Washington, DC - Congressman Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03), Chairman of Energy and Water Appropriations, released the following statement strongly supporting President Donald J. Trump's nominee to be Secretary of the Department of Energy (DOE), Chris Wright, after his confirmation hearing today in the Senate.

"President Donald Trump made an excellent decision to nominate Chris Wright to be our next DOE Secretary. There is no doubt in my mind that Chris will be a strong and effective DOE Secretary and we will work closely together in my role as Chairman of Energy and Water Appropriations. I've had the pleasure to have multiple meetings and conversations with Secretary-Designate Wright and it is clear he has the leadership, breadth of knowledge, and willpower to make American energy dominate again. I am confident that Secretary Wright will be a close ally and partner with me as Chairman of Energy and Water Appropriations to expand civil nuclear energy, modernize our nuclear deterrent, revitalize America's defense industrial base, bring back critical mineral supply chains, and unleash all forms of American-made energy to get our economy back on track, lower costs for workers and families, and make the United States the number one energy producer and exporter in the world," said Chairman Fleischmann.

"I call on the Senate to quickly confirm Chris Wright as the next Secretary of the Department of Energy so we can get to work on Day One of President Trump's new administration to deliver for the American People."

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