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The U.S. Senate has officially confirmed former North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum as secretary of the interior.
The former governor’s nomination received bipartisan support, having been confirmed by a vote of 79 to 18 in the upper chamber on Wednesday. All 53 Senate Republicans approved Burgum, along with 35 Democrats, Fox News reported.
The Interior Department handles over a half-billion acres of federal land, along with territories offshore, according to the Associated Press, which produces roughly 25 percent of the nation’s oil.
Burgum’s tenure is expected to oversee an energy-focused agenda, resulting from the president’s campaign promise to “drill, baby, drill” in order to reopen domestic oil production.
President Trump also announced that Burgum will also serve on a National Energy Council, created via executive order to increase energy production by eliminating regulations.
Assuming office in 2016, Burgum previously served two terms as North Dakota’s governor before seeking the 2024 GOP presidential nomination. After suspending his campaign, he endorsed President Trump, and frequently campaigned with him throughout the election season.