Rocco Femia is quoted as a panelist in a January 13, 2009 DC Bar seminar regarding possible signals as to the international tax policy agenda of the new Administration. Femia said Obama has leeway because his statements have been vague. Femia noted that Obama joined on some legislation as a junior senator but said not much can be read from that. Femia added that initiatives promoted by Lawrence Summers, the former Clinton administration treasury secretary who now is Obama's designate to chair the National Economic Council, should be examined, but added that initiatives are not always indicative.