Heitkamp Presses Trump Nominee to Protect American Workers by Defending Social Security, Supporting Export-Import Bank

Press Release

At a U.S. Senate confirmation hearing, U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp pushed Rep. Mick Mulvaney of South Carolina, the president's nominee to lead the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB), to make sure the administration stands up for American workers and retirees by defending Social Security and supporting the Export-Import Bank.

Heitkamp also pushed Mulvaney to commit strong federal support for permanent flood protections in the Fargo and Minot areas at his confirmation hearing in the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, and she highlighted the importance of making bipartisan improvements to the federal regulatory process to help businesses and protect families.

"If the new administration wants to support American workers, there are some key steps it needs to take--like standing up for hardworking families' retirement security and guaranteeing American businesses and workers the federal benefits they've earned," said Heitkamp. "A 59-year-old oil rig worker in North Dakota shouldn't face Social Security cuts that force him to work until he's 70, and I pushed this nominee about the importance of protecting hardworking Americans from Social Security cuts. Having met with Rep. Mulvaney earlier this month, I also followed up with questions about the Export-Import Bank, which I successfully fought to reauthorize. For political reasons, the agency still isn't able to fully function, putting American workers and businesses at a disadvantage. The bank plays a critical role in supporting good-paying American jobs everywhere from North Dakota to South Carolina. Hearings like these are instrumental in helping me learn about candidates, and I look forward to considering his nomination further."

After meeting with Mulvaney one-on-one earlier this month, she followed up at today's hearing by questioning his views on Social Security, which he has supported cutting in the past, and the Export-Import Bank, which he voted to shut down in the U.S. House of Representatives--despite its role in supporting American jobs and businesses. In December 2015, Heitkamp led Congress in passing her bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the bank, but continued opposition from some members of Congress has prevented it from properly functioning. The lack of a quorum on the bank's board is halting more than $20 billion in deals waiting in the pipeline for approval, even though the agency was reauthorized with strong bipartisan support. That $20 billion worth of American exports supports almost 116,000 American jobs at businesses large and small.

Heitkamp also questioned Mulvaney's views on regulatory reform, an issue Heitkamp is a leader on as the top Democrat on the Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management. Heitkamp pressed Mulvaney about ways to improve the federal regulatory system, cut red tape, and achieve bipartisan, commonsense reform that leads to better regulatory outcomes and makes sure small businesses in North Dakota are heard when agencies develop regulations.

OMB helps set each administration's federal funding priorities, which is why Heitkamp continued to push Mulvaney on the importance of federal support for North Dakota flood protections. Last year, Heitkamp helped successfully secure federal support from OMB and Army Corps leaders for a Minot study start and a Fargo construction start, in addition to critical funding for both projects.

Heitkamp has long fought to make sure the federal government lives up to its responsibilities and assists North Dakota in recovering from past flooding and helping protect communities throughout North Dakota from future floods.

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