Wicker Focuses Privacy Talks With Cantwell; Moran Working With Blumenthal
The Senate Commerce Committee’s lead privacy negotiations will be limited to the two party leaders for now, Chairman Roger Wicker, R-Miss., told reporters Monday about his talks with ranking member Maria Cantwell, D-Wash. Meanwhile, Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., confirmed (see…
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1907010058) to reporters that he’s hopeful the entire privacy group can strike a deal, but he’s open to moving forward bilaterally with Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn. “Knowing that Sen. Wicker and the ranking member will have a lot of say ultimately, we’re still interested in reaching a conclusion among us," Moran said. "This issue is too important. We’ve come too far for us not to continue to see if we can reach a conclusion that we and maybe several others agree on.” Blumenthal told us he continues to have discussions with all individuals involved in Commerce group talks: “I think the group will form a consensus, and that’s my hope.” Wicker told reporters: “Sen. Cantwell and I are going to proceed just the two of us, and we’ll probably be getting back to some people. But for now, it’s sort of us in the room.” He expects to speak with Cantwell about the topic this week. Asked if they’ll incorporate work from the group, Wicker said, “There’s a nice foundation to go off.” Wicker and Cantwell are “having some discussions on their own, and that’s fine,” Senate Majority Whip John Thune, R-S.D., told reporters. “Hopefully, we’ll be able to dovetail with those. … I think the group will continue to be utilized because there’s been so much work done” from Republicans and Democrats dating back to last session, when Thune led hearings on the topic.