The Senate has confirmed its first nominee of the week, setting the stage for a busy schedule ahead to push through President Donald Trump’s picks. David A. Wright, Trump’s choice to lead the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for a five-year term, was approved by a 50 to 39 vote on Monday. Wright had previously served as chair of the commission in 2020 and was reappointed by Trump earlier this year. His new term will last until 2030.
The NRC, an independent regulatory agency overseeing commercial nuclear power plants and reactor licensing, plays a crucial role in ensuring public health and safety in nuclear energy. Wright’s confirmation follows Trump’s announcement of a trade deal with the European Union involving the purchase of $750 billion of U.S. energy over the next three years.
Despite being an independent body, Senate Democrats have raised concerns about recent attempts to politicize the NRC. Earlier this year, Trump signed an executive order calling for less stringent safety standards, faster environmental reviews, and a significant increase in the nation’s nuclear power capacity by 2050.
Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chair Shelley Moore Capito expressed confidence in Wright’s ability to lead the agency in achieving the president’s goals. However, controversy arose when Trump dismissed a Democratic member of the commission and deployed a Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staffer to the agency, prompting criticism from Senator Sheldon Whitehouse.
While the move initially received bipartisan support, Whitehouse later withdrew his backing, citing concerns about a potential “hostile takeover” of the commission by the Energy Department. Despite the challenges, Wright’s confirmation is a victory for Senate Republicans and the White House in their efforts to advance Trump’s nominees.
With over 140 pending civilian nominations across federal agencies, the Senate has been working swiftly to confirm appointees, with nearly 100 confirmed so far. Senate Majority Leader John Thune has urged Democrats to expedite the process or face the possibility of canceling the August recess to address the backlog of uncontroversial nominees.
In conclusion, Wright’s confirmation marks progress in Trump’s nomination process, highlighting the ongoing efforts to fill key roles within the federal government.
