The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will question Nuclear Regulatory Commission Chair David Wright this week after the White House nominated him for another term on the panel.
Democrats are likely to ask Wright about the White House’s involvement in the commission as President Donald Trump seeks to exert greater influence over independent agencies.
The president last week fired Democratic commissioner Christopher Hanson, who served as chair during the Biden administration. Senate Democrats called the ouster illegal.
“In removing NRC Commissioner Hanson, Trump has overstepped his authority, jeopardizing U.S. nuclear leadership at a critical time,” said Environment and Public Works ranking member Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Appropriations ranking member Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Energy and Natural Resources ranking member Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.).
