Jeremy L. Dillon
RW Monitor
12/5/2014
The Senate appears set to confirm early next week Jeffrey Baran to a longer term on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, after voting this week to approve a cloture motion to limit debate on Baran’s nomination. President Barrack Obama nominated Baran to serve the remaining years left on departing NRC Chair Allison Macfarlane’s tenure, which would expire in June 2018. Baran initially was confirmed to serve out the remainder of former Commissioner William Magwood’s term, which expires next June, but if approved, this would add an additional three years to the tenure of the former aide to Rep. Henry Waxman (D- Calif.). Baran officially joined the Commission last month after the Senate approved his nomination in September.
Earlier in the week, Senate Democrats on the Environment and Public Works Committee successfully moved Baran’s new nomination out of committee on a party line 10-8 vote, despite protests from Republican members. Ranking Member David Vitter (R-La.) last month criticized what he described as Baran’s lack of experience and called for a hearing to better scrutinize the nomination, but Committee Chair Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) felt that a hearing from earlier this year gave ample time for Republicans inquests.
Republicans Lash Out in EPW Hearing
Senate Republicans, meanwhile, used a EPW hearing on NRC oversight this week to chastise Boxer for pushing the Baran through committee without a hearing. Vitter reiterated his concerns over Baran’s experience. “There is no precedent for disregarding the importance of making sure each member of the NRC is qualified for the exact position and term for which they have been nominated,” Vitter said in his opening statement. He added, “The bottom line is that no nominee, including Baran, should be given a free pass into office based solely on the merits of being handpicked by Majority Leader Harry Reid. Ensuring our commissioners are well-qualified and that the NRC is conducting business in a fact-based and ethical manner are crucial to the health, reliability, and safety of our nuclear fleet.”
Boxer said later during the hearing that she found the Republican outcry to be “ridiculous.” She countered concerns over Baran’s experience by citing Commissioner Kristine Svinicki’s lack of experience when she joined the NRC. “This outrage over appointing commissioners who worked as congressional staffers is really ridiculous,” Boxer said. “When, in fact, not one Republican ever complained, nor one Democrat, about Commissioner Svinicki.”
