Energy Secretary Rick Perry Rick PerryEnergy secretary questions consensus that humans cause climate change OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Democrats push resolution to battle climate change, sluggish economy and racial injustice | Senators reach compromise on greenhouse gas amendment stalling energy bill | Trump courts Florida voters with offshore drilling moratorium OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Trump signs major conservation bill into law | Senate votes to confirm Energy's No. 2 official | Trump Jr. expresses opposition to Pebble Mine project MORE urged President Trump Donald John TrumpFederal prosecutor speaks out, says Barr 'has brought shame' on Justice Dept. Former Pence aide: White House staffers discussed Trump refusing to leave office Progressive group buys domain name of Trump's No. 1 Supreme Court pick MORE to speak to Ukraine's president about issues related to energy and the economy during a call that contributed to the launch of an impeachment inquiry, Perry's spokeswoman told The Hill on Sunday.

"Secretary Perry absolutely supported and encouraged the president to speak to the new president of Ukraine to discuss matters related to their energy security and economic development," Shaylyn Hynes said in an email.

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During that call, Trump encouraged Ukraine's president to investigate 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden Joe BidenFormer Pence aide: White House staffers discussed Trump refusing to leave office Progressive group buys domain name of Trump's No. 1 Supreme Court pick Bloomberg rolls out M ad buy to boost Biden in Florida MORE and his son Hunter Biden, a partial transcript released by the White House showed.

Trump told House Republicans on Friday that Perry arranged the call, according to The Associated Press, which first reported Hynes's comments. The news service added that the secretary has prioritized relations with Ukraine and Eastern Europe throughout his time in Trump's Cabinet to lessen the hold Russia has on the area.

“He continues to believe that there is significant need for improved regional energy security,” Hynes said on Sunday.

Perry asserted in a Friday interview with CBN News that he knew nothing about Trump asking Ukraine to look into the Biden family in the call.

“Not once as God as my witness, not once was a Biden name - not the former vice president, not his son ever mentioned,” Perry said. “Corruption was talked about in the country but it was always a relatively vague term of, you know, the oligarchs and this and that and what have you.”

Sec. Rick Perry Explains 'Expansive Relationship' With Ukraine: 'God as My Witness Not Once Was Biden Mentioned'https://t.co/oippinJ9mA — CBN News (@CBNNews) October 5, 2019

--This report was updated at 1:44 p.m.