House Confirms Goodling For Finance Secretary

Former Foster-Townman CEO Sails To Confirmation In House of Delegates

MAVOCKE, CEA--Just days after his first nominee failed confirmation in the House of Delegates, President Menuhaeo's new nominee has sailed through confirmation with little opposition.

Jay Goodling, the former C.E.O. of investment giant Foster-Townman, was easily confirmed today by a vote of 82-6. The dissenting senators were Shannon Barbieri (C-POG), Evelynn Blankenship (C-VER), Debra Cuso (C-CAR), Roger Gzarno (C-EDS), Nancy Lindselli (C-EDS), and Adam Schindler (C-REM).

Goodling's astonishingly successful confirmation comes just days after President Menuhaeo's original nominee, Sen. Brian Altamont (N-DMG), failed confirmation by a vote 41-47. Altamont's nomination was controversial, mainly because the former Conservative banker switched parties in December, leaving the Conservative party and joining the Nationalist party. Altamont's defection to the NAT angered many of his Conservative colleagues, almost all of whom voted against him. Sen. Nadine Pietrasaelis (C-NWP), however, told GNN News Monday night Alamont's failed confirmation was due to his positions and the fact that he is a "Mavocke-insider."

"Most of my colleagues that I've talked to have told me they voted against Senator Altamont because he is an insider, and we want an outsider to take this job. If we are going to fix this economy, we are going to need someone from the private sector--not the government--to come in and clean house," Pietrasaelis said.

Immediately after Altamont's failed confirmation, President Menuhaeo nominated Jay Goodling, the former CEO of the investment firm Foster-Townman. Conservatives praised Goodling's nomination, particularly because he stated publicly in November his belief that struggling corporations should not be bailed out by the federal government. During hearings at the House Finance Committee, Goodling clarified his comments, saying he believes that "some government intervention" is necessary, and that some "vital industries" may need "some sort of government rescue package." He added, however, that the federal government should avoid bailing out companies "at all costs."

Goodling went on to receive strong bipartisan support in the House of Delegates. Before the vote was held this afternoon, Mr. Goodling had both Nationalist and Conservative delegates advocating his confirmation.

"Mr. Goodling has proven that he knows the economic situation we are facing as a country today, and he has proven that he is prepared to handle the long and arduous road to recovery," Sen. Bourret Magiscanti (C-HVN) said on the House floor.

Freshman Sen. Tim Blakewell (N-TRI) also spoke on Goodling's behalf.

"I know Jay Goodling, I've worked with Jay Goodling, and I know he is adequately prepared to lead our nation out of this economic nightmare," Blakewell said.

Mr. Goodling will be formally sworn in tomorrow morning at the Treasury Department Headquarters. His wife Janae will accompany him during the ceremony.