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 Murray
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All four sit on the Senate's Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee (HELP), which questioned Price earlier this month.
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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 Wyden
Ron WydenDems push to postpone vote on health secretary Senate Democrats block vote on Trump Treasury pick Intel Committee Dems to Trump: Read torture report 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."
