[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},"mediaId",6142220,"mediaKeyId","5561426-9352c3c095d260a27f84fabb4ff22cde","parentId",5561426,"title","Finance Committee previews votes on McKernan and Adams; Wyden voices opposition to Adams","audioSeconds",370,"startMs",1519000,"endMs",1889000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5561426-9352c3c095d260a27f84fabb4ff22cde&start=1519&end=1889","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5561426-9352c3c095d260a27f84fabb4ff22cde/thumbnail_1519000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6142220/Finance-Committee-previews-votes-on-McKernan-and-Adams-Wyden-voices-opposition-to-Adams","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6142220-36a3b27008dd1944fd56008e87aad07a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770453110&Signature=jidY9XSayUKMcJvsrVYzEMEQW1AVO9HotMkOsm991MTlsM2eMcTXM6iuBP-R3-qH5KDhXVVUsk3zUFcvVntXEm3SY8uw8racCagSLMXbePKEsO54b5Z4ae09KUwQsUneWbzn5yBOJlk-4wwOOL7c6JHCMuB8~d~QLOX9SVVxv7M~F5ueTpUJeYQX5Nb~mVVGJSXL0uJomGw6iS00BED4mHRo6uv91kMK6QEyUJUvlSLUVwASiKwRNxhhullAZrkIMQF5NMFHi64ypWZCXiUAHhSO8l6Arspt7FnIYyOTICZYYZXB-VyaYL7n84nUGUI8TywS9G2oO0MpVMHwVHGqbQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","U.S. Senate Committee on Finance","date","2025-07-31T00:00:00Z","article","The Senate Finance Committee began its session by announcing it would consider favorably reporting the nominations of Jonathan McKernan to be Undersecretary for Domestic Finance at the Treasury Department and Dr. Alex Adams to be Assistant Secretary for Family Support at the Department of Health and Human Services. The committee said it would recess briefly and schedule a floor vote at 11 a.m.

Ranking Member Ron Wyden used his opening remarks to announce he will vote against both nominees. Wyden said Adams’s record as director of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare showed “weakening oversight standards for residential treatment facilities,” rollbacks in staffing standards for child-care facilities and cuts to programs supporting children with disabilities. Wyden also said he plans to hold Adams to commitments on addressing abuse and neglect in residential treatment centers and planned to place his committee’s investigation related to mistreatment of LGBTQ youth into the record.

Wyden criticized McKernan for failing to show he would protect taxpayer privacy after the Treasury’s transfer of the department’s payment system (referred to in testimony as “Doge” and the “Treasury payment system”). Wyden said McKernan “failed to demonstrate that he will be committed to protecting American taxpayers” and urged colleagues to vote no on both nominees.

Committee procedure and next steps
The chairacknowledged the announced votes and confirmed the committee would reconvene for a nominations hearing and later notify members of the floor vote time. No roll-call or recorded committee votes on the two nominations were included in the transcript; the committee indicated the final vote would occur at the Senate floor’s next voting series.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Full Committee Hearing on Nominations for Key U.S. Trade, Health, and Treasury Positions","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate Finance Committee opened its session by announcing it would consider favorably reporting the nominations of Jonathan McKernan (Treasury) and Dr. Alex Adams (HHS) and scheduled a floor vote later in the day.","taxTitle","Finance: Senate Committee, Standing Committees - House & Senate, Congressional Hearings Compilation, Legislative, Federal","taxId",1993,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6142226,"Treasury deputy‑undersecretary nominee pledges cooperation on implementing recent tax law",1364,3563000,4927000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5561426-9352c3c095d260a27f84fabb4ff22cde&start=3563&end=4927","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5561426-9352c3c095d260a27f84fabb4ff22cde/thumbnail_3563000.jpg","/articles/6142226/Treasury-deputyundersecretary-nominee-pledges-cooperation-on-implementing-recent-tax-law","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6142226-d01761fe684465789529123790813d18/orig.mp4?Expires=1770453110&Signature=Yi0qMVXUePqcsyzqz-yeS0jeT90~O5dXRKZdM2hd989gR6vJ6mo49KYnArx0oupcsZvAI5mZESnmzsVF2M1dFHr7bLrJ0V0gVLLMpJ~81bySFpvwDOToVdsOu88nLWgwi58OBwjlFxA~qvdRON~EBzebrq-Isa5E2znoreSuzEySv2Z~yYoFx8R6GEMG-ovGZX~tdaoAzGIvw8VElNf7sVqxPzpy6JHTKDQONGvlX~p90~Oz5isBTLOzN5gpGUaQmwB5nSVlpKT53uaNwuWRPSZJLrPEyvm-Aunfoaqbyze8foMvHGYutSOnQkTaGTl~pC2AX5ySE1WEpB02DpGBfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Derek Tyre, President Trump's nominee to be deputy undersecretary for legislative affairs at the Treasury Department, told the Senate Finance Committee he will work with members of Congress to implement provisions of the recently enacted tax legislation and pledged an open-door approach to oversight and guidance.

