Today during a Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee hearing on the US Department of Energy's (DOE) FY19 budget request, Secretary Perry pledged to end the agency's practice of selling excess uranium on the market for the rest of the fiscal year.

Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) asked Perry to halt the practice, insisting that it hurts his state's uranium mining industry. 

Perry told Barrasso that the uranium bartering program was "poorly designed," and that he hopes to end bartering "beyond this fiscal year by working together to fully fund our environmental management cleanup through the appropriations process."

It has been reported that the Barrasso has placed a hold on the nomination of Ann White -- the Administration's pick to lead the DOE Office of Environmental Management -- over the issue of uranium bartering. In light of Perry's promise to end the practice, ECA sources conclude that it's likely White's nomination will get floor time in the Senate in the coming days. 

To watch the full hearing, click here. ​​​​​​​