Last week, President Joe Biden’s nomination to be comptroller of the currency at the Treasury Department, which oversees the banking industry, was met with protests from Democratic and Republican lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
During Saule’s confirmation hearing, Omarova was pressed on everything from her statements about wanting to bankrupt the oil and gas industry to her ideas about eliminating private bank accounts. She was also asked why her thesis, titled “Karl Marx’s Economic Analysis and the Theory of Capital Revolution,” was not submitted for review to senators voting on her nomination, even though it had been touted on her resume for years.
Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) to Biden’s nominee for Comptroller of the Currency: “I have no questions for you because there is nothing you can say today that would undo what you have said over the years, including this year.” pic.twitter.com/ygIKJWkRZj
— Spencer Brown (@itsSpencerBrown) November 18, 2021
According to AxlesOmarova’s nomination is all but dead as at least five Democratic senators plan to vote against her.
The defiant opposition from a broad coalition of senators reflects real political concerns they had about Omarova, a law professor at Cornell University who has courted controversy for her academic work on bashing substantial banks.
Their opposition also highlights the willingness of some Democratic senators to defy the White House on a major nomination, even if it gives Republicans a political – and symbolic – victory.
During a phone call Wednesday, Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), all members of the Senate Banking Committee, told Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ariz.). Ohio) – the chairman of the panel – about their opposition.
Those opposing her are joined by Sens. John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.).
Biden officials also heard directly from senators. They are aware of their deep opposition and know that Omarova has an almost impossible chance of being confirmed.
Just last week, the White House defended Omarova’s nomination.
