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I serve on the Environment & Economy Subcommittee of the House Committee on Energy & Commerce, which has jurisdiction over the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).  The NRC is responsible for ensuring the safety of the United States’ 104 nuclear reactors, as well as managing nuclear waste.  In May, the Subcommittee held a hearing with the NRC’s Inspector General regarding the problems facing the Commission under the leadership of Chairman Jaczko.  In October, the remaining four commissioners, two Democrats appointed by President Obama and two Republicans, wrote a letter to White House Chief of Staff Bill Daley expressing their concerns about the Chairman’s ability to lead the commission moving forward.  I am concerned about the contents of this letter and will work with my colleagues on the Energy & Commerce Committee to ensure that nuclear safety, not political interests, remain the commission’s top priority.