The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources today held a business meeting to advance three nominees:

• Dr. Rita Baranwal to be Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy at the Department of Energy;
• Mr. Bernie McNamee to be a member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; and
• Mr. David Vela to be Director of the National Park Service.

Chairman Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, supported all three nominations. The committee favorably reported Baranwal and Vela by voice vote, and McNamee by a bipartisan vote of 13-10. The nominations now head to the Senate floor. 

After today’s business meeting, a total of 10 nominees reported by the Energy and Natural Resources Committee are now awaiting confirmation by the full Senate. Murkowski reiterated her concern about the significant delays these nominees – most of whom are not controversial – are facing. She continued to urge her colleagues to work with her to confirm the nominees before the end of the Congress.