Indianz.Com Listening Lounge, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee confirmation hearing for Interior Secretary nominee Dirk Kempthorne, May 4, 2006. • Introduction by Idaho Senators - 8:31 - 1.9MB • Opening Statements by Senators - 44:54 - 10.2MB • Dirk Kempthorne Statement - 14:57 - 3.4MB • Q&A I - 35:41 - 8.2MB | Q&A - 41:42 - 9.5MB | Q&A - 26:49 - 6.1MB • Text: Kempthorne Statement

"The U.S. Senate likely will confirm Dirk Kempthorne as the next U.S. secretary of the Interior, but he shouldn't get a free pass. He didn't fully answer key questions during his confirmation hearing last week, and some of his answers conflicted with past positions. And Kempthorne, currently Idaho's governor, didn't articulate his views on balancing energy production with other values on federal lands.

Wednesday, the Senate's Energy and Natural Resources Committee is expected to send Kempthorne's nomination to the floor, so the questions should be put to him today.

Kempthorne's views are crucial to our region and to Colorado. The public deserves a fuller understanding of those views than he's so far given."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Questions for Interior choice (The Denver Post 5/9)

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

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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