The Senate Energy Committee has sent the name of Commissioner Joseph Kelliher to the full Senate for a confirmation vote on a second term on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
The name of Kelliher, FERC’s chairman, was moved out of committee by voice vote May 23. Although there was no roll call, Sens. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., and Jon Tester, D-Mont., asked that they be recorded voting against advancing the nomination.
Kelliher’s name was placed on the Senate’s executive calendar, where it will stay until Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., is ready to bring it up for a vote.
President Bush nominated Kelliher, a Republican, in March to serve an additional five-year term, and to continue as chairman. (HNN 3/7/07) Kelliher’s first term expires June 30. If confirmed, he will serve a new term expiring June 30, 2012.
If the Senate has not voted on confirmation by June 30, Kelliher can continue to serve on the commission until the current session of Congress ends at the end of this year.
FERC is composed of five members appointed by the president with the consent of the Senate. Commissioners serve five year terms. No more than three may belong to the same political party.
