The Senate confirmed Doug Burgum as Interior secretary after President Trump tapped the North Dakota billionaire to help boost fossil fuel production.

(Reuters) - The U.S. Senate on Thursday confirmed Doug Burgum, the former governor of North Dakota, as President Donald Trump's interior secretary. The vote was 79 to 18. Burgum, 68, will lead an agency that guides the use of 500 million acres (202 million hectares) of federal and tribal land, a fifth of the nation's surface area.

Doug Burgum will be the point person for public land management and President Trump’s “drill, baby, drill" agenda to expand oil and gas development.

Kash Patel, President Trump's nominee to serve as the director of the FBI, testified at a confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Tulsi Gabbard, President-elect Trump's pick to serve as the director of national intelligence, testified at a confirmation hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee.

The former governor of North Dakota is promoting President Trump’s “energy dominance” agenda and wants more oil, gas and mining on public lands.

Kennedy appeared on Wednesday and Thursday in front of the Senate’s finance and health committees, giving independent Sen. Bernie Sanders and Sen. Peter Welch, a Democrat, a chance to weigh in.

During his confirmation hearing, Trump's FBI nominee Kash Patel recounted experiencing racism and threats to his life. While addressing concerns about

Kash Patel faces Senate scrutiny over his FBI director nomination, addressing concerns about political bias and law enforcement independence.

Indian American Kash Patel on Thursday told lawmakers that he has been subjected to racism while growing up as an individual.