During his confirmation hearing last week before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, Burgum portrayed the Interior Department as key to geopolitical power struggles.

David Flohr, executive director of the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency, said building affordable housing helps attract and retain workers, a major challenge in the state. Adding housing supply also helps address homelessness and helps keep rent affordable, he said.

Former North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum's nomination to lead a presidential Cabinet agency was advanced by a U.S. Senate committee on Thursday.