Treasury nominee Lew makes rounds on Capitol Hill

Treasury Secretary nominee Jack Lew made the rounds on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, chatting with senators about his next career step. 

Lew, who headed up the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and is President Obama's chief of staff, met with Republicans on the Senate Finance Committee, Orrin Hatch, Rob Portman (Ohio), Johnny Isakson (Ga.) and John Cornyn of Texas.

The meeting with the panel's ranking member took about 45 minutes. 

“We had a constructive conversation that focused on the economic challenges facing our nation and the critical steps that need be taken to get our fiscal house in order," Hatch said in a statement following the meeting.

"But as I always say, the devil’s in the details and there’s a lot more of Mr. Lew’s record and qualifications that need to be fully examined," he said. 

Hatch said the Senate Finance Committee, which will oversee his nomination, is still waiting to receive Lew’s paperwork, including his questionnaire and his tax returns to start the vetting process and set a hearing date. 

"I will decide whether I support this nomination when this process moves forward and more of my questions have been answered," Hatch said. 

Lew didn't respond to reporters' questions about how the meeting went. 

While posing for cameras ahead of the meeting, Lew was overheard mentioning a book to Hatch — an autobiography by Louis Brownlow, a political scientist who once called several of President Franklin Roosevelt's advisors men with "a passion for anonymity."

On Tuesday, he met with Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.), Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Democrat Bill Nelson of Florida. 

Baucus said he is looking forward to a "quick but thorough confirmation process."

On Thursday, he is scheduled to meet with Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.). 

Lew has been through the Senate's confirmation process. The last time was in 2010 for the OMB spot.