Senator Charles Schumer, the Democratic leader, suggested that Mulvaney should face the same fate as Daschle and withdraw his nomination. “I’ll say to my Republican colleagues on the other side of the aisle: What’s good for the goose is good for the gander,” he told reporters after Mulvaney’s disclosure came to light. Geithner’s issue involved Social Security taxes he did not pay while working at the International Monetary Fund

Whether Mulvaney’s nomination is actually in jeopardy, however, is unclear. Republicans can confirm him on a straight party-line vote, and leading senators on Wednesday said they would wait until he testifies before the Senate Budget Committee next week before making a judgment. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell declined comment, as did Senator Mike Enzi, chairman of the budget committee.

The Trump transition team mounted a vigorous defense of Mulvaney, noting that Democrats like Schumer rushed to Geithner’s defense eight years ago. “In typical partisan attack dog fashion, Senator Schumer has proven himself a complete hypocrite,” Trump spokesman John Czwartacki said in a statement. He continued:

“The fact of the matter is that nobody is more qualified and more prepared to fight to rein in Washington spending and fight for taxpayers than Mick Mulvaney. Congressman Mulvaney raised the issue surrounding the care of his premature triplets immediately upon being tapped for this position, and has taken the appropriate follow-up measures. President-elect Trump fully stands behind Rep. Mulvaney and looks forward to his efforts to help make America great again.”

First elected in 2010, the South Carolina Republican is one of the most conservative members of the House and has fought over spending and deficits with party leaders like former House Speaker John Boehner. The transition team said Mulvaney had hired a woman to help take care of his newborn triplets and “believed she was responsible for paying all applicable federal and state taxes.” When filling out paperwork last month to serve in the Trump administration, however, he learned they had been wrong and the woman should have been classified as an employee of the family. Transition officials noted he voluntarily disclosed the issue to the Trump team and the Senate, and they said he was awaiting word from the IRS on what additional penalties or fees he might owe.

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