Interior Secretary nominee Dirk Kempthorne, governor of Idaho, is slated to go before the Energy and Natural Resources Committee for his confirmation hearing as early as May 4.

The date has not been confirmed by the committee. But it's expected to be smooth sailing for Kempthorne, who is hailed as a consensus builder by colleagues and even some conservationists.

Kempthorne's nomination faces a potential hold by Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Florida), who wants to discuss the Bush administration's plan to expand oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico.

Kempthorne and his record on tribal issues will be the subject of Native America Calling (http://www.nativeamericacalling.com) on Wednesday, April 12.

Get the Story:
Kempthorne hearing may begin May 4 (AP 4/8)
Bush's Interior Nominee: Comfort in Consensus (The New York Times 4/8)
pwnyt
Offshore Drilling Plan Widens Rifts Over Energy Policy (The New York Times 4/9)

Relevant Links:
Coeur d'Alene Tribe - http://www.cdatribe.com
Nez Perce Tribe - http://www.nezperce.org
Shoshone-Bannock Tribes - http://www.shoshonebannocktribes.com
Gov. Dirk Kempthorne - http://gov.idaho.gov

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