▶ 0:21:06Chair Lee: Today we will vote on the nominations of the four nominees from whom we received testimony at our meeting one week ago today. Thankful to senator heinrich and his staff for working with us on the schedule for today's markup. We are very grateful for that. We wanted to thank all the senators on the committee for your continuing attendance and your participation in contributions.
▶ 0:21:33Chair Lee: All four nominees that we are considering at today's business meeting submitted timely answers to senators questions, at the may 14 hearing. Consequently, each one was listed on the agenda at the committee sent to your office. First we will be voting on the nomination of Mr. jonathan brightbill.
▶ 0:22:05Chair Lee: Second, Ms. tina pierce. And then Mr. conner prochaska Dr. ned mamula also director of the U.S. -- also Dr.ned mamula.
▶ 0:22:36Chair Lee: I continue to be grateful to the senators forgiving their remarks brief as we approach this task. For that matter, since we don't have a quorum, if he wants to be recognized right now to speak any of the nominees, I'm happy to do that now. Senator heinrich?
▶ 0:22:55Sen. Heinrich: Thank you, chairman. I would say I will keep my comments brief but since we don't have a quorum, I will just try to filibuster for an hour if I can. [laughter] with considerable reservation I am going to vote for Mr. prochaska, and Ms. pierce,.
▶ 0:23:26Sen. Heinrich: I am troubled by his spreading of misinformation. Last week's nomination hearing, I asked Mr. brightbill to square the secretary's decision to rollback energy efficiency standards with prior court orders requiring the department to upgrade efficiency standards.
▶ 0:23:56Sen. Heinrich: His response failed to provide me with comfort. I'm also troubled by Mr. brightbill's past defending of the administration's terrible environmental policies during president trump's first term. As republicans worked to cut programs that save americans millions of dollars in utility and energy costs, it is imperative that the doe general counsel advocate for the rule of law as passed by congress and signed by the president. I am not convinced Mr.
▶ 0:24:27Sen. Heinrich: Brightbill will do so. For this reason I cannot support his nomination.
▶ 0:24:32Chair Lee: Thank you senator heinrich. Anyone else want to be recognized to speak as to any of the nominees? In that case, I have a brief statement and I will -- I was going to do it after we voted but I will do it now. The stakes are real, and the stakes are rising.
▶ 0:24:59Chair Lee: Our adversaries are building and hoarding critical resources and weaponizing energy policy. We don't have the luxury of drift. We don't have the luxury of being able to coast. America -- if america is going to lead and we need to, we need people who can do more than just manage or allows to drift.
▶ 0:25:25Chair Lee: We need leaders who can help us compete. Today's nominees are front-line appointments in a global energy struggle that is likely to define the next century. They are being tapped to serve as the department of energy's top legal counsel ensuring regulatory clarity and defending the rule of the a in a rapidly shifting energy landscape.
▶ 0:25:52Chair Lee: Oversee the department's financial operations, and safeguard taxpayer dollars as billions flow into energy, infrastructure, research and deployment. Drive cutting edge technological breakthroughs, turning american innovation and energy advantage, leave the U.S.
▶ 0:26:13Chair Lee: Geological survey in mapping, identifying and securing the domestic mineral resources we need to power the 21st-century. We are moving fast and fast because we have to. We have no choice. This committee is moving at a record pace to report leaders to the senate for confirmation, because american energy dominance doesn't happen by accident.
▶ 0:26:38Chair Lee: It doesn't happen with an approach that would be content with drifting or with coasting. We are finished playing defense and it is time to go on offense. To date we are enabling the senate to put that team on the field and we hope we can get that done. We are still lacking the quorum requirement. We are getting closer.
▶ 0:27:08Chair Lee: If anyone else wants to be recognized and are happy to speak, we will have the senators seem to us. >> I have to leave. I have to open up a committee at 10:00. If I have to leave you have the votes.
▶ 0:27:30Chair Lee: As soon as we have the quorum we will call the votes and you can get out of here. We still lack -- we could recess. We don't want to adjourn. I would rather not do either. Senator murkowski?
▶ 0:27:58Sen. Murkowski: . I have tap dance shoes and have not won them in a while and you don't want to see the performance, but since I have usually at these sessions where we are trying to move people out, I'm usually the last one. For the record I am here.
▶ 0:28:14Chair Lee: Duly noted for the record.
▶ 0:28:18Sen. Murkowski: I appreciate that. I will talk very briefly. The importance of having a full team within department of energy, there is so much happening within this space right now. So to have these folks in place to go to work, I am particularly pleased that within U.S. gis -- usgs, we have a geologist.
▶ 0:28:46Sen. Murkowski: We have a guy who knows rocks, an individual who understands the direction that we are taking with critical minerals. I had the opportunity last evening to attend a gathering that senator hickenlooper put together focused on critical minerals and not only the imperative but indigenous people working with industry to be able
▶ 0:29:20Sen. Murkowski: To not only access resources that we need for the technologies but also for the renewable sources and doing so in a way that results in empowerment for native peoples, the jobs and opportunities and doing so in a way that is consistent with the values of stewardship with the land. I am excited about what this committee can be doing when we are focusing in this very important area.
