A heated exchange unfolded in the Senate on Tuesday night as Democratic Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) criticized his Republican colleague, Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), for pushing ahead with the confirmation hearing of Chris Wright for Energy Secretary despite concerns over incomplete paperwork.
Senate Democrats have urged Lee, chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, to delay Wright’s hearing, citing missing FBI background checks, financial disclosures, and ethics agreements as critical information yet to be reviewed. However, Republicans are determined to proceed with the hearing scheduled for Wednesday.
Lee defended the decision, telling Punchbowl News reporter Andrew Desiderio that the committee had received all necessary documentation. “Mr. Wright has been fully transparent and cooperative throughout this process, working closely with the Office of Government Ethics and fully complying with its recommendations,” Lee said.
Lee insisted he had followed the rules and given Senate Democrats “more than sufficient time to review his paperwork thoroughly before casting their votes in committee and on the Senate floor.” He also noted that lawmakers could submit additional questions for the record after the hearing. “The time for needless delays is over,” Lee declared.
Heinrich fired back with a scathing statement. “It is absurd that Chairman Lee thinks that 16 hours in the middle of the night is adequate time to thoroughly review this critical information — financial disclosures and ethics documents — and fulfill our constitutional duties to advise and consent,” Heinrich said.
He continued, “It is especially rich coming from a Senator who has made a routine of singlehandedly delaying or killing countless bills in the Senate. Spare us the lecture.”
Wright’s nomination has drawn controversy similar to other Cabinet picks under Trump. As CEO of a $3 billion fracking company with no prior government experience, Wright has denied the science of climate change. “There is no climate crisis, and we’re not in the midst of an energy transition either,” Wright said in a LinkedIn video, according to ABC News.
Wright is a vocal advocate for oil, natural gas, nuclear, solar, and geothermal energy, sparking further debate over his fitness for the Energy Secretary role. The clash underscores the deep partisan divide over Trump’s Cabinet nominations, as Democrats argue for thorough vetting while Republicans push for swift confirmations.