Business meeting to consider the nominations of Andrea Travnicek, of North Dakota, and Leslie Beyer, of Texas, both to be an Assistant Secretary of the Interior, and Theodore J. Garrish, of Maryland, to be an Assistant Secretary (Nuclear Energy), and Tristan Abbey, of Florida, to be Administrator of the Energy Information Administration, both of the Department of Energy; to be immediately followed by hearings to examine the nominations of William L. Doffermyre, of Texas, to be Solicitor of the Department of the Interior, and Catherine Jereza, of Maryland, to be an Assistant Secretary (Electricity), and Kyle Haustveit, of Oklahoma, to be an Assistant Secretary (Fossil Energy), both of the Department of Energy.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
2025-05-08
Source: Congress.gov
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Transcript
I think Senator Heinrich and his staff are working with us on the schedule for today's activities and I want to thank all senators for being here and for your cooperation today and also last week. Recognizing the demands on the schedule of every senator and the fact that we've got multiple committee proceedings going on over the next hour or so, the committee meets today for a short business meeting. to vote on four nominations, followed by a hearing on three more nominations, one within the Department of the Interior and two at Energy. All four nominees who will be considered at today's business meeting submitted timely answers to questions submitted by senators for the record of our hearing. Consequently, each one listed on the agenda that the committee's clerk has sent to your offices Um, on Monday, May 5th, uh, you'll have those things first. We'll vote on the nomination of Dr. Andrea Travnik. Second, we'll vote on the nomination of Ms. Leslie Byer. Third, we'll note on vote on the nomination of Theodore Garish and fourth vote on the nomination of Tristan Abbey. Each of these nominees is well qualified and has my wholehearted support. As soon as we have a reporting quorum present, I'm going to ask the committee to vote on those nominees. After the votes, I'll recognize any member who may wish to speak briefly on any of the nominees. I was grateful to the senators last week when we did this for keeping the remarks brief, and I renew my request for that today so that we can proceed promptly to our hearing once it's there. We'll turn to Senator Heinrich for a vote.
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Unknown
Thank you, Chairman. I intend to support three of the four nominations before us this morning, but I have to say I do so with substantial reservations. I remain concerned about the reckless policies that this administration is pursuing in the Department of Energy, the workforce reductions, the funding freezes, the hit list of programs targeted for terminations. And I am equally concerned with its disdain for responsible stewardship of our public lands at the Interior Department. This administration does not seem to understand the need for the public in public lands. I still believe it's better for the Senate to confirm qualified nominees who we can hold accountable and who will hopefully use their knowledge and expertise to push back on the President's misguided initiatives. rather than leave these important offices in the hands of unaccountable Doge employees. Consequently, I will vote in favor of three of the four nominations. I am, however, unable to support Mr. Abbey's nomination. I am deeply troubled by what is happening at the Energy Information Administration. Last month, it released its annual energy outlook without its analytical narrative, which is traditionally the centerpiece of that report. and it has also canceled its international energy outlook for 2025. Now, whether these actions are a result of the loss of so many staff experts or out of fear of offending the Trump administration or a combination of the two, we are left without EIA's independent, nonpartisan, and impartial analysis. I don't blame Mr. Abbey for this. He hasn't been there yet, but neither do I believe he is the correct person to stand up to this administration and defend EIA's independence and integrity. So I will be voting no on this confirmation.
We're still too short of a quorum. And so what we will do now is while we're waiting for a couple of others to show up who I'm told are on their way soon, why don't we move to our opening statements and then we can interrupt those if a quorum forms between now and then. will receive testimony from three of our fellow citizens nominated by President Trump for senior offices within our committee's jurisdiction, one with the Department of the Interior and two with the Department of Energy. I thank President Trump for putting their names forward. After these opening statements, and assuming we're not interrupted by a vote, then I will recognize Senator Justice to introduce Ms. Herrera, and then Senator Hoeven will introduce Mr. Housfied. Today, we're considering three nominees for these positions at Energy and Interior. Officers of the United States responsible for legal affairs, conducting research to modernize and protect the power grid, and researching and developing projects to increase domestic production of oil, gas, coal, and elements necessary for energy. First, we'll hear from Mr. William Duffmeyer to be Solicitor at the Department of the Interior. Second, we'll hear from Ms. Catherine Gereza to be Assistant Secretary of Energy for Electricity. And third, we'll hear from Mr. Kyle Haustveit to be the Assistant Secretary of Energy for Fossil Energy. Mr. Duffmeyer is the nominee to be the Solicitor for the Department of the Interior. Solicitor is the Chief Legal Officer of the Department providing legal counsel and advice to the Secretary and other offices within the Department, as well as all of its bureaus and offices, ensuring the Department's components carry out their responsibilities in accordance with the law.
Attorneys from the Solicitor's Office represent the Department in administrative proceedings and work collaboratively with attorneys in the Department of Justice to represent the Department of the Interior at judicial proceedings. The solicitor's term also assists in drafting and reviewing legislation, regulations, and contracts, as well as upholding the department's ethical obligations. Mr. Duffmeyer currently serves as senior advisor to the National Energy Dominance Council at the White House. Prior to that, he served as general counsel in corporate America and was a partner at the law firm of Williams & Connolly.
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