Fed chair nominee Kevin Warsh clears a hurdle to Senate hearing

Fed chair candidate Kevin Warsh has filed the necessary paperwork with the Senate and requested anonymity to discuss sensitive information before it is made public, two people familiar with the matter said Monday.

Providing his financial disclosures moves Warsh one step closer to a Senate hearing. The previous plan to hold this hearing this week had to be postponed due to a paperwork hitch. Warsh is married to Estee Lauder heiress Jane Lauder, whose net worth Forbes estimates is $1.9 billion.

The Senate will also need to hear Warsh’s answers to questions from the Senate Banking Committee, one of the sources said. Once this survey is received, the Senate may formally give notice of the hearing. It will happen next week at the latest.

But Warsh’s path to a full vote in the Senate remains unclear. Sen. Thom Tillis, R.-N.C., said he would block final confirmation of Warsh’s nomination until the federal criminal investigation into Fed Chair Jerome Powell is resolved. Tillis is also a member of the Senate Banking Committee.

U.S. Attorney for the District of Washington, Jeanine Pirro, has vowed to continue the case despite recent setbacks.

Powell’s term as chairman ends May 15. The Trump administration said last week it expected Warsh to be appointed by then.