Women in the Senate Republican Conference are looming as a potential obstacle for Stephen Moore, President TrumpDonald John TrumpTrump hits Biden as he hits 2020 trail Trump blasts union chiefs after Biden gets key endorsement Grassley to Trump: Lift tariffs or new NAFTA deal is ‘dead’ MORE’s expected nominee to serve on the Federal Reserve Board.
Two female GOP senators on Monday voiced concerns about Moore’s controversial writings on women, raising questions about whether he can win confirmation if he is formally nominated.
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Sen. Joni ErnstJoni Kay ErnstPrevention is a critical tool in the fight against addiction Time to keep the promises for farmers to compete in energy Graham challenges Dems to walk the walk on impeachment MORE (R-Iowa) told reporters she’s “not enthused” by Moore’s expected nomination.
Sen. Shelley Moore CapitoShelley Wellons Moore Capito20 Dems demand no more money for ICE agents, Trump wall We can accelerate a cure for Alzheimer’s Gillibrand, Grassley reintroduce campus sexual assault bill MORE (R-W.Va.) said Moore’s “public statements probably need to be further vetted, like ‘you can’t have women referees.’ C’mon.”
Meanwhile, Sen. Lisa MurkowskiLisa Ann MurkowskiOn The Money: Cain withdraws from Fed consideration | Says he didn’t want ‘pay cut’ | Trump sues to block subpoena for financial records | Dems plot next move in Trump tax-return battle Cain withdraws from Fed consideration Cain says he ‘won’t run away from criticism’ in push for Fed seat MORE (R-Alaska) said, “I’m still doing my research on him.”
Asked if she had any reservations, Murkowski told reporters, “Just the reservations that you guys have put out there.”
“I’ll have to figure out how much is there. So, he’s written a lot and said a lot, so there’s a lot there,” she added.
Republicans control 53 Senate seats and can afford no more than three defections, as Vice President Pence would break any 50-50 tie. There are eight women in the Senate GOP conference.
The White House weighed in earlier on the controversy surrounding Moore’s writings.
“Certainly we’re reviewing those comments, and when we have an update on that front we’ll let you know,” press secretary Sarah HuckabeeSarah Elizabeth SandersTrump says he was called ‘the greatest hostage negotiator this country has ever had’ Sam Donaldson slams Sarah Sanders: ‘She’s had a lifetime achievement Oscar for lying’ Sanders, Pence field questions from kids on Take Your Child to Work Day MORE Sanders told reporters on Monday.
Later in the day, top White House economic adviser Larry KudlowLawrence (Larry) Alan KudlowMORE said the White House continues to back Moore for the position.
“We’re still behind him, and he’s going through the process of vetting,” Kudlow told reporters.
Moore argued as recently as 2014 in the National Review, a conservative publication, that “it could be disruptive to family stability” if women earn more than men. Years earlier, he remarked that women should be barred from refereeing men’s basketball games unless they are physically attractive.
He also said that female athletes, such as tennis players, who ask to be paid as much as men are demanding “equal pay for inferior work.”
Moore has downplayed some of those remarks as attempts at humor and has said he’s “apologetic.”
“These articles you’re talking about were 17, 18 years ago. They were humor columns, but some of them weren’t funny, so I am apologetic,” he told ABC’s “This Week with George Stephanopoulos” on Sunday.
Trump’s other desired pick to serve on the Fed board, 2012 GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain, withdrew his name from consideration earlier this month after four Republican senators said they would likely vote against him.
Other GOP senators said they are withholding judgment of Moore, noting he hasn’t been formally nominated.
Sen. Mitt RomneyWillard (Mitt) Mitt RomneyImpeachment without conviction plays right into Trump’s hands Biden’s sloppy launch may cost him Election agency limps into 2020 cycle MORE (R-Utah), an outspoken Trump critic who led the charge to stop Cain’s nomination to the Fed, said he is reviewing Moore’s writings.
“I hope that people who go on the Fed are economists and not partisan, and I’m reviewing his record, his columns and so forth,” Romney said.
Moore is a well-known conservative commentator who co-founded the Club for Growth, a group that advocates for supply-side economic policy. Unlike many Fed officials, he doesn’t have a doctorate in economics.