▶ 0:29:50Sen. Murkowski: I think we will see the good news about some of the projects, certainly one coming forward in alaska and in other parts of the country. I am pleased we are getting the team filled out. At 10:30, I am chairing the interior appropriations subcommittee, where we will have the secretary of the interior before us.
▶ 0:30:14Sen. Murkowski: Many of our enthusiastic about the vision in the approach within the department, but we are worried. It takes people to implement this. Whether it is folks at blm or bia or in the national parks. I want to make sure they realize it is not just good policy but the personnel and people that go with it.
▶ 0:30:42Sen. Murkowski: So to move people out of the committee is important. I can't tap dance any longer so I will give it to another colleague who I am sure is a fine dance partner. >> duly noted, not only to your prompt arrival but that you have tap dance shoes that could come in handy in this committee at some point along with some scene
▶ 0:31:13Sen. Murkowski: From senator rich. I agree with the assessment also. U.S. geological survey being headed by the national geologist comes one who has familiarity with rocks. That is very important. I loved your comments about energy development. And you have a lot of energy and a lot of indigenous people.
▶ 0:31:39Sen. Murkowski: The indigenous people of alaska have been very effective at harnessing energy and it is exciting to watch what happens there. We are 108 and we have one more member in route -- we have one more member in route. It appears they are within the building.
▶ 0:32:10Sen. Murkowski: And we have a quorum. Thank you very much. We will not. We now turn the nomination of Mr. jonathan brightbill to be the general counsel the U.S. department of energy. The clerk will call the role. >> Mr. lee? >> aye. >> Mr. risch, Mr. daines, Mr.
▶ 0:32:42Sen. Murkowski: Cotton, Mr. mccormick. Mr. justice, Mr. cassidy, Ms. hide-smith, Ms. murkowski, Mr. hoeven, Mr. heinrich. >> no. >> Ms. cantwell. >> no.
▶ 0:33:08Chair Lee: -- >> Mr. kaine. >> yes by proxy. >> Mr. hickenlooper. >> no, by proxy. >> Mr. padilla. >> no, by proxy. Mr. gallego.
▶ 0:34:01Chair Lee: >> on this boat, the ayes are 12 and the nays are eight.
▶ 0:34:13Chair Lee: The nomination is agree to and will be advanced to the senate floor with favorable domination. We will turn to the nomination of Ms. teen appears to be a chief financial officer at the department of energy. >> Mr. lee? >> aye. >> Mr. rash, Mr. daines, Mr. cotton, Mr. mccormick, Mr. justice, Mr. cassidy, Ms.
▶ 0:34:44Chair Lee: Hide-smith, Ms. murkowski, Mr. hoeven. >> aye >> Mr. heinrich? , Ms. cantwell, Mr. king. >> yes, by proxy. >>'s cortez, master. >> Mr. padilla. >> no, by proxy. .
▶ 0:35:15Chair Lee: Mr. gallego. On this boat the ayess are seven.
▶ 0:35:38Chair Lee: We'll go to the nomination of Mr. conner Mr. prochaska to be the director of advanced research. >> Mr. lee, Mr. barrasso, Mr. riche, Mr. daines, Mr. cotton, Mr. mccormick, Mr. justice, Mr. cassidy, Ms. hide-smith, Ms.
▶ 0:36:12Chair Lee: Murkowski, Mr. hoeven. >> Mr. heinrich, Mr. wyden. Ms. cantwell, Ms. hirono, Mr. kaine, Mr. king.
▶ 0:36:50Chair Lee: Ms. cortez, masto. Mr. hickenlooper, Mr. padilla, Mr. gallego. And senator hoeven, event recorded yes, by proxy. >> please record me is present and voting aye.
▶ 0:37:32Chair Lee: On this boat the ayes r 13.
▶ 0:37:45Chair Lee: It will be reported favorably to the senate. Return to the nomination of Dr. ned mamula to be the director of U.S. geological survey. >> Mr. lee, Mr. barrasso, Mr. reisch, Mr. daines, Mr. cotton, Mr. mccormick, Mr. justice, Mr.
▶ 0:38:15Chair Lee: Cassidy, Ms. hyde-smith, Mr. hoeven, Mr. heinrich, Ms. wyden -- Mr. wyden,, Ms. cantwell. Ms. hirono, Ms. cortez, so, Mr. hickenlooper, Mr. padilla, Mr. gallego.
▶ 0:38:59Chair Lee: >> on this vote, Ms. pierce, 11 and the nays are r nine.
▶ 0:39:10Chair Lee: Would you like to be recorded as present and voting aye on the first two nominees? >> yes, thank you.
▶ 0:39:39Chair Lee: And reveals one to speak on this or any other issue? If not, this concludes today's business meeting. I think all the members of the committee. Think senator heinrich and extending congratulations to all the nominees and look forward to working closely with all of them. The meeting is adjourned.