The confirmation of Jacob Lew as secretary of the Treasury late Wednesday clears the way for action on several insurance-related issues, including the release of a long-delayed report on insurance-regulation modernization.

Insurance interests embraced comments by Federal Reserve Gov. Daniel K. Tarullo urging careful consideration when designating insurers as non-bank systemically important financial institutions (SIFIs), even if it was unclear at whom the remarks were aimed.

Insurance interests embraced comments by Federal Reserve Gov. Daniel K. Tarullo urging careful consideration when designating insurers as non-bank systemically important financial institutions (SIFIs), even if it was unclear at whom the remarks were aimed.

The House Financial Services Committee is urging the Federal Insurance Office to submit several long overdue reports without further delay.

The House Financial Services Committee is urging the Federal Insurance Office to submit several long overdue reports without further delay.

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., made clear to the Treasury Department that renewal of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act will be one of his top priorities for this Congress. Treasury Secretary designate Jacob Lew says he is not familiar with Obama administration stance on the issue.

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., made clear to the Treasury Department that renewal of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act will be one of his top priorities for this Congress. Treasury Secretary designate Jacob Lew says he is not familiar with Obama administration stance on the issue.

Ben Nelson echoed the sentiments of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners' leadership in his first public press conference as new CEO of the organization by casting the desired relationship with the federal government as one of a partnership, not one allowing incursion, pre-emption or even dual regulation.