Mitch Landrieu: “I wish to speak about Governor Kempthorne's nomination, and now confirmation by this body, to be Secretary of the…”

“I wish to speak about Governor Kempthorne's nomination, and now confirmation by this body, to be Secretary of the Interior, and I hope he will help us work through a compromise that has eluded this Nation for some 45 years. The Secretary of the Interior is in a pivotal position to help bring reason and rationale to this debate. I think that we, by confirming him this morning, have put the right man in the job for what is ahead. The Secretary of the Interior helps lead the debate and discussion about the Nation's energy policies. There are many facets of that policy, and it is multidimensional. It is one of the toughest issues faced by this Congress. Because it is so regional, it brings very passionate debate on both sides of the issue. I was pleased to cast my vote this morning for Governor Kempthorne, a former Member of this body, and a man who has shown a great deal of ability in terms of mediating very difficult issues. He showed that skill when he was a Member of the Senate, and I have no doubt that he will show the same skill as he becomes Secretary of the Department of the Interior. One of the issues on which I look forward to working with him and my colleagues is the issue I have spoken about so many times on the Senate floor relative to offshore oil and gas drilling, a balance, a partnership of mutual respect between the Gulf Coast States and the Nation regarding a partnership that is mutually beneficial.…”