Senate sets final vote on Burgum, first on Wright

By Manuel Quiñones | 01/30/2025 06:27 AM EST

The chamber is poised to confirm the president’s main energy and environment picks in the coming days.

Chris Wright testifying.

Chris Wright, nominee for secretary of Energy, testifies during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on Jan. 15. Francis Chung/POLITICO

The Senate will vote Thursday to confirm Doug Burgum for Interior secretary. The chamber will also take a procedural vote on Chris Wright for the Department of Energy.

Lawmakers voted 78-20 on Wednesday evening to wind down debate on Burgum, with 25 Democrats backing the nominee. The former North Dakota governor got a similarly bipartisan vote in the Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

Consideration of Burgum follows confirmation Wednesday of Lee Zeldin for EPA administrator. Only a handful of Democrats voted for the former New York representative.

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A procedural roll call on energy executive Chris Wright will follow Burgum’s confirmation vote. Wright is also expected to secure some Democratic backing.

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