Steven Holt: “I join the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell), the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spratt) and others in opposing…”

“I join the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell), the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spratt) and others in opposing the reorganization of the DOE that is provided in this bill, creating a fiefdom of control of the nuclear establishment that does not include an authority line from the Secretary of Energy. It is a serious problem. Civilian control of our nuclear weapons production facilities is one of the most important responsibilities that we have here. I speak with some experience. For nearly a decade, I helped run a DOE national laboratory. I have seen firsthand the legacy of the Atomic Energy Commission. And, as any manager will tell you, the best design for failure is to offer responsibility without authority. That is what we are doing with the Secretary of Energy here. Keeping the Secretary of Energy in the line of authority is the best way that we in Congress and that the citizens of this country can have accountable control of our nuclear establishment.”