We do need to maintain a full, qualified slate of commissioners who continue to protect our communities by ensuring nuclear safety.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is an important asset to overseeing nuclear power.

We must strike a balance to ensure the safety of our communities while continuing to ensure the viability of nuclear power.

I don't understand the rationale for this at all. I agree with Senator Sessions. He was a vital member of the Commission with years of experience and the President failed to renominate him.

It appears that politics, not qualifications, were at the heart of the decision.

the Majority Leader's strong influence in micromanaging the selection of nominees to the NRC as well as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for political gain.

we have done nine oversight hearings.

I want to thank Senator Vitter in particular for really helping us move this forward.

I have not seen that coming from the Commission lately.

I know, and it is a very legitimate observation, but we did have a resignation and someone who was not reappointed.

we would never have done this if we didn't have the agreement of Senator Vitter.

I just want to reassure my colleagues on both sides that Senator Vitter and I worked on how to handle these openings together.

I think it is important. It keeps coming back like a bad dream, but the fact is Congress voted the money and it was only $10 million.

I want to say to both of you I am so impressed with your experience.

Of course my colleague, Senator Inhofe, makes a point.

I am going to place in the record Section 6 of the Nuclear Waste Policy because it is important.

I think that is important because NRC makes the decision and then I think they should enforce it.

I think there is enormous promise in those, particularly in ones that can burn through our existing nuclear waste.