Domenici to introduce Treasury nominee Jack Lew at confirmation hearing

Former Sen. Pete Domenici and Jack Lew, President Barack Obama’s nominee for Treasury secretary, go way back.

The two longtime federal budget titans worked closely when Lew was former President Bill Clinton’s budget director and Domenici was chairman of the Senate Budget Committee. Now Lew wants the New Mexico Republican to introduce him to the Senate Finance Committee before his confirmation hearing Wednesday morning. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., will also help introduce Lew, a native New Yorker.

During a brief conversation, Domenici told me he was honored to be asked and is certain that Lew will be an effective Treasury secretary. What Lew doesn’t already know about the job, he’ll quickly learn, Domenici told me.

Lew is widely expected to be confirmed, although there are likely to be some questions about his commitment to reducing the debt, as well as a $1 million bonus he was paid during his brief tenure as a Citigroup executive.

No word on whether  Domenici or Schumer will have anything to say  about Lew’s loopy signature.