Senators on the Committee on Indian Affairs pressed William H. “Billy” Kirkland on potential conflicts of interest and his political activities during questioning on Oct. 12.

Sen. Brian Schatz asked directly whether Kirkland would pledge “not to request or accept any ethics waivers.” Kirkland replied, “I pledge to work with the the office of ethics, the career the career staffers within the department tier to make sure whatever I'm whatever I'm doing or whatever I do do is always ethically in line with whatever law is in place and remain ethically compliant in all ways.”

Schatz followed by clarifying that a nominee can choose to recuse rather than seek waivers; after repeated questioning Kirkland said he was “not aware of any ethical conflicts or any waivers being requested, and I will continue to, make sure that I'm compliant in all ways moving forward.”

The committee also asked about a 2025 ethics filing in which Kirkland said he planned to sell his political consulting business, the PWK Group, to a registered lobbying firm, Potomac South. Kirkland told the committee that if confirmed he would ensure “everything will be ethically handled and passed over before I take office,” and said he would provide documentation if requested.

On questions about Kirkland's role as a senior presidential campaign adviser in 2020, Sen. Schatz pressed him under oath about whether he participated in or had personal knowledge of the post-election pressure campaign in Georgia, including the president's phone call with the Georgia secretary of state or any elector scheme. Kirkland denied being present for or participating in the specific conversations at issue and said he had not spoken to the press about those reports.

Committee members repeatedly told the nominee that the committee expects “unimpeachable ethics” in the position and that decisions near potential conflicts should result in recusal rather than waiver requests.

Kirkland said he would cooperate with ethics offices and provide requested documents to the committee.