Tyre, who previously served as senior tax counsel for the House Ways and Means Committee and as a senior policy adviser to House leadership, said Treasury’s Office of Tax Policy will handle technical guidance and that he would facilitate consultation between Treasury and Congress.

Specific oversight issues raised
Senators pressed Tyre on several implementation questions tied to the large tax package frequently referenced during the hearing (some speakers called it the “1 Big Beautiful Bill”):

- Begin-construction guidance for renewable energy credits: Sen. Chuck Grassley asked Tyre to commit that Treasury would interpret the statute’s phrase “begin construction” consistently with longstanding Treasury guidance. Tyre said the office of tax policy would work with members and staff and maintain an open-door engagement as guidance is developed.

- Clean fuel production credit (IRC §45Z): Senators sought timelines for formal guidance so the biofuels industry could proceed confidently. Tyre said timing is set by the office of tax policy and he would convey congressional concerns as a priority to Treasury colleagues.

- Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund allocations: Tyre was asked to ensure timely allocation of FY25 CDFI funds that Congress appropriated. He said the matter falls outside his current portfolio but, if confirmed, he would work with senators and Treasury leadership on the issue.

Context and commitments
Multiple senators framed the law as pro‑growth and emphasized the need to avoid regulatory changes that would penalize projects that complied with preexisting guidance. Tyre promised to be responsive to committee questions and to help ensure Treasury communicates with members during implementation of statutory provisions.

What’s next
Committee members signaled they will follow up in writing on specific guidance and that they expect Treasury to consult closely with lawmakers during rule‑writing and guidance activities. Tyre’s nomination will move to a committee business meeting and, if reported, to the Senate floor for a confirmation vote.","Derek Tyre, nominated for deputy undersecretary for legislative affairs at Treasury, told the Senate Finance Committee he will keep Congress informed implementing the recent tax law and work with members on guidance, while senators pressed on beginning‑of‑construction rules, biofuels credits and CDFI funding.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6142231,"Nominee for deputy U.S. trade representative outlines tough stance on China, intellectual property",4579,3039000,7618000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5561426-9352c3c095d260a27f84fabb4ff22cde&start=3039&end=7618","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5561426-9352c3c095d260a27f84fabb4ff22cde/thumbnail_3039000.jpg","/articles/6142231/Nominee-for-deputy-US-trade-representative-outlines-tough-stance-on-China-intellectual-property","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6142231-e23e7836dc97e6c8e961c945f4a00cee/orig.mp4?Expires=1770453110&Signature=g1asImNKFtimK8HLb707yO3ObAXP8blR7i8PbjzJ8Xggx9juV~YL5AjsLXon8KpyPRDgGvLg0xUtV7a2qhlDTY9vj4Y~591updVnCkmCuI-wC4HINk~gvJ84Lu4t38Bw-zkqt9amNTGDjXkuCgqr-Vq4pby55wjPQJs6HZwdI3CaS18qp83bV6kk3wRqKix1x4BuX~HeD37EFKS5aKsZOHY9Pd0jGamQJ1wikj2Xx3TNHfLvyUbhfZwIGB8snnk1qodEJpjdSrM3nKhhaDQtJ1ehoDTy8-PNX6WaHBh7PwTgzK6zCUtFNRGPvS7y84lF8ZlADcht76kd31m2GhZTpA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rick Schweitzer, President Trump's nominee for deputy U.S. trade representative covering Asia, told the Senate Finance Committee he would seek systemic responses to intellectual-property theft, push for trade reciprocity and work to bolster supply-chain resilience if confirmed.

