The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a confirmation hearing for Chris Wright for secretary of energy on Jan. 15, 2025. At the time the hearing ended, the committee had not yet scheduled a meeting to vote on Wright’s nomination. Wright must receive a majority approval vote in the committee before his nomination can be put up for a confirmation vote before the full Senate.

Trump nominated Wright on Nov. 16, 2024. Trump said of Wright’s nomination, “Chris has been a leading technologist and entrepreneur in Energy. He has worked in Nuclear, Solar, Geothermal, and Oil and Gas. Most significantly, Chris was one of the pioneers who helped launch the American Shale Revolution that fueled American Energy Independence, and transformed the Global Energy Markets and Geopolitics.”

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee is chaired by Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) is the ranking Democratic member. To watch the full hearing, click here.

This was the second day of confirmation hearings for incoming President Donald Trump’s (R) Cabinet nominees. The first hearing was held on Jan. 14, 2025, for secretary of defense nominee Pete Hegseth. To read more about the confirmation process for Trump’s Cabinet nominees, click here.