Senate Confirms Idaho Governor To Bush Cabinet The U.S. Senate on Friday confirmed Idaho Governor Dirk Kempthorne as the new secretary of the U.S. Department of Interior. Kempthorne resigned as governor and assumed his new cabinet post later that day. "Throughout my public service, I have worked to reach out to both sides of the aisle, to different interests and to different viewpoints," he said. "As secretary, I want to help foster that same collaborative approach on Interior issues." Idaho Senators Larry Craig and Mike Crapo welcomed the confirmation, saying they’re looking forward to working with Kempthorne to improve the Endangered Species Act, resolve public land management issues and boost energy production on federal lands. Kempthorne becomes the 49th secretary of the Interior, succeeding Gale Norton, who served as secretary from 2001 until her resignation on March 31. Lt. Gov. Jim Risch becomes Idaho’s 31st governor.