Key members of the Senate said they expect Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne (R) to be confirmed as Secretary of the Interior.

Sen. Pete Domenici (R-New Mexico), the chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-New Mexico), the ranking member, both expressed support for Kempthorne. The committee is in charge of the confirmation hearing for the Interior nominee.

Another key lawmaker, Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Oklahoma), the chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee, also backs Kempthorne, who served six years in the Senate, from 1993 to 1999, before being elected governor.

Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Washington) welcomed Kempthorne as well. "He understands the Northwest and a lot of Interior issues," she said.

Get the Story:
Kempthorne Picked for Interior (The Washington Post 3/17)
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Idaho Governor Selected to Lead Interior Dept. (The New York Times 3/17)
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Idaho Gov. Kempthorne named to run Interior (The Los Angeles Times 3/17)

White House Announcement:
President Bush Nominates Dirk Kempthorne as Interior Secretary (March 16, 2006)

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