THE HILL: Lighthizer unanimously approved by Senate panel

The Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday unanimously approved Robert Lighthizer’s nomination to become the next U.S. trade representative as part of a bipartisan agreement to consider coal miners’ benefits legislation.

The panel voted 26-0 to send Lighthizer’s long-delayed nomination to the Senate floor while also approving a congressional waiver on the same vote, after months in a holding pattern.

“I’m glad to see this matter is no longer standing in the way of the USTR nomination,” Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin (R-Utah) said during the brief session.