Heinrich Responds to Another Breach of Protocol and Precedent by ENR Chairman Lee Ahead of Cabinet Nomination Hearings

Chairman Lee once again issues hearing notice without having received information from nominees required by law and by Committee rules, including a completed financial disclosure form and completion of an FBI background check

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, issued the following statement after Chairman Mike Lee (R-U.T.) issued a hearing notice on Chris Wright for consideration as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy next Wednesday, January 15, without having received essential information required by law and by Committee rules-a breach of precedent and protocol established over decades by Chairs of both parties.

"I am extremely disappointed that Chairman Lee has noticed a second nomination hearing without having received information from nominees required by law and in adherence to Committee rules, including a completed FBI background check and financial report.

"As I have made clear to Chairman Lee, the American people deserve transparency on the individuals nominated to serve them in the incoming administration. As members of the U.S. Senate, we have a solemn obligation to fulfill our constitutional duties to advise and consent to these nominees. That cannot happen without the information necessary to properly consider these nominees.

"To be clear: The documents that the Energy and Natural Resources Democrats do not have are not just paperwork. These are the documents, disclosures, and ethics agreement that are required by our Committee rules and the law."

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