The Senate confirmed Doug Burgum as interior secretary late Thursday after President Donald Trump tapped the North Dakota billionaire to spearhead the Republican administration's ambitions to boost fossil fuel production.

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

Ticker: Trump tariff move hits market; Thousands of Costco workers prepare to strike; Senate confirms Doug Burgum as interior secretary

The Secretary of the Interior is in charge of federal lands including National Parks, along with several agencies.

The United States Senate has confirmed former North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum as Interior Secretary. Burgum was easily confirmed on a 79-18 vote, with more than half of Democrats voting yes with all Republicans. The 68-year old former tech industry executive served two terms as North Dakota’s governor.

The U.S. Senate voted Thursday to confirm former North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum to lead the Department of Interior. During his confirmation hearing, Burgum emphasized a commitment to advancing U.S. energy production in President Donald Trump’s administration.

The Senate confirmed Doug Burgum as Secretary of the Interior late Thursday, solidifying President Donald Trump’s push to expand domestic fossil fuel production under his administration. The vote was 79-18, with more than half of Senate Democrats joining all 53 Republicans in supporting Burgum, the Associated Press reported.

Emails obtained by The Associated Press reveal Doug Burgum as North Dakota governor catered to the whims of oil and gas executives while leveraging those connections to expand his political profile

Updates on the Senate confirmation hearings as RFK Jr., Kash Patel and Tulsi Gabbard undergo questions on their qualifications to join Trump's Cabinet.