
“My position has not changed: I will oppose the confirmation of any Federal Reserve nominee, including for the position of Chairman, until the DOJ’s inquiry into Chairman Powell is fully and transparently resolved.”
One viable “off-ramp” that has been floated by Republican Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, who chairs the committee, is to create a subcommittee to investigate and oversee the Federal Reserve’s over-budget construction. This would, in effect, replace the Department of Justice’s criminal probe into Powell but still allow the administration and its allies to investigate the Fed.
It’s unclear whether the DOJ would drop the investigation, but Tillis expressed enthusiasm about the potential resolution.
“I not only think it’s a good off-ramp, but I also think it’s good governance,” Tillis said.
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