East Idaho Times

The United States Senate has confirmed Scott Bessent as Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Treasury with a bipartisan vote of 68-29. U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) expressed strong support for Bessent's nomination during a speech on the Senate floor, highlighting his qualifications and urging colleagues to confirm him.

Crapo emphasized Bessent's commitment to restoring prosperity and opportunity experienced under former President Trump's leadership. "I look forward to working closely with him to ensure we extend the policies that benefitted Americans of every income bracket and enabled families and businesses to get ahead," Crapo stated.

Bessent's nomination was previously approved by the Senate Finance Committee with a bipartisan vote of 16-11. Crapo addressed concerns raised about Bessent's tax compliance, asserting that he followed all applicable laws and met rigorous standards set by the committee. "Let me be clear: Mr. Bessent paid his taxes," Crapo declared, noting that experts had reviewed his tax returns.

Crapo further explained that while there were arguments about changing interpretations of the tax code by the IRS, Congress had not enacted those changes. He noted that if future changes occur, Bessent has committed to complying with them.

In support of extending Trump-era tax cuts, Crapo argued that these cuts primarily benefited lower- and middle-income individuals, countering claims that they favored wealthy billionaires. He warned against allowing these cuts to expire, stating it would result in significant tax hikes for Americans.

Crapo concluded by praising Bessent's extensive experience in global finance and his suitability for the role of Treasury Secretary. "Mr. Bessent’s candidacy ought to enjoy similar bipartisan support," he said, encouraging colleagues from both parties to confirm his nomination.

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