Today, Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA), Chairman of the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee, released the following statement after the Senate voted by voice vote to confirm Adewale O. Adeyemo as Deputy Treasury Secretary.

Deputy Secretary Adeyemo is the first Black American to serve in this role. He will serve under the leadership of Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, the first woman to serve in that role.

“Deputy Secretary Adeyemo brings to his new role a wealth of expertise and experience from across the executive branch, having served in a variety of key economic leadership positions. That experience includes the Department of the Treasury, where he is now the highest-ranking Black American in the Department’s history.

“Deputy Secretary Adeyemo will use the powers of the Treasury the way they should be used: to ensure our economy is working for all, not just a fortunate few. As he said during his confirmation hearing testimony, if long-term economic growth is our goal then ensuring that all Americans can share in our nation’s prosperity is not only a moral imperative it is an economic one.

“I congratulate Deputy Secretary Adeyemo on his confirmation and look forward to working with him.”