Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, issued the following statement announcing her vote in support of Wilbur H. Ross to be the next Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce:
“Following my discussions with Mr. Ross and a thorough review of his record, I will be supporting him to be Commerce Secretary. Mr. Ross assured me of his commitment to supporting efforts that will grow our economy, especially in Nevada. His support for programs, research initiatives, and data analytics to help grow and expand the tourism industry, including BrandUSA and the Survey of International Air Travelers, is especially reassuring for Nevada’s economy.
“Mr. Ross also recognizes the importance of promoting minority-owned businesses, and I will work to ensure he takes action to increase capital and resources available to minority-owned businesses in Nevada and across the U.S. Finally, Mr. Ross’s recognition of the positive economic benefits of comprehensive immigration reform would provide a much-needed advocate for this issue in the new Administration. While some of Mr. Ross’s business ties are concerning, I believe that he understands what it takes to grow and strengthen the American economy, which is the ultimate role of Commerce Secretary.”
Senator Cortez Masto questioned Mr. Ross at the Commerce Committee hearing on his nomination on January 18. Watch the conversation here.