Howard Lutnick on Jan. 29. Photo: Chen Mengtong/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images
The Senate Commerce Committee on Wednesday advanced Howard Lutnick's nomination to be Commerce Department secretary.
The big picture: Senators voted 16-12. Lutnick's nomination now goes to the full Senate for a vote.
Lutnick is one of President Trump's less controversial picks and is expected to easily clear the Senate.
Ranking Member Maria Cantwell voted against Lutnick's nomination, along with all the Democrats on the committee except for Sen. John Fetterman.
Catch up quick: Lutnick during his nomination hearing said he supports setting standards for AI without hampering the U.S. in a tech race against China, country-by-country tariffs, making sure government programs are efficient, and freeing up spectrum for commercial use.
He did get some pushback from Democrats who questioned whether he would follow the law and deploy congressionally approved money for internet connectivity and domestic chip manufacturing.
