On the recordFebruary 13, 2025
Mr. President, I rise in support of the nomination of Howard Lutnick to be Secretary of Commerce. Two weeks ago, Mr. Lutnick appeared before the Commerce Committee, where he received a warm reception from Senators. The following week, he was reported out with bipartisan support, underscoring that many Commerce Committee members see Mr. Lutnick as highly qualified to serve as Secretary of Commerce. Mr. Lutnick has demonstrated great resilience and grit throughout his life. As he revealed at the hearing, growing up with some real personal adversity has given him a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by ordinary working Americans. He lost both of his parents before his 18th birthday, and he put himself through college and helped to raise his younger siblings. On 9/11, Howard personally witnessed the fall of the Twin Towers. On that day, he lost two-thirds of his staff, including his own brother. Few men can recover from an experience like that, but Howard not only rebuilt Cantor Fitzgerald, but he made it into an international powerhouse with 13,000 employees and operations in more than 20 countries. Just as importantly, he has dedicated his rebuilt company to helping support the families who lost loved ones on 9/11. He created the Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund to ensure that the families of employees who were killed received healthcare and millions in financial support. And he continues to serve as a board member of the National September 11th Memorial.…





