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 Mark Wesley Menezes (Executive Session)” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Energy was published in the Senate section on pages S4662 on Aug. 3, 2020.
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 Mark Wesley Menezes
Mr. MANCHIN. Mr. President, I rise today in support of the Mark Menezes nomination to be Deputy Secretary of Energy.
I agree wholeheartedly with our chairwoman for Energy and Natural Resources. We have a great working relationship, and we have a good friendship that means more than anything to me.
But, basically, every now and then you get a person who comes before you that you know they are there for the good of the public. They are truly public servants, not for private service.
So this person comes across with so much expertise. That is going to play an important role in our national defense and our energy and economic security and our science and research and even in fighting the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and helping to rebuild our economy.
The Deputy Secretary plays a central role in all of these efforts, and I believe that Mr. Menezes is up to the task.
The Deputy Secretary is the second highest ranking officer in the Department of Energy and the Department's chief operating officer on top of that. He is responsible for managing the Department's wide-
ranging mission and a budget of over $35 billion dollars--$35-billion-
dollar budget.
The DOE and its labs can also play a vital role in supporting the scientific research and development needed to rebuild our economy.
In addition, the Department is responsible for maintaining the Nation's nuclear weapons stockpile, overseeing the four power marketing administrations, and ensuring our energy security and protecting the Nation's energy sector from cyber attacks, among other things.
As the Department's second highest ranking officer and its chief operating office, the Deputy Secretary necessarily plays a critical role in all of these important functions.
Mr. Menezes brings an impressive background to the job. Thirty years ago, he was counsel to our former colleague Senator John Breaux; 15 years ago, he was chief counsel to the House Energy and Commerce and played a major role in shaping the Energy Policy Act of 2005.
He has held senior posts at the American Electric Power Company, the Hunton and Williams law firm, and Berkshire Hathaway Energy.
Most importantly, though, for the past 3 years, he has served as the Under Secretary of Energy. As the Under Secretary of Energy, Mr. Menezes has shown he is up to the task and capable of handling the job of Deputy Secretary.
I think that he truly, clearly, demonstrated his knowledge and his firm grasp of the wide range of important issues before the Department during the confirmation hearing, and I am happy to support his nomination in the most bipartisan way.
