Mary Landrieu: “I wish to make a few comments about nominees that are before the Senate for confirmation and to thank Members on both…”

“I wish to make a few comments about nominees that are before the Senate for confirmation and to thank Members on both sides of the aisle for working together to try to move forward two very important nominees for FERC. First, let me say there has been some criticism of one of the nominees from some Members of the other party and, of course, everyone is entitled to their opinion; that is what the Senate is for. But I would like to make sure that the Senate record reflects an opinion of someone whom I admire greatly and I believe is very admired-- significantly admired--by every Member of this Senate, and that is the opinion of Senator Domenici, the Republican chair of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee for many years and a long-serving Senator from the State of New Mexico. Senator Domenici, it may not be clearly understood, actually came to the energy committee to testify on behalf of Norman Bay. His testimony was one of the most artful and compelling I have seen in my days here--which are now quite long at almost 18 years--and unusual in the sense that he read from no script, spoke from the heart, and spoke to Democratic and Republican members of our committee. This is some of what he had to say: I am pleased to provide a strong statement of support to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on behalf of Norman C. Bay. I first met Norman in early 2000, when he was nominated to be the U.S. Attorney in the District of New Mexico.…”