Senate Energy Committee reports Griffith and Gill nominations favorably to Senate floor

The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on April 25 reported favorably two Department of Energy nominations to the Senate floor: Mr. Wells Griffith to be Under Secretary of Energy and Dr. Dario Gill to be Under Secretary of Energy for Science.

Chairman Lee introduced the nominations at the start of the committee’s short business meeting and called for roll-call votes after members requested them. On the nomination of Mr. Wells Griffith, the clerk’s roll call resulted in 14 ayes and 6 nays; Chairman Lee announced the nomination was reported favorably. For Dr. Dario Gill, the committee recorded 15 ayes and 5 nays and likewise reported that nomination favorably to the Senate floor.

Ranking Member Martin Heinrich said he was concerned about recent personnel decisions, funding freezes, and workforce reductions at the Department of Energy, and that he feared nominees might be asked to implement administration policies with which he strongly disagreed. Still, he said he would support both nominees while reserving the right to hold them accountable if confirmed: “I will vote in favor of these nominations, but I do so with substantial reservations. And, I intend to hold both appointees accountable for their actions.”

The committee noted that roll-call votes were requested and completed; the chair ordered the nominations reported to the full Senate. Further Senate floor action will determine confirmation.