On the same day that Sen. Lisa Murkowski said she would not commit to voting to confirm any of President Donald Trump’s nominees for his cabinet because she was “learning,” she said she supports former North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum for secretary of the Department of the Interior.
During an Energy and Natural Resources committee hearing to consider his nomination, Murkowski and Burgum discussed Alaska’s energy and mineral potential and the need for the Department to dramatically improve its approach in the state.
“I don’t want the Department of the Interior to be a landlord—I want them to be a partner,” Murkowski said. “Hearing the Governor say that he views Alaska as ‘one of the biggest assets this country has’ is a breath of fresh air after the last four years. I look forward to working with Governor Burgum to unleash the energy and resource opportunities that Alaska possesses.”
In December, Murkowski was effusive about Burgum and Energy Secretary nominee Chris Wright, but last week, when asked by a reporter, she said she was not committing to any nominee because it was too early in the process.
