Rhode Island Governor Confirmed As U.S. Commerce Secretary

Cranston RI

02 March, 2021

2:56 PM

Description

PROVIDENCE, RI — Just under two months since she was first announced as the-President-elect Joe Biden's pick to lead the U.S. Commerce Department, Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo is headed to the nation's capital to stay. Raimondo's confirmation vote came just before 2:30 on Tuesday, with 84 voting in favor and 15 opposed. The confirmation was expected after an overwhelming majority of senators voted in favor of cloture Monday night, which set a time limit on the final vote. Biden introduced Raimondo as his commerce nominee Jan. 8, saying that he was "honored to have her in [his] cabinet." "I congratulate Secretary Raimondo on her confirmation today," Rep. David Cicilline said immediate following the vote. "I look forward to continuing to work with her to grow Rhode Island's economy and create greater opportunities for the folks who live here." Rhode Island Sen. Jack Reed has championed Raimondo since the start, saying at the time of her nomination that "she is a talented, thoughtful, hard-charging, and effective leader." In a story reflective of Rhode Island's interconnected culture, Reed acknowledged that he was "a little biased here," having known the governor since she was a baby. "Boom! Done," tweeted Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, adding that there hasn't been a Rhode Islander on a presidential cabinet since the Truman administration. "I wish Secretary Raimondo all the best as she takes on a significant role in President Biden's cabinet overseeing the national economic recovery," Whitehouse said in a statement. "As an Ocean State native leading the Department of Oceans and Commerce, Raimondo will be an important partner in protecting our imperiled oceans and growing the Blue Economy. I look forward to working closely with Secretary Raimondo to continue making job-creating investments in Rhode Island." Lt. Gov. Dan McKee will now take the helm as Rhode Island's governor. Throughout his transition period since Raimondo's nomination, McKee has promised a smooth transition and uninterrupted COVID-19 pandemic response. McKee said that Rhode Islanders "should be proud" to have Raimondo serving in the Biden administration. "It is an honor to have one of our own serving the country as a member of the Presidential Cabinet," McKee said. "Our country will benefit from her leadership on important issues like a fair and accurate census, promoting American businesses large and small, and making sure American companies are able to compete fairly overseas. I wish Governor Raimondo the best of luck in her new position and thank her for her years of service to Rhode Island."