The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources holds a hearing to consider the nomination of Doug Burgum to be Secretary of the Interior.

Burgum served eight years as governor of North Dakota, with his second term ending in December 2024. He said he has worked to improve relations with tribal nations.

"In North Dakota, we share geography with five sovereign tribal nations," Burgum told the committee on January 16, 2025. "State and tribal relations in North Dakota have not always been great."

"But the current partnership is historically strong because we prioritized tribal engagement through mutual respect, open communication, collaboration, and a sincere willingness to listen," Burgum said.

The Department of the Interior is the federal agency with the most trust and treaty responsibilities to tribes and their citizens. It includes the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Bureau of Indian Education and the Bureau of Trust Funds Administration.

The hearing lasted three hours and five minutes. Members of the committee were given until 6pm Eastern on January 16 to submit written questions.

Committee Notice:

https://www.energy.senate.gov/hearings/2025/1/hearing-to-consider-the-nomination-of-the-honorable-doug-burgum-to-be-secretary-of-the-interior