The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“NOMINATION OF BERNARD L. McNAMEE” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Energy was published in the Senate section on pages S7300 on Dec. 5, 2018.
The Department oversees energy policies and is involved in how the US handles nuclear programs. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, said the Department's misguided energy regulations have caused large losses to consumers for decades.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
NOMINATION OF BERNARD L. McNAMEE
Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, on a completely different matter, the Senate is resuming our work this afternoon. Later today, we will vote to advance the nomination of Bernard McNamee, the President's choice to serve on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
This is an impressive nominee who has the right qualifications for this important job. In his career as a well-regarded lawyer on energy issues, he has represented clients and gained expertise all across the energy sector. He has helped clients build solar projects and natural gas facilities and get renewable energy standards approved. In his own words, he said: ``I have not just talked about fuel diversity and `all of the above' energy policies; I have worked to help make them a reality.''
Mr. McNamee has worked as an energy policy expert at the Department of Energy, as well as right here in the Senate. FERC plays a pivotal role in ensuring our energy security and enabling prosperity. Among other responsibilities, the Commission is responsible for permitting important infrastructure investments such as pipelines and export terminals. Continuing with a deadlocked and understaffed Commission could threaten the status of these investments and the jobs that revolve around them. Therefore, we need to confirm Mr. McNamee promptly.
His obvious qualifications and his commitment to fairness and impartiality earned him a bipartisan vote out of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee last month with a favorable recommendation. I hope the same common sense will prevail today so we can move this nominee forward with the bipartisan vote he well deserves.
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Toomey). Without objection, it is so ordered.
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