WASHINGTON – Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), a member of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, joined his Democratic Committee colleagues in pressing the Trump administration to nominate Democrats to bipartisan boards within the Committee’s jurisdiction, including the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and the Export-Import Bank (EXIM). In their letter to Office of Presidential Personnel Director Dan Scavino, the Senators urged the Trump administration to follow statutory requirements and longstanding precedent to begin the process of confirming Democratic nominees in consultation with Senate Democrats. For decades, presidents of both parties have made nominations of minority board members and commissioners to these entities, but during his second term, President Trump has made no apparent effort to nominate Democrats.

The senators begin, “We write to urge you to begin the process for nominating Democratic officials to bipartisan boards within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs (Committee). No Democrats now serve in leadership at any agency within the Committee’s jurisdiction other than the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). Well into President Trump’s term, two seats remain open on the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and the Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank. Congress reserved each position for members of the minority party.”

They continue, “For decades, presidents of both parties have made timely nominations of minority board members and commissioners to the SEC, FDIC, and EXIM. But President Trump has made no apparent effort to nominate Democrats. Under longstanding precedent observed by President Trump in his first term, the Office of Presidential Personnel (PPO) should request Democratic nominees for open seats at bipartisan agencies from the Senate Democrats. Yet PPO has not to date solicited candidates for roles in Committee jurisdiction.”

“Instead, reporting indicates that the Administration appears to be preparing to nominate a new Republican to the SEC to replace Commissioner Hester Pierce. […] If the President nominated a Republican to replace Commissioner Pierce without also nominating a Democrat to the SEC, he would break the law. He would likewise flout Congress through any gimmicks to appoint allies to seats reserved by law for Democrats,” they go on to note.

“Consistent with longstanding practice and clear statutory requirements, we urge PPO to consult with Senate Democrats as quickly as possible regarding Democratic nominees for the SEC, FDIC, and EXIM. We believe nominees can and should be confirmed promptly,” the senators concluded.

The letter was led by Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Reverand Raphael Warnock (D-GA). In addition to Senator Gallego, the letter was signed by Senators Jack Reed (D-RI), Mark Warner (D-VA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Catherine Cortez-Masto (D-NV), Tina Smith (D-MN), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Lisa Blunt-Rochester (D-DE), and Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD).

Read the full letter HERE.