U.S. key Republican Senator Tillis does not oppose the initiation of the nomination process for Fed Chair Waller, but will still obstruct the vote

On Tuesday, according to Punchbowl News, U.S. Senator Thom Tillis from North Carolina stated that he is open to initiating the review process for Kevin Warsh's nomination as Chairman of the Federal Reserve. A reporter from Punchbowl posted on social media platform X that Tillis mentioned he does not need any further answers from there and believes Warsh is a "qualified candidate." However, Tillis also pointed out that due to his previous vow to block this nomination, Warsh's nomination may "linger for a while" in the Senate committee. Last week, Trump officially nominated Warsh to succeed Powell as Chairman of the Federal Reserve. Tillis had previously stated multiple times that he would block Warsh's nomination from advancing in the Senate until the investigation into Powell was withdrawn. Powell had denied any wrongdoing and stated that he became the subject of the investigation because he refused to significantly and rapidly lower interest rates as Trump requested. According to CNBC, Tillis stated on Tuesday that nothing Warsh says in their meeting would convince him to end his obstruction of the confirmation process for Warsh's nomination as Chairman of the Federal Reserve. When asked if Warsh could persuade him to change his stance during their meeting later that day, allowing the full Senate to vote on the nomination, Tillis responded to reporters: "No, no. This is not a personal issue; it's a procedural issue. I think this is a foul." Tillis mentioned that he has been impressed with Warsh's capabilities. "I have known about his work for a long time, which is why I am very frustrated—I cannot cast this vote until other issues are resolved." Tillis also pointed out that he and other members of the Senate Banking Committee had heard Powell's testimony at a hearing regarding the multi-billion dollar renovation project at the Federal Reserve headquarters in Washington, D.C. Powell stated that he is under investigation by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Washington due to this project and the content of his testimony before the Banking Committee. Tillis said on Tuesday: "There were seven members of the Banking Committee present at the time, who can be considered witnesses at the so-called crime scene, and they all stated that no crime occurred. So why are we still discussing this issue and delaying the nomination of an excellent candidate?" Tillis also noted that, in addition to the ongoing investigation into Powell, the U.S. Supreme Court has yet to rule on whether Trump has the authority to dismiss Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook. Tillis referred to the effort to dismiss Cook on Tuesday as "childishly ridiculous," stating that those who proposed this idea should also be dismissed. Trump had previously stated that he wanted to dismiss Cook because Bill Pulte, head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, accused her of mortgage fraud. However, Cook's supporters argue that, like Powell, she denies any wrongdoing and believes she became a target because she opposed Trump's demands regarding interest rates