E.P.W. Republicans: Full Committee Hearing for Obama's NRC Nominee Needed

U.S. Senator David Vitter (R-La.), top Republican on the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, and all E.P.W. Republicans, today sent a letter to E.P.W. Chairman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), requesting a full committee meeting to consider the nomination of Jeffery Baran to serve the remainder of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Chairman Allison Macfarlane's term, which ends on June 30, 2018.

"Asking Jeffery Baran to serve a ten-month term versus a four-year term is a dramatic difference, which is why the E.P.W. Committee needs to hold a hearing in order to consider his qualifications," said Vitter. "We know President Obama and Senator Harry Reid like Mr. Baran because he'll be their rubber stamp, but that doesn't make him qualified. The facts cannot be understated - Mr. Baran visited a nuclear power facility for the 1st time in his life earlier this year. Clearly, there are serious concerns regarding his ability to serve in a leadership position at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission - and to ensure that safety, not politics, is the top priority."

In September 2014, Baran was nominated to serve the remainder of former Commissioner William Magwood's term, which expires on July 30, 2015. Late last week, President Obama nominated Baran to instead fill a longer term upon Chairman Macfarlane's departure of the commission.

Vitter 1st raised concerns about Baran when he was nominated to serve a one-year term on the NRC in September. Click here to read more.

Click here to read today's letter.

-30-

There are currently no comments for this story. Be the first to add a comment!
Click here to add a comment about this story.