Treasury nominee to meet with senators

Scott Bessent standing outside a doorway
Scott Bessent
Al Drago/Bloomberg

Scott Bessent, President-elect Donald Trump's pick to serve as Treasury secretary, is planning to meet with several Republican senators on Wednesday as he continues to build support for his nomination.

Bessent is scheduled to hold meetings with several members of the Senate Finance Committee, the panel with jurisdiction over tax and trade policy, according to the Trump transition team. He is slated to get together with Senators Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Steve Daines of Montana, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin and Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee.

Bessent, the founder of macro hedge fund Key Square Group, is expected to have an easy route to Senate confirmation. On Tuesday, he met with Mike Crapo of Idaho, the top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee. Crapo after the meeting called Bessent "an accomplished business leader who understands the importance of preserving and building on the pro-growth tax policies."

If confirmed by the Senate, Bessent would likely work closely with Crapo as Republicans seek to pass a sweeping legislation that renews Trump's 2017 tax overhaul and incorporates his 2024 campaign promises to eliminate taxes on tips, overtime pay and Social Security benefits.

Bessent's sprawling remit at Treasury would include overseeing public financing and the Internal Revenue Service. He's also seen as someone who'll have a hand in helping Trump choose a replacement for Fed Chair Jerome Powell when his term expires in May 2026. 

Bloomberg News
Tax Trump tax plan Tax laws Treasury Department
MORE FROM AMERICAN BANKER