Senate Passes Mnuchin As Treasury Secretary

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By Juliegrace Brufke

The Senate confirmed President Donald Trump’s nominee to head the Department of the Treasury, Steven Mnuchin, Monday.

While the vote was passed largely along party lines, West Virginia Democrat Sen. Joe Manchin joined Republicans in voting in favor of him.

Prior to being tapped for the position, he served as Trump’s finance chairman during the campaign. He has a long history in banking, having served as chairman of Dune Capital Management, a hedge fund he founded in 2002.

Mnuchin also spent 17 years working at Goldman Sachs, worked at Soros Fund Management and co-founded OneWest Bank Group.

In addition to working on Wall Street, he also has a history in Hollywood, financing major blockbusters like “Mad Max: Fury Road” and “X-Men.”

Republicans praised the confirmation, saying he brings an impressive skill set to the position.

“I’ve often said that a major undertaking like tax reform requires the President’s use of his bully pulpit to rally support behind a plan from Congress and the American people,” Iowa GOP Sen. Chuck Grassley said in a statement. “There’s an opportunity to do that with a new administration. The Treasury secretary will be critical in offering technical expertise and working with Congress on tax reform.”

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