Scott Simon

What kind of reception has Scott Besson likely to get in the Capitol?

What kind of reception has Scott Besson likely to get in the Capitol?

What kind of reception has Scott Besson likely to get in the Capitol?

Well, he'll probably get a friendly reception from the new GOP Congress if he's confirmed. One of his first jobs will be getting an extension of Trump's 2017 tax cuts, parts of which are set to expire next year. He'll likely be pushing on an open door when it comes to cutting taxes, although...

Well, he'll probably get a friendly reception from the new GOP Congress if he's confirmed. One of his first jobs will be getting an extension of Trump's 2017 tax cuts, parts of which are set to expire next year. He'll likely be pushing on an open door when it comes to cutting taxes, although...

Well, he'll probably get a friendly reception from the new GOP Congress if he's confirmed. One of his first jobs will be getting an extension of Trump's 2017 tax cuts, parts of which are set to expire next year. He'll likely be pushing on an open door when it comes to cutting taxes, although...

That would probably add to the federal debt, which we learned just yesterday has now surpassed $36 trillion. Besson has also championed Trump's call for deregulation and for increased domestic energy production as a way to bring down costs.

That would probably add to the federal debt, which we learned just yesterday has now surpassed $36 trillion. Besson has also championed Trump's call for deregulation and for increased domestic energy production as a way to bring down costs.

That would probably add to the federal debt, which we learned just yesterday has now surpassed $36 trillion. Besson has also championed Trump's call for deregulation and for increased domestic energy production as a way to bring down costs.

Of course, tariffs are another big part of Trump's economic platform. What has Scott Besson said about that?

Of course, tariffs are another big part of Trump's economic platform. What has Scott Besson said about that?

Of course, tariffs are another big part of Trump's economic platform. What has Scott Besson said about that?

Besant has defended Trump's proposal to slap taxes on all imports, even though most economists say that would likely raise prices for U.S. businesses and consumers. Unlike some of the others in Trump's orbit, though, Besant doesn't seem to be a dyed-in-the-wool protectionist.

Besant has defended Trump's proposal to slap taxes on all imports, even though most economists say that would likely raise prices for U.S. businesses and consumers. Unlike some of the others in Trump's orbit, though, Besant doesn't seem to be a dyed-in-the-wool protectionist.

Besant has defended Trump's proposal to slap taxes on all imports, even though most economists say that would likely raise prices for U.S. businesses and consumers. Unlike some of the others in Trump's orbit, though, Besant doesn't seem to be a dyed-in-the-wool protectionist.

In an interview with the Financial Times last month, he suggested that Trump views tariffs as a bargaining chip and said, quote, my general view is that at the end of the day, he's a free trader. So we'll see about that.

In an interview with the Financial Times last month, he suggested that Trump views tariffs as a bargaining chip and said, quote, my general view is that at the end of the day, he's a free trader. So we'll see about that.

In an interview with the Financial Times last month, he suggested that Trump views tariffs as a bargaining chip and said, quote, my general view is that at the end of the day, he's a free trader. So we'll see about that.

Of course, the Treasury Secretary typically works closely with the Federal Reserve. What do you foresee there?

Of course, the Treasury Secretary typically works closely with the Federal Reserve. What do you foresee there?