WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding the president’s nominee to serve on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Bernard McNamee:

“The Senate is resuming our work this afternoon. Later today we will vote to advance the nomination of Bernard McNamee, the president’s choice to serve on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

“This is an impressive nominee who has the right qualifications for this important job. In his career as a well-regarded lawyer on energy issues, he’s represented clients and gained expertise all across the energy sector. He’s helped clients build solar projects and natural gas facilities and get renewable energy standards approved. In his own words -- quote – ‘I have not just talked about fuel diversity and “all of the above” energy policies; I have worked to help make them a reality.’

“And Mr. McNamee has worked as an energy policy expert at the Department of Energy and right here in the Senate. FERC plays a pivotal role in ensuring our nation’s energy security and enabling prosperity. Among other responsibilities, the Commission is responsible for permitting important infrastructure investments such as pipelines and export terminals. So continuing with a deadlocked and understaffed Commission could threaten the status of these investments and the jobs that revolve around them.

“We need to confirm Mr. McNamee promptly. Mr. McNamee’s obvious qualifications and his commitment to fairness and impartiality earned him a bipartisan vote out of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee last month, with a favorable recommendation. I hope the same common sense will prevail today so we can move this nominee forward with the bipartisan vote he deserves.”