The Senate on May 11, 2017, confirmed the nomination of Robert Lighthizer to be United States Trade Representative. The vote was 82-14.

In a floor speech, Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-UT) highlighted Lighthizer's experience in trade policy and said, "As US Trade Representative, Mr. Lighthizer will have the task of holding our trading partners accountable, ensuring that Americans don't pay more for the products that their families need, and helping American businesses and workers sell more of their goods and services around the globe."

House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX) released the following statement after the Senate vote: "Congratulations to Ambassador Lighthizer on today's confirmation vote. With extensive experience and prior service at USTR, Bob Lighthizer is known as a strong supporter of American manufacturers and workers. I'm confident he will use his experience to deliver on President Trump's priorities of negotiating strong, fair and strictly enforceable trade agreements that allow US manufacturers, service providers, farmers, and workers to compete and win around the world. I look forward to working with him and the entire Trump team on policies to create more jobs here at home and increase American paychecks."

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