U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito, who chairs the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, delivered remarks on the Senate floor supporting Ho Nieh’s confirmation as a member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). The Senate confirmed Nieh’s nomination with a 66-32 vote.
Capito highlighted Nieh’s experience in the nuclear sector and his leadership roles at the NRC. She noted that his background positions him to support the agency’s revised mission statement, which was updated following passage of her ADVANCE Act. Capito said, “I rise today in support of Ho Nieh’s confirmation to serve as a member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.”
She emphasized the importance of strong leadership at the NRC as nuclear energy is poised for expansion in the United States. According to Capito, “Fully realizing nuclear energy’s potential will improve electric reliability—what I just spoke about in my former remarks—strengthen America’s energy and national security, and drive economic growth.”
Capito discussed how Congress established the NRC in 1974 as an independent regulator focused on nuclear safety. She pointed out advancements in technology and safety since then and stated there is now an opportunity to build a new future for nuclear power.
Referring to her legislation, Capito said, “Last year, in passing my bill, the ADVANCE Act, Congress spoke with an overwhelming bipartisan voice that we must urgently modernize our regulations to prioritize what matters most.” She also mentioned President Trump’s Executive Order from May that directed a reexamination of NRC safety rules.
Capito expressed confidence that Nieh would uphold regulatory principles such as independence, openness, efficiency, clarity and reliability while implementing national policy on nuclear energy. She described Nieh's previous roles at both domestic and international organizations related to nuclear regulation and operations.
“I support Ho Nieh’s nomination to serve as a member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission because of his outstanding technical expertise, his real-world knowledge of regulatory compliance, his strong leadership experience and his commitment to executing the recently updated NRC Mission Statement,” Capito said.
She concluded by urging other senators to confirm Nieh: “I urge my colleagues to join me in voting for his confirmation to the NRC. I yield the floor.”
