this is customary of what's been done and it gives us a five-member ferc which is extremely important for our energy, our country, and the reliability that we depend on. as i told my colleagues on the energy committee, when we voted on mr. danly's nomination that i will not support another nominee unless we get both. it has to stop. i'm asking my colleagues on the republican side to please help us put some kind of structure and some kind of procedure back into the operation. we need to start acting as a senate and not be guided by the politics and the toxic politics and this tribal men talt. -- mentality. i want the president to send us the nominations so we can have a fully functioning committee. so, with that, i ask all of my colleagues to -- to, please, let's vote for the qualifications of the person, not the politics of the person, but also let's medicare sure that we have a complete working commission and not just a partial commission that is overweighted. with that, i see an absence -- i yield the floor. the presiding officer: -- on the nomination. is there a sufficient second?

ferc is one of those really, really important entities. ferc plays a critical role in keeping the lights on and ensuring reliable, safe, and affordable energy to american homes and businesses. he has an impressive background. he served two tours of duty in iran and iraq. he played a key role in counterinsurgency efforts during the surge. he chose to pursue a very different career as a ferc attorney. first practicing at a major law firm and most recently serving as ferc's general counsel for the past two and a half years now. mr. danly's time at ferc has been productive and has my strong support to be a commissioner. this is the type of individual that knows his stuff, has a great grasp and a keen understanding of these energy-related matters. he is well qualified, deep understanding of the issues that will come before him. he understands ferc's mission as an independent an impartial regulator. now, despite mr. scandaly's very -- mr. danly's impressive qualification and experience, i'm disappointed that some of my colleagues will oppose his