Top Senate Republican responds to Dem's accusations of delaying and obstructing during Trump confirmation hearings.

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, claims that Democrats are hindering the appointment of Trump's energy nominees by causing delays and obstructions.

Lee stated in an exclusive statement to Planet Chronicle Digital that Senate Democrats are prioritizing delaying and obstructing the incoming Trump administration.

The Energy and Natural Resources Committee has followed every rule in noticing the confirmation hearings for Gov. Doug Burgum and Chris Wright's paperwork, which has been submitted to the Office of Government Ethics from their respective agencies. The confirmation process is moving forward as it should, and good progress has been made to ensure these nominees are thoroughly vetted and ready to serve.

"In 2009, the same party conducted hearings for President Obama's nominees under similar circumstances. Despite the Democrats' delay, the Republicans are taking action and fulfilling their responsibilities. It is now time for the Senate Democrats to take the moment seriously and act with the urgency it requires."

The Utah Republican refuted allegations from his Democratic counterpart on the committee, ranking member Martin Heinrich, that his scheduling of confirmation hearings for Liberty Energy CEO Chris Wright and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Trump's picks for secretary of energy and interior, respectively, violated protocol.

This week, Heinrich reacted to a violation of Senate protocol and tradition when he stated that Lee conducted Burgum's hearing without the approval of the committee's minority.

Chairman Lee has scheduled the first Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee confirmation hearing over my objection and before basic information has been given to the committee, which is a breach of protocol and precedent, established over decades by chairs of both parties, according to Senator Heinrich's statement on Wednesday.

On Thursday, he released a second statement in reaction to the official scheduling of Wright's Jan. 15 confirmation hearing.

The senator expressed disappointment that Chairman Lee scheduled a second nomination hearing without receiving the required information from nominees, such as a completed FBI background check and financial report, as per committee rules and law.

The Energy and Natural Resources Democrats lack the necessary documents, including disclosures and an ethics agreement, as per our committee rules and the law, according to Heinrich.

According to Lee, who took over as chairman after Sen. John Barrasso was elected Senate majority whip, his actions align with committee precedent.

He stated that he is fully compliant with all rules regarding the confirmation hearings for Trump's picks for crucial energy positions.

In 2009, a similar scenario occurred in the Obama administration when Steven Chu and Ken Salazar, the former secretaries of Energy and the Interior, respectively, had their confirmation hearings announced before all documents were received.

Despite dozens of nominees being considered by the committee, a spokesperson for committee Democrats stated that these are the only instances of the timeline of events.

"Unlike the hearings Chairman Lee has noticed, the committee only received Dr. Chu and Mr. Salazar's disclosures one day after the notice was issued. Despite Chairman Lee's notice of the hearings, the committee has not yet received the required documents and has no assurance that they will receive them before the hearings take place."

According to Lee, Democrats' criticisms of Heinrich were based on the belief that the term "notice" should be equated with universal requirements for nominations.

He assured that Republicans would adhere to all committee rules.