Dems push to postpone vote on health secretary - The Hill

Senate Democrats want to delay a vote on the nomination of President Trump's pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services amid ethics concerns. 

The Senate Finance Committee is slated to vote on the nomination of Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.) Tuesday morning, but four Democrats are urging a pause because of "serious concerns" about "outstanding and significant questions about [Price's] qualifications and ethical conduct."

Democratic Sens. Patty MurrayPatty MurrayWarren offers to wager fate of DeVos nomination on Super Bowl Senate committee approves DeVos nomination Dems boycott confirmation votes for Trump nominees MORE, Al FrankenAl FrankenWarren offers to wager fate of DeVos nomination on Super Bowl Senate committee approves DeVos nomination Dems boycott confirmation votes for Trump nominees MORE, Tammy BaldwinTammy BaldwinDems boycott confirmation votes for Trump nominees Dems push to postpone vote on health secretary Overnight Defense: Pentagon chief working to exempt Iraqis from Trump order MORE and Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth WarrenWarren: Senate must oppose Sessions nomination Senate easily confirms Trump’s Transportation pick Warren offers to wager fate of DeVos nomination on Super Bowl MORE asked in a letter to Senate leadership that the vote be postponed until Price answers questions about his financial investments.

All four sit on the Senate's Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee (HELP), which questioned Price earlier this month. 

 

Price should also "and has provided documents sought in connection with his inappropriate and potentially illegal investment activities," the letter said. 

 

It's unlikely that Republicans will move to delay the vote. Hatch last week dismissed questions about Price's stock holdings as "grossly exaggerated" and "distorted." 

 

The letter follows another report out Monday detailing Price's alleged conflicts of interests.

 

The Wall Street Journal reported that Price was part of an exclusive group that was able to buy stock in a biotech company at a discount.

Price was among fewer than 20 people that received a 12 percent discount on shares of Innate Immunotherapeutics.

The company's statement appears to contradict Price’s testimony to the Senate Finance Committee last week, when he said that the discounted shares “were available to every single individual that was an investor at the time.” 

Senate Democrats have raised questions about Price’s trading of medical stocks while a member of Congress, in particular the purchase of the biotech shares.

Price has said he bought the stock after discussing it with Rep. Chris Collins (R-N.Y.), a member of the company’s board. Democrats say that could violate the STOCK Act, which prevents lawmakers from trading on congressional information.  

Senate Democrats have called for the ethics office and the Securities and Exchange Commission to investigate whether Price broke the law. 

Republicans have dismissed questions about Price’s stock trading and appear to remain firmly behind his nomination. 

It seems Price could be confirmed strictly on party lines. Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer (N.Y.) formally announced Monday that he would oppose Price, and not a single Democrat has publicly backed the nominee.

Sen. Ron WydenRon WydenThe Hill's 12:30 Report Dems boycott confirmation votes for Trump nominees Senate committee approves Zinke to lead Interior MORE, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, said late Monday that he would vote against Price's nomination Tuesday. 

Wyden said Price "seriously misled" the public about his background. 

“I cannot support nominees who treat disclosures like shell games and ethics laws like mere suggestions," Wyden said in a statement. 

Wyden declined to tell reporters Monday how the other 11 Democrats on the committee would vote. 

"Let's put it this way: I have been talking all weekend with Finance Democrats. Certainly, there's very significant concern on these issues."