Gina Raimondo Wins Senate Confirmation as Biden's Commerce Secretary

By Joshua Summers First Posted: Mar 03, 2021 01:56 AM EST

By a vote of 84-15, the Senate on Tuesday confirmed Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo as the next U.S. commerce secretary. Raimondo, who is the first woman to serve as governor of Rhode Island, will be tasked to help the Biden administration revive the American economy, which took a blow from the coronavirus pandemic.

According to NPR, Gina Raimondo, 49, will lead one of the federal government's most extensive departments, which also covers the Census Bureau, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Minority Business Development Agency, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Her confirmation to the position came two months following President Joe Biden's announcement of the Democratic governor's nomination.

Gina Raimondo's Stand

USA Today noted that as Secretary of Commerce, Gina Raimondo is accountable for promoting the growth of the nation's economy domestically and overseas.

According to Investopedia, the head of the Department of Commerce should foster the business community's relationship in developing and growing job opportunities and industries for American laborers and workers.

ABC News noted that Raimondo, also a previous general treasurer of Rhode Island, was credited with reconstructing the state's pension system. She was also able to win praise for how the smallest state in the country has dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it faces criticism regarding the vaccine rollout in the area.

NPR mentioned that during Raimondo's confirmation process, she emphasized the department's significance in addressing how the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on the nation's economy and highlighted the people's discriminations of color and families with lower incomes face.

It can be remembered that Gina Raimondo took a stance on China during her confirmation hearing before the Senate Commerce Committee in January. ABC News reported that Raimondo said China has been anti-competitive and hurtful against the American workers and businesses. She added that she intends to use all the possible tools that will level the American workers' playing field.

Raimondo also emphasized that the Department of Commerce must be a partner of businesses and workers for them to innovate and grow during this time of crisis.

Republicans Oppose Gina Raimondo's Confirmation

According to USA Today, the Republicans, who opposed her confirmation, were concerned that Raimondo would not be forceful enough to confront the Chinese government's efforts to acquire an economic and technological advantage through surveillance.

Senator Ted Cruz earlier questioned her on how she would handle the Chinese telecom giant Huawei, and if she would keep Huawei on the department's entity list. Cruz further noted that Biden's nominess show a pattern of embracing communist China.

Raimondo explained that there was no reason to remove Huawei from the Commerce Department's entity list since only those that pose a risk to the country's national security or foreign policy interests should be omitted.

"I currently have no reason to believe that entities on those lists should not be there. If confirmed, I look forward to a briefing on these entities and others of concern," she noted in a report.

Gina Raimondo has a record of creating thousands of jobs for the people of Rhode Island. And as Commerce Secretary, she said she is now looking forward to fight for the American workers.