Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chairman Frank Murkowski, R-Alaska, today vowed that whomever is nominated to be Secretary of Energy faces a tough confirmation fight.
"I have let the White House know we will take our responsibility for a thorough and fair review seriously," Murkowski said in a statement. "They should do their part by sending us a qualified nominee who can competently address nuclear waste issues and defend DOE control of our weapons programs."
Pointing to calls in Congress to abolish the DOE, Murkowski said the secretary will need the "proper professional background and a stiff backbone to succeed." He said the secretary must work with Congress and the president to end the stalemate over interim storage of nuclear waste. And Murkowski -- who long has sought the opening of Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil development -- also called on the nominee to deal with the nation's dependence on foreign oil.
Murkowksi noted the confirmation process will be completed after President Clinton is inaugurated for a second term, saying: "We cannot rush the process ... Senators and the nominee must have time to prepare and to ask and answer legitimate policy questions."
NEXT STORY: White House Staff Changes