Senate Energy Committee reports three nominations to the Senate after roll-call votes
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Summary
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on May 13 voted to report three presidential nominations favorably to the full Senate: William Duffmeyer for Solicitor at the Department of the Interior, Catherine Hereza for Assistant Secretary of Energy for Electricity, and Kyle Hosphyte for Assistant Secretary of Energy for Fossil Energy.
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on May 13 voted to report three nominations favorably to the full Senate following a business meeting that opened the panel's day of hearings and testimony.
The committee, chaired by Senator Mike Lee, voted to send William Duffmeyer’s nomination for Solicitor at the Department of the Interior, Catherine Hereza’s nomination for Assistant Secretary of Energy for Electricity, and Kyle Hosphyte’s nomination for Assistant Secretary of Energy for Fossil Energy to the Senate floor with positive committee recommendations.
Why this matters: reporting nominations favorably advances them toward a final confirmation vote on the Senate floor. Committee action typically reflects majority support on the panel and is the next procedural step before full-Senate consideration.
Roll-call results and outcome: For the Solicitor nomination the committee reported the nomination favorably with a recorded tally of 12 ayes and 8 nays; for the Assistant Secretary for Electricity the vote was recorded as 11 ayes and 8 nays with one recorded abstention; and for the Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy the nomination was reported favorably with 12 ayes and 8 nays. Each nomination was “ordered to be reported favorably to the Senate.”
Committee procedure and timing: Chairman Mike Lee opened the meeting and noted that the business meeting — three roll-call votes — preceded a hearing on four additional nominees. The committee clerk called the roll for each nomination; the chair then moved to the hearing portion after the business votes concluded. Senator Martin Heinrich, the committee's ranking member, gave an opening statement during the hearing portion that followed the votes.
Next steps: Following committee action, the nominations are placed on the Senate’s Executive Calendar and may be scheduled for a floor vote by Senate leadership.
Less critical detail: Senator Bob Justice briefly offered congratulatory remarks following the votes, calling attention to one nominee from his hometown. The hearing record was left open for written statements and for questions for the record per the chair’s announcement.
