Sen. Hatch Taps Majority Whip Cornyn as Trade Subcommittee Chairman
Senate Finance Chairman Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, named Majority Whip John Cornyn, R-Texas, chairman of the committee’s trade subcommittee, both lawmakers said in separate statements. Hatch named all subcommittee chairs and members on Jan. 22 (here).
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Cornyn is second in command of the Republican Senate conference. “This chairmanship will put Sen. Cornyn at the forefront of developing a U.S. trade agenda to grow America’s economy and competitiveness,” his office said (here). Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., was the ranking member of the subcommittee last Congress.
Hatch and Senate Republican leadership are sending a number of signals that show a strong commitment to Trade Promotion Authority and pending trade agreements, said industry lobbyists. Still, despite Cornyn's high profile, Senate subcommittees are generally considered to have less influence in legislating, said the lobbyists.
Finance ranking member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., will serve as ranking member on the subcommittee, as well. Other subcommittee Republicans include Isakson, Chuck Grassley, Iowa, Pat Roberts, Kan., John Thune, S.D., and Rob Portman, Ohio. Democrats include Chuck Schumer, N.Y., Debbie Stabenow, Mich., and Bill Nelson, Fla.