Heinrich, ENR Democrats Call on Chairman Lee to Postpone Chris Wright’s Cabinet Nomination Hearing for One Week

24 hours before the hearing is scheduled to take place, the Committee has yet to receive critical information on Wright 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, along with all eight Democrats on the Committee and one Independent, penned a letter to Chairman Mike Lee (R-U.T.) requesting he postpone the Committee's hearing on the nomination of Chris Wright to be the Secretary of Energy for at least one week.

"It is now less than 24 hours before the Committee's hearing on the nomination of Chris Wright to be the Secretary of Energy. The Committee still has not received the standard financial disclosure report, ethics agreement, or the opinions from the designated agency ethics officer and the Office of Government Ethics stating that the nominee is in compliance with the ethics laws, which are required by law of all nominees for positions that require Senate confirmation," the lawmakers wrote.

"In view of the fact that the Committee still does not have these documents, which are essential for us to faithfully discharge our constitutional advice-and-consent responsibilities, we respectfully request that you postpone the scheduled hearing on Mr. Wright's nomination for at least a week to give Members sufficient time to receive and review these materials," the lawmakers concluded.

Penned by Heinrich, the letter was signed by all eight Committee Democrats and one Independent: U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawai'i), Angus King (I-Maine), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.).

The letter comes after numerous attempts by Heinrich, including a formal letter sent to Chairman Lee last Wednesday, to ensure the Committee has sufficient time to review documents submitted by Wright required by law and in adherence to Committee rules, including a completed FBI background check and financial report.

Yesterday, Heinrich led Committee Democrats urging Lee to postpone a hearing for another nominee before the Committee, Governor Doug Burgum, for at least one week to give Members sufficient time to receive and review materials.

Find the Ranking Member's letter HERE and below.

Mr. Chairman:

It is now less than 24 hours before the Committee's hearing on the nomination of Chris Wright to be the Secretary of Energy. The Committee still has not received the standard financial disclosure report, ethics agreement, or the opinions from the designated agency ethics officer and the Office of Government Ethics stating that the nominee is in compliance with the ethics laws, which are required by law of all nominees for positions that require Senate confirmation.

In view of the fact that the Committee still does not have these documents, which are essential for us to faithfully discharge our constitutional advice-and-consent responsibilities, we respectfully request that you postpone the scheduled hearing on Mr. Wright's nomination for at least a week to give Members sufficient time to receive and review these materials.

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