The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on Jan. 23 held a business meeting to consider the nominations of Doug Burgum and Chris Wright to lead the Departments of Interior and Energy, respectively.
The committee voted 18 – 2 to advance Mr. Burgum’s nomination and 15 – 5 to advance Mr. Wright’s nomination. The business meeting may be viewed here.
Democratic Senators Ron Wyden (OR) and Mazie Hirono (HI) opposed Mr. Burgum’s nomination, while Wyden, Hirono, and Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), and Alex Padilla (D-CA) opposed Mr. Wright’s nomination. Ranking Member Martin Heinrich (D-NM) supported both nominations but expressed concerns with both nominees’ attitudes towards climate change.
Both nominations now move to the full Senate for a vote.