A Senate Energy and Natural Resources hearing Thursday on the presence of foreign nationals at the Department of Energy’s national labs suggested continuing tension between Chair Mike Lee and ranking Democrat Martin Heinrich.
Heinich helped kick off the hearing by questioning its format, noting sessions dealing with national security concerns have been private to make sure adversaries don’t have a “blueprint” of potential vulnerabilities.
“Quite frankly, I’m disappointed to read some of the witness testimony to which we cannot appropriately respond in this open venue,” Heinrich said. “But we’re here today, so let’s do our best to take care of how we have this discussion in a public setting.”
Furthermore, the New Mexico Democrat expressed concern about how President Donald Trump pushing out or laying off workers — including people with security clearances — could hurt security.
