Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., on Wednesday suggested he might be a "no" vote for Janet Yellen to lead the Treasury Department in a Joe Biden administration.
In remarks on CNBC, Barrasso said he wasn't happy with Yellen as head of the Federal Reserve, where she served from 2014 to 2018 — under both Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump.
"I voted against her when she was brought up to be confirmed for the Federal Reserve," Barrasso, chair of the Senate Republican Conference, told CNBC's "Squawk Box" program.
"Everybody nominated after the inauguration in January is going to have to come for hearings, testify, answer questions, and we'll make decisions at that time."
Barrasso also complained Trump "was blockaded" by Democrats "every step along the way to get his people and this Cabinet nominated," charging it was "obstruction all the way by the Democrats."
Biden transition spokesperson Sean Savett, noting Biden has not officially announced Yellen's nomination, said Biden hopes to work in a bipartisan manner, Newsweek reported.
"The president-elect has begun nominating a diverse team of outstanding public servants with stunning achievements and decades of experience," Savett told the news outlet in a statement.
"He looks forward to working in good faith with both parties in the Senate to swiftly consider these highly qualified nominees to ensure our government is prepared to protect our national security, tackle the pandemic and act on the urgent crises facing our nation."
Newsmax has not called a winner in the presidential race.
When Yellen's confirmation vote to chair the Federal Reserve was held in January 2014, 26 Republicans voted "nay," while others — including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., then the minority leader — didn't vote, Newsweek noted.
Meanwhile, Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., on Tuesday signaled his support of Yellen as Treasury secretary.
"As the Senate considers Dr. Yellen's nomination to lead Treasury, I look forward to discussing with her a variety of issues, especially the requirement for CARES Act temporary emergency lending facilities to shut down by year-end and remain shut down, absent congressional action," Toomey tweeted.
Democrats and Republicans are both touting the importance of the two Senate runoffs in Georgia on Jan. 5 — with GOP lawmakers arguing they need the seats to block a Biden agenda and Democrats saying they're vital for Biden's success.
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