Political Quotes

“I am opposed to the nomination of Joseph S. Hezir for the position of Chief Financial Officer, CFO, at the Department of Energy, DOE. The CFO position plays an influential policy role within the DOE, overseeing all financial matters and ensuring the successful implementation of Departmentwide policies. Given that Mr. Hezir, as recently as 2 years ago, lobbied the Obama administration and Congress in favor of Yucca Mountain, an issue my State vehemently opposes and I have diligently fought to block and defund in Congress, I simply cannot support his nomination. I have worked closely with our congressional delegation over the past 8 years to fight efforts from outsiders to force nuclear waste on the State of Nevada. That includes defunding DOE efforts to advance the project and diligently questioning all DOE and Nuclear Regulatory Commission, NRC, nominees on their perspective regarding long-term nuclear waste storage. The 2012 Blue Ribbon Commission Report on America's Nuclear Future provides a path forward for safe, responsible nuclear waste storage so our Nation can move beyond Yucca Mountain once and for all. My litmus test for any nominee involved in nuclear waste disposal programs is support of the consent-based approach recommended in that report. Mr. Hezir's nomination comes before the Senate today without one hearing in the Energy and Natural Resources Committee.…”