[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 98 (Tuesday, June 11, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S4007]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                            FERC Nominations

  Mr. President, on the FERC nominations, this week, the Senate has 
several important nominees to confirm to one of the most important 
Agencies, with a daunting-sounding name: Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission.
  FERC, as it is usually called, rarely shows up on people's radar 
screens, but its mission is essential. Every time you turn on the light 
or touch the thermostat or see new powerlines go up, the rules and 
regulations and policies of FERC are at work. FERC ensures the rates of 
electricity remain just and reasonable. That is their job, to do that. 
It regulates the transmission of power across State lines. It ensures 
our power grid is safe and reliable.
  But if the Senate does not act soon, FERC could soon lose its quorum, 
and much of its work could come to a halt. If these vacancies go on for 
too long, it would create serious backlog and delay, potentially 
slowing down new projects that power people's homes and cities.
  So I am glad to move forward on three new FERC nominations here on 
the Senate floor. I hope we can confirm all three by the end of the 
week so FERC can keep its quorum and continue its mission of providing 
Americans with affordable, reliable, and safe energy.
  I thank Chairman Manchin and Ranking Member Barrasso for working 
together in a bipartisan way and in good faith to bring these nominees 
through.