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Heinrich objects to hearing for Trump's Energy secretary pick
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New Mexico鈥檚 senior senator objects to holding a nomination hearing for President-elect Donald Trump鈥檚 Energy secretary pick without a completed FBI background check and financial report.
On Thursday, Energy and Natural Resources Chair, Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah, scheduled a nomination hearing for Chris Wright for Jan. 15. The committee鈥檚 ranking member Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., said in a statement that he is disappointed the hearing will come before a financial report or background check, which are required by committee rules.
鈥淎s I have made clear to Chairman Lee, the American people deserve transparency on the individuals nominated to serve them in the incoming administration,鈥� Heinrich said in a statement.
The Energy Department focuses on maintaining the nuclear arsenal, reducing the threat of nuclear proliferation, overseeing U.S. energy supply and environmental clean-up of nuclear waste. Importantly for New Mexico, the Department of Energy oversees the 17 national laboratories, including Sandia and Los Alamos.
Trump鈥檚 pick Wright is the CEO of Liberty Energy and known for advocating for oil and gas development.
On Wednesday, Heinrich also criticized a nomination hearing for Trump鈥檚 Interior secretary pick, former North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, over similar concerns. That hearing is scheduled for Jan. 14.
鈥淭he documents that the Energy and Natural Resources Democrats do not have are not just paperwork,鈥� Heinrich said. 鈥淭hese are the documents, disclosures and ethics agreement that are required by our Committee rules and the law.鈥�
Lee鈥檚 office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
