Jeff Bingaman: “I hope the Senate can fully fund many of the research and development initiatives proposed.”

He knows the crucial role that Congress plays in setting policy and in overseeing how that policy is carried out.

I would certainly like to thank Senator Bingaman, who just retired just very recently, for the strong support that he has shown me over the years, and including support for this nomination.

First we would want a person as Secretary of Energy who had a knowledge of science and engineering.

It's important that we have a person with substantial knowledge and many varied skills in order to succeed.