Senator Hassan Slams Nominees on Law-Breaking and Tariffs

Nominee Responses to Law-Breaking Hypotheticals

• 🏛️ Senator Hassan expressed disappointment with nominees William Kimmit and Kenneth Kies for their inability to definitively state they would refuse a presidential order to break the law.
• ⚖️ Both nominees provided a hypothetical answer, stating they are committed to following the law, but did not explicitly commit to quitting or being fired if asked to break the law.
• 💡 Hassan emphasized the rule of law as essential for American values, international standing, and the economy, urging nominees to acknowledge reality.

Tariffs as Tax Increases

• 📈 Hassan challenged the nominees' reluctance to admit that tariffs are taxes, citing the president's imposition of a 10% tariff on all imports.
• 🛒 American families are expected to pay more for essentials like groceries due to these tariffs, estimated to increase costs by approximately $3,800 per year.
• 📄 Hassan presented an official definition from the International Trade Administration stating tariffs are taxes, questioning the nominees' stance.

National Debt and Tax Policy

• 💰 When questioned about tax breaks for billionaires, Kenneth Kies, nominated for Assistant Treasury Secretary for Tax Policy, stated he needed more specifics to answer.
• 📊 Hassan countered by referencing the Congressional Budget Office's projection that the Republican tax plan would add $37 trillion to the national debt over 30 years.
• 📉 This projected increase in debt is noted as being more than the country has accumulated in its 249-year history.