Doug Burgum talks up need to secure 'energy dominance' ahead of confirmation vote
President Donald Trump made headlines late last year when he nominated former North Dakota Republican Gov. Doug Burgum to head up the Department of the Interior.
Burgum got one step close to filling the role on Wednesday when the Senate voted 78 to 20 in favor of moving ahead on his confirmation vote.
Burgum supports Trump's call for achieving "energy dominance"
According to Fox News, Burgum spent part of his January 16 confirmation hearing focusing on the need for greater domestic energy production.
"When energy production is restricted in America, it doesn't reduce demand," the former governor was quoted as saying to members of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
Senate advances Trump’s pick to lead the US Interior, Doug Burgum https://t.co/DY54IdmMQj
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"It just shifts production to countries like Russia and Iran, whose autocratic leaders not only don't care at all about the environment, but they use their revenues from energy sales to fund wars against us and our allies," he went on to point out.
Those remarks echoed similar statements from Trump, who campaigned in part on a pledge to restore America's "energy dominance."
Nominee dismissed suggestions that he might permit drilling in national parks
"As part of my sworn duty, I'll follow the law and follow the Constitution. And so you can count on that," the nominee replied.
"And I have not heard of anything about President Trump wanting to do anything other than advancing energy production for the benefit of the American people," he went on to add.
Burgum told Nevada Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto that he supports "economics and markets" when asked whether he favors repealing tax credits for electric vehicles.
Burgum: Trump will protect "clean air, clean water" and "our beautiful lands"
What's more, Fox News reported that Burgum also assured Democrats that Trump will achieve his energy goals "while championing clean air, clean water and protecting our beautiful lands."
Sen. John Hoeven represents Burgum's home state, and he described the former governor as being "a guy who really fits this job."
Meanwhile, Montana Republican Rep. Ryan Zinke spoke positively of Burgum as well, telling Fox News that he is "very confident" the nominee will end up getting confirmed.