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The top Democrat on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee says Republicans scheduled Doug Burgum’s confirmation hearing without his consent, which he called a breach of Senate protocol.
Sen. Martin Heinrich (DN.M.) said he opposes the hearing because his office has not yet received key information from Burgum, who President-elect Trump will nominate to lead the Interior Department.
The missing information includes Burgum’s disclosure form, evidence that he underwent an FBI background check, approval from the Interior Department’s ethics office and answers to a standard questionnaire , according to Heinrich.
The Democrat accused his counterpart, Committee Chairman Mike Lee (R-Utah), of scheduling the hearing despite the minority party’s objections.
“I am extremely disappointed that Chairman Lee has scheduled the first confirmation hearing of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee over my objection and before basic information has been given to the Committee,” Heinrich said in a written statement.
“This is a breach of protocol and precedent, established for decades by the presidents of both parties,” he added.
Lee’s office issued a notice that Burgum’s hearing will take place Tuesday morning.
The office did not immediately respond to The Hill’s request for comment. Trump’s transition team did not immediately respond to a question about why Heinrich’s office had not received Burgum’s information.
If Burgum is confirmed, he will top the Interior Department, which has jurisdiction over federal lands and waters, including whether energy is developed there. Of Trump’s nominees, he is not considered particularly controversial.
