- A March 27 meeting is being considered for a committee hearing on the selection of incoming SEC chair Paul Atkins
- US President Donald Trump selected Atkins in December following his presidential election win
- Atkins previously served as an SEC Commissioner from 2002 to 2008 under former President George W. Bush
The confirmation of Paul Atkins as the next chair of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is being delayed because required paperwork has not yet been submitted.
According to Eleanor Mueller, Semafor’s Congress reporter, Senate Banking Committee Chair Tim Scott is considering March 27 for a committee hearing on Atkins’ nomination. Mueller reported that the committee has been waiting for the White House to deliver Atkins’ paperwork before scheduling the hearing.
Mueller also said the Senate Banking Committee plans a bipartisan meeting on Friday, March 21, to discuss Atkins’ nomination.
Background and financial disclosure
President Donald Trump announced Atkins as his choice for SEC chair in December. Atkins is widely viewed as pro-crypto, and his selection aligns with Trump’s campaign promises to reshape regulatory policy for digital finance and provide clearer guidance on cryptocurrency rules.
Delay concerns center in part on financial disclosures. A Semafor report from March 3 noted the White House had not produced the necessary documents to set a confirmation hearing, including Atkins’ financial disclosure. The disclosure drew attention because Atkins is married to Sarah Humphreys Atkins, whose family has ties to Tamko Building Products, a U.S. manufacturer of roofing shingles. Tamko reported roughly $1.2 billion in revenue last year, according to media coverage in December.
One former Senate Banking Committee aide commented that reviewing the disclosures and related materials can be time-consuming. “It’s a lot to go through. But he got named so early on, so I think that’s why people are starting to be like, ‘What the hell’s taking so long?’” the former member said.
Atkins previously served as an SEC Commissioner from 2002 to 2008 during the George W. Bush administration. While his confirmation remains pending, Mark Uyeda is serving as acting SEC chair. In January, Uyeda established a new crypto task force intended to advance a clearer regulatory framework for the digital-asset industry.