The top Democrat on the Senate’s Energy and Natural Resources Committee is objecting to the timing of a hearing for Trump’s Energy Secretary pick Chris Wright — saying Republicans are moving ahead with the nomination even though some paperwork, including Wright’s financial disclosure, has not yet been received.
It’s the second such complaint Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) has lodged in as many days, saying earlier in the week that Democrats are similarly missing documentation related to Interior secretary nominee Doug Burgum.
In a new letter to Chairman Mike Lee (R-Utah) obtained by The Hill late Wednesday, Heinrich said he would not consent to the hearing for Wright because he hasn’t received the nominee's financial disclosure.
A spokesperson said Democrats also hadn’t received other ethics forms.
“The American people deserve transparency on the individuals nominated to serve them in the incoming administration,” Heinrich wrote.
“I urge you to adhere to this Committee’s longstanding precedence and take seriously your constitutional responsibilities by waiting to notice this hearing until we receive the information needed to ensure this process is thorough and complete,” he added.
Lee, however, has set the hearing for Wednesday. In a written statement shared with The Hill, the chairman said that his committee “in full compliance with its rules and precedents, has officially noticed a confirmation hearing.”
He said that Republicans are focused on “lowering costs, unleashing American energy, and putting families first” and accused Democrats of wanting to “play politics.”
