U.S. Senator Pat Roberts a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, today voted against the confirmation of Jack Lew, the President’s nominee for U.S. Secretary of the Treasury.

During today’s Senate Finance Committee hearing, Roberts discussed how Mr. Lew’s responses to questions about the Obama Administration’s rhetorical war against the General Aviation tax credit and his tenure on Wall Street failed to meet the mark.

After the hearing Senator Roberts released the following statement:

“Mr. Lew’s failure to answer the most basic questions about his investments in offshore accounts or his tenure on Wall Street was deeply disturbing.  Most startling to Kansans, however, was Mr. Lew’s inability to explain this Administration’s hypocrisy with regard to general aviation.  At campaign stops, President Obama repeatedly decries general aviation as a tool for  ‘corporate fat cats,’ but in response to questions, Mr. Lew acknowledges these aircraft are used by lower level employees to increase efficiency and to facilitate key business functions. Mr. Lew himself benefitted from increased efficiency of General Aviation when he worked in the private sector.  As our economy continues to struggle, the top post at Treasury is immensely important and with regret, I don’t believe Mr. Lew is the best fit for this post.”

Wichita, Kansas has long been considered the “Air Capital of the World.”  A world leader in general aviation manufacturing, this industry contributes over $7 billion a year to the Kansas economy and employs thousands of Kansans both directly and indirectly.  Repeated attacks by the Obama Administration and efforts to penalize the industry could cost thousands of jobs.