Schweitzer described two priorities in opening remarks: enforcing U.S. intellectual property rights and improving supply-chain resilience for critical sectors such as semiconductors and pharmaceuticals. He told the committee he would “use every tool at our disposal” — including the Special 301 report and other USTR authorities — and favor systemic trade actions against persistent countrywide coercive practices rather than “one‑off” cases.

Committee concerns and exchanges
Senators from both parties pressed Schweitzer on multiple fronts: tariffs and their effects on small businesses and tourism, environmental standards and carbon leakage, ocean plastic pollution, and critical‑minerals and uranium supply chains.

- Intellectual property and China: Schweitzer said his decades of experience working in China give him “a systemic approach” to intellectual‑property theft and coercive practices and that USTR would take on “coercive practices head on.” He described private firms’ reluctance to be publicly identified and argued for country‑level measures rather than individual case prosecutions.

- Tariffs, tourism and allies: Senators asked whether the administration would reevaluate tariffs that affect allies and U.S. service exports. Schweitzer acknowledged tourism and travel are important U.S. services exports and committed to learn more about how trade policies affect states like Nevada; he said he would work with Commerce and other agencies where appropriate.

- Environment and trade: Senators asked Schweitzer to consider trade tools to address environmental harms, such as ocean plastic waste and carbon pollution. He said trade agreements can embed high‑quality environmental safeguards and that USTR intends to pursue those commitments.

- Critical minerals and uranium: Schweitzer agreed to work with Congress on preventing circumvention of bans on adversary‑sourced uranium and on building resilient domestic critical‑minerals supply chains with allies and industry.

Context and next steps
Schweitzer emphasized interagency coordination, consultation with Congress and partnership with allies as central to his approach. He repeatedly invoked trade reciprocity and “de‑risking” rather than wholesale decoupling from China, and he told senators he would seek binding commitments where appropriate.

The committee will request written follow-up on specifics once the nominee is in office. A committee vote to report Schweitzer’s nomination to the full Senate was announced but not recorded in the hearing transcript.","Rick Schweitzer, nominated for deputy USTR covering Asia and key sectors, told the Senate Finance Committee he will pursue trade reciprocity, protection of intellectual property and supply-chain resilience while senators raised concerns about tariffs, tourism impacts and environmental standards.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6142234,"Senate Finance questions HHS nominees on grants, EMTALA and opioid response",1359,2368000,3727000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5561426-9352c3c095d260a27f84fabb4ff22cde&start=2368&end=3727","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5561426-9352c3c095d260a27f84fabb4ff22cde/thumbnail_2368000.jpg","/articles/6142234/Senate-Finance-questions-HHS-nominees-on-grants-EMTALA-and-opioid-response","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6142234-95d51c5a7976d2c827621ee81bda022f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770453110&Signature=JgoKA5V0WQJv18pXwLSP18DsdvZllkJ-KFzDFQhWkksf99tNz5CxCPQ72Km04p9PdXNlFeURoTrUUg~MUFC80cEvER0pOGYPKNh53Blpo55vFD~O30VuVQ64cT6Okbnzh33tWTI~vft91zU0gm50F8MLZ8VJG3vGOp9Qcbd~HJ8snOFVkAzDxjHXjD7Z5bYC487UX~2chn6iugP8XJ04pOQWsfLQoRAcdXeT6fkSzGThcL2jm6tJ1oDzcy~VnZKwSPYl9NzDo7tHpFhC0f69ZOK~RT83DFUeqCLJIOjzE9ygg6SumHX0IkODsZIW8wQEX33Iwv8S4n~no5UNDm2wog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Finance Committee heard opening statements and extensive questioning Thursday for two nominees to senior Health and Human Services posts: Gus Chiarello, nominee for assistant secretary for financial resources, and Michael Stewart, nominee for general counsel.

