As SEC chairman, Clayton led the agency through global financial disruptions, including Brexit and the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. He adopted a generally business-friendly approach to the role, though his tenure saw the agency take steps to crack down on cryptocurrency and file a lawsuit against Elon Musk over Twitter disclosures.
Clayton has also spent many years working in the private sector, primarily at the law firm Sullivan & Cromwell, which lists him as a retired partner.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota said on Tuesday that he intends to bring Clayton’s nomination to the floor of the upper chamber “very quickly” following his confirmation hearing.
Thune called Clayton a “good” and “solid” choice in an interview a day earlier, asserting that Democrats “ought to be happy” with him as the nominee.
While Democrats have appeared more receptive to Clayton, in the wake of his nomination they have largely kept their focus on Pulte, continuing to demand his removal as acting intelligence head.