U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) participated in a Senate Banking Committee nominations hearing, questioning nominees for assistant secretary positions at the Department of Treasury, Jonathan Burke and Christopher Pilkerton.
Senator Britt addressed Dr. Stephen Miran, President Trump’s nominee for the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. She said, “I appreciate your conversation with me yesterday, your commitment to Fed independence and just taking so much time talking through [my] questions with me. I look forward to supporting your nomination.” Britt had met with Miran prior to the hearing and stated, “Stephen’s extensive background in economic policy and time as CEA Chair prove he is well-qualified to serve on the Federal Reserve Board.”
During the hearing, Britt focused on issues of counterterrorism and illicit financing related to Iran. She remarked, “When you look at what happened with Iran (under the Biden Administration), (and) us not using every tool in our toolbox to squeeze them dry financially, what happened was billions of dollars … moving into that oil regime. We now have an administration that is taking this seriously, understanding that Iran is the largest state sponsor of terrorists, and every single dollar that they have, they use to advance that goal.”
Britt asked Mr. Burke about sanctions enforcement against Iran under President Trump’s maximum pressure campaign. Mr. Burke responded by saying, “It’s a multifaceted approach. It’s not just about imposing new sanctions on new targets, but it’s actually complemented by extensive diplomatic engagement with partners and allies around the world, and also the private sector to identify the risks associated with exposure to Iran, so they can take action as well to curtail that Iranian activity.” He also discussed Treasury Secretary Bessent’s recent announcement of new sanctions against Iran and indicated support for these efforts if confirmed.
The Senator further questioned Mr. Burke about secondary sanctions designed to discourage other countries from engaging in business with Tehran: “How can we better utilize the secondary sanctions available to us to use them against these nations that attempt to undermine the United States and aid Iran?” Mr. Burke explained how secondary sanctions aim to change behavior among countries and entities considered credible threats due to their disregard for U.S. sanctions.
Britt concluded her questioning by addressing concerns over China’s activities in purchasing American farmland near sensitive military sites: “I can assure you that China is not allowing America to buy up land around sensitive military sites there in China.” She asked Mr. Pilkerton if he would commit to working on this issue alongside her committee work; he replied, “I will absolutely commit to working with you and this committee on these really important national security matters.”
Senator Britt has reintroduced legislation called the Not One More Inch of Acre Act aimed at preventing Chinese individuals or businesses from owning American land.
