Chamber blesses ‘tough dude’ Lew for Treasury

{mosads}The Chamber chief also suggested Lew will bring a tougher approach to the Treasury job than outgoing secretary Timothy Geithner.

“They’re both from New York,” Donohue said of Lew and Geithner. “But only one of them’s a New Yorker.”

Lew was central to talks between the White House and Republican lawmakers that resulted in “fiscal cliff” legislation earlier this month. Donohue said he expects Lew will continue to have an important role in the debate over how to reduce the nation’s debts.

Senate Republicans say they will grill Lew about Obama’s hardball political tactics during his confirmation hearing, which will be the first with a sitting White House chief of staff since 1985.

Senate Democratic leaders say Republicans won’t have enough votes to block Lew’s confirmation.