4 protesters arrested at Senate hearing on energy nominees

Four protesters have been arrested after disrupting a Senate hearing on nominees to serve in energy-related posts in the Trump administration.

Two men and two women were arrested on Capitol Hill after disrupting a hearing by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. The panel is considering President Donald Trump's nominee for deputy energy secretary and two nominees to serve on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

The protesters shouted "FERC hurts families" and "shut FERC down" as they delayed the hearing for about 20 minutes.

A spokeswoman for Capitol police says the demonstrators have been charged with obstruction. One was released after paying a fine; three others are being detained.

FERC oversees natural gas pipelines and other energy infrastructure projects.

A group, Beyond Extreme Energy, claims credit for the disruption.