Committee members pressed the nominees on whether they would follow the law when allocating or withholding federal funds, and on specific programs including Title X family planning, Head Start grants, CDC contracts and SAMHSA grants. Senators also sought commitments on protecting emergency-care obligations under EMTALA and expanding access to medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder.

The hearing opened with nominees giving biographical remarks. Chiarello said he would “follow the law when it comes to appropriations and managing,” and described his antitrust-and-finance background at the Federal Trade Commission and House Judiciary Committee. Stewart, who previously served as U.S. attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia and as a West Virginia state senator, said he would “follow the law” and described his prosecutorial work on Medicaid fraud and opioid-related cases.

Why it matters: HHS oversees roughly $1.7 trillion in federal spending in FY 2024 and administers programs — from public-health grants to Title X family planning and Head Start — that directly affect hospitals, clinics and early-childhood providers. Senators said recent department actions have left some grantees unsure whether appropriated funds will be delivered and asked how nominees would restore predictability.

Key exchanges and commitments
- On grants and contract cancellations: Senator Jon Ossoff (questioning pattern similar to colleagues) and others pressed Chiarello and Stewart to investigate recently canceled or paused multiyear CDC contracts and to report findings to the committee. Chiarello committed to “work with the committee on their inquiries” and said he would follow applicable law and procedures. Stewart said he would advise the secretary to “follow the terms and conditions” of statutes and agreements.

- On Title X and Head Start funding: Senators asked whether the nominees would distribute appropriated Title X funds and restore stability for Head Start providers that reported payroll uncertainty after federal holds. Chiarello answered that he would “follow the law” and lean on operating divisions to identify mission-critical funding. Stewart said his approach would be to “follow the law” and rely on legal and factual review before taking action.

- On EMTALA and emergency reproductive care: Senator Ron Wyden pressed Stewart three times about whether EMTALA requires hospitals to provide stabilizing reproductive care before a patient becomes septic. Stewart repeatedly said he would “provide guidance with respect to the law” and that “nothing in the law today prevents pregnant women from getting life-sustaining emergent treatment,” but he declined to offer a detailed enforcement plan on the floor and said he would follow up in writing if confirmed.

- On opioid treatment and medication-assisted therapy: Sen. Maggie Hassan and others asked whether nominees support expanding medication-assisted treatment, including methadone and buprenorphine, for opioid use disorder. Stewart said he “supports Secretary Kennedy” and would back medication-assisted treatment and wraparound services as a priority.

- On preventing fraud and stewarding taxpayer dollars: Stewart emphasized plans to form multidisciplinary teams to pursue fraud and recover improper Medicaid payments, citing past prosecutorial results. Chiarello said he would use his antitrust and financial-management experience to scrutinize grant processes and reduce waste.

Context and background
Senators repeatedly framed questions against recent actions by HHS leadership that, according to lawmakers, have paused or canceled grants and contracts and withheld some appropriated funds. Committee members urged nominees to produce clear, legally grounded guidance and to ensure that department actions do not leave providers without payroll or services. Several senators asked for specific, timely written follow-up after the hearing.

What’s next
The committee signaled it will seek written follow-up from the nominees on legal interpretations and on findings about canceled contracts and withheld grants. Final confirmation votes, if scheduled, will take place later on the Senate floor.

Ending note
Nominees repeatedly pledged to “follow the law” and to work with the committee. Senators from both parties said they expect written guidance and prompt responses if the nominees are confirmed and assume responsibility for HHS’s legal and financial programs.","Nominees for two senior Health and Human Services posts faced extended questioning about grant cancellations, emergency-room obligations under EMTALA, Head Start funding and the federal response to the opioid epidemic during a Senate Finance Committee hearing.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Finance Committee previews votes on McKernan and Adams; Wyden voices opposition to Adams

Treasury deputy‑undersecretary nominee pledges cooperation on implementing recent tax law

Nominee for deputy U.S. trade representative outlines tough stance on China, intellectual property

Senate Finance questions HHS nominees on grants, EMTALA and opioid response