U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito, who chairs the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, delivered remarks on the Senate floor supporting David Wright’s confirmation as a member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).
Senator Capito emphasized that Wright’s experience and leadership are important for the NRC at a time when nuclear energy is seen as essential for providing reliable power, supporting American manufacturing, and advancing technology such as artificial intelligence.
During her speech, Capito noted that Congress established the NRC 50 years ago to ensure independent regulation of nuclear safety. She acknowledged that while the NRC has evolved over time, its processes have often been inefficient and costly. To address these issues, Congress passed the ADVANCE Act last year with bipartisan support to make NRC operations more efficient and affordable.
Capito stated: “I rise today in support of David Wright’s nomination to serve as a member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
“Right now, we stand at a critical juncture to ensure that our nation has the ability to provide reliable and affordable power for our constituents, onshore American manufacturing, and also to win the AI race. Nuclear energy is absolutely central to achieving these goals.
“50 years ago, Congress established the NRC to recognize the foundational principle of having a credible, independent, nuclear regulatory safety regulator. Since then, the NRC has seen major periods of change, from responding to our most significant nuclear accident, to preparing for a nuclear renaissance that did not fully materialize. Through this time, the NRC has evolved on how it functions.
“But far too frequently, these functions have been inefficient, time-consuming, and expensive, and have not allowed our nuclear innovators and the American people to fully realize the benefits of nuclear power. That is why last year, Congress passed the ADVANCE Act with overwhelming bipartisan support to make the NRC’s functions more efficient, predictable, and affordable. That was my bill.
“Now, the Commission must ambitiously implement this legislation. Additionally, President Trump has tasked the NRC with implementing his Executive Order to further reduce the licensing timelines and shed unnecessary regulations. This is a challenge the Commission must meet, and we expect the NRC to deliver.
“Achieving this will require experienced and highly qualified Commissioners who are empowered to lead the Agency through a period of high expectations. Well David Wright meets that mark.
“Chairman Wright was first confirmed as an NRC Commissioner in 2018 reconfirmed by Senate for a full five-year term in 2020 and has served as President Trump’s Chairman through end that term in June when his term expired.
“Throughout his seven years on Commission Chairman Wright has demonstrated his vision make NRC modern risk-informed regulator He’s supported policies streamlined requirements advance novel technologies help clean up contaminated abandoned uranium sites well policies create groundwork fusion energy
“He led effort extend duration certain licenses provide long-term regulatory certainty Chairman Wright instilled accountability with NRC staff by directing agency focus issues most important for nuclear safety
“In January as required by ADVANCE Act Commission updated its Mission Statement first time generation Chairman Wright worked colleagues revise Mission Statement which reads I quote:
“The NRC protects public health safety advances nation’s common defense security by enabling safe secure use deployment civilian nuclear energy technologies radioactive materials through efficient reliable licensing oversight regulation benefit society environment.’
“I support this revised Mission Statement as it aligns with what Congress intended by passing ADVANCE Act It now time for Commission put new Mission Statement into action law requires Congress President Trump expects benefit our nation
“David Wright will help make this mission reality I encourage my colleagues join me voting his reconfirmation NRC With that I yield floor.”
Wright previously served two terms on https://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/organization/commission.html#wright as an NRC Commissioner after being confirmed in 2018; he was reconfirmed in 2020 for another five-year term before his recent expiration in June 2025.
