Deb Haaland confirmed to lead Interior in historic vote

Following confirmation hearings in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee that saw Deb Haaland’s nomination sent to the Senate floor with a bipartisan vote of 11-9, today, the full Senate confirmed her to serve as the first Native American to ever lead the Interior Department in a bipartisan vote of 51-40.

Jamie Williams, president of The Wilderness Society said:

“We’re thrilled to welcome Secretary Haaland as the first Native American Interior secretary in U.S. history. Her record makes clear she will champion managing public lands as part of the climate solution, improve protections for our cherished lands and waters, and ensure everyone benefits from our shared lands. Secretary Haaland will be an extraordinary leader at a critical moment in the stewardship of our public lands and the people and communities that rely on them. 

“Secretary Haaland is uniquely equipped to modernize the Interior Department, and turn the corner on decades of discrimination against Native Americans and their tribal nations. We look forward to working with Secretary Haaland and the Interior Department to take on these opportunities to solve our climate crisis in an equitable and just manner.”

For more on Deb Haaland’s record and accomplishments, visit our recent blog here. Contact Tony Iallonardo at tony_iallonardo@tws.org with questions.