US Senate confirms Gina Raimondo as Joe Biden’s Commerce Secretary

The US Senate voted on Tuesday to confirm President Joe Biden’s nominee Gina Raimondo to serve on the post of Secretary of Commerce.

The vote was 84-15 in favour of the nomination.

The nomination face criticism from some Republican Senators, including Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, who has often accused Raimondo of taking a “soft stance on China,” CNN reported

Cruz spoke in the Senate earlier on Tuesday to repeat his criticism of the Biden administration’s approach to China and the Commerce Secretary nominee.

Also read: US President Joe Biden’s Cabinet: First introduction

Raimondo was the first female governor of Rhode Island, and has served as the state’s governor since 2015.

Prior to serving as governor, Raimondo was elected general treasurer of Rhode Island in 2010. She also co-founded Point Judith Capital, an early stage venture capital firm. She was among the women considered to serve as Biden’s vice president.