U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, yesterday chaired an Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing to consider two nominees for the Department of the Interior (DOI). The nominees are Daniel Jorjani to be Solicitor and Mark Greenblatt to be Inspector General.

“The Interior Department has numerous, wide-ranging responsibilities, including the administration of more than a quarter of the land in the United States and almost two-thirds of the land in Alaska,” Murkowski said. “In order to carry out its mission, the Department needs a top lawyer who can provide good advice, counsel, and legal representation. It also needs a strong, independent watchdog who can ensure the Department operates efficiently, effectively, and legally.”

Murkowski thanked both nominees for their willingness to serve in such critical roles, noting that both of these positions have been vacant since President Trump took office and it has been more than 10 years since DOI has had a permanent inspector general. 

“Mr. Greenblatt is well-qualified for the position of inspector general. He has more than 15 years of oversight experience, including several positions in the Office of the Inspector General at the Department of Commerce and as a staff director and chief counsel on the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations,” Murkowski said. “Mr. Jorjani has been performing the solicitor’s duties largely since President Trump took office, but his experience at Interior extends beyond that. This is actually his second tour at the Department, having previously served in the Bush administration. He knows the issues, and has demonstrated his ability to do the job.”

Murkowski is chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. An archived video and witness testimony from yesterday’s hearing are available on the committee’s website. Click here to view Murkowski’s questions for the nominees.