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Thom Tillis refuses to budge on blocking Fed chair pick Kevin Warsh confirmation

President Trump tapped Kevin Warsh as the next chairman of the Federal Reserve. It's unclear if the Senate will confirm him soon to replace Jerome Powell.

BusinessBy Robert KingsleyMarch 10, 20262 min read

Last updated: April 1, 2026, 5:35 PM

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Thom Tillis refuses to budge on blocking Fed chair pick Kevin Warsh confirmation

Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., talks with reporters in the U.S. Capitol during votes on Tuesday, March 10, 2026.

Tom Williams | CQ-Roll Call, Inc. | Getty Images

There is nothing that Federal Reserve chair nominee Kevin Warsh can say to get Sen. Thom Tillis to end his blockade on Warsh's confirmation, the North Carolina Republican said Tuesday.

"No, no," Tillis told reporters at the U.S. Capitol, when asked if Warsh could tell him anything at their meeting later in the day to change the senator's postion.

This is not about people, it's about process," Tillis told reporters at the U.S. Capitol, ahead of a scheduled meeting with Warsh.

Tillis has vowed not to vote for any Fed nominees, including Warsh, until a criminal investigation into Fed Chair Jerome Powell is resolved.

Powell has called the investigation a political pretext. The chairman has said he is really being targeted for his refusal to cut interest rates as broadly and as quickly as demanded by President Donald Trump.

Tillis on Tuesday said that he is "already impressed" with Warsh's skills.

"I've known of his work for quite some time, and that's why I'm so frustrated that I'm not going to be able to cast a vote until we dispose of the of the other issues," Tillis said.

RK
Robert Kingsley

Business Editor

Robert Kingsley reports on markets, corporate news, and economic trends for the Journal American. With an MBA from Wharton and 15 years covering Wall Street, he brings deep expertise in financial markets and corporate strategy. His reporting on mergers and market movements is followed by investors nationwide.

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