Moniz, a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a former senior official at the Dept. of Energy during the Clinton administration, appeared to have bipartisan support. Ranking member Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), told Moniz, "You may prove to be the rare nominee who gathers wide bipartisan acclaim."

Nevertheless, lawmakers told Moniz that he would face some challenges if confirmed. Chief among them: dealing with safety and design problems recently discovered at the Hanford nuclear waste site in Richland, Wash. In response, Moniz agreed to visit the site if confirmed.

Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) said that "given the breadth of support" for Moniz, he hoped that the committee would swiftly pass Moniz's nomination out of the committee. A vote is set for April 18.