Senate Indian Affairs Committee reports William Billy Kirkland nomination to the Senate, 7–4

The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs voted 7–4 to report William Billy Kirkland’s nomination to the full Senate for the position of Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs at the Department of the Interior. Committee Chair Lisa Murkowski said Kirkland was nominated by President Trump on Feb. 3 and that his nomination packet — including financial disclosures and an Office of Government Ethics opinion letter — had been reviewed by committee staff.

Why it matters: The assistant secretary post carries authority over Indian Affairs bureaus, federal trust responsibilities and programs that affect tribes, individual Indian and Alaska Native trust beneficiaries, and tribal members. Supporters said Kirkland’s White House and administration relationships could help move tribal priorities forward.

Committee discussion and context: Chair Murkowski and Vice Chairman Brian Schatz led the committee’s consideration of the nomination. Murkowski noted that Kirkland had worked in the White House on external affairs, in state government and on political campaigns, and she said she would “hold him to his word” about using those connections on behalf of tribes. Schatz said Kirkland had committed to work with subject-matter experts at Interior, to keep partisan activity separate from his fiduciary duties, to follow applicable ethics rules and to “treat all tribes equally.” The committee recorded that it had received 48 letters in support and no letters in opposition.

Kirkland’s commitments: At his July nomination hearing and in written responses, Kirkland pledged to spend the first 90 days listening to tribal leaders to develop an action plan, and to “surround himself with good people” to implement that plan, according to statements cited by the committee.

Vote and next steps: The committee conducted a roll-call vote to report PN 22-14. The clerk recorded the yeas at seven and the nays at four, and the committee chair announced: “The nomination is agreed to and ordered favorably to the Senate.” Chair Murkowski urged a swift confirmation so the assistant secretary position could begin addressing backlogged work at Interior.

Votes at a glance: PN 22-14 — Nomination of William Billy Kirkland to be Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior — Committee vote to report favorably: 7 yeas, 4 nays.

Named votes reported in the transcript: Sen. Lisa Murkowski — Aye; Sen. (transcript) Hovind — Aye; Sen. Danes — Aye. The transcript recorded four senators marked “No by proxy,” including Sen. Maria Cantwell, Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, Sen. Tina Smith and Rep. (transcript) Lujan (listed as “Mister Lujan”); the committee announced the tally as 7–4.

What the committee said would follow: The chair asked whether any members wished to make additional statements; none were made, and the meeting record moved on to the oversight hearing portion of the session.

Ending: With the committee’s favorable report, Kirkland’s nomination proceeds to the full Senate for consideration.