Democrat Upset Over Scheduling of Burgum’s Hearing To Become Interior Secretary

WASHINGTON, D.C. (KVRR) — Sen. Martin Heinrich of New Mexico is accusing Republicans of a breach of precedent and protocol in scheduling Doug Burgum’s confirmation hearing to become Interior Secretary.

The Democrat and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources says the FBI background check isn’t finished and there is no completed financial disclosure form.

The hearing has been scheduled for Tuesday, January 14 without minority consent.

In a statement Heinrich said, “The Senate has a constitutional duty to advise and, if it determines, consent to the President’s nominees. This requires careful consideration of each nominee. To achieve this, for decades, nominees that have come before the ENR Committee have submitted responses to a standard questionnaire and a completed financial disclosure form, approval from the Department’s ethics office, and completion of an FBI background check. Until these steps have been completed, I will not consent to notice of nomination hearings.”

Heinrich is urging Chairman Sen. Mike Lee to reconsider his decision.