Senate confirms David Wright for another term with NRC

The U.S. Senate confirmed David Wright’s nomination to serve a new five-year term with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission after a 50 – 39 vote Monday night.

Nearly all Republican senators voted in support of Wright’s confirmation, Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) did not vote. All 39 votes against Wright’s confirmation came from Democrats and Independent senator Angus King (I-Maine). 

The confirmation came later after a key procedural vote that concluded after 6 p.m. Eastern Time with an unofficial tally of 51-to-45, the Senate invoked cloture, or limited debate on the Wright nomination. 

President Donald Trump renominated Wright for commissioner on June 16. Trump first nominated Wright to serve on the NRC in 2018. 

Prior to the Senate vote, the NRC had three active commissioners: Annie Caputo, Bradley Crowell and Matthew Marzano. Then commissioner and former NRC chair Christopher Hanson was terminated by Trump on June 13.

With Wright confirmed, the Commission now has one remaining spot open.

In debate leading up to the vote, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) said he planned to vote against Wright, not because Wright is a bad nominee, but to “send a signal” to the Trump administration that the independence of NRC must be preserved. The Democrat said he was concerned about the Department of Energy encroaching on NRC turf as well as the role of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which Whitehouse pronounced “dog-gee” in revamping NRC.

In his prior Senate testimony, Wright has insisted that safety of nuclear plants will remain top priority at NRC. Wright advanced through the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works in a 10-9 vote. 

Before his most recent term ended June 30, Wright was serving as NRC chairman. Wright is also a former member of the South Carolina Public Service